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: 1072 Published: 02 May 2022
TRANSITION FROM ‘THE CHURCH’ TO ‘THE KINGOM’
FROM “THE MATERIAL” TO “THE SPIRITUAL” Part 2
NEW COVENANT BLESSINGS
The New Covenant, announced and initiated by Jesus is a personal covenant, applying to the individual, as opposed to the nation. We must enter the kingdom through a personal decision.....
5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John3:5-7)
As this scripture says, it is an act of 'water'.....
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)
.....and of the 'Spirit'....
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)
This follows the established pattern by Jesus himself through the baptism of water and Spirit.....
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”
Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)
Unlike Saul, David, Solomon, and the other kings of Israel, Jesus did not, at that time, inherit a physical kingdom, which the Jews were (and still are) expecting of their Messiah. This was illustrated by the people who welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday.....
8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:8-10)
.....and then rejected Him, when He didn't 'come up with the goods'!
48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled. (Mark 14:48-50)
For the kingdom of God today, first of all, is a spiritual kingdom, found within the individual believer (ie. disciple) of Jesus.....
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
However, the kingdom that is within is to shine without! To shine out of us, that is.....
23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light 64 within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22-23)
And again.....
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
It is through us, as kingdom people, that the promise of the Lord's (Disciples) Prayer will be fulfilled, not only in eternity, but now, upon the earth.....
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6;10)
As the spiritual kingdom develops in our lives, so we will influence our physical surroundings. We do not do this in an earthly way of money and power, but through servanthood and sacrifice.....
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:33-5)
This is difficult for us, with our human mindset to understand and accept, but it is the key to entering and developing the kingdom. Jesus had no wardrobe of designer clothes. He did not even have a place to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20)
My friend, we must not be seduced by the Old Covenant blessings of money, power and conquest, which are not promised under the New Covenant.
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the 5 light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:4-6)
We are to live our lives the way Jesus showed us by personal example.....
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:9-15)
This is the way of the kingdom.
Amen.
Find out more about us at.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Repentance Required (Luke 13:1-5)
Jesus asked about sinful Galileans who were killed while offering sacrifices in the Temple.
“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than any other Galileans because they suffered like this?” “No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish as well.
What about those eighteen people that were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were the worst people in the whole of Jerusalem? No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish as well.”
Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
Jesus explained more with a parable.
“Once there was man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came to look for fruit on the tree, but he didn’t find any. So he told the gardener, ‘Look, for three years I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and I haven’t found any. Chop it down! Why should it be taking up space?’
“‘Master,’ the man replied, ‘please leave it alone for just one more year. I’ll dig the soil around it and put
down some fertilizer. If it produces fruit, then that’s fine. If not, then chop it down.’”
Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17)
Contrary to accepted religious thought, with Jesus being criticized by the synagogue leader.
“You’re freed of your sickness.”
“You hypocrites! Doesn’t every one of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall and take it to drink? Why shouldn’t this woman, this daughter of Abraham whom Satan has kept tied up for eighteen years, be untied and set free this Sabbath day?”
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/
Your prayer would still be appreciated.
Stories next week
***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!
Many more online at https://www.wwj.org.nz/more-free-downloads
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 or more 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
926. Obedience is refined in the fire of testing.
927. If we obey those we respect, it begs the question, "Do we respect ourselves more than Jesus?"
928. If God knows more than me, shouldn't I take His advice?
929. As God grows in me, there is less and less room for me myself!
930. Heaven is reached through obedience to God's will, not simply the recitation of a 'Sinners Prayer'.
931. Godly obedience is the present outworking of belief and faith.
932. I cannot truly say I'm a believer if I'm not prepared to follow the path of the one in whom I believe.
933. Freewill is a choice, obedience the choice of freewill.
934. Doing what God wants us to do when it differs from what we want to do is our true test of obedience.
935. "I will obey You", is the ultimate form of worship.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THE FIRST MIRACLE OF JESUS Turning the Water into Wine PLUS THE LORD’S SUPPER Part 4
A REVELATION OF……. THE LORD’S SUPPER
Don't miss this! Communion will become even more meaningful.
*** 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: “Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% of how you respond to it.”
18. You Dirty Rat -- Er, Rodent...
A pastor was spending the Saturday afternoon at a house in the little country town where he preached. After lunch he was sitting out on the front porch with his host and his wife when their two children rushed up, one of them swinging a dead rat over his head by the tail. "Look, ma! Don't be afraid, it's dead," exulted the boy, oblivious to his mother's embarrassment. "Yeah, ma," shouted the girl. "We bashed him in the head with a stick, then we stoned him, then we took a rake to him, and we whacked him and hacked him until" - and then catching sight of the amused clergyman, she finished in a lowered, respectful voice - "until the good Lord called him home."
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 aeroplane with my book-bag on his back."
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 even more online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
NOTHING
Too many of us when we have nothing to say keep talking nonsense.
From politicians - to pastors - to people.
Let us be more careful with what spouts out of our mouth and the world would be a better place.
Until next time.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Visit us here.....
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.
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.
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 website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webuye 50205
Kenya
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
SUBSCRIPTION MANAGEMENT
We would encourage you to share this free service with your friends in ministry. To subscribe yourself please email pgim-on@wwj.org.nz.
If your name has been referred to us by a friend or supporting Ministry or has been obtained from a public Christian Directory or Website, it isn’t our wish to burden you with information in which you aren’t interested. To remove yourself from this list, please email pgim-off@wwj.org.nz.