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
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Issue No: 1018 Published: 19 Apr 2021
ANOTHER MAJOR ARTICLE
Please read A DAVID MUSING for an article that is most important at this time.
Thanks
David
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW
GODS v GOD
Greek (Western) In Greek culture, there was a multiplicity of gods who, although residing in heavenly places, took on the characteristics of men. No one god was capable of reflecting the great diversity of man.
Gods were seen as acting in the human image, exhibiting human emotions such as love and hate, good and evil, rage and happiness. But no single god was capable of encompassing all of these.
Additionally, the god's behaviour, their morality, changed over time, as determined by the democratic decisions of the majority of the people at the time. There were no godly behavioural absolutes. Therefore the people governed themselves by what they thought to be right at the time.
This process can be seen in action today, both in the world and in the church.
In the world, man has effectively set himself up as the supreme ruler, being guided and developed by the gods of education and science. There are no moral absolutes. Morality is developed to suit the desires of the people of the time and place.
In the church too, we have subtly changed from 'knowing God' to 'knowing about God', through our emphasis on theological education. Christianity has gradually absorbed many of the ideas of the world, from a fetish about prosperity, to a major battleground of today, the place of homosexuality within the church. And many, many, others.
Salvation has become an intellectual pursuit, reflected in structured creeds, rather than a relationship with the person Jesus, the unchanging reflection of God upon the earth.
Eastern (Hebrew) In the Hebrew, there is only one, unique God. There is no other like Him. He is the ultimate source of life, and all life begins with Him.
This is reflected in the Old Testament, again.....
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-8)
and again.....
6 “This is what the LORD says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. 7 Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come— yes, let him foretell what will come. 8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” (Isaiah 44:6-8)
Again in the New.....
4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:4-6)
and again.....
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:1-5)
In the Western world we view God as evolving and changing in a linear fashion. This is entirely different to the Jewish way, where God is considered in a cyclical way, illustrated in the natural by the repeated phases of the moon. Biblically, this is reflected in the seasonal 'Feasts of the Lord' which are repeated year after year in a continuous, unchanging pattern, as illustrated in Leviticus 23.....
The Sabbath..... The Passover and Unleavened Bread..... Firstfruits..... Feast of Weeks..... Feast of Trumpets..... Day of Atonement..... Feast of Tabernacles
God is the one and only 'I AM', who remains constant and unchanged, from generation to generation.....
14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation (Exodus 3:14-15)
May we never forget.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. We are to become one with Jesus through personal relationship with Him.
2. Knowing about Jesus is not a substitute for knowing Jesus.
3. We need to stand firm on Biblical principles, not being swayed by the changing morality of the day of the world.
4. We must make Jesus the lord of our life, and live for Him, irrespective of the cost.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Jesus Prays for Peter. (Luke 22:31-2)
“Simon, Simon—Satan has asked to have all of you to sift like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your trust in me may not fail. And when you have returned, encourage your brothers.”
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (Matthew 26:33-5, Mark:14:29-31, Luke 22:33-4)
Against Peter’s protestations.
“This very night, before the cock crows, you’ll deny me three times.”
Jesus Warns the Disciples to be Prepared (Luke 22:35-8)
For His death.
“When I sent you out without money, without a bag, and without an extra pair of sandals, did you lack anything?”
But now, if you have money you should take it, as well as a bag, and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. I tell you that this statement in Scripture about me must be fulfilled: ‘He was counted with the wicked.’ What was said about me is now being fulfilled.
(Continued next week)
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LAYING THE CORNERSTONE
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'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.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
390. Death is not a 'problem' but an 'opportunity' - if we have made the correct preparations beforehand.
391. Why do so many choose to make death the end, when it should be just the beginning?
392. On earth, there is life and death, in heaven, death and life.
393. Many people would like a second chance at life. We all get one actually - after death!
394. Isn't it amazing how our character improves, after we die!
395. If only people would say to us now, the things they say about us at our funeral, the world would be a happier place.
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.)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:GOD AND MAN continues.....
... as we look at the penultimate steps in attaining our inheritance.
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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. ***
39. Heavenly Reward?
This 85-year-old couple, having been married almost 60 years, died in a car crash. They had been in good health the last 10 years, mainly due to her interest in health food and exercise.
When they reached the pearly gates, St. Peter took them to their mansion, which was decked out with a beautiful kitchen, master bath suite and Jacuzzi.
As they oohed and aahed, the old man asked Peter how much all this was going to cost. "It's free," Peter replied. "This is Heaven."
Next they went out back to survey the championship golf course in the backyard. They would have golfing privileges every day, and each week the course would change to a new one, representing the great golf courses on Earth.
The old man asked, "What are the greens fees?"
Peter's reply, "This is Heaven -- you play for free!
Next they went to the clubhouse and saw the lavish buffet lunch with the cuisine of the world laid out.
"How much to eat?" asked the old man.
"Don't you understand yet? This is Heaven, it's FREE!" Peter replied with some exasperation.
"Well, where are the low-fat and low-cholesterol tables?" the old man asked timidly.
Peter lectured, "That's the best part -- you can eat as much as you like of whatever you like and you never get fat and you never get sick. This is Heaven."
With that the old man went into a fit of anger, throwing down his hat and stomping on it, and shrieking wildly.
Peter and his wife both tried to calm him down, asking him what was wrong. The old man looked at his wife and said, "This is all your fault. If it weren't for your blasted bran muffins, I could have been here 10 years ago!"
QWIK QWIP: I've learned that ultimately, 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.
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
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A DAVID MUSING
WHO DO YOU FOLLOW?
JESUS OR PAUL?
THE KINGDOM
The first time I really had this brought to my attention, in a formal way, was many years ago now, sitting on a bench garden seat! My friend, his friend and I were looking at the beautiful gardens with the sea in the foreground, in the city of Napier, New Zealand, where I was born.
My friend and his friend were talking and the question was asked, “Who do you follow?” The answer from both of these learned and dedicated Christian pastors was “Paul”. I nearly fell off the seat! For I follow Jesus.
My friends loved Jesus but they followed Paul.
I love Jesus, and in my simple way, I follow Jesus.
There is a huge difference!
Unfortunately, the vast majority of church leadership, in particular, follow Paul. For that is where church theology, diverse as it is, comes from.
Bible schools and Seminaries teach their own versions of Paul’s doctrine. For there is much to teach! Paul was an up and coming student of the Pharisees, the leading student of his generation. Obviously, with his background of theology, he thought and taught in that way. His visitation with Jesus turned his theological upbringing upside down. But he developed a new, now called “Christian” theology which, unfortunately, can be interpreted in different ways. Hence the many denominations we now have, each believing that they have the correct interpretation of what Paul says.
Do not get me wrong, I admire Paul for the amazing transformation of life that he had, and how he dedicated himself, in a way that few others would, to spreading the message of Jesus round much of the known world at the time. He was also a brilliant scholar, his words are of teaching are inspired, but sadly, open to interpretation. Like all Scripture, his words need to be read as a whole, not just picking out verses that might support your way of thinking.
I teach using many of His principles, so please; I am not putting him down.
But I love Jesus! His teachings are primarily about practical living, and how we should apply it to our lives. As I am a practical, rather than a theoretical person, the teachings of Jesus himself appeal to me. But Jesus was not just speaking to me, for His principles are to be followed by us all, whether we have practical or theoretical leanings.
Life experience parables were His main way of getting His message across. The Parable of the Sower is my favourite, and the one the Lord has shown me the deeper meaning of, about the crops produced, rather than just the soil types most concentrate on.
One of the major problems with the church today is that it has moved from the practical roots of Jesus to a theological foundation that has become more important than love and Godly living.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD (HEAVEN)
The latest catch cry amongst Christian leaders in particular, is about KINGDOM and how we are coming into the kingdom age. But few really understand what kingdom is all about. For many it is a further excuse to build their own kingdom in the name of Jesus!
For millennia we have been saying or singing the Lord’s (Disciples actually) Prayer…..
‘Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. ‘ (Matthew 6:10)
….. without understanding what it means. In fact, most would probably think twice about saying it if they really understood!
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst (or’ in you’ KJV) (Luke 17:20-21)
Put briefly, the kingdom is those who follow the instructions of Jesus…..
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Actually, it was never any different, as verse 40 says. For in the Old Testament it says…..
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 11:1)
Jesus though, effectively added the second part the second part, love for your neighbour. In the Old Testament, the emphasis was on love for God and His love for those who obeyed Him.
In my experience, God always works in threes. (Father, Son and Holy Spirit, faith, hope and love and many more)
This third kingdom element is first found in the Old Testament….
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, (Deuteronomy 10:12)
And developed in the New…..
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29)
To be in the image of Jesus, we must obey the Father as Jesus did. There are many times when Jesus went alone into the hills to speak to His Father so as to receive His instructions. The hardest instruction He had was His death on the cross! Jesus knew the physical pain and agony He would have to go through to die on our behalf, which was coupled with the even greater agony of separated from His Father for a limited time, until His resurrection…..
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.” (Matthew 26:39)
Yes, in order to take on the character of Jesus, we must obey God the Father in everything we do.
How do we do this? Through the guidance of the precious Holy Spirit sent to us to teach and guide us in all things…..
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13)
To understand the application of this, we need to go back to the Rabbis of Jesus time.
If you were in the top tier educationally, you could be chosen to be the disciple of one of the Rabbis of the day. How were you trained? You copied everything your Rabbi did. If he sat down, would sit also. If he stood up so would you. When he spoke, you repeated what he said. The objective was to become a duplicate of your teacher!
Jesus is our Rabbi. While He is no longer with us in person, it is our responsibility to become like Him, by following His word, through prayer, and through listening to and obeying the instructions the Father gives us through the Holy Spirit.
AN EXAMPLE
I could share many examples from my life of the challenges and victories of following God’s directions for me personally. However, our most recent one illustrates the point of kingdom living well. My wife Kathy and I were sent by God from New Zealand to live here in Malaha, Webuye, Kenya. A story in itself!
We are here to minister God’s kingdom both in the spiritual and the practical. We live with our hosts, David and Selina Walukhu, who have graciously allowed us to live in a granny flat within their home for nearly 4 years now.
Our original intention was to open an eye clinic, as that is Kathy’s area of nursing expertise. However, through circumstances, a general hospital, the Kingdom Faith Based Hospital has been built, with an emphasis on eyes.
With the hospital we have faced since opening, 3 years of challenges of many sorts, cultural, bureaucratic, financial etc, etc. The list goes on! However the Lord has been with us through it all and we can see His hand in many ways.
The hospital, a physical manifestation of the kingdom, but not perfectly, for there are people of many sorts involved. We are different to others, in that we endeavour to give loving, quality service, to our clients. Kathy, in particular, prays for many of them, for most are open to it here. We are not the biggest, but a growing, hospital. We are not the best equipped, but are working on it. However, what is different, is that we share the love of Jesus.
CONCLUSION
The kingdom of God is not seen in structures, denominations, church leadership etc. The kingdom is made up of dedicated, sold out disciples, who have the kingdom within them. The kingdom is found all over the world in those who, as individuals, follow the ways of Jesus.
Arguments over theology, denominations and more, have no place in the kingdom of God. There is no kingdom church, for your submission to the Father is between you and Him, not any man.
Fully following Jesus does not require great theological knowledge, but rather the opposite, trusting in Him to lead and guide you through your life.
Not everyone will be called to Africa, but there is a role Jesus has for you, if only you are prepared to fully submit your life to Him, following His instructions in all you do.
All it takes is to love your God with all you have, love your neighbour, particularly other Christians, as yourself, and listen to and obey God’s specific instructions for your life.
Are you prepared to do that today? I am.
David Tait
Walking With Jesus Ministries
wwj.org.nz
18 April 2021
Until next time.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
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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 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!
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