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 PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET

15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 ”‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” (Luke 14:15-24)

We like eating! Jesus was partial to a good feed also, as we can see here. And He used 'dining' illustrations in a number of parables. For the whole point of a parable is to use a natural situation to illustrate a spiritual principle, and what better illustration can you get than food. Specially for me!

The parable itself can be viewed as a picture of the Jews, the invited guests, rejecting Jesus, while the gentiles from the roads and country lanes would eat at the feast in the kingdom of God. This interpretation, while containing a large element of truth, is not the whole story. There is an extra dimension here, and that relates to the difference in reaction to the kingdom between the rich and the poor. In a natural sense, a feast would logically be more attractive to those who did not have enough to eat rather than the well fed, who could afford to feast any time.

In the spiritual, Jesus was primarily referring to the Pharisees who were gorging themselves on the fatty, high calorie foods of Old Testament Law! They had it all! They had no need of the 'feast of salvation'. Others too, were so involved in worldly pursuits that they did not have the time or inclination to seek spiritual enlightenment. A danger that faces us all! The reality is, the more money we get, the more possessions we have, the more effort we need to put in to look after them, and the more precious they become to us. It is ironic that prosperity preaching ultimately turns people away from God. Either they don't get rich and so become disillusioned and fall away, or they get rich and then become worldly orientated, and again fall away. Simply false teaching. Listen instead to Jesus:
Matthew 6:25-6

A similar theme is emphasised in the parable The Rich Ruler.
Luke 18:22-4

Jesus summed up the situation succinctly when He said;
Luke 13:29-30

Mary, when singing under the power of the Holy Spirit, understood this principle too.
Luke 1:53

The reality is, the kingdom of God is of more appeal to the 'have nots' than the 'haves'. These are the ones who attended the feast. Jesus was straightforward about it too;
Matthew 6:19-24

What are your priorities in life?

THE PARABLE OF THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7 ”‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9 “The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:1-14)

The primary meaning of this parable is an explanation to the Jews that the kingdom of God, while first offered to them, is not only theirs. In fact, many who come in later, that is, the gentiles, will be their equals, indeed, may well surpass them. “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

There are of course, many sub meanings that have been preached about numerous times over the years. These will not be gone into here. What I would like to consider though, is the men who, in the first instance, were not hired. They stood round and did nothing. The usual explanation of this is that they were ones living in the world and under satan's dominion or control. The parable of the lost son returning after a life of debauchery is considered to be a parallel example of this principle.

But, at the risk of being declared a heretic, I would like to put forward a more positive view of these unhired men. In normal circumstances the vineyard owner would hire all the workers he required at the beginning of the day. The chances of getting work would be unlikely if they were not in that first intake, becoming almost impossible the further the day went on. All through the day they waited. They could have given up and gone home, seeing they had missed out on a job. The longer they stayed, the more desperate for a job they showed themselves to be. Their desperation for the job was recognised in the wages they were finally given. So it is with the kingdom.
Matthew 7:7-8

We must actively seek the kingdom. It is not given to us on a platter. Ask and keep asking. Knock and keep knocking. The kingdom is given to those who are prepared to sacrifice their own wants and desires in order to conform to the image of Jesus.
Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:14-16

We need determination and perseverance, as illustrated by the late employed vineyard workers, in order to enter the kingdom.
Matthew 11:12

My friend, do not give up! (I am talking to myself here too.) When times are tough, when we think God has given up on us - or we want to give up on God - let us remember the workers who had the patience and determination to wait through the hot noonday sun in order to get into the kingdom vineyard. There wait was rewarded. Their wages were paid in full. Yes, the last, you and me, can become the first in the kingdom of God. The choice is ours.

Are we prepared to pay the price?

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.

Before the Crucifixion (Luke 23:27-32)
Jesus speaking to weeping women.

“Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me. Weep for yourselves and your children. For the time is coming when they’ll say, ‘Happy are those who are childless, and those who never had babies, and those who never nursed them.’ They’ll say to the mountains, ‘Fall down on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this to wood that is new, what will happen when it’s dried out?”

The Crucifixion (Matthew27:32-55, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:33-49, John 9:18-37)
To the Romans and Jews.

“Father, please forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

To the thief who repented.

“I promise you today you will be with me in paradise.”

To Mary and John

“Mother, this is your son.” “This is your mother.”

Approaching death.

“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”)
“I’m thirsty.” “It’s finished!”
“Father, I place my spirit in your hands.”

(Continued next week)

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

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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

1251. Godliness is like climbing to the top of the mountain. It takes effort, it can be chilly, there is little company, but the views from the summit are heavenly!

1252. Godliness is going 'down' in self in order to go 'up' in God.

1253. Godliness is available to us all, but only obtained by the few prepared to pay the life price.

1254. To the foolish, life in Christ is a security blanket, to the wise, a lifestyle, but to the godly, their very reason for being.

1255. The foolish try to change themselves, the wise allow God to change them, while the godly submit their very being to the Lord and His will for them.

1256. God redeems the foolish, loves the wise, but truly seeks the godly.

1257. We are happy to seek everything from God, but loath to give Him back everything of us, in return!

1258. We need to empty the house of our life, in order to make room for His replacement furniture.

1259. The simple choice of godliness - will 'I' or will 'I not' give God 'my will'!

1260. Godliness grows as me goes!

1261. Godliness is discovered in truly entering into God's rest.

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

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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)

continues with the next 2 points.

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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. ***

112. SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE?
Thanksgiving Day was approaching and the family had received a Thanksgiving card with a painting of a pilgrim family on their way to church.

Grandma showed the card to her small grandchildren, observing, "The Pilgrim children liked to go to church with their mothers and fathers."

"Oh yeah?" her young grandson replied, "so why is their dad carrying that rifle?"

111. AN ENCOURAGEMENT
Don't give up. Moses was once a basket case!

110. THE POWER OF PRAYER
The minister's little six-year-old girl had been so naughty during the week, that her mother decided to give her the worst kind of punishment. She told her she couldn't go to
the Sunday School Picnic on Saturday.

Then, when the day came, her mother felt she had been too harsh and changed her mind. When she told the little girl she could go to the picnic, the child's reaction was one
of gloom and unhappiness.

"What's the matter? I thought you'd be glad to go to the picnic." her mother said.

"It's too late!" the little girl said. "I've already prayed for rain!"

"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 May Day a pagan holiday or a worker's holiday?

ANSWER: It is both. For May Day began as an ancient celebration of the return of the sun after a long, hard winter. It was also called ‘Beltane,’ meaning ‘bright fire’ by the Anglo-Saxons and Celts (‘Bel’ was a Celtic god of the sun). So May Day symbolised a return to life after a season of cold and was celebrated with a joyous festival and included dancing around the May Pole. (Not much work is done on May Day!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why do mockingbirds mimic other birds?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

627. BANANA RHIZOMES?
The romantic Banana Palm is not a tropical tree, but in fact a very large rhizome. (Doesn’t stop bananas from being the world’s most popular fruit though.)

628. RADIO-INACTIVE
The character, Les Nessman, in ‘WKRP in Cincinnatti’ wore a band –aid in every episode. (The humour didn’t get better, either!)

629. CAT TALK
Cats are able to produce over 100 vocal sounds while dogs are restricted to only 10. (More sounds to make more commands, to rule their kingdom – us – with.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

PERUSE

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

19: What did Jesus say the priests had turned his house of prayer into?

a. A den of thieves
b. A place of rogues
c. A house of evil
d. A temple of drunkards

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

!!!!!!! The most enjoyable way to follow a vegetable diet is to let the cow eat it, and then eat the cow.

!!!!!! The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.

!!!!! If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

!!!! It's no use having a good memory unless you have something good to remember.

!!! When putting it into memory, remember where you put it.

!! Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

! Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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TILL DEATH DO US PART!

1. MEMORIES OF WILLIAM
A minister visited an asylum for the mentally disturbed and was taken on a tour of the facilities by one of the resident doctors. Walking down the dismal, echoing corridors, the minister was troubled by the cries and groans of the patients coming from their rooms. "I hope that I can be of some help and comfort to these poor souls," he told his guide.

The doctor stopped at a door and they looked through the small window. "This is a sad case," said the man. The patient rocked back and forth on her cot, sobbing and sighing. "William," she repeated over and over. "Oh, William!"

"She was to marry a man named William," said the doctor. "And on their wedding day he ran off with another woman. It broke her heart and she went mad."

They moved on to another door and looked in. Inside the patient was bound in a straight-jacket, shrieking insanely, "William! William!"

"Let me guess," said the minister. "She lost William also."

"No," answered the man. "She's the one that got him!"

2. 'RIB'ALD HUMOUR
Sometimes women are overly suspicious of their husbands. When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset.

"You're running around with other women," she charged.

"You're being unreasonable," Adam responded. "You're the only woman on earth."

The quarrel continued until Adam fell asleep, only to be awakened by someone poking him in the chest. It was Eve.

"What do you think you're doing?" Adam demanded.

"Counting your ribs," said Eve.

3. IT'S SURE GREAT TO BE A GUY!
*Phone conversations last 30 seconds
*You know useful stuff about tanks and airplanes
*A 5 day vacation requires only one suitcase
*Bathroom lines are 80% shorter
*You can open all your own jars
*Old friends don't care if you've lost or gained weight
*When clicking through the channels you don't have to stop on every shot of someone crying
*You don't have to lug a bag of "necessary" items with you everywhere you go
*You can go to the bathroom alone
*Your last name stays put
*You can leave a hotel room bed unmade
*You can kill your own food
*The garage is all yours
*You see the humoUr in "Terms of Endearment"
*Cleaning the toilet is optional
*You can be showered and ready in 10 minutes
*Wedding plans take care of themselves
*If someone forgets to invite you to something, they can still be your friend
*Your underwear costs $7.50 for a pack of 3
*None of your co-workers have the power to make you cry
*You don't have to shave below your neck
*You don't have to curl up next to some big, hairy guy every night
*If you're 34 and single, no one notices
*Chocolate is just another snack
*You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger seat
*You never have to worry about other's feelings
*Three pair of shoes are more than enough
*You can say anything and not worry about what people think
*You can whip your shirt off on a hot day
*Car mechanics tell you the truth
*You don't care if someone doesn't notice your new haircut
*You can watch a game in silence for hours without your buddy thinking "He must be mad at me"
*One mood, all the time
*You can admire Clint Eastwood without having to starve yourself to look like him
*Gray hair and wrinkles add character
*Wedding dress $2000, Tux rental $100 bucks
*You don't care if someone is talking behind your back
*You don't pass on the dessert and then mooch off someone else's
*The remote is yours and yours alone
*You need not pretend you're "freshening up" when you go to the bathroom
*If you don't call your buddy when you said you would, he won't tell your friends you've changed
*If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become lifelong buddies
*The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected
*If something mechanical didn't work, you can bash it with a hammer and throw it across the room
*New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet
*You think the idea of punting that small, ankle-biting dog is funny
*If you retain water, it is in a canteen
*You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness
*Flowers and/or Duct Tape fix everything

More marriage and family humour here.,,,

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God’s Hand at Work in North Korea (Part 1)

NOTE: I know this guy. He has amazing faith and courage! David.

It began on a flight to Moscow.

While enroute to attend a conference with a contingent of Asian Market Place ministers, Owen Pomana, 42, an indigenous Maori from New Zealand, had a vision of a colored flag. The star stood out. When Pomana asked God what the star represented, he saw the letters NK.

One of the businessmen flying with Pomana was from South Korea, and Pomana shared the vision with him. It was then that Pomana said he had a strong feeling he was supposed to fly to North Korea to share God’s Word and sound the shofar (trumpet) there.

Pomana’s friend though it would be important for him to go to North Korea, so they prayed and committed the matter to the Lord.

However, a number of issues needed to fall into place for the trip to happen. Pomana said he wanted a scriptural confirmation, the right timing and the provision of the necessary finances.

Pomana said he knew the only way you can enter North Korea is by a tour; there is absolutely no other way to go. He found that a five day tour would cost 3200 dollars, a double entry visa 210 dollars, and a little other money for miscellaneous expenses.

The airline tickets cost about $3500.

If God wanted Pomana in North Korea, the funds would have to be available in three weeks. That August tour date was the last one for the year.

Pomana said he had a real concern for imprisoned American Kenneth Bae, given a 15 year prison term, and that his going to North Korea could possibly make a difference for Bae in the spiritual realm. He said he felt the importance of him going on the tour was vital, because Bae had been locked up for a number of months, had lost a significant amount of weight and was quite sick.

Pomana said he received the confirmations for which he had been looking, a major one being that the necessary funds arrived within three weeks.

However, Pomana said, he continued to pray and meditate about his pending upcoming trip, as he wanted to make sure it was God’s Will.

Pomana knew he had to believe that the North Korean authorities would not do an Internet search on him, because they would find numerous references to his Christian activities, including his comments about and concern for Bae.

Pomana’s attention was drawn to John 13: 15. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Pomana said Bae had laid down his life for his friends and for his King, and was now separated from his wife and family. God was sending in a watchman “with the sound of the trumpet” (shofar), to affect the spiritual atmosphere over North Korea.

Pomana’s next challenge would be to get an Israeli shofar into China. He knew he would be faced with X-ray machines.

Pomana said God told him he needed to obtain a “bio security” certificate for the shofar, and change its description to a musical instrument. At what he felt was God’s leading, Pomana also had the shofar carved with indigenous patterns so it appeared to have originated in New Zealand.

With his expenses paid and his visa in hand, Pomana set out on the first leg of his North Korean adventure.

Arriving in China, Pomana experienced his first miracle. He said when your bag goes through the X-ray machine, it stops for a few seconds so the official can see what you’re carrying, but in his case the official looked away and his bag was cleared.

After staying a night in Beijing, Pomana arrived at the airport, where he met a couple of women. His New Zealand themed shirt was a point of interest, causing one of the women to say, “You’re a Kiwi.”

Pomana said that was indeed the case and the woman responded that she was also.

She asked Pomana why he was going to North Korea and he said if she could keep a secret, he would tell her. She said she could, so he told her he was going there to pray.

She responded, “We are too; we’re prayer intercessors. God is sending us in to pray.”

(Concluded next week)

DAVID'S DOWNLOAD

A REVELATION OF……. THE POWER OF THREE IN GOD AND THE CHURCH

In walking further with Jesus, I increasingly appreciate that this particular revelation of 'threes in God' has been hugely important in developing my understanding of God and how He works both in the church and in our lives.

It matters not whether you are a 'oneness', 'twoness', or 'trinitarian' believer. The concept still applies. For we're all very good at putting God in a box, limited to the walls of our theology and understanding. But, one day, we will know all the truth of the great mystery of God.

In the meantime, if you can grasp this simple, yet profound concept, I'm sure it will open up new realms of understanding for you too about God and His plans for His people in these end days.

It certainly developed my faith tremendously, being able to grasp more of God's mighty plan for me. And for you too!

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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 2)

UNDER THE WATERFALL

Finally the track bursts out into a clearing,
A sigh of relief, so many of us are feeling,
But the few who noticed the grin, those minutes ago,
With a new sense of anticipation, now begin to glow.

Here is a sparkling, different world.
Vines aplenty with leaves unfurled,
Spreading their wings with reckless abandon,
We can see we are entering a heavenly garden.

Centre of the landscape is a refreshing waterfall,
Cascading gently down over a sheer rock wall,
Bouncing, dancing into a delightful rock pool,
Over which the waterfall, as master, does rule.

The pool is bordered with trees so lush,
The sound of the water, they seem to hush,
And flying among them I see a pure white dove,
Which Jesus tells me, is the sign of perfect love.

Is something about this place I can’t work out,
So I seek out Jesus asking, “What is it all about?”
He looks at me, as only a father looks at his son,
“Enjoy it my son, It’s all for you, my job is done.”

Looking back to the water I hear, “David come in”
A voice from somewhere - seemingly from within!
Now that is impossible, I think to myself with ‘logicality’,
“Pull yourself together, clear your head, get back to reality!”

Coming to, I turn again towards Jesus, only to find,
He’s gone to the bus, leaving some of us behind.
For you see, others did not want to go on into the pool,
Would rather go back to the hotel, to enjoy their cool.

As Jesus hops in the bus, ready for the drive,
He waves back at me, motioning me to dive,
Lovingly now too, he points down by my side,
He’d left me his guidebook, to take on my ride.

Opening the cover, not knowing what I’ll see,
A personal note there, one from him to me.
“Trust in me, my son, I will never lead you astray,
My Spirit’s with you, always to show the way.”

Sitting down on the rock, a tear in my eye,
“Can’t ever repay him,” I think with a sigh,
For the book of life, he’s so generously given me,
With it beside me, I’ll always enjoy his company.

Hearing that voice again, “David, the water is cool”,
See Kathy there too, already enjoying it in the pool.
Taking the guide book with me, waterproof so I found,
Now jump right in, to where Kathy is playing around.

A great splash - the water is so refreshing!
Gives a new lease of life, ‘tis a real blessing.
Can’t now understand my reluctance to hop in,
Feel really at home here, amongst kith and kin.

Kathy calls me to come, walk under the waterfall,
Together we stand there laughing, have a real ball!
For the water has special healing properties,
Curing us all our aches, pains and disease.

Such healing water, able to lift my spirits inside,
No longer feeling the need, to run away and hide.
Strange really, how it refreshes my soul,
‘Tis so much more than a watering hole.

After playing round in the pool some more,
Hopping out to dry off, being wet to the core.
Sitting on the side, calmly enjoying the breeze,
I am attacked by mosquitoes, as big as bees!

Slapping at one, then another, then a third!
Slap, slap, slap, until that voice again I heard
Coming from deep inside me, so gently saying,
“Jump back in, it’s with me you should be staying.”

A few more slaps before learning my lesson,
Wiser now, back into the pool I do hasten!
In the refreshing water my bites do soon disappear,
The Spirit, in the right direction, would me steer.

In him, by now, I was coming to trust,
Just as Jesus earlier, had said I must.
For such a slow learner I am sometimes,
Until my head clicks, then the bell chimes!

So once again enjoying the play,
Happy to go on from day to day,
But I have to admit to becoming a little bored,
“Surely there has to be more”, my inside roared!

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

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

A DAVID MUSING

It's a small world!

This week I found out a friend I have been communicating with through the internet for the past few years, lives about 20-30 minutes walk (depending on how fast you walk and how many people you stop and greet on the way. African ways are different to the West!) from where I ministered 10 years or so ago. Africa is a big place so I was most surprised.

Meeting other Kiwis on London streets is a not infrequent occurrence for New Zealander's, 20,000km from home. I once remember being in Singapore with Kathy. We walked down a street where there was no-one (unusual for crowded Singapore) except for a man with a backpack, walking towards us, but in the distance. As we got closer we saw, to our surprise, that he was a good friend from the city of Tauranga, where we lived at the time. Neither party knew the other was going to be in Singapore.

We live in an increasingly mobile world. We don't expect out children to remain where we are living, although Kathy and I suffer more than most with our only grandchildren being 20,000km away in Scotland!

Unlike my Kenyan friend, typically of many in Africa, who have lived in the same area all their lives, many of our families are now spread around the world.

As the family oriented Christmas season approaches, we feel the tyranny of distance more acutely than at other times of the year.

The beauty of a relationship with Jesus is that He is with us wherever we are. In London, New York, Nairobi or Napier, in sickness or health, in good times and bad, our Jesus is remains with us. Thank you Lord.

So until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: RUPEES

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' a. A den of thieves

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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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