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: 707 Published: 18 May 2015
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
4. WE ARE ALSO COMMANDED TO LOVE OTHERS
5. CAN WE BECOME 'LOVE'LY BY OURSELVES?
Today.....
6. GOOD WORKS AND LOVE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME
Interestingly, most Christians would say they are exhibiting love when they are doing good works. But is this really the case?
There are many possible motivations in doing good works. Earning brownie points with the pastor and people. Earning your ticket to heaven through good works. Helping the community. Completing a programme. Obligation. And many more.
Sadly, in spite of our good intentions, these motivations do not necessarily reflect true Christian love. For true Godly love comes from a heart of obedience to the Father's will.
John, the disciple who was closest to Jesus understood this principle well and expresses it most succinctly.....
6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (2 John 1:6)
and again.....
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15)
followed by.....
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
and more.....
20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.†(John 14:20-21)
As an aside, the book of John, of the four Gospels, has been primarily written for the believer. If we truly want to find the Father heart of God, it does well to absorb John's Gospel into the very core of our being.
Jesus was love personified. Both for His Father, and for us. This was ultimately expressed in the cross.
From John again.....
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)
My friend, love is ultimately expressed in obedience to the Father. Obedience comes from listening to the Holy Spirit's voice - and putting what He tells us into action! As we love God more, we here His voice better, and He will show us how He wants us to express His love to others.
It may well be in unexpected ways, quite likely outside our comfort zone!
One way the Lord uses me is to visit seriously sick people, in particular those with cancer. Not all the time but the ones He chooses for me. This is way outside my comfort zone, not naturally being an empathetic sort! Ask my wife Kathy! LOL! But as I visit these ones more, He blesses them while also changing me - slowly - more into the image of my precious Jesus.
The Father does not want to wear us out continually attending meetings, fulfilling programmes and chasing good works. He wants us to spend time with Him, then He, will guide us into the expressions of love He desires us to show to our neighbour.
It is amazing, once we remove stress and misplaced obligation from our loves, true love will more and more be reflected in both our personality and our actions.
(Continues next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
The Sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-45)
As Jesus returned to Nazarath.
“Evil people who don’t trust in God are the ones who look for a miraculous sign. The only sign they will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah,†“In the same way Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights, the Son of man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
The people of Nineveh will rise in the judgment together with this generation and they will condemn it because they repented in response to Jonah’s message—and as you see, there’s someone greater than Jonah here! The Queen of the South will be raised in the judgment together with this generation and will condemn it because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon—and as you see, there’s someone greater than Solomon here! When an evil spirit leaves someone, it wanders through deserted places looking for rest, and finds nowhere to stay. So it says, ‘I’ll go back to the place I left,’ and when it returns it finds the place empty, all clean and tidy. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits even more evil than it is, and it enters and lives there. So the person ends up worse than they were at the beginning. That’s the way it will be with this evil generation.â€
The Family of Jesus Come to Visit Him (Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21)
When told of their presence, Jesus replies.
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?â€
“Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! Whoever does what God wants, they are my brother, and sister, and mother.â€
(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
TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE463. Satan uses knowledge to kill the Spirit within. Now God is using Spirit inspired knowledge to return the favour.
464. Knowledge is partial, truth complete.
465. Man’s truth is revealed in the world, God’s truth in the Word. One ‘l’ of a difference!
466. Understanding the truth is just one small step for God, but a giant leap for mankind.
467. Knowledge binds up, while the truth sets free.
468. Knowledge is to doubt as truth is to faith.
469. Knowledge is to be desired, faith to be sought.
470. All too often we place our faith in knowledge rather than acknowledging our true need for faith.
471. Knowledge is complex, faith and truth simple.
472. If I had full knowledge of everything, wouldn’t I be God? Fortunately I will never have to answer this question!
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: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continues... with a brief look at servant leadership.
Check out all the available teachings 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. ***
179. YOU CAN'T WIN
The local post office received a letter addressed "To God." Not knowing where to deliver it, they forwarded it to one of the nearby churches.
The pastor read it at the next charity committee meeting. "Dear God," began the writer. "I hate to bother you, but my family is having it tough right now. The rent is two month's due, my wife is expecting, and my car is broke down. Plus I just lost my job as a nightwatchman due to sleeping on the job. Please send us $1,000 and I won't bother you again."
The pastor read the name and one of the committee members recognized it. "He lives right down the street from the church," she said. "This might be a good way to witness to him and show him we care."
The others agreed but the church fund was only to help members. Finally, after much discussion, they decided to pool their resources and give from their own pockets. They came up with $500, then wrote out a check from the church and sent it to him.
Months passed with no word of thanks or even acknowledgement. Some time later they received another letter forwarded to them addressed to God. It was from the same fellow. "Dear God," it read. "I hate to bother you again, but I lost my new job at the shoe store, my car was wrecked, and my wife is in the hospital again. Please send me $1,000 to get these creditors off our backs. Thanks again. P.S. Please send it to me directly this time. Last time you sent it through the church next door and those dirty crooks kept half of it."
178. LATERAL WISDOM
A preacher stepped into the pulpit one Sunday morning with a Band-Aid on the side of his face. He explained at the start of his sermon, “I cut myself while shaving. I guess I was meditating on my sermon.â€
An hour and fifteen minutes later a sleepy member of the congregation whispered to his wife, “He should have meditated on his shaving and cut his sermon!â€
177. A REAL STAYER
The sermon had gone on a long time. A visitor leaned over to the person next to him and asked, “How long has he been preaching?â€
Came the reply, “Almost thirty years.â€
“Oh,†said the stranger. “Guess I’ll stay. He ought to be through soon.â€
"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 ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How long was the world's longest prayer meeting?ANSWER: How long does prayer meeting last in your church? Do the ‘fidgits’ set in after ten or twenty minutes? Let’s say the average prayer meeting is an hour. But the world's longest Prayer Meeting? Multiply an hour by 24; multiply that by 365; and then multiply that by 100! That tallies up to 876,000 hours. The longest prayer meeting in the world actually lasted even longer than that! It began on August 27, 1727, in Herrnhut, Germany, when Moravians under Count von Zinzendorf commenced an around-the-clock prayer chain that lasted more than one hundred years! (Generations of prayer warriors involved?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is it true that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 558. WINGS OR PADDLES
The penguin is the only bird that can swim, but not fly! (Because the Antarctic scenery ‘aint that great’ to fly over?)
559. WATERLOGGED
A jellyfish is 95 percent water! (Fortunately it lives in the sea, not the desert.)
560. MISLEADING ADVERTISING
There wasn't a single pony to be found in the Pony Express, only horses! (‘Horse Express’ just doesn’t have the same romantic ring to it.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
MOLARS
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...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""'A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!'
!!!!!!! Air Pollution is a mist-demeanor.
!!!!!! A magician might pull rabbits out of hats. but Jesus can pull habits out of rats.
!!!!! The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days.
!!!! I'm trying to invent a microwave television so I can watch "Gone With the Wind" in only 30 minutes. --Lawrence
!!! What is a mosquito's favorite sport? Skin diving
!! Are dog biscuits made from collie flour?
! If you cut yourself, rub thyme into the cut, because thyme heals all wounds.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
131. NOT TOO BRIGHTMy neighbor read that most accidents happen within 20 miles of home - so he moved!
130. GOOD 'N CLUNKY
An auto mechanic received a repair order that read: "Check for clunking sound when going around corners."
Taking the car out for a test drive, he made a right turn, and a moment later he heard a 'clunk.' He then made a left turn and again heard a 'clunk.' Back at the shop he opened the car's trunk, and soon discovered the problem.
Promptly he returned the repair order to the service manager with the notation,
"Removed bowling ball from trunk."
129. STAFF EXERCISE
Ever wonder why office staff are always dead tired by the end of the day and companies require no further physical fitness programs for their employees ???
REASONS BEING... Everyone gets enough exercise:
* Jumping to conclusion
* Beating around the bush
* Running down the boss
* Going around in circles
* Dragging their feet
* Passing the buck
* Climbing the ladder
* Wading through paperwork
* Pulling strings
* Throwing their weight around
* Stretching the truth
* Bending the rules, and
* Pushing their luck
129. HEAD STONE
Two men were walking home after a party and decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery just for laughs. Right in the middle of the cemetery they were startled by a tap-tap-tapping noise coming from the misty shadows. Trembling with fear, they found an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping away at one of the headstones.
"Holy cow, Mister," one of them said after catching his breath, "You scared us half to death -- we thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?"
"Those jerks!" the old man grumbled. "They mis-spelled my name!"
Many more jokes just for a laugh at.....
Ex-Muslim: Koran Revealed a Religion I Did Not Like
CBN NewsGOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Mona Walter is on a mission. Her mission is for more Muslims to know what is in the Koran. She says if more Muslims knew what was in the Koran, more would leave Islam.
Walter came to Sweden from Somalia as a war refugee when she was 19. She says she was excited about joining a modern European nation with equal rights for women. But as a young Muslim woman, that was not the Sweden she encountered.
A Real Introduction to Islam
It was in Sweden that she first experienced radical Islam on a daily basis.
"I discovered Islam first in Sweden. In Somalia, you're just a Muslim, without knowing the Koran. But then you come to Sweden and you go to mosque and there is the Koran, so you have to cover yourself and you have to be a good Muslim."
Walter says she grew up in Somalia never having read the Koran.
"I didn't know what I was a part of. I didn't know who Mohammed was. I didn't know who Allah was. So, when I found out, I was upset. I was sad and I was disappointed," she recalled.
And it was in Sweden that Walters says she discovered Allah is a god who hates, and that Islam is not a religion of peace.
"It's about hating and killing those who disagree with Islam. It's about conquering. Mohammed, he was immoral. He was a bloodthirsty man. He was terrible man, and Muslims can read that in his biography -- what he did to Jews, how he raped women, how he killed people. I mean, he killed everyone who didn't agree with him," she explained.
Discouraged, Walter left Islam and became an atheist, until one day a family member encouraged her to read the Bible. She still remembers the first time she read Matthew 5:44, where Jesus said to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Christianity, a New Perspective
"It was very strange for me to 'love your enemy,' because in Islam it is 'kill your enemy.' 'Kill your enemy and anyone who refuses Islam.' But Jesus Christ was all about love and peace and forgiveness and tolerance, and for some reason, I needed that," she said.
She went to see Pastor Fouad Rasho of Angered Alliance Church, a Syrian immigrant who ministers to former Muslims in Sweden.
"She started to believe and she came to me. And that was the beginning of her trusting," he said.
When she accepted Christ, Walter said she felt "so happy" and "filled with joy."
Walter says the Lord gave her a burden for Muslims who still do not know the truth about Islam. And she began to study the Koran, and began copying verses from the Koran and handing them out on the street to Muslim women.
Rescuing Muslims with Truth
"Sometimes they listen and sometimes they become very upset, and I tell them, 'You know your husband has a right to beat you if you don't obey him?' And they say 'No, It does not say that.' 'Yes, it does say that.' I thought if I tell them about Muhammed and about the Koran and about this god of Islam who hates, who kills, who discriminates against women, maybe they will have a choice and leave," she explained.
But in politically correct Sweden, Walter has come under attack for simply repeating what is in the Koran.
"I've been called an 'Islamophobe,' and yeah [they tell me], 'You've been bought,' 'You're a house nigger,' and stuff like that, terrible things, " she said.
She has also been called a racist. Walter warns that Islamic radicalism is a serious threat in Sweden, and says Swedish society should care more about women trapped in Islam.
"[Swedes] will think, 'Oh, we're in Sweden; we have freedom of religion,' but Muslim women don't have freedom of religion. They live under the law of Allah, not under Swedish law. So they will suppose everyone has freedom of religion. We don't have freedom of religion. It's not for Muslim women. It's for everyone else," Walter argued.
Walter lives under death threats and sometimes travels with police protection. She wanted to show us Muslim areas around Gothenburg, but had to first dress as a Muslim. She believes if she were to show her face, she would be attacked.
"I can never go to those areas just being me, flesh and blood Mona. I would never get out of there alive," she said.
"I mean, Muslims are normally good people like everyone else," she continued. "But then when they read the Koran, then they become a killing machine."
"This so-called ISIS or el Shabab or Boko Haram, they're not like extremists. They're not fanatical. They're just good Muslims, good Muslims who follow the teachings of Islam. The prophet Mohammed, he did that. They're doing what he did," she explained.
Walter now uses videos and speaking appearances to spread her message. And she says she won't stop, even though her life is in danger.
Related Links: Mona Walter YouTube Channel
Source: CBN News
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?A new e-book up this week incorporating the PGIM editorials over the last 18 months. I is introduced as.....
When asking the Lord what He wanted me to write about next, He has led me to look at HIS CHURCH, not in the way of standard church history, but from His viewpoint. I will try my best to be obedient to His wishes. But any errors will be mine!
As you will soon see, the history of His church revolves around the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit's activity upon the earth, rather than what we consider the church to be.
We look also at the future church, the kingdom church for whom Jesus is returning.
I trust it will both inform and challenge you about our future, both as individuals and the church as a whole.
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
On a day when I ran out of other inspiration to write 'A David Musing' in the weekly PGIM! ezine.(HALF)WIT OR WISDOM?
Today, I have some time,
So, 'why not a rhyme?'
A very good idea indeed,
For brain work I need.
But what will I write about?
Something with some clout!
Or something simple, so not the brain to strain,
Yet still, a modicum of intelligence to feign.
The decision will be yours as to which way I went,
Whether philosophy or simplicity is my bent.
For I have no idea what may now come forth,
Be it at first attempt, or the fourth! (sorry, nothing else rhymes with 'forth')
I was born on the 'fourth' of July you see,
A very special day, both for America and me.
For if, at that time, I had not been born,
My birth could now be treated with scorn!
But instead, I get fireworks every year,
Something I love, let me make clear,
But I live in the wrong country, I now do remember,
For in New Zealand, 'cracker night' is 5 November!
Now that information is all but by the by,
To get serious I will now earnestly try.....
.....
.....
I can't!
So if you have got this far,
Expecting wisdom from afar,
You will be most disappointed,
For today I am not anointed!
I trust that my inspiration will one day return,
(If I have sufficient brain cells left to burn!)
In the meantime I say 'goodbye',
Please believe it - I did try!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Kathy and I have been very blessed with excellent health over the years. Except when I fall out of ceilings or similar stupidity, inherited by the male of the species! LOL!However, for the past few weeks, Kathy has not been at all well. We are still waiting to find out what the cause is. As a nurse Kathy, naturally, attempts self diagnosis, with the detailed assistance of 'Dr Google'!
We both would really appreciate your prayers for Kathy, in this her time of need.
Thank you.
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: ABIDES
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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