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: 653 Published: 21 Apr 2014
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 now proceed to the 20th century which, as we all know, was noted for outpourings of the Holy Spirit. Surely all would now be transformed by the Spirit and the bride church produced. Of course, we now know the reality, where there has been greater splits and divisions than ever before. God weeps!
THE EARLY 1900'S
Now we return to the United States and pick up again the story of Charles Parnham and William Seymour (Pictured).
AZUSA STREET REVIVAL (1906-9) Part 2
HOLY SPIRIT LEADERSHIP
Azusa Street services were spontaneous, not pre-programed, with no organised choirs, singers or speakers. The services started mid-morning and continued until 3 or 4 the next morning! An attendee wrote.....
Someone might be speaking. Suddenly the Spirit would fall upon the congregation. God Himself would give the altar call. Men would fall all over the house, like the slain in battle, or rush for the altar enmasse to seek God. Presumptuous men would sometimes come among us. Especially preachers who would try to spread themselves in self-opinionation. But their effort was short-lived. Their minds would wander, their brains reel. Things would turn black before their eyes. They could not go on. We simply prayed. The Holy Ghost did the rest.
Word soon spread that God was doing something new there. The 'Los Angeles Times' covered the 'local happenings', although not always positively! Frank Bartleman, a participant and Holiness journalist, wrote many articles which he distributed widely to Holiness publications. William Seymour himself, started a paper called 'The Apostolic Faith' which rapidly reached a 50,000 circulation.
As the word spread, people came from far and wide. Many claimed they could they could feel the spiritual atmosphere several blocks away. Thousands were baptized in the Holy Spirit and went away re-energized in their faith and with a heart to share with others.
Ernest S. Williams, later the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God from 1929 to 1949, first visited the revival in 1907 and was astounded by what he encountered.
I wish I could describe what I saw. Prayer and worship were everywhere. The altar area was filled with seekers; some were kneeling; others were prone on the floor; some were speaking in tongues. Everyone was doing something; all were seemingly lost in God. I simply stood and looked, for I had never seen anything like it.
A short time later, Williams experienced his personal Pentecost and spoke in tongues. Nearly sixty years later, he revealed that his initial encounter with the Holy Spirit was not a one time experience.....
Soon it will be 59 years since I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I still have my seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, speaking in other tongues and at times shaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
AN INTERRACIAL CHARACTER
Far removed from southern states, Los Angeles was, even then, a melting pot of races. This was reflected in the mission, where differing ethnicities met as one under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The original Azusa Board of Directors reflected both racial and gender diversity, consisting of 7 women and 5 men, of which 3 were black and 9 white.
MINISTRY DECLINE BUT ONGOING WORLDWIDE INFUENCE
The revival continued at its peak for round 3 years from 1906 to 1909, before internal strife dampened the flames. As the revival smouldered, many whites left to begin their own churches and missions. By 1914 the Azusa Street Mission had become a small, local, black congregation.
William Seymour continued as the senior pastor until his death in 1922. His wife continued the Mission until she died in 1936. Finally, the building was sold, then used as a parking lot.
However, God used William Seymour and Azusa Street as catalyst to spread the Pentecostal message worldwide. The extent of its influence can be seen in the proliferation of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches found today.
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.
(This section continued next week)
Find out more about us at.....
AZUSA STREET MISSION
The building where the revival was centred.
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.
Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17)
Contrary to accepted religious thought, with Jesus being criticized by the synagogue leader.
“You’re freed of your sickness.â€
“You hypocrites! Doesn’t every one of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall and take it to drink? Why shouldn’t this woman, this daughter of Abraham whom Satan has kept tied up for eighteen years, be untied and set free this Sabbath day?â€
Parables about a Mustard Seed and Yeast (Luke 13:18-21)
Kingdom illustrations.
“So what is the kingdom of God like? What should I compare it to? It’s like a mustard seed that a man planted in his garden. It grew into a tree, and the birds came and nested in its branches.â€
He asked again, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It’s like yeast that a woman took and
mixed into three measures of flour which made the whole batch rise.â€
The Jews Confront Jesus’ Claim to be The Christ (John 10:24-39)
In the Temple at the Feast of Dedication.
“I already told you and you refuse to believe it. The miracles I do in my Father’s name prove who I am. You don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they shall never be lost, and no one can snatch them from me. My Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone else; no one can snatch them from him. I and the
Father are one.â€
“You’ve seen many good deeds that I’ve done from the Father. Which one are you stoning me for?â€
“Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?†He called those people ‘gods,’ the people to whom the word of God came—and Scripture can’t be altered. So why are you saying the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said ‘I am the Son of God’? If I’m not doing what my Father does, then don’t believe me. But if that is what I’m doing, even though you don’t believe me, you should believe because of the evidence of what I’ve done. That way you can know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.
(Continued next week)
Read the NIV Bible online at.....
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
ON REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS163. True repentance is - a godly principle applied.
164. Personal repentance is a verb, not an adjective.
165. True repentance is an action that results in a life changing reaction.
166. Show me one who walks in forgiveness and talks with their wallet, and I will show you a true believer.
167. It is amazing how a sprinkling of forgiveness can calm a raging sea of hurts.
168. Sadly, the human mind subtly subverts the holy, ‘I Am’, into the unholy, ‘I am’!
187. Forgiveness is unique. The more you give the more you get.
188. Forgiveness is the one thing you can have more of by giving it away.
189. There are two inexplicable things in life - that the bumblebee can fly and that the more forgiveness I give, the more I get.
190. Forgiveness flies away, a leaf borne by the wind, soon to be returned upon the wings of an angel.
378. Medicine heals the body, while forgiveness heals the soul.
379. Forgiveness is a mind soothing balm.
380. Repentance brings peace with God - forgiveness, peace with ones self.
381. The simplest way to avoid repentance is not to sin. All too often I forget to follow my own advice!
1305. True revival is built upon the foundation of tears.
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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... DIVIDING THE WATERS continuesSimilarly to the story of the crossing of the Red Sea, the entry of the Jews into their promised inheritance under the new leadership of Joshua also has parallels and lessons for today’s Church.
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. ***
26. HYMNS FOR THE AGING
--Precious Lord, Take My Hand (And Help Me Stand Up)
--It Is Well With My Soul (But My Back Hurts)
--Nobody Knows The Trouble I Have Seeing
--Amazing Grace (I’ve Got This Far)
--Just A Slower Walk With Thee
--Count Your Many Birthdays, Name Them One By One
--Go Tell It On The Mountain ( And Speak Up)
--Give Me That Old Timers Religion
--Blessed Insurance
--Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah (I’ve Forgotten Where I Parked)
25. THE LORD'S ARMY
A friend was walking out of church in front of me, where he waited to shake hands with the pastor. The pastor grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside. "You need to join the Army of the Lord," said the pastor.
"I already belong," said my friend.
"Well how come we don’t see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
My friend whispered back confidentially, "I’m in the Secret Service."
24. STILL MORE BULLETIN BLOOPERS
*** The Pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy."
*** A songfest was hell at the Methodist Church on Wednesday.
*** Next Sunday Mrs Vinson will be the soloist for the morning service. The pastor will then speak on "It’s a Terrible Experience."
*** Due to the Rector’s illness, Wednesday’s healing service will be cancelled until further notice.
*** Stewardship Offertory: "Jesus Paid It All."
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: Is it possible that a caterpillar could have more than 1,000 muscles?ANSWER: Yes, it certainly is! In fact a caterpillar has over 2,000 muscles to control the movement of its long body and many legs. (No wonder they move slowly! A wonder they move at all!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who invented aspirin?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 712. INDIVIDUALITY
A foetus develops its own unique fingerprints at eighteen weeks! (Will the evidence stand up in Court?)
713. THE GREATEST EARTHLY HONOUR
In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II was named an "Honorary Harlem Globetrotter."! (Retired!)
714. HUNGRY?
There was a bank robbery in London where two men grabbed a jewellery store manager’s briefcase and made off with it. They were foiled however, as all the briefcase contained was the manager’s lunch! (Diamonds are (not always) forever.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
NEBULA
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...
BIBLE FIRSTS
10: Who was the first man named as being left-handed?a. Terah
b. Benjamin
c. Isaac
d. Ehud
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"""!!!!!!! Speak well of your enemies ~ you made them!
!!!!!! You cannot stumble if you are on your knees.
!!!!! Most of the world's useful work is done by people who are pressed for time, or are tired, or don't feel well.
!!!! Humility is a strange thing ~ the moment you think you have it, you have lost it.
!!! He who thinks by the inch, and talks by the yard, deserves to be kicked by the foot.
!! Office sign: If you have nothing to do, please don't do it here.
! He slept beneath the moon; he baked beneath the sun; he lived a life of going to do ~ and died with nothing done.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
A FAIRY WIFEFor a while my husband and I had opposite schedules. He worked during the day, and I worked at night.
One morning I noticed he had left a note to himself on the kitchen counter that read, "STAMPS!" As a helpful surprise, I bought him some at the post office and put them on the counter before going to work.
The next morning I found the same note. "STAMPS!" was crossed out. Underneath it he had written, "ONE MILLION DOLLARS!"
A RARE MOMENT!
My wife and I were lunching at a sidewalk cafe in Huntington Beach, CA. Our waitress looked like a real surfer girl - athletic with a great tan and blond hair. Mulling over the menu, my wife asked her if the roast beef was rare. The waitress gave us a long blank look, then replied, "Well, no - we have it, like, just about every day."
NOT A TOUR GUIDE
On a cruise to Alaska, I saw my very first glacier in the magnificent Inside Passage. Excitedly, I asked a ship's officer what it was called. "It's some dumb glacier," he replied.
Disappointed by his attitude, I bought a map to figure it out myself. I spotted our location and found the name of the ice mass. It was called, just as he'd said, "Sumdum Glacier."
REAL BRAVERY
A fire started on some grassland near a farm in Indiana.
The fire department from the nearby town was called to put the fire out. The fire proved to be more than the small town fire department could handle, so someone suggested that a rural volunteer fire department be called.
The volunteer fire department arrived in a dilapidated old fire truck.
They drove straight towards the fire and stopped right in the middle of the flames.
The volunteer firemen jumped off the truck and frantically started spraying water in all directions...
Soon they had snuffed out the center of the fire, dividing the flames into two easily controllable parts.
Now the farmer was so impressed with the volunteer fire department's work and so grateful that his farm and crops had been spared, he presented the volunteer fire department with a check for $1000.
A local news reporter asked the volunteer fire captain what the department planned to do with the funds.
"That should be obvious," he responded. "The very first thing we're gonna do is get the brakes fixed on that stupid fire truck."
HOW WE DRIVE ROUND HERE
My brother, on vacation in Malta, was appalled by the island's chaotic traffic, and asked the hotel keeper why it was so disorderly.
"In some countries they drive on the right, in others on the left," explained the hotelier. "Here we drive in the shade."
To have more life laughs, go here.....
Revival Breaks Out in Land Once Hostile to Christianity
By Jeremy ReynaldsSenior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
NORTHERN AFRICA (ANS) -- A Christian revival is touching the northernmost reaches of Africa. In a region once hostile to the gospel, tens of thousands of Muslims are now following Jesus.
In a region once hostile to the gospel, tens of thousands of Muslims are now following Jesus.
Muslims across Northern Africa are converting to faith in Jesus Christ in record numbers.
Speaking in a story by George Thomas for CBN News, Regent University graduate and filmmaker Tino Qahosh said, “What God is doing in North Africa, all the way from actually Mauritanian to Libya is unprecedented in the history of missions.â€
Qahoush has spent years traveling the region to document the transformation.
He said, “I have the privilege of recording testimonies and listening to first hand stories of men and women, of all ages where they can be sitting in a room and see the appearance and the presence of God appear to them in reality, like a vision, some of them gave me stories of how they carry on a conversation, it's not just a light that appears.â€
He added that he sometimes feels jealous. “How come Jesus is visiting the Muslim world at this time and age and we don't hear that happening in the traditional Christian community?â€
Thomas said his interviews confirm what experts say is a profound move of God in the predominantly Muslim nations of Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Tunisia.
From the shores of Casablanca in Morocco to Tripoli, Libya, experts say the growth of Christianity, especially in the last 20 years, has been unprecedented. And now that growth is also evident in the North African nation of Algeria.
Pastor Salah leads one of the largest churches in Algeria. Some 1,200 believers attend the church, and 99 percent of the population is Muslim.
“In fact we never thought the Algerian church would grow so big,†Thomas reported Salah said. He pointed out that every new Christian in his church came from a Muslim background. Since the church opened, they have baptized an average of between 150 to 160 believers per year.
Zino, a former Muslim, was invited to attend Pastor Salah's church by a friend.
What he observed transformed him. “I saw Algerians worshiping God with all their hearts and it touched me."
Others, like Farhat who is also a former Muslim, speak of miraculous encounters. He says he was illiterate and couldn't read the Bible when he accepted the Lord, but then God made a change.
“Since then I've read the Bible and understood the Word of God. This is just an example of what God has done in my life and this is the case of many people here in Algeria.â€
Thomas said even though Algeria is overwhelmingly Muslim the government has given protestant churches the freedom to register their congregations.
“It is the first Muslim Arab government who recognizes officially churches from Islam,†said says Youssef Qurahmane, a leading Algerian Pastor.
He added that the government harass and intimidate Christians from time to time, but the level of persecution is nothing like it was 20 years ago.
In fact, Qurahmane is seeing God open unprecedented doors.
Thomas reported he said, “God has given to us many opportunities to witness at the police stations, at the courts, and in fact one time I went to the police station and they gave me 45 minutes to speak about Jesus! Just imagine yourself, they are all Muslims sitting and telling me, ‘Tell us about Jesus!’â€
But Algeria and the countries of North Africa weren't always open to the gospel.
A veteran missionary in the region says things were very different some years ago. We'll call him “Peter†for security reasons.
Peter uses the Bible to describe the landscape.
Thomas reported he said, “You know there's that parable, the sower went out to sow and the seeds feel on stony ground, this is North Africa, in those days was quiet resistant and stony. The religion and the culture were unsympathetic to anything that was foreign and Christianity was considered to be the religion of the Europeans.â€
Peter believes the arrival of satellite TV and the Internet have dramatically changed people's perception of Christianity.
“Today in North Africa on TV you can hear native Arab Christians talking about their faith, who are mature Christians, answering questions, involved in debates, you can hear different points of view, the Christian point of view in your own living room or in the privacy of your own bedroom.â€
Emboldened by God's power, Thomas says Algerian Christians are now on a mission to take the gospel to the four corners of the globe.
“God has put in our heart to be able to send 1,000 missionaries by the year 2025. I really believe that maybe one day America will end up with some Muslim convert missionaries coming to reach out to the Muslims there and in other parts as well,†says Pastor Qurahmane.
Source: Assist News Service
Via OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
REVELATION’S REVELATION†To him who overcomes†An exciting illumination of the promise made to those who are prepared to give their “all†to Christ.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Life goes on, even when you don't!The tyranny of deadlines!
WHAT 2 WRITE?
What 2 write?
I don't know.
A 'word byte'?
Only 'so so'.
Had the flu,
Perhaps U2?
Not much fun,
Work 2b done!
But we survive,
Am still alive!
Better next week,
With U2 speak!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Finally, I have managed to get the picture off the phone, onto the computer, into a file I could find, reduced in pixels, and onto this ezine! PHEW! Comes with changing operating systems from XP to Windows 7. Then, of course, there is Windows 8 on Kathy's laptop at home. But that is another story!Change, change! I can see how religious people love 'the old way of doing things', for it is simply easier and more comfortable. But it is not God's way.
God desires us to change to his personal 'operating system' for our life. An operating system that is in a continual state of development as we submit our lives ever more to His will and ways.
As XP is now redundant, replaced by newer versions, so true followers of Jesus are to continue to be upgraded into the likeness of our Saviour and Lord.
What version is your life running on today? Time for an upgrade?
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: UNABLE
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' d. Ehud (Judges 3:15)
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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