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: 624 Published: 30 Sep 2013
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
Again I acknowledge that much of the material that follows is drawn from the excellent publication by Eddie L. Hyatt, 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity. For specific references to the writings quoted, please refer to that publication.THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE MONASTICS 325-600AD
As we have already seen, when the primary church descends into formalism and institutionalism, the Lord works through others who remain open to the Holy Spirit's leading and guidance, which is the essence of what 'relational' (as opposed to 'religious', 'organizational' or 'theological') Christianity is all about.
Jesus came so that we might be brought back into relationship with the Father through belief and relationship with Him through interaction with the Holy Spirit in the living of our lives. In many ways it is what we would understand as a 'grassroots' movement of individuals sold out to Jesus.
This is beautifully illustrated in the case of the monastics, a movement that grew in response to the institutionalism of the church under Emperor Constantine and his successors. Quoting directly from Eddie Hyatt (see above).....
The monastics were devout believers who lived ascetic lives in an effort to experience the presence and power of God in a very personal manner. The initial stage of the movement was individualistic with these ascetics living as hermits. Around A.D. 320, they began to gather together in communities where they lived a totally self-sufficient lifestyle. During the Middle Ages (A.D. 600-1517), these communities or monasteries, as they were called, became centers of learning, and the monks served as custodians of books and manuscripts.
In complete devotion to God, they gave themselves to study, prayer and meditation. Indeed, they proved to be shining lights during the period of intense social decadence known as the Dark Ages (c.a. 500-1300).
Following Constantine's ascent to power, most supernatural phenomena are recorded either by monastics or by those who venerated the monastic lifestyle. Cardinal Leon Joseph Suenens is correct in saying, "In its beginnings, monasticism was, in fact, a Charismatic movement."
The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, which disappeared from the institutional church, now appeared among the monastics. Many monks gained notoriety for their power in prayer and their ability to produce healing, deliverance from demonic oppression and other miraculous phenomena. Church fathers, such as Athanasius, Augustine and Jerome, who speak of miracles, either practiced the monastic lifestyle themselves or were closely associated with those who did.
Again, repeating myself, my hope and prayer is that you understand how God works. God works in people. He is a people person. Belief in Jesus is an individual decision, bringing with it a commitment to live a holy and righteous life. When people move away from this foundation into a man-made, man controlled, formalized religion, God will seek out and find another group of people whose desire is simply to follow Jesus and to live as He lived.
So we can continue to say that.....
THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.
Next week we will look at some of the individual monastic followers of Jesus.
(Continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS continuedThe Lord has asked me to compile a publication of the words Jesus spoke, as recorded in the New Testament in chronological order. I have got about halfway, and have found it very enlightening and encouraging in my relationship with Him. The final version will have changes of layout and version used, but this is a foretaste of things to come. Of course, it is not a Bible substitute! I Hope you find it helpful too, in your walk with Jesus.
The 'Sermon on the Mount' forms the basis of the 'life teachings' of Jesus. Every follower of Jesus should learn, and live out daily, the teachings of Matthew, chapters 5-7.
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29, Luke 6:17-49)
Adultery (Matthew 5:27-30)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Divorce (Matthew 5:31-2)
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
Oaths (Matthew 5:33-7)
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
An Eye for an Eye (Matthew 4:38-42)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies (Matthew 5:43-8, Luke 6:27-36)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Giving to the Needy (Matthew 6:1-4)
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
(Continued next week)
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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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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF....... 3 KINGDOM AGESSOCIETIES OF THE KINGDOM AGES (1st of 2)
Understanding the organisation of society throughout the various kingdom ages also helps us better understand how God worked as He did with the Patriarchs, Israel and now, us!
This is truly fascinating to me - and I hope to you also!
Check out all the available teachings at...
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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. ***
793. SYMPATHY
The National Sympathy Orchestra: For when the Salvation Army decides
that one bell-ringer just isn't enough. (Rick Haynes)
792. HALF FULL
Trying to do my share for the environment, I set up a trash can at my
church's picnic area and posted above it this suggestion: "Empty water
bottles here." I should have been more specific, because when I went
to check it later, I didn't find any bottles in it. But it was half
full of water.
791. FIRST TIME PRAYER
A man came to church for the very first time in his life. He heard a sermon that really tugged at his heart strings and felt the need to answer the invitation to become a Christian. When he shared his story about never having attended church the preacher thought surely the new convert was someone special. The preacher urged the man to come back that night to take part in the evening service.
When the man arrived the preacher told the man he needed him to perform a special task. The pastor wanted him to say the benediction at the end of the service. The new convert protested and said, "Pastor, I've never been to church in my life. How am I supposed to know how to pray in public in only the second church service I've ever attended.
