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 19 weeks of PGIM)

FROM “ORGANIZED” TO “ORGANIC” (Continued)

We saw 2 weeks ago.......

"under the Old Covenant there was a separation between the Priests and the people, something which re-entered the Christian church through the Roman Catholics and despite attempts to get rid of it through the Reformation, effectively is still with us today, in so many ways."

And last week.....

At the time of the death of Jesus, a miracle took place (the curtain in the Temple torn from top to bottom opening up, once again, direct access for us to the Father) signifying the change from the Old Covenant to the New. For it was the direct result of, and response to, what happened when Jesus died on the cross.

So what then, are the implications of this change in Covenants?

1. WE NOW HAVE A PERMANENT SACRIFICE MADE ON OUR BEHALF

A crucial change between the Covenants (Testaments) is in the form of sacrifice we are so blessed to experience.

The glory of the Lord moved from the Tabernacle in the desert.....

The Glory of the Lord

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. (Exodus 40:34-8)

.....to the Temple.....

10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple. (1 Kings 8:10-11)

.....and as we saw last week, the Holy of Holies was opened up to you and to me to enter into the very presence of God enjoyed by Adam and Eve before the fall through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross....

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51a)

This is an understanding and revelation that most Christians have little understanding of the implications of! We no longer need a human priest to intercede on our behalf.....

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:18-19)

Our covenant with God is now through Jesus......

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. ((Hebrews 7:20-22)

Forever! HALLALUJAH!!!

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:23-5)

He is all we need!

26 Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26)

For He is forever perfect! PRAISE THE LORD!

27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:27-8)

God first spoke through the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:33-4) and promised a new, and perfect, covenant, the fulfillment of which was confirmed in Hebrews.....

10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. (Hebrews 8:10-13)

Jesus, the Christ is now in heaven interceding on behalf of you, and of me.....

24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. (Hebrews 8:24)

Amen.

We will start to look at the implications of this pivotal event that changed human history forever, next week.

(This theme to be continued next week)

Find out more about us at.....

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

FROM THE WORD

Setting Up the Tabernacle

"Then the LORD said to Moses: “Set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, on the first day of the first month. Place the ark of the Testimony in it and shield the ark with the curtain. Bring in the table and set out what belongs on it. Then bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. “Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting; place the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it. Set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy. Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them. “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest. Bring his sons and dress them in tunics. Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue for all generations to come.” Moses did everything just as the LORD commanded him. So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year. When Moses set up the tabernacle, he put the bases in place, erected the frames, inserted the crossbars and set up the posts. Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, as the LORD commanded him. He took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover over it. Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain and shielded the ark of the Testimony, as the LORD commanded him. Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain and set out the bread on it before the LORD, as the LORD commanded him. He placed the lampstand in the Tent of Meeting opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle and set up the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD commanded him. Moses placed the gold altar in the Tent of Meeting in front of the curtain and burned fragrant incense on it, as the LORD commanded him. Then he put up the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle. He set the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it burnt offerings and grain offerings, as the LORD commanded him. He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet. They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, as the LORD commanded Moses. Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work.

The Glory of the Lord

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels." (Exodus 40:1-38)

"“The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD Almighty is his name: “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD,
“will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me.” " (Jeremiah 31:31-36)

Read the NIV Bible online at.....

http://www.ibs.org/niv/index.php

***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today

Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse. To register today, simply click here on@wwj.org.nz>ddd-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done! If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring! Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/doodlings/index.php

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

TALKING AND WALKING

1317. In Jesus, many talk the walk, but few walk the talk.

1318. Religionists talk, disciples walk.

1319. Religionists talk of past glories, disciples walk into present glory.

1320. By definition, 'following' Jesus requires walking, not talking.

1321. If we talk, but not walk with Jesus, we will soon be 'left behind'!

1322. We must walk into God's rest.

1323. In God, talk is cheap, walking expensive, for it costs our life.

1324. Talking changes minds, but walking, hearts.

1325. To talk about Jesus is good, to walk in His ways, godly.

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 ...

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

CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE. Check it out at...

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

TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF.......THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES - ESTABLISHING GOD’S PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH

APPLICATION TO TODAY’S CHURCH

Next we will take a look at the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches and see how they too, fit into the pattern of the Tabernacle.

Check out all the available teachings at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/teachings/index.php

*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today

As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done! Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laughing/index.php

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. ***

617. A SWEDISH SERMON
While on his farm, an immigrant man had a vision and thought he saw the letters “P.C.” in the sky. He interpreted that as “Preach Christ” and felt he was called to be a preacher, though he had very limited reading and writing skills. His wife questioned her husband’s ability and call to the ministry.
“Do you know the Bible?” she asked.
“Ya, I know da Bible from lid to lid.”
“Well, what part do you like the best?” she asked.
“Vell, I tink da New Testament. Man, dey like da parables da best.”
“Which parable do you like the best?” she continued.
“I tink I like da Parable of da Good Samaritan.”
“All right,” she said, “Tell me the Parable of the Good Samaritan.”
“Ya, vel, many years ago a man vent from Jerusalem up to Jericho an fell among tieves, an dey stole his coat of many colours. An da torns grew up an dey choked dat man, and he met the Queen of Sheba. He did. An da Queen of Sheba gave dat man Joseph a thousand talents off gold, frankincense and myrrh. An he got into da chariot of fire an drove furiously, an ven he was driving under da big tree, his hair got caught in a limb, an left him hangen der. Ya, he hung der many days and nights, an da ravens brought him food to eat an vater to drink, an von night as he vas hangen der, his wife, whose name vas Delilah, came along an cut his hair, an he dropped an fell on stony ground, an it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
He vent on an came to Jerusalem, an ven Jezebel saw this, she laft at him, an he said, ‘Trow her down.’ An dey trowd her down. An he said, ‘Trow her down again.’ An dey trowd her down 70 times 7 times, an of her fragments dey picked up 12 baskets full. Now I ask you, whose wife will she be in der judgment, ven dey separate da sheep from da goats?”
His wife said, “Ollie, I don’t think you will pass the seminary exam, and I’m sure that “P.C.” meant for you – “PLANT CORN!”

616. GET THEE BEHIND ME
A little boy always went next door to play even though his mom had warned him against doing so. This worried his mom so badly that she asked him why he was so disobedient.

He replied that satan tempted him so bad and he did not know what to do.

His mom then advised him to say 'get behind me Satan' whenever he was tempted. She then built a fence around the house.

This worked for a week, then one sunny afternoon his mom looked out the window and there was her son playing on the neighbors lawn having cut a hole in the fence.

"Johnny", she yelled, "come here!" She then said "did I not tell you to say 'get behind me satan' whenever he tempted you?"

"Yes", the boy replied, "I said, 'get behind me satan', then he went behind me and pushed me through the hole in the fence."

" 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 ...

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

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Where did the term ‘private eye’ originate?

ANSWER: We get ‘private eye’ from the famous logo of the Pinkerton Detective Agency -a wide-open eye. The company, founded in the 1800s, had as its motto: ‘We never sleep’. (So can specialise in finding those who sleep together illicitly.)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who wrote the first detective novel?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

894. HOT PENGUINS
While penguins live comfortably in the icy cold of the South Pole, they also live on the Galapagos Islands, on the equator. (Go there for their annual holiday in the sun?)

895. YOUR ICE CREAM IN A CONE
Came about by chance. At the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, an ice cream vendor ran out of dishes. So he borrowed some waffles from the vendor next door and served the ice cream in those. Hey presto - the ice cream cone was created. (A great excuse for not doing the dishes.)

896. TIME FOR A SANDWICH
Sandwiches derive their name from John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. This English nobleman loved playing cards, but hated stopping to eat. So in a world changing inspiration, he had his servants put meat between slices of bread, creating a food that he could eat while playing. (Now we can all work and eat at the same time! ‘Earl-y’ John has a lot to answer for!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

STEELING

CLUE: Look to the Bible.

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...

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

66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS

44: Acts: Who was chosen to replace Judas as a disciple?

a. Barnabas
b. Stephen
c. Paul
d. Matthias

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...

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

IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

CHRISTIAN ONE-LINERS

!!!!!!! Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

!!!!!! Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

!!!!! Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

!!!! Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

!!! Forbidden fruits create many jams.

!! God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

! God grades on the cross, not the curve.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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

LIFE'S A LAUGH

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."

103. MARRIED
Jay Leno was talking to his guest, the famous "Ahrnold," about the new movie, TERMINATOR 3. He asked about the fight scenes with his female opponent. "Was it hard to fight with a girl?"

The Arnold replied, "No, I'm used to it. I'm married."

104. PREMIUM PARKING
A few years ago, there was a news story on the radio about a Jewish synagogue that had a problem with the Baptists down the street. Some Jews were unable to find a space in their
own parking lot because members of the nearby Baptist church, which met earlier in the morning for revival meetings, got there first. So the Jewish synagogue had a problem.

Now they could have towed the Baptist's cars away. Or they could have patrolled their lot Saturday mornings. Or they could have written a letter to the offending church members,
imploring them to park elsewhere, but they didn't.

