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: 1061 Published: 14 Feb 2022
TRANSITION FROM ‘THE CHURCH’ TO ‘THE KINGOM’
FROM “ACCEPTANCE” TO “OBEDIENCE”
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-19)
And what do we do? We go forth and tell people to say a man formulated 'sinner’s prayer' and all will be well with you in this life and the next! Okay, this may be an exaggeration in order to make a point but, in reality, it is not too far from the truth.
Most proclaim the greatest day in one's life to be the day on which one was 'saved'. What happens after that seemingly seems to be of lesser importance. Emphasis is placed upon 'the decision' over 'the journey'.
One day, 20 odd years ago now, as a 3 year old baby Christian I was working in the fields tending my flower crops that I was growing for the market. Sounds blissful, but it actually was a lot of hard work! As I worked, weeding if I remember right, the Lord spoke to me and called me to this ministry, to be based upon Revelation 12:11. It was a huge surprise to me!
The next day, not knowing where to start, I went home in the afternoon, sat on the couch and waited upon Him. For I had no idea what to do!
The Lord gave me a story, an allegory, THE TWO MARATHONERS. Now I knew a little about marathons, for I had run a few over earlier years. It is amazing how the Lord uses your life experience to teach you things!
The story was in 3 parts.
PART 1: The Decision to Race: A picture of making the decision to follow Jesus.
PART 2: The Training: Our journey through life.
PART 3: The Race: Entering the kingdom.
Anyone who has run a marathon will understand that making the decision to enter, while obviously important, and a motivator of the training and race to follow, is worthless in itself. As 'Jeremy Jogger' found out on race day. He lined up for the race but collapsed well before the finish line, due to his lack of training.
'Roger Runner' on the other hand, who trained assiduously, was able to run through 'hitting the wall' at the 20 mile mark, when the body changes from burning calories to consuming body fat (the reason why the marathon retains its mystique over shorter races), going on to receive his medal for finishing the race.
The secret in running a successful marathon is in the training. It is no use convincing people to enter the race (say the sinner’s prayer) without providing a training programme (the Bible) to be followed, along with personal encouragement (Holy Spirit guidance and fellow believer support. ie. discipleship) in order that we might run and finish the race (enter the kingdom through obedience to the Father's will).
From experience, I can testify that the better the training, the better the race. The marathon is never without pain (nor is life!) but the greater the adherence to the training regimen the better the race (of life) will be.
Interpreting this allegory in a slightly different way, for the Lord is showing me this as I write (Thank you Lord! It’s always exciting when this happens!).......
1. ENTERING THE RACE (saying sinners prayer) Words only, NO MEDAL.
2. DOING THE TRAINING (going to church, reading the Bible) No race yet run, NO MEDAL.
3. RUNNING THE RACE TO THE FINISH (The result of applying the 'training' received in living the kingdom lifestyle) Race run, MEDAL RECEIVED.
I mentioned earlier that in the fields, the Lord gave me Revelation 12:11 as the key verse upon which this ministry is based. Unsurprisingly, it says the same thing! In order to overcome satan, which the passage is talking about....
11 They overcame him (satan)
by the blood of the Lamb (salvation through Jesus)
and by the word of their testimony; (guidance of the Holy Spirit - the source of our testimony)
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (obedience to the Father's will) (Revelation 12:11)
Entering the kingdom is not just a decision made, but rather, a decision applied to life.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14)
Make sure you don’t look down on these little ones. I tell you that in heaven their angels are always withb my heavenly Father. What do you think about this? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that’s lost? And if he finds it, I tell you he really rejoices over that sheep more than the ninety-nine that didn’t get lost. In the same way my heavenly Father does not want any of these little ones to be lost.
Discipline within the Church (Matthew 18:15-20)
“If a brother sins against you, go and point out the wrong to him, just between the two of you. If he listens
to you, you’ve won your brother over. But if he doesn’t listen, then take one or two more people with you, so that by two or three witnesses the truth can be confirmed. If however he refuses to listen to them, then tell the church. If he refuses to listen to the church as well, then treat him as a foreigner and a tax-collector. I tell you the truth, whatever you ban on earth will be banned in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth will be allowed in heaven.
“I also tell you that if two of you agree here on earth about something you’re praying for, then my heavenly
Father will do it for you. For where two or three gather together in my name, I’m there with them.”
A Question About Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)
Peter asks Jesus how often sin is to be forgiven.
“No, not seven times. I would say seventy times seven!”
Jesus then tells a parable.
“This is why the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with those servants who owed him money. As he began to settle accounts, one servant was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. Since he didn’t have the money to pay, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all his possessions, so that the debt could be paid back. The servant fell down on his knees and said to his master, ‘Please be patient with me! I will pay everything back!’ The master took pity on the servant, released him, and cancelled the debt. But when that same servant went out he found one of his fellow-servants who owed him just a hundred denarii. He grabbed him by the neck and choked him, saying, ‘Pay me back what you owe me!’ His fellow-servant threw himself down at the man’s feet and begged him, ‘Please be patient with me! I will pay you back!’ But the man refused, and went and threw his fellow-servant into prison until he paid back what he owed.
