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: 1017 Published: 12 Apr 2021
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW
EDUCATION (I) v EXPERIENCE (WE)
Greek (Western) In Greek culture, physical conquest was immediately followed by the setting up of educational institutions to train the conquered people in Greek culture and ways,
What we do, after a revelation is given by God, is to set up a new denomination with its own Bible College, to formalise and disseminate the truths that have been revealed.
Here in New Zealand, the pattern of revelation and formalisation has been experienced within all the Pentecostal streams that arose through the various Holy Spirit revelations of the 20th century. Initial revelation, enthusiasm and changed lifestyle of leaders and people, were overtaken by the formality of organisation, position, theological schools, buildings, programmes and growing lukewarmness amongst both leaders and adherents, focusing more on the little that divides than the much that should unite. This is not unique to the Pentecostal Church but simply follows the pattern of denominational church separation since the Reformation.
The focus is on 'I' as an individual, and the 'bigger I' of denominationalism. The emphasis is on transformation, through education, of the mind.
Eastern (Hebrew) Converts into Judaism are absorbed into Jewish society and culture, so the they can learn experientially the ways of G_d (God).
In early Judaism, converts were absorbed into a tradition and experiential lifestyle, where learning came from absorbing the values and experiences of the forefathers as recorded in the Old Testament, as well as the Rabbi's and leaders of the day. There was a greater tolerance of differing views on many matters. There were 3 or 4 main groups, not the thousands we have today in Protestantism.
When a Jewish boy became a disciple of a Rabbi, he would copy his Rabbi in everything he did. Literally! In every way! Sit. Stand. Gesture. Walk. Eat.....
Jesus took a group of 'students' (disciples), those not good enough to become disciples of the other Rabbis, and trained them in His ways, living with them, teaching them by word and example, sending them out into the mission field to gain practical experience.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. (Matthew 10:1-10)
They participated in His miracles.....
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. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:16-21)
He answered their questions.....
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:25-9)
They participated in the good times.....
The Transfiguration
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:1-4)
and the bad.....
Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:36-41)
Discipleship was a group experience, where the group was more important than the individual, it was both word and deed, and it took place in the school of life, not the academic classroom.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. The group, the cause, is more important than any individual within it.
2. Discipleship involves a change in lifestyle, not just academic knowledge.
3. A godly lifestyle change is the measure of a true conversion.
4. True discipleship training requires interactive experience with others more mature in the faith, in order to grow into the image of Jesus.
See more about us at.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
A New Commandment Given (John 13:31-5)
“Now the Son of man is glorified, and through him God is glorified. If God is glorified through him, then God will glorify the Son himself, and will glorify him immediately. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, but I’m telling you now just as I told the Jews: you cannot come where I’m going.
I am giving you a new command: Love one another. Love one another in the same way I have loved you.
If you love one another you will prove to everyone that you are my disciples.”
Dispute About Who is to be the Greatest (Luke 22:24-30)
Of the disciples.
“Foreign kings lord it over their subjects, and those having power even want people to call them ‘benefactors. “But it should not be so with you! Whoever is highest among you should be like the lowest, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is greater—the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves?
Isn’t it the one who sits at the table? But I’m among you as the one who serves. You have stayed with me throughout my trials. And I grant to you authority to rule, just as my Father granted it to me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Jesus Predicts a General Denial (Matthew 26:31-2, Mark 14:27-8)
Of the disciples.
“All of you will abandon me tonight,” Jesus told them. “As Scripture says, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the flock of sheep will be completely scattered.’ But after I have risen, I’ll go ahead of you to Galilee.”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
FOR MORE DETAILED AND REGULAR UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
AN EYE 4 Africa - https://www.facebook.com/aneye4africa/
WHEN IT RAINS IT IS TORRENTIAL!
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
They are all found at this link.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse. To register today, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link dd-on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done! If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring!
Subscription and back issue link is.....
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN 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
181. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Man sees the body, God the heart.
182. The world's finest cosmetics are produced by a beautiful heart.
183. Time ravages the body but perfects a beautiful heart.
184. In the "Beauty Stakes", 'The Body' makes the early running, but 'Beautiful Spirit' always comes through to win the race..
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
(Don't need sprinklers here in Kenya as it is the start of the rainy seaon! And does it rain! But then goes away.)
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:GOD AND MAN continues.....
... as we look at the penultimate steps in attaining our inheritance.
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link lao--on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done!
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. ***
35. Help?
Several women were visiting an elderly friend who was ill. After a while, they rose to leave and told her; "We will keep you in our prayers."
"Just wash the dishes in the kitchen," the ailing woman said, "I can do my own praying."
36. A Good Question
If money is the root of all evil, why do churches want it so badly?
37. Saved For Sure!
A friend of mine and her husband were on vacation. They visited an Episcopal Church on Sunday. The pews in this older church were in those little, box-like enclosures that have a "gate" entry to each one.
My friend likes to sit close to the front. So they entered a pew in the second row.
Shortly after settling into the pew, an usher came up to them, tapped lightly on the gate, and said, "This pew is saved."
Her husband replied, "So are WE!"
38. Who's For a Wedding?
A minister was planning a wedding at the close of the Sunday morning service.
After the benediction he had planned to call the couple down to be married for a brief ceremony before the congregation.
For the life of him, he couldn't think of the names of those who were to be married.
"Will those wanting to get married please come to the front?" he requested.
Immediately, nine single ladies, three widows, four widowers, and six single men stepped to the front.
QWIK QWIP: “In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.”
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 ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
Or read even more online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
The sun, the rain, the wind, the elements that give life its rythm.
Their interaction gives us the seasons. Summer, winter, autumn and spring. Or where we live in the tropics of Kenya, 2 each of wet and dry seasons.
These seasons, go back thousands of years, and provide the sustenance of life for us humans, living on God's creation that we call earth or the world.
In recent times, the world over, times 'have been a-changing' as the song goes.
Here in Kenya this year, summer was 2 months late arriving and the wet season, one month late in arriving. Living in a farming community as we do, this has led to differences in planting and harvesting times. The farmers have had to adjust the cycle thy have been used over generations, to adapt to the realities they now face.
It is the same for our lives in God. Perhaps for many years, we have been following the same religious pattern week in, week out, indeed, year in and year out. It becomes a duty rather than a life changing experience.
But, as the weather patterns are changing, so God is changing His church. Now is not a time for sitting still, doing the same religious duties day in and day out, as they did in Moses Tabernacle and the Temple.
Jesus came to change that dead religious system to one of life and vitality in Him! Sadly, the church has gone back to the old ways.
Now is the time of changing seasons in God. He is calling us out to a new day, one of following Him personally, putting life and energy back into our walk with Jesus, listening to the Father for guidance, and obeying what He asks us personally do, letting the Holy Spirit guide us in this and in how to live.
Amen,
Until next time.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Visit us here.....
CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here atenquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.
Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
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 website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webye 50205
Kenya
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