Instead, they used bumper stickers.

One Saturday morning they stuck a bumper sticker to every car in the lot - Baptist and Jewish alike. The sticker read:

"I'M PROUD TO BE JEWISH !"

No more parking lot problems!

Just have a laugh at life here.....

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

BIBLE TRIVIA (Festivals and Holidays)

THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD.....

..... falls between the 15th and 25th days of the month of Nisan. It commemorates the Israelites time in the desert and the food they were to eat - unleavened bread.

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

New Pope Viewed as Pro-Unity, Pro-Renewal of the Holy Spirit

March 18, 2013

Over the past decade the Rt. Rev. Tony Palmer, a former director of Kenneth Copeland Ministries’ South African office and co-founder of The Ark Community, an international and interdenominational community of Christians based in the United Kingdom, has been extensively involved with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR).

In 2003, Palmer was invited by the Catholic Church to move to Europe and minister to Catholics within the CCR worldwide, as a non-Roman Catholic minister. As a result of this calling, Palmer has traveled to many countries around the world and participated in numerous meetings with leaders within the charismatic renewal.

It was during a mission to Argentina five years ago that Palmer met and soon became close friends with Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis I.

“We had called on him to ask permission to minister in churches within his diocese for renewal,” Palmer recalled recently of that first meeting. “Immediately, Cardinal Bergoglio shared his heart and appreciation for what we were doing, and fully embraced us and the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us—not only to Catholic people, but to all Christian denominations.”

On March 13, Cardinal Bergoglio became the first non-European pope in more than 1,000 years when he was elected to replace the outgoing Pope Benedict XVI, who abdicated on February 28. The 76-year-old Bergoglio, who has now taken on the name Pope Francis, after the humble Catholic friar St. Francis of Assisi, will be installed at the Vatican on March 19.

“It is quite surreal for me to see my friend, spiritual father and prayer partner as the Pope,” Palmer said this past weekend while on a ministry trip to Italy. “We have a good pope who is pro-unity and pro-renewal of the Holy Spirit. He believes that all Christians are one!”

Like the leader whose name he chose to draw from, Pope Francis is himself considered humble and is described as a conservative with “great compassion.”

In a speech he delivered to his cardinals two days after being elected, Pope Francis showed signs of his humility, compassion and his reverence of the Holy Spirit when he told them: “Someone said to me: the Cardinals are the priests of the Holy Father. That community, that friendship, that closeness will do us all good. And our acquaintance and mutual openness have helped us to be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit. He, the Paraclete, is the ultimate source of every initiative and manifestation of faith….The Paraclete creates all the differences among the Churches, almost as if He were an Apostle of Babel. But on the other hand, it is He who creates unity from these differences, not in ‘equality,’ but in harmony….The Paraclete, who gives different charisms to each of us, unites us in this community of the Church, that worships the Father, the Son, and Him, the Holy Spirit.”

From the inception of The Ark Community, KCM has maintained a strong partnership with Palmer through prayer and by supporting his mission work. It was through Palmer’s assistance that Kenneth and Gloria Copeland were able to minister to the Roman Catholic Church in Italy for the first time ever in 2006. They have since returned there to minister.

In light of the historic change taking place in the Catholic Church, we asked Palmer for his insight into the election of the new Pope, and what effect he feels this might have on the Body of Christ overall. Here is some of what he had to say:

Read the full article here.....

http://www.kennethcopelandministries.org/2013/03/historic-change/

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

THE POWER OF THE CALL

Understanding the call of God upon your life and that of the church.

Download your free PDF File here.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj42p13.pdf

WAXING LYRICAL

In decades past in New Zealand, as in many countries I guess, it has not been the right thing for a ‘real man’ to be seen to be writing poetry, (except perhaps when trying to woo a lady!) so most of us haven’t. I can’t say that over the years I ever really had the inclination either, except for a couple of ‘moments of weakness’ when I was really feeling down and rhyming lines came into my mind.

All changed however at the dawn of the new millennium. I remember well, sitting at my computer, when the radical rhymes just flowing from my mind, through the keyboard and, almost magically it seemed, appearing on the screen. God was releasing a whole new dimension in my life. He never ceases to amaze me! It was the last thing I would have thought of doing myself!

Since then I have had lots of fun doing them, from time to time as the inspiration hits. Most take about a day to complete – 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration, as is the rule in most things of life. I trust you may also derive a little pleasure from reading them too!

