THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW? continues

We are looking at the differences between the Jewish (Eastern) and Greek (Western) ways of thinking, so that we can better understand the ways and teachings of Jesus. (See the last 35 weeks issues of PGIM!)

SUMMARY

2. WHOLE OF LIFE - THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

The first and foremost principle that I have learned through this study is the need for a 'whole of life' approach to my walk with Jesus.

Jesus meant it when He said.....

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn ”‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:34-8)

Summarised in the next verse.....

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39)

My friend Asher, in India, was rejected and separated from his Hindu family for many years, when he gave his life to Jesus.

Over the years, since committing to Jesus, I have endeavored to take discipleship seriously, having tried, not always successfully, to 'walk the walk', not just 'talk the talk'.

Laying down our life is not easy, as Peter discovered.....

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! (John 13:37-8)

But eventually he did, both spiritually and literally, finally choosing crucifixion, at the Lord's request.....

IX. Peter

Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was. (Foxe's Book of Martyrs, by John Foxe, [1848] Chapter 1)

We too are called to walk in the example of Jesus, at least spiritually, if not literally.....

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:24)

Each and every one of us is called to a life of discipleship, of giving Jesus our all. If we are ever going to impress the Jews (or the Muslims) of the Saviour-ship of Jesus, we will have to witness with our lives, not just our words.

Muslims, for example, see the Western world as 'Christian', with our church, government, moral behaviour, etc., viewed as all being parts of the one whole-of-life entity. Naturally, they are not impressed with what they see!

Western society takes an opposite viewpoint, with the separation of the various elements of life. This has infiltrated our church thinking, so we promote the mental assent of the 'Sinners Prayer' as being sufficient to obtain salvation.

Looking at Jesus' life and culture, this is patently wrong. Unless our life reflects our verbal commitment, we are not truly Jesus followers. Believing may or may not get us into heaven by the 'skin of our teeth', but it certainly is not the 100% sold out commitment that Jesus requires.

Sets one thinking, doesn't it?

(To be continued next week.)

Acknowledgements: http://www.followtherabbi.com and http://hethathasanear.com and http://www.wildbranch.org

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FROM THE WORD

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

"He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household! “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ”‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”" (Matthew 10:1-42)

The Shepherd and His Flock

"“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”" (John 10:1-21)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

BELIEVERS v DISCIPLES

236. A believer praises the Lord in good times, the disciple at all times.

237. The Holy Spirit resides in the believer but shines through the disciple.

238. A believer loves God with heart and mind while a disciple commits the will.

239. A believer loves God and others, but they are the disciple's life.

240. A believer lives in hope, but for the disciple, God's hope is certain.

241. A believer seeks forgiveness for sin but the disciple also determines not to walk that path again.

242. A believer has faith in God but the disciple's faith is tempered in the fire of testing.

243. A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is unconditional.

244. The believer serves the Lord in strength, but the disciple is made perfect through weakness.

245. God is part of the believer's life, but the central focus of the disciple.

246. A believer forgives, but the disciple also forgets.

247. A believer communicates with God at their own convenience, but the disciple's heart is open to the Lord at all times.

430. A believer knows, but the disciple does.

1077. Believing is free, discipleship costs your life.

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...

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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: WALKING IN THE WAY: OUR JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE continues

We look at growing up in God.

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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused*** ***

"Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others." ***

547. SHAKESPEARE
Q. What was William Shakespeare's favourite book of the bible?

A. The book of Acts

546. ALL ORIGINAL
What a good thing Adam had going. When he said something he knew nobody had said it before.

545. NEEDED
A pastor had a practice of leaving his pulpit for a brief time during the morning service. While one of his staff made the announcements, he went to tell a Bible story to the children in children's church. One new member didn't understand. One day he said to the minister, "Pastor, you're the first preacher I ever saw who takes a coffee break during the service."

544. IT'S AN ILL WIND.....
After coming out of the water, a new member exclaimed, "Good grief, preacher, I forgot to remove my wallet from these trousers. It's dripping wet." "Hallelujah," exulted the preacher, "We could stand more baptized wallets."

" FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Sharks and Rays are the only animals known to man that cannot get this disease. What is it?

ANSWER: Cancer. Scientists believe this is related to the fact that they have no bone, only cartilage. (How about boneless humans? Are we part way there with spineless ones?)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: King Edward II of England (1324) decreed the standard measurement of the ‘inch’ to be equal to what?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

970. AMAZING AMAZON
The Amazon, a gigantic system of rivers and forests in South America, supplies 20% of the world's oxygen. (For how much longer?)

971. MULTITUDENOUS COLOURFUL POSSIBILITIES
There are 1,929,770,126,028,800 different colour combinations possible on a Rubik's cube. (Counted each one!)

972. NO ESCAPE
The famous magician and escape artist, who survived numerous death-defying stunts, died on Halloween 1926 at the age of 52. The cause of death was peritonitis, internal poisoning resulting from a ruptured appendix. Interestingly, a few months before he died, Houdini bought a bronze coffin and had himself locked into it and submerged in a hotel swimming pool for an hour and a half before the coffin was pulled up and opened to reveal a healthy Houdini. He took the coffin on tour with him and jokingly instructed his wife to use the coffin should anything happen to him while on tour. It was in that very coffin that his body was returned to New York for burial. (And he’s still in it – as far as we know!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

REFUNDED

Answer at the end of A David Musing

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA Or view all 1232 online at...

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66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS

18: Job: Who was the fourth 'friend' of Job who was angry with Job and the other three friends?

a. Elihu
b. Bildad
c. Eliphaz
d. Zophar

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE""" SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER

!!!!!!! The only fellow whose troubles are all behind him is a school bus driver.

!!!!!! If you make money your god, it will plague you like the devil.

!!!!! Man is the only creature that blushes ~ or needs to.

!!!! Don't be afraid to be honest with God ~ you will never be short-changed.

!!! If you aim at nothing, you're sure to hit it.

!! When you don't know what harbour you're making for, no wind is the right wind.

! If there were no God, it would not have been necessary to invent Him.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php

WHY!

100. Why is it you walk down a road, even if it goes uphill?

101. Why is it that it's bad to be mean, but for something to have "mean"ing can be good?

102. Why do we play in recitals and recite in plays?

103. Why is it that one person lives and many people live? Shouldn't it be one person live and many people lives?

104. If time heals all wounds, how come the belly button stays the same?

105. How is it that ‘back seat drivers’ usually sit in the front seat? (David Tait)

106. What would chairs look like if our legs bent the other way?

107. How is it that those who hate mice can still manage to operate a computer? (David Tait)

108. Can God make a rock so big that he can’t lift it?

109. Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?

110. Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes?

111. Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?

112. Why do fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing?

113. Do you need a silencer if you are going to shoot a mime?

114. Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

115. How does the guy who drives the snowplough get to work in the mornings?

116. If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?

117. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?

118. Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?

119. Why isn't "palindrome" spelled the same way backwards?

120. Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?

Many more of life's imponderable questions found here.

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BIBLE TRIVIA (The Bible Lands)

THE JORDAN VALLEY.....

..... is part of the Great Rift that runs from Turkey 4,000 miles deep into Africa, the deepest chasm on earth. Unlike the Grand Canyon which was caused by erosion, great swells and cracking of the earth's crust caused huge blocks of land to collapse, leaving deep valleys that were flooded. This formed the Jordan River, Lake Huleh, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.

Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys

Program Offers Prostitutes Jail or New Life

CBNnews.com

DALLAS -- When you think of Dallas -- the Cowboys, Southfork ranch, and big, shiny things paid for with oil money are what usually come to mind.

But a closer look reveals something much darker. Easy access to highways and busy commercial trade make the city a hub for illegal activity.

"We're in the south central part of Dallas," Dallas Police Lt. Mike Coleman said.

"We're very close to one of the major truck stops. There's hotels; there's a lot of traffic. We're next to a major thoroughfare next to I-20, and so you get a lot of transient people that come in and out. It's a fertile ground for prostitutes," he told CBN News.

'Prostitution Diversion Initiative'

The Dallas Police Department took a unique approach to the world's oldest profession by offering prostitutes an opportunity to clean up and get off the streets, in lieu of going to jail.

Coleman is head of the department's Prostitution Diversion Initiative, or PDI. It's a partnership between Dallas police, Social Services, and other organizations.

The department started the program five years ago mainly out of frustration over arresting the same women over and over again.

"It allows us to move the prostitutes from the wheel of going around in the criminal justice system on a regular basis to moving into a recovery mode," Coleman explained. "(We) realized we were not going to arrest our way out of this."

A key part of the program is that police treat the women they arrest as victims, not criminals.

"When you treat them as a victim, that's what allows them to get the services that they need for whatever is ailing them, be it drug addiction, be it whatever counseling needs they have, for whatever it is that's causing them to be engaged in this lifestyle," Colemen explained.

An Ultimatum

One night a month police set up a mobile command center near a local truck stop where hookers find their clients. Officers make arrests for prostitution and other crimes.

The women are given a choice: jail or a chance at a new life via the PDI 45-day program.

Only those who are charged with a misdemeanor can participate in the program. If they accept the offer, the services range from job counseling, to mental health services to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Renee Breazeale, a community liaison for PDI, said many of the prostitutes she sees suffer years of pain before turning to the streets.

"Eighty to 85 percent of them will acknowledge and are able to articulate childhood victimization, sexual abuse, physical abuse, exploitation, deprivation," she said.

Sex Trafficking Victims

The program also sees women who are victims of sex trafficking.

via: OpenHeaven.com

Continued at.....

http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=40470&PN=1&TPN=1

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

A REVELATION OF....... THE AMAZING TABERNACLE OF MOSES

The first modern revelation of the importance of Moses Tabernacle as being the pattern of a godly walk, and one of church development and life, came out of the Latter Rain Movement, after World War 2.

In more recent times the teaching has been neglected, but it is still applicable today. And the Lord is today, giving even more revelation about it, as we move still closer to the end of the age.

Yes, an understanding of Moses Tabernacle is vital for every Christian with a heart to know God and His plans in a deeper way.

I pray that you will find it as illuminating, challenging, yet encouraging, as I have in my life.

Check it out and download your free PDF File here.....

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WAXING LYRICAL

What will the new year bring? A timeless message though.

2009

Running out of time,
Another year's over,
A lemon or a lime?
It's over Rover!

Can't change the past,
Memories will last.
Of good things done,
Others, not begun.

2009's nearly here
Let us be of good cheer,
And not turn the recession,
Into personal depression.

Money may well be tight,
But there's still light,
Jesus is ever on the throne,
No matter how much we groan.

Come into His presence,
Experience the essence,
Of His grace and glory,
In the heavenly story.

"Rest in my goodness,
With thankfulness,
For I am the Lord,
Me you can afford.

I am always here for you,
Will ever see you through,
You're in the palm of my hand,
With me, forever you'll stand.

Come now and rest in me,
One plus one is three,
My love for you is always free,
Accept it, then you will see.

One day the world will end,
Eternity with me to spend,
But now, come build my kingdom here on earth,
You're my precious pearl, beyond all worth."

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A DAVID MUSING

Another photo of our new building in Napier! Have got the method now (with the help of writing it down! LOL!).

Sales are increasing as we get better known at our new location. Long may the trend continue!

May my spiritual development keep pace too! May I step out in faith and do the Lord's will in my life.

How about you?

Until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: UNDERFED

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: a. Elihu (Job 32)

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567

Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz

Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
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