TWENTY-FIVE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS

Not clearly numbered and listed, as in the Old Testament outward Law of the 10 Commandments, they are found among the teachings of Jesus in the 4 Gospels, and are available for all who have a heart to seek them.

We all too easily think, with the emphasis that Jesus places on love and forgiveness, that he didn't teach any absolutes. But, as can be seen here, Jesus did place boundaries on believer's behaviour, along with instructions for Godly living.

I have grouped these into 3 categories for easier comprehension.

Don't take my word for it! Study the Scriptures!

David Tait
Walking With Jesus Ministries
www.wwj.org.nz

LOVE THE 25 COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS!
BRILLIANT!

Dr Bernie Wade
President - ICOF Global Union

You may download the PDF here.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj47p22.pdf

WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?

THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

The major question now is, "where is the church of the 21st Century heading".

Fourteen years into the new century, it is becoming more apparent that God is 'doing a new thing'. But as we have seen over the past 2000 years, through the Dark Ages, the Reformation and the Holy Spirit revivals of the 20th century, the Holy Spirit will always be to the fore of what transpires.

Regrettably from a human perspective, all past movements of the Holy Spirit have come to an end, primarily because man has codified them and taken over. Like Moses, the world's humblest man and the closest to God before Jesus, when he hit the rock, (which he had done successfully before to bring water), rather than talk to it as God had instructed him to do,(Numbers 20:13) man has always seemingly known better than God. This cost Moses the opportunity to take the Israelites into the Promised Land.

So where do we go from here? What is God doing here and now, and into the future.

THE CHALLENGE OF..... LIVING THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE

To conclude this series on the history of the church, past, present and likely future from a Holy Spirit anointing perspective, I will finish, over the weeks ahead, by looking at the 'Parables of Jesus' which set out the principles of living a kingdom lifestyle.

The relevant Scriptures can be accessed by clicking on the blue links.

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

"“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”" (Matthew 13:47-52)

The parable of the net is similar to that of the tares and the wheat, talking about sorting out true from false believers, at the end of the age. For there is a mixture of both true and false Christians in the church. Matthew Henry confirms this in his Bible commentary.

(3.) This net gathers of every kind, as large dragnets do. In the visible church there is a deal of trash and rubbish, dirt and weeds and vermin, as well as fish. (4.) There is a time coming when this net will be full, and drawn to the shore; a set time when the gospel shall have fulfilled that for which it was sent, and we are sure it shall not return void, Is. 55:10, 11. The net is now filling; sometimes it fills faster than at other times, but still it fills, and will be drawn to shore, when the mystery of God shall be finished. (5.) When the net is full and drawn to the shore, there shall be a separation between the good and bad that were gathered in it. Hypocrites and true Christians shall then be parted; the good shall be gathered into vessels, as valuable, and therefore to be carefully kept, but the bad shall be cast away, as vile and unprofitable; and miserable is the condition of those who are cast away in that day.
Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.

We do need to be realistic, and concerned, about the fact that some of those who attend church year in and year out do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Attending church, reading the Bible, being an expert in theology, while being good things in themselves, do not make one a true follower of Jesus. Jesus is not into religious form(ality) but rather, into relationship. A personal relationship with Him. It is so sad how many professing Christians are either unaware they need to, or do not choose to, develop their own individual relationship with Jesus, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Being a good person does not qualify you for a ticket to heaven! A vibrant personal relationship, whether in the world or with Jesus, is always a work in progress, developing from one level to another. As the King James Version says, 'from glory to glory'.
2 Corinthians 3:7

As a result of that relationship a teacher of the Word must bring out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old. We must, through our relationship with Jesus, receive new and personal revelation to pass on to others. Of course, this revelation must be in line with Scripture, but God wants to reveal more of Himself to each succeeding generation. As our relationship with Jesus develops, so He reveals more of Himself to us. It is said that those who have been married for a long time get to look like each other. (Bad news for my wife Kathy, but good news for me!) Same with Jesus. I am sure I don't look like Him physically, but inside....? While we are still to bring the 'old treasures' of revelation received through the generations, we must also discover and present 'new treasures' to accompany the old. The old is good, but the new, inspirational.

