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: 709 Published: 01 Jun 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?
6. GOOD WORKS AND LOVE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE SAME
7. LOVE MUST CHANGE US
Today.....
8. LOVE CHANGES THOSE WE LOVE
Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before He was arrested, prayed to Hid Father for all believers - including you and me.....
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)
Paul expressed a similar sentiment.....
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)
Love is the distinguishing characteristic of the kingdom age. This is again confirmed by Paul in the conclusion of the 'much loved', love Chapter in Corinthians.....
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
We have the HOPE of the salvation of Jesus, the FAITH generated by the HOLY SPIRIT working in us, culminating in LOVE, both of God and of others. In a church sense we move from the TRADITIONAL/EVANGELICAL, centered upon Jesus, to the PENTECOSTAL/CHARISMATIC streams, adding the anointing to the Holy Spirit, to the greatest and final KINGDOM church, based upon love, love of the Father expressed through obedience, and love of others.
Loving God is not enough! We must love others also.
Others lives will be changed through God's love being expressed through us.
Jesus set the example to us in His kingdom parable of the love - or lack of it -shown to the man who was robbed and left on the side of the road. The religious people passed by on the other side of the road. The 'good Samaritan', considered a lower class person by the Jews, tended to the man's needs.
Who would have had the most influence in the robbed man's life? The religious people who looked down their noses at him, or the Samaritan who attended to his needs? The answer is obvious.
To the religious man Jesus said.....
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.†(Luke 10:37b)
May we be obedient to the command of Jesus. It truly works!
(Continues next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-9)
“God’s kingdom is like a man sowing seed in the ground,†Jesus said. “He goes to bed and gets up, day after day, but the man has no knowledge of how the seeds sprout and grow. The earth produces a harvest by itself. First a shoot appears, then the heads of grain, and then the heads of grain ripen. When the grain is ripe, the farmer reaps it with a sickle, because the harvest is ready.
Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a farmer who sowed good seeds in his field. But while his workers were sleeping, an enemy came and sowed weed seeds on top of the wheat. Then they left. So when the wheat grew and produced ears of grain, the weeds also grew up. The farmer’s workers came and asked him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seeds in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’
“‘Some enemy has done this,’ he replied. ‘Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?’ they asked him.
‘No,’ he answered, ‘as you pull up the weeds, you may uproot the wheat too. Let them both grow until harvest, and then at harvest-time I’ll tell the reapers, “First gather the weeds, tie them up into bundles and burn them. Then gather the wheat and store it in my barn.â€â€™â€
Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast (Matthew 13:31-5)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a farmer sowed in his field. Even though it’s the tiniest of seeds it grows much bigger than other plants. In fact it grows into a tree big enough for birds to roost in its branches.â€
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixed with a large quantity of flour, until all the dough was raised.â€
Parable of the Weeds Explained (Matthew 13:36-43)
In private, as requested by the Disciples.
“The one who sows the good seed is the Son of man,†Jesus explained. “The field is the world. The good seeds are the children of the kingdom. The weed seeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy that sowed the weed seeds is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are harvested and burned so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of man will send out his angels, and they will gather up every sinful thing and everyone who does evil, and will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then those who live rightly will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. Anybody with ears should be listening!
(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
HOPE486. The one thing history teaches is the futility of placing our hope in the goodness of man. Could the world rely upon me - or you?
487. Hope in mankind is hopeless, but hope in God springs eternal.
488. Without hope we perish. Without God we perish. So our hope is to be found in God.
489. In mankind there is only futility, but in God we have hope.
490. Faith turns the hope of our salvation into the experience of God’s love.
491. God’s hopefulness gives the hopeless, hope.
492. Godly hope transforms human hopelessness – if we will allow it!
493. Life without hope is short, but with God’s hope, eternal.
494. God’s hope can help transform tragedy into triumph.
495. It is often said that ‘without hope we perish.’ This is as true literally as it is figuratively.
496. Out of God’s hope springs eternal youth – eventually!
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....... as we go more deeply into stewardship.
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. ***
185. ALL TOGETHER NOW...
A worker was trying to get a large, heavy pulpit through the door of a church. A passerby, seeing his struggle, offered to help. They pushed and tugged until they were exhausted but it wouldn't move. Finally, the man on the inside said, "We'd better give up, we'll never get this out."
The volunteer on the outside end said, "What do you mean, get it out? I thought you were trying to get it in!"
184. MOVIN' ON UP...
A lady whose husband's climb up the ladder to success led her to a more showy way of life changed to a better car, finer home, more expensive furs and a more socially-upscale church. After another major advance which landed her at the Mercedes-Benz stage, she paid a visit to her latest minister.
"I've had the feeling for some time that I should fit in better with my friends at another church," she sniffed, swinging her furs around her back and flashing her diamond rings. "What would be your opinion, sir?"
"My dear lady," the clergyman replied, "it matters little what kind of label you put on an empty bottle!"
183. TEN SIGNS YOUR PASTOR NEEDS A VACATION
10. When he announces VBS he yells the word "VACATION" with special emphasis.
9. He has replaced the framed Ten Commandments in the foyer with a travel poster.
8. The bulletin cover has had pictures of Hawaii on it for the past 5 weeks.
7. His first words to the congregation on Sunday morning are "all right, listen up you heathens..."
6. He falls asleep during his own sermon.
5. He shows up for Sunday service wearing Bermuda Shorts and a Tank Top.
4. Every time his pager goes off, he exhibits a facial tic and shouts, "Why can't they just leave me alone?!"
3. He wears scuba flippers, mask and snorkel to the baptism service.
2. You go to his office for counselling and pour your heart out to him and he says, "Sounds like a personal problem to me."
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOUR PASTOR NEEDS A VACATION
1. For the past two months he has preached the same sermon every Sunday: "Come Ye Apart and Rest A Little While."
"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: Why do scientists describe cancer cells as ‘immortal’?ANSWER: Normal cells divide a limited amount of times (usually no more than 50-60 times) before they die. Cancer cells, however, proliferate indefinitely in culture. A cancer cell will go on and on doubling, one cell becoming two, then four, then eight, etc.... Normal cells, when placed in a tissue culture dish, proliferate until a single layer of cells just touching each other covers the surface of the dish. Mitosis (cell replication) then stops. Cancer cells, on the other hand, show no such ‘contact inhibition’. They continue to divide, piling up into actual mounds. It is this that makes cancer cells so damaging to an organism. (Too much of a bad thing!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What bird migrates from the Arctic to the Antarctic each year?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 552. LEFT FOR DEAD
Over 2500 left handed people a year are killed from using products made for right handed people! (It’s a cruel world if you’re different from normal!)
553. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
While Wrigleys missed out on producing the world’s first chewing gum by 11,000 years, they redeemed themselves by being the first product to sport a bar code. (The bars though, had to be straight, not ‘wriggley’!)
554. HOW THIN CAN YOU GET?
A lump of pure gold the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court! (The heavenly streets are paved, not thinly flattened.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
PICKETS
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...
WHICH BOOK?
5: …is the 4th book of the Pentateuch?a. Numbers
b. Deuteronomy
c. Leviticus
d. Judges
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"""WISDOM
* Kindness is the Language the deaf can hear and the blind can see
* Real wealth comes when we make a difference for other people
* The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up
* Life gives birth to life. Energy creates more energy. We become rich by giving ourselves away.
* Your talents are God's gift to you. Who you serve with your talents is your gift to God.
* What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you
* Don’t always look to get a blessing, look to BE a blessing.
* Give another what they cannot find anywhere else and they will keep returning
* Your rewards in life are determined by the problems you solve for others
* You can get everything you want in life, if you just help enough other people get what they want.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
GREAT GROANS
1. MAKING DOUGHYears ago there was a baker's assistant whose sole job was to pour the dough mixture for making sausage rolls (apparently the royal family loved sausage). Because people were identified by their professions, he was just called Richard the Pourer.
