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: 728 Published: 12 Oct 2015
CHRISTIANITY - A CULTURE, ORGANISATION, OR A RELATIONSHIP?
Over the past 2 months I have had the privilege to travel round the world, from New Zealand, to Africa, to Britain, and back again. Nearly 3 full days in airplanes, travelling, I guess, 45,000 Km. Over this time I have experienced both directly, in countries visited, and indirectly, in a variety of people met, a number of cultures, both secular and in the church.Over my lifetime, I have been fortunate to travel widely throughout many countries, both before and after entering into a personal relationship with Jesus. New Zealanders do like to travel, for we are an isolated country at the very end of the earth, being located 2,000 km south-east of Australia. To experience the world, and to see snakes, for there are none in New Zealand, we have to travel! Amazingly, this trip, I saw snakes in the wild in the very north of Scotland, which I would have thought would have been too cold for them!
Of course, with all this travel experience, I have been able to gain an appreciation of different cultures, both country and church.
For instance, when in Kampala in Uganda recently, I met a Canadian ministry team, on a missions trip. While I only spent a couple of hours with these people, the experience implanted itself (quite difficult to do these ancient of days! LOL!) in my non-memorable, mind! I have not yet been to Canada, but over that brief time gained an encapsulated experience of (one part of) Canadian church culture. Being honest, it saddened me. For they used a language of 'christian-ese' unintelligible to one outside the church to describe life in a Christian church and movement, equally foreign, I am unsure, to an unbeliever. A community that had a life of its own, divorced from the community, and largely divorced, I felt, from Jesus. Elder teenagers were brought over for a 'missions experience', well trained in entertaining kids, their target group, but sadly lacking in knowledge of, and in some, relationship with, Jesus.
I was shocked! Here we have 'Christian missionaries' without a relationship, or at best a very shallow one, with Jesus. Their leaders were middle aged pastors, who were oriented, who were focused, on the church, not upon Jesus. The African teens looking after them had a far deeper relationship with, and knowledge of, Jesus. Yet this observation, so obvious to me, was oblivious to them. How sad. They were about to go home where they would share their experiences of being mobbed by kids, all wanting balloon art. The church would be happy. The missionaries themselves and their families would be happy. For it is the cultural church 'thing to do'.
Please, I am not criticizing the individuals concerned, for both leaders and teens were brought up in a 'church culture' and were doing the 'right thing' viewed through church eyes.
Unfortunately however, Jesus was missing.
This is not a unique, or even unusual, situation, for the church, not Jesus, has become the focus of the Christian world.
May I, may you, always live our life where JESUS is both our SAVIOUR and our LORD, as Jesus commands us.....
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40)
Continued next week.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Lawyer Tests Jesus About Receiving Eternal Life (Luke 10:25-37)
“What is written in the law? How do you read it?â€
The lawyer replies with the ‘golden rule’.
“You’re right,†“Do this, and you will live.â€
Jesus then tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was attacked by robbers who stripped him and beat him, and left him for dead. It so happened that a priest was going the same way. He saw the man, but he passed by on the other side of the road. Then a Levite came along. But when he got to the place and saw the man, he also passed by on the other side. “Finally a Samaritan man came along. As he passed by, he saw the man and felt sorry for him. He went over and treated the man’s wounds with oil and wine, and bandaged them. Then he placed the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he took care of him. The next day he gave two denarii to the innkeeper and told him, ‘Take care of him, and if you spend more than this, I’ll pay you back when I return.’ Which one of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by robbers?â€
“Go and do the same,â€
Martha Works While Mary Listens (Luke 10:38:42)
Jesus comments when Martha complains.
“Martha, Martha,†“you’re worried and upset about all this. But only one thing is really necessary. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it shall not be taken away from her.â€
Jesus teaches the Disciples How to Pray (Luke 11:1-13)
Lord’s Prayer and explanation.
“When you pray, say, ‘Father, let your name be honored as holy. May your kingdom come. Give us every day the food we need. Forgive us our sins, just as we forgive everyone who sins against us. Keep us from temptation.’â€
“Say you have a friend and you go to him in the middle of the night and ask, ‘My friend, lend me three loaves of bread because a friend of mine has come to visit me, and I don’t have any food to give him.’ Your friend in the house might reply, ‘Don’t bother me—I’ve already locked the door, and I and my children have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything now.’ I tell you, even though he refuses to get up and give you anything, despite you being his friend, if you are persistent, your friend will get up and give you everything you need.
