WHEN GOD SAYS 'NO'!

I don't know about you, but I much prefer hearing the confirming, positive, melodic 3 letter word 'YES' to its negative, upsetting and disagreeable counterpart, 'NO'! Except perhaps, when I offer to help with the dishes! But in general, don't we love the acceptance of affirmation while hating the rejection of condemnation?

Particularly when it comes from God! For God is love - isn't He? He accepts us just as we are - doesn't He? He gives us the desires of our heart - says He! Surely He wouldn't want us to change - would He! Yes, yes, yes - and no! What's that? I don't hear a 'no' do I! O no Lord, not me Lord, not me! But then, maybe it's just me!

For I come from the 'West' (even though I live in the East of New Zealand! No wonder I'm confused!) where society teaches the humanistic principle of 'everything's allowable - as long as it doesn't hurt others - well not too much anyway!' A society in which the former moral absolutes have become today’s immoral relativities. And, to be honest, we like it that way, for individually, life seems easier, although of course, we bemoan the way society is seemingly disintegrating around us! Always someone else's fault though!

So when God says 'no' to us, it really is difficult for us to accept, for like it or not, to a large extent we are products of the societies we live in. And so the church in the West has become more inclusive, more accepting of unscriptural behaviour - and smaller! How can that be? How can we be 'all inclusive' yet, in spite of our diligent attempts to include all, find that fewer and fewer people want to be included!

For God indeed does say 'no'! He calls on us to 'dare to be different' to the society around us. And we perversely find - in terms of 'modern' thinking - that by being different, by setting absolute, rather than following societies relative standards, that God's Church grows! Instead of making the church easier to join, we should make it more difficult! While we are to love sinners, we are to expect to have a church where sinners - starting with us - are transformed into the image of Jesus. Not just talking about it, but living it! Being seen to be different to those around us! Being recognized as God's servants! Helping others! Living out our faith in a real and vital way! Truly being beacons of light in an increasingly dark world.

It's not easy. I know. I face the same challenges as you. I am reticent to be different. I find it difficult to go down in order to go up. To reach out and sometimes be used and rejected. But wasn't Jesus? Even unto death! And the Disciples? All but John were martyred. And wasn't the early church persecuted for daring to be different? But how it grew! And grew! And grew! Until they too lost the plot, becoming the state enforced 'all inclusive' church of their day. Some things never change! But our Lord's example is so clearly there for us to follow. Let's give it a try, shall we? To be 'living images' of Him! We might surprise some others - and ourselves too!

Find out more about us on ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/about.php

FROM THE WORD

"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." (Proverbs 21:3)

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:5-9)

"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 2:3-6)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

DARKNESS AND LIGHT
408. The only way to turn off darkness is to switch on the light.

409. The laws of both Nature and the Spirit reveal that light will always penetrate darkness.

410. Most people try to switch off darkness when in reality, they need to turn on the light.

411. There is nowhere so dark that it cannot be penetrated by light.

412. So often we don't appreciate the true value of light until we find ourselves in darkness.

413. Light doesn't shine brightly through a dirty window.

414. We must pull back the curtains to let light shine into the room of our life.

415. Light and darkness cannot co-exist. The one will always mingle with the other.

416. There must always be a barrier to separate light and darkness.

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now more than 700 David sayings for you to view at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php

FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK

In conjunction with Inspirational Tapes
inspirational.org.nz we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to download the following message in MP3 format, free of charge. Inspirational Tapes offers a range of over 4,000 Audio Cassette Tapes, CD's and Videos to members worldwide, for hire, download or purchase.

This week's free download is...

CHURCH HISTORY - AD30 - 400

By: David Pawson

Discover the history of the rise and causes of the fall of the early church. Presented by one of the world's most renowned Bible teachers.

Download your free MP3 now at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/tape.php

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." ***

190. THE TIMID WITNESS
After being appointed to the church's evangelism and outreach committee, one particular member was quite nervous at having to make evangelistic visits. His Pastor comforted him by suggesting that he pray. "If you spend a few minutes talking with God prior to visiting someone, it should help."

When the committee met again, the nervous parishioner approached the Pastor and said, "Thank-you so much for suggesting prayer. I tried it before I went on my visit and it really worked!"

"I'm so pleased to hear that," the Pastor answered. "Why don't you share your experience with the rest of the committee so others may know of the power of prayer?"

"Well," he replied, "I prayed that the people wouldn't be home, and they weren't."

189. PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL
Five Americans, including a famous brain surgeon, a prominent minister of a large church, a college student, and the president of the National Mensa Society were flying across the Rockies in the same airplane. Suddenly the pilot emerged from the cockpit with four parachutes. As he strapped one on, he said, "We've developed mechanical difficulties and we're losing altitude." He tossed the three remaining chute packs on the floor, opened the hatch and jumped out.

Immediately, the brain surgeon stood up and said that since he could save lives with all of his skill and knowledge, he should have the first chute. The others agreed and he jumped from the plane. The Mensa Society president declared, "Since I am the leader of America's most intelligent people, I can do much to better the world. I deserve a parachute." Before the others could say a word, he snatched a pack from the hands of the student, slipped into the straps and jumped.

The minister immediately spoke up: "My friend, you are young and have many years ahead of you. I, on the other hand, have enjoyed a long life and am ready to meet my Maker. I want you to..."

"Relax, pastor," interrupted the student. "We can both have a parachute. One of the most intelligent people in the world just jumped out of this airplane with my bookbag on his back."

Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 550 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What do you call the covering on the end of a shoelace?

ANSWER: The little plastic covering on the end of your shoelace surely does have a name - it's an "aglet."

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What animal's heart beats only nine times per minute?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

915. THE BONE IN CHINA
Bone China is so called because powdered animal bone is mixed with the clay to give it translucency and whiteness. (How about ‘bone laziness?)

916. YOUR UGLY MUG!
Some hundreds of years ago, it was popular to make mugs with ugly faces on them. Before too long, it became common to reverse the order and call faces "mugs". (Are ‘mug shots’ those on broken mugs?)

917. HOW NOT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE
If you earn $100 a week, it will take you 192 years to earn $1 million - before taxes! (Includes being on a compulsory fast, living under the stars and walking wherever you go too.)

A CHALLENGE FOR YOU
An assistant in a butcher's shop is 5'10" tall. What does he weigh?

Answer at the end of A David Musing

You can download a 250 item sample Trivia Book at Truly Trifling Trivia

Or view all 1200 online at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

ABORTIONS (New Zealand) THE SAD FACTS

Year ended December 2001

*** There were 16,400 abortions performed in New Zealand in 2001.

*** The general abortion rate increased from 19.0 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 years in 2000 to 19.4 per 1,000 in 2001.

*** Women aged 20 to 24 years had the highest abortion rate (37.5 abortions per 1,000 women) in 2001.

*** The average age of women having an abortion was 26.5 years in 2001.

*** About one in three abortions in 2001 were performed on women who had had at least one previous abortion.

***Asian women had the highest abortion ratio (364 abortions per 1,000 known pregnancies) in 2001.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

11 June 2002

More facts about marriage and families from around the world at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/maffacts.php

LIFE'S A LAUGH

The truth is funnier than fiction!

Life's Situations - we can laugh or cry - the choice is ours!

95. HEATWAVE
Temperatures had soared to 109 degrees in Abilene, and we Texans tried everything to cool off. I had just finished some yard work and was eagerly heading for an icy shower when my wife approached, wrapped in a bath towel. "Sorry, honey," she said. "I used all the cold water."

96. CLEARED FOR DEPARTURE
My father, a retired Air Force pilot, often sprinkles his conversation with aviation jargon. I didn't realize what flying had meant to him, however, until the day he
showed me the folder with his last will and testament.

It was labeled "Cleared for Departure."

97. GENIUS?
A guy did system support in a law firm. One day, he had to log a user off and then back on. He entered her initials and then she gave me her password.

Her password was "genius".

After three tries and the system telling him "access denied," he asked her how to spell it.

She said, "G - E - N - I - O - U - S."

For lots and lots (157 for the pedantic!) of funny, real life situations see...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/lifelaugh.php

A SITE WELL WORTH TAKING A LOOK AT

ABOUT HIM! MINISTRIES
A site of scripture intensive bible studies and essays that glorify Jesus Christ. You'll find Christian Flash movies, songs in MP3, RealAudio and midi. A Daily topical posting of God's Word. Scripture postcards. Open to visit Don and Marie now at...

http://about-him.com

A DAVID MUSING

God not only says 'NO' to community and church standards, but He also says 'NO' to us individually, from time to time - or more frequently!

Sometimes it will be a big, loud direct 'NO' on the heavenly hotline, but more often through the Word, through force of circumstances, or through our Pastor or spiritual oversight. (Which I trust we all have!) And all too often we don't like it! But I have found that it is the best way. Like listening to the wife (or husband) - only more so! It's even scarier when the Lord speaks through them! Particularly when we don't want to hear!

But my experience, for what it is worth, is that it is best to listen! And act upon it! Oh for the day when our wills will be so submitted to the Lord, that we will only want to do what He wants us to do. That's my heart's desire.

But in the meantime, Kathy can rightly tell me that I have some way yet to go. But is it the Lord - or is it just her? Isn't life a challenge!

His servant and yours

David Tait

CHALLENGE ANSWER: Meat!

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 utilise this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the scource be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.

Subscription opportunities are available at the bottom of each newsletter or at...

https://www.macnet.co.nz/wwjesus/pay.html

CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS - OR IF THE NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING

Each week we can lose up to 1% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here at
enquiries@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 on
links@wwj.org.nz

DID THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?

YES - Great!
NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/wwword.php

ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Mount Maunganui, 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 website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 5160
Mount Maunganui
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 878-9330 International (0064) 6878-9330
Fax: (06) 878-9330 International (0064) 6878-9330
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