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: 1047 Published: 08 Nov 2021
A WALK THROUGH THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES
THE STORY
A farmer who has sinned has come to the Tabernacle of Moses, to seek forgiveness of his sin by bringing the best lamb of his flock. He has entered the gate (of SALVATION THROUGH JESUS) of the Tabernacle. He has made his SIN SACRIFICE upon the Brazan Altar and is now ready to learn about the front part of the TENT OF THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Now the High Priest describes the Holy of Holies where the PRESENCE OF GOD THE FATHER DWELLS. Finally the High Priest describes his procedure on the DAY OF ATONEMENT, when both his and the Israelites unintentional sins are forgiven.
ESTABLISHING GOD’S PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH
APPLICATION TO TODAY’S CHURCH
An earlier chapter showed us how the Tabernacle applied to the individual, as we took a walk through it. But the pattern of the Tabernacle applies equally well to the development of the church and its ministries. Let’s have a look. For our purposes here, we will take a more conventional approach to the Tabernacle, concentrating on the furniture it contains, comparing the furniture to the truths revealed through the various churches.
Sadly, truth has to be revealed through many different churches because of us! Our human nature grasps hold of a revelatory truth, gets comfortable in it, thinks it is the ultimate, and refuses to move on the next truth God desires to reveal. Hence the truism that the people at the forefront of the last revival are so often the biggest opponents of the next. This has also caused the growth in denominations, for each denomination tends to stop at the new truth revealed to it, forcing God to seek another group for His next revelation. He must really love us, to put up with us!
As the decline of the church took place progressively over a period of centuries, so the restoration of the church too, is a process rather than an event. As moving further into the Tabernacle brings a greater and greater revelation and insight into the glory of our God, so being open to the God’s progressive revelations as a church bring us closer to Him. It is so sad to see how comfort and pride work in tandem to limit our walk, causing divisions and denominations to multiply. However, let’s see the outworking of this, by comparing the Church’s restoration to the progression of furniture in the Tabernacle.
THE TRADITIONAL CHURCH – Centred on the Brazen Altar.
The truth revealed to Martin Luther started the Reformation. The restoration of the church was based on the principle that God could not be “bought” through works, which generally meant paying money to the church! His revelation of “the just shall live by faith” (in Jesus) was centred on the hugely different principle of access to God being available through the final sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for all sin. Not through the dictates of a man centred church.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Yes, Jesus gloriously was the sacrificial lamb slaughtered on the ‘altar’ of Calvary. And shown in type 2,000 years earlier, when Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac on the altar at Mount Moriah, the site of Solomon’s Temple and very close to Calvary itself. Of course a ram was provided as a substitute at the last minute. Again a coincidence? No way!
So the traditional church was given this truth. But they stopped there, retaining many of the practices of the man centred church out of which they had come, such as hierarchy, ceremonials, infant baptism, etc. As do many churches, to this very day. The key truth that distinguishes the true church from the false church however - that the only way to God is through Jesus - was recognised, so the restoration of the church could proceed. The Brazen Altar was just inside the entrance to the Tabernacle. The only way to God is via the Altar, the blood sacrifice. The pattern was established. So the Reformation, the restoration of the church, could now commence.
THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH – Added the Washing Basin
The main additional revelation that sets the Evangelical Church apart from the Traditional Church is the truth of “believers baptism”. Through believers baptism the new Christian is symbolically cleansed and separated from the world, being set apart to God. This was the function of the Washing Basin in the Tabernacle, the place where the priest washed his hands and feet, before making a sacrifice or entering the Holy Place.
“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his heart to an idol or swear by what is false.” (Psalm24:3-4)
The Washing Basin was made out of mirrors, reflecting the mirror of the Word of God.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard – he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:22-25)
Hence there is a greater emphasis on the Word, the bible, and on living a good clean life in Evangelical Churches than in the Traditional Church, where the Sacraments, creeds, etc. form the focal point. This has been illustrated several times in a very practical way to me. For when a Traditional Church starts to become more evangelical, the first major problem that normally arises between reformers and traditionalists is over believers’ baptism. It can and does split churches.
Will look at the Pentecostal Church next time.
(To be continued)
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Jesus Rebukes 3 Cities (Matthew 11:20-30)
Jesus denounced the people of the towns where most of His miracles were performed for not repenting.
“Shame on you, Korazin; shame on you, Bethsaida! If the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which happened among you, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago. But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than it will for you! And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be exalted to heaven? No, you’ll go down to Hades! If the miracles had been performed in Sodom which happened among you, Sodom would still be here today. But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than it will for you!”
Jesus Anointed at Simon’s House (Luke 7:36-50)
Simon the Pharisee criticized Jesus for allowing a sinful woman to anoint Him with perfume.
“Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Once two people were in debt to a money-lender. One owed five hundred denarii, the other only fifty.
Neither of them could repay him, so he forgave the debts. Which one will love him the most?”
The one he forgave the most.
“You’re absolutely right,” “You see this woman? When I came into your house, you didn’t give me water to wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t give me a kiss, but since I came in she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet. You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she poured perfume over my feet. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—that’s why she loves so much. But whoever is forgiven little, only loves a little.”
To the woman.
“Your sins have been forgiven.”
“Your trust has saved you, go in peace.”
Pharisees Rebuked(Matthew 12:24-37, Mark 3:22-30)
The Pharisees claimed Jesus’ power to heal came from demons.
“Any kingdom divided against itself will be destroyed. No town or household divided against itself can stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he’s divided against himself— so how could his kingdom stand? If I’m throwing out demons in the name of Beelzebub, in whose name are your people throwing out demons? Your own people prove you’re wrong! But if I’m throwing out demons through the power of the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you!
“Can you enter a strong man’s house and take his belongings unless you tie him up first? If you do that then you can take everything in his house. Those who are not with me are against me, and those who do not gather together with me do the opposite: they are scattering. That’s why I’m telling you that every sin and blasphemy you commit will be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Spirit which won’t be forgiven. Those who say something against the Son of man will be forgiven, but those who say something against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven, neither in this life nor the next. Either decide that the tree is good, and its fruit good, or decide that the tree is bad and its fruit is bad—for the tree is known by its fruit. You viper’s brood, how can you who are evil say anything good? For your mouth simply says what your mind is busy thinking about. A good person brings out good from their store of good things, and an evil person brings out evil from their store of evil things. I tell you, people will have to account for every careless thing they say on the Day of Judgment. For what you say will either vindicate you or condemn you.”
(Continues next week)
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OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DAY FOR KINGDOM!!!!!!!
On Friday, we received our next 3 year contract for partnering again with CBMNZ (Christian Blind Mission (Global) New Zealand Branch.)
It is a true partnership, as we guide our personal donors to them, and they add a lot on before sending it to us.
We look forward to another 3 years of working together to help reduce blindness in Kenya, and other countries, as we are able.
This adds a lot of security to our operations.
In the picture, I am signing, being overseen by our Administrator, Tatwa. There is only 1 TATWA in Bungoma County and many people know him!
I thank him for the great work he is doing in running the hospital on a day to day basis. I don't know what we would do without you Tatwa!
If you wouldn't mind taking a moment praying for Pamela and Tatwa and the family too, for his wife has serious bowel cancer. She is completing 7 months of Chemo this week. A very difficult time for them all.
THE DOCUMENT
In case you think we are making this up (lol), here is the front page of 20.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH
INTRODUCTION When asking the Lord what He wanted me to write about next, He has led me to look at HIS CHURCH, not in the way of standard church history, but from His viewpoint. I will try my best to be obedient to His wishes. But any errors will be mine!
As you will soon see, the history of His church revolves around the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit's activity upon the earth, rather than what we consider the church to be.
Before I start I must give you a little personal testimony. I hope my testimony will show you that what is to come has to be of God, for it is outside my personal nature, experience and inheritance. I was brought up in a traditional Baptist church in the 1950's and 60's. (Yes I am that old! On the outside but not the inside! Well.....) My grandparents on both sides of the family were traditional churchgoers, as were my parents, as is my sister, and most have been active in church leadership. I was brought up to believe, yes, it was ingrained deep within me, that one had it all, when you gave your heart to Jesus and were water baptized (on the Baptist side) or attended church (on the Presbyterian side). I tried giving my heart to Jesus. Nothing happened. My (younger than me) sister was getting water baptized, so I decided to as well. Nothing happened. I attended church until I was 30ish, and to all, including my wife Kathy, was a reasonable Christian.
In fact, a pastor of mine suggested I should go to Baptist College and train for the ministry! If only he had known what was inside of me! During my time at university, I went with some friends to an AOG Pentecostal meeting, hated it, and vowed and declared I would never go back! I didn't. After a disagreement with the church, I left and went into the world, where I remained until I was 42, when we went bankrupt.
