A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 688 Published: 22 Dec 2014
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.....
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCHThe 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 NET
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 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. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?†Jesus asked. “Yes,†they replied. 52 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)
This is another parable about Judgment Day at the end of the age. This is one of the two dominant themes of the parables of Jesus, along with those dealing with riches and the love of money. Each comprise a quarter of Jesus' (parabolic!) teachings to the people.
Why did Jesus teach these subjects in this way?
These were then, and remain so today, two subject areas that upset people! In order that He would not be lynched before His time, Jesus spoke in this way. Yet He explained everything fully to His disciples in private.
Mark 4:30-34
Hard though it is, and I am the biggest wimp at doing this face to face, it is important, indeed vital, that we make people aware that judgment will be faced by all, as this parable is teaching. It is a matter of eternal destiny!
Romans 2:5-8
Once we truly understand and act upon this reality for ourselves, as the disciples said they did here, we will have a vital key to the kingdom of heaven. Through understanding given by the Holy Spirit, we will receive new revelation of the kingdom to accompany the age old truths and principles of God that have existed since time began, but were first recorded in written form after the exodus of the Jewish nation from Egypt.
Jesus came to earth and through His sacrifice, added the revelation of grace to the application of the law. We come into relationship with God through belief in Jesus, not through following the law to the letter, all the time, which no human has been able to do. However, this does not remove the responsibility we have to live holy and righteous lives, based upon the principles of the law. For Jesus was the fulfillment, not the replacement of the law.
Matthew 5:17-20
A true disciple does not just give mental assent to the saving grace of Jesus but also demonstrates his or her beliefs through living by His example, applying the age old principles of the law to ones life, motivated by the revelation and application of love.
Matthew 22:37-40
Getting the balance right in our lives is such a challenge, isn't it! Love! Law! Righteousness! Judgment! How often we lose the plot!
"Thank you Jesus for your forgiving grace so that I may get back on track."
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 continuedJesus’ Messages to the Seven Churches (Revelation 1:1-3:21)
Through the apostle John.
“I am the Beginning and the End,â€
“Write down in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.â€
“Don’t be afraid, I am the first and the last, the Living One. I was dead, but look! Now I am alive for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and the grave.
“So write down what you’ve seen—what’s happening in the present and what will happen in the future.
The meaning of the seven stars that you saw me holding in my right hand and the seven golden candlesticks is this: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.
To the Church in Ephesus (Pictured)
“Write this to the angel of the Ephesus church: This is what the One who holds the seven stars in his right hand says, the one who walks among the seven golden candlesticks: I know what you’ve accomplished, your hard work and perseverance. I know you can’t tolerate evil people, and how you investigated those who claimed to be apostles but are not, and discovered they were frauds. I know about your patience, and what you endured for my sake—and that you didn’t give up!
“But I have something against you: you have neglected your first love. So remember how far you’ve fallen—repent and go back to what you were doing at first. Otherwise I’ll come to you and I will remove your candlestick from where it is—unless you repent. However you do have this to your credit: you hate the actions of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit is telling the churches. I will give to those who are victorious the privilege of eating from the tree of life, which stands in the Paradise of God.
To the Church in Smyrna
“Write this to the angel of the Smyrna church: This is what the first and last says, the One who was dead and came back to life: I know the troubles you are going through, and how poor you are (but you are rich), and the abuse from those who say they are Jews but are not, but belong to Satan’s synagogue. Don’t be afraid about what you are going to suffer. Yes, the devil will throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Just remain faithful, even if it means death, and I will give you the crown of life! If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit is telling the churches. The second death will not harm those who are victorious.
(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.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
THE FEAR OF THE LORD1277. Without the fear of the Lord, youth is fearless and old age fearful.
1278. Earthly fear breeds rejection on earth, Godly fear confirms acceptance in heaven.
1279. Earthly fear results in a negative reaction while the fear of God leads to positive action.
1280. Without holy fear, surely God cannot be God?
1281. Genuine 'fear of the Lord' breeds confidence, not calamity.
1282. Fear of man leads to control by others, while self-control is the fruit of 'fear of the Lord'.
1283. 'Human fear' dominates and destroys while 'fear of God' develops character.
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 ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: BEYOND THE VEIL – 2NEW TESTAMENT REVELATION ON ATONEMENT THE BOOK OF HEBREWS concludes
As we look at a vital and enlightening difference between the Old and New Testaments, and conclude our study with a summation of what we have learned.
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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. ***
126. TAKE A BREAK
A clergyman, walking down a country lane, sees a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off.
"You look hot, my son," said the cleric. "Why don't you rest a moment, and I'll give you a hand."
"No thanks," said the young man. "My father wouldn't like it."
"Don't be silly," the minister said. "Everyone is entitled to a break. Come and have a drink of water."
Again the young man protested that his father would be upset. Losing his patience, the clergyman said, "Your father must be a real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him and I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
"Well," replied the young farmer, "he's under the load of hay."
125. A LETTER TO GOD
Dear Lord,
So for today, God; I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or even indulgent.
I'm very thankful for that - But in a very short time, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from that moment on I'm going to need a lot of help!
Amen
124. CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.
An angel hears his plea and appears to him. "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you." The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.
The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.
Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. St. Peter seeing the suitcase says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"
But the man explains to St. Peter that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, St. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."
St. Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!!!"
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Why is the Dead Sea so salty?ANSWER: It's just like the bigger oceans. Water from rivers and streams feeds into it but no water drains out of it. The only way water can leave is through evaporation. And as the water evaporates, the salt is left behind. (‘Sink or swim’ doesn’t apply here – for you can’t sink and it is difficult to swim in because of the buoyancy.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why do fawns have spots?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 612. UPSIDE DOWN?
The bubbles in Guiness Beer sink to the bottom, instead of floating to the top as in other beers. The reason for this is a mystery waiting to be solved. (Wouldn’t want to swim in it then!)
613. SENIOR MILITARY PRECISION
The average ear (cob) of corn has 800 kernels arranged in 16 rows. (How many Majors, Captains and Lieutenants?)
614. WON 'EM ALL
Rita Moreno was the first and only entertainer to have received all four of America’s top entertainment industry awards – The Oscar, The Emmy, The Tony and the Grammy. (Re-award-ing?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
TINSELLY
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE TRIVIA 1
4: By which brook did Jacob wrestle with the angel?a. Kebar
b. Habor
c. Jabbok
d. Shihor
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""RANDOM ACTS of THINKING
!!!!!!! The only book I need to tell me where I should go on vacation is my checkbook.
!!!!!! Is a hypocrite someone who writes a book on atheism and prays it will sell?
!!!!! If God *really* wanted us to use the metric system, there would have been ten disciples.
!!!! I actually have too much will power. It's won't power that's in short supply.
!!! The lion and the lamb may lie down together, but the lamb won't get much sleep.
!! Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I say it I'm compelled to wash my mouth out with chocolate.
! You can cut down on the number of mistakes you make at work by coming in late.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
TILL DEATH DO US PART!
36. FLY SWATTERA woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter.
"What are you doing/" she asked. "Hunting Flies" he responded.
"Oh!, Killing any?" she asked.
"Yep, 3 males and 2 females", he replied.
Intrigued, she asked. "How can you tell?"
He responded, "3 were on a beer can and 2 were on the phone."
37. A BIG CAT!
The man's wife had a birthday coming and he wanted to know what she desired.
She said she'd like to have a big Jaguar.
He didn't think it was best for her.
But, she begged and begged until he gave in and got her a big one.
It ate her!
38. DEPENDS UPON YOURE PERSPECTIVE
Amy and Jamie are Old Friends.
They have both been married to their husbands for a long time. Amy is upset because she thinks her husband doesn't find her attractive anymore.
"As I get older he doesn't bother to look at me!" Amy cries.
"I'm so sorry for you, as I get older my husband says I get more beautiful every day." replies Jamie.
Yes, but your husband's an antique dealer!"
39. JUST STUPID
During a friendly argument, Jim asked his wife why she married him in the first place. "I was just stupid," she teased. When he said he was happy to hear that, she was surprised and requested an explanation.
"Well, people get divorced all the time because they fall out of love," he said. "But I've never heard of anybody falling out of stupid."
More laughs about Marriage and families here.....
China: The paradox of the rapid spread of Christianity in China - continued
Part 2 of the 3 part series. (David)'Christianity is also seen as the force behind the development of social justice and civil society.'
Some Chinese also discern in Christianity the roots of Western strength. They see it as the force behind the development of social justice, civil society and rule of law, all things they hope to see in China. Many new NGOs are run by Christians or Buddhists. There are growing numbers of Christian doctors and academics. More than 2,000 Christian schools are also dotted around China, many of them small and all, as yet, illegal. One civil-rights activist says that, of the 50 most-senior civil-rights lawyers in China, half are Christians. Missionaries have begun to go out from China to the developing world.
The authorities have responded to this in different ways. In places like Wenzhou, they have cracked down on the church. But overall persecution seems to be no longer the norm. That is largely because many officials see advantages in Christianity’s growth. Some wealthy business folk in Wenzhou have become believers - they are dubbed ‘boss Christians’ - and have built large churches in the city. One holds evening meetings at which businessmen and women explain ‘biblical’ approaches to making money. Others form groups encouraging each other to do business honestly, pay taxes and help the poor. Rare is the official anywhere in China who would want to scare away investors from his area.
(Continues next week.)
SOURCE: The Economist
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... THE CHARACTER OF GODUnderstanding God takes more than a lifetime! Through into eternity. Even then, I suspect he may come up with a surprise or two! But this simple revelation may help you understand Him better, as it has helped me.
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WAXING LYRICAL
The ravages of time inflict themselves upon us all! This was written 10 years ago! What would I say now! LOL!BODY ‘Not So’ BEAUTIFUL?
Adam and Eve, naked, did roam about,
Fine clothes, jewellery, they were without,
Forever and ever they were going to live,
Nary a thought of dressing, did they give.
Created by God, with ‘bodies beautiful,’
So perfect in form - we can only drool,
The ravages of age had no effect you see,
Their bodies designed to last - for eternity.
Yet one sad day, in the course of time,
Their thoughts with God failed to rhyme.
For they ate forbidden fruit from the tree,
Which greatly affected their longevity.
Now they knew they were naked, they were ashamed,
Because their God, they had disgracefully defamed.
But to show that God loved them still,
He gave them clothes, even sent no bill.
But the putting on of clothes, had another side,
As the affects of ageing, they did wish to hide.
Cause eternal youth had passed them by,
Now to grow old, get sick, then to die.
When we’re young, we know we’ll never die!
For our ‘body beautiful,’ it does all we try,
We run and we dance, we jump and we swim,
Yes, then it is easy, to keep the body in trim.
But the time it does pass, as the fruit takes effect,
The results of our exertion, we can no longer neglect.
The things we once did with energy, grace and poise,
Now executed with effort, and a loud puffing noise!
Oh dear, oh dear, what is becoming of me,
The kids do laugh, for they cannot yet see,
That one day too, it will happen to them,
Will be like me, coughing up phlegm.
For no one escapes the taste of a fruit so sweet,
However much, life’s ravages we desire to beat.
The fruit brought the concept of time,
But so little of it, now that’s a crime.
Know what to do – I’ll go for a run,
So good for me – may even be fun!
Though I realise you don’t agree with that,
It’s certainly one way, to keep off the fat!
For as I look down towards my middle region,
Something appears to be blocking my vision.
My toes, I can no longer easily see,
Blocking my vision, is more of me!
So much more than ever there was before,
No, it’s not me - surely can’t be - I implore!
Poking a finger downwards, it wobbles on its own,
Surely that’s not my stomach, I inwardly groan.
But it is, it is, it is, it is,
Could be hers, maybe his,
For we all suffer from much the same,
As the invasion of fat, we seek to tame.
Now if nature seems mildly depressing,
When our youthful body, age is repressing.
God gave the answer to Adam and Eve,
Clothes for the body, others to deceive.
We learn how to dress our bodies, to disguise their shape,
Over sagging boobs and bums, various pieces we drape,
We pretend to be what we no longer are,
The spitting image of a Broadway star.
But now, to get more serious about this matter,
Recently had a friend die, of lymphatic cancer.
His body faded away to a shadow,
Before being buried in a meadow.
For we will all die one day you see,
As inevitably, as four follows three.
For our body has a limited life span,
So about it, we should have a plan.
There is only one plan, of which I know,
If grass over me, is not always to grow.
It’s called salvation by grace.
In meeting Jesus, face to face.
He died on a cross, two thousand years ago,
To rescue us from death, that much I know,
He rose from the grave on the third day,
To give us a new body, in which to play.
To receive our new body, all we do,
Is believe in Him, the one so true.
By seeking forgiveness for all our sin,
His eternal kingdom, we will enter in.
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO YOU! From Kathy and David.May we celebrate the memory of the birth of our Saviour and Lord - even though He wasn't born in December! (Perhaps in September/October at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles?)
Mat the Lord be with you and yours all year, but specially at this time.
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SILENTLY
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. Jabbok (Genesis 32:22-25)
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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 websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz