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: 663 Published: 30 Jun 2014
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' NOW AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been. There have been lots of downloads so far.One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to know) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
Download the free PDF here.....
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!
20th CENTURY DEVELOPMENTS
The Day of the Lord
28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-9)
THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
ECUMENISM AND SCHISMS
Because this movement became widespread, there was much cross pollination between denominations. Conferences multiplied and their participants encompassed a broad spectrum of Christianity. I belong to the Full Gospel Businessman's Association whose purpose was to provide fellowship to Spirit filled businessmen at a time when they were not able to find spiritual fellowship within their churches.
Catholic priest and scholar Peter Hocken referred to the Charismatic movement as "an ecumenical gift of grace poured out on all the churches."
In the United States, at the peak of the renewal in 1977, 52,000 Pentecostals/Charismatics met in the Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City. Quoting Hyatt.....
Truly ecumenical, it was indeed a work of the Holy Spirit. Half of the registrants were Roman Catholic, while the other half consisted mostly of Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, denominational Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists and Messianic Jews. Great rejoicing filled the stands as the multitude sang in tongues and danced before the Lord.
While Charismatics were encouraged to remain in their churches in order to spread the renewal, many found this too hard, either because they felt they were withering spiritually, or they encountered varying degrees of opposition within their denominations.
Some joined traditional Pentecostal denominations while many more formed new, independent Charismatic churches and fellowships. There are now many thousands of these throughout the world. Having ministered in many of these, particularly in Africa, it is again noticeable that Holy Spirit anointing is fast becoming in short supply here also.
THE ISSUE OF AUTHORITY IN CHARISMATA
Throughout history, as we have seen, there is inevitably it seems, a tension that occurs between the Christian establishment, the institutional church and charismatic ministry. The challenge always is whether people should submit to denominational authority, or the 'charismata'.
For example, the Protestant Reformation under Luther, was largely a result of the intransigence of the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church over the previous century, and in the previous 10 years in particular. Similarly, while John Wesley remained attached to the Anglican Church throughout his life, the church did not want him. Reluctantly, he appointed and ordained his own ministers based on their obvious charismatic gifts and callings. Naturally, against what would have been his personal desires, the Methodist Church was inevitably formed shortly after his death, from the seed he had sown.
Again, the Pentecostal movement of the early 20th Century was rejected by the traditional church who would not accept legitimacy of spiritual gifts. So believers formed new relationships amongst themselves and Pentecostal denominations were spawned.
This principle, which is true from the time of the Montanists of the 2nd century, still applies today. Now the Pentecostal denominations have become institutionalized, replacing spiritual giftings and anointing with formal structure, appointment by theological qualification, church buildings and ........
The cycle continues. We will discuss this further as we proceed towards the present day.
But 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.
(Continues 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.
Of course, it is not a Bible substitute! I Hope you find it helpful too, in your walk with Jesus.
Jesus Predicts His death to the Disciples (Matthew 20:17-19, Mark10:32-4, Luke 18:31-4)
On the road to Jerusalem.
“We’re going to Jerusalem,†he told them, “and the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and religious teachers. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the foreigners. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. But three days later he will rise again.â€
Request From a Mother (Matthew 20:20-28, Mark10:35-45)
On behalf of her sons.
“So what do you want me to do for you?â€
To sit beside Jesus on His throne.
You don’t know what you’re asking,†“Can you drink the cup I drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism of pain I will suffer?â€
“You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the same baptism as me,†“But it’s not for me to grant who should sit on my right or on my left. These places are reserved for those for whom they have been prepared.â€
Jesus now responds to all the disciples.
“You realize that those who claim to rule nations oppress their people. The rulers act like tyrants. But for you it’s not like this. Anyone of you who wants you to be a ruler must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be the slave of all of you For even the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.â€
Blind Men Receive Their Sight (Matthew 20:20-24, Mark10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43)
Including Bartimaeus.
“Tell him to come here.â€
“What do you want me to do for you?â€
“You can go. Your trust in me has healed you.â€
(Continued next week)
You can now download the complete Words of Jesus at.....
