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 21 weeks of PGIM)

FROM “ORGANIZED” TO “ORGANIC” (Continued)

We saw 6 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."

Then 5 weeks ago.......

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?

Over the past 4 weeks.....

1. WE NOW HAVE A PERMANENT SACRIFICE MADE ON OUR BEHALF
2. SALVATION HAS BECOME A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
3. THE KINGDOM IS FOUND WITHIN US
4. IMPLICATIONS OF THE KINGDOM WITHIN

This week.....

5. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH

a. THE CHURCH IS NOT THE FOCUS OF ATTENTION

Jesus came to release all who believe into a personal relationship with God through Him. This was done by becoming the final sacrifice for sin, thus reopening the way for you and for me to communicate directly with God, as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden before the sinned.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)

We were dead to sin, but through His death, we are now restored to God's family as brothers with Jesus.....

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2:9-11)

In the natural, this was confirmed when the curtain in the Temple was supernaturally torn into two, from top to bottom - by/from God (top) to man (bottom).

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51a)

We still do not really understand the full implications of what happened at that moment in time. RELIGION (primarily the need for priests to intercede on behalf of man) was replaced by RELATIONSHIP (the ability of mankind to personally communicate with God personally), through Jesus.

Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:1-10)

So what have we done? We have set up another religious organisation and structure that we call 'the church'. We have built buildings (temples) and appointed pastors and ministers, who have effectively become de facto, pseudo priests. People now look to the church for their salvation and not to Jesus. We have not learned the lesson of the cross.

This is not the way of the early New Testament, where gatherings were small and based on intimate personal relationship with God and with each other. Could Jesus say what He said to the church in Philadelphia to your church? For Jesus knew these people, this 'church' (gathering of believers) intimately, and likewise, they Him.....

7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:7-10)

My friend (if you still are!), I was brought up in a Baptist Church, have worshipped in Pentecostal churches and so I know, and have been ingrained in, church ways as much as many of you. I know so many wonderful people whose lives are focused upon the church. People who faithfully attend, give to and work for their church. Their relationship with God is through their church. They do not know Jesus personally.

Over the years, as I have studied the Bible and listened to God talking to me, I have come to understand that we have simply replaced one religion with another. One set of priests with another. One set of buildings with another. All in the name of God, but having become another religion, centered round the pride of man.

The greatest anger Jesus demonstrated was directed towards the religious establishment of His day. Just one example.....

15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. (Matthew 23:15)

Today, not a lot has changed. For we talk a lot about God, yet our lives, so often, do not reflect our words, our focus being on the institution of the church with its rules and regulations, rather than upon the person of Jesus.

This is not a criticism of, or promotion for any type or form of church. That misses the point. There is a church in a town near us that has the slogan, "Making the church to be the greatest attraction". Every time I pass it, it makes me so sad. However well intentioned the people may be, their focus is 100% wrong. For we are to make God, to make Jesus, not the church, the main attraction!

As will see next week, we all need to radically change our focus to be upon God, through Jesus, and be guided by the Holy Spirit.

We are to implement the revolution which Jesus paid for with His life!

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FROM THE WORD

A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

"Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 4:1-5:10)

Seven Woes

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”" (Matthew 23:1-39)

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM

1012. 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.

1023. Religion is planned, God's kingdom, spontaneous.

1024. God's kingdom is visionary, religion, managed.

1025. Religion is birthed in the institutionalisation of a revelation of God's kingdom.

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

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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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...

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID

As a relatively young Christian, I participated in a course called 'Word of Life', in which we studied both Moses' and David's Tabernacles. I was fascinated by Moses Tabernacle and ‘underwhelmed’ by that of David!

Over the years since the Lord has given me much revelation on the ‘tent in the desert’ and none on the ‘town tent’.

However, I noticed greater interest being shown by others, in more recent years, in the Tabernacle of David, particularly in relation to worship. But still nothing for this David!

This changed however, last night, as I was reading the chapter in Chronicles where David's Tabernacle is mentioned, the Lord started to reveal new meanings for me, showing me that it truly is a picture, a representation of the end time church. I was so excited that I hardly slept! For I now know another 'missing link' in the teaching the Lord has given me! Of course, in God, there is always more revelation to come! And will continue to be until the day Jesus returns.

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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. ***

628. THE HIGH TECH CHURCH
You know your church has gone over the electronic age when:

-The pastor reads his sermon from a palm-held computer "notepad"

-There are cell phone chargers next to tithe pew-pencil drill holes

-MCI takes out full-page ads in the church bulletin

-At the church flea market, used cell phones and answering machines outnumber bowling balls, blenders and electric can-openers.

When the bells are rung at the end of the service, half the congregation reaches into pockets or purses to see if it was for them. (Theologically speaking, of course, it was).

627. SOLDIERS IN HEAVEN
Little Willie asked his mother, "Mamma, don't soldiers ever go to heaven?"

"Of course they do!" protested his mother. "What makes you ask?"

"There are so many soldiers with beards but I never saw any pictures of angels with beards."

"Oh, that's because most men who go to Heaven get there by a close shave."