There was a man of my fathers generation, Jack, who worked on the wharves, unloading ships, here in Napier. He was uneducated, yet He had great knowledge and revelation of the Word. He had at one time, a weekly teaching night, which men would flock to. No formal theological training, but a deep relationship with Jesus. The hungry came to feast upon the revelatory Word. Such is the revelation for today, of God's kingdom being built upon the earth. The Lord's Prayer has been recited, often in rote fashion, billions of times over the past 2000 years, yet it is only now that God is choosing to reveal the meaning of the phrase;
Matthew 6:10

New treasure, a new understanding of living the kingdom life now, today, this minute, is being revealed to seeking, dedicated followers of Jesus around the world. His kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you Lord.

PARABLE OF THE WEDDING FEAST

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:7-14)

While not strictly a kingdom parable, it certainly is a parable about kingdom behaviour. The story is about a feast, but the implications of what Jesus is saying extend far wider than eating! Jesus is teaching a lesson on motivation. Why do I do something? Am I thinking, "What is in this for me?" For that is the way of the world, the way of human nature. For we are born selfish. Watch a child's behaviour. It is all too often about 'I'. "I will be good if you give me a play station!" We know it! We are manipulated by it! For we love our kids. Unfortunately, as we grow older, we don't change, we just get more subtle about it! Much of our behaviour remains motivated by self interest. In this parable Jesus 'takes a dig at' pride of position and self serving generosity. A sideswipe at two of the three motivators of men - 'girls, gold and glory'! This story really gets to the heart of what true Christianity is. For genuine, mature, Jesus believers are required to put God and others before themselves. The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus about the requirements of following in His ways.
Matthew 22:37-40

We all know this, but do we live it? It worries me when I hear evangelists say, "Come to Jesus and life will be wonderful." Many too, will (falsely) preach health and wealth to accompany conversion. They are both right and wrong. But they are wrong viewed from the natural perception of the non believers they are preaching to. Misleading in fact. For the non believer will understand what they are saying to be more of the values they already have. But the reality of Christian living is that happiness comes not from receiving, but giving, not from power and position, but from humility, of placing others ahead of yourself. Values that are very different, the opposite of those that apply in the world. The form of 'evangelism' applied by Jesus in the parable involving the rich young ruler was very different!
Luke 18:29-30

Do we preach the sacrifice that brings true happiness?
Luke 18:22

Or about the meek, the humble, obtaining the inheritance?
Matthew 5:5

May we be more honest in how we present the kingdom. And lead by example, through living a genuine kingdom lifestyle.

So we can continue to say.....

THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.

(Continues next week)

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FROM THE WORD

THE WORDS OF JESUS continued

The Lord has asked me to compile a publication of the words Jesus spoke, as recorded in the New Testament in chronological order.

Of course, it is not a Bible substitute! I Hope you find it helpful too, in your walk with Jesus.

Annas Questions Jesus (John:18:19-24)

“I’ve spoken openly to everyone,” “I always taught in the synagogues and in the Temple where all the Jewish people meet. I haven’t said anything in secret. So why are you questioning me? Ask the people who hear me what I told them. They know what I said.”

When slapped by the guard for supposedly criticizing the High Priest.

“If I said something wrong, tell everyone what was wrong with it. But if what I said was right, why did you hit me?”

Caiaphas Condemns Jesus (Matthew 26:62-6, Mark 14:60-64, Luke 22:66-71)
For saying he is the Messiah.

“You said it,” “And I also tell you that in the future you’ll see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus Before Pilate (Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-7, John 18:29-38)
Asking if Jesus is the ‘King of the Jews’.

