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: 636 Published: 23 Dec 2013
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
From our family to yours.Blessings
Kathy and David
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCHAgain 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.
We continue looking at prominent spirit filled men who lived during the 7th to 15th centuries AD.
600AD-1517
We are discovering that there was ongoing Holy Spirit activity in the midst of the Dark Ages, both within and outside the dominant Roman Catholic Church of the time.
THE WALDENSES (c 1176 - Today)
Beginning as a renewal movement within the Roman Catholic Church, seeking to live by New Testament patterns, they were rejected by the Church. Forming their own church, they emphasized inner spiritual life rather than the outward form and ritual of the establishment.
Their platform included 5 main points.....
1. To return to the pure teaching of Scripture.
2. Rejected the concept of purgatory.
3. Rejected the infallibility of the church.
4. Christian laypersons, male and female, were allowed to preach.
5. Selling ones goods and giving to the poor were acts of consecration.
PETER WALDO (c.1140 -1218)
A wealthy merchant from Lyons in southern France, he obtained a copy of the New Testament, he was particularly moved by Matthew 10:5-13, where the disciples were told to go away and preach without concern for material comfort. Keeping just enough goods to provide for his family, he gave up the rest and became an itinerant preacher.
He life of devotion soon attracted sizeable numbers of those with like minds. They went out preaching 2 by 2, as was the example set by Scripture.
REJECTION AND PERSECUTION
Like others before, and since, he tried to minister within the Church, but was rejected when he requested his lay people be allowed to preach. In 1179, Pope Innocent III rejected the request, considering them to be but ignorant lay people. Waldo, forced to choose between obedience to God and man, he chose to continue the work already begun. As could be expected, in 1184, Pope Lucius III excommunicated the Waldenses.
NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY
Pursuing New Testament Christianity, they experienced the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit. Inevitably too, like the Cathari, the Waldenses were accused of witchcraft because of miraculous phenomena that took place, which also became grounds for persecution by the institutional church.
DIVINE HEALING
Divine healing was a vital aspect of their belief system. The Waldensian confession of 1431 states:
Therefore concerning the anointing of the sick, we hold it as an article of faith, and profess sincerely from the heart that sick persons, when they ask it, may lawfully be anointed with anointing oil by one who joins them in praying that it may be efficacious to the healing of the body according to the design and end and effect mentioned by the apostles; and we profess that such an anointing performed according to the apostolic
design and practice will be healing and profitable.
EQUALITY IN MINISTRY
The Waldenses recognized the responsibility of both men and women to preach, to baptize and to administer the Lord's Supper. The basis for ministry was the anointing or gifting of the Spirit rather than institutional appointment or ordination. Ministry was open to all since it was the direct, free activity of the Holy Spirit that gave the right to bind and loose, to consecrate and bless.
CONCLUSION
Severely persecuted by the institutional church, the Waldenses endured, and in the 16th century aligned themselves with the Protestant Reformation, while retaining their own identity, still being found in many parts of Italy. While their position on charismatic gifts today, is not so clear, they certainly were a Holy Spirit based movement in origin.
So we can continue to say.....
THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.
(Continued next week)
Find out more about us at.....
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.
Not available this week as is on my nearly 'terminal', 'hacked' computer! Still recovering from 'virus' sickness! LOL! Back next week!
(Continued next week)
Read the NIV Bible online at.....
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse. To register today, simply click here on@wwj.org.nz>ddd-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done! If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring! Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
FAITH283. Doubt is to faith as butter is to bread.
284. Faith involves seeing the goal before it is achieved. Therefore, 'blind faith', by definition, must be a contradiction in terms.
285. A Christian without faith is like a newly beheaded chicken. Running round aimlessly flapping its wings, before collapsing in a heap - 100% dead.
288. Faith brings life. Without faith, we die in the Spirit.
289. We can have the faith of the sparrow, the dove or the eagle. Our choice determines the height to which we can soar.
290. Exercising faith releases further faith. (These sayings - good or bad - are an example of it!)
291. Dreams are centred in hope, accomplishments in faith.
292. Without dreams there is no hope, but without faith, no reality.
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 ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE. Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF....... 3 KINGDOM AGES continuesSPIRITUAL PATTERN OF THE AGES
God revealed Himself spiritually to each kingdom age in a different way.
Through the wonder of creation to the splendour of the Temple to the reconciliation of the cross.
Let's see how it worked.
Check out all the available teachings at...
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done! Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
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. ***
827. STRANGE COMBINATION
What do you get when you cross an atheist with a Jehovahs Witness?....
Someone who knocks at your door for no apparent reason.
826. GOVERNMENT HELP
A minister was asked by a politician, "Name something the government can do to help the church."
The minister replied, "Quit making one dollar bills."
825. TWO FEET!
A teenager was always asking his father if he could borrow the family car. Pushed to the limit, the father asked his son why he thought God had given him two feet.
Without hesitation, the son replied, "That's easy, one for the brake and one for the accelerator."
" 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 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What's the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?ANSWER: No computer, no answer! Is my memory bank! LOL!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Uuuummmmm!
Answer Next Week. All being well!
SOME FUN FACTS 763. MATURING WITH AGE
Billiards champions have the highest average age of any sport, 35.6 years. (Oldies can still hit the ball on cue!)
