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: 316 Published: 12 Nov 2007
TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 2. THE POWER OF PERSECUTION
You may well think that this is a very strange topic to place just after increased reliance upon the Holy Spirit, as a necessity for the transformation of the church.But, reality is, the church thrives and grows through persecution. Jesus was/is a revolutionary. He calls us to get out of the comfort zone of acceptance, both personal and of society, to revolutionise the world for Him.
For the way of Jesus is not the way of the world nor of our natural human nature.
And also, reality is, whether we like it or not, it takes persecution to sort out the wheat from the chaff, to get those who truly believe to take a life transforming stand for Jesus.
This applied both to the early church, taking persecution in Jerusalem to spread the people and the Word to the then known world, and today, as seen in the huge growth of the church in China.
All the 12 (11 plus Paul) apostles were martyred for their faith, with the exception of John, who tradition says was boiled in oil and, of course, he ended up on the prison island of Patmos.
In China today, the leadership of the underground church is very wary of increased prosperity and a reduction of persecution in their country, as they understand the principle that the church expands faster under tough conditions.
Yet we, in the church, all too readily compromise the Word in order to be 'user friendly', in a vain attempt to attract more people, to put more 'bums on seats'. It simply doesn't work.
Of course, we are human, and do not wish to be ridiculed or persecuted by our non-Christian associates - or the government for that matter.
However, if we are seen to be different by outsiders, and we are living Christ-like lives, others will be attracted to the faith. This has been proven again and again throughout history.
The church of true Christianity is not simply a club of like-minded people meeting on a Sunday for fellowship, but a thriving, living, dynamic organism that draws strength from rejection, ridicule and persecution.
To be continued next week.
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FROM THE WORD
THE CHURCH PERSECUTED AND SCATTERED"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. (Acts 8:1-3)
THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH
"Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." (Acts 11:19-21)
"The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:49-52)
You may read and study the 'New International Version (NIV)' online at...
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE915. Obedience to God's will for our life is the highest call.
916. Belief is of the mind, worship of the heart, but obedience is of the will.
917. The greatest change we can make is from gratifying our own will to obeying God's will for our life.
918. Obedience to God's will and ways is the very core of the Gospel.
919. Christian maturity develops as we submit to the will of God for our life.
920. In the world, submission is weakness, in God, strength.
921. In the world, submission comes from without, in God, from within.
922. I obey my master. The question is, "who is my master?"
923. Disobedience comes from Adam and Eve. Obedience is modelled by Jesus. Whom will we follow?
924. Disobedience is selfish, Godly obedience, selfless!
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...
africa arise ARISES!
The photo shows about 3/4's of the clothes on display at our new shop 'SEEKERS MEGAMART'.You may start to get an idea of what a huge job it has been to organise. Thanks to many people's help, we were able to achieve this in just 2 weeks.
The shop has now been open for 2 weeks and we are starting to get known. Turnover is up to expectations.
My special appreciation to Cyril and Maree for all their work in making this possible. Without them it could not have happened.
For a further picture, taken through the entranceway, see 'A David Musing'.
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
Rather than quoting relevant scriptures this week, I am invitingyou to read (PDF download below) the story of what this cartoon
of John Cranwell is making the point about. Interestingly, this
was written 5 years ago, well before John and I met. God works in
different ways towards the same objective, through different people.
TABERNACLE TO TABERNACLES - How the pattern of the first
Church, The Tabernacle of Moses, has applied to the Church through
the ages and predicts the Church to come.
- 31 pages from 'Eagles Fly High!'
TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER
PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF... GOD'S CALL TO HIS CHURCH continues...We will take a look at 2 'sacred cows' of the current church.
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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." ***
658. CAN I TRUST YOU
Little Rodney, 4 years old, walked down the beach, and as he did, he spied a matronly woman sitting under a beach umbrella on the sand. He walked up to her and asked, "Are you a Christian?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Do you read your Bible every day?"
She nodded her head, "Yes."
"Do you pray often?" the boy asked next, and again she answered, "Yes."
With that he asked his final question, "Will you hold my sweets while I go swimming?"
