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: 806 Published: 10 Apr 2017
OUR SOURCE - GOD OR MAN
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOD v KNOWING GODThe question we need to consider is of our source of knowledge of God. Is it from academic study or is it from a deep relationship with the Father of All, Himself.
A great example of this is human marriage, which many of us have experienced.
We can read all the books about marriage. We can go to many counselling sessions. We can ask friends to share their experience of marriage. But I am sure we will agree that nothing prepares us for the reality of marriage, like marriage itself!
So it is with God. Many theologians and other devout Christians study books about the Bible, even read the Bible itself, but only from an academic viewpoint. We can study ABOUT God all our lives, but it is not until we are in a true relationship with Him, that, as in marriage, we can truly KNOW Him.
How do we truly come to know Him? Through the Spirit He gave us.....
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)
We do not come into relationship with God through study and good works.....
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5)
In the times of Jesus, the scholars of the day were the Pharisees and Sadducees who knew all about God, but did not know Him, nor recognize His Son Jesus. Jesus saved His greatest condemnation, not for sinners, but for the religious people of the age.....
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?†12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. (Matthew 9:10-12)
THE YEAST OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCES
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,†Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.â€
Most regular readers will know that I am not a fan of Bible Colleges and Theological Seminaries as they have developed today. Not only do they, generally, replace the Holy Spirit in both their teachers and students lives, but they have become big business too. Just as the religious leaders of the day had done too.....
SEVEN WOES ON THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW AND THE PHARISEES
13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. 15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. 16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it. 23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. 29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30 And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? (Matthew 23:13-33)
You may say that this was then, not now. It is with a heavy heart that I cannot agree with you. I have spoken in many Bible Colleges and Seminaries over the years, and have experienced many of these things personally. I have been able to bring a temporary impartation of the Holy Spirit, but realized that this would only be temporary, for the emphasis would go back again to a specific theology, methods of sermon preparation, counselling studies, church finances and administration, and many similar studies that would replace the Spirit again in the presenter and hearers lives.
I remember once I Nigeria, having a series of evening meetings in Benin City, Nigeria. They were attended by a group of teachers form the local Theological Seminary. The 1st day they were skeptical of this unqualified Kiwi but over the 3 nights they became more convicted by the Holy Spirit. After the final meeting one of the attendees came up to me and said that he was a Doctor of Theology, had studied the Bible and books all his life, but this was the first time he truly understood what Jesus was all about. This situation is not unique.
There has to be a better way.
We will look at some alternatives next week.
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign (Matthew 16:1-4, Mark 8:11-13)
To prove His divinity.
“In the evening you say, ‘It’ll be a fine day tomorrow, because the sky is red,’ while in the morning you say, ‘It’ll be bad weather today, because the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to predict the weather by what the sky looks like, but you can’t recognize the signs of the times! Evil people who don’t trust in God are the one who look for a miraculous sign, and no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.â€
Leaven of the Religious Leaders (Matthew 16:5-12, Mark 8:14-21)
Jesus criticized the religious leaders with metaphor. but the disciples took him literally.
“Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,â€
But the disciples took him literally.
“You have so little trust in me! Why are you arguing among yourselves about not having any bread? Haven’t you worked it out yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves that fed five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you collect? And what about the seven loaves that fed the four thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you collect? Haven’t you worked it out yet that I wasn’t talking to you about bread? Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!â€
Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida ( Mark 8:22-6)
Jesus spat on his eyes
“Can you see anything?â€
And told him to go home.
“Don’t go back through the village.â€
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!The final one to be added is THE PURGING OF THE CHURCH. It is based on 11 bullet points David Wilkerson, noted author of 'The Cross and the Switchblade', published about changes needed in the church of today to prepare it for the return 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/
BOOK OF THE WEEK
TWENTY-FIVE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS:AS DETAILED IN THE 4 GOSPELS
Not clearly numbered and listed, as in the Old Testament outward Law of the 10 Commandments, these commands are found among the teachings of Jesus in the 4 Gospels, and are available for all who have a heart to seek them.
We all too easily think, with the emphasis that Jesus places on love and forgiveness, that he didn't teach any absolutes. But, as can be seen here, Jesus did place boundaries on believer's behaviour, along with instructions for Godly living.
These are grouped into 3 categories for easier comprehension.
Don't take my word for it! Study the Scriptures!
Downloadable from Amazon for USD99c at.....
https://www.amazon.com/TWENTY-FIVE-COMMANDMENTS-JESUS-DETAILED-GOSPELS-ebook/dp/B01IE633VE/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X8BS3MCKYD31CDNKVAV6
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse. To register today, simply click here SUBSCRIBE HERE go down to the bottom of the page, click subscribe. Then it's done! If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring! Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
'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.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
HEAVENLY TRUTHS GOD HAS SHOWN ME739. - 809. God has shown me that...
... while salvation is free, the walk with Jesus is to cost us everything we have.
... our love for Him is reflected through our service to others.
... His love is infinitely greater than my hurts, and His grace, than my sins.
... I can't hide anything from Him, even though I try.
... 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.
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
This one you need to think about! So true!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
NEXT WEEK: ANOTHER SURPRISECheck out all the available teachings at...
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done! Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
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. ***
452. WHAT IS YOUR FAITH?
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, "Stop! Don't do it!"
"Why shouldn't I?" he said.
I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"
He said, "Like what?"
I said, "Well...are you religious or atheist?"
He said, "Religious."
I said, "Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?"
He said, "Christian."
I said, "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?"
He said, "Protestant."
I said, "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"
He said, "Baptist!"
I said, "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"
He said, "Baptist Church of God!"
I said, "Me too! Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"
He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God!"
I said, "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?"
He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!"
I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.
451. ONLY ONE MIRACLE TODAY
Grandma Deanie took her little grandson Billy to the beach. They were having a good time until a huge wave came in and swept Billy out to sea. Grandma Deanie fell down on her knees and pleaded to the heavens, "Please return my grandson, -- that's all I ask! PLEASE!!!"
A moment later, lo and behold, a wave swelled from the ocean and deposited the wet, yet unhurt child, at her feet. She checked him over to make sure that he was okay. He was fine. But still she looked up at the sky with an annoyed expression and said, "When we came he had a hat!"
450. GOOD LOOKING
The Baptist church had a small congregation of very faithful people - all but Marvin the farmer, who had quit coming to church.
Pastor Feingold went to Marvin's farm, and asked him why he didn't attend anymore.
"Gee, Preacher," Marvin said, "I only have these coveralls and old boots, and I don't want to come to the Lord's house dressed so shabby."
Pastor Feingold said, "I've got a spare shirt, sports coat, slacks and shoes I'll give you if you'll come back!"
Marvin agreed, so Pastor Feingold returned that afternoon with the clothes. Next Sunday Marvin didn't show up again.
The Pastor went out to Marvin's farm and asked, "I gave you all those clothes, why didn't you come to church?"
"Well, brother," Marvin said, "I got up and showered and shaved, and I put on those neat duds, and I looked in the mirror. I looked so doggone good I went to the Episcopal church!"
"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 we call twins who are attached to each other physically, ‘Siamese twins’?ANSWER: We call physically-attached twins ‘Siamese twins’ because of a famous pair of twins in the 1800s who were actually from Siam. Chang and Eng, brothers attached at the chest, were brought to the US by famous circus promoter P.T. Barnum. They eventually married Sarah and Adelaide, unattached sisters, and had 22 children between them. They died in 1874, within hours of each other. If they had lived in the twenty-first century instead of the nineteenth, they most likely would have been surgically separated. (Would they have been happier though?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is it possible for twins to have different fathers?
SOME FUN FACTS 267. ONE HANDED
'Stewardesses’ is the longest word that is typed with only the left hand. (One finger of it too?)
