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: 946 Published: 09 Dec 2019
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
BLESSINGS AND CURSES
Greek (Western) In Greek thought, blessings and curses are related to circumstances.
When something good happens such as a promotion or financial success, a person is blessed. If something bad happens, we consider we are cursed. Adore God more and we will be blessed, on the other hand, ignore him and we will be cursed. Put simply, blessings are when good things happen, curses, when bad things happen.
Eastern (Hebrew) In Hebrew thought however, blessings are related to obedience and curses to disobedience.
Good and bad things happen in life, which are totally unrelated to obedience and disobedience. Knowing this, we can better understand the discourse between God, the devil, and Job. God held up Job as an example of one who was willing to suffer for Him, for He knew Job's faith was not dependent upon receiving physical blessings.....
7 The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:7-8)
Satan, took the typical Greek thought attitude that Job's faith was only so high because he was materially blessed.....
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 1:99-11)
So God allowed Job to be tested.....
12 The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:12)
As we know Job's 3 friends ridiculed him, and Job himself questioned God, but stood firm in his faith. God corrected them.....
7 After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. (Job 42:7-9)
As this is the Old Testament, where the kingdom was primarily expressed in the material as opposed to the spiritual of the New Testament, Job was rewarded with material blessings for his obedience.....
10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)
We fail to understand, because of our Western way of thinking, that all the promises of God are conditional upon obedience. We all too often take the 'blessings verses' out of context, not looking at the conditions upon which the blessings are based, that precede or follow them. We do not understand that there is a cost to following Jesus.
The classic New Testament example is the Beatitudes, where each of the 9 blessings comes at a cost. For example, if we want mercy, we need to show mercy to others.....
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
Jesus concludes this teaching with the statement that we must endure persecution in order to receive the blessings.....
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12)
Paul too, understood this principle that he participated in the (spiritual New Testament) blessings, only because he was willing to pay the price of obedience.....
22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:20-21)
This is a profound truth, misunderstood by most believers today.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. The 'Father Christmas' Christianity of 'come to God and all will be well with you' that is so often taught today, is both a dangerous and false doctrine which inevitably ends in disappointment and rejection when it proves not to be true in people's life experience.
2. The primarily spiritual blessings of the New Testament are received by those prepared to pay the price of obedience to the Father's will.
3. Wealth, success and failure, expressed in worldly terms, are normally the result of the circumstances of life, rather than the blessing or cursing of God.
4. The spiritual blessings of God can, and often are, experienced by those in the direst physical and material circumstances.
5. God looks to what we are, rather than how we are or how much we have.
Find out more about us at.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Murder (Matthew 5:21-6, Luke 12:58-9)
“You’ve heard that the law said to the people of long ago: ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who commits murder will be condemned as guilty.’ But I tell you, anyone who is angry with his brother will be condemned as guilty. Whoever calls his brother an idiot has to answer to the council, and whoever insults people is liable to the fire of judgment.”
“If you’re at the altar making an offering, and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering on the altar and go and make peace with him first, and afterwards come back and make your offering. While you’re on the way to court with your opponent, make sure you settle things quickly. Otherwise your opponent might hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the court official, and you will be thrown into jail. I tell you the truth: you won’t get out of there until you’ve paid every last penny.
Adultery (Matthew 5:27-30)
You’ve heard that the law said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that everyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye leads you to sin, then tear it out and throw it away, because it’s better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into the fire of judgment. If your right hand leads you to sin, then cut it off and throw it away, for it’s better for you to lose one of your limbs than for your whole body to go into the fire of judgment.
Divorce (Matthew 5:31-2)
“The law also said, ‘If a man divorces his wife, he should give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that any man who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
FOR MORE DETAILED AND REGULAR UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
AN EYE 4 Africa - https://www.facebook.com/aneye4africa/
BACK FROM NEW ZEALAND
After 3, very busy, weeks in New Zealand, I am back home in Kenya.
I was meant to come home to sunshine, but instead it is rainy and wet. Incidentally, the same as it is in some parts of New Zealand at present.
However the flooding in Kenya has seen 150+ people killed. A terrible tragedy in what is meant to be Summer - in both countries actually.
In our area we have been spared flooding so for, but the wet weather is forecast to continue until the end of the month.
WORK FINALLY HAS RECOMMENCED ON THE EYE HOSPITAL
Delays are a fact of life in Africa, usually outside of one's control. These are usually centered round money or bureaucracy.
Today the ceilings are being completed, so that painting can start next week.
So we are nearly there!
A RAMP FOR THOSE WITH A DISABILITY
We are making the eye facility as user friendly as possible to all.
It has been a big learning curve, initiated by CBM.
The ramp, when finished, will have a maximum grading of 5 degrees, to be wheelchair friendly in particular.
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a 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/
***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, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link dd-on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done! If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!
Subscription and back issue link is.....
'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
1063. Revelation is from without, while the heart of religion is birthed within.
1064. Revelation sows, religion mows!
1065. Religion is not the church, but the church too easily becomes religion.
1066. Religion kills, God upskills.
1067. Religion is a gathering of like minds, God's kingdom, one of godly natures.
1068. Religion insidiously enters the church through repetition.
1069. Repetition is religion's close ally.
1070. As people we are inherently religious, for we enjoy feeling comfortable - even in our discomfort!
1071. Religion is revelation become tradition.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
REVELATION FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF ATONEMENT
THIS WEEK: BEYOND THE VEIL – 2 NEW TESTAMENT REVELATION ON ATONEMENT THE BOOK OF HEBREWS concludes.....
As we look at a vital and enlightening difference between the Old and New Testaments, and conclude our study with a summation of what we have learned.
*** 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, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link lao--on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done!
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. ***
QWIK QWIP: “If God gives the vision He will also provide the provision.”
349. Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark if it happened today:
And the Lord spoke to Noah and said, "In six months I'm going to make it rain until the whole Earth is covered with water and all evil people are destroyed. But I want to save a few good people, and two of every kind of living thing on the planet. I am commanding you to build an Ark." And in a flash of lightning, He delivered the specifications for an Ark.
"Okay," said Noah, trembling with fear and fumbling with the blueprints.
"Six months and it starts to rain," thundered the Lord. "You'd better have the Ark completed, or learn to swim for a very long time."
Six months passed, the skies clouded up and rain began to fall. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard, weeping.... and there was no Ark. "Noah," shouted the Lord, "Where is the Ark?"
"Lord, please forgive me!" begged Noah. "I did my best. But there were big problems. First, I had to get a building permit for the Ark construction project, and your plans didn't meet code. So I had to hire an engineer to redraw the plans. Then I got into a big fight over whether or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system. Then my neighbour objected, claiming I was violating zoning by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission." "Then I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to save the Spotted Owl. I had to convince the Fish and Wildlife that I need the wood to save the owls, but they wouldn't let me catch any owls. So, no owls." "The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board before anyone would pick up a saw or hammer. Now we have 16 carpenters on board, and still no owls." "Then I started gathering up animals, and got sued by an animal rights group. They objected to me taking only two of each kind. Just when I got the suit dismissed, EPA notified me that I couldn't complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of a Supreme Being. Then the Army Corp of Engineers wanted a map of the new flood plain. I sent them a globe." "Right now, I'm trying to resolve a complaint from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over how many Croatians I'm supposed to hire. The IRS has seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to avoid taxes by leaving the country. And I just got a notice from the state about owing them some kind of use tax. I really don't think I can finish the Ark for at least another 5 years."
Then the sky began to clear. The sun began to shine. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up, "You mean you're not going to destroy the earth?" he asked hopefully.
"No," the Lord said sadly. "The government already has."
QWIK QWIP: “Funny how people think that they can get more accomplished in a lifetime without God than in an hour with him.”
350. Backward Christian Soldiers
Backward Christian Soldiers, Fleeing from the Fight
With The cross of Jesus nearly out of sight
Christ our rightful Master stands against the foe
But forward into battle we are loathe to go
Like a mighty tortoise moves the church of God
Brothers we are treading where we've often trod
We are much divided many bodies we,
Having different doctrines not much charity
Backward Christian soldiers fleeing from the fight
With the cross of Jesus nearly out of sight!
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 ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
Or read them all online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
For the last 3 weeks I was in New Zealand, where I had a wonderful, if exhausting, time with family and friends. Plus making new ones. Plus eating all my favourite foods and driving a car again!
Of course, I tried to do too much in the time available, so have come back to Kenya for a rest! Well.... perhaps!
While I was in New Zealand, my wife Kathy, who was, and is still in Kenya, asked me a simple but astute question. It was, "Where is home?"
I didn't have to think for more than a moment. "Kenya", was my answer.
The saying goes, 'Home is where the heart is', and it is certainly in Kenya now.
As I am writing this, the thought is occurring to me, about the place of Jesus in our life.
Where does He rank?
Perhaps a challenging question to ponder upon.
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Visit us here.....
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
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