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: 584 Published: 24 Dec 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. (See the last 8 weeks of PGIM)FROM “SALVATION†TO “HOLINESS†(Part 1)
Sadly, as a church, we are very good at twisting Biblical truth to suit our own ends.
One of the major misinterpretations is that of the 'Great Commission'.
We see it as being a command to preach the word to others, get them to say the so called 'Sinners Prayer', then count them as another soul won to the kingdom.
Our measure of success in church is on numbers of conversions, of 'bums on seats', rather than radical life change.
Let us see what the Great Commission actually says. The highlights are mine.....
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.†(Matthew 28:16-20)
The instruction of Jesus is not to make converts, but rather, obedient disciples.
Following Jesus is not easy. Multitudes followed Him early in His ministry, but by the nearly all had fallen by the wayside. The Parable of the Sower explains this graphically.....
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. (Matthew 13:3-7)
Conversion, sowing the seed, was just to be the first step. Seed grew (sinners prayers said) but soon died through poor husbandry (lack of discipleship). Only some seed grew to maturity and even then, the crops (spiritual fruit) varied tremendously.....
8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:8)
The reality is, if our lives displayed the characteristics of Jesus, others would be attracted to Jesus naturally. There is a song we used to sing at school that makes this point. "Give me 10 men who are stout hearted men, and I'll soon give you 10,000 more."
The story of the 'Rich Young Man' illustrates the cost of discipleship.....
16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?†17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?†Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.†18 “Which ones?†the man inquired. Jesus replied, â€â€˜Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’†(Matthew 19:16-19)
Now that would, in itself, require a huge life change for us in today's world! But it is still not enough!
20 “All these I have kept,†the young man said. “What do I still lack?†21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.†(Matthew 19:20-1)
Living a good life is not enough! We must also be prepared to give up the things that are the most precious to us, in order to follow Jesus. In this man's case it was wealth, and he wasn't prepared to make the sacrifice.
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matthew 19:22)
Jesus stated the cost, the stripping away of our lives, that is required in order to follow Him, in the illustration of the camel and the eye of the needle. (See the article below BIBLE TRIVIA (The Bible Lands))
Yes, conversion is just the first step in our 'walk with Jesus'
(This theme continues next week)
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FROM THE WORD
The Parable of the Sower"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.†The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?†He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: â€â€˜You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.â€" (Matthew 13:1-23)
The Rich Young Man
"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?†“Why do you ask me about what is good?†Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.†“Which ones?†the man inquired.
Jesus replied, â€â€˜Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’†“All these I have kept,†the young man said. “What do I still lack?†Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.†When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.†When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?†Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.†Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?†Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." (Matthew 19:16-30)
Read the Bible (NIV Version) online at...
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
DISCIPLESHIP214.-235. Discipleship is...
... doing the right thing because we want to, not because we are expected to.
... being a servant both to God and man.
... honouring God with body, soul and spirit.
... loving the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind.
... being 100% committed to the Lord's cause.
... putting the Lord first in all things.
... placing the Lord's desires ahead of our own.
... applying the Lord's will to our mind and emotions.
... accepting the Lord's correction graciously.
... being joyful in the Lord - even while being corrected!
... subverting our will to His.
... centred upon giving rather than receiving.
... becoming a little more like Jesus every day.
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 ...
CHRISTMAS LETTER
If you would like to read our family news for the year, please click on the link. Pictures of 'her' (beautiful!) and 'him' (well......) too!You will find our Christmas letter here.....
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: THE NEW COVENANTAll the Old Testament covenants, from the time of Adam onwards, point to the coming of Jesus and the final 'New Covenant' that God would make with His creation - you and me.
As this is the final covenant, we simply have the option to accept or reject it. There is no other alternative. After we die, there are no more chances. This is it!
Check out all the available teachings at...
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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. ***
582. THOSE BULLETIN BLOOPERS KEEP COMING
The Ladies Mission Team will sponsor a Christmas Arts and Crap Sale the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Our Mission trip to Mexico will is specifically designed to reach Hispanics..
Anyone who submitted their own photos for the church directory may pick them up in the office. If you would like them nailed to you please contact the secretary. (ouch)
The Ladies Weight Loss Class will be holding a food drive for the church pantry next month.
We have agreed to sponsor six Somalian refugees. Volunteers are needed to help torture survivors.
The benevolent committee is working to help a family that had most of their belongings destroyed in a fire. In addition to general household goods they specifically need a washer and dryer and a mattress for a queer size bed.
The youth group has a couple of students who need assistance with homework. We have a special need for a volunteer Math tudor.
We will be serving a meal for the homeless at the Cooperative Ministries Outreach Center. There is a poster is in the narthex where you may sign up to be a sewer for the meal or bring food items.