626. WHY NOT?
Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?

A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.

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

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Is there really such a thing as a flea circus?

ANSWER: Yes, flea circuses first appeared in Europe in the 1820s and featured such spectacular diversions as the re-enactment of Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. They – but not their fleas - died out sometime in the middle of the last century. Trainers use the fleas' natural responses to stimuli to encourage them to jump and move around and even pull props. Of course, the performers are tiny, so a magnifying glass is necessary for a good view. (‘Flea bitten’ trainers?)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Do sword swallowers really swallow the sword?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

882. THE EMERGENCY LANDING
A cargo of flatulent pigs generated so much heat from their ‘natural gas’ that an international passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing in London, while on the way to South Africa, after having caused the plane’s fire alarm to go off. (Pig power)

883. FAILED SUICIDE
At the age of 12, Martin Luther King was so depressed that he twice tried to commit suicide by jumping out his bedroom window. (Fortunately for America, he didn’t live in a high rise.)

884. SPIDER MAGIC
Spiders’ webs contain a natural clotting agent, so when applied to a cut, they actually stem the flow of blood. (Keep the world bugs under control too. Who could hate them?)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

UNESCO

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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

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66 BOOKS... 66 QUESTIONS

48: Galatians: To what does Paul compare the Old Testament law before Christ came?

a. Winepress
b. Retired horse
c. Schoolmaster
d. Stumblingblock

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

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

!!!!!!! Kindness is the Language the deaf can hear and the blind can see

!!!!!! Real wealth comes when we make a difference for other people.

!!!!! The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up.

!!!! Life gives birth to life. Energy creates more energy. We become rich by giving ourselves away.

!!! Your talents are God's gift to you. Who you serve with your talents is your gift to God.

!! Don’t always look to get a blessing, look to BE a blessing.

! Give another what they cannot find anywhere else and they will keep returning.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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JUST JOKES!

207. ABSTACT
"An abstract noun," the teacher said, "is something you can think of, but you can't touch it. Can you give me an example of one?"

"Sure," a teenage boy replied. "My father's new car."

206. HOLDING?
Little Johnny asked his grandma how old she was.

Grandma answered, "Thirty-nine and holding."

Johnny thought for a moment, then said, "And how old would you be if you let go?"

205. SUPPORT
The prospective father-in-law asked, "Young man, can you support a family?"
The surprised groom-to-be replied, "Well, no. I was just planning to support your daughter. The rest of you will have to fend for yourselves."

204. STEVEN WRIGHT AGAIN
Smoking cures weight problems...eventually...

My roommate got a pet elephant. Then it got lost. It's in the apartment somewhere.

Laughing stock: Cattle with a sense of humour.

I poured Spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.

When I was in boy scouts, I slipped on the ice and hurt my ankle. A little old lady had to help me across the street.

I wear my heart on my sleeve. I wear my liver on my pant leg.

The sun never sets on the British Empire. But it rises every morning. The sky must get awfully crowded.

I plugged my phone in where the blender used to be. I called someone. They went "Aaaaahhhh..."

I got a chain letter by fax. It's very simple. You just fax a dollar bill to everybody on the list.

If you can wave a fan, and you can wave a club, can you wave a fan club?

I bought a million lottery tickets. I won a dollar.

203. MUSICAL BEE
The summer band class was just getting under way when a large insect flew into the room.

The sixth-graders, eager to play their shiny new instruments, tried to ignore the buzzing intruder, but eventually one student could stand it no more. He rolled up his music book and swatted the insect, then he stomped on it to ensure its fate.

"Is it a bee?" another student asked.

"Nope," he replied. "It's a bee flat."

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BIBLE TRIVIA (About The Bible)

THE WORD BIBLE.....

.....comes from the Greek word biblia, which means 'books'. This comes from another word, byblos, meaning papyrus, a material books were made from in ancient times.

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

Gospel Broadcasts Reinforced As War Threats Loom

TWR offers messages of hope and peace to embattled listeners in North Korea

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

CARY, N.C. (ANS) -- While war drums pound loudly in the foreground of daily news reports, in the background a message of peace and hope connects North Korea and Guam.

TWR's powerful transmitter site on the Pacific island of Guam broadcasts biblical messages of hope and peace to North Korea every day.

According to a news release from Trans World Radio (TWR), world tensions entangling the Korean peninsula and the United States have spilled over to the tiny island of Guam, home to international media ministry TWR's 100,000-watt transmitter site.

TWR beams shortwave messages of biblical reconciliation to people who are hungering for God's love rather than political confrontation.

TWR said the Guam site already broadcasts several hours of gospel programming every week to North Korea, where the government maintains strict controls on the media and persecution of Christians is reportedly severe.

Today, though, the escalated saber rattling is spurring TWR's regional and national offices, in concert with partner Child Evangelism Fellowship of South Korea, to redouble efforts to air three new programs in response to the spiritual needs of North Koreans.

TWR said Gospel Train for Children will help North Korean parents pass on the Good News.

Let's Talk About Something will work to connect with nonbelievers and brand-new believers to promote a positive attitude toward hearing more of the Bible story via TWR broadcasts.