“Did you think of this question yourself, or did others talk to you about me?”
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it was of this world, my subjects would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here.”
“You say that I’m a king,” “The reason why I was born and I came to the world was to give evidence for the truth. All those who accept the truth pay attention to what I say.”

Pilate Questions Jesus Again (John 19:8-11)
Trying to release Him.

“You would have no power over me unless it had been given to you from above,” “Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of the greater sin.”

(Continued next week)

You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj46p52.pdf

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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' NOW AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD

Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.

One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.

You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.

Download the free PDF here.....

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

GODLINESS

1240. Wisdom is much admired upon the earth, while godliness reaches out to the very heart of God.

1241. The godly one keeps short accounts with both God and people, while seeking to do God's will with every fibre of their being.

1242. Godliness is not human perfection but the way of discipleship, lived by the blood of the Lamb, through the word of our testimony, and by 'dying' to self. (Revelation 12:11)

1243. Godliness is a partnership. God's offers the blood of Jesus and we are to offer our life in return.

1244. As worldliness goes, godliness grows.

1245. My desire is that God says about me, "David is a man after my own heart."

1246. Wisdom impresses the world, but godliness makes an impression on God's heart.

1247. The godly one has God's heart for others.

1248. God witnesses to others through His godliness as developed in us.

1248. God gives us many gifts. Godliness is the gift He most desires in return from us.

1249. To be 'good' is great, but being 'God' to others, is godly. The difference is 'o' for 'obedience'.

1250. 'Godliness' and 'self' are mutually exclusive.

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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THE WORLD'S GREATEST PROBLEM!!!!! (Next to not knowing Jesus)

VICTORY! GOAL ACHIEVED!

After 5 months of dieting and (continuing with) exercise I have reached my goal of losing 10kg (1 1/2 stone) of weight. That is a rate of 500gm (1lb) per week.

This has been achieved by reducing sugars in my diet, both simple and complex. In real terms, this meant cutting out bread, cakes, potatoes , pasta and rice, soft drinks, fruit juice and interestingly, even fresh fruit. And eating primarily protein foods such as meat, eggs, dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese, and green, yellow and orange vegetables.

While, on the surface, this seemed daunting, in reality, it has been easier than I thought it would be. Of course, now I must be careful to remain careful in what I eat.

What have been the benefits? Aside from the vanity of looking healthier and better, I have noticed both physical and mental changes. Greater flexibility, less pressure on joints and definitely a renewed mental sharpness and alertness, 10cm off my waist, and passing the 'inch test', that we have discussed earlier.

Compared to many (most) people I was never obese, but certainly well overweight. I attended the gym regularly and people who know me would have considered me to be fit. Yet, even for me, losing this weight has made a big difference to my life. It has surely been worth the sacrifice (which hasn't been as great as I imagined) of watching what went into my mouth for the benefits of the new life and energy it has given me.

Finally, on a body analysis test from my doctor, which measures various aspects such as fat, muscle, flexibility, fluid retention and several other indicators, my 'biological age' has reduced from a horrifying 77 years (still cant believe that!) to 66 years, which is a year younger than my actual age.

I have discovered the hard fact that the secret of weight loss is 20% exercise and 80% diet. I had always relied upon exercise (which I enjoy) but that has clearly proved not to be sufficient by itself.

Well, that is my experience. The difference it has made to my life has amazed me.

Worth a try?

PS: Comments are welcomed and appreciated.

CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: BEYOND THE VEIL – 1 continues
REVELATION FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF ATONEMENT

B. ATONEMENT PRINCIPLES ‘POSITIONALLY’ FULFILLED BY JESUS
(To be Experientially fulfilled, that is Embraced, by the Church)

We will start looking at the 11 principles we, the church today, have yet to fulfil.
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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. ***

109. YOUR POINT OF VIEW
An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.

"Well," said the farmer, "it was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns."

"Praise choruses?" said his wife. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're OK. They are sort of like hymns, only different," said the farmer.

"Well, what's the difference?" asked his wife.

