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: 361 Published: 22 Sep 2008
TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 4. CHARACTERISTICS OF KINGDOM PEOPLE
HELPING OTHERSThe fifth characteristic of kingdom people, one that seems contrary to last week's topic of loneliness (but isn't), is that the prime motivation in our life becomes one to help others. Not building ones own kingdom, but contributing, as one of many, to the development of the kingdom of Jesus upon the earth, by doing the will of the Father, as communicated by the Holy Spirit. Actually, that is, not just in theory!
Ironically, when your motivation moves away from simply fulfilling religious obligations such as those found in church programmes (even though they may help others) to seeking out God for His unique, personal purpose for you, you will find that God will continually place others in your path. The closer you get to God, the more practical use to Him and others, you will also become. For closeness to God does not result in a monastic existence but rather, in reaching out into the community as God leads - and He will lead!
A little honest testimony is in order here!
At the time, about 9 years ago that the Lord called me out of business into 'fulltime ministry', I believed that I would never again get into business. For 7 years I worked in what I saw as the 'better way', of ministering to people spiritually through the revelation the Lord graciously has given me. I expected to be doing that, receiving and imparting, until the day I went to be with Him. For in the church, we are taught, consciously or unconsciously, that the highest way of serving the Lord is in ministering to people spiritual needs through the application of the ministry spiritual gifts of Ephesians.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-12)
So you can imagine my consternation and confusion when, in Africa 2 years ago and upon my return, the Lord led me into the second hand clothing business! "It can't be you Lord! Must be me wanting to get back into business! Or satan trying to lead me astray.!" It was. It wasn't. It wasn't.
For the Lord, through a lot of hard work mind you, has opened the doors to set up 'Seekers Megamarts' to benefit the people of Africa (well, some of them!) and as an added bonus, the people of the communities in which we operate. This is physically illustrated here in the photo, showing bales of clothing ready to be sent to Africa, as well as by the photo of our Hastings store, in 'A David Musing'.
No, it hasn't all been easy and plain sailing. We face the usual challenges of setting up new businesses. Problems with Councils. Problems of rapid growth. Problems with theft. etc. etc.
Yet in 18 months from literally starting with nothing, and more recently in difficult economic conditions, we have built up a relatively large business, all paid for. It simply has to be the Lord!
Prior to going to Africa, the Lord showed me that He had given the main revelation He wanted to, and my role would change from receiving to disseminating what He has given. The way we are doing it, is completely 'outside the square' to normal ways of religious thinking.
The problem is, in the church, we have separated 'ministry' from the rest of life. This fits the pattern of our Greek way of thinking, where the different aspects of our life are compartmentalised. The Jewish way however, the pattern on which the Bible is based, is operated on a 'whole of life' basis.
So I now understand that 'Seekers' is as much ministry as is 'Walking With Jesus'. Not a second best option to so called 'spiritual ministry'. For this business is ministry. It belongs to the Lord, under a trust setup. We continue to live and walk by faith, as we draw no money from the business. People are helped and witnessed to in many different ways, from value clothing to the availability of free Christian literature, to personal interaction between believers and non-believers, both staff and customers.
You see the kingdom incorporates the whole of our life, not just the supposed, 'spiritual side'.
Over the weekend, Kathy and I attended a prophetic seminar, run by our good friend Rodney Francis. We had a small group session of practicing prophecy, which was hugely interesting, as many of the people had never prophesied before. Wonderful! But it was also interesting to see how other people viewed Kathy and I. We are pretty (well me, not so pretty!) ordinary people, but surprisingly to us, what we are doing here seems to be an encouragement and example to others. People we did not know personally knew about us and witnessed to the fact that we were putting our faith and beliefs into action. Putting other people before ourselves.
Such is the way of the kingdom.
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.†(Matthew 20:25-8)
May we too, give our lives to Jesus and to others.
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FROM THE WORD
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:11-16)TREASURES IN HEAVEN
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:19-24)
A MOTHER'S REQUEST
"Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?†he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.†“You don’t know what you are asking,†Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?†“We can,†they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.†When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.†(Matthew 20:20-28)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
THE FOOLISH, THE WISE AND THE GODLY1. The foolish know their strengths, the wise acknowledge their weaknesses and make allowances for them, while the godly seek to overcome them.
2. The foolish need wisdom, the wise godliness, the godly the character of Christ.
3. The foolish deny God; the wise acknowledge Him, while the godly experience their God.
4. The foolish seek pleasure on earth. The wise build treasure in heaven. But the godly seek to build heaven on earth.
5. Earthly possessions are perceived to be:
- Owned - by the foolish.
- Rented - by the wise.
- Administered - by the godly.
6. Our true heart is found in our wallet:
- The foolish spend all on themselves.
- The wise tithe 10% to the provider.
- The godly use all they have been given on the provider’s behalf.
7. The foolish reject God, the wise respect God, while the godly live for their God.
8. The foolish speak before they think, the wise think before they speak, while the godly let their lives speak for them.
9. The foolish are satisfied with reading the Word, the wise follow the Word, while the godly are as one with the Word.
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 ...
CRANWELL'S CARTOON
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.†16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.†17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,†they answered. (Matthew 14:13-17)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
GOD AND MAN continues...as we look at the 5 things we need to understand in order to build a meaningful relationship with the Holy Spirit.
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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." ***
758. THINGS OVERHEARD ON NOAH'S ARK
* "Did anyone think about bringing a couple of umbrellas?"
* "Hey, there are more than two flies in here!"
* "Wasn't someone supposed to put two shovels on board?"
* "OK, who's the wise-guy who brought the mosquitoes on board?"
* "Help! I need some Pepto for the elephants, QUICK!"
* "Don't Make Me Pull This Ark Over And Come Back There!"
* "No Ham, you cannot eat the Pig!"
* "And whatever you do, DO NOT pull this plug out."
* "Nice Doggie!"
* "Are We There Yet?"
757. TOP 10 SAYINGS OF BIBLICAL MOTHERS
10. Samson! Get your hand out of that lion. You don't know where it's been! (Judges 14:5-8)
9. David! I told you not to play in the house with that sling! Go practice your harp. We pay good money for those lessons!
8. Abraham! Stop wandering around the countryside and get home for supper!
7. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! Leave those clothes outside, you smell like a
dirty ol' furnace!
6. Cain! Get off your brother! You're going to kill him some day!
5. Noah! No, you can't keep them! I told you, don't bring home any more strays!
4. Gideon! Have you been hiding in that wine press again? Look at your clothes! (Judges 6:11)
3. James and John! No more burping contests at the dinner table, please. People are going to call you the sons of thunder! (Mark 3:17)
2. Judas! Have you been in my purse again?!
1. Jesus! What do you think, you were born in a barn?
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: Which American first lady carried a gun in herpurse?
ANSWER: First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, was advised by the Secret
Service to carry a pistol with her. The sombre advice followed a large
number of letters threatening her life after her husband, Franklin D.
Roosevelt, took office. (Some things don’t change!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: When Sesame Street's Big Bird has a
birthday, he luckily always remains the same age. How old is he?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS486. A SMILE ON YOUR DIAL - OR ELSE!
In Milan, Italy, there is a law on the books that requires a smile on the face of all citizens at all times. Exemptions include time spent visiting patients in hospitals or attending funerals. Otherwise, the fine is $100 if citizens are seen in public without a smile on their face. (Go the extra smile!)
487. NOT MUCH FUN LEFT!
In London, England, it is illegal to drive a car without sitting in the front seat. (How is it that ‘back seat drivers’ usually sit in the front seat?)
488. DANGEROUS RIDING
If going on safari on horseback in Zimbabwe's outback savannah, it is recommended by safari guides that travellers not touch any of the trees, as they may be poisonous. (A tree-mendous problem.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
ENGRAVES
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE QUESTION - YOU BE THE JUDGE!
9) What was Gideons other name?A - Ben Manoah
B - Ben Hur
C - Jerubbaal
D - Zerubabel
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!!A conservative is a liberal who got mugged.
!!!!!! I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US congress. (Ronald Reagan)
!!!!! It's no use having a good memory unless you have something good to remember.
!!!! My mind contains many good ideas, but it is not always easy to squeeze one out.
!!! There is a guaranteed way to get what you want: want less.
!! BEWARE: I'm acting under the influence of human nature.
! No wonder I feel so tired - I'm older now than I've ever been before.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
WHY? Some of Life’s Most Puzzling Questions
114. Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?115. How does the guy who drives the snowplough get to work in the mornings?
116. If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors?
117. If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
118. Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?
119. Why isn't "palindrome" spelled the same way backwards?
120. Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
121. You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance?
122. Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the volume on the radio?
123. If you have your finger touching the rearview mirror that says - "objects in mirror are closer than they appear", how can that be possible?
124. Why is it so hard to remember how to spell MNEMONIC?
125. If someone invented instant water, what would they mix it with?
126. Why is it called a TV "set" when you only get one?
127. Why does your nose run and your feet smell?
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BIBLE TRIVIA
LIZARDS...are the most common reptile in Biblical lands. They were regarded in the Old Testament as an unclean creeping animal (eg. Leviticus 11:29-39), and although common, they were not used for food.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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MALI: Village Receives Christ through Healing Miracles
Diago is a remote village in Mali where no Christian has cared to go and bring the gospel until recently.It's hard to estimate how many people had come in total, but 611 healings were counted in this one village. A deaf-mute girl started hearing again and was able to say "amen." A lady had several tumors they were all gone. Several people had their eyesight improve. Several older people could not stand upright anymore; after prayer they could. Some people who had a hard time walking walked better again. All kinds of pain disappeared.
People gathered back together to hear more about the one who had just healed them. The gospel was presented, and they were asked who wanted to know this Jesus, give their lives to this Jesus, and follow him the rest of their lives. Many hands went up. They were asked then to come forward. About 200 people came, young and old, men and women and prayed, dedicating their lives to the one and only, almighty God of heaven and earth.
The village chief was among them. He was told it was important to gather to read the Bible, learn and pray, so he said they'd gather in his home every Wednesday morning. On May 22, 2008, the church of Diago was born.
Source: Claudia Wintoch, Healing 2 The Nations, via JNI Source: Joel News International via GO GLOBAL MISSIONS REPORT 2008 No. 64
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
WAXING LYRICALAstonishingly to me, the web page of poetry is consistently one of the most popular on the WWJ site.
So here is your opportunity to download some of the verse in book form.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Another lesson God gave me on Bowentown Beach, where I used to go when writing the book 'Eagles Fly High!'. Concluded this week, lesson learned.THE PATH
By now I knew the path was the wrong one,
But what the heck, I am having lots of fun,
Many new experiences to check out in life,
This small deviation won’t get me in strife.
So I went on with a new spring in my stride
My pathway mistake, I knew I could hide.
For all paths end up at the same place,
I will surely get there, to see His face.
Then suddenly, I found my way blocked
By sewage ponds, what had I done?
The door to progress, now firmly locked,
Where can I go, where can I run?
In desperation now, I looked all around,
There must be a way out of this mess I am in.
A faint track there, my eyes have found,
Is named ‘Repentance’, for forgiveness of sin.
This path appeared difficult at first glance,
Through bushes, and damp, long grass,
But it was the only way my life to enhance,
If in the end, my test I was to pass.
So I found my way back to the path of life,
Grateful that Jesus made a way through the cross.
Having left the path where wrong was so rife,
In the sewage pond, He would no longer me toss.
He said, "My son, you made a mistake,
It wasn’t really your heart to go that way.
But I came to forgive mistakes you make,
Take care now, not to deliberately stray."
(Continued next week.)
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A DAVID MUSING
This week we have had 'good news'! We have finally received all the consents from both our local councils so that our shops in Napier and Hastings can operate with their blessing. Thank you Lord! God bless bureaucrats!A further photo of our new Hastings shop is included here.
This weekend we have had staying with us Rodney (Rodney Francis, Gospel Faith Messenger Ministries) and Ross Monk who, along with Grant and George, held a faith and Spirit seminar at the local Salvation Army church.
We were all taught how to operate in the spiritual gifts. Everyone was given the chance both to give and receive prophecies. It was a huge blessing to see people who had never been ministered to, or ministered themselves, develop in the gifts over 1 1/2 days.
The spiritual gifts are available to all, not just the chosen few. We saw the church of acts in operation!
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:18)
Personally, I was able to prophesy well before I spoke in tongues, which will confuse some of the theologians out there!
Can I encourage you to develop the gifts of the Spirit in your life. If you are unable to do so in your church situation, get together with some like minded people and give it a go. You will be surprised and blessed with the results!
For the kingdom is within us, in you, in me, and the gifts are ours too, not just the prerogative of a chosen few.
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: HOTLINE
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': C - Jerubbaal (Judges 7:1)
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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