268. PEA SEED
On average, there are eight peas in a pod. (No ‘Q’s though. Have been watching for my P’s and Q’s here.)
269. ‘TYPERCISE’
Not a good weight reduction method as only 110 calories per hour are consumed during an hour of typing - only 30 more than used while sleeping. (Must be even less than sleeping, at my typing speed!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
ATHENS
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...
EASTER - TRUE OR FALSE
1: Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty gold coins?True
False
2: Pilate's wife had a dream about Jesus and warned Pilate not to have anything to do with him?
True
False
3: A crown of thorns was placed on the head of Jesus?
True
False
4: Pilate asked Jesus if he was the King of the Gentiles?
True
False
5: A man named Stephen of Cyrene was ordered to help carry the cross of Jesus?
True
False
6: Jesus was crucified on a hill known as Golgotha?
True
False
7: The soldiers hit Jesus over the head with a stick?
True
False
8: Jesus was crucified alongside three other criminals?
True
False
9: The clothes of Jesus were divided among the soldiers five ways?
True
False
10: When Jesus died the temple curtain went up in flames?
True
False
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"""MANY MORE MOST INTERESTING THOUGHTS
!!!!!!! If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.
!!!!!! Education is what you get from reading the small print; experience is what you get from not reading it.
!!!!! Forget love, I'd rather fall into chocolate.
!!!! If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out? -Will Rogers
!!! A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
!! To meet an old friend in a distant land is like refreshing rain after a long drought.
! When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
310. WHY?Patrick was spotted driving along the highway at a steady speed, when he suddenly indicated right and pulled off onto the shoulder. He quickly jumped out of the car and opened the trunk. From a large bag, he produced a party hat, streamers, a bottle of lemonade, sandwiches and a cake. After eating the food and drinking the lemonade, he launched into a little Irish jig. The whole proceedings lasted about fifteen minutes,
after which he got back in his car and drove off.
Curious, the police followed him at a distance and half an hour later, they saw him stop and repeat the whole procedure. This was too much for the officers, so they decided to stop him and ask what was going on.
"Can we ask you the reason for all the stops and the food, drink and Irish jigs?" one of the officers asked.
"Well, sir," explained Patrick, "I'm on the company's outing."
"But you're the only one here," argued the officer.
"Yes, I know," replied Patrick. "I'm self-employed!"
309. NOT A PROBLEM
A woman rushes to see her doctor, looking very much worried and all strung out. She rattles off, "Doctor, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my hair all wiry and frazzled up, my skin was all wrinkled and pasty, my eyes were blood-shot and bugging out, and I had this corpse-like look on my face! What's wrong with me, Doctor?"
The doctor looks her over for a couple of minutes, then calmly says, "Well, I can tell you one thing . . . there ain't nothing wrong with your eyesight."
308. A LONG WAIT
Lady of the house: "I want you to stand at the front door and call the guests names as they arrive."
Butler: "Very well, madam. Ive been wanting to do that for years."
307. WONT COUNT
In bygone days, a thin man insulted a rather heavyset man. The heavyset man challenged his tormentor to a duel with pistols.
On the day of the duel, a debate ensued about the unfair advantage held by the thin man because he was a much smaller target. Finally the thin man came up with a solution...
"Let the outline of my figure be chalked upon your body," he said to his opponent, "and any shots of mine that hit outside the chalk lines, we won't count."
306. STATISTICAL CHANCE
A man who has been very sick is visiting his doctor to get the results of a battery of tests. "What are my chances of recovering, Doc?" he asks.
"One hundred percent," the doctor assures him.
"That's a relief," the patient says. "But how can you be so sure?"
"Well," the doctor says, "statistics show that nine out of every 10 patients with your disease will die. Yours is the 10th case I've treated. The others have all died. So you are bound to get well."
Laugh lots more, here.....
