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: 318 Published: 26 Nov 2007
TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 2. THE POWER OF PERSECUTION continued
PERSECUTION STRENGTHENS BELIEFPersecution is a weapon satan uses to attack believers, but, in the end, it backfires on him. For persecution forces each one of us to make a choice. We either decide that the walk with Jesus is too difficult and slip back into the ways of the world, or our faith is strengthened. With increased faith, our light, formerly 'hidden behind a bushel', shines out to those around us as we truly become a 'light to the world'.
Persecution comes from both outside and within the church.
The eariest recorded case outside the church was that of Stephen.
59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.†60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.†When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59)
The remarkable thing here, repeated in numerous other cases throughout history, is that Stephen did not ask God to save him from death but rather, witnessed to his persecutors.
Persecution continues today on a national scale in countries such as North Korea. Brother Simon of Open Doors reports:
Brother Simon, who has contacts with tens of thousands of Christians in North Korea through several networks, is convinced that despite the apparent dangers, at least 200,000 North Koreans are Christians "although that number may be even as high as half a million." One in four Christians in North Korea are believed to be in camps "where people usually do not survive," he said.
“In North Korea it is strictly forbidden to be a Christian. Who has a Bible could be sentenced to a punishment camp along with his whole family." He added that refugees deported from China could face at least several years imprisonment. "However if authorities find out the refugee has contact with a Christian he or she may face torture and even execution," Brother Simon added.
Throughout history, God has also used the persecuted to revitalise the church. Sadly, the participants of each new move of God have, inevitably it seems, been persecuted by those within the church, those with the former anointing. The persecution of the Anabaptists is but one example.
In the early 16th century, groups of European Christians started splitting from the Roman Catholic Church in what is now known as the Protestant Reformation. But while Protestants and Catholics were at odds, they held one thing in common: Anabaptism had to be eliminated.
The Reformed Christians drowned Felix Manz, the first of thousands of Anabaptist martyrs over the next two centuries. The Catholics burned at the stake Michael Sattler, author of the first Anabaptist confession of faith. Even Martin Luther, who is credited with ushering in the Reformation, urged the execution of all Anabaptists as heretics.
Such persecution helped drive the early Anabaptists - the spiritual ancestors of today's Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites - into isolation, suspicious of the rest of the world. But now nearly 500 years later, the Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed churches are seeking to make amends. (The Record, Bergen County, NJ, USA)
Persecution has been part of the experience of believers since earliest times.
To be continued next week with a look at the future.
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FROM THE WORD
STEPHEN SEIZED"Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.†So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.†All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15)
THE STONING OF STEPHEN
"When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,†he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.†At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.†Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.†When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60)
THE CHURCH PERSECUTED AND SCATTERED
"And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. 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)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
DARKNESS AND LIGHT408. The only way to turn off darkness is to switch on the light.
409. The laws of both Nature and the Spirit reveal that light will always penetrate darkness.
410. Most people try to switch off darkness when in reality, they need to turn on the light.
411. There is nowhere so dark that it cannot be penetrated by light.
412. So often we don't appreciate the true value of light until we find ourselves in darkness.
413. Light doesn't shine brightly through a dirty window.
414. We must pull back the curtains to let light shine into the room of our life.
415. Light and darkness cannot co-exist. The one will always mingle with the other.
416. There must always be a barrier to separate light and darkness.
417. There are only two ways to turn light into darkness - building walls to exclude the light, or turning the light off at its source. The second is by far the easiest.
1276. For the darker the darkness, the brighter the light will be seen that shines within it.
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole
family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. 2
Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its
mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,
3 and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep
their various kinds alive throughout the earth. 4 Seven days from
now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights,
and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature
I have made.†5 And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.
6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the
earth. 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives
entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Pairs of
clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that
move along the ground, 9 male and female, came to Noah and
entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after the
seven days the floodwaters came on the earth. (Genesis 7:1-10)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
BEYOND THE VEIL – 1REVELATION FROM THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
INTRODUCING THE OVERCOMING TABERNACLE CHURCH
Before we start, it must be made clear that Jesus was the fulfilment of all the Tabernacle Feasts. When He died on the cross the veil was parted forever.
