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: 769 Published: 25 Jul 2016
WHO WILL DARE TO BE A DISCIPLE? (Part 2)
To understand what being a disciple is truly about we need to go fight back to the beginning.3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.†(John 3:3)
But what is being 'born again' really? I am going to quote a section on the subject from my book, THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW (that we are looking at currently in our 'Tuesday Teachings - Highly recommended!) which deals with the subject from both Western (Greek) and Eastern (Hebrew) perspectives.....
GREEK (WESTERN)
Greek thinkers consider the so-called 'Sinners Prayer' as the requirement for non-believers to be 'born again'. Salvation is related primarily to a decision of the mind, requiring minimal evidence of changed behaviour.
This position is justified primarily through Galatians 5:1.....
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Unfortunately the verses later in the same passage are ignored.....
13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.†15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:13-15)
EASTERN (HEBREW)
Hebrew thinkers understand being 'born again' as a complete lifestyle change. This involves a full commitment of mind, emotions and will, which will be reflected in behavioral change and obedience to God's will.
Words have different meanings, or nuances of meaning, in different cultures. Nicodemus, who asked the original question of Jesus as to the requirement for salvation, made the same mistake we do, in relating being born again to a physical experience.
4 “How can a man be born when he is old?†Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!†(John 3:4)
However, the word 'born' in the Hebrew of the time of Jesus was 'yalad', meaning 'bring forth'. So Jesus was not talking about a physical birthing experience, but rather, 'bringing forth a choice of action' by the hearer. The results of the two alternative behavioural decisions are clearly set out in John 3:16-21. It is particularly clear in the Amplified Version.
Firstly, making the behavioural decision to follow Jesus.....
16For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. 18He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.] (John 3:16-18 AMP)
….. or the alternative, not to change our lifestyle.....
19The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil. 20For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved. (John 3:19-20 AMP)
And the result for the true follower of Christ.....
21But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are--wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him]. (John 3:21 AMP)
This change in lifestyle is also proclaimed by Paul in Romans. It is through holiness that eternal life is obtained.....
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:22-3)
The 'gift of God' most often refers to the Holy Spirit, and it is through Him that our life is to be transformed. The Bible confirms, in the final chapter of Revelation, the free gift of salvation, resulting in the life changing work of the Holy Spirit, leads to holiness, and the inheritance of eternal life. The words of Jesus, followed by the Spirit and the bride, through John, say.....
12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.†17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!†And let him who hears say, “Come!†Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of (eternal) life."
(Revelation 22:12-16)
SUMMARY
The church today views salvation as a decision of the mind, but Jesus taught the necessity of a total life transformation.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. The church must move from the 'easy Christianity' teaching of the sufficiency of the (unbiblical) 'sinners prayer' to a call for true repentance, resulting in a changed life.
2. Discipleship, to help the new believer deal with the huge upheaval of leaving the old for the transformed new life in Jesus, must truly become a prime role of the church.
3. To witness effectively to Jews and Muslims, our actions and lives must reflect the words we speak.
3. Finally, from a father of the faith.....
“Christ will be master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. If your life is unholy, then your heart is unchanged, and you are an unsaved person. The Savior will sanctify His people, renew them, give them a hatred of sin, and a love of holiness. The grace that does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not IN their sins, but FROM their sins. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.†(C.H. Spurgeon)
Will you dare to be a disciple? I will.
(Continued next week)
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
THE RESSURECTION
Jesus Appears to the Two Mary’s (Matthew 28:9-10 , Mark 16:9, John 20:14-17)
To Mary Magdalene
“Why are you crying?†he asked her. “Who are you looking for?â€
“Mary.â€
“Don’t hold onto me,†“for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.â€
To the other Mary
“Don’t be afraid! Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.â€
Jesus Meets Two on the Road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:`13-32)
Talking about the things that had happened. Jesus replied.
“What are you discussing as you walk along?â€
“What things?â€
“You’re so dull! How slow you are to trust in all that the prophets said! 6Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer before he could enter into his glory?â€
(Continued next week.)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
***NOW***EIGHT BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
8 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!Two extra ones have been added about the core of our walk with Jesus - AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS..... LOVE another this week, TWENTY-FIVE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS.
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
They are all found at this link.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN 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.....
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
HEAVENLY TRUTHS GOD HAS SHOWN ME739. - 809. God has shown me that...
... while we currently live in the Age of Grace, one day it will come to an end.
... His grace can only be activated through our repentance.
... our part is to present the Truth. Other's responsibility is to accept or reject it.
... unity comes from the Spirit, not the soul.
... happiness and joyfulness are not the same.
... without Him, we will never fulfil our potential.
... the more I get into Him, the more He gets into me.
... the more time I spend with Him, the more time He has to make changes in me.
... His love never fails, but other's love may.
... the reward for loving others is found in Heaven, rather than on earth.
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:THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues.......... as we look at DIVISION WITHIN UNITY.
