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: 1065 Published: 14 Mar 2022
TRANSITION FROM ‘THE CHURCH’ TO ‘THE KINGOM’
FROM “FORM” TO (HOLY SPIRIT LED) “SUBSTANCE”
Being totally honest, and so sadly, we have 'organized' God out of our church services. There is so much to do! Planned worship songs! Notices! Prayers! Sermons! And only 60 - 90 - 120 minutes to do it in! Can't be late for dinner or our people won’t come back!
Our Sunday services have evolved over the centuries into tradition bound meetings - even in non-traditional churches.
We must have order. This is the passage quoted - or rather, selected parts of it to suit our own theology!......
Orderly Worship
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, 34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (1 Corinthians 14:26-40)
There is no question that the church of today is greatly different to that of the early New Testament. Churches, as we understand them, in terms of ministers, buildings, programmed Sunday services etc., did not really develop until after the conversion of the Roman Emperor Constantine, in the late 300AD's. The Roman Catholic Church provided the basic form that we 'protest'-ants, in spite of our protestations, in essence, follow today. For, at that time, the church became institutionalized, a characteristic that still binds us today. For as we grow in size, so rules, regulations and formalisation automatically follow in order to keep things in order.
The result, stated again, is that God has been organised out of His church.
This is not what Jesus died for.
Jesus died to take mankind away from the bondage of religion and law into an age of grace and personal relationship with Him.
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-4)
Personal relationships only develop when the two parties communicate personally with one another. A lack of communication and understanding is the major reason marriages fail.
We are to be the perfected bride of Christ.....
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:6-8)
Just as in our personal lives, so when we gather together, we are to be led by the Holy Spirit, not by 'New Testament priests' becoming an intermediary between ourselves and God. As the Word says (highlighting mine).....
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Everyone! For, in the kingdom, we are all priests.....
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5b-6)
Obviously this total participation is only practical in smaller gatherings. But if we are to take Paul's guidance at face value, we need to do this in order for all to contribute.
The huge growth of the church in China is a good example.
Personally, we are running a group, aimed at encouraging people to develop the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy, but allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.....
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
To see spiritual growth among people who have, for whatever reason, not been able to develop spiritual gifts in the formal church situation, has been both encouraging and rewarding.
For the participation of all people, led by the Holy Spirit, is the way of the kingdom.
9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18)
Jesus continued as the Pharisees would not accept what He was saying.
“I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t come in through the gate of the sheepfold but climbs in some other way is a thief and a robber. The one who comes in through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep respond to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. After bringing them out, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. They won’t follow strangers. In fact they run away from a stranger because they don’t recognize the voice of strangers.”
“I tell you the truth: I am the gate of the sheepfold. All those who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. Anyone who comes in through me will be healed. They will be able to come and go, and find the food they need. The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I’ve come to bring you life, life full to overflowing. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The man paid to look after the sheep is not the shepherd and he runs away when he sees the wolf coming. He abandons the sheep because they’re not his, and the wolf attacks and scatters the flock for the man is only working for pay and doesn’t care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know who are mine, and they know me, just as the Father knows me and I know him. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
“This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so I may take it up again. No one takes it from me; I choose to lay it down. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is the command my Father gave me.”
Seventy (or 72) Sent Out (Luke 10:1-16)
Ahead of Jesus.
“The harvest is large, but the number of workers is small,” “Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest fields. So get on your way: I’m sending you like sheep among wolves. Don’t take any money or a bag or extra sandals, and don’t spend time chatting with people you meet. Whatever house you enter, first of all say, ‘May this house have peace.’ If there’s a peaceful person living there, then your peace will rest on them; of not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for a worker deserves to be paid. Don’t go from house to house. If you enter a town and the people there welcome you, then eat what’s set before you 9and heal those who are sick. Tell them, ‘God’s kingdom has come to you.’ But if you enter a town and the people there don’t welcome you, go through their streets telling them, ‘We are wiping off even the dust from your town that clings to our feet to show you our disapproval. But you should recognize this: God’s kingdom has come.’
“I tell you, in the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than for such a town. Shame on you Korazin! Shame on you Bethsaida! For if the miracles you saw happen had happened in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented a long time ago, and they would be sitting in sackcloth and ashes. That’s why in the judgment it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, you won’t be exalted to
heaven; you will go down to Hades.
“Anyone who hears you hears me, and anyone who rejects you rejects me. But anyone who rejects me
rejects the one who sent me.”
Seventy (or 72) Return (Luke 10:17-24)
Jesus praises God for their good report.
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread on snakes and scorpions, and to overcome all the enemy’s strength, and nothing will harm you. But don’t take delight that the spirits do what you tell them—just be glad that your names are written in heaven.”
At that moment Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you hid these things from the wise and clever people and revealed them to children! Yes, Father, you were pleased to do it in this way.