The preacher said, "That's OK. I have a plan. I've written you a prayer you can read. Just sit back here on the back row next to the coat rack. Place this prayer I've written in your hat. As the service is closing out, just reach back here behind you, pick up your hat and read the prayer."
The new Christian reluctantly agreed to the plan. At the end of the service the preached called the man by name and asked him to offer the closing prayer. On cue, the man reached to the hat rack behind him, and picked up a hat. As planned he started the prayer. In a loud voice he said, "DEAR GOD... this is NOT my hat...."
As told by John Conn of Henderson, Kentucky
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How long can honey be stored and still safely eaten?ANSWER: Apparently, honey can last forever, if stored well. The ancient Egyptians left honey, among other assorted luxuries, in burial chambers to make the dead happy. Some of it, unearthed in modern times, is still edible! (Though one wonders how they determine this. Are archaeologists eating the evidence?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the sleeping sickness?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 809. GIVE ME A HOME, WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM....
Couldn’t have been in America, for large herds of buffalo have never roamed there. The animals we think of as ‘buffalo’ are actually ‘bison’. True buffalo, which have longer horns, roam Africa and Asia only. (Perhaps is a game of ‘Blind Man’s Buff-alo’.)
810. WHY BLAME THE APPLE?
Most everyone thinks it's the apple that Adam and Eve ate. In fact, the Bible never identifies the fruit eaten by the first couple in the Garden of Eden. It merely says the "fruit of the tree" (Genesis 3:3). We have no idea what the fruit actually was. (Surely Eve ‘twas the apple of Adam’s eye though.)
811. ‘SEEING RED’ WAS HEALTHY!
In the 15th and 16th centuries in England, the colour red was believed to help the sick recover. To reduce fever, ill patients wore red bedclothes and were surrounded by red objects. (How about rednecks then?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
MELDING
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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SERMON ON THE MOUNT
5. According to Jesus, what is the earth?a. God's throne
b. God's creation
c. God's footstool
d. God's garden
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""'A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!'
!!!!!!! Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some folks appear bright until you hear them speak.
!!!!!! Why do press harder on the remote control, when we know the battery is dead.
!!!!!Corduroy pillows are still leaving headlines.
!!!! Every take-off is optional; every landing is mandatory.
!!! You cannot get ahead, if you're too busy getting even.
!! Love looks through a telescope; envy through a microscope.
! A wishbone should not be where the backbone belongs.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
37. MORNING MORNING SICKNESSThe neighbor dropped in on her friend and found her sitting at the kitchen table, staring blankly at a half-empty cup of coffee; her three kids squabbling loudly in the other room.
"What's wrong Marge?" she asked.
Marge told her that she had "morning sickness."
Surprised the neighbor said, "I didn't even know you were pregnant."
"I'm not." the harried young woman replied. "I'm just sick of mornings."
38. NO WAY!
A friend of mine is a deputy with the sheriff's department canine division. One evening, the deputy was dispatched to the scene of a possible burglary, where he discovered the back door of a building ajar. He let the dog out of his patrol car and commanded it to enter and seek.
Jumping from the back seat, the dog headed for the building. After lunging through the doorway, the dog froze and backed out.
My friend was puzzled until he investigated further. Then he noticed a sign on the building: "Veterinarian's Office."
39. TIMELESS ENTERTAINMENT!
The 12-year-old boy stood patiently beside the clock counter while the store clerk waited on all of the adult customers. Finally he got around to the youngster, who made his purchase and hurried out to the curb, where his father was impatiently waiting in his car.
"What took you so long, son?" he asked.
"The man waited on everybody in the store before me," the boy replied. "But I got even."
"How?"
"I wound and set all the alarm clocks while I was waiting," the youngster explained happily. "It's going to be a mighty noisy place at eight o'clock."
40. CONSIDERATION?
When workmen came to demolish our old porch and build a new one, they had a number of power tools that needed to be plugged into the outlet in our house. Each morning we'd open the door for them to slip an extension cord through the mail slot, and later in the day they would unplug it. Early one afternoon they knocked on the door to say they had to rent a piece of equipment that was available only at 7 a.m. the next morning.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind," said one of the men, "we'd like to leave this cord through the mail slot tonight so we won't have to wake you up when we plug in the jackhammer in the morning."
Laugh at life here.....
BIBLE TRIVIA (About The Bible)
NUTS AND BOLTSNO NEW TESTAMENT
During the entire 1st century and for much of the 2nd, there was no concept of a New Testament canon. Church fathers often quoted from sources that were familiar in tone yet different in the names of the sources. Paul's writings were the were the most well known and often quoted, but they were not thought of as scriptural.
Adapted from: '1001 Surprising Things You Should Know About The Bible' MacGregor & Prys
Nearly 22,000 Churches Have Registered To Participate In My Hope America with Billy Graham
‘The Cross’ featuring new message from Billy Graham is being finalized and is set to debut Nov. 7By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
CHARLOTTE, NC (ANS) -- Momentum is building for My Hope America with Billy Graham, as the project has just six weeks until culmination in November. Nearly 22,000 churches – with more being added daily – have signed on to participate in the project, which is expected to result in thousands of individuals opening their homes and reaching out in their communities.
According to a BGEA news release, it is the largest evangelism effort across the United States in the history of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
“If ever there was a time this country needed the intervention of God, it is now,†wrote Billy Graham in a recent letter to supporters. “We can and should pray for America as a whole, but remember that when God sets out to change a nation, He begins by changing people. It starts with individuals. The more I pray, the more deeply I feel that My Hope America is the right outreach for this country today.â€
With six weeks still remaining, pastors across the nation are in agreement, as nearly 22,000 have registered their churches to be involved and more are signing on every day. Based on most estimates, that represents one out of every 12 churches in America.
“From the outset, this has been a movement of prayer,†said Preston Parrish, vice president of the My Hope America evangelism campaign. “We are thrilled at how God is answering prayer and stirring the hearts of people across the nation. He’s stirring them to become intentional and purposeful about reaching out to others with the love and good news of Jesus Christ.â€
Graham recently completed recording his personal message to the nation in a new program called “The Cross,†which is set to debut the first week of November. In addition to his new message, the program features the moving faith stories of rapper Lecrae and Lacey Sturm, former lead singer of the band Flyleaf.
Pastors who have registered to participate will soon receive DVDs of “The Cross,†the primary program in the My Hope America series. Individuals participating in the project will be able to order DVDs of the program online for free. Plans are also being finalized for television broadcasts of “The Cross†the first week of November. All My Hope programs will also be available for viewing online.
Participating individuals, called “Matthews†after the disciple who invited guests to his home in order to introduce his friends to Jesus, will open up their homes to people they have been praying for specifically. At these home gatherings, they will show one of the My Hope evangelistic programs and share their own personal stories of coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
“It is going to be a great hour of decision in the hearts of many people across our land,†said Parrish.
For more information about My Hope America with Billy Graham, including how it works and how to be involved, visit www.MyHopewithBillyGraham.org.
Source: Assist News Service
Via OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
TABERNACLE TO TABERNACLESHow the pattern of the first Church, The Tabernacle of Moses, has applied to the Church through the ages and predicts the Church to come.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Where do the days go! Maybe we need to relax a little more?DAY COMES, DAYS GO.....
*Do you wonder about time?
Always in short supply.
Your thoughts for a dime,
*Can you think of a reply.
Only sixty minutes in an hour,
Many try to squeeze out more.
Eek! I just don't know how!
Simply don't know the score.
*Didn't you know it was Monday?
And now it has come to Friday!
You know, where does the week go?
Surely not slow, go with the flow!
*God cries when He sees us rush,
On we go, turning life to mush!
*What have I achieved this week?
Have I done all right?
Every challenge met, so to speak?
Really seen the light?
Everything has instead, gone so awry!
*The week ends in tatters!
How could this happen, look to the sky!
Each job, it so matters!
Your comings and goings, always going 'to be',
*Good intentions, with problems you do not see!
Ouch! Didn't get it all done! Out of my tree!
*'Now my son', a voice I heard,
'Or need I shout, so absurd!
Order your life in my perfect way,
Need to put Me first in your day.
Everything you do is not of me,
*Know this, it will set you free.
Needs and wants are not the same,
Only need to put Me in your frame.
We can walk on your life's journey together,
See, I Am with you, whatever the weather.
A DAVID MUSING
A classic example of waiting in the world.......... where the 9th victory for Team New Zealand never came in the Americas Cup yacht racing series. Team Oracle USA had the victory, winning 8 races in a row! The most incredible comeback in yachting history and one of the most in the sporting world. Well done Oracle!
The New Zealand psyche, as a small country of 4 million people at the end of the world, is largely based around our success on the sporting field, where we compete, often successfully, against those far larger than ourselves. As an island nation, where everyone lives within an hours drive of the sea, at most, water sports are very popular. It was amazing how the nation came together over the 3 weeks of the final series, holding our collective bated breath, each race. Rather we should have blown in our yacht's sails!
On the other hand, a classic example of waiting in God.......
....... is in the sale of our 'Seekers' business, which is to be settled on Monday, at about the time this email is sent to you. Our God is faithful. Will share more next week, for I must run now and get all those last minute things done!
(Photo is of the 'Auld Mug', Still in the US of A! Next time.....!)
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: MINGLED
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. God's footstool
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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!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz