AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS - LOVE

What is at the heart of the end time, kingdom church?

The answer is actually very simple in principle, if not so simple to activate! For the answer is found in one word - LOVE.

But what is love?

1. LOVE IS THE CHARACTER OF GOD
2. WE ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE GOD IN RETURN
3. THE ATTITUDE OF THE DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH

Today.....

4. WE ARE ALSO COMMANDED TO LOVE OTHERS

As we love God, so we are commanded to love others.....

10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:10-12)

WOW! God is made complete in us through love! To become Jesus-like, to become the holy and righteous bride for whom Jesus is returning.....

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

..... we have to reflect the love of God and others the Jesus reflected in His life on earth! No ifs, no buts! If we desire to be part of the brie, we MUST LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE.

5. CAN WE BECOME 'LOVE'LY BY OURSELVES?

There are a few people, particularly ladies, who have an inborn nature of showing an apparent godly like love to others. We can often regard these ones within the church as 'natural Christians', but their love may really come from their nature, their personality, rather than from God. For they are able to be loving to others out of their own strength, rather than God's.

The rest of us can try to emulate them as much as we like, but no matter how much we try in our human strength, it just doesn't work on an ongoing basis. We get frustrated, particularly when those we are trying to love reject us!

It leaves us disappointed both with them and with ourselves, for we feel failures. Know the feeling?

There has to be an answer for, as we have seen, love is to is to be the very centre of our 'walk with Jesus'.....

29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

"Oh Lord, this is so hard! I give up!" Know the feeling?

FOR THE SOURCE OF OUR LOVE CANNOT COME FROM WITHIN, BUT MUST COME FROM THE HEART OF GOD LIVING WITHIN US.

Human strength..... beating ourselves up when we fail..... simply fails!

(Continues next week)

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FROM THE WORD

THE WORDS OF JESUS

May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.

Jesus Anointed at Simon’s House (Luke 7:36-50)
Simon the Pharisee criticized Jesus for allowing a sinful woman to anoint Him with perfume.

“Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Once two people were in debt to a money-lender. One owed five hundred denarii, the other only fifty.
Neither of them could repay him, so he forgave the debts. Which one will love him the most?”

The one he forgave the most.

“You’re absolutely right,” “You see this woman? When I came into your house, you didn’t give me water to wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t give me a kiss, but since I came in she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet. You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she poured perfume over my feet. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—that’s why she loves so much. But whoever is forgiven little, only loves a little.”

To the woman.

“Your sins have been forgiven.”
“Your trust has saved you, go in peace.”

Pharisees Rebuked (Matthew 12:24-37, Mark 3:22-30)
The Pharisees claimed Jesus’ power to heal came from demons.

“Any kingdom divided against itself will be destroyed. No town or household divided against itself can stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he’s divided against himself— so how could his kingdom stand? If I’m throwing out demons in the name of Beelzebub, in whose name are your people throwing out demons? Your own people prove you’re wrong! But if I’m throwing out demons through the power of the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you!
“Can you enter a strong man’s house and take his belongings unless you tie him up first? If you do that then you can take everything in his house. Those who are not with me are against me, and those who do not gather together with me do the opposite: they are scattering. That’s why I’m telling you that every sin and blasphemy you commit will be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Spirit which won’t be forgiven. Those who say something against the Son of man will be forgiven, but those who say something against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven, neither in this life nor the next. Either decide that the tree is good, and its fruit good, or decide that the tree is bad and its fruit is bad—for the tree is known by its fruit. You viper’s brood, how can you who are evil say anything good? For your mouth simply says what your mind is busy thinking about. A good person brings out good from their store of good things, and an evil person brings out evil from their store of evil things. I tell you, people will have to account for every careless thing they say on the Day of Judgment. For what you say will either vindicate you or condemn you.”

(Continued next week.)

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

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj46p57.pdf

POTENTIAL TRIP TO EAST AFRICA AND THE UK

There is a possibility I could be visiting East Africa in August and the UK in September.

If anyone wanted to meet me, or potentially have me minister on the themes we share in the editorials of PGIM and Tuesday Teachings, please contact me at david@wwj.org.nz

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

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

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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.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj46p57.pdf

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE

453. Computers are able to process endless knowledge, but only humans can discern truth.

454. God created mankind to live in His truth. Satan’s temptation is to live in earthly knowledge. Which will we choose?

455. Satan was the first to substitute knowledge for truth. His plan hasn't changed.

456. Knowledge is subject to rust and decay, but truth is golden.

457. Seek knowledge to wander, but truth to wonder at God’s great glory.

458. Worldly knowledge fills our brain, but godly understanding fulfills our life.

459. All the knowledge in the world will be of no worth on the Day of Judgement.

460. Knowledge puffs up, truth humbles.

461. I desire knowledge, but desire God's truth even more.

462. Knowledge so easily kills the Spirit in us. But Spirit inspired knowledge changes the world.

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

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

CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continues

... with personal testimony about the difficulty of living like Jesus.

Check out all the available teachings at...

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

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

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

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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. ***

176. A REAL PRAYER
A couple was touring the Capitol in Washington D.C., and the guide pointed out a tall, benevolent gentleman as the congressional chaplain.

The lady asked, "What does the chaplain do? Does he pray for the Senate or House?"

The guide answered, "No, he gets up, looks at the Congress, then prays for the country!"

175. CASH AND CARRY...
A miserly rich man was nearing the end and he called three of his closest friends to his bedside: a doctor, a minister and a lawyer.

“They always say that you can’t take it with you,” he wheezed. “But I’m going to prove them wrong.” He handed each of them an envelope. “Inside each envelope is fifty thousand dollars, evenly divided from my estate. I want each of you to throw your envelope in the grave with me just before they cover me up. You are the only ones I could trust to carry out my last wishes.” And so saying, he expired.

Several days later at graveside services, they did as he asked. The three friends walked away in silence. Presently the clergyman spoke. “I have a confession to make,” he started. “The church has desperately needed some major repairs, so I kept back $10,000 of the money to do it.”

This prompted the doctor. “I, too, friends, must confess: the hospital needed a new wing, so I only threw in $10,000 and have already given the rest to the building fund.”

The lawyer stared at the two chagrined men. “Gentlemen! I am shocked, and ashamed of you for keeping back part of the money.” He turned to leave, with a grim smile. “I’ll have you know, friends, that I threw in a personal check for the entire amount!”

174. WELL. YOU ASKED...
A young preacher, fresh out of seminary, was scheduled to deliver the sermon at a pastor’s convention. Afterwards he asked an old pastor what he thought of his sermon. Kindly, he replied, “Young man, your sermon was like the peace and mercy of God.”
Taking it as a compliment he pressed, “What do you mean?”

“It was like the peace of God in that it passed all understanding,” replied the pastor, “And the mercy of God in that I thought it would endure forever.”

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

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

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Which Roman emperor succumbed to smallpox?

ANSWER: Emperor Marcus Aurelius succumbed to the ‘Plague of Antonine’, a smallpox epidemic that killed something between 3.5 and 7 million people in the Roman Empire in 180 AD. (A ‘Big’ man, but small to the pox!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How long was the world's longest prayer meeting?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

561. GUMS WORKING
The world’s oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9000 years old! (Something to chew? So nothing’s new!)

562. GOOD NEWS AND BAD
A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off – but eventually it dies from starvation! (All bad things come to an end too – finally!)

563. NOT A QUICK COUNT!
The American quarter coin has 119 grooves around its edge, a dime, one less. (If in doubt, check it out.)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

BIASED

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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WHICH BOOK?

2: …is the 3rd book of the Old Testament?

a. 1 Samuel
b. Ruth
c. Leviticus
d. Exodus

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

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

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

IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

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

'A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!'

!!!!!!! Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some folks appear bright until you hear them speak.

!!!!!! Why do press harder on the remote control, when we know the battery is dead.

!!!!! Corduroy pillows are still leaving headlines.

!!!! Every take-off is optional; every landing is mandatory.

!!! You cannot get ahead, if you're too busy getting even.

!! Love looks through a telescope; envy through a microscope.

! A wishbone should not be where the backbone belongs.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

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

PETS RULE!

69. NO MOUSE!
Our local humane society had an overabundance of cats, and to deal with the surplus they posted a notice: "Laptops Available. Mouse not included."

70. TRUSTING TORTOISES
Three tortoises, Mick, Andy and Roy, decide to go on a picnic.

So Mick packs the picnic basket with beer and sandwiches. The trouble is the picnic site is ten miles away so it takes them ten days to get there. When they get there Mick unpacks the food and beer. "Ok Roy give me the bottle opener."

"I didn"t bring it" says Roy. "I thought you packed it".

Mick gets worried, He turns to Andy, "Did you bring the bottle opener?"

Naturally Andy didn't bring it. So they're stuck ten miles from home without a bottle opener. Mick and Andy beg Roy to go back for it. But he refuses as he says they will eat all the sandwiches while he's gone.

After two hours, and after they have sworn on their tortoise lives that they will not eat the sandwiches, he finally agrees. So Roy sets off down the road at a steady pace.

Twenty days pass and he still isn't back and Mick and Andy are starving, but a promise is a promise.

Another five days and he still isn't back, but a promise is a promise.

Finally they can't take it any longer so they take out a sandwich each, and just as they are about to eat it, Roy pops up from behind a rock and shouts, "SEE! I KNEW IT! I'M NOT GOING!"

71. KITTENS
During the midst of rush hour traffic, a bus driver pulled over to the next stop just in time to pick up a boy carrying a strange looking box.

Curious, the bus driver looked into the box and saw four tiny little kittens - so young that their eyes hadn't yet opened.

"I haven't seen kittens that young for a long time," the bus driver said, "What are you going to do with them?"

The boy, looking a bit puzzled, replied, "They're not kittens, they're athiests and I am taking them to church". The bus driver decided to leave that one alone and continued on his rounds.

A few days later the boy got on the same bus with the same bus driver. The bus driver recognized the boy carrying the curious box and said, "I see that you brought your atheists with you again, are you going back to church?"

The boy replied with a grin, "They're not atheists any longer, they're Christians - their eyes have been opened!"

Pets Rule Here.

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

'The Holy Spirit Is Moving Through Our Locker Room,' Says NBA MVP Stephen Curry

My dad may have been playing in the NBA at the time, but the best basketball games I remember from my childhood were the ones between my little brother, Seth, and me on our backyard basketball court in Charlotte, North Carolina. We'd play for hours and hours, oftentimes well into the night with the use of a bright stage light shining on the court, until our mom would yell out the window for us to come in. Those games would get pretty heated, but that was the norm for brothers as close as we were.

Our whole family was very close in fact, even when it came to school. My mom started a Christian Montessori school when I was in first grade, so we all went there together—Mom was in charge as the head mistress, our aunt was our teacher, and our grandmother was the cook. My brother and sister and I were blessed to have such great influences in our lives, and I can honestly say that my mom and dad were the best. They raised us to believe in God, and we were at church every Wednesday for youth Bible studies and every Sunday for services.

I remember it like it was yesterday, the day I gave my life to Christ. I was in fourth grade, and I recall hearing and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and walking down the aisle to give my life to Him. My parents continued to pour into my faith from that point on, making sure I understood the commitment I'd just made. Starting in middle school I attended Charlotte Christian School, which allowed me to hear the gospel on a daily basis. Looking back, my childhood was filled with the Lord's presence.

Wanting to follow in my dad's footsteps on the hardwood, I had my sights set on Virginia Tech during my high school years. Unfortunately, the Hokies and other ACC schools weren't interested. I was confident the Lord had blessed me with the talent to play the game, and I just wanted to go where He wanted me to be. That place became as clear as day to me once I met Bob McKillop, Davidson's head coach. He explained his vision for my career at Davidson and how he could help me achieve my goals. Plus, he was a man of God, so it was an added bonus to play for a leader who was grounded in faith. The entire recruiting and signing experience taught me about patience and seeking God's will, because He had a plan all along. I couldn't see it at the time, but I trusted He knew what was best for me.

During our Cinderella run to the 2008 Elite Eight, I knew the Lord was preparing me for a bigger stage to represent and be a witness for Him on the basketball court. I remembered my mom telling me from day one at Davidson that God puts His people in different areas of life so that they can reach more people for Him. I tried to use that time for His glory.

Then, in 2009, it was a surreal moment and a dream realized to be sitting in the green room with my family hearing my name called as the seventh overall pick of the NBA Draft.



Fast-forward to now—my fourth year with the Warriors—and my faith continues to be my driving force. God's blessed me with an awesome support system in Oakland, starting with my head coach, Mark Jackson, who is a pastor of a congregation in Southern California. It's rare to have such an outspoken believer leading an NBA team. We also have about 10 guys on our team who attend our pregame chapels and pray together before games.

The Holy Spirit is moving through our locker room in a way I've never experienced before. It's allowing us to reach a lot of people, and personally I am just trying to use this stage to share how God has been a blessing to my life and how He can be the same in everyone else's.

God's given me talents to play basketball for a living, but I still have to work hard to improve every day. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this is just a game that can be taken from me at any moment. But I love that basketball gives me opportunities to do good things for people and to point them towards the Man who died for our sins on the cross. I know I have a place in heaven waiting for me because of Him, and that's something no earthly prize or trophy could ever top.

There's more to me than just this jersey I wear, and that's Christ living inside of me.

Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors and was recently selected as the NBA's most valuable player.

Source: Charisma News

DAVID'S DOWNLOADS

A SELECTION

After being challenged by the Lord at our weekend retreat (see A DAVID MUSING below) to turn more of the teachings he has given me into e-books, this week I have started the process.

There are 3 new publications under More Free Downloads this week. Go to the main page of our website www.wwj.org.nz and look under Publications and Downloads. Each week, God willing, more will be added.


Download your free PDF Files here.....

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

WAXING LYRICAL

When thoughts desert you....... write a poem. People will then excuse you -I hope!

?!?!?!?!

An 'inspiration'?
Where, where!
Perspiration!
Here, here!

In a sweat!
What to write?
Getting wet!
Too right!

WhatcanIwritewhenIhavenothingtosay.
Inmymindmymusingsdonowdesiretostay.
ThereisajumbleinthereIcannotsort,
cannotseparatethoughtfromthought.

By next week,
Mind may clear.
It will speak.
Yes! No fear!

Until then, please do, do, enjoy the day,
For then my mind will come out to play!

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

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

A DAVID MUSING

MY CHALLENGE

Over and after our retreat weekend, the Lord challenged me to look through all the teachings I (through Him) have written, and turn them into e-books. I found 14, ranging in length from a few pages to over 200! Quite a task!

I have made a start, with 3 books being posted on the More Free Downloads page on the website at www.wwj.org.nz

I then have to publish them on the various bookshops on the Net, free of charge, as is normal for me. (If anyone has skills or experience in doing this, I would love to hear from you!)

For the Lord desires me to share in a wider way what He has shared with me.

AN ENCOURAGEMENT

Last Tuesday evening we had a meeting of our fortnightly group, and it was most encouraging to hear how God had ministered to people during the retreat.

But I was particularly keen to hear from David, whom I respect as a senior man over the years in Charismatic circles, and one who has been to lots of conferences. We ministered to him during the evening. But He said nothing about the day of the weekend he attended. Just as we were finishing, David (we have 3 of us in the group!) spoke saying words to the effect, 'unlike many conferences, God was there.'

Thank you Lord, thank you David, for your confirmation. It was/is a huge encouragement to me.

So until next week.....

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: ABIDES

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. Leviticus

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

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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