The fitness center wellness program provides a condominium of care that has been beneficial to several of our seniors.
The paving company says they should be here to stripe the back parking lot Wednesday. Therefore, there will be no puking on the back lot during Wednesday night's activities. Trustees will be on duty to see that this is enforced.
The Thursday evening Bible Study Group will be working on Jobs during January and February.
The singing in the park will be a wonderful opportunity to praise the Lord in the great outdoors. Dress is casual. No shorts or Jeans..
The Senior's Fitness Group has found that dedication and constipation are the key to any successful exercise routine. For information joining the group please contact the office.
581. THE BIG BANG
I believe in the big bang theory: It happened like this.....
God said let there be light and "bang!" there was light.
" 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 do you call a group of turtles?ANSWER: Often called a ‘herd’, but the correct collective term is a ‘bale’ of turtles. (Turtles are very particular about this!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is a ‘Limey’?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 933. WALKING ON WATER
The basilisk, a Central American iguana, due to its webbed feet and speedy gait, can run across water without sinking. (Have great faith and do it. Peter had faith and lost it. I have never had it - yet.)
934. A TREE OR THREE
Arbor Day, a special day for planting trees, was celebrated for the first time in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. The holiday is now usually celebrated on the last Friday in April. (Early environmentalists?)
935. IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED
It required 277 nuclei transfers to produce the single, viable cloned lamb, finally able to be named Dolly. (Practice didn’t make perfect in this case, as she died young.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
STRIFE
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
31: Obadiah: Of which nation does Obadiah prophesy the downfall?a. Edom
b. Ammon
c. Israel
d. Assyria
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!!!!!!! A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
!!!!!! If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.
!!!!! How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
!!!! Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
!!! I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
!! The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket .
! Prayer is not a “spare wheel†that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel†that directs the right path throughout.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
155. NO CHANGEThe tourist wandered into a gourmet food shop in Beverly Hills. He picked out two apples and a pear.
"That will be $8.00," the storeowner said.
The tourist gave him a ten-dollar bill and walked away.
"Wait! Don't you want your change?"
"Forget it. I stepped on a grape on my way in."
154. FOR THE GOLFER IN YOUR LIFE
* Q. Why do golfers carry two pairs of trousers with them?
A. Just in case they get a hole in one.
* Golfer: "Well, I have never played this badly before!"
Caddy: "I didn't realize you had played before, sir!"
* Golfer: "My wife says if I don't stop playing golf she's going to leave me!"
Caddy: "I'm sure you will miss her terribly, sir!"
* Golfer: "Well caddy, do you like my game?"
Caddy: "Very good, sir! But personally I prefer golf."
153. ABOUT 2 HOURS
This drunk gets on a bus and asks the driver how long the trip is between Limerick and Cork.
"About two hours," says the conductor.
"OK," says the drunk "then how long is the trip between Cork and Limerick?"
The irate driver says to the drunk "It's still about two hours. Why would you think there'd be a difference?"
"Well," says the drunk, "It's only a week between Christmas and New Year, but it's a long time between New Year and Christmas!"
Have a lsugh to relax at Christmas here.....
BIBLE TRIVIA (The Bible Lands)
THE ANCIENT CITIES OF THE EAST WERE NORMALLY WALLED..........and at night the gates were closed for protection against invaders. In case any of its citizens were unable to return before nightfall, a small opening was left in the gate, called the "needles eye" It was so low and narrow that that a laden camel could not fit through. Only when the camel was unloaded and the load (riches, possessions) left outside, could the camel, with its head bent low, (humility) squeeze through. (See Matthew 19:23-4)
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
The Greatest Season of Revival? The Choice is Yours
By Francis FrangipaneCharisma News
In spite of worldwide conflicts, the Holy Spirit is guiding the true Church into her greatest season of transformation. We must not look at the pressures of our times as though they were obstacles set to restrict us. For in the hands of the Almighty, these are the very tools He is using to perfect us.
One of the problems of interpreting end-time events is the tendency to focus upon only one set of conditions. If we look only at the fact that satan is raging or that lawlessness, wars, earthquakes and famines are escalating, we might conclude that difficulty and darkness are all that we have awaiting us until the rapture. And, as I mentioned, many people have been taught that life will only grow more evil until Christ returns.
But the same Spirit that predicted the perilous conditions at the end of the age also forecasts that, in spite of difficulties and battle, the gospel of Christ's love will be proclaimed worldwide to all nations (see Matthew 24:14). The Lord also said that the "crop" of last-days Christians will reach full stature (see Mark 4:28-29), and that those who know their God will be strong, do exploits, shine like the stars and lead multitudes to righteousness (see Daniel 11:32; 12:3).
