A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 573 Published: 08 Oct 2012
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 37 weeks issues of PGIM!)SUMMARY
4. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS - THE CALL TO HOLINESS
Again following on from last week, I have learned that a huge deterrent to both Jews and Muslims coming to Jesus is us! What an indictment!
Why is this?
For we talk about Jesus but we don't live like Him. It is worth repeating again and again that, if we wish to see Jews and Moslems come to Christ, they first need to see the Christ in us. For, in their cultures, actions speak louder than words.
The Bible primarily refers to godly living as attaining holiness. While there are other words used, such as righteousness and sanctification, enacting the principles of holiness puts us on the right track.
We are commanded to holy living.....
Be Holy
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.†(1 Peter 1:13-16)
The following extract is is headed 'Rules For Holy Living' and basically sums up the New testament, indeed the whole Bible.....
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 1:13-17)
The reality is, the Bible is a handbook on Holy Living, setting out it's principles and detailing the experiences of people, great and small, as they sought to apply the principles to their daily lives. The Bible is a guide to living our lives, day by day, of walking with Jesus. We can share in the trials, tribulations and victories of the men and women whose real life stories are included.....
The Stoning of Stephen
54 When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,†he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.†57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.†60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.†When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60)
And we can learn principles to live by given through revelation to the writers by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.....
10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. (Hebrews 12:10)
Indeed the Bible is known as the Holy Scriptures......
2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:2-4)
If we disobey the manual we wont see the Lord!.....
14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Sadly, we have taken this 'manual of life experience and instruction' and turned it into worthless theoretical theologies upon which no two people can agree, which split and divide, devoid of the power necessary to change lives.
May we get back to the basics today.
(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
Rules for Holy Living"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:1-17)
Warning Against Refusing God
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.†The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.†But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.†The words “once more†indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.â€" (Hebrews 12:14-29)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
BEAUTY1078. 'Beauty Within' outpaces 'Starlet' in the 'Race of Life'.
1079. We value the superficial but God' loves a beautiful heart.
1080. You cannot judge a book, or a person, by their cover!
1081. Beauty is fleeting, but a beautiful spirit, eternal.
1082. A beautiful body attracts a king, but a beautiful heart, the King of Kings.
1083. We can do little to alter our appearance, but a lot to beautify our heart.
1084. Beauty comes, beauty goes, but a beautiful heart goes on forever.
1084. To be beautiful in your old age cultivate a beautiful spirit now.
1085. Wrinkles follow the pattern of the heart rather than the shape of the face.
1086. Outward beauty is a blessing, inward beauty, God's gift.
1087. The foolish person seeks beauty, the wise, wisdom, the godly, a beautiful spirit.
1088. As the beauty of youth fades, inner beauty blossoms.
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 ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: GOD'S COVENANTS WITH MANKINDGod set out His principles for humans to adhere to in 7 major covenants.
When man broke one covenant, God in His graciousness would give us another chance.
Let's see what develops.
I would like to acknowledge the debt I owe to the 'Word of Life' course written by David Shearer and Neal Paterson and taught to me by Mike Cullen for my appreciation of the Covenants.
Interpretations - and mistakes - are mine though!
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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." ***
553. SIZE MATTERS
One Sunday school teacher believed in dramatizing Bible morals with stories that could have specific modern applications. So the teacher said to the class of young boys, “Forgiveness is always a virtue. Could you, for example, forgive another boy if he had hit you with his fist?â€
The class gave serious thought to so grave a matter, and finally one smallish lad said, “Yes sir, I could if he was bigger than me.â€
552. IF AT FIRST YOU DONT SUCCEED
A pastor was counseling a newlywed couple who had just had their first fight. “Why would her cooking get you so mad, Tom?†asked the pastor.
“Well,†Tom replied, “I asked if the steak was ready yet, and she told me, ‘I’m sorry for the delay, dear, but it looked hopeless grilled, and it doesn’t look much better fried, but if you’ll be patient a little longer, I’ll see what boiling does to it.’â€
551. COUNTRY WISDOM
Pastor Jones was on vacation and had just driven into a rural town, when he had a flat tire. “How far is it to the next service station?†the pastor asked a farmer.
“Nigh onto two miles as the crow flies,†the farmer said.
Perturbed, the pastor asked, “Well, how far is it if the crow has to walk and roll a flat tire?â€
" 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 ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Which 'King' in a pack of cards doesn’t have a moustache?ANSWER: The King of Hearts. (Wins hearts without it?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the hardest substance in the human body?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 964. WHO INVENTED THE LIGHTBULB?
Edison improved the incandescent lamp in 1879, but he didn't actually invent it. Sir Humphrey Davy is reputed to be the true inventor of the electric light. He passed electricity through a platinum wire and caused an arc lamp to glow as early as 1802.However, Davy did not pursue the discovery. By the time Edison entered the scene, arc lamps had been burning for several decades, but were limited by short life spans. Edison developed a long-lasting filament light in 1877, and in 1879 produced the first long-lasting light bulb.
965. ALL GOOSED UP!
A group of geese on the ground is called a gaggle. But if the geese are flying, they're a skein. (Give rise to split personalities?)
966. EALITY FILMING
The first time movie audiences were treated to the ‘reality’ of a flushing toilet was in Alfred Hitchcock's 1959 release ‘Psycho.†( How many viewers had an instant ‘hot flush.’)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
PRESBYTERIAN (Three word answer.)
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...
66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS
20: Proverbs: Who was the principle author of the Book of Proverbs?a. Solomon
b. Elisha
c. David
d. Isaiah
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE""" SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER!!!!!!! Some people use religion like a bus ~ they ride on it only when it's going their way.
!!!!!! Speak well of your enemies ~ you made them!
!!!!! You cannot stumble if you are on your knees.
!!!! Most of the world's useful work is done by people who are pressed for time, or are tired, or don't feel well.
!!! Humility is a strange thing ~ the moment you think you have it, you have lost it.
!! Sin leaves a mark, just as a nail leaves a hole in furniture ~ when you pull the nail out, the hole is still there.
! The goal of Christianity is not to make good people, but new people.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
100. DEAR DIARYMonday: Now home from honeymoon and settled in our new home. It's fun to cook for Bob. Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said, "Beat 12 eggs separately" The neighbors were nice enough to loan me some extra bowls.
Tuesday: Bob wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said, "Serve without dressing." So I didn't dress. What a surprise when Bob brought a friend home for supper.
Wednesday: A good day for rice. Recipe said, "Wash thoroughly before steaming the rice." It seemed kinda of silly but I took a bath. I can't say it improved the rice any.
Thursday: Today Bob asked for salad again. I tried a new recipe. It said, "Prepare ingredients, then toss on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving." Which is what led up to Bob asking me why there was lettuce in our bed that night.
Friday: I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said, "Put all ingredients in bowl and beat it." There must have been something wrong with this recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left.
Saturday: Bob did the shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday. ( oh boy) For some reason Bob keeps counting to ten.
Sunday: Bob's folks came to dinner. I wanted to serve roast. All I could find was hamburger. Suddenly I had a flash of genius. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger, much to my disappointment.
Good night, Dear Diary. This has been a very exciting week. I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Bob. If we could just get a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with "Chocolate Moose."
101. THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD
"Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher.
A small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant."
The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked.
"Sure," said the young boy confidently. "It means carrying a child."
102. DOG DUTIES
A nursery school teacher was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties.
"They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster.
"No," said another. "He's just for good luck."
A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dog," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrant."
Much more just for a life laugh here.....
BIBLE TRIVIA (The Bible Lands)
THE SHORE OF THE DEAD SEA.......... is the lowest place on the surface of the earth. Is also the saltiest body at 9 times that of the oceans! So salty, you cannot sink in it!
In AD70, a Roman commander sentenced some prisoners to death by being thrown off a hill into the Dead Sea. They didn't drown! After several attempts they were pardoned for the 'miracle' that had seemingly taken place!
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Victory for Marriage in Australia
Don Feder (Sep 26, 2012)"Hundreds of social science studies reveal that having a mother and a father is the optimal condition for human thriving. We remove this protection at great risk to many, especially children. Marriage must be protected. The future wellbeing of children and society depends on it." -The Honorable Kevin Andrews, MP
(Rockford, IL)—What was supposed to be a historic advance for "same-sex marriage" turned into an ignominous defeat and a victory for marriage and the natural family, when the lower house of the Australian parliament voted overwhelmingly against a gay-marriage bill by a vote of 98 to 42 on September 19th in Canberra. Then on September 20th, a similar bill was defeated in the Senate by 41 votes to 26.
This means that there will be no change to the definition of natural marriage in Australia.
World Congress of Families Managing Director Larry Jacobs congratulated Australian pro-family forces on a hard-earned victory, including three World Congress of Families Partners in Australia, the Australian Family Association, Endeavor Forum and Dads-4-Kids Fatherhood Foundation.
"When the governing Australian Labor Party abandoned its longstanding defense of natural marriage, it was supposed to all be over except for the celebration on the part of homosexual activists," Jacobs observed.
"But thanks to the hard work of Australian groups like the National Marriage Coalition, the Australian Family Association, Endeavour Forum, the Dads-4-Kids Foundation, and the intense lobbying of hundreds of thousands of ordinary Australians in behalf of maintaining the historic definition of marriage, 40% of Labor MPs in the House joined members of the National and Liberal Parties to defeat this step toward the deconstruction of natural marriage," Jacobs added.
Earlier this year thousands of pro-family leaders gathered to affirm natural marriage in The Madrid Declaration of World Congress of Families VI (May 25-27, 2012), unanimously adopted by more than 3,200 delegates from 72 nations. The Declaration provides in part:
"We affirm the natural family to be the union of a man and a woman through marriage for the purposes of sharing love and joy, propagating children, providing their moral education, building a vital home economy, offering security in times of trouble, and binding the generations."
"We affirm that the natural family is a fixed aspect of the created order, one ingrained in human nature. The natural family cannot change into some new shape; nor can it be re-defined by eager social engineers."
"We affirm that the natural family is the ideal, optimal, true family system. While we acknowledge varied living situations, all other 'family forms' are incomplete or are mere fabrications of the state."
Jacobs further noted that in the United States, 31 states have now adopted the definition of marriage as "the union of a man and a woman," all by popular vote. The latest was North Carolina, in May, by a vote of 61% to 39% where WCF Partner, the National Organization for Marriage was instrumental in defending natural marriage. "Every time the people have had a chance to vote directly on the issue, the only definition of natural marriage that protects children has carried decisively," Jacobs declared.
The Honorable Kevin Andrews MP, a 3-time World Congress of Families Speaker, Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services and author of the new book, "Maybe 'I Do': Modern Marriage and the Pursuit of Happiness," has summarized the key reason for protecting natural marriage in his remarks at the 2012 National Marriage Day Rally at the Australian Parliament. "Hundreds of social science studies reveal that having a mother and a father is the optimal condition for human thriving. We remove this protection at great risk to many, especially children. Marriage must be protected. The future wellbeing of children and society depends on it."
Source: World Congress of Families
via OpenHeaven.com
Continued at.....
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF…….THE SEVEN REVELATIONS OF THE LAMBIt would be normal to think of a victorious God as a lion. But Jesus came as a lamb, the Lamb of God.
The incredible story of how the Lamb of God is foreshadowed 4 times in the Old Testament, comes as the Lamb in the New, sets our example and will return to claim His kingdom.
Both a faith builder and a call to inherit the kingdom now.
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WAXING LYRICAL
My wife likes crosswords. I prefer Sudoku. (A man-woman thing?) But it is fun to play with words occasionally!'USING'
It's amusing
Is no musing.
Mind abusing.
Now accusing.
Brain fusing.
Never 'using'!
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A DAVID MUSING
Photo is of our 'KIDZ KORNA' where the kids play while mum shops for their clothes and for her own.Today I managed to remember how to reduce the picture in size without referring to my notes. Practice makes perfect!
So it is with our walk with Jesus. (I am speaking to myself here too!)
If we do not read His Word and spend time with Him regularly, we forget Him! With Jesus, as in other personal relationships, we get back what we put in. Sadly this is not the teaching of much of the church. Yes, He is the bearer of gifts, but He is not Father Xmas.
To develop an intimate relationship with Him takes effort. And it is costly - in fact, it costs us our life! A life to be replaced by His life living in us.
This is a great mystery, but a reality to those who give themselves 100% over to God.
Are you prepared to sacrifice all for Jesus? .......Or would you rather just sing about it!
"I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender,
I surrender all."
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: BEST IN PRAYER
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: d. David (Psalm 23)
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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 websitewwj.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
david@wwj.org.nz