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: 1171 Published: 13 May 2024
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW
FAITH
Greek (Western)
We see faith as being intellectual. We express faith in creeds and doctrine, using support texts to support and prove our beliefs.
This speaks particularly of men, especially those with a theological interest or training, who primarily happen to be the ones in ministry and those of major influence in churches and denominations. Unfortunately creeds and doctrines differ, depending upon the supporting texts used and human interpretation of them. This gives rise to division in the church. These people concentrate on the Epistles, for the foundations of doctrine are found there.
Women, on the other hand, both in the natural and the spiritual, are much more relational. We will see shortly, that this is more akin to the Hebrew approach to faith. This helps explain why 2/3 of the church is women and that they are more ecumenical than men, for they look at things from a different perspective.
While theology, organisation and order have their place, they are currently given too much focus over and above a genuine relationship with Jesus.
Eastern (Hebrew)
Hebrews see faith as relational and personal. They express faith in terms of their relationship with God rather than as a rationalisation.
There are two occasions recorded in the Gospels, interestingly both involving Gentiles, which Jesus used to show the Jews who had lost faith, what faith is all about. These are.....
The Faith of the Centurion
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. (Matthew 8:5-13)
And.....
The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)
Faith comes through relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, not by observance of the Law (or having 'correct' theology).
10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:10-14)
A TESTIMONY FROM DAVID My faith has been built upon experiences where I have had to trust the Lord, not upon theological learning. The most memorable one for me, which has carried me through more recent difficult times, was when I went to Africa for 2 months on 50 cents a day! Had I thought about it rationally, I wouldn't have gone! I spent all but $2 of my $30 during the first week, then the Lord starting providing. I left Africa 7 weeks later 'cent-less' but having been provided for, for the time I was there. My faith was increased dramatically through this amazing experiential relationship with Jesus!
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. We talk about being 'born again', about developing a personal relationship with Jesus, then argue about a pre, mid or post-trib rapture! No wonder so many quickly lose faith! We need a new emphasis on discipleship, a sharing of day to day life experience, to build up personal faith experiences in new believers.
2. The church needs to understand that relationship - with Jesus and each other - is more important than fine points of theology, about which there will always be disagreement.
3. Individually, we need to spend time with Jesus, being prepared to listen to Him, letting Him change our life, and be prepared to take risks, to step out in faith, as He guides us.
4. To understand that trust, not logic, is the true foundation of faith.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF JESUS
The Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-9, Mark 14:22-5, Luke 22:14-20 , 1 Corinthians 11:23-)
Instructions to Peter and John.
“I’ve been really looking forward to eating this Passover meal with you before my sufferings begin. I tell you I shall not eat it again until the time it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Taking the cup.
“Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you that I won’t drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
Taking the bread.
“This is my body which is given for you; do this in order to remember me,”
Taking the cup again after supper.
“This cup is the new agreement in my blood which is poured out for you.”
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal (Matthew 26:21-5), Mark 14:18-21, Luke 22:21-3, John 13:21-30)
By Judas.
“I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”
“It’s the one to whom I will give a piece of bread after I have dipped it.”
“What you’re going to do, do it quickly,”
A New Commandment Given (John 13:31-5)
“Now the Son of man is glorified, and through him God is glorified. If God is glorified through him, then God will glorify the Son himself, and will glorify him immediately. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, but I’m telling you now just as I told the Jews: you cannot come where I’m going.
I am giving you a new command: Love one another. Love one another in the same way I have loved you.
If you love one another you will prove to everyone that you are my disciples.”
Download the whole of THE WORDS OF JESUS at.......
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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!
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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
857. Depression focuses on self, optimism on others.
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.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
'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’
....as we move into the final 3 lessons that God is showing us.
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
QWIK QWIP: “Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter in the Bible and
how easy it is to read 200-300 pages of a best selling novel.”
484. The Truth
What folks might say when seeing certain cars with Christian bumper stickers...
ï‚· "Don't worry, Billy, those people are Christians. I'm sure they have a good reason for driving 90 miles an hour."
ï‚· "Oh, look! That Christian woman is getting a chance to share Jesus with a police officer."
ï‚· "No, that's not garbage coming out of their windows, Betty. It's probably gospel tracts for the road workers."
485. Cussing Deacon
A Preacher was made aware that he had a Deacon in his church who was from time to time known to cuss.
In his attempt to help the Deacon overcome this terrible habit, the Preacher decided he should spend some personal time with the Deacon so they could have a long talk about the problem. The Preacher decided to ask the Deacon to go fishin' thinking that might providean opportunity to talk.
They were out in a boat and had their lines in the water when the Preacher hooked a big one. It put up a mighty fight, but finally he reeled the fish up to the edge of the boat. It was the biggest fish the preacher had ever caught. But, just as the minister started to pull his catch into the boat, the fish slipped off the hook and got away.
Thoroughly disgusted, the Preacher looked over and said, "Deacon, somethin' needs to be said here!"
487. The Fig Tree
Mark took his elderly maiden-Aunt Lucy for a drive, and pointed out a fig tree as one of the sights.
"Fig tree?" exclaimed Aunt Lucy. "That cannot be a fig tree for goodness sakes!"
"Of course it is," Mark insisted. "What makes you think it's not?"
Blushing so red she nearly glowed, Aunt Lucy said, "Well... I just thought... surely the leaves must be bigger than that!"
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
Phones, phones, phones!
What can we do without them?
Losing or breaking one now, can seem to be a disaster!
That next text might be life and death! We must answer it now! But it rarely is, is it?
When Adam and I were boys, we didn't have cell phones. Hard for younger people to understand! LOL!
What happened when we didn't have them? We called over the landline. If we weren't near, we missed it. It was not a big deal. People could ring back later, for there was no messaging system, as there is now. Our lives continued without the urgency of today.
What brought this up was, that last weekend I went fishing. For the first time over 30 years! I sat down on the beach to take my shoes and socks off. Hopped in the boat and immediately fell off amongst the crayfish pots! Oops!
Coming back to the beach after putting out the pots and catching a good number of fish, I touched my pocket, and oops, my newish phone was not there! Saw the tide had come in, but thought I must have left the phone in the house. Not there!
Back down a steep drive to the beach, when the Lord said 'Don't worry'. The tide had come in higher still but still no phone. My friend came and we both looked. He found his gumboots had floated away on the tide! Oh dear!
We came back up the drive, fortunately on a 4-wheeler bike, and decided to look in the boat. We did, and lo and behold, it was there. The Lord was right in what He had told me. Of course! PTL!
All's well that ends well!
It is good for us to take time out, without the phone, se we may concentrate on our Lord.
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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