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51)
Jesus, through His death made it possible for us to enter the very throne room of God. Praise the Lord! Yet we all know that we have not yet occupied the throne room, at least not for more than short periods of time. Why is that? We have been saved; many have been filled with the Holy Spirit, yet these twin experiences have not been sufficient to live in the throne room of God’s presence. There has to be something more.
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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." ***
663. YIPPEE!
A Sunday School teacher was teaching kids about doing good things always and never to do things one will be ashamed of.
To make her point she told the kids never to do anything in private that they would not want anyone to see them do in public.
"Yippee!" cried little Johnny from the back of the class, "No more bathing!"
662. YES?
A young couple came into the church office to fill out a pre-marriage questionnaire form. The young man, who had never talked to a pastor before, was quite nervous and the pastor tried to put him at ease. When they came to the question, "Are you entering this marriage of your own free will?" there was a long pause.
Finally, the girl looked over at the apprehensive young man and said, "Put down yes."
661. OF NECESSITY
A Sunday School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem.
A small child replied: "They couldn't get a baby-sitter."
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What do cats, camels, and giraffes have in common?ANSWER: Cats, like camels and giraffes, walk by moving their front and hind legs on one side, then the front and hind legs on the other side. When most other animals move, the front leg on one side and the hind leg on the other move together. (Having only two legs makes decision making so much easier.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How can birds sit on electric wires without being injured?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS609. SEA-LESS
Mongolia is the world’s largest entirely landlocked country. (Oh, how I’d love to see the sea.)
610. GOOD NEWS
The province of Alberta in Canada has been virtually ‘rat free’ since 1905. (Their cats are sad about this.)
611. NON STOP
At Latitude 60 degrees south you can sail right around the world without hitting anything. (Except an iceberg or two!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
METERING
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE QUESTION - JUDGES (You be the judge!)
7) Where was Samson's wife from?A - Gaza
B - Timnah
C - Shiloh
D - Bethlehem
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! God grades on the cross, not the curve.
!!!!!! God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
!!!!! The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
!!!! God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
!!! He who angers you, controls you!
!! If God is your Copilot - swap seats!
! Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
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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. What did Noah say as he was loading the Ark?
>
>
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A "Now I herd everything".
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WORLD'S GREATEST GROANS!
136. NOTHING SPECIAL"May I take your order?" the waiter asked.
"Yes, how do you prepare your chickens?"
"Nothing special, sir," he replied.
"We just tell them straight out that they're going to die."
137. TWO KEYS
Two keys hang in an undertaker's office - one for the organ in the chapel; the other for one of the cars in the garage.
Two small signs above the keys read "Hymn" and "Hearse."
138. LIGHTER
The ship was sinking and four sailors were able to get a lifeboat into the water and climb into it safely. As they relaxed, they decided to have a cigarette and relax a few moments before starting their journey to safety. The cig- arettes were dry but all their matches had become wet and they had no way to light their cigarettes. Finally, one of the
sailors came up with a solution. He threw a cigarette overboard. This worked well. They were able to smoke because the lifeboat had become a cigarette lighter.
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BIBLE TRIVIA
POMEGRANATESgrow wild as large shrubs or small trees in much of the East. So important was this 'apple with grains' (large red colored seeds) that it was used as a design in the Temple decoration and on coins in Jerusalem.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS GROWING IN THE UNITED STATES
by Thomas HornMore Christians died for their faith in the twentieth century than at any other time in history, says Christian Solidarity International. Global reports indicate that over 150,000 Christians were martyred last year, chiefly outside of the United States. However, statistics are changing: persecution of Christians is on the increase in the United States. What's happening to bring about this change?
According to some experts a pattern is emerging reminiscent of Jewish persecution in post war Germany. "Isolation of, and discrimination against Christians is growing almost geometrically" says Don McAlvany in The Midnight Herald. "This is the way it started in Germany against the Jews. As they became more isolated and marginalized by the Nazi propaganda machine, as popular hatred and prejudice against the Jews increased among the German people, wholesale persecution followed. Could this be where the growing anti-Christian consensus in America is taking us?"
