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: 372 Published: 08 Dec 2008
STOP PRESS: VIOLENCE IN JOS, NIGERIA - NOW INCLUDES SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Spiritual warfare is real! This, from our ministry's man Collins, is what is happening in Jos, a city still under siege.Moslems and Hausa settlers in Plateau (State) have conspired and imported MALAMS & DEVINERS frmMAIDUGURI, CHAD & NIGER to cast spells (JA JASIN)on d state & d ppl @ 8am &10am on Sat Dec 6. Instead of taking arms, all moslems hv bn ordered to stay indoors during d period. Take time 2nite & pray 4 GOD 2 thwart dia plans.
The realities of the spiritual world are well recognized in this part of the world! On the other side, the presence of the Holy Spirit is also more powerful here than I have experienced elsewhere too. The battle continues!
REFORMERS IN THE CHURCH: RELATIONSHIP v THEOLOGY
This ezine is read by many within the traditional church structure as well as those outside of it. I seek to bring an understanding, if not agreement, as to why many are currently leaving the structured church.The very heart of the movement for change in the church today is seen in the emphasis placed upon relationship with Jesus on the one hand, and the need for sound theology on the other.
Reality is, throughout history, change in the church has come from without, not within. Reformers used by God to bring change to the church such as Luther and the Wesleys, have desperately tried to work from within the system, but have all ultimately been rejected and forced to bring change from the outside, change which has gradually permeated back into the established church.
Why is this?
A revelation from God is received, initially through personal relationship with Jesus. It is then taken over, systematised and formalised by well meaning people into a theology which is taught and passed down to following generations. Revelation then, through conversion into theology, quickly becomes religion, a belief system we are taught and to which group members are expected to subscribe.
If this was all of the Holy Spirit, there would only be one theology, for there is only one Holy Spirit with one desire, to bring the church into unity of purpose in order that we might grow into the likeness of Christ.
12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-13)
Unfortunately, as each new grouping matures, the fresh truths that it brings to the body become entrenched into a theology that looks backwards to yesterday rather forward to the future. Change quickly turns into tradition.
Today, there is a growing understanding of this process amongst an ever increasing group of people who view their relationship with Jesus as more important than the theology of their church. These 'Jesus seekers' are generally regarded as rebels within the church system as they wont conform to the 'way things are done round here'.
There are two approaches that can be taken when we find ourselves in this position.
Our first, and natural reaction, is to try and change the system from within. If only we can get into leadership, then we will be able to make changes! Unfortunately, this doesn't work, for over the centuries, it has been proven that the system will always win. Ask Luther. Ask the Wesleys. Additionally, by being within the leadership, one is not only associated with the group's beliefs by others, both in the church and outside, but more significantly, are spiritually embraced under the particular covering of the church and movement with which the church is associated. Ultimately, the result will be compromise, embracing the theology of the group, while accepting the undoubted status and standing that goes along with church leadership.
The second and misunderstood alternative within the church, is to work from without. How my heart has cried out when reading the stories of the great reformers, seeing and understanding the heartbreak of rejection they went through when bending over backwards to appease the system they had been brought up in, had loved, and had had their friends in. Yet finally, their love for Jesus was greater. In the end they were either rejected and ejected, or with sadness, walked away for their inheritance of the past to the walk and work that Jesus now had for them to do.
Today, there is an increasing movement of Jesus followers leaving the formal church in order to seek out the path that Jesus has for them. Unlike earlier spiritual movements which have been centred in a particular place, this one is gathering momentum all round the world. These are uncertain times. Mistakes are made. Unless one is listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit absolutely, informality can lead to chaos and error. Yet, even with the potential pitfalls, there is a growing group of serious believers endeavouring to allow God to change their lives to become more like Jesus.
This has led to people focusing more upon the Gospels than the Epistles, which have been central in the past, and much beloved of theologians and Bible teachers. For the Gospels are about relationship with Jesus, about character, about becoming like Him, about moving into the community, about being beacons of light in an increasingly dark world.
Are we considered rebels by the established church? Yes. But Jesus too was a rebel in His time. The Rabinical system, allied to the state and supporting the status quo, came in for greater criticism from Jesus than the worst of other sinners.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:8-12)
In these turbulent times, let each one search in their heart what Jesus would have them do.