764. ROYALWOMEN"S LIBERATION!
The first woman to play golf at St. Andrew's Golf Club in Scotland was Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1552. Not surprising, as she founded the club. (Did she introduce Ladies Tees too?)
765. THE BUSY BEE
A queen bee may lay as many as 3,000 eggs in a single day. (Like the world is becoming. Men all working for a woman.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
HARKEN
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA Or view all 1232 online at...
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Another hacker victim!Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! A good way to forget your troubles is to help others out of theirs.
!!!!!! The best vitamin for making friends: B1.
!!!!! Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
!!!! No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
!!! Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
!! By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
! Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday. Was it worth it?
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
TILL DEATH DO US PART!
87. FEAR OF THUNDEROne summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small boy into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, "Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?"
The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. "I can't dear," she said. "I have to sleep in Daddy's bed."
A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice, "The big sissy."
88. MAN WAS FIRST
It's obvious that God made man first, then woman. Man is like a rough draft, woman is the finished copy.
89. QUICK QUIP
Don'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?
More marriage and family humour here.....
Gospel Crusade - Yaoundé, Cameroon - 300,000 people in one night
Yaoundé, Cameroon - Day 1December 12, 2013
Tonight our Gospel Crusade here in the city of Yaoundé, Cameroon began with a surge! 110,000 people attended the opening service – a striking indication that we are in for a dynamic week.
I’ve posted a little video we took with a mobile phone of the people repeating after me the text for tonight’s message, Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.†You will hear how they shout it with such enthusiasm and fervor.
What a joy it is to preach to these precious people. When the “altar call†was given, the response was overwhelming. A mighty harvest took place tonight.
Then, after praying for the sick, amazing miracles happened. So many cripples were healed that their crutches and wheel chairs cluttered the platform (have a look at the pictures). It was such a precious sight, a line of elderly “mamas†who had been healed all danced with me on the stage and gave glory to God. It was a Holy Ghost party!
Then the Holy Spirit gave me a word of knowledge about someone who was being healed of throat cancer. When the woman who the Lord told me about came forward we discovered that not only did she have painful throat cancer, but also her legs were paralyzed and she had lumps in her breasts as well! Jesus healed her from head to toe; throat, legs and breasts! What a mighty God we serve!
I really believe God is hearing and answering your prayers for us here. Thank you for praying. More to come tomorrow…
Yours in the Gospel,
Evangelist Daniel Kolenda
Together with Reinhard Bonnke, CfaN & the whole CfaN team
Source: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF…….THE 3 GARDENS OF GODHaving spent much of my life involved in the gardening industry, as a grower, wholesaler of flowers, bulbs and plants and finally as a mail order seller of the same, this revelation has reached into my 'gardeners' heart!
Gardens and nature have a special place in God's heart too. This is not surprising, for He was their creator! Nor is it surprising then, that He should choose garden settings for key events in His interaction with man to take place.
Let's see what they are.
Find out more and download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
Was sitting at the computer wondering what to write, when this came to me. Not sure that it applies to me today, but maybe to you? God works in mysterious ways! In my life and yours!LOST AND FOUND
I cannot come.
Sounds dumb.
Why not?
In a snot!
What about?
In doubt.
No faith.
Am a waif.
Blown round.
Not found.
No sound.
Am bound.
Doubts abound.
Hardly profound!
I understand you, my son,
Life is not always fun,
My healing in you, has begun,
Into my arms, you may now run.
Your honesty and despair,
Does now let me repair,
Do not with others compare,
Together, we make a pair.
Come back to me my friend,
On life's road to wend,
Time with me to spend,
On me you can depend.
Thank you Lord,
Struck a chord.
Take me now in.
New life begin.
Peace in You,
Yes, it's true,
Thru 'n thru,
A new view.
You 'n me Lord,
In one accord.
Found your rest,
Just the best.
To You I submit.
As one we're knit!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Christmas is traditionally a family time. For most it is a time of celebration, but for others a time of sadness or difficulty. Families can be split by distance (2 of our 4 sons live 20,000km from us in the UK. PTL for Skype!), or dysfunction of many sorts.We are sold a lie that (expensive) gift giving will overcome most problems, while alcohol will blind us to the rest. Neither work!
Relationships are the foundation of a successful life, both in the natural and the spiritual.
While money does make live more comfortable in the natural, rich people are not necessarily happy. Riches come with a burden of their own - primarily the need to keep hold of them!
Spiritually, many people seek comfort in religion, tradition, form and institutionalism, while ignoring the truth of the Gospel, salvation obtained through a personal relationship with Jesus.
May we work on all our relationships, to put true joy into Christmas.
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: HANKER
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' Returning next week.
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilize this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the source be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.CHANGING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? NEWSLETTER STOPS COMING?
Each week we can lose up to 2% of our readers when they change email addresses without letting us know. Or sometimes, by your server acting strangely and just cutting us off! If you are about to change your address, please advise us of both your old and new addresses here atenquiries@wwj.org.nz and we will happily change our records to ensure ongoing delivery. Thanks.
Please also keep our address in your address book, as sometimes servers will automatically delete your address if there is even a one off problem in delivery. If your newsletter doesn't arrive, please let us know and we will reinstate you.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
DOES THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?
YES - Great!NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at ...
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