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: 669 Published: 11 Aug 2014
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' NOW 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. There have been well over 250 downloads to date.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.....
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCHThe major question now is, "where is the church of the 21st Century heading".
Fourteen years into the new century, it is becoming more apparent that God is 'doing a new thing'. But as we have seen over the past 2000 years, through the Dark Ages, the Reformation and the Holy Spirit revivals of the 20th century, the Holy Spirit will always be to the fore of what transpires.
Regrettably from a human perspective, all past movements of the Holy Spirit have come to an end, primarily because man has codified them and taken over. Like Moses, the world's humblest man and the closest to God before Jesus, when he hit the rock, (which he had done successfully before to bring water), rather than talk to it as God had instructed him to do,(Numbers 20:13) man has always seemingly known better than God. This cost Moses the opportunity to take the Israelites into the Promised Land.
So where do we go from here? What is God doing here and now, and into the future.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT
PRINCIPLES OF THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT
Peter Wagner has listed the differences between the New Apostolic Reformation and traditional Protestantism (including Pentecostalism) as.....
1. Apostolic governance – The Apostle Paul's assertion that Jesus appoints apostles within his church continues to this day.
2. The office of the prophet – There is within the church a role and function for present-day prophets.
3. Dominionism – "When Jesus came, He brought the kingdom of God and He expects His kingdom-minded people to take whatever action is needed to push back the long-standing kingdom of Satan and bring the peace and prosperity of His kingdom here on earth."
4. Theocracy – Not to be confused with theocratic government but rather the goal to have "kingdom-minded people" in all areas of society. There are seven areas identified specifically: religion, family, education, government, media, arts & entertainment, and business.
5. Extra-biblical revelation – There is available to all believers the ability to hear from God. "The one major rule governing any new revelation from God is that it cannot contradict what has already been written in the Bible. It may supplement it, however.
6. Supernatural signs and wonders – Signs and wonders such as healing, demonic deliverance and confirmed prophecies accompany the move of God.
7. Relational structures – church governance has no formal structure but rather relational and voluntary alignment to apostles.
This is an excellent summary of how things should be. As the church has prayed in the 'Lord's Prayer' billions of times over 2 millennia without understanding what they were praying.....
Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
And, as we saw last week, its purpose is to prepare a holy and righteous bride for the return of Jesus.
THE PRIMARY PROBLEMS OF THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT
It saddens me to say this, but the primary problem of the Apostolic Reformation or whatever you want to call it, is CAPITALS! "What a stupid statement David! Or so obscure that I cannot understand it", I hear you saying. Please let me explain.
The movement has been hijacked by man and religion. What are the first things you see when man and religion get involved? The use of capitals!
Firstly, capitals of a new denomination, a new formal church movement, which then becomes movements (plural) as the movement inevitably spits through differing doctrines. Jesus not only wept (John 11:35), He weeps! So the apostolic intention of unity in the Spirit has become like any other movement, split by differences in theology, accountability to man etc..
Secondly, man has taken over with pride of position, seeking influence and control, through the assignment of the ministry functions of apostle and prophet being, you've guessed it, capitalized!
What is an apostle? Strongs Concordance define apostle as.....
a messenger, envoy, delegate, one commissioned by another to represent him in some way, especially a man sent out by Jesus Christ Himself to preach the Gospel; an apostle.
Arguably, the most influential New Testament apostle was Paul. I would ask you as 'homework' to confirm what I am saying, by going through all Paul's epistles and see if the word 'apostle' is ever given a capital when used to describe Paul. Titles lead to separation within the body, and the exercise of power and control, so beloved by man and religion. Paul walked in humility, as a tentmaker, taking the message of the salvation of Jesus to the people of southern Europe. It must be remembered that he came from a Rabbinical background, a Pharisee of Pharisees, a man of status and influence in society with authority to search out, imprison and kill Christians! From this, to become a suffering servant of Jesus, reviled as much as loved, persecuted and imprisoned for his faith, finally martyred in Rome. A far cry from flowing robes and religious title!
If every person with the title Apostle or Prophet understood the reality of what the position truly involves. much renouncing would be done!
Thirdly, parts of the apostolic movement have started to build Churches, sometimes even called Temples, for the people to meet (God) in. More capitals. Yet the primary revelation of the movement is that the kingdom lives within the personal temple of the individual. How contradictory can you get? Once you have church buildings people, being human will, subconsciously or consciously, transfer all or part of their spiritual foundation in Jesus to that building.
True apostles and prophets will walk in humility, as messengers of God, not seeking money or support, delivering both the popular and unpopular revelation and instruction given them by the Lord, irrespective of the consequences. By their actions, not their words, they will be known.....
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:15-20)
So we can continue to say.....
THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.
(Continues next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS continuedThe Lord has asked me to compile a publication of the words Jesus spoke, as recorded in the New Testament in chronological order.
Of course, it is not a Bible substitute! I Hope you find it helpful too, in your walk with Jesus.
Warnings About the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-7)
The Seven Woes.
“The religious teachers and the Pharisees are responsible as interpreters of the law of Moses, so obey them and do everything they tell you. But don’t follow what they do, because they don’t practice what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens, and place them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves don’t lift a finger to help them. Everything they do is to make sure they get noticed. They make themselves large prayer boxes to wear and long tassels on their clothes. They love to have the places of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues. They love to be greeted with respect in the market places, and for people to call them ‘Rabbi.
“Don’t let people call you ‘Rabbi.’ Only one is your Master Teacher, and you are all brothers. Don’t call anyone by the title ‘Father’ here on earth. Only one is your Father, who is in heaven. Don’t let people call you ‘Teacher.’ Only one is your Teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. Anyone who makes themselves great will be humbled, and anyone who humbles themselves will be made great.
“But what a disaster is coming on you, religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You slam shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves don’t go in, yet you don’t let anyone in who is trying to enter. What a disaster is coming on you, religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! For you travel over land and sea to make a single convert, and when you do, you make him twice a son of darkness as you are yourselves. What a disaster is coming on those of you who say, ‘If you swear by the Temple that doesn’t count, but if you swear by the gold of the Temple, then you have to keep your oath.’ How foolish and blind you are! What is greater—the gold, or the Temple that makes the gold holy? You say, ‘If you swear on the altar that doesn’t count, but if you swear on the sacrifice that’s on the altar, then you have to keep your oath.’ How blind you are! What is greater—the sacrifice, or the altar that makes the sacrifice holy? If you swear by the altar, you swear by it and by everything that’s on it. If you swear by the Temple you swear by it and by the One who lives there. If you swear by heaven you swear by the throne of God and the One who sits there.
“What a disaster is coming on you, religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay a tithe of mint, aniseed, and cumin, but you neglect the vital aspects of the law—doing right, showing mercy, exercising trust. Yes, you should pay your tithe, but don’t forget these other things. You blind guides—you strain what you drink to keep out a fly but then you swallow a camel!
“What a disaster is coming on you, religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside you’re full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, so that the outside will also be clean.
“What a disaster is coming on you, religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, looking good on the outside, but on the inside full of skeletons and all kinds of rottenness. You’re just the same. On the outside you look like good people to others, but on the inside you’re full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
“What a disaster is coming on you, religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs as memorials to the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the good, and you say, ‘If we had lived in the times of our ancestors we would not have joined them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ But by saying this you testify against yourselves, proving that you belong to those who murdered the prophets! So get on with it—finish it all off using your forefathers’ methods! You snakes, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of condemnation?
“That’s why I’m sending you prophets, wise men, and teachers. Some of them you will kill, some of them you will crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues, hunting them from town to town. As a result, you will be held accountable for the blood of all the good people that has been poured out on the land— from the blood of Abel, who did what was right, to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the Temple and the altar.
“I’m telling you, the consequences of all this will fall on this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! So often I wanted to gather your children as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings—but you wouldn’t let me. 38Now look—your house is left abandoned, totally empty. I tell you this: you won’t see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’â€
The Widow’s Mite (Mark 12:41-4, Luke 21:1-4)
Donated to the Temple.
“I tell you the truth: this poor widow has put in more than all the rest together. All of them gave from their wealth what they had, but she gave from her poverty what she didn’t have. She put in all she had to live on.â€
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM1036. Religion seeks to control the Spirit of God which His kingdom releases.
1037. Religion controls, God's kingdom releases.
1038. Religion seeks to define an infinite God. By definition, it is doomed to failure.
1039. Religion seeks to interpret the answers to life found in God's kingdom. Surely a direct approach is best.
1040. As religion goes, God's kingdom grows.
1041. Revelation and religion make incompatible companions.
1042. Religion resists change while revelation requires it!
1043. Revelation formalised soon becomes religion institutionalised.
1044. God's kingdom breeds revelation, religion, rules.
1045. Religion is man's adaptation of God's revelation.
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 ...
THE WORLD'S GREATEST PROBLEM!!!!! (Next to knowing Jesus)
FIT OR FATWhat did our ancient ancestors do? Hunted for game. This required lots of exercise.
What did our more recent ancestors do? Work on the farm, and more recently, in factories.
What do we do? Work in front of computers, push paper, and watch sport or entertainment on TV.
Food that was once a scarce resource, is for most of us, more plentiful. Generally we pay for it, rather than hunt or garden.
So we get fat and unhealthy, for this was not what our bodies (particularly men's) were designed to do.
A study of 1000 people, runners (an hour a day , 6 days a week) & non runners aged 50, was conducted over 21 years, showing by age 71.....
*12% of the runners had died compared to 36% of non-runners. But did the runners have a better life?
* Runners enjoyed, on average, 12 extra 'disability-free life years' compared to the non runners.
This was irrespective of the weight of the people. Pretty compelling evidence of the value of exercise!
NEARLY EVERYONE CAN EXERCISE
And it is never too late to start.
Pastors and leaders, in particular, traditionally suffer from stress problems. There is no better way than walking (running) to relieve stress and improve wellbeing. For in the end, it is not really how long we live (life with Jesus has its attractions!) but how we live while we are here on earth. Being healthy enables the Lord to use us more effectively for His purposes. So often we seek a miracle cure from God to a medical problem we have created ourselves through our lifestyle. For our body is to be His temple.
Men particularly, want to get 'stuck in' once motivated, and go out and 'run before they can walk'! This can be fatal to the unfit. It is necessary however to raise the heart rate for effective exercise.
So why not start with a brisk walk, for as long a time as is comfortable for you. It is better to start short and build up distance, for this adds to the sense of achievement. Whether it is 10 minutes or an hour to start with, doesn't matter. For it is never too late to start, to almost immediately feel the benefits of exercise. Exercise too, also reduces appetite, which must be a good thing for nearly all of us.
Too much sitting and writing of PGIM. Must finish now and go for a walk!
PS: Comments are welcomed and appreciated.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:THE POWER OF INTERCESSION concludes.As we have a look at intercessory worship and the 'road to God'.
Check out all the available teachings 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. ***
72. HEVENLY INSPIRATION.
The temporary Sunday School teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet.
She had been told the combination, but couldn't quite remember it. Finally she went to the pastor's study and asked for help.
The pastor came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two numbers he paused and stared blankly for a moment. Finally he looked serenely heavenward and his lips moved silently.
Then he looked back at the lock, and quickly turned to the final number, and opened the lock.
The teacher was amazed. "I'm in awe at your faith, pastor," she said.
"It's really nothing," he answered.
"The number is on a piece of tape on the ceiling."
71. THANK YOU JESUS
Faith, 3, went to Good Friday services. That night she prayed, "Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the Cross. And thank You we didn't have to watch!"
"FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now 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 ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What happens to butterflies if their body temperature goes below 86 degrees Fahrenheit?ANSWER: They are unable to fly. (As temperatures cool, do they get ‘the butterflies’?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Thomas Edison did not invent, as many people believe, but improved upon electric lights. But which of these were Edison inventions? The phonograph, the motion picture camera, the mimeograph machine, the electric vote recorder, the dictating machine, and wax paper?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 669. CHANGE PLEASE
If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you not only have $1.19 but also the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar. (But you are up 19cents.)
670. AN AHILLES' HEEL
Is a vulnerable spot. The phrase comes from an ancient Greek myth about the hero Achilles. When Achilles was born, his mother Thetis dipped him the sacred river Styx to make him immortal. Unfortunately, his mother held him by the heel and the waters never covered the heel. He died in battle when an arrow (directed by the god Apollo, who knew of his vulnerability) hit him in this one vulnerable spot. (Immortality is much searched for but only found in Jesus.)
671. THE GREY HOUSE
Originally, the White House in Washington, DC, was grey, not white, and was called the "Executive Mansion." However, after a fire lit by the British in the War of 1812, the house was painted white to cover burn marks. (As have been its occupants.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
ABORTED
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA Or view all 1232 online at...
PRAYER
5: Which king was saved from death by Abraham's prayer?a. Abimelech
b. Ahab
c. Ahaziah
d. Ahasuerus
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
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"""!!!!!!! I'm getting so absent-minded that sometimes in the middle of a sentence I...
!!!!!! When you have a lot of things to do, get your nap out of the way first.
!!!!! If there are two events of equal importance they will happen at the same time.
!!!! A pessimist mourns the future.
!!! A mother takes twenty years to make a man of her boy, and another woman makes a fool of him in twenty minutes. - Robert Frost
!! People complain most about things over which they have no control.
! Nothing is as good as it seems beforehand.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
36. PRISON BREAK-INA couple with three children waited in line at San Francisco's Pier 41 to purchase tickets for a boat trip to the once famous Alcatraz prison. Others in the tour group watched with varying degrees of sympathy and irritation as the young children fidgeted, whined, punched one another, and constantly aggravated everyone around them. The frazzled parents tried everything they could to get the kids to stop, all with no success at all.
Finally, as they reached the ticket window, the exasperated father said: "Five tickets, please - Two round trip, and three one way."
37. MORNING MORNING SICKNESS
The neighbor dropped in on her friend and found her sitting at the kitchen table, staring blankly at a half-empty cup of coffee; her three kids squabbling loudly in the other room.
"What's wrong Marge?" she asked.
Marge told her that she had "morning sickness."
Surprised the neighbor said, "I didn't even know you were pregnant."
"I'm not." the harried young woman replied. "I'm just sick of mornings."
38. NO WAY!
A friend of mine is a deputy with the sheriff's department canine division. One evening, the deputy was dispatched to the scene of a possible burglary, where he discovered the back door of a building ajar. He let the dog out of his patrol car and commanded it to enter and seek.
Jumping from the back seat, the dog headed for the building. After lunging through the doorway, the dog froze and backed out.
My friend was puzzled until he investigated further. Then he noticed a sign on the building: "Veterinarian's Office."
39. TIMELESS ENTERTAINMENT!
The 12-year-old boy stood patiently beside the clock counter while the store clerk waited on all of the adult customers. Finally he got around to the youngster, who made his purchase and hurried out to the curb, where his father was impatiently waiting in his car.
"What took you so long, son?" he asked.
"The man waited on everybody in the store before me," the boy replied. "But I got even."
"How?"
"I wound and set all the alarm clocks while I was waiting," the youngster explained happily. "It's going to be a mighty noisy place at eight o'clock."
Laugh at life, just to enjoy it at.....
Gaza Bishop: Hamas Used Church to Fire Rockets
CBN NewsGAZA STRIP -- Air raid sirens sounding in the Eshkol Region on Wednesday afternoon turned out to be a false alarm. The 72-hour ceasefire appears to be holding for now. (Now over)
Hamas is not only using mosques to launch attacks against Israelis. It has also used a church compound.
Archbishop Alexios is Gaza's most prominent Christian leader. His decision to open his church to 2,000 Muslims escaping the war surprised many of Gaza's residents.
"Christ tells us we must love each other, our neighbors, and our enemies," Bishop Alexios told CBN News. "No other religion says that except the Christian faith."
Alexios and the estimated 1,500 Arab Christians who live in the Gaza Strip walk a fine line between trying to stay alive and the Bible's command to share God's love. Since Hamas' 2007 takeover of Gaza, residents say it's imposed strict Taliban-style Islamic laws on the people.
"Islam is the rule of this place and whatever Hamas says we must obey or face consequences," Alexios explained.
Now he's now concerned about what comes next after the guns fall silent and missiles and rockets stop flying.
"There's a lot of anger on the street. We need forgiveness and love to flow," he said.
Alexios took CBN News to the roof terrace outside his office to show how Islamists used the church compound to launch rockets into Israel. He refused to discuss details on camera for security reasons, but days after the war started, Israeli missiles targeted an area close to the church sanctuary.
Little is left of one of two minarets that used to stand tall here, not too far from the Mediterranean. It was a major mosque in the area and was reportedly hit by seven Israeli missiles.
The Israeli government said places like mosques and hospitals in densely populated areas are routinely used by Hamas to fire off their rockets.
Just around the corner from the church, Mohammed, a resident of Gaza, sat in complete shock.
"I picked up the phone and the Israeli army said I have five minutes to get out of my house -- they were going to destroy it. I had 60 people living in my apartment and had to get them out," he recalled.
Mohammed's three-story apartment complex was destroyed. He and his five brothers and their families lived in the building. The word on the street is the brothers are tied to Hamas and used the apartment to store weapons, a claim Mohammed denies.
Asked why Hamas is interested, he said, "The Israelis attack schools, they attack hospitals, they attacked mosques. You ask them. They know why. I don't know why."
This week, Israel's military released a map of Gaza showing dozens of positions from which Hamas rockets were fired. Dramatic footage from drones flying above the Strip also shows Hamas firing from populated areas.
Back at the church, Bishop Alexios said he's not out to pick a fight with Hamas or Israel. He simply wants to serve people.
"We are disciples of Jesus [and] we must give love to everyone without condition," he said.
Source: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF....... THE TABERNACLE OF DAVIDSandwiched between Moses Tabernacle, representing the church, and Solomon's Temple, representing the Millennial reign of Christ, David's simple tent is a picture of the end time church that will last for but a short time before Jesus returns.
Check it out to find out about the people God is seeking for Himself today
Read more about it and download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
This poem was written after becoming saddened, almost disillusioned, by the disagreements and arguments I have been witnessing on an internet forum I belong to, between supposedly 'mature' Christians, mainly ministers, who are meant to working together towards unity! How God must cry! I do!Incidentally, we have had severe floods in New Zealand over the past few days. God's tears? Maybe increased floods aren't a result of global warming after all! But of the divisions in His church!
NOT SURE I WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN ANY MORE!
Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
For what I see here, shakes me to the core.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!
Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
When all I see is raging arguments to the fore.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!
Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
For we fight on earth and resentments store.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!
Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more,
Down here, splits and divisions are folklore.
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!
Not so sure I want to go to heaven any more!
Disagreement's so rife, just become a bore!
What if heaven was to be the same?
Who would there be to blame!
So maybe I should go to go to heaven now,
To see how God deals with our sacred cow.
Surely heaven can not be the same?
There would only be God to blame!
So how about building His Kingdom on earth?
There's a radical thought, has some worth!
Surely church wouldn't be the same?
When God's kingdom, to earth came!
My friend, we simply have the choice,
To disagree, or speak with one voice.
To defend to the end where we come from,
Or get on with it, and build His Kingdom.
His Kingdom now, has is to be within you see,
Comes as we let Him deal with you and me.
When we go on to seek His heavenly will,
Division and strife, His will, will kill!
The kingdom that disagreement sows,
Is built by treading on other's toes.
But the heavenly kingdom that God does see,
Is founded upon co-operation and unity.
Will you help ease God's frustrations,
By taking the gospel to the nations?
Putting aside, that which does now divide,
The salvation message, others to provide.
Not one has entered through division and strife,
For words spoken in anger do not bring life.
Theological argument hasn't saved a single soul,
Nor a dearly held doctrine made a seeker whole.
But what works every time is a witness of love,
Putting aside the jackal to become the dove.
Yes, as we build His Kingdom on earth you see,
Together, we can all look forward to eternity.
David Tait 21 July 2004
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Last week, I finished the Musing with.... "Have a healthy week!".T took my own advice until late Thursday night, when staying at a friend's place in another city, I fell down a full flight of stairs in the dark! It was a miracle that my only injuries were some bruised toes and a sore knee! Should have broken bones or worse! The door at the bottom of the stairs that I hit suffered more damage than me!
I was still able to attend an important meeting for a potential future direction of the ministry the next day. For the Lord had protected in my stupidity or perhaps, when satan was trying to sideline me.
I have had had other 'bad events' happen at other key ministry times in the past so, in a way, something (but not that!), can often be expected. We do live in a spiritual as well as a physical world, which we ignore at our peril.
Truly walking with Jesus is not always on an easy flat road. For the eagle lives on the mountain tops. We can be spiritual sparrows, flitting here and there in the cities and plains, or even doves which fly higher than sparrows. But to be eagles, we have to climb the mountain with the bumps, bruises, (this week a literally for me!) and sacrifice it requires. But our desire to seek the very presence of God will motivate us to continue climbing ever upwards into His presence.
Contrary to much teaching today, walking with Jesus is not a 'walk in the park' but a lifetime commitment of following and being obedient to our Lord, no matter where He requires us to go, accepting spiritual and even physical bruising as we go.
Now to get rid of the limp!
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DEBATOR
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. Jesus
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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