One day Richard ran out of some key ingredients, namely a secret spice he used in the batter. He called his apprentice and sent him to the store to buy more spices. When the apprentice arrived at the store, he found that he had forgotten the name of the ingredient. Hoping that the storekeeper might be able to figure it out, he described it to him,
"it's for Richard the Pourer for batter for wurst."
2. THE WINTER DRILL
During the cold months, we keep our little ceramic elves that we use in the garden during the summer, stored overhead in the garage. At Halloween time, when I went out in the garage, I imagined I could hear them up there, mocking me. It sounded like they were marching and doing military-type exercises.....
Ever since then, I've been scared of gnome attic drills.
by David Reihmer
3. AWOL
A sailor was caught AWOL as he tried to sneak on board his ship at about 3 am.
The chief petty officer spied him and ordered the sailor to stop. Upon hearing the sailor's lame explanation for his tardiness, the officer ordered the sailor, "Take this broom and sweep every link on this anchor chain by morning or it's the brig for you!"
The sailor began to pick up the broom and commence performing his charge. As he began to sweep, a tern landed on the broom handle. The sailor yelled at the bird to leave, but it didn't. The lad picked the tern off the broom handle, giving the bird a toss. The bird left, only to return and light once again on the broom handle. The sailor went through the same routine all over again, with the same result. He couldn't get any cleaning done because he can only sweep at the chain once or twice before the blasted bird returns.
When morning came, so did the chief petty officer, to check up on his wayward sailor.
"What in the heck have you been doing all night? This chain is no cleaner than when you started! What have you to say for yourself, sailor?" barked the chief.
"Honest, chief," came the reply, "I tossed a tern all night and couldn't sweep a link!"
4. IN THE CEMETERY
A man was walking past a graveyard and he heard one of Beethoven's symphonys playing backwards. He thought to himself "That's weird" and kept walking.
The next day the same man walked past the same cemetery and heard another one of Beethoven's symphonys playing backwards. He thought to himself, "Now that's REALLY weird!" and kept going.
The next day the same man was once again walking past the same cemetery and heard "Ode to Joy" playing backwards. The man said "I can't take this any more!" He walked up to the caretaker and asked, "What is going on around here?!"
The caretaker answered, "Oh, that's just Beethoven decomposing."
5. THE PLIABLE PRISONER
Several years ago, Andy was sentenced to prison. During his stay, he got along well with the guards and all his fellow inmates. The warden saw that deep down, Andy was a good person and made arrangements for Andy to learn a trade while doing his time. After three years, Andy was recognized as one of the best carpenters in the local area. Often he would be given a weekend pass to do odd jobs for the citizens of the community, and he always reported back to prison before Sunday night was over.
The warden was thinking of remodeling his kitchen and in fact had done much of the work himself. But he lacked the skills to build a set of kitchen cupboards and a
large countertop which he had promised his wife. So he called Andy into his office and asked him to complete the job for him.
But, alas, Andy refused. He told the warden, "Gosh, I'd really like to help you but counter fitting is what got me into prison in the first place."
Lots more great groaners here.....
What now for Nepal?
27 MAY, 2015BY RUTH KRAMER
Nepal (MNN) — It may sound cliché, but the needs in Nepal extend far beyond the images we see on multimedia platforms.
To get the full scope of it, you need to see the rubble everywhere you look, smell the odor of dust mixed with something cloying, feel the roughness of the debris that you move out of your way, hear the sounds of workers breaking up concrete, and taste the emptiness of hunger.
There are few places to get in out of the sun. Tents are warm inside and out, the air feels heavy with the coming rains. Rain means cold mud…everywhere.. Every once in a while, there might be a tremor—just enough to make you wonder if you’re dizzy, and then you look up, just to make sure nothing is going to fall. “Villages look like World War II after they had been bombed. It was completely devastated–whole villages,†says Patrick Klein of Vision Beyond Borders, describing the landscape.