The farmer said, "Well, it's like this - If I were to say to you: "Martha, the cows are in the corn"' - well, that would be a hymn. If on the other hand, I were to say to you:

'Martha, Martha, Martha,
Oh Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA,
the cows, the big cows, the brown cows,
the black cows the white cows,
the black and white cows,
the COWS, COWS, COWS
are in the corn,
are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn,
the CORN, CORN, CORN.'

Then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well, that would be a praise chorus."

The next weekend, his nephew, a young, new Christian from the city came to visit and attended the local church of the small town. He went home and his mother asked him how it was.

"Well," said the young man, "it was good. They did something different however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs."

"Hymns?" asked his mother. "What are those?"

"Oh, they're OK. They are sort of like regular songs, only different," said the young man.

"Well, what's the difference?" asked his mother.

The young man said, "Well, it's like this - If I were to say to you: 'Martha, the cows are in the corn' - well, that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you:

'Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry
Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain
There in their heads is no shadow of sense
Hearkenest they in God's sun or His rain
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight
Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.

So look to the bright shining day by and by
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn
Where no vicious animals make my soul cry
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.'

Then if I were to do only verses one, three and four and do a key change on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.

"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: What is a ‘red dog’?

ANSWER: It all depends! If you're talking about American football, a ‘red dog’ is an old term for a gridiron play in which defensive players rush the quarterback for a quick tackle. (Called a ‘blitz’ today.) In finance, ‘red dog’ was a nineteenth-century term for a kind of bank note stamped with red ink. At cards, a ‘red dog’ is a game in which each player holds five cards and bets that he holds the higher card than the top card remaining on the deck. Finally, ‘red dog’ or ‘red dog flour’ refers to the lowest grade of flour in milling, which is generally used to feed farm animals. (Black, brown and white dogs now feel quite left out!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is May Day a pagan holiday or a worker's holiday?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

630. HORSE NON-SENSE
A horse has approximately 35 square feet (3.5sq. m.) of skin, which it doesn’t need to get dirty by lying down, as it can also sleep standing up. (Is that why some racehorses seem to go to sleep during a race?)

631. WE HAVE COMPANY
A typical double mattress is home to up to 2,000,000 Demodex Folliculorom – that is House Mites. (Must be them snoring!)

632. HUNGRY
A large swarm of locusts can eat up to 80 tons of corn in a day. (A new dimension of the saying, ‘to be stripped bare’.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

IMAGINER

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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PRAYER

18: What is sanctified by the word of God and prayer?

a. God's creation
b. Oil
c. Sacrifices
d. Prophecy

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

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

SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER

!!!!!!! A mistake is proof that somebody tried anyhow.

!!!!!! The most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap a chasm in two jumps.

!!!!! A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something.

!!!! When you became a Christian, God didn't call you to a playground, but a battleground!

!!! Sin will keep you from the Bible ~ but the Bible will keep you from sin.

!! Co-operate! Remember the banana ~ every time it leaves the bunch it gets skinned.

! Success comes in cans: Failure comes in can'ts.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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GREAT GROANERS

LITTLE NOAH
Little Noah came into the house with a new harmonica. "Grandpa, do you mind if I play this in here?"

"Of course not, Noah. I love music. In fact, when your grandma and I were young, music saved my life."
"What happened?"

"Well, it was during the famous Johnstown flood. The dam broke, and when the water hit out house it knocked it right off the foundation. Grandma got on the dining room table and floated out safely."

"But how did music save you?"

"Me? I accompanied her on the piano!"

IN THE DARK
Wife to husband: What's your excuse for coming home at this time of the night?

Husband to wife: I was golfing with friends, my dear.

Wife to husband: WHAT? At 2 a.m.?!

Husband to wife: Yes dear, we used nightclubs.

BOO HOO
George decided to do a little betting so he told John he could make him cry without touching him. John told him he had not cried since he was a baby and took the bet.

George said Boo died. John said Boo Who and George said "see I made you cry."

George tried this on a couple of guys with the same results. He met up with Leroy and bet him he could make him cry. Leroy thought this is easy money and accepted. George said Boo died.

Leroy said "Who be boo?"

ARM ROBBERY
With the weather sunny and warm, the driver was cruising down the interstate highway when a huge truck crashed into the side of his car, severing the arm at the shoulder. Two young teenagers, observing the accident volunteered to rush the severed arm to the local hospital for considered restructuring to the driver's shoulder.

Several hours later, with the driver at the hospital and no sign of the young teenagers or the man's arm, the police put out an APB for the teenage drivers saying, "This is the worse case of arm robbery in police history." --Lawrence Brotherton

HISTORY CLASS
The history class was studying the Revolutionary battle of Saratoga which was probably lost because General William Howe chose to remain in Philadelphia. The teacher then asked the class to explain this major British defeat.

"Lack of no Howe," answered a voice from the back of the classroom.

Enjoy many more great groans here.....

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The only true Islam?

Iraq (GAiN) — Editor’s Note: Global Aid Network sent us this missive in an urgent prayer alert. There’s no easy way to describe what is happening around the world. What follows is their message in its entirety:

History is constantly circling and repeating itself.

In northern Iraq, an old threat is emerging with unprecedented violence and destruction. Calling itself the “Islamic State” (formerly known as ISIS), the growing movement of extremist Muslims is seeking to bring all Middle East cultures under its control. The first designation, ISIS, stood for “the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham,” but their vision quickly expanded beyond those geographical boundaries.

The Islamic State is operating under what they consider a divine mandate, claiming to be the only true Islam, and they are declaring a “caliphate.” Under Islam, a caliphate is the supreme religious and political authority for all Muslims. It is led by one religious and political ruler called a “caliph.”

According to all sects of Islam, the Caliph is the rightful successor to Muhammad as Allah’s appointed leader of the faithful.

The last caliphate ended in 1924 with the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Turkish Republic. In declaring itself a caliphate, the Islamic State is claiming authority for itself over the Islamic world.

They named Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi, or Abu Dua, as the new Caliph. In keeping with the strictest Muslim tradition, he is born of the correct bloodline in the Quraysh tribe of the Arabian Peninsula. He is a gifted motivational speaker, and he is calling on multitudes to become murderers for the advancement of this Islamic State.

As these actions are upsetting, extreme, and harsh, Jesus warned that the world would be shaken by the evil deeds of evil people. But He also promised that faithful servants of God would ensure that “the gospel of the Kingdom would be proclaimed.”

Pray that followers of God would not be discouraged or shaken.

Source: Mission Network News

Via: OpenHeaven.com

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

A REVELATION OF…….REVELATION 12:11

How to 'walk with Jesus.' The verse upon which this ministry is based. The first revelation received by David Tait, introducing him to ministry.

Download your free PDF Files here.....

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WAXING LYRICAL

The inspiration for the first two parts of this poem came from a cross-island trek Kathy
and I went on when we were staying on the beautiful Island of Rarotonga, in the Cook
Islands. For those who don’t know, The Cooks are situated around the Tropic of Capricorn
in the Pacific Ocean. A great place to visit! The last part is based loosely on the book
of Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22, the biblical promise of what is to come. Hope it is
both enjoyable and challenging to you. Of course it is just verse, so is not all strictly
theologically accurate! Called poetic licence!


VICTORY! (Part 1)

THE MOUNTAIN CLIMB

I rang a guide, booking a trip for the day,
So Kathy and I, could go out and play,
"Any special offers?" as I always ask,
"Yes sir, but are you up to the task?"

"How much will it cost?" showing more interest,
Now more open to tackling Mount Everest!
"Our special offer is entirely free,"
This now, I couldn’t wait to see!

So off we go in a very smart minibus,
Kathy and I, some others, a group of us.
There we first meet our new guide to be,
Jesus by name, seemed friendly to me.