“When the other servants saw what took place they were shocked and upset. They went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the man back in and told him, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you all your debt because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have been merciful to your fellow-servant as well, just as I was merciful to you?’ His master became angry and handed him over to the jailors until he had repaid all the debt. This is what my heavenly Father will do to every one of you unless you sincerely forgive your brothers.”
(Continues next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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BABIES AND MORE BABIES!
As we get better known for providing good deliveries and taking care of the mothers well, so we are having more mothers coming.
One day this weak we had 3 deliveries. It is building up.
Here in Kenya the Government pays for Maternal Care at a hospital, in an endeavour to reduce the child mortality rates. It is a successful initiative.
Most mothers recover quickly and go home. This baby is 8 hours old and the mother is ready to go home.
KATHY HAS CAUGHT ME UP TODAY, SATURDAY!!!
On birthdays here in Kenya, the new tradition is to sprinkle water on the head of the birthday person. Birthdays have only started to be celebrated recently, for many of the older people don't know their birth date as there were no records kept back then.
But here Kathy is getting the full treatment! You can see the yellow watering can about to be emptied over her head.
EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS SOAKED TO THE SKIN!
Just as well we live in the tropics, although the water was cold, relatively speaking!
Changed her top and the rest dried out on her body, in the sun!
Well done sweetheart! Happy Kenyan birthday.
HAD A DENTAL OUTREACH.....
..... with our German friends from an organization called Dentists For Africa.
We know Steffi well (in the photo with Emanuel, our Theatre Nurse), for she lives here in our County most of the time. She brought her 2 German friends with her, who were over here for a fortnight.
Together, in a morning, they saw 31 clients and pulled teeth out from most of them. This is the primary form of dentistry for much of the population, for all those who cannot afford more expensive treatment.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
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 5 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 now live. Written before we came 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.
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Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
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***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one or more 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!
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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.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
817. Grace is telling the truth in love.
819. Grace is love unearned.
821. Grace comes when you let God do it.
822. Be graciously graced with grace!
823. Grace is so much more than a prayer before a meal.
825. Understand grace and you will join with Jesus - by His grace!
826. Apply grace. The response may surprise!
827. We can't outgive God's grace to us - but we could try!
828. Love and grace are brother and sister together.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK: A REVELATION OF…….THE BOOK OF RUTH
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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. ***
157. Which Service?
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.
The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex."
"Good morning, pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "What is this?"
"Well, son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service."
Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque.
Little Alex's voice was barely audible when he asked, "Which one, the 8:30 or the 10:40 service?"
158. Many a True Word.....
A minister, having served the same church for many years with little fruit, decided to leave and take a similar position in another church. Without telling anyone he had made this decision, or writing a letter to the congregation, he waited until Sunday morning to announce his resignation in church.
When he spoke to the congregation he said, "The same Jesus that called me to this church many years ago has now called upon me to leave and serve another church."
The assistant pastor immediately led the congregation in singing, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
159. The Pentecostal Pet
A Christian couple felt it important to own an equally spiritual pet. So, they went shopping. At a kennel owned by a believer that only watched Christian TV, they found a dog they liked quite a lot. When they asked the dog to fetch the Bible, he did it in a flash. When they instructed him to look up Psalm 23, he complied equally fast, using his paws with great dexterity to turn the pages to the correct passage. Amazed and impressed, they purchased the uncanny canine, and went home... not ever thinking to ask about the dog's denominational upbringing.
That night they had some friends over from their Baptist church. They were so proud of their new dog and his spiritual skills, that they called the dog to show him off. The friends were impressed, and asked whether the dog was able to do any of the usual dog tricks, as well. This stopped the couple cold, as they hadn't thought about "normal" tricks.
"Well," they said, "let's try this out." Once more they called the dog, and the man clearly pronounced the command, "Heel!" Quick as a wink, the dog jumped up, slapped him soundly on the forehead with a paw, then began to run around the room knocking over chairs and barking at the top of his lungs!
QWIK QWIP: “A person who asks a question might be a fool for five minutes, but a person who doesn't ask, is a fool forever... ”
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
It is great to see some medical people starting to approach us at Kingdom Fajth Based Hospital to offer specialized services.
When you start any project, most often the most diffisult time is after the opening day, when the grind sets in. It is certainly the case here in Kenya, where it has taken 4 years from the opening of the hosipal and nearly 5 years since arriving here, to start to see the fruits of our effort, the fulfilling of God's vision.
Of course, we still have problems (or challenges!), in our case primarily financial, but the hospital is now operating profitably and it is only back debts we have to clear.
It is the same in God. One may get the vision, but nothing falls into your pocket! God tests us to see our perseverance in what it is He wants us to do.
Also, big visions must start small, and we must not despise those.
Faith, patience and persevance all go together in succeeding in fulfilling God's visions for you.
Until next time.
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