657. MISSED THE CALL
The Pastor asked an energetic young man to help him fill some vacancies in the Sunday School teaching roster. After looking over the church roll and determining who was available, he asked one man if he would help the Pastor by teaching a class of young boys.
The man responded saying, "Let me think about it and pray over it. I'll let you know."
After a week without the man's response, the man was asked again if he would take the job of teaching the young boys.
Again, the man replied, "Let me think and pray about it. I'll let you know."
After another week and still no response, when the man was asked again if he would teach the class of young boys, he replied, "I don't think I can take the class, because I don't
think I am being called to teach."
The young man replied, "What do you mean you aren't called to teach? I've called you three times myself." - Lawrence Brotherton
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now 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 769 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: When did Superman first appear in print?ANSWER: Superman dates back to June 1938, when he appeared in
Action Comics No. 1. Batman arrived on the scene one year later in
Detective Comics No. 27, appearing May 1939. (But they haven’t died
though!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who drew the original Mickey Mouse in his first
short cartoon?
Answer Next Week.
CORRECTION
Hi David!
This is to correct your information in your "FACTS FOR FUN" for Nov. 5. Tagalog is NOT an Indonesian language used in the Philippines. It is an indegenous language which is considered as the vernacular in many parts of the country. In fact, often times this is referred to as the Filipino language.
The Lord continue to bless your ministry!
Pastor Larry Gusto
SOME FUN FACTS615. ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN
The lifespan of a tastebud is a mere ten days. (Careful! Too much ‘blue cheese’ and they might decide not to reproduce!)
616. BAD NEWS
A rat can survive longer without water than a camel can. (But not the ‘Desert Rats’. (Soldiers fighting in the African desert in WW2.))
617. BY A WHISKER
A cat uses its whiskers to determine if an opening is too small for it to squeeze through. (Then meows for it to be opened further.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
INGEST
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA
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BIBLE QUESTION - JUDGES (You be the judge!)
5) Where was the battle fought where Jabin's army was defeated?A - River Kishon
B - River Jabbor
C - River Jordan
D - River Arnon
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! The apple didn't Sin, it was the Pear (pair) on the ground.
!!!!!! If the cookies are too high up, how will the children reach them.
!!!!! Joy is not the absence of suffering, but rather the presence of God.
!!!! We claim the Victory because there's no sound of retreat.
!!! Some Roosters believe the Sun has come up to listen to it crow.
!! Christians are like automobiles; they start missing before they quit.
! To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the storm.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
MORE BIBLE RIDDLES
Thought we had done all possible Bible riddles in our last, very popular series. However, I have now found some more for you to enjoy, courtesy of Frank Schaefer of javacasa.comQ. Why couldn't Cain please God with his offering?
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A. He just wasn't Abel.
Lots more riddles found at...
'TIL DEATH DO US PART!
BATHROOMS:A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream, razor, a bar of Dial soap, and a towel from the Holiday Inn.
The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 437. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
HANDWRITING:
To their credit, men do not decorate their penmanship. They just chicken-scratch. Women use scented, coloured stationary and they dot their "i's" with circles and hearts. Women use ridiculously large loops in their "p's" and "g's". It is a royal pain to read a note from a woman. Even when she's dumping you, she'll put a smiley face at the end of the note.
GROCERIES:
A woman makes a list of things she needs and then goes out to the store and buys them. A man waits till the only items left in his fridge are half a lime and a Pepsi, then he goes grocery shopping. He buys everything that looks good. By the time a man reaches the checkout counter, his cart is packed tighter than the car on Beverly Hillbillies. Of course, this will not stop him from going to the 10-items-or-less lane.
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BIBLE TRIVIA
BALM OF GILEAD.......refers to a fragrant resin obtained by cutting bark in trees, being used for both perfumes and medicines. We don't know which tree Jeremiah was referring to. Could have been Jericho balsam, but more likely, liquidamber, which produces the gum called storax or stacte, still used in medicine. This is almost identical to the American red gum or sweet gum tree.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Lots more 'God Facts' are found at...
