Last week, we looked at the concept of 'time' and saw how God's ongoing 'will' is progressively continuing to be done on the earth.

Today, let's have a look at the developmental path that His will is taking.

You see, most of the teaching in the church revolves round what I would call, 'God magic', which more accurately is, 'wishful thinking'! Let us live a miserable life here, then die and be translated into a heaven whose streets are paved with the gold we would have liked to have had when on earth! Or, God will zap us out of here to avoid persecution! Or, Jesus will turn up one day to rule and reign and will change the earth overnight! Religious magic! Sometimes called mysticism.

I trust that you might by now, be starting to understand that this is not the way the ongoing process of the implementation of the Father's will works.

While it is true that we will instantly receive our resurrection body necessary for eternal life with Jesus.....

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-2)

..... that does not mean that God is asleep (though we may well be!) in the meantime. His will (is continually in the process of) being 'done on earth as it is in heaven'.

God has made known His will to us to be put (continuously) into effect.

9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:9-10 KJV)

We need to look at the words 'dispensation' and 'fulness of times' to see what is being said here.

Firstly 'dispensation'. Unfortunately, and inaccurately, we view dispensation as being a period of time. eg. Dispensation of Grace. However the Greek word is 'oikonomia'. We get our English word 'economy' from this same root. As we know an economy, particularly these days, is fluid and ever developing. The meanings of 'oikonomia' include 'administration (of a household or estate); specifically a religious economy: - dispensation, stewardship.' An economy, on an individual, national or international level, is much more than money. It is an interaction of many aspects of life. An economy is not static, which is why you have 2 economists and 3 opinions! (I was trained as an economist, so can say this!) Economics then, is more a matter of management, of stewardship of a number of variables, not all monetary. This is reflected in the complex mathematical models of econometrics, that I could never grasp hold of, but attempt to explain the way the various variables interact, one with the other, usually through the medium of exchange, that is, money. As an economy then, is constantly changing and developing. so is a dispensation. In particular, the dispensation of the kingdom of God.

The word 'fullness' is 'pleroma' in the Greek. Its meanings include, that which is or has been filled, repletion or completion. 'Of times' is 'kairos' in the Greek, its meanings including set or proper time, the appointed time, a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for.

Putting all this together, we can see that God's will, which is establishing His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven is being progressively achieved, day by day, year by year until the day that Jesus returns to rule and reign with His bride, His completely sold out disciples who have been 'beheaded' (died to self).

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)

Our thinking needs to change. We are NOT living in the natural 'chronos' time where night follows day, follows night, and so on. An attitude time where nothing changes in God, or in us, until a big event some time in the future.

Rather, we ARE living in the exciting yet challenging 'kairos' time in which God's kingdom is being progressively developed and built, prior to the return of Jesus.

How do we see that kingdom progress? First and foremost, in the lives of His disciples!

21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21)

We are to be the kingdom! The kingdom is built through us!

Is the kingdom being reflected and growing through me? And you?

Now that is a scary thought!

(To be continued next week.)

The Thousand Years

"And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:1-10)

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

1048. God's vision is our mission.

1049. Religion is the eager repository of yesterday's revelation.

1050. Revelation is eternal truth meeting today's circumstances.

1051. Revelation is from God's heart, religion, a product of the heart of man.

1052. Today's revelation becomes tomorrow's religion.

1053. One dose of God is worth more than a billion of religion!

1054. When mankind cannot accept God's revelation, they adapt it to become religion.

1055. The cost of God's kingdom is obedience, religion's, money. Most of us take the easy option!

1056. Religion goes as God's kingdom grows.

AND JESUS WEPT !!!!

305. SPEED READING
The parson had been disturbed by a person who was a fast reader. "We shall now read the Twenty-third Psalm in unison," he announced. "Will the lady who is always by 'the still waters' while the rest of us are in 'green pastures,' please wait a minute until we catch up?"

304. AMEN, PREACH!
Preacher: "This church is just like a baby, and every baby has to learn to crawl."
The congregation shouts out, "Amen Preach, let her crawl."

The Preacher continues: "But nobody stays a baby forever. After a while this church is going to stand and walk."
Congregation: "Amen, Preach it--Let her walk."

Preacher goes on: "And after a while this church is not just going to stand or walk, it's going to run!"
Congregation: "Amen Preach, let her run."

ANSWER:
This widely held idea is largely a myth. While it is true that earthworms can regenerate, when you cut one in half, both parts don't regenerate into fully developed worms. Only the front end of the worm, containing the 'brain' (cerebral ganglion) has a chance of growing new segments. (2 into 1 doesn't go, 1 into 2 doesn't grow!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
How did trivia (such as this), get its name? < P> SOME FUN FACTS

103. KEEPING KISSING
The story of Don Juan has been told over 35 times in the movies. But the 1926 version, starring John Barrymore holds a place in movie history, for Don Juan (Barrymore) plants 191 kisses on various females during the course of the film, an average of one every 53 seconds. ('Hot lips' or 'sore lips'?)

104. PLENTIFUL
Aluminium forms one-twelfth of the Earth's crust. (How come it took so long to discover and use?)

105. HUNG UP
A fireplace is called a 'mantelpiece' because, at one time, people hung their coats (or 'mantles') over the fireplace to dry them. (If I am 'hung out to dry', am I a human mantelpiece?)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

CANOES

A - The Lord Saves
B - The Lord Kills
C - Beloved
D - Rock

Source: www.biblequizzes.com

!!!!!! The most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap a chasm in two jumps.

!!!!! A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something.

!!!! When you became a Christian, God didn't call you to a playground, but a battleground!

!!! Sin will keep you from the Bible ~ but the Bible will keep you from sin.

!! Co-operate! Remember the banana ~ every time it leaves the bunch it gets skinned.

Illiterate? Write today for free help.

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4. COW LESSONS
Everything I need to know I learnt from a cow:

1. Wake up in a happy mooo-d.

2. Don't cry over spilled milk.

3. When chewing your cud, remember: There's no fat, no calories, no cholesterol, and no taste!

4. The grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

5. Turn the udder cheek and mooo-ve on.

6. Seize every opportunity and milk it for all its worth!

7. It's better to be seen and not herd.

8. Honour thy fodder and thy mother and all your udder relatives.

9. Never take any bull from anybody.

10. Always let them know who's the bossy.

11. Stepping on cowpies brings good luck.

12. Black and white is always an appropriate fashion statement.

TIZI OUZOU, ALGERIA (ANS) -- An angry mob of local Muslims, disturbed over the presence of the newly constructed Tafat Church in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria, hoped that a little intimidation would scare the congregation away for good. The mob broke in and ransacked the building one night, stealing sound equipment and lighting church property on fire. Nearly all furniture, Bibles and electrical appliances were damaged beyond repair.

The burnt supplies of Tafat Church in Tizi Ouzou after it was ransacked by a Muslim mob last year. "They came and smashed things up. They think we're going to leave. But they cannot break our faith," said Pastor Mustafa Krireche.

International Christian Concern (ICC), a Washington DC-based human rights organization, visited Algeria, including Tizi Ouzou, just months after the attack on Tafat Church. The purpose for the visit was to encourage Algeria's Christians and assist their unmet needs, but as happens more often than not when meeting with persecuted brethren, it was ICC who came away more encouraged.

Meeting with house church pastors in remote villages in the beautiful Kabylie Mountains, they shared stories of God's work amongst their people and reminisced about Algeria's great - and enduring - 20 year revival.

It is no exaggeration to say that the greatest modern Christian rebirth in the Middle East or North Africa can be attributed to the reawakening of the church in Algeria's Kabylie region. The Kabylie revival was neither inspired by missionaries nor introduced as a foreign movement, but was ignited by a small group of faithful believers in an obscure village. It was a rebirth indigenous to the national church where God is using dreams and visions to turn Muslims to Christ. In a country that many consider "closed" to the Gospel and where proselytism is illegal under Algerian law, the steadfast devotion of Algeria's Spirit-led church has overcome the government's resolve to control the growth of its Christian minority.

It all began in 1981 with a 21-year-old boy from a poor family and a game of football (soccer). On the field, the young man befriended Arab visitors from a church in Algiers. It was the first time he experienced what he later recognized to be a "Christ-like" example, and the first time he heard the Gospel. It was not long before this young man, now known as Pastor Raba, would entrust his life to God and carry the weight of a great calling - reaching the Kabylie region for Christ.

Pastor Raba and three friends formed a group and began meeting weekly.

"We faced many things alone, Pastor Raba explained. "Like new believers from Islam, we faced many problems with our families, with the police, and with the authority of the village. We tried to commit together, us four, but we didn't know the Bible and we didn't know how to pray."

The group began attending a church service in Algiers - a three day's journey from their home village - as often as they could, but soon the government forced the church to close its doors. "We then decided to have meetings together even though we didn't know anything, so in prayer we said 'God, we don't know anything, but we are ready if you want to use us."

The group allotted the year between 1989 and 1990 for fasting and prayer. A year later, revival broke free.

"During that year we went to villages where there were no Christians, we prayed for the village, and after a few months we would hear that there were believers there," explained Pastor Raba. "People had dreams, visions, some of them discovered Christian radio programs. We didn't share the Gospel directly with many people, but God in His way, preached the Gospel. It was like an explosion in all the Kabylie area and it's continuing now."

It is estimated that some 80,000 former Muslims in Kabylie have turned to Christ since the beginning of Algeria's great revival. Some churches are seeing incredible growth, including a Tizi Ouzou congregation that began with twelve members in 1996 and now has 900 believers attending services. In fact, so many are coming to Christ in remote areas that it is becoming difficult to provide them with trained pastors and leadership.

Read the remainder of the article here. FULL ARTICLE

Source: (ANS) www.assistnews.net

PS: My mother died a month ago, so now is a memory.

TO GO OR TO STAY?

There's a time to come and a time to go,
Which is which we never seem to know.
Not to outstay our welcome here,
Nor to be a nuisance there,
Give me wisdom Lord,
To be in Your accord.

Have no idea why I am writing this!
But trust the point I do not miss!
For we all have times when we should know to go,
But hang on we do, outstaying our welcome, saying yes when we should say no......

Just leave!
Don't grieve!
It's not the day,
For me to stay.

This simple lesson we must learn,
Many 'brownie points' then to earn.
Our welcome not overstaying,
And our hosts not dismaying.
Then they will be happy to have us return,
For us, the 'welcome mat', we will not burn.

This piece of sage advice
May keep us very nice,
In the eyes of others,
If not our mothers.

Reminds me now, her to visit,
Yes, for more than a minute!
For she brought me up, indeed she did,
Even at times, when I was a bad kid.
For mothers are more patient than most,
My responsibility to her, now foremost.

So I will visit her this afternoon,
Hope she will be over the moon.
Take her out in the car for a nice drive,
In the sunshine - so good to be alive!

I woke up to another, typically fine day, in the beautiful city of Napier where we live. There was nothing to indicate that it would be any different to any other Tuesday.

I went off to work, as usual. Around 1:30 in the afternoon, one of my staff came in and said there had been another earthquake in Christchurch, 40 minutes before. Looking on the net through the computer on my desk, I could see that it was really serious. Again through the computer, I turned on the radio and listened to the commentary on the tragedy that had occurred. I tried to text our great friends, Roger and Beryl, but received no reply until several hours later, for cellphone towers were damaged or had lost their electricity supply.

After work, I went home and saw the devastation on the TV. Modern communications are instantaneous and amazing. We then heard back from Roger that they were okay, although lots of their possessions had fallen and smashed.

As we were watching, the telephone rang. My remaining Mum (in law) had had a fall and was being taken to hospital in Palmerston North, a city 2 hours drive away. Kathy was unable to go at the time, so I hopped into the car and drove down to see her in Hospital, arriving at 9:45pm. After tests I was able to take her home at 2am, early Wednesday morning!

When I finally got into bed at Mum's place, with the radio on, still giving commentary on the horrendous quake in Christchurch, I thought to myself, 'There is no way could have imagined, in my wildest dreams, what would happen in a few short hours. Approximately 200 dead, billions of dollars of damage, my mum taken to hospital in an ambulance, a trip to Palmerston North, and a night (well, part of!) in a bed nearly 200km away from home!

Unbelievable!

Yet, that is how it will be when Jesus returns!

Are we ready?

PS: 20 people have died in this building alone. The search for bodies continues.

Until next week___

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: OCEANS