The preceding paragraph is somewhat a compilation of experiences reported by many people who have recently been to Nepal with a relief team since the April 25 temblor. Klein just returned from a visit with a team. “They brought a lot of tents in–a lot of tarps to set up for the monsoon season. They’re also working in the villages, trying to sort some of the bricks out, break off some of the concrete on some of the [buildings] so they can begin rebuilding.†He goes on to say another need is for vitamins, both for children and adults. There will likely be minimal access to fresh foods for a while, as the fresh fruits and vegetables may have to be hand-carried over the mountains. Vitamins and basic medical supplies will be in high demand, as will water filtration systems.
The rebuild seems like an insurmountable task. Lack of funds plus a short time frame add to the pressure. “Getting through the monsoon season is going to be the tough thing. When I was there, it started to rain, and it POURED. It was unbelievable. It actually hailed in some places, so we’ve got to try to get people under shelter as soon as possible. They’ll probably be getting a lot more tarps, tents set up, and even some temporary metal structures.â€
(Photo courtesy Vision Beyond Borders)
(Photo courtesy Vision Beyond Borders)
There is also another experience paralleling the disaster. This one is also true of the mission groups on the ground, partnering with the local Church. It’s called “opportunity,†says Klein. “Here were Hindu and Buddhist people that normally would not be open to help from Christians. They were very receptive. Everyone came and said, “Thank you.†Everyone. That might be due, in part, to questions that are coming in the wake of the disaster. “They’ve seen many of their temples collapse, many idols have been smashed, or, in some situations where these temples have been destroyed, people have actually looted the idols.â€
The very foundation of their religion has been broken. Klein says, “Pray for us. Pray for the Church in Nepal, that God will really use the church at this time to minister to the needs of the people. There’s a lot of hurting people in Nepal right now. There’s a lot of hurting people with a lot of questions: ‘Why? What is this? What’s happening?'â€
VBB is already known in some of the areas where they’re sending relief. They have 5 children’s homes and one safe home for women who have been rescued from sex-trafficking in Nepal. Because their approach to aid comes with hope, “It’s a great time for the Church–for God’s people to be sharing the Gospel. Then, if people want to continue to financially give, we’ll make sure those funds will get there to Nepal and will keep being used to provide food and shelter for people that have been directly affected by the earthquake.†100% of all donations to the VBB Nepal Disaster Relief Fund support relief efforts.
Source: Mission Network News
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREWWe are all products of the societies and cultures in which we are brought up. When it comes to the Bible and Jesus, most of us look through a Western, Greek based mind set, rather than that of the Hebraic society in which Jesus lived and ministered.
This has led to major misunderstandings and misinterpretation of Scripture during the past approximately 2 millennia since Jesus.
This e-book summarizes these and looks at the spiritual challenges They pose to the church today.
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
A brief overview of 'walking with Jesus'.JESUS
Don't want to know, need never tell,
What life is like, down there in Hell!
I look up to Heaven,
To avoid the leaven.
For the sin in life,
Gets me in strife,
But Jesus forgave,
My soul to save.
To believe in Him, to walk in His way,
To do his will, His commands to obey,
To my soul, it does now ring a chord.
Jesus: my friend, my master, my Lord.
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
This weekend I have had a 'different' experience! From speaking, to working on the sound system and overhead projector for others to speak at the National Conference for the NZ Full Gospel Businessman's Association. It is being held in our city of Napier this year.I have not done anything like this before. So it was all new to me, but of course, I was only a lackey!
I have found it most interesting, and it goes to prove that it is never too late to step out and learn more skills. Jesus wants our all, all the time, no matter our age or circumstance.
In Jesus too, there is no retirement. In fact, it is all important how we finish our race.
PS: Cuddly bear, aren't I!!! LOL!
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: PARROT
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' a. Numbers
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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