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: 216 Published: 12 Dec 2005
'THY KINGDOM COME' - EXPERIENCED!
For nearly 2000 years now, Jesus followers have been reciting what we know as the 'Lord's Prayer'. More accurately, it is the 'Disciples Prayer', for it given by Jesus to His disciples, then and now, to pray.In many churches today, this perfect prayer has fallen out of favour, as congregations are perceived to be merely regurgitating, rather than truly praying it. This is true, particularly in regards to the second stanza, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 KJV) Yes, to be brutally honest, most Christians don't understand the principle, and where they do, see it as a future promise rather than a present experience.
These 14 words are a powerful statement of submission of our individual will to that of the Father, of obedience and holiness, in order that His kingdom may be inherited now. To become 'disciples', 'overcomers', the 'Bride of Christ', or whatever other term you may wish to use to express the faith of those 100% sold out to Jesus. No wonder we have stopped using it!
Experience has taught me that, particularly in the Western World, these views are regarded as extreme, ones not appropriate to today's society.
On Saturday, we were invited to a 'house warming' party at our friends, Joe and Karen's home, for they had recently shifted to a new location nearby. As we live in the poorest part of our city, most local residents come from the hard backgrounds commonly experienced by those living in such areas. A mixed lot racially, with huge variations in life experience, but sharing a common background of brokenness. Most were Christians, from a number of churches, with some, no church at all. But nearly everyone had one amazing thing in common - the desire to see the Lord's kingdom come, to see His will be done on earth - now!
Our Maori (New Zealand's indigenous) people are hugely gifted musically, and one of our number picked up his guitar and led us in worship right into the 'Holy of Holies' - the dwelling place of God in the Tabernacle in the desert, the world's first church. There was no church building, no pastor or priest, no worship team, no exhortation. Simply a group of extraordinary, ordinary people with hearts 100% sold out to God, prepared to sacrifice all for the Lord. As we worshipped, bathing in His presence, we were encouraged and motivated towards a greater level of servanthood to God and the community. To become God's hands and feet, committed to seeing His kingdom established upon the earth today.
His kingdom is not expanded by enthusiasm, nor through the traditional methods of buildings or programmes designed to 'convert the world', however big or clever they may seem to be. Such efforts invariably end in disappointment, burnout and failure.
For God's kingdom is not physical but spiritual, one of the heart. Nor is it based on human work or works, but rather, of resting in God. One of putting aside our own wants to implement His desires. One of being obedient, content in how he chooses to use us, be it big, small, or for a season, not at all! Not of having the greatest ministry in our town, city, country or world, but being God's servant to all. Not competing with others for the 'flock', but being pleased and excited when God chooses to use someone else, apparently more than us to expand His kingdom! Not being proud of our status, but humble in God given success. An altogether different world view to that of the world - and most of the church.
As we discovered on Saturday, when a group of people comes in submission to God's will, without human agenda, He meets with us. Not because we are perfect, indeed, far from it, but as we're available! Yes, His kingdom becomes a reality in our lives today, as we are willing to sacrifice 'our all' to 'His call'. Sounds good to me. You too?
In the good English tradition inherited by New Zealanders of every race and colour, proceedings ended with 'a cup of tea'! Sustenance for the body, as well as the soul and spirit. After all, Jesus enjoyed feasting too!
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FROM THE WORD
"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, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.â€" (Luke 17:20-21)"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:9-13)
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:1-13)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
BELIEVERS v DISCIPLES236. A believer praises the Lord in good times, the disciple at all times.
237. The Holy Spirit resides in the believer but shines through the disciple.
238. A believer loves God with heart and mind while a disciple commits the will.
239. A believer loves God and others, but they are the disciple's life.
240. A believer lives in hope, but for the disciple, God's hope is certain.
241. A believer seeks forgiveness for sin but the disciple also determines not to walk that path again.
242. A believer has faith in God but the disciple's faith is tempered in the fire of testing.
243. A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is unconditional.
244. The believer serves the Lord in strength, but the disciple is made perfect through weakness.
245. God is part of the believer's life, but the central focus of the disciple.
246. A believer forgives, but the disciple also forgets.
247. A believer communicates with God at their own convenience, but the disciple's heart is open to the Lord at all times.
430. A believer knows, but the disciple does.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now well over 1000 David sayings for you to view at ...
FROM YOU - TO ME -TO YOU
Hi David:Great article, again!!! (Tuesday Teachings)
However, I am sure you kept many people busy looking for John 22:42-44. I think you may have meant Luke!
God bless,
Roy Grant
Global Recordings Network Canada
(formerly Language Recordings Int'l)
A Division of Gospel Recordings of Canada Inc.
#6-120 Lancing Drive
Hamilton, ON L8W 3A1
Website: www.globalrecordings.net/ca
Perfection is some way off yet! David.
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Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz
This is an opportunity for you to express your views, which may not be my views. But none of us have a mortgage on all the truth - except for Jesus!
CRANWELL'S CARTOON
"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THE THREE ARMIES OF GODA PROPHECY
Not the normal teaching this week! For I want to take the opportunity to share a prophecy with you.
Some prophecies are for the moment, others, timeless. Some prophecies received in words, others illustrated in vivid pictures.
This particular one came to me as I was writing my book on the end time church, "Eagles Fly High!" I was sitting at my computer, wondering what to write next, when the Lord, out of the blue, placed these pictures so firmly in my mind, then explained what they were about.
This spiritual experience is one that has remained with me over the years, one I am now sharing with you.
It be easier to understand if you had read the book, but I hope that the explanations given at the end will assist you with the interpretation. I trust you will find this both interesting and meaningful.
Check it out in your letterbox tomorrow. If you aren't on the mailing list, you can register now at... tteach-on@wwj.org.nz
Previous teachings on this subject, the First Miracle of Jesus, the Book of Ruth, God's Character and Servanthood and Leadership, the Parable of the Sower, The Two Marathoners, The 3 Rivers of God The Spring Feasts, The Power of 3 in God & the Church, A Layman's History of the Times of the Feasts, The Autumn Feats, Revelation 12:11, The Way of Holiness and 3 Miraculous Conceptions can be viewed 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." ***
440. MODERN MOSES
God called down to Moses and said, "I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that I've chosen you to deliver my people from bondage. There will be plagues of locusts and frogs and incredible devastation upon the land. Pharaoh's armies will chase you as you try to leave, but do not fear because I will part the waters of the Red Sea to aid you."
"And the bad news?" Moses inquired.
"You have to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement," God replied.
439. DEVIL'S BEATITUDES
Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Church ~ they are my best workers.
Blessed are those who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked ~ I can use them in my business.
Blessed are those who are touchy. Soon they will stop going to church ~ verily, they shall be my missionaries.
Blessed are those who sow gossip and trouble ~ they are my beloved children.
Blessed are those who have no time to pray ~ for they MY prey.
Blessed are those who gossip ~ for they are my secret agents.
Blessed are you when you read this and think it has everything to do with other people, and nothing to do with you. ~ I've got room for YOU at my inn.
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What do cats, camels, and giraffes have in common?ANSWER: Cats, like camels and giraffes, walk by moving their front and hind legs on one side, then the front and hind legs on the other side. When most other animals move, the front leg on one side and the hind leg on the other move together. (Having only two legs makes decision making so much easier.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How can birds sit on electric wires without being injured?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS573. A LOAD OF BULL
The newspaper serving the community of Frostbite Falls, the home of Rocky and Bullwinkle, is the ‘Picayune Intelligence’. (If only we could be as imaginative in real life as in the movies!)
574. DOUBLE TROUBLE
After eating, a housefly regurgitates its food, then eats it again! (Sounds great for ice-cream – not so good for cod liver oil!)
575. FEARSOME FROG
The poison-arrow frog has enough poison to kill about 2,200 people! (A ‘weapon of mass destruction’!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
DEARBORN
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA
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DO YOU KNOW? (About Relationships)
How are Lamech and Shem related?a. Grandfather/Grandson
b. Brothers
c. Father/Son
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.
!!!!!! A man may make many mistakes, but is not a failure until he starts blaming someone else for them.
!!!!! When people deserve your love and support the least, that is when they need it the most.
!!!! If you wish to dwell in the house of many mansions, you must make your reservation in advance.
!!! It seems like every time history repeats itself, the price doubles.
!! Children are natural mimics; they act like their parents in spite of every effort to teach them good manners.
! It is when we forget ourselves that we do things that are most likely to be remembered.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
BIBLE RIDDLE
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he got married?>
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A. Ruth-less.
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SOME OF LIFE'S MOST PUZZLING QUESTIONS
Can You Provide the Answers?53. Why does SOUR CREAM have an Expiration date?
54. Why buy a product that it takes 2000 flushes to get rid of?
55. Why do we wait until a PIG is dead, to "CURE" it?
56. Why is a Mom with two or more kids called a "single Mom"?
57. Why do doctors call what they do "a practice"?
58. Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
59. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?
60. If all those psychics know the winning lottery numbers, why are they all still working?
61. Where did Webster look up the definitions when he wrote the dictionary?
62. Why is there a road sign that says "Braille Institute, Next Exit?
63. When an octopus puts on deodorant, how does he remember where he started?
64. Why is it, when a door is open it's ajar, but when a jar is open, it's not a door?
65. Why are they called buildings, when they're already finished? Shouldn't they be called builts?
66. Why do people without a watch look at their wrist when you ask them what time it is?
Believe it or not there are 233 of these 'ponderous' questions found at...
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS IN BIBLICAL LANDS
CANDLESCandles weren't around in Biblical times but are thought to have been as they are mentioned so often in the King James Version of the Bible, being popular in those days. A literal translation of the original words used is 'lamp' or 'light'
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
THE BIBLE IN 50 WORDS
God madeAdam bit
Noah arked
Abraham split
Joseph ruled
Jacob fooled
Bush talked
Moses balked
Pharaoh plagued
People walked
Sea divided
Tablets guided
Promise landed
Saul freaked
David peeked
Prophets warned
Jesus born
God walked
Love talked
Anger crucified
Hope died
Love rose
Spirit flamed
Word spread
God remained.
Many more 'God Facts' here...
EPT...
EPT.....While Jesus wept,
The Disciples slept,
Could not accept,
His divine precept.
His death swept,
Felt totally inept,
To themselves kept,
While time crept.
Resurrection concept,
No promises unkept,
They became adept,
So to service lept!
Check out more of David's rhyme at the 'Waxing Lyrical' page ...
A DAVID MUSING
I trust that busyness of Christmas won't stop you reading this!Of course, if you are too busy, you won't be reading it anyway, so the point will be missed on you!
For those few of us who are left, let's try and take some time to spend with the one whom all the rush is supposedly all about. This is the Christmas present He will most enjoy. At Christmas time - and all through the year!
Must rush now!
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: BERNARDO
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: a. Grandfather/Grandson: 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Altogether, Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died. 32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Genesis 5:30-32)
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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
290 Flaxmere Avenue
Flaxmere
Hastings
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 8799 911 International (+64) 6 8799 911
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