“I tell you: ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and everyone who seeks, finds; and to everyone who knocks the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, won’t give him a fish but a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will you give him a scorpion? So if you, even though you are evil, still know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?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
HUMILITY210. It's hard to be humble when you always win. So God doesn't let that happen!
211. Learning humility in defeat trains us to remain humble in success.
212. Boasting is of the human heart, but humility is God's heart for us.
396. True humility cannot be generated in the mind, for it comes from our spirit.
397. True humility arises when confidence in God overcomes confidence in ones self.
398. Humility is a positive attribute, not a weakness.
399. False humility reflects weakness, but true humility exudes godly strength.
400. The truest expression of a godly character is reflected in humility.
1306. True humility is 'putting Jesus first' in our life.
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
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...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:SERMON ON THE MOUNTThe Sermon on the Mount' is a comprehensive description of how we are to live the kingdom lifestyle.
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. ***
234. POPE IN HEAVEN
The Pope dies and goes to meet St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter escorts him in, and shows him to his mansion. The Mansion is huge, with angels circling the outside, and a massive deck at the rear where the Pope can watch the heavens in his robe and relax in his golden lounge chair.
St. Peter says, "Just make yourself at home, I have some errands to attend to and I'll be back to see that you're settled in.". The Pope eases into his golden lounge chair, and a small angel brings him a cool glass of water to sip, at which point a golden table appears out of nowhere, in just the right spot for the Pope to put down the glass between sips. The Pope is amazed further to find that the glass is always full when he picks it up, never running dry.
As he sits relaxing, the Pope watches other mansions float by on their clouds, and while finding them beautiful, he also observes that his is larger than any of them, as befits a Pope. Then from a distance, the Pope hears this amazing music; He looks to his left, and far away he sees a mansion ten times the size of his. Angels, cherubim, and seraphim are circling it, and then there's that wonderful music.....
As the mansion draws close, the music gets louder, and louder, and as it passes by, the Pope has to cover his ears, because of the sheer volume.
Later, St. Peter returns. The Pope says, "This is really wonderful. I have seen God's own mansion float by! There were angels, cherubim, seraphim, and this wonderful music...". "Wait a minute," say St. Peter. "Was the music really loud?" "Yes", said the Pope.
"That wasn't God's mansion, that was Jimi Hendrix' place." "Jimi Hendrix???!!!" said the Pope. "Why does he have a mansion ten times the size of mine? I was the leader of the Catholic Church!"
"Settle down!" said St. Peter. "We get you Popes in here all the time. We don't get many musicians."
233. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
At the Country Church Sunday School, the new teacher finished the day's lesson. It was now time for the usual question period. "Teacher," announced little Joey, "there's somethin' I can't figure out."
"What's that, Joey?"
"Well, accordin' to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?"
"Right."
"An' the Children of Israel beat up the Philistines, right?"
"Er-right."
"An' the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?"
"An' the Children of Israel fought the 'gyptians, an' the Children of Israel
"Again you're right." fought the Romans, an' the Children of Israel wuz always doin' somethin' important, right?"
"All that is right, too," agreed the teacher.
"So what's your question?"
"What I wanna know is this," demanded Joey. "What wuz all the grown-ups doin' all that time?"
"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: What is the sleeping sickness?ANSWER: Sleeping sickness, or encephalitis lethargica, was a strange disease that appeared in Europe suddenly in 1915. By 1918, the disease, which took many forms, had spread throughout the world. In some cases, victims fell into a coma and never woke up. Others died from days and days of NOT being able to sleep at all. The epidemic, which is estimated to have affected five million people, vanished mysteriously in 1927. Survivors didn't fare well. The long-term effects of the sleeping sickness, which had developed into a form of Parkinson's disease, had turned many patients into motionless ‘statues’. In March 1969, neurologist Oliver Sacks began to prescribe L-dopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, to sleeping sickness patients. The effect was extraordinary. Many began to ‘wake up’ and were suddenly, after decades of not moving, able to walk and talk and think. Some patients believed they were still in the 1920s! Sadly though, many patients on L-dopa began to suffer from involuntary muscle movements, bizarre motions and notions, and other serious symptoms. (Maybe we all would if we woke up 40 years in the future!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is a group of flamingos called?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 493. SUNDAY TRADING
In Providence, Rhode Island, stores aren’t allowed to sell a toothbrush on the Sabbath. Yet, these same stores are allowed to sell toothpaste and mouthwash on Sundays. (A Law with no teeth to it?)