At that time I was truly desperate, not being able to look after my family, so truly gave my heart to Jesus when waiting in the queue to register for the dole (Unemployment Benefit) at the Social Welfare Office in Takapuna, Auckland, where we were living at the time.
Over my time away from the church, Kathy got involved with the things of the Spirit. Didn't like it, but couldn't really complain, could I? After my true conversion, we went back to a traditional Baptist church. Kathy did a Holy Spirit course at another church also. I could not understand the notes and ridiculed them. Not a good move! For the next year the Lord told me to go and do the course! Had to eat humble pie!
Over that year of doing the 'Word of Life' course, I came into the things of the Holy Spirit, which changed my life. We eventually joined the Abundant Life Church, where we remained until the Lord took us away from Tauranga to the city of Napier, where we lived before coming to Kenya.
In Tauranga, while working in the fields attending to the flowers on our flower farm, the Lord, in an audible voice, called me to set up Walking With Jesus Ministries, to be based on Revelation 12:11, one of the results of which you are reading now.
11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Revelation 12:11) (Emphasis added, as the Lord gave it to me.)
I do not want to go into now all the things the Lord has done. I just want to say that I now do my best to follow the leading of the Lord, through His precious Holy Spirit residing in me. (And in you too, if you truly believe.) What follows will be a real test of this, for as you can see from the above, it is far outside my natural nature and inheritance, to understand the ways of the Spirit. May the Lord help me as I endeavour to bring His revelation to you.
***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
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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
630. Praise gladdens the heart. Worship strengthens the soul.
631. True worship is reflected in positive actions.
632. Our actions reflect our true worship.
633. Thanksgiving brings forth praise. Praise leads on to worship.
634. With thankful praise, I worship my maker.
635. The freedom to worship is not truly appreciated until it is taken away.
636. God gives us praise and worship so they may be returned to Him.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK: LIVING THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE continues
.....as we look at further kingdom parables of Jesus.
*** 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. ***
119. Dot Com Prayers
When my brother said, "Amen" after grace one night, one of his children asked what "amen" meant. Before he or his wife could answer, their five-year-old responded, "It means "send."
120. Perfection
An evangelist had a great revival camp going. One night he was up in front of a large audience, speaking on imperfection. He asked his audience towards the end, "Has anyone ever known anyone who has come CLOSE to the perfection of our lord, Jesus Christ?" Nobody, of course raised their hand. So he issued the question again. "Anybody! Has ANYONE ever known that kind of perfection?"
Finally a guy in the back raised his hand, so of course he was asked to stand up. "Tell us. Tell us who you knew who was so close to perfection."
The man responded, "My wife's first husband."
QWIK QWIP: “Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door for years.”
121. Visiting Church - Again!
A one-dollar note met a twenty-dollar note and said, "Hey, where have you been? I haven't seen you around here much."
The twenty answered, "I've been hanging out at the casinos, went on a cruise and did the rounds on the ship, back to the United States for a while, went to a couple of baseball games, to the mall, that kind of stuff. How about you?"
The one-dollar note said, "You know, same old stuff - church, church, church."
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
My friend, Rodney Francis, spoke a 5 minute tape about knowing and following the Bible.
Without truly understanding what we believe, in today's world it is so easy to be led astray, whether it is in the church, on the net, or through other teachings which twist the word for their own benefit. It may be to fill the church with an 'easy Christianity' message with no call to repentance of sin and living a holy life.
Remember that the narrow way is small and difficult to climb, and only a few are prepared to pay the price of living a holy life, full of the Holy Spirit, and personal obedience to God the Father in your life. The Bible in the book lf Hebrews tells us, that without holiness no one will see the Lord. You find it in your Bible!
If your church does not preach or teach these things that, let's be honest, nobody likes to hear, perhaps it's time to find another church.
Again, as I, and Rodney, have said, without a good understanding of the Bible, which can only come by making time to read it, and by spending time listening to the Lord's voice.When we pray we are always asking for what we want. He sayes "I know that already! Why don't you listen to what I want of you!"
The Lord sent us here to Kenya. It has not been an easy walk, I can assure you! The narrow road is indeed rocky and steep for us! But the Lord is and will remain with us on the way.
May we follow Him with our whole life.
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
Webuye 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