“My Father has handed over everything to me. No one understands the Son except the Father, and no one understands the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
When they were by themselves Jesus turned to the disciples and told them, “Those who see what you’re seeing should be really happy! I tell you, many prophets and kings have wanted to see what you’re seeing, but they didn’t see, and wanted to hear the things you’re hearing, but didn’t hear.”
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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SUMMER DRY HITTING HARD
During the summer water sources dry up without rainfall. So the queue gets longer!
So we are waiting for the rainy season to start in April.
In the meantime we are able to help the community with some water from our 95 metre deep well.
NOW FOR THE PRE WEDDING
Held on the Thursday before the Saturday wedding at the bride's place, for the familys friends.
The wedding itself was about 40km away where the groom comes from.
This was still a really big ocassion with about a thousand people in attendance!
Held outside, with people sitting in marquees in a sided square.
Here weddings and funerals are a big deal, as the people do little but work and sleep and many go to church on a Sunday.
So, an excuse for a celebration is welcomed - plus plenty of food, of course!
Here David and Selina, the bride's parents, are dressed in a modern version of traditional clothes.
DANCING IN
The bride (in the cream and back, again modern traditional) and bridesmaids etc,. traditional dancing in to the occasion.
There are many bridesmaids!
THE FOOD HAS TO BE COOKED.
A team of women start the day before and spend the day itself cooking!
Here you can see 2 ladies preparing and cooking 'mandases' over a charcoal fire.
These are the cloest we have to a donut but not as sweet. Less sugar!
Actually the people here do not have a sweet tooth, as sugar has only been afforable until more recent years. But they make up for this in their tea, where they put in heaps! So diabetes is now making a big appearance!
Keep it up ladies!
Actual wedding next week.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
THE PURGING OF THE CHURCH
The Lord has led me to go back to a sermon/prophecy I received in a group mailing, and filed, some time ago. It is by David Wilkerson. David was the Founding Pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. He was called to New York in 1958 to minister to gang members and drug addicts, as told in the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade. After the introduction, he gave 11 bullet points about THE GLORIOUS FUTURE JUST AHEAD. As the Lord leads, I will expand on these challenging but inspiring aspects. Let us begin…..
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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
858. Consumerism is an insatiable burden, altruism an abundant blessing.
859. A godly church is focused on meeting the needs of others before its own.
860. Self is simply selfish!
861. It is truly amazing how helping someone else helps me even more than it helps them.
862. The best way to solve problems within is to look without!
863. True happiness comes through what we give rather than what we get.
864. 'Helps' help change the world.
865. Helps help helplessness.
866. Amazingly, when we focus on others our self-image sharpens.
867. To achieve happiness, change your G-force focus from 'Get' to 'Give'.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
TUESDAY: A REVELATION OF…….THE CHARACTER OF GOD
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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. ***
169. A Valuable Animal
A farmer named Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside except for a pet dog he doted on. The dog finally died and Muldoon went to the parish priest, saying "Father, my dog is dead. Could you possibly be saying a mass for the poor creature?"
Father Patrick told the farmer "No, we can't have services for an animal in the church, but I'll tell you what, there's a new Protestant church down the road apiece, and they'll take in just about anybody. Maybe they'll do something for the animal."
Muldoon said "I'll go right now. By the way, do you think $50,000 is enough to donate for the service?" Father Patrick replied "Why, didn't you tell me the dog was Catholic."
QWIK QWIP: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little bit extra.
170. Vested Interest
A rather well-dressed man called on the minister and told him a distressing story of poverty and misery in the neighborhood.
"This poor widow," he said, "with four starving children to feed, is sick in bed with no money for the doctor, and besides that, she owes $350 rent for three months and is about to be evicted. I'm out trying to help raise the rent money. I wondered if you can help?"
"I certainly can," said the minister. "If you can give your time to this cause, so can I. By the way, who are you?"
I'm the landlord," said the man.
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
On Thussday evening, David and Selina, our hosts, had a visit from the Speaker of the National Senate, to meet with some church leaders.
He is No 3 in the Kenyan hierarchy, after the President and Vice President! So a big deal! Lots of cars and security etc.
Previously he had been the Governor of Bungoma County, where we live. Indeed, before we came here he wrote a letter recommending David, to help us with our fundraising.
I had not met him previously, as he left for Nairobi shortly after we arrived.
I mentioned our payment problem from the Government Insurance parastatal which is almost causing us to close. "Not a problem" he said, "for the Chairman is my friend".
Here in Kenya it is mostly who you know rather than what you know, that makes progress possible.
In a way, it is the same in God. Going to Bible School or running a big church. doesn't in itself, bring you closer to God. For to know Him better, time in the Word, worship, prayer and listening and obeying what the Father has for your life, is the way to increase in God.
How are you in God today?
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!
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