Hopping off the bus, now ready and eager to go,
Our lot in with Jesus, we were all willing to throw.
Until Jesus said, "There’s a small catch to my generous offer,
The trip’s tough, no turning back," the advice he did proffer.

Two people looked at the track ahead,
Could see the markers, all coloured red.
"Don’t think we can do it," was what they said,
"We’d rather stay in bed, being newly wed!"

"The choice is yours," our guide kindly does cry,
"Maybe another day, you will come back and try,"
As he leads the rest of us on, up into the trees,
"You must try in life, even when there’s no fees."

As we wend our way ever upwards on the path,
Sweating heavily now, would love a cold bath!
The blood red markers were now on every side,
To tree after tree, with love they’d been tied.

This Jesus our guide, is oh so strong,
Always encouraging us to move along,
And when the load is heavy on our backs,
He helps us out, willing to carry our packs.

He shows us all the interesting points along the way,
Has a guidebook, called his ‘Bible’, I heard him say.
Knows all the small birds, twittering from tree to tree,
His oneness with the creation, is just wondrous to see.

For some aren’t used to this mountain climbing lark,
Exercise for them means a leisurely stroll in the park!
Of these ones Jesus takes considerable, extra care,
Before their continual grizzling, gets into our hair!

The tropical rain forest was so lush at the beginning,
But as we progress, the trees they are now thinning,
The further we go, the steeper the track,
Some of us wish, we could now turn back.

But rules are rules, as teachers so often say,
A condition of the trip at the end of the day,
So we all plod on as the going gets harder,
Learning new skills, seeking to be smarter.

Until two of the party hit upon a brilliant idea,
A shortcut ahead, look! There, nothing to fear!
So off they went, full of confidence that they best knew,
More insight than the rest of us, two of the chosen few.

Jesus stands sadly by, watching them depart,
Their leaving weighing so heavily, on his heart.
Surprisingly he says, "Let them go, that is their choice,
Should they cry out though, I will still hear their voice."

Another of the party misses a turn in the track,
Off into the bush, a sense of
direction did lack.
Jesus stops us all, while he goes to look,
In finding this person, every care he took.

At the top of the mountain the scenery did change,
The summit now in view, well within our range,
Grasses indeed, now the landscape predominate,
Sprinkled about with wild orchids, looking great.

At the summit we rest, our faces all aglow,
We have made it! No more climbing to go!
We thank our guide Jesus, for taking us right up there,
But our own efforts too, we are wanting to compare.

Jesus just looked at us with a wry grin on his face,
"How little they know, thinking they set the pace."
But he says nothing, for we’re still learning the way,
"Let’s go down to the waterfall’, then see what they say.

So down the mountain towards the waterfall we wander,
Satisfied with what we had done, but our legs do wonder!
For we have reached our goal, or so we thought,
In the ecstasy of our achievement, we are caught.

On the way down, we all get a little careless,
Tripping over a stump, my side now a mess,
Suddenly learning that a journey isn’t complete,
Until you are safely back, sitting in the bus seat!

More carefully now, we wend our way down,
Conscious of our need, to get back to town,
To have a shower, to again get clean,
Jesus grinned, this he had often seen.

For he did, and still does, know more than we,
Some of us by now, understanding him you see,
Could glean that he has more surprises in store,
For those who want to move on, who desire more.

More of David's poetry here.....

http://wwj.org.nz/waxing.php

A DAVID MUSING

Business-wise I have had a tough week, but health-wise it has been a great one.

Which of the two would I rather have, if I had to choose between them. Surely health, without hesitation.

In the end all the money in the world is useless if you don't have good health to go with it.

Of course, when it comes to the final frontier of death, all the money in the world will not save us from that either.

So logic tells me that physical and spiritual health should be priorities in our life. Sadly, we cannot, in spite of our best efforts, have a guarantee of ongoing good physical health, but we all have the choice of attaining 100% spiritual health.

How is your relationship with Jesus today?

So until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: MIGRAINE

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' a. God's creation

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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!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz