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: 751 Published: 21 Mar 2016
CHRISTIANITY - A CULTURE, ORGANISATION, OR A RELATIONSHIP?
It is easy to criticize the church and its religious ways, but the real question is 'what do we do about it?' That is the challenge that we as God's disciples face today. Over these 12 weeks we are looking at practical ways God is calling His church, you and me, and the body corporate, to change today. These are taken from my publication A REVELATION OF……. GOD'S CALL TO HIS CHURCH, published 10 years ago. I do not pretend that the changes are easy, but they are necessary for God's kingdom to be established on the earth in preparation for the return of Jesus. Let's continue.....1: FROM MARTHA TO MARY
2: FROM GREEK TO HEBREW
3: FROM REVIVAL TO HABITATION
4: FROM KINGSHIP TO SERVANTHOOD
5: FROM RECEIVING TO GIVING
6: FROM SONG TO HEART WORSHIP
7: TO CHANGE FOCUS FROM US TO HIM
8: FROM NUMBERS TO DISCIPLESHIP
9: FROM BUILDINGS TO COMMUNITY
10: FROM SERVING PROGRAMMES TO MEETING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
The major thrust in just about every church, everywhere, is implementing the church's programmes to bring in the lost, build up the body, feed the hungry and serve the community. These are worthy goals. Not only in themselves, but also to help build a sense of teamwork and unity in the body. And also, to be seen to be doing something positive to build God's kingdom, through your particular fellowship.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.†(Luke 15:8-10)
Yes, programmes are at the heart of our church life, in fact, are the heart of our church life! To be involved in the programmes is seen as the model of an effective member of the church. Our commitment to God is judged by our loyalty to our church's programme.
But do our programmes work? Being really honest and realistic, if 10% of the promises proclaimed about the potential success of each and every programme was achieved, the world would have been 'saved' and 'transformed' many times over. But it hasn't been, has it? Yet we persist with programme after programme in the vain hope that the next one will succeed where the others failed.
PARAGRAPH FOR PASTORS: Pastors, you attend the latest seminar on the greatest programme that has proved to be successful in growing a church or churches somewhere in a spectacular fashion. You get fired up! You come home and apply the programme, the method, to your own church. The programme fails or meets with limited success. You are deeply disappointed. You attend another seminar. You apply another programme. The cycle continues. You end up disillusioned and your people burned out. If you are resolute you continue the cycle. Or you quit, your resilience having reached its limit.
Enough of the negative stuff! But no, not another programme in the making here! What did Jesus do? While Jesus preached to the multitudes on occasions and fed the 4,000 and 5,000, (ineffectually in human terms, for there were only about 120 dedicated followers left after the disappointment of His death), He spent most of his time ministering to the needs of, and training, individuals. Just one of numerous examples follows.
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.†41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,†he said. “Be clean!†42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. (Mark 1:40-42)
He sent His disciples out two by two.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. (Luke 10:1)
They ministered both to people's physical and spiritual needs.
9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’(Luke 10:9)
We are to show the love of Jesus to others, to love our neighbours as ourselves. True agape love, one of self-sacrifice for others, can really only be given and received on a personal basis. Programmes, no matter how good they are, tend to lose sight of this reality. 'Programmed love' is not possible. For agape love comes from within.
Instead of promoting programmes then, let us encourage one another to develop servant hearts of agape love. Then we will naturally identify with and meet community needs, so becoming as Jesus to its members.
Our relationship with Jesus is an individual, not a corporate, one. Personal love and concern for non-believers physical and spiritual needs is by far the most effective form of building the kingdom. God's kingdom, not ours, that is. Of course we need to co-operate, helping and encouraging one another, but the extension of God's kingdom depends upon you, and upon me, doing the work. This will not happen through reliance upon man-generated programmes that have worked somewhere else. Yes, God is calling on you and on me individually, to be the light of Jesus to a lost world.
PRINCIPLE 10: God is calling His people to become personally involved in meeting individual needs within the community.
DAVID'S DOUBTS: "But God, this latest programme is sure to work! It increased XYZ Church 100 fold! And they have told me how to do it!" "David, why not try following my instructions, and be as Jesus to your neighbours." "Okay God, but it's hard!" "But not when I am with you, my son."
(Continued next week)
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Cursing the Fig Tree ( Mark 11:12-14)
That had no fruit out of season.
“May no one eat fruit from you ever again.â€
Second Temple Cleansing (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-6)
Throwing out the merchants.
“Doesn’t Scripture say, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?
But you have turned it into a den of thieves!â€
Religious Leaders Look For Way to Kill Jesus (Matthew 21:15-16, Mark 11:18, Luke 19:47-8)
As the children responded enthusiastically to Him.
“Yes,†“Haven’t you ever read the Scripture that says, ‘You arranged for children and infants to give you perfect praise’?â€
The Fig Tree Has Withered (Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:20-25)
By the next morning, amazing the disciples.
“I tell you the truth,†Jesus replied, “If you really trust in God, and don’t doubt him, you could not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even more. If you said to this mountain, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea,’ it would happen! You will receive everything you ask for in prayer, as long as you trust in God.â€
(Continued next week.)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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'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.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
JOY615. Joy is much like eating prunes. You may not like them but you are joyful because of the good effect they have at the other end.
616. True joy is a positive peace about your eternal destiny.
617. Joy is the ballast that stabilizes your ship on its voyage through the sea of life.
618. Laughter lasts but a moment, but joy is eternal.
619. Joy is a bottomless well that bubbles up from within the soul.
620. To laugh is great, but to be joyful, everlasting.
621. One of life’s greatest assets is the ability to turn tears of sadness into pools of joy.
622. Tears of joy soothe the soul.
623. Joy is the outward expression of the certain hope of your eternal destiny.
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 ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:A REVELATION OF... THE THREE PRIESTHOODS continues.......... as we start our look at the better known priesthood of Aaron.
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. ***
298. A CHOICE OF HYMNS
One Sunday a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate.
He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.
After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he'd like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.
A very quiet, elderly, saintly lady all the way in the back shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns.
Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three handsomest men in the building and said, "I'll take him and him and him."
297. A MOTHER'S PRAYER
A rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy: "So your mother says your prayers for you each night Very commendable. What does she say?"
The little boy replied, "Thank God he's in bed!"
296. RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS
A kindergarten teacher gave her class a "show and tell" assignment of bringing something to represent their religion.
The first boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Benjamin and I am Jewish and this is the Star of David."
The second boy got in front of the class and said, "My name is Thomas and I am Catholic and this is the Crucifix."
The third boy got in front of the class and said, " My name is Johnny and I am Baptist and this is a casserole."
"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: Who were the Buccaneers?ANSWER: Today, ‘buccaneer’ is simply another word for pirate. Buccaneers started out as hunters on the islands we now know as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Their name came from the French word ‘boucan’ (meaning barbecue), as they liked to barbecue their meat on grills. The Buccaneers were driven out by the Spanish in the sixteenth century and to get revenge they teamed up with other persecuted peoples, such as escaped slaves and deserters, and began attacking Spanish ships, particularly those bringing goods to the Spanish American colonies. By the seventeenth century, the word ‘buccaneer’ was used to describe pirates and privateers based in the West Indies. (Do ‘buccaneer businessmen’ have West Indian Tax Havens?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Is it true that August stole a day from February?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 428. HEAR TO THE LAST
When a person is dying, hearing is generally the last sense to go. The first sense lost is usually sight. Then follows taste, smell, and touch. (All of us who wear glasses – we are on the way out!)
429. HOW ARE WARS EVER WON?
When a military contractor referred to a "manually powered fastener-driving impact device," he was talking about a hammer. (The quoted price no doubt reflected the ‘enhancement’ of the name.)
430. SHORT AND SWEET
The national anthems of Japan, Jordan, and San Marino each have only four lines. (Let’s get on with the game!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
WASTE
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...
GENERAL TRIVIA 1
7: In what position did Ezekiel spend 390 days lying?a. On his front
b. On his right
c. On his left
d. On his back
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"""!!!!!!! A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
!!!!!! If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have any sense at all.
!!!!! How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
!!!! Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
!!! I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
!! The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket .
! Prayer is not a “spare wheel†that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a “steering wheel†that directs the right path throughout.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
GREAT GROANERS
166. PROVES WISDOMA Chinese scholar was lecturing when all the lights in the auditorium went out. He asked members of the audience to raise their hands. As soon as they had all complied, the lights went on again.
He then said, "Prove wisdom of Old Chinese saying: 'Many hands make light work.' "
167. THE MILLS
There's a small German town near Munich called Pfilzerplatz, and the town is known around the world for producing the finest stationery and paper anywhere. You want wine, you go to France; you want big waves to surf, you go to southern California; you want good paper, you go to Pfilzerplatz.
Anyway, nearby Munich had a growing problem - the thousands of stray dogs in the city were breeding with one another and were beginning to overrun the city. So the higher-ups of Munich organized a new department to get rid of the dogs. Soon enough, they had chased all of the dogs out of the city. No one knew where they went - they just went away.
A couple of days after the dogs disappeared from Munich, they appeared in Pfilzerplatz. And because Pfilzerplatz is so much smaller than Munich, the town was soon totally overrun with the dogs. So the town's mayor decided that the town should be evacuated.
Everyone left the town, thus shutting down the paper mills. Well, a couple of days later, the townsfolk were watching the town from the hills, and they saw smoke rising from the smokestacks at the paper mills. Knowing that there weren't any humans left in the town, they knew it was the dogs running the factories. And so the mayor rushed off to Munich, found Munich's mayor and announced:
"You've got to help us! The mills are alive with the hounds of Munich!"
168. LEGAL
If you're mad at someone, first let him sit in your car, and then you can belt him.
169. NEW DRUG REJECTED
Have you heard about the pharmaceutical company that developed a new drug which, when administered to women, compels them to go join a convent?
The FDA refused to license it. Seems it was habit forming.
170. WHAT WAS THAT?
Three retirees, each with age related hearing loss, were playing golf one fine March day.
One remarked to the other, "Windy, isn't it?"
"No," the second man replied, "it's Thursday."
And the third man chimed in, "So am I. Let's go have a beer.
171. THE DISASTER
A husband and wife had a human cannonball act in the circus. One day the wife ran off with the lion tamer. The husband was extremely dejected. The strong man asked him what he was going to do.
"This is a disaster," the husband answered, I don't know where I'm going to find another woman of her caliber."
Laugh (or cry) a little more here to brighten up your day.....
Courageous Muslim Girls Enlisting In Israel's Army Have Powerful Stories to Tell
by David Lazarus : Mar 16, 2016 : Israel Today(Israel)—[Israel Today] Young Muslim girls are joining the fight, on Israel's side! These courageous young women have a unique and important story to tell, and together with a growing number of Christian Arab girls, they are breaking new ground joining ranks with the Israeli army. (Photo via Israel Today)
When Private 'A', one of the Muslim girls now serving in the IDF decided to enlist, her parents refused to support her. She had to leave home and received support from the army as a lone soldier.
"I need to support myself," she says, "and it's really difficult, even with the help I get from the army. It is rare for a Muslim girl to join the army, because our families will not accept it. Even so, I would still recommend others to enlist. It is a great, life-changing experience."
Private 'G', a devout Muslim, grew up in a Jewish neighborhood. She decided to enlist after she saw all of her neighbors going to serve.
"The army is an important part of everyone's life in my neighborhood," she explained. "I wanted to serve just like everyone else. I want to give something back to Israel, my country."
She added that her mother has been very supportive and sends her regular letters for moral support. "Mom said that she would have enlisted also if it had been possible when she was my age."
According to Private 'G', recent tensions in Israel caused by young Muslims running through the streets attacking Israeli soldiers with knives does not influence her commitment to serve in the army.
"I am so angry, just like the other soldiers, with these attacks. I am angry that anyone would try to harm these soldiers who are supporting me," she said.
Private 'S' also grew up in a Jewish neighborhood. "My whole life I went to school with Jewish girls, so I wanted to finish high school, and enlist in the army, just like my friends," she noted.
"I have never been ashamed of my [Muslim] faith, not even in the army. I wanted to enlist because it is my duty to serve and protect my country," she added. "I want to serve in a way that makes a significant contribution."
According to Private 'S', the army allows her to practice her religious traditions during her army service. "They allow me to go home during the Muslim Ramadan fast, once a week to be with my family," she explained.
"Some may think it is strange, but at home we actually celebrate some of the Jewish holidays like Purim."
Corporal 'M' is a Christian Arab serving in a sensitive operational unit. "One day I saw a group of girl soldiers walking by carrying machine guns. I asked them about their army service, and it sounded really interesting. I didn't even know where one would go to sign up, so they told me what I needed to do to enlist," she recounted.
"After I enlisted," continued the corporal, "I was walking around the [Arab] neighborhood where I live in uniform. When people saw me they deleted me from their Facebook and erased my number from their telephone. It was very hard, but a few friends still supported me, and I have made a lot of new friends in the army," she shared.
All the young Muslim and Christian soldiers say that other girls are asking them about enlisting too. "I tell them that I feel like I am doing something important for my country," said Corporal 'M'. "And when I explain to the Jewish soldiers why I decided to enlist, they all show real respect for the decision that I made."
Source: www.breakingchristiannews.com/
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
A REVELATION OF... 3 MIRACULOUS CONCEPTIONSAnd how they mirrored aspects of the life of Jesus up to 2050 years before He was born. Our God is amazing!
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
When we run out of ideas we have a tendency to make something up! Not a good idea!THE QUANDRY!
Have no idea on what to write,
Must be careful not to skite,
But there's nothing to skite about!
Could make something up - no doubt!
Rather, I'm not that very brave,
So just will leave an empty page.
For the Lord would know of my little game,
On Judgement Day, I must take the blame!
Better to be silent now, than boasting,
In this I'll avoid a needless roasting!
So reading this huffing and puffing,
You've ended up learning nothing!
Sorry about that, my patient friend,
But that is the way, this must end!
David Tait............16 October 2005
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
My mind.....So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SWEAT
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. On his left (Ezekiel 4:1-9) - He then spent a further 40 days on his right side
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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