Celebrating the most important event in history – the death and resurrection of Jesus.
To some it may seem like a tragedy but the reality is that it was the final victory for Jesus over sin and death, and through Him, for us too. The ultimate example of the saying, ‘No gain without pain!’ For the pain Jesus suffered that day was indescribable. He was beaten to a pulp, unrecognisable, not at all like the sanitised pictures we have
of this gentle looking man sadly looking down on his followers from the cross. He suffered the most agonising and extreme torture and death that it was possible for the Romans to inflict, and they were real experts at it.

This poem attempts, inevitably inadequately, to describe some of the events of that day, a day that had amazingly, been specifically predicted hundreds of years before it came. Indeed it was foreshadowed from the very time that it became necessary, the moment that Adam and Eve were separated from God through sin. FEEL FREE TO USE THIS POEM IN YOUR EASTER WORSHIP.

SEVEN TIMES SHED FOR ME

(Matthew 27:46)"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabaacthani" He cried,
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
On the stroke of the ninth hour he died
Rejected, cruelly nailed to the God deserted tree.
My Jesus, shedding his blood for me.

To Gethsemane he came, the holy one
(Luke 22:42) Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;
Yet not my will, but yours be done.
For I’ll ever be obedient, until you set me free.

(Luke 22:44) Being in anguish he prayed more earnestly,
His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
The disciples exhausted, slept on peacefully.
Returning from his prayers, by Jesus they were found.
My Jesus, he shed his blood for me.

(Luke 22:47) While he was still speaking a crowd came up,
Included traitor Judas, with whom he did sup.
The chief priests, officers, soldiers and all,
They arrested him, for that was their call.

At the chief priests house they questioned him,
(Matthew 26:67) Spit in his face and struck him with their fists.
The cup of his blood now overflowing its rim,
Grieving eyes closing, seeing through mists.
My Jesus, again he shed his blood for me.

So Jesus, my Saviour, to Pilate was now taken,
His determination to do God’s will, never shaken.
(Matthew 27:11) "Are you the king of the Jews?" Pilate demanded,
(27:11) "Yes it is as you say". My Saviour then remanded.

(Matthew 27:23) "What crime has he committed?" The people, they were consulted.
(27:22-3) "Crucify him! Crucify him!" The rabble cried out loud.
(27:26) Then he released Barabbas to them, Pilate’s feelings most insulted,
(27:26) While he had Jesus flogged, simply to please the crowd.
A third time, my Jesus shed his blood for me..........

This continues at....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php?poemId=00005

A DAVID MUSING

The game of cricket (which I know you Americans don't understand!) is a lot like life - and critics would say, just about as long! For a 'Test Match' lasts for 5 days, and many times you still don't get a result!

Once upon a time, they had timeless tests. From Wikipedia.....

"A timeless Test is a match of Test cricket played under no limitation of time, which means the match is played until one side wins or the match is tied, with theoretically no possibility of a draw. The format means that it is not possible to play defensively for a draw when the allotted time runs out, and delays due to bad weather will not prevent the match ending with a positive result. It also means that there is far less reason for a side to declare an innings, since time pressure should not affect the chances of winning the game.

Although the format should guarantee a result, it was ultimately abandoned as it was impossible to predict with any certainty when a match would be finished, making scheduling and commercial aspects difficult. In the modern era teams often play back-to-back tests in consecutive weeks, something that would be impossible without the five day limit.
The last ever timeless Test was the fifth Test between England and South Africa at Durban in 1939, which was abandoned as a draw after nine days of play spread over twelve days, otherwise the England team would have missed the boat for home. This match had started on 3 March. South Africa had set a target of 696 for England to win. By the time England had to leave to catch their boat home, on 14 March, England had reached 654 for 5 (the highest ever first-class fourth innings score). This is the longest Test cricket match on record.

The ICC is considering implementing a timeless test for the final of the inaugural Test Championship, which is scheduled for 2017."

I am writing this on Saturday lunchtime. (very early for me - usually Sunday!) New Zealand are playing England. Day 1 (Friday, New Zealand scored 250 runs with only 1 batsman being dismissed. A great day for us, for we are not very good generally. Today however, in 1/3 of the day we scored we scored only a further 62 runs for the loss of a further 3 wickets. A real downer!

Reminds me of life. We have good days and bad, times of celebration and times of sadness. Such is life. We never know what the next session, or the next day, may bring. But with Jesus to stand by our side, we can navigate through life's ups and downs with confidence and peace, irrespective of our circumstances. He has proved that to me. You too?

PS:

Until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: GENTILES

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' d. Matthias (Acts 1:26)

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.

CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?

Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.

Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.

LINKS

If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on
links@wwj.org.nz

DOES THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?

YES - Great!
NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...

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

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
david@wwj.org.nz