CHINA REACHES AN OFFICIAL FIGURE OF 130 MILLION CHRISTIANS
China's top religious official Yie Xiaowen has rejected decades of ambivalence toward religion by declaring that "religion is one of the important social forces from which China draws strength." He also admitted that the number of Christians in China has reached 130 million, including some 20 million Catholics!The Chinese government has intentionally understated the number of Christians for decades in a futile effort to downplay the continued miraculous growth and impact of the church. House church believers have never been recognized or counted. This announcement through the official Chinese news agency is significant. Dr. Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association, writing about this latest official revelation said, "The unprecedented growth has happened under ceaseless persecution. We pray that China will realize true religious freedom soon."
All across China evangelistic outreaches are touching the lives of thousands of people. New converts have an ever-growing need for Bibles to strengthen and guide them. Amity Press has printed 40 million Bibles since its inception. Many other agencies are printing Bibles for China and circulating them through the house churches where the need is so urgent. A Chinese Christian said that reading the Bible is like eating rice. You have to do it every day!"
There are some urgent challenges confronting the Church in China today: With the lessening of persecution in many places, and the rising income and prosperity of the nation, many Chinese leaders are calling for renewed vigilance against the inroads of materialism and the fatal spiritual devastation that results from comfort and ease. Another urgent need is for trained workers to disciple the estimated 7-10,000 new converts a day! Without disciplining, these new converts are subject to deception by the ever-present cults, both home-grown and foreign.
The third request is for more Bibles. Although Bibles are permitted to be printed in China by Amity Press, the 2 million they are able to print each year does not begin to meet the urgent demand. At present the government does not look with favour on Bibles being imported or even printed within the country except by this one approved outlet at Amity Press. There are many pastors and leaders in prison because they were involved in printing and distributing Bibles that were printed in Hong Kong or other unapproved locations.
A new phenomenon is quietly developing on the university campuses across the nation. The astounding growth of Christianity has begun to penetrate many of the largest and most prestigious campuses of the nation. There are now more than 30 vibrant Christian fellowships meeting openly on campuses and being led by professors and student leaders. These are the new "house churches" of China that are sprouting up all over the country. This has great promise for the future of the nation as more and more future leaders pledge their allegiance to Jesus Christ.
One of the most impressive ministries going on in China today is the training of a host of cross-cultural workers to carry the gospel from China through the Muslim countries of the 10/40 Window back to Jerusalem. It has been frequently reported that the Chinese Church desires to raise up 100,000 such workers. It is actually happening quietly and without fanfare in many training centres both inside and outside China. If you are called to pray for China visit http://www.churchinchina.com/ This website is a great source of information. There are twelve sections with pertinent and challenging information, making it one of the most comprehensive web sites for China news and information.
Source: Evangelism Explosion International
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF…….THE SEVEN REVELATIONS OF THE LAMBIt would be normal to think of a victorious God as a lion. But Jesus came as a lamb, the Lamb of God
The incredible story of how the Lamb of God is foreshadowed 4 times in the Old Testament, comes as the Lamb in the New, sets our example and will return to claim His kingdom.
Both a faith builder and a call to inherit the kingdom now.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Do you too have days when you need to get something done, but it just doesn't happen! Then, you will understand!TOMORROW
I would like some inspiration,
But find only perspiration!
My brain is running hot,
My pen - certainly not.
Do you have those days too,
When no ideas come through?
No matter what you think or do,
You're dreams just wont come true.
It's a struggle,
Words you juggle.
This way and that,
Even kick the cat!
Not politically correct, of course,
But neither is, 'eating a horse'.
I'm so hungry I could,
Well - maybe I should.
What a good idea!
But I can't even find anything to rhyme with this 'e-a' word!!!
It's absurd!
Nothing heard!
So now it's time for bed,
To go rest my weary head.
Please ignore my uncreative pain,
For tomorrow, I can start again!
More of David's offerings at...
A DAVID MUSING
When walking into SEEKERS MEGAMART this is what you see.The centre mannequin is dressed in a King's robe that was presented to me during a visit to Nigeria. Changing rooms are to the left and our office at the rear.
People's first reaction when entering is one of surprise at the size of the operation.
So I had better get back to sorting, pricing, hanging, selling.....
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SIGNET
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': Correct answer: River Kishon (Judges 4:7)
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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 websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
290 Flaxmere Avenue
Flaxmere
Hastings
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 8799 911 International (+64) 6 8799 911
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