Teacher's Institute, produced by CEF-Korea, will train Sunday school teachers and other church leaders to teach the Bible to children.

As TWR Asia strives to raise the necessary additional funding to put the new programs on the air, reports from North Korean believers have emerged about life on a wartime footing.

TWR said Open Doors, a nonprofit organization that supports persecuted believers around the world, recently reported on a smuggled letter in which underground Christians said prices for food and other goods are skyrocketing as people stock up on emergency supplies.

"I would like to thank the many brothers and sisters around the world for their continuous love and support," TWR said Open Doors quoted one North Korean believer as saying.

The believer continued, "We know that our journey will not be an easy one, but we are sure that our faith, desperate hope and passionate desire will someday bear fruit . Please pray for us."

TWR is working to build financial support for what it calls the North Korea project and counter the swirling rumors of war, as it tells and retells the story of the God-man who taught his followers to "love your enemies."

In response to TWR broadcasts, one North Korean listener wrote, "When we listen to your program every night, we are encouraged and find life worth living. If not for the Word of God, and your love and devotion in the midst of our sufferings, our lives would be dark and hopeless."

TWR said another listener shared, "TWR's Korean broadcasts help me keep the faith and understand God's Word more and more. I never forget you and your team in my prayers, as you are serving God by broadcasting His Word to us, day and night . Please do not stop these programs, for they give us the hope of God."

Speaking fluently in more than 200 languages and dialects, TWR exists to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Its global media outreach engages millions in 160 countries with biblical truth. Since 1952, God has enabled TWR to help lead people from doubt to decision to discipleship.

To be a part of the North Korean outreach or to learn more about the project, visit www.twr.org/give/projects/668/north-korea-project.html

(Photo is of TWR transmitters in Guam.)

Source: Assist News Service

Via: OpenHeaven.com

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

A REVELATION OF……. GIVING TO GOD

In Christianity, we hear an awful lot about what God has done for us, but much less of what He desires from us in return!

There is a saying that 'salvation is a free gift, but discipleship costs us everything!' For as Jesus sacrificed His life for us on Calvary's grim hill, so we, in turn, are to model Him, and sacrifice our life for God and for others.

In this study we are going to look at the ways in which we are to offer God the sacrifices He so much desires from us - Praise and Worship, Prayer and Fasting and Tithes and Gifts.

My God sacrificed His son Jesus, for me! Surely, the first thing I can do for Him is to offer back the sacrifices He desires of me. Is that too much to ask?

In theory we would probably agree, but the practice of our lives often tends to fall short of our good intentions!

I trust that this study will encourage you, as it has me, to give back to God what He desires of each one of us.

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WAXING LYRICAL

Faith is an issue for all of us. As humans, doubt is a greater part of our nature than we would like it to be! But why?

FAITH

I wonder why, when 'faith' is an issue,
So often then, we reach for a tissue,
To mop up the tears of doubt you see,
That assail us now, both you and me.

For on the one hand, we trust God with our all,
On the other, human doubt, our faith does stall!
"Will He or wont He?" we are wont to think,
Our faith, once so strong, begins to sink.

"You've always proved faithful to me, my Lord,"
While former blessings, I wish I could hoard!
Each new level requiring greater trust in Him,
Memories of past successes faded, now so dim.

If today's faith was the same as in the past,
Our belief in Him, just simply wouldn't last.
It would just be our own strength that had won,
Not that of our Lord, Jesus Christ the Son.

Now, today's challenge is to break new ground,
Then our faith in Him, it will be truly found.
Oh Lord, please help me in my unbelief!
You've come through again - what a relief!

Put simply, it's the way God's faith works,
Though to our human spirit, it still irks!
So if now, we are to mature and grow,
Trusting Him's, the only way to go!

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A DAVID MUSING

On Sunday evening, New Zealand time, our eldest son Andrew, who lives with his family in the very north of Scotland, will be running the London marathon. He expects to break 3 hours for the race.

Another friend of ours from New Zealand, Fiona, who now lives in London, will be making her marathon (and athletic!) debut, when she too gets on the start line, along with 37,000 others! Fiona's anticipated time is twice that of Andrew.

Having run a few marathons myself in days gone by, I can understand both the physical and emotional challenge and pain they will be putting themselves through in order to achieve their respective goals. Fiona's will be the greater, for this is her first time.

Of course, the sceptre of the tragic events of last week's Boston Marathon will be on the minds of all competing. From experience however, I know that by the time the runners get to the finishing line, they will be too exhausted, both emotionally and physically, to dwell upon it.

The magic of the marathon is that every one of the 35,000 or more who finish will be a winner. Each will have a story of an adventure begun, a challenge overcome.

It is the same with our walk with Jesus. We can all be winners as we meet the challenge of living our life in Christ. Some will be challenged more, others will face greater persecution. Some will walk, some will run, but the reward of that finishers medal, of eternal life with Jesus, is one we can all look forward to.

Go Angg! Go Fee!

Are you in the race too?

Until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: OUNCES

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. Schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24-25)

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ABOUT US

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

Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand

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

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

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

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