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FROM THE WORD
Unity in the Body of Christ"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.†(What does “he ascended†mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:1-13)
Seven Woes
"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it." (Matthew 23:1-22)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
BELIEVERS v DISCIPLES236. A believer praises the Lord in good times, the disciple at all times.
237. The Holy Spirit resides in the believer but shines through the disciple.
238. A believer loves God with heart and mind while a disciple commits the will.
239. A believer loves God and others, but they are the disciple's life.
240. A believer lives in hope, but for the disciple, God's hope is certain.
241. A believer seeks forgiveness for sin but the disciple also determines not to walk that path again.
242. A believer has faith in God but the disciple's faith is tempered in the fire of testing.
243. A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is unconditional.
244. The believer serves the Lord in strength, but the disciple is made perfect through weakness.
245. God is part of the believer's life, but the central focus of the disciple.
246. A believer forgives, but the disciple also forgets.
247. A believer communicates with God at their own convenience, but the disciple's heart is open to the Lord at all times.
430. A believer knows, but the disciple does.
1077. Believing is free, discipleship costs your life.
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 ...
CRANWELL'S CARTOON
THE GREAT COMMISSION
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.†(Matthew 28:16-20)
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
GOD AND MAN continues...We look at the result of our response and the inheritance that is available to us when we obey God's will.
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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." ***
778. ANOTHER ARK
One day, God speaks to Noah. 'Noah', he says, 'I want you to build another Ark.'
'What, like the last one?' asks Noah.
'Yes' replies God, 'Except this time, I want it to have 14 decks.'
'And shall I lead all the animals into it, two by two, like last time? says Noah.
'No, this time I only want you to lead fish into it'. Noah is a little puzzled. 'Just fish?' he asks.
'Yes' says God. 'In fact, just carp.'
'Just carp? Why carp?' Noah quizzes.
'Well,' says God, 'I've always wanted a multi-storey carp Ark'
777. YOU MUST BE A PASTOR IF...
You've dreamed you were preaching only to waken and discover that YOU WERE.
You'd rather negotiate with terrorists than the CHURCH ORGANIST.
You've ever wanted to FIRE THE WHOLE CHURCH and form a congregation search committee.
You've been tempted to take up an offering at a FAMILY REUNION.
You've ever wanted to give the sound man some FEEDBACK of your own.
You've ever wanted to lay hands on a deacon, and you didn't mean PRAYING FOR HIM.
You've never PREACHED ON TV, because your wife made you get down before you broke something.
Your sermons have a happy ending...everyone's HAPPY WHEN IT ENDS!!
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: Which 'King' in a pack of cards doesn’t have a moustache?ANSWER: The King of Hearts. (Wins hearts without it?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the hardest substance in the human body?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS452. NOW THAT'S SMALL
Bacteria, the world’s tiniest free-living cells, are so small that a single drop of liquid may contain 50 million of them. (Who counted them?)
453. OUR NEW COMPANION
The Ideal Toy Company was the first company to mass-produce teddy bears. (Soon became everyone’s idea of the ideal toy.)
454. PETER PAN PROCEEDS
All the proceeds from James M. Barrie's book ‘Peter Pan’ were bequeathed to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for the Sick Children in London. (A fairy tale ending.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
This is a new, clever and amusing series I came across recently. The answers relate to the original word.
DESPERATION (Four word answer.)
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 - YOU BE THE JUDGE!
20) How long did Jephthah judge Israel?A - 1 year
B - 3 years
C - 5 years
D - 6 years
Source: www.biblequizzes.com
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""DRIVING / MOTORISTS
!!!!!!! Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.. you may think they’re uncomfortable, but have you ever tried a stretcher?
!!!!!! There is a line on the ocean where you can lose a day by crossing it.. there’s one on the highway where you can do even better than that.
!!!!! Natives who beat drums to drive off evil spirits, are objects of scorn to smart American motorists who blow horns to break up traffic jams.
!!!! The driver is safe when the roads are dry.. the roads are safer when the driver is dry!
!!! Take chances, and the chances are that you won’t have many chances to take.
!! Better to be patient on the road, than a patient in the hospital.
! It is better to be last in the traffic lane, than first in a funeral procession.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
'TIL DEATH DO US PART!
