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: 577 Published: 05 Nov 2012
TRANSITION FROM 'THE CHURCH' TO 'THE KINGDOM'
A new series, looking at the some of the changes we need to make to move from a 'church' to a 'kingdom' mindset.FROM "HEAD KNOWLEDGE" TO "HEART RELATIONSHIP"
Who has had the most influence on you in your walk with Jesus?
Is it the knowledgeable or the godly?
With me, I can say, without hesitation, the godly! How about you?
I have sat under anointed teachers with amazing spiritual gifts. They have taught me heaps, and I am most grateful for that. I have spoken at numbers of theological colleges and mixed with more than my share of learned Christian scholars.
Yet, it is not these who have had the greatest influence on my life. It is godly men and women from whom the Holy Spirit shines, about whom I could say.....
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)
Mainly they are very ordinary people, generally not in church leadership, although a few are. They know their Savior and have made Him Lord of their lives. They can speak about Jesus in a personal way, for they know Him so well. They radiate the Holy Spirit. As you look at each one you immediately see something different in them. For they are truly children of the kingdom. Ones who influence others by example, not simply through words.
The story of Mary and Martha illustrates this beautifully.....
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!†41 “Martha, Martha,†the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.†(Luke 10:38-42)
Most churches are run by Marthas. That is what makes the church system function. For there is never any shortages of jobs needing to be done round a church! And Martha types get the work done!
Yet Jesus said there was a better way. A way, I would suggest, that is the way of the kingdom. For the kingdom is built upon relationship, relationship with Jesus and with each other, which is the way of love. As Jesus said.....
The Greatest Commandment
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?†37 Jesus replied: â€â€˜Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.†(Matthew 22:34-40)
The church builds and perpetuates the church. So ultimately, it is these 'sold out' disciples to whom Jesus is looking to build the kingdom. Ones of whom it can truly be said.....
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.†(Luke 17:20-21)
The kingdom is not a matter of getting things done, but of living a life that reflects the Jesus in you.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 4:8-10)
May we become kingdom people out of whom the light of Jesus shines.
Amen.
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FROM THE WORD
The Coming of the Kingdom of God"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.†Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Men will tell you, ‘There he is!’ or ‘Here he is!’ Do not go running off after them. For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.†“Where, Lord?†they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.â€" (Luke 17:20-37)
Living as Children of Light
"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sinâ€: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.†Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 4:17-5:21)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM1012. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that the biggest hindrance to God building His kingdom is man building his. It's called religion.
1013. Man organises the god out of God!
1014. Religion builds tradition, the Spirit, change.
1015. Religion builds tradition, the Spirit breaks tradition down.
1016. One person's vision becomes their successor's job.
1017. The kingdom of God is built upon relationship, not organisation.
1018. Mankind cannot build the kingdom of God for He has already done it far better than we ever could.
1019. While religion may desire to build God's kingdom, it finally succeeds in building its own.
1020. The kingdom of God doesn't need to be built, rather, grasped hold of.
1021. Religion is of the proud, the kingdom of God, of the humble.
1022. Religion revolves round organisation, the kingdom of God, relationship.
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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: THE NOAHIC COVENANT continuedWe complete our look at the covenant God made with Noah by considering the seal, both actual and spiritual, how the covenant was broken and some significant historical events that took place at the time.
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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." ***
565. HIM TOO?
A speeding motorist was caught by radar from a police helicopter in the sky. An officer pulled him over and began to issue a traffic ticket.
"How did you know I was speeding?" the frustrated driver asked.
The police officer pointed somberly toward the sky.
"You mean," asked the motorist, "that even He is against me?"
564. HEAVEN?
A four-year-old asked her mother about the white stones in a graveyard. Mom replied, "That's where all the dead people are."
Much surprised, the girl asked, "That's heaven?"
563. ELEMENTARY
Sherlock Holmes was sent to heaven to find Adam and Eve. He came back within a day and said he had found them.
Watson: "How did you find them so quickly?"
Sherlock: "Elementary, my dear Watson, they were the only ones that didn't have belly buttons!"
" 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: What is the real name of the painting now known as the ‘Mona Lisa’?ANSWER: The real name of Leonardo Da Vinci's hugely famous painting is ‘La Giaconda’. It is supposed to be the portrait of the wife of a middle-class Florentine merchant named Francesco del Giacondo, but a number of other alternatives have also been suggested. (Will always be Mona to me.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What does the name ‘Jolly Roger’ come from?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 952. GETTING THINGS DONE - EVENTUALLY!
The Procrastinators Club of America sends news to its members under the masthead "Last Month's Newsletter." (Did it contain any news?)
953. BRA-LOCUTION!
In Britain, 2 women were killed in 1999 by lightning conducted through their under-wire bras, according to the West London Coroner's Office. (Now 'PC' to ban bras?)
954. DONT WORRY ABOUT IT
In the event of a major meteorite collision with the earth, your odds of dying are 1 in 20,000. Nearly 400 tons of space debris rain down on us daily, far too small an amount to detect. To date, no known big asteroid is on a collision path with Earth. However, a near miss by one in 1996 was found only four days before it passed within 280,000 miles of Earth, a hairbreadth by space standards. (But a long way from home.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
CAMINO
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS
24: Jeremiah: Who arranged for Jeremiah to be rescued from the muddy pit?a. Neriah
b. Ebedmelech
c. Gedaliah
d. Pashur
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!!!!!!! Sometimes the best helping hand you can give is a good, firm push.
!!!!!! The person who cannot be angry at evil usually lacks enthusiasm for good.
!!!!! Always remember that a person is not rewarded for having brains, but for using them.
!!!! The mind is like the stomach. It's not how much you put in it that counts, but how much it digests.
!!! The trouble with learning from experience is that the test comes first and the lesson afterwards.
!! Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
! He who boasts of being a self-made man or woman relieves the Lord of a lot of responsibility.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
WHY?
71. Why is the alphabet in that order?72. Why is a carrot more orange than an orange?
73. Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
74. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"
75. Have you ever wondered why just one letter makes all the difference between laughter and slaughter.
76. Why, when I wind up my watch, I start it; but when I wind up a project, I end it?
77. Does the reverse side also have a reverse side?
78. If a book on "Failure" doesn't sell, is it a success?
79. Does a bankruptcy lawyer expect to get paid?
80. Why does food with half the calories costs twice as much?
81. Why is it that the only vacant parking space is always on the other side of the street?
82. Why is it that there are always more last-minute details than there are last minutes?
83. Why are natural, unprocessed foods so much more expensive than their synthetic, over-processed counterparts?
84. Why does Hot Point make refrigerators while Frigid Air makes stoves?
85. Why is the man who invests all our money called a broker?
86. If its called chilli, why is it served hot?
87. Why is it can you "slow up," but you can't "speed down."?
88. Why do banks charge you a "insufficient funds fee" on money they already know you don't have?
89. Why do you ask someone without a watch what time it is?
90. Why is it that the guy who comes up behind you while you're waiting for an elevator presses the already lit "up" button - as though he somehow has magical powers that you didn't when you pressed it the first time?
91. Day light savings time - why are they saving it and where do they keep it?
270 of life's imponderable questions found here.....
BIBLE TRIVIA (The Bible Lands)
THE FACE OF THE LAND LOOKED VERY DIFFERENT.......... than it does now. The first step towards agriculture was to cut down the forests. That is what Joshua told the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh to do when they complained about the lack of farmland in the areas assigned to them. (Joshua 17:18) The consequences of deforestation can be seen today!
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
10,000 Egyptian Youth Gather in Desert to Worship
Jerry Dykstra (Oct 22, 2012)"To sit among over 10,000 young people, worship with them in a roaring holy noise, listen to powerful and challenging messages and pray for God's powerful presence in our lives; really, it is hard to describe in words."
(Santa Ana, CA)—Increased persecution, the election of a Muslim Brotherhood president, the death of the Coptic Orthodox Church pope and thousands fleeing their homeland in fear of an uncertain future.
Followers of Jesus in Egypt have faced major challenges on their journey of faith in 2012.
But there have been rays of the light of Jesus breaking through the gloom.
Earlier this month about 10,000 Christian young people came from all across Egypt for three days to worship the Lord and to seek God's blessing for their country. The worshippers, mostly ranging from ages 13 to 30, gathered from 10 o'clock in the morning until 8 each evening. Many traveled hundreds of miles to the worship site in the middle of the desert north of Cairo.
"To sit among over 10,000 young people, worship with them in a roaring holy noise, listen to powerful and challenging messages and pray for God's powerful presence in our lives; really, it is hard to describe in words," says a Christian leader. "Sitting at the very back of the small soccer stadium gave me a good view of the scene. Thousands were sitting to my right, thousands to my left and thousands more in the middle. Hardly any empty gaps! (Photo: Reuters/Stringer Egypt)
"The wonderful fact is that these young people came from all over Egypt. About 3,000 of them came all the way from many cities located in southern Egypt. They were accommodated in conference facilities available nearby. As for the remaining 7,000, they had to come all the way, every day, riding in the morning from Cairo and Alexandria in about 130 big buses, and then ride back home every evening for the night."
According to the church leader, another 2 million followed the event on Internet and live satellite transmission. The three-day event was called "One Thing." The theme of the meetings was taken from Psalm 27:4: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple."
"The worship music was loud, the lights were attractive and the entire setting of this large youth conference was quite impressive," states the leader. "However, what was really more impressive and touching, from my point of view, were those tears coming down the cheeks of boys and girls, and those genuine shouts of the name of the Lord that echoed across the silence of the desert proclaiming that our Father God is the Lord and Master in the hearts of a generation of Christian youth in Egypt.
"Imagine the empowering, heavenly force that those crowds of young people have taken back with them as they flooded back into their cities, towns and villages all across Egypt, assured that God the Holy Spirit is Himself living within them, determined to make them a blessing for the nation. God is at work in Egypt, no doubt!"
Jerry Dykstra, media relations director for Open Doors USA, adds: "The description the Christian leader gives of 10,000 young people coming together for worship in the desert is so inspiring. I am sure there was some danger involved regarding security issues for this huge event. We can learn so much from our fellow Christians who face persecution and an uncertain future.
Pray to the Lord that He will continue to strengthen Christians in Egypt and give them boldness and courage."
Egypt is ranked No. 15 on the Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians.
Source: Open Doors USA
Via: BCN Breaking Christian News
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF……. 3 MIRACULOUS CONCEPTIONSAnd how they mirrored aspects of the life of Jesus up to 2050 years before He was born. Our God is amazing!
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WAXING LYRICAL
Just thinking that I haven't written a poem for quite a while so maybe will have a go now - before I forget how!DAVID'S RAMBLINGS
Don't know what to write about.
Something that will have clout.
Should it be all about me?
No! Well - how about thee?
That might be interesting for we all like to hear about ourself,
Particularly it is nice and complementary, off the top shelf.
But the problem is that I don't know you personally, do you see,
So what can I say about you, not knowing if you're she or he!
Time is moving on,
Nearly time it is for bed,
The day is now gone,
The seconds, each has sped.
So what can I say that is of great note?
Before I have to leave, put on my coat.
Go out into the night and wend my way home,
In the darkness, to our wee abode to roam.
My wife Kathy, now she is not there.
Visiting her mother, do not despair,
She will be home tomorrow, I am so sure,
Returning from her travelling adventure.
So now I will go and cuddle the cat.
Oops - recall I can't now do that,
For she died some weeks ago - very sad.
So I'm all by myself; that's very bad.
But no, no, no! I do now remember!
Whether it be April or September,
I have my Jesus with me always you see,
So I wont be lonely, there's He and me.
I hope now, that's true for you too.
In the bed - even when on the loo!
He is a friend upon whom we all can rely,
When you are lonely, give Jesus a try.
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A DAVID MUSING
On Thursday, Kathy and I will be going to Melbourne, Australia for 10 days to celebrate the 'Australian wedding' of our nephew Dominic. Dominic and Susan actually got married a few months ago in the United States, for Susan is an American. So she can now have a kangaroo/kiwi (Australian/New Zealand) cultural experience!The world has become a small place! Just over 100 years ago, Kathy's grandmother came out to New Zealand, from England, on a sailing ship. It took 3 months. She was sick all the way. Shortly after arriving she met the man who was to become her husband. Realizing that once she was married, she was unlikely to go home to England again, she travelled back to England, stayed a year to say goodbye to her family, and returned to New Zealand to get married. Another 6 months of sea sickness!
Today that 3 months trip takes us 24 hours of flying time on a jet! How easy we have it! And what a cosmopolitan world we live in. Two out of our 3 Australian nephews are married to Americans. Our eldest son Andrew, is married to a Scottish lassie. Our second son Brendan, has a Singaporean girlfriend. Our third son Nigel, has an Indian lady friend and they both live in London. Cameron, our youngest, is still playing the field!
This mix of the nations reminds me of the kingdom of God. It is inhabited by people of all different colours and sizes. All who belong to the one family! Let us celebrate our diversity, for we live in amazing days!
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: MONICA
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: b. Ebedmelech (Jeremiah 38:7-13)
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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