Tolerance of anti-Christian attitudes in the United States is escalating. Recently, a woman in Houston, Texas was ordered by local police to stop handing out gospel tracts to children who knocked on her door during Halloween. Officers informed her that such activity is illegal (not true), and that she would be arrested if she continued. In Madison, Wisconsin, the Freedom from Religion Foundation distributes anti-Christian pamphlets to public school children entitled, "We Can Be Good Without God." The entertainment industry and syndicated media increasingly vilify Christians as sewer rats, vultures, and simple-minded social ingrates. The FBI and the Clinton White House brand fundamentalist Christian groups as hate mongers and potential terrorists. The Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago warns that plans by Southern Baptists to hold a convention in the Windy City next year might foment "hate crimes" against minorities, causing some Christians to fear that speaking openly about their religious beliefs will soon be considered a crime. All this, while Christianity itself is often a target of hate-crime violence. We remember the students at Columbine, and the United Methodist minister who was fatally beaten and burned in a remote part of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to name a few of the recent examples of interpersonal violence aimed at believers.
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... THE POWER OF THREE IN GOD AND THE CHURCHIn walking further with Jesus, I increasingly appreciate that this particular revelation of 'threes in God' has been hugely important in developing my understanding of God and how He works both in the church and in our lives.
It matters not whether you are a 'oneness', 'twoness', or 'trinitarian' believer. The concept still applies. For we're all very good at putting God in a box, limited to the walls of our theology and understanding. But, one day, we will know all the truth of the great mystery of God.
In the meantime, if you can grasp this simple, yet profound concept, I'm sure it will open up new realms of understanding for you too about God and His plans for His people in these end days.
It certainly developed my faith tremendously, being able to grasp more of God's mighty plan for me. And for you too!
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WAXING LYRICAL
A similar theme to the first poem I wrote, eight years earlier, in another time of trouble. Hopefully though, this one expresses a more mature faith. You be the judge. I know I am coping with the problems more easily now, knowing for sure that God is on myside.
YOU’RE STILL THERE
How useless!
All the stress!
Such a mess!
Can’t you guess?
But you’re still there!
Are you really still there Lord?
You’re still there!
But you seem so far away right now,
For I need you Lord, show me how
To get back in contact, to talk with you,
You’ve always been, so faithful and true.
Yes, you’re still there!
"Be at peace David. Stop. Then you will hear,
Gentle words of comfort, to your inner ear.
For now that your life is all at sea,
It’s time to come, on bended knee.
So when on me, you do totally rely,
Together, we can reach for the sky."
Lord, you’re still there!
"I’m always here for you, my son,
Into my arms, you can surely run.
At times in life,
All get in strife.
But I have not been the cause of your pain,
Instead, using circumstances for our gain,
More about me to learn,
You to me, then to turn."
Yes Lord, you’re still there!
Into the fiery furnace I am bound to go,
If the best of my Lord, I’m to get to know.
This is the precious price to be paid,
If more like Him, I wish to be made.
While hating this place, being no masochist,
Of my great need for it, I am a realist!
Yet even while suffering the searing, white heat of the flame,
I will still stand strong in Him, calling upon His precious name.
Yes, my Lord, you’re still there!
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A DAVID MUSING
Today (Sunday) Kathy and I have had a break from our hectic schedule, not by having the day off, but by doing something very different.We borrowed (Thankyou Napier Christian Fellowship) and took what we call a 'bouncy castle', a large inflatable upon which kids of all ages, including us, can jump around and have a good time, and a candy floss machine, to a 'Country Fayre'.
The occasion was to raise funds for a young girl who has a brain tumour.
The day was most successful and raised $1,700 for her.
While, for us, it was works to go along with our faith, it is also important to do something different from time to time, to freshen oneself up. For it is so easy to get bogged down in the normal grind of daily duties. As they say, 'a change is as good as a holiday'. In this case a lot cheaper and more worthwhile also!
Now..... back to clothes!
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: REGIMENT
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': Timnah (Judges 14:1-2)
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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!
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david@wwj.org.nz