494. BODY SPEAK
Body language changes meanings from one country to another. Grasping one's ears is a sign of repentance or sincerity in India. A similar gesture in Brazil – holding the lobe of one's ear between thumb and forefinger – signifies appreciation. (What you see is not necessarily what you get!)
495. WHAT'S NEW!
According to a poll, only 29 percent of married couples agree on most political issues. (That many!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
ALUMNA
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...
AN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Before getting down to anything remotely 'spiritual', just some quick comments.1. In the 10 years since I have been to Uganda and Kenya the most obvious difference is the increase in the standard of living there. Motorways, many more quality cars (Japanese 2nd hand imports), and 1000's of motorbikes, nearly all made in India, are obvious signs. Along with lots of skyscrapers in Kampala. But the people too seem, on average, better off than previously. Which leads me to.....
2. The first week, in Kampala, I was treated like a king! Great reunions with friends I hadn't seen for 10 years. Wonderful hospitality. In fact I felt guilty that people at home, and you my readers, would thing I was suffering in deep, darkest Africa, when the reality was exactly the opposite! Thought I might stay forever - which I was invited to do! LOL!
3. When I went to my first church service, at I church that Kathy and I first visited 13 years ago (and yes, some remembered me/us) I got to the door where I was searched with a hand held metal detector! Wow! That was new! Sadly, with the threat of terrorism being greater now, the government has asked people to do this, including churches. Other, smaller churches did not though. Sadly also, guns were much more in evidence, along with security guards and metal detectors at shops and most places you go. Ironically, the greatest cost of terrorism is not in the physical damage they do, but the cost of prevention. (Don't get me on to airport security!)
Continued next week.
WHICH BOOK?
In which Gospel is this account found?4: The Prodigal Son?
a. Matthew
b. Mark
c. Luke
d. John
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
!!!!!!! If you cross a zebra with a chicken, will you get an egg with a bar code?
!!!!!!I knew a gal who couldn't see a movie because she didn't have 16 friends. The theater had told her Under 17 Not Admitted.
!!!!! Organized people are just too lazy to look for things.
!!!! Could you call an EKG ticker tape?
!!! My wife and I took a massage class, but she didn't enjoy my participation. Apparently I rub her the wrong way.
!! Some bankers are generous to a vault.
! The only book I need to tell me where I should go on vacation is my checkbook.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
PET'S RULE
1. PET ALARMMarge was telling her friend Grace how she gets her son out of bed in the morning. "I just open his door and toss the cat on his bed... He sleeps with his dog."
2. HOW YOUR DOG OWNS YOU
You believe every dog is a lap dog.
If you are cold, you put a sweater on your dog.
You have a picture of your dog in your wallet, but not one of your kids.
You have your dog talk to your friends on the phone.
You can't fully enjoy yourself without your dog.
No matter how large your bed is, it is not large enough for you and your dog(s).
You spend more on clothes and food for your dog than you do for yourself.
You believe there is no such thing as a naughty dog.
When you need someone to talk to, your dog is your first choice.
You sit on the floor if the dog got in the chair first.
3.MEN AND DOGS THE SAME?
Both take up too much space on the bed.
Both have irrational fears about vacuum cleaning.
Neither tells you what's bothering them.
The smaller ones tend to be more nervous.
Neither understands what you see in cats.
Neither does any dishes.
Neither of them notices when you get your hair cut.
Both like dominance games.
Both are suspicious of the postman.
More 'petty' humour here.....
3 Important Marriage Truths Not Taught in the Church
By Liz KanoyFrank Powell has written 7 marriage truths at faithit.com; he believes, "For as big of a role as marriage plays in the Church–we sure are missing some of the important points on it!"
Here are 3 important marriage truths you may not hear in church:
1. Marriage is not for everyone.
This is a tough one because so many people, men and women alike, young and old desire to be married…and not all of them will marry. I believe the desire for marriage is good and biblical, but our church culture has put such an immense amount of pressure to be married that when it doesn’t happen it’s a big let down — sometimes even more so for the onlookers. Powell explains, "God has not called everyone to marry. I talk with young men and women that are consumed with finding a spouse. And most of the pressure comes from…US. The church. Once a person reaches mid-twenties, we assume they have a fatal flaw if they aren’t married."
