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: 1169 Published: 29 Apr 2024
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW
EXISTENCE OF GOD
Greek (Western)
We try to prove the existence of God. How does one prove that God exists? Theologians put forward the following arguments.....
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(2.) The a posteriori argument, by which we proceed logically from the facts of experience to causes. These arguments are,
(a) The cosmological, by which it is proved that there must be a First Cause of all things, for every effect must have a cause.
(b) The teleological, or the argument from design. We see everywhere the operations of an intelligent Cause in nature.
(c) The moral argument, called also the anthropological argument, based on the moral consciousness and the history of mankind, which exhibits a moral order and purpose which can only be explained on the supposition of the existence of God. Conscience and human history testify that “verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth.”
Easton, M. G., M. A. D. D., Easton’s Bible Dictionary, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1996.
Western thought makes us very sceptical of anything but the physical world.
Eastern (Hebrew)
The Hebrew assumes the existence of God. From Eaton again.....
The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
Easton, M. G., M. A. D. D., Easton’s Bible Dictionary, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1996.
In Psalm 14:1 it says.....
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1)
The attributes of God are summarised in the Old Testament by Moses.....
5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” 8 Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. (Exodus 34:5-8)
….. and in the New.....
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (Revelation 7:11-12)
…which confirms that Jesus too is God bestowing on Him similar attributes.....
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” ((Revelation 5:11-12)
What a place of privilege the Jews come from! For God has been God for them from time immemorial!
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. We need to understand and take confidence from the fact that we are grafted in to the spiritual root of the Jewish experience of 1000's of years of knowing God.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, (Romans 11:17)
2. We can enjoy the benefits of our 'new ancestry'!
16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)
3. We must witness to the Jews and encourage them to be re-grafted into the roots they have been removed from, heeding the warning that we can be removed from the holy root again also.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! (Romans 11:22-4)
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF JESUS
Warnings About the Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46)
Separating the Sheep from the Goats.
“But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his majestic throne. Everyone will be brought before him. He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He’ll place the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to the ones on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, and inherit the kingdom that’s been prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then those who are right will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ The king will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you did for one of these of least importance you did for me.’ “He’ll also say to those on his left, ‘Go away from me, you who are doomed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you didn’t give me anything to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t invite me in. I was naked and you didn’t clothe me. I was sick and in prison and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t look after you?’ Then he will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you didn’t do for one of these of least importance you didn’t do for me.’ They will go away into eternal condemnation, but those who are right will enter eternal life.”
Jesus Predicts His Day of Crucifixion (Matthew 26:1-2)
To his disciples.
“You know that it’s Passover in two days time, and the Son of man will be handed over to be crucified.”
Jesus Final Appeal to Unbelievers (John 12:20-36)
Prior to His death.
“The time has come for the Son of man to be glorified. I tell you the truth: unless a grain of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains just one grain. But if it dies, it produces many more grains of wheat. If you love your own life you will lose it, but if you don’t love your own life in this world you will keep your life forever. If you want to serve me you need to follow me. My servants will be where I am, and my Father will honor anyone who serves for me.
”Now I am troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this coming time of suffering’? No, for this is why I came—to go through this time of suffering. Father, show the glory of your character.”
Prior to His death.
“This voice spoke not for my sake, but for yours. Now is the judgment of this world; now the prince of this world will be thrown out. But when I am lifted up from the earth I will attract everyone to me.” (He said this to point out the kind of death he was going to die).
The crowd asked, “Who is the Son of man?”
“The light is here with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that the darkness doesn’t overtake you. Those who walk in the dark don’t know where they’re going. Put your trust in the light while you still have it so that you can become children of light.”
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*DAVID"S DOODLINGS
Enjoy some of David's sayings here, plus 1300 more on the website at.....
'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.....
Available on Amazon at $1 at Author name - David Tait
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
840. Grace given away is likely to return as love.
841. We readily understand our need for grace. Are others any different?
842. A partner's snoring is the ultimate test of grace!
843. Grace received, revives the soul. Grace given, passes on the blessing to others.
844. Grace is God's power at work in us.
845. Grace is power, not weakness.
846. When I show grace, Jesus can be seen in me.
847. Hurts + Grace = Victory
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
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'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
Another laugh or three for you today
Many more on our website below. Also many, may, many more under these categories on our website, wwj,org,nz Look under the heading MAINLY LAUGHS. Choose from.....
THIS WEEKS TUESDAY TEACHING.....
THIS WEEK: 12 LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM‘DIVIDING THE WATERS’
Continuing our look at these 3 key occasions when the waters were divided, each signaled a new stage in the progress of the Jewish inheritance. From them, we can see parallels in the challenges facing the church and believers today, as we move on to a new stage in God, prior to the return of Jesus.
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
QWIK QWIP: “Until you've given it to God you're carrying it.”
478. Gladys Dunn
Our old friend Gladys Dunn attended church services one particular Sunday. The sermon seemed to go on forever, and many in the congregation fell asleep
After the service, Gladys walked up to a very sleepy looking gentleman. In an attempt to be sociable, Gladys extended her hand in greeting, and said, "Hello, I'm Gladys Dunn."
To which the gentleman replied, "You're not the only one!"
(My mother's maiden name was Lilian Dunn - not the same!)
479. Gladly
A child came home from Sunday School and told his mother that he had learned a new song about a cross-eyed bear named Gladly.
It took his mother a while before she realized that the hymn was really "Gladly The Cross I'd Bear."
480. The New Preacher
There was a new preacher who wanted to rent a house in the country. The only house available was rumoured to be haunted. Since the preacher didn't believe in such things, he rented it.
It wasn't long before the ghost made its appearance. The preacher told his friends about the ghost, but they didn't believe him. They told him the only way they would believe was if he would take a picture of the ghost.
The preacher went home and called for the ghost. When it appeared, the preacher explained the situation and asked the ghost if it would mind having its picture taken. The ghost agreed.
When the picture was developed, the ghost wasn't visible. Feeling very disappointed, the preacher called again for the ghost. When it appeared, the preacher showed it the picture and wanted to know why the ghost wasn't in it.
The ghost thought a minute and replied, "Well, I guess the spirit was willing, but the flash was weak."
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 threat of cancer is a fear that we all have, in our natural world. In the West 1 in 3 of us have it during our lives.
Fortunately today, most types are curable. Amazing really!
But why are we all so scared ot getting it? Of course, no-one wants to die before their allotted time. That is human nature.
However, with the rise of humanism, of reliance on self, death is the end. Life will be fought for until the very end.
However, true believers in Jesus know that when we give our heart to Him, we receive eternal life, as we live in the world. What a promise! We will go and meet Jesus when we leave this world. Wonderful!
We still don't want to die, but when we are approaching death, we do know there is a better life ahead. I do.
How about you?
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