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. ***
349. PIOUS CHRISTIAN
Once there was a Christian, he had a pious look
His consecration was complete except his pocketbook.
He'd go to Church and give his dollar and meekly close his eyes,
So glad his weekly rent was paid for his mansion in the skies.
348. SUCCESS WITH MATHS
A ten year old boy was failing maths. His parents tried everything from tutors to hypnosis, but to no avail. Finally, at the insistence of a family friend, they decided to enroll their son in a private Catholic school.
After the first day, the boy's parents were surprised when he walked in after school with a stern, focused and very determined expression on his face, and went right past them straight to his room, where he quietly closed the door.
For nearly two hours he toiled away in his room - with math books strewn about his desk and the surrounding floor. He emerged long enough to eat, and after quickly cleaning his plate, went straight back to his room, closed the door, and worked feverishly at his studies until bedtime.
This pattern continued ceaselessly until it was time for the first quarter report card.
The boy walked in with his report card - unopened - laid it on the dinner table and went straight to his room. Cautiously, his mother opened it, and to her amazement, she saw a bright red "A" under the subject of MATHS.
Overjoyed, she and her husband rushed into their son's room, thrilled at his remarkable progress. "Was it the nuns that did it?", the father asked.
The boy only shook his head and said, "No."
"Was it the one-on-one tutoring? The peer-mentoring?"
"No."
"The textbooks? The teachers? The curriculum?"
"Nope," said the son. "On that first day, when I walked in the front door and saw that guy they nailed to the 'plus sign,' I just knew they meant business!"
"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: From where does the saying ‘Hobson's Choice’ originate?ANSWER: Hobson's Choice doesn't simply mean a difficult choice. It means no choice at all, rather like having to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. It originated from Thomas Hobson, a 16th-century stable-keeper, and a paid-up member of the amalgamated union of the bloody-minded. He only hired out his horses on a strict rotation system. Customers couldn't choose a horse for themselves. You got the one nearest the stable door or none! (What other choice did Hobson have?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is it true that hair and nails continue to grow after death?
SOME FUN FACTS 388. STONE CONDUCTOR
Granite conducts sound ten times faster than air. (Embed a jet in a block of granite to break the sound barrier at a tenth of the speed?)
389. LEAVE YOUR STONE
Among the Danakil tribesmen of Ethiopia, a male’s grave is marked with a stone for every man he killed. (Run out of men before stones!)
390. HAPPY HELEN
Helen of Troy was Queen of Sparta. (worked like a trojan but did not live a spartan life!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
RENEGED
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...
BIBLE OR NOT
Is this saying in the Bible or not?4. "To love another person is to see the face of God."
a. BIBLE
b. NOT BIBLE
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER
!!!!!!! It's better to be silent and be considered a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
!!!!!! Funny thing about temper ~ you can't get rid of it by losing it!
!!!!! Fashion is something that goes in one year and out the other.
!!!! One, on God's side, is a majority.
!!! No matter how you used yesterday, you received 24 hours today.
!! A smile is God's cosmetic.
! The curve of a smile can set a lot of things straight.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
193. A GOOD JOBAfter being laid off from five different jobs in four months, my Uncle Joe was hired by a warehouse. But one day he lost control of a forklift and drove it off the loading dock.
Surveying the damage, the owner shook his head and said he'd have to withhold 10 percent of Uncle Joe's wages to pay for the repairs.
"How much will it cost?" asked my uncle.
"About $4,500," said the owner.
"What a relief!" exclaimed Uncle Joe. "I've finally got job security!"
194. NEARLY RIGHT
Sam had been extremely nervous while his wife was giving birth to their first child. When the nurse came to the waiting room, he said, "Quick, tell me! Am I a mother or a father?!"
195. EMERGENCY CALL
Dad's pager went off, summoning him to the hospital, where he is an anesthetist. As he raced toward the hospital, a patrol car sped up behind him -lights flashing. Dad hung his stethoscope out the window to signal that he was on an emergency call. Within seconds, came the police officer's hand in response, dangling a pair of handcuffs out the window.
196. GAS CAP
David filled his car with gas at a self-service gas station. After he had paid and driven away, he realized that he had left the gas cap on top of his car. He stopped and looked and, sure enough, it was lost.
Well, he thought for a second and realized that other people must have done the same thing, and that it was worth going back to look by the side of the road since even if he couldn't find his own gas cap, he might be able to find one that fitted.
Sure enough, he hadn't been searching long when he found a gas cap. He tried it on, and it went into place with a satisfying click.
"Great," David thought, "I lost my gas cap, but I found another one that fits. And this one's even better because it locks ..."
Enjoy more real life humour here.....