Powell goes on to caution, "Shame on us. I am worried many failed marriages are the result of Christians pressuring people into something God did not design them for. Marriage is holy and good, but it is also possible to follow Jesus without a spouse."
I agree with Crosswalk Editor Ryan Duncan that, "All Christians desire the blessing of marriage, but we also want to receive that blessing in a way that will honor God. For some that means waiting, for others it may mean forfeiting the blessing altogether. Whether married or single, we must trust that God has a plan for all our lives, and that by His grace we are never, truly, alone."
There is so much you can learn from God as a single, so don’t waste this time!
2. A Spouse will not and does not complete you.
I feel fortunate that I had a theology teacher in high school who taught an entire lesson on how a man (I went to an all girls school) will not complete you, but you may find a spouse who compliments you. Ever since then I have held tight to the truth that a husband will not complete me…only Jesus can do that. Powell reveals this truth, "If you are empty, broken, or insecure, and you believe a spouse is the silver bullet to your problems…buckle up. Marriage will be a bumpy ride. Only God can fill those voids. You will never be able to enjoy the beauty of marriage if your spouse’s job is to complete you."
If you have unrealistic expectations of your spouse, you will be continually disappointed and frustrated. Pete Briscoe, of the Experiencing LIFE Today devotion, shares, "Your spouse will NOT complete you; your spouse will complicate you. If you are single, trust me on this one. If you are married, you can stop nodding your head right now. One of God’s purposes in marriage is to use our spouse to reveal our flesh patterns, selfishness, and sin. If you are looking for true love and affirmation, only Christ will complete you."
If you’re looking for someone else to give you the kind of love that only God can give, then you will continue to be let down by the people you date or the person you marry. There is no perfect person, but there is a perfect God and he loves us perfectly.
3. There is not just one person for you.
Do soulmates really exist? I believe there is only one true match for my soul and that is Jesus Christ; he is who my soul truly longs for. To refer to my spouse as my soulmate seems to lessen my relationship with God.
Powell relays, "Soul mates are made…not born. I am not sure where this idea of soul mate originated, but it is false. Maintaining a healthy relationship is more about commitment than perfection. Every person on earth has imperfections. And the reality is we could spend our lives with more than one person.
What if God does not want you to find a perfect person, but an imperfect person that will draw you closer to Him? What if God desires you to marry a person with flaws to expose yours? What if God wants to teach you the value found in committing to one person forever, not the exhausting pursuit of searching your entire life to find the perfect person?"
God desires to draw us closer to himself whether we are married or single, so our focus whether we are married or single should always be on God. He is our true soulmate.
You can read Powell’s full article and all 7 points at faithit.com
Did any of these marriage truths surprise you? Share some marriage truths you have learned!
Liz Kanoy is an Editor for Crosswalk.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
A REVELATION OF... SERVANTHOOD & LEADERSHIPA timely reminder of what our calling as 'Jesus Followers' and particularly as leaders is really all about. Essential reading, especially for anyone involved, or wanting to become involved, in Christian leadership. You might well change your mind!
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
Some times it is easier to wait than at others. It may be forced on us!CAN YOU WAIT?
Nothing now to write,
With brain do fight.
How sad,
Too bad,
Next week I might!
Patience is a virtue,
Both for me and you.
We don't know?
Let's let go.
For it's so true.
Can you wait?
Am so late!
Will do.
You too?
You're a mate!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
So until next week.....It has been an interesting experience again writing this week's issue of PGIM! For I have had 9 weeks off, having written previous issues before going away to Africa and Britain.
9 weeks escape from writing ezines and reading and posting to Facebook! Heaven on earth! LOL!
It took me a little time to get back into the swing of things, but as I have got towards the end it has become 2nd nature once again. Not surprising after 728 issues spanning 14 years, I suppose. In fact I have just realized it is exactly 14 years this issue! (52x14=728). well they did when I went to school - but that was a good few more than 14 years ago! But not 728 years, as my kids might imagine! LOL!
I thank you all for putting up with me for all - or part - of that time!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: MANUAL
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. Luke (15:11-32)
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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