500 UK Churches Closed While 423 Mosques Were Built on 'Sad Ruins of English Christianity': Report
An international think tank warned in a report that multiculturalism is feeding radical Islam in the U.K., pointing out that in the past couple of decades close to 500 Christian churches have closed in London alone while 423 mosques were built."British multiculturalists are feeding Islamic fundamentalism. Above all, Londonistan, with its new 423 mosques, is built on the sad ruins of English Christianity," the Gatestone Institute argued in a report released Sunday.
It pointed out that since 2001, as many as 500 churches in London of all denominations have been turned into private homes. At the same time, the number of Muslims has grown by almost a million.
Statistics from the NatCen Social Research Institute showed that between 2012 and 2014, the number of Britons identifying as Anglicans fell from 21 to 17 percent of the population, representing a decrease of 1.7 million people. Data from British Social Attitudes surveys also showed that those without a religion in England and Wales now outnumber Christians.
Scottish Cathedral Allows Reading of Quran Verse Denying Jesus Is God's Son
With the decline of Christianity, Britain has been "acquiring an increasingly Islamic face," the Gatestone institute warned as it looking at cities such as Birmingham, Bradford, Derby, Dewsbury, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Sheffield, Waltham Forest and Tower Hamlets.
The institute noted that Birmingham, the second-largest British city, has hosted several jihadists who have orchestrated attacks and there have been petitions asking that British mosques be allowed to use their loudspeakers to call Muslims to prayer three times a day.
Last month, five people were killed in London by a suspected Islamic State-linked terrorist. London's Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, vowed that the city will not cower before terrorism.
Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, meanwhile, suggested after the attack that multiculturalism is further dividing the U.K. instead of bringing it together.
"The problem with multiculturalism is that it leads to divided communities. It's quite different to multi-racialism. That's fine, that can work very happily and extremely well. But we've finished up with very divided communities," he said.
According to Gatestone, the number of Islamic sharia courts in London has been growing, with 100 of them now officially operating in the city.
"These new courts are based on the rejection of the inviolability of human rights: the values ​​of freedom and equality that are the basis of English Common Law," the think tank warned.
It criticized figures such as Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Chief Justice Lord Phillips, who have expressed sympathy toward such courts, by arguing that London's changing society is exposing people to greater terror dangers.
"The British cultural establishment is rapidly capitulating to Islamic fundamentalists in accepting their demands," it said.
Photo: London Central Mosque
Source: christianpost.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
TABERNACLE TO TABERNACLESHow the pattern of the first Church, The Tabernacle of Moses, has applied to the Church through the ages and predicts the Church to come.
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
Celebrating the most important event in history, the death and resurrection of Jesus.To some it may seem like a tragedy but the reality is that it was the final victory for Jesus over sin and death, and through Him, for us too. The ultimate example of the saying, No gain without pain! For the pain Jesus suffered that day was indescribable. He was beaten to a pulp, unrecognisable, not at all like the sanitised pictures we have
of this gentle looking man sadly looking down on his followers from the cross. He suffered the most agonising and extreme torture and death that it was possible for the Romans to inflict, and they were real experts at it.
This poem attempts, inevitably inadequately, to describe some of the events of that day, a day that had amazingly, been specifically predicted hundreds of years before it came. Indeed it was foreshadowed from the very time that it became necessary, the moment that Adam and Eve were separated from God through sin.
Feel free to use this powerful presentation as part of your Easter celebrations.
SEVEN TIMES SHED FOR ME
(Matthew 27:46)"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabaacthani" He cried,
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
On the stroke of the ninth hour he died
Rejected, cruelly nailed to the God deserted tree.
My Jesus, shedding his blood for me.
To Gethsemane he came, the holy one
(Luke 22:42) Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;
Yet not my will, but yours be done.
For Ill ever be obedient, until you set me free.
(Luke 22:44) Being in anguish he prayed more earnestly,
His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
The disciples exhausted, slept on peacefully.
Returning from his prayers, by Jesus they were found.
My Jesus, he shed his blood for me.
(Luke 22:47) While he was still speaking a crowd came up,
Included traitor Judas, with whom he did sup.
The chief priests, officers, soldiers and all,
They arrested him, for that was their call.
At the chief priests house they questioned him,
(Matthew 26:67) Spit in his face and struck him with their fists.
The cup of his blood now overflowing its rim,
Grieving eyes closing, seeing through mists.
My Jesus, again he shed his blood for me.
So Jesus, my Saviour, to Pilate was now taken,
His determination to do Gods will, never shaken.
(Matthew 27:11) "Are you the king of the Jews?" Pilate demanded,
(27:11) "Yes it is as you say". My Saviour then remanded.
(Matthew 27:23) "What crime has he committed?" The people, they were consulted.
(27:22-3) "Crucify him! Crucify him!" The rabble cried out loud.
(27:26) Then he released Barabbas to them, Pilates feelings most insulted,
(27:26) While he had Jesus flogged, simply to please the crowd.
A third time, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
Seven hundred years before that terrible day,
Through the prophet Isaiah my Jesus did say,
(Isaiah 50:6) "I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting",
To happen to Jesus, Gods son, was not befitting.
(Isaiah 50:6)"I offered my back to those who beat me,
My cheeks to those who pulled out my beard."
With beard gone, Oh God, how could it be,
So intense the pain, more than he had feared.
Four times, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
(Matthew 27:27) Then the Governors soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium.
No peace for him there, no place to rest, was no sanatorium,
(27:28) They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
Preparing my Jesus to die, out on that awful limb.
(Matthew 27:29) They twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head,
(27:29) They put a staff in his right hand, for truly he was the righteous king.
They used the staff to beat the thorns in deeper and deeper instead,
(27:30) Struck him on the head again and again, making worse his suffering.
Five times, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
Under the weight of the cross, voice slurred,
(Psalm 22:15) "My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth",
Step by step weakening, as he headed south.
(Psalm 22:16) Hung on to the cross, "they pierced my hands and my feet."
(Matthew 27:33-4) At The Place of the Skull. There they offered Jesus wine to drink.
The time was coming near, with his Father again to meet.
His blood poured out, his body near death, it began to shrink.
Six times, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
(Mark 15:33) Darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,
An awe-full, fearsome display of Gods fury and power!
(Mark 15:37) With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last,
His worldly pain, now a thing of the past.
(John 9:33) The soldiers came to Jesus and found that he was already dead,
So now there was no need to break his legs.
A lunging spear into his side, spewing forth blood so red,
All poured out, right down to the dregs.
This final time, Jesus shed all his blood for me.
Yes, seven times my Jesus shed his blood for me,
Receiving from the Father, forgiveness of all my sin.
He came to earth; he died, forever to set me free,
He opened the heavenly gates, now to welcome me in.
All because, seven times, Jesus shed his blood for me.
My thanks to Dr Derek Prince for his insights in discovering and teaching this truth.
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
This has been a week of flooding in certain parts of New Zealand, a result of the remnants of Cyclone Debbie which devastated the East Coast of Australia the week before. Fortunately, our area, while experiencing heavy rain, missed out on the worst of the downpours which affected some areas.In common with much of the rest of the world, our country has been experiencing extreme weather events and numerous earthquakes, events that are promised for end times.
I am not one who looks out for such things, but cannot help questioning the numerous once in a hundred years floods and earthquakes we are having seemingly every year. This weeks flood was supposedly a once in 500 year event. Ummmmmmmmm.......
Persecution of Christians is another promise of end times. Some are already experiencing this, but it is to become more common as we approach the return of Jesus.
How prepared for what is coming are we?
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: HASTEN
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTIONS' ANSWER:1. False Matt 27:3
2. True Matt 27:19
3. True Matt 27:29
4. False Luke 23:3
5. False Mark 15:21
6. True John 19:17
7. False Matt 27:30
8. False Luke 23:32
9. False John 19:23
10. False Mark 15:38
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REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here atenquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.
Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
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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