Theresa May: faith is 'part of who I am'
The newly appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain identifies with the Christian faith but is not likely to talk publicly about it. In 2014 Theresa May told a BBC interviewer that she valued her Christian beliefs. 'It is part of me,' May said. 'It is part of who I am and therefore how I approach things.' However, she likes the fact that faith is not discussed in UK politics as much as in the USA. 'I think it's right that we don't flaunt these thing here in British politics,’ she said. May told the BBC that she's a practising member of the Anglican Church. Her father was an Anglican vicar. Mrs May was officially appointed Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon. She succeeds David Cameron and is the country's second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher.and.....
Theresa May our new PM
It was widely predicted, but nobody could have foreseen the rapidity of the events which led to Theresa May taking over from David Cameron as Prime Minister of this country on Wednesday. We thank God for her willingness to serve the nation at this time. In her opening speech, she promised to lead a 'one nation' government that worked for all, not just the 'privileged few'. She added, 'That means fighting against the burning injustice that if you're born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others'. Pray for her as she seeks to shape policies which will enable such promises to be fulfilled.
Source: Prayer Alert - World Prayer Centre UK
Via OpenHeaven.com
Photo: CBN News
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
EAGLES FLY HIGH!A revelatory, scripturally based study describing God's church - Past, Present and Future. Contains many insights into God's desires for His people in these end times. This overview will help you both better understand the direction of the church as a whole and the place of your ministry within the overall picture.
INTRODUCTION
I became acquainted with David Tait when he did the Word of Life Bible and Discipleship Training Course in our church in 1991. His wife Kathy had completed the study the previous year.
Our association grew into friendship and then in 1994 David and Kathy joined our church (Abundant Life Community Church, Tauranga). Since then they have continued to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. They have learned to be content, regardless of the state they are in, whether having much or little.
During this time David has experienced remarkable business success and then seen a complete reversal of those fortunes. However his giving nature has not been affected by his circumstances. His desire to bless others through what he has experienced is reflected in this book, ‘Eagles Fly High!’
David has set out this book as a journey of his discovery of truth. He weaves this truth into practical illustration to help the reader identify with his walk in God. He has a unique ability to write about his relationship with God as seen in his everyday observations of himself and the environment around him. David’s pragmatic approach to life is shown in the way he presents his stories in parable form (and for those who may struggle with the interpretation, he gives the meanings of the key symbols at the end of the story).
The central theme of ‘Eagles Fly High!’ is the scripture from Revelation 12:11 – "and they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death". This is a three-part process leading to full maturity in the believer’s life and can be paralleled with the three Feasts of the Lord – Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as the three areas of Moses’ Tabernacle – the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.
David’s desire is that all Christians understand and progress toward full salvation in Christ as revealed through these Old Testament pictures of New Testament truth.
I commend this book to you as a means of helping you to understand the journey in Christ that is before each one of us. May you be enthused and encouraged as you travel along the pathway that David maps out before you.
Mike Cullen
Senior Pastor
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
Just couldn’t leave out this story of the sailing of my friend Neil’s yacht from Whangarei to Tauranga, a 30 hour journey down the North Island of New Zealand’s east coast. One of the longest 30 hours of my life!DAYS OF ‘CHUNDER’! (Part 1)
When you take a landlubber like me,
Put him in a yacht, way out at sea,
While the yacht itself, does not go under,
The fledging crewman, he does ‘chunder’!
Being seasick’s not a matter of great delight,
Never to be given into, without a mighty fight!
But as the swell rose up, then down, corkscrewing around,
My stomach’s contents, soon over the side, were found.
First lot gone - then I did reach,
Wishing I still, was on the beach!
But another lot arose from deep inside,
Perfectly timed to remove all pride!
Yet still another flow from me did pour,
Surely God - there can’t be any more!
But there was to be one final spew,
And then you see - it all was through.
Hey David, you feel a lot better now,
Stomach’s all the better for the scour.
"I’ll be alright, for the rest of the trip",
Glibly off the tongue, words do slip.
But the sea was soon ready to have another turn,
Oh no! Once again, the ‘gurgly gut’, it did return.
Surely Lord, can’t be anything left!
Of all composure, I was now bereft!
I held on for as long as I could,
Much longer than I really should.
But forth came the spew, in a fountain,
I’m off once again, around the mountain.
Yes, another flow, then a third,
Finally a fourth – what a nerd!
Feeling good again, I must be spent,
For my guts apart, they had been rent,
Nothing left inside, now to come out,
Surely nothing left, for me to spout.
I slept well for a couple of hours,
Fully in control of all my powers.
Now surely I have conquered the sea,
But if not the sea – well, at least me!
(Concluded next week.)
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Uncertainty, uncertainty uncertainty.......The world politically, environmentally, financially and whatever other 'allys' you can think of, is in a changing and unpredictable situation. I do not need to list the challenges the world faces, for you will already know most of them.
Where can we find stability then?
Ultimately, as a disciple of Jesus, we have available an anchor to steady the ship of our life in stormy seas.....
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:18-20)
Amen
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: GREENED
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: b. NOT BIBLE (Victor Hugo, Les Miserables)
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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