In every age God requires that we walk as overcomers. Our call is to pray, to stand in spiritual warfare, to intercede for our leaders and soldiers and not to surrender our vision of a world in revival, regardless of whatever temporary setbacks we may face. The very fact that some distant nations are experiencing renewal and great harvests in recent years (Uganda and Fiji, for instance) reminds us that there is still time for our own nations. Our focus must remain riveted upon becoming like Christ in all things.
We might feel overwhelmed by the flood of evil storming against our societies, yet the promise of God is that, when the enemy comes in like a flood, He shall raise a standard against him (see Isaiah 59:19, KJV).
So we must ask ourselves, is our focus upon the enemy's flood? Or are we aware of the standard God is raising up to counter the onslaught of evil? Do not forget, beloved, that even when darkness covers the earth and deep darkness the peoples, the promise of God is that His glory shall rise upon us and His presence shall be visibly seen through us! In spite of the appearance that darkness is never ending, the Lord promises that, at the end of the war between light and darkness, "nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising" (Isaiah 60:1-3). Indeed, God's Word reveals that nestled and unfolding in the panorama of end-time events will also be an ongoing "period of restoration" ( Acts 3:20-21).
This does not mean that the world will be subdued by the Church (as some erroneously teach), but that the true church itself will be glorious, subdued and transformed by Christ! This final display of grace will be consummated in a Christlike Church, whose spiritual maturity shall manifest on earth the person and passions of Jesus Christ Himself.
Via OpenHeaven.com
Article continues at.....
http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=42297&PN=1
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... THE BOOK OF RUTHIn one of the oldest books of the Bible, God reveals His plan for the Church in these end times. Unbelievable! No! For God's plan has been there from the beginning of time. He is now revealing more of it to us. Wondered about the Church and Israel? Read on...
Check it out and download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
This poem was 2 years in the writing! The inspiration came, half was written, then I got busy on other things! In the last day or two I have had some spare time, so thought to finish it. (Actually I have had more spare time during the two years but never quite got 'a round tuit'!) I hope the result is worth waiting for!MR BUMBLE (Part 1)
The other day I met with a bumble bee,
The two of us together, just him and me.
I asked, "How are you, my high flying friend,â€
As our way down the road, we did gently wend.
“A ‘box of buzzes’ " said Mr Bumble, rumbling along,
In the prime of life - yes, a bee so buzzingly strong.
“I'm on the way to the garden down the road,
Plentiful pollen there, will get me a load.â€
“For I’m a worker bee you see,
One of many, in our big family,
We have a purpose for which to live,
Honey aplenty, to our hive, to give.â€
“Your life is a fulfilled one then,
A privilege not given many men.â€
“I guess it is, in following family tradition,
Feeding the hungry hive’s a real mission.â€
“I learned what to do from my brother,
The Queen you know, is our mother,
It was Jimmy who taught me how to fly,
Led by example, encouraged me to try.â€
“But soon flight, I did learn to master,
With practice, went faster and faster.
Till now I’m known as the ‘brmm-brmm bee,’
Always winning the race to the cherry tree.â€
“Of course, you know you can’t really fly!†I rashly said,
As diplomatic as taking a sledgehammer to his head!
“For the ‘Laws of Aerodynamics’ you know,
State that ‘up in the air,’ you cannot go.â€
‘Your shapes all wrong
To push you along!
Your body’s far too big!
Ever seen a flying pig?’
In full swing now, big in my bumble bee knowledge,
Intensively learned during five full years of college.
“Your little wings wear out beating ten thousand times a minute,
Therefore your life span is only sixty days – at the very limit!â€
Was somewhat surprised at my clever words’ effect,
For these, I thought, he would automatically reject.
But to take on board my knowledge, he did elect,
My erudite words, to him they did only deject!
“You humans are simply so superior
Us bumbling bees, greatly inferior!
You know more about me than I do!
So what you say, must surely be true.â€
“It's true then! I can’t really fly?
Yes, about to fall from the sky!
Life now seems just not worth the living!
Even with all the effort, I’ve been giving!
So at that very moment he gave up trying,
Knew he should, no longer now be flying,
From a rapid ten thousand beats a minute,
To wings folded, his heart no longer in it.
(To be concluded next week)
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A DAVID MUSING
Kathy and myself take this opportunity to thank you for reading PGIM, which has now been published for over 11 years.Also to wish you and your family a relaxing Christmas, remembering Jesus and, where possible, spending time with your family.
Must gop and do it myself now!
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SIFTER
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: a. Edom (Obadiah 1:1)
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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