89. QUICK QUIPDon't marry for money. You can borrow it cheaper!
-Primatutu
90. WHICH LAW
John was brought before the court on the charge of refusing to obey a police Officer. "Why did you refuse to move on when asked to do so by the officer?" the judge inquired, obviously wondering what unexplained force could have given such a man strength to buck a strong minion of the law.
"It's like this, your honor," explained John. "My wife said I was to meet her at exactly twelve noon at that spot - and I was forced to choose between man's law and wife's law."
91. PERSUASION
An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.
"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.
"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old man says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her," and he hangs up.
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."
She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at the old man, "You are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife.
"Okay," he says, "They're coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own fares... Now what do we tell them for Christmas?
A laugh a day makes for a happy marriage...
BIBLE TRIVIA
LOT........chose to live near the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the lower Jordan Valley. These cities were destroyed by 'brimstone and fire'. (Genesis 19:24 KJV) No-one knows for sure when the last volcanic eruption took place in the Holy Land, but it may have been as late as the Middle Ages. Geologists have clear evidence that the Jordan Valley has been a centre of volcanism in the past.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
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Audio Bibles Making Big Impact on Lives of the Illiterate Worldwide
By Teresa Neumann"Because of the illiteracy and aural traditions of the Matswa people, men and women will sit and hear God's Word, but they'll never read it."
Lausanne World Pulse has published an article detailing the impact of audio Bibles distributed to the illiterate throughout the world. One such ministry, Talking Bibles International, produces and preserves single-voice audio recordings of translated Scriptures in hundreds of languages.
The Talking Bible is the only way the people of Pembra are hearing God's Word, says one woman named Laura Alberto Massingi from Mozambique, who notes that "because of the illiteracy and aural traditions of the Matswa people, men and women will sit and hear God's Word, but they'll never read it."
One native evangelist, named Ishmael, says it is not uncommon to have fifty or more people gather around "the little black box" as it plays Scripture. "I just take the machine to a new area," says Ishmael, "let the people listen, and then preach. That is how a church is started."
Source: Paul Hoekstra, Ed Compean - Lausanne World Pulse
Via: The Outreach Files: November 08. beautifulfeettaskforce.injesus.com
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DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... DIVIDING THE WATERSA revelation based upon the 3 times the waters were divided in the Bible (The Red Sea with Moses, The River Jordan with Joshua and The River Jordan again with Elijah and Elisha.) and their meanings for the restoration of God's church in these end times.
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WAXING LYRICAL
The ravages of time inflict themselves upon us all!BODY ‘Not So’ BEAUTIFUL?
Adam and Eve, naked, did roam about,
Fine clothes, jewellery, they were without,
Forever and ever they were going to live,
Nary a thought of dressing, did they give.
Created by God, with ‘bodies beautiful,’
So perfect in form - we can only drool,
The ravages of age had no effect you see,
Their bodies designed to last - for eternity.
Yet one sad day, in the course of time,
Their thoughts with God failed to rhyme.
For they ate forbidden fruit from the tree,
Which greatly affected their longevity.
Now they knew they were naked, they were ashamed,
Because their God, they had disgracefully defamed.
But to show that God loved them still,
He gave them clothes, even sent no bill.
But the putting on of clothes, had another side,
As the affects of ageing, they did wish to hide.
Cause eternal youth had passed them by,
Now to grow old, get sick, then to die.
(Continued next week.)
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A DAVID MUSING
When things are going good, we feel good. This week we had our best sales week yet over our 3 shops. This is surprising, as December traditionally is not a good time for selling second hand goods. We have been making extra efforts to improve both the service and the appearance of the shops, which now seem to be paying off.We all, or nearly all, love success. We love the mountain tops. But, in nature as in life, without valleys there could be no mountains. All would be plains. But life is not plain sailing, is it? Today is good, tomorrow is bad!
God is not in the business of bulldozing the mountaintops into the valleys to make our lives plain simple!
But He is there to give us a helping hand when we are climbing, to steady us on the way down and to lift us up when we fall. We only have to ask.
But you, like me, might forget to ask, or believe we can do it all by ourselves. We do specialise in making life more difficult for ourselves, don't we!
Until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: A ROPE ENDS IT
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION': D - 6 years (Judges 12:7)
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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
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
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