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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... DIVIDING THE WATERS continues12 LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM ‘DIVIDING THE WATERS’ continued
With a look at the diverse, challenging areas of grace, money and miracles in the church today.
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. ***
55. SIGNS YOUR CHURCH HAS SOLD OUT TO CORPORATE SPONSORS
- Nike "swoosh" on the cross
- Communion now sponsored by Welch's Grape Juice
- Taco Bell's talking dog now reading announcements
- In Christmas play, Joseph seen drinking can of Coke.
- Greeters all dressed like Ronald McDonald.
- Personal pew licenses now sold
- Baptismals include dolphin show from Sea World
- Statue of Moses seen holding keys to a Jeep
- The 12 disciples replaced by Disney characters
- Scripture verses brought to you by Windows '98
- Pastor doing subliminal product messages during sermon
- Bulletin has coupon section
- Choir members wear Dockers
- In the restrooms, an attendant hands you a towel
- There is a credit card swiper on the collection plate
- Offering envelopes bearing Visa or Mastercard emblems on them
- Handicap parking sponsored by the Family Medical Group, LLC
- Wednesday night suppers sponsored by KFC
- Sunday morning televised services sponsored by the FOX network
- Church vans traded in for Ford Broncos
- Church bell chimes to the tune of the NBC chimes
- Choir robes with the Lands' End emblem on front
- Sunday bulletins with the CNN logo
- Free Perrier at all baptism
- Church flag football team sponsored by the XFL
54. ONE GOOD TURN DESERVES...
A priest was walking down his street one day when he noticed a very small boy trying to press the doorbell on a house. The boy was very short and the doorbell was too high for him to reach.
After watching the boy's efforts for some time, the priest moved closer to the boy. He crossed the street, walked up behind the little fellow, placed his hand kind heartedly on the child's shoulder leaned over and gave the doorbell a solid ring.
Crouching down to the child's level, the priest smiled benevolently and asked, "And now what, my little man?" To which the boy replied, "Now we run!"
53. THE TRANSFER
A professor at London University, just appointed to a new post in the United States, informed his three-year-old daughter that she would soon be making her home in America.
That night, when her parents heard her prayers, the little girl started with, "Good-bye dear God, I'm going to America.
"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 literary sisters used male names when they published their novels?ANSWER: The Bronte sisters - Charlotte, Emily, and Anne - used male pseudonyms Currer Bell, Ellis Bell, and Acton Bell starting with the same letters. It was normal in earlier time periods for female writers to adopt male names in order to be published. (Their writings certainly ‘rang a bell’ with their readers!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Which American first lady carried a gun in her purse?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 682. PEAS PLEASE
In the 1500’s the lady of the house cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day the fire was lit and things added to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start all over again the next day. Sometimes the stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while - hence the rhyme, "Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.†(Save on washing pots and pans.)
683. THE POWER OF TELEVISION
Coach Denny Crum, suffering from the flu, was able to use the telephone to coach his Louisville basketball team in 1986 while watching the game on TV. The Louisville Cardinals won 92-71 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (The ball ‘flu’ into the goal repeatedly.)
684. POPULATION EXPLOSION
The largest known litter (with all kittens surviving) was that of a Persian in South Africa named Bluebell. Bluebell gave birth to 14 kittens in one litter! (Cat-alytic?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
RECLAIMS
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
19: Who was the first King of Egypt to be called by name instead of Pharaoh?a. Adom
b. Tutankhamun
c. Shishak
d. Ramses
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"""HOMILIES TO LIVE BY
!!!!!!! Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.
!!!!!! I read recipes the same way I read science fiction. I get to the end and I think, "Well, that's not going to happen."
!!!!! Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
!!!! The other night I ate at a real family restaurant. Every table had an argument going.
!!! Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to.
!! All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
! Have you noticed that a slight tax increase costs you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut saves you thirty cents?
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
226. WHERE TO?A man drives to a gas station and has his tank filled up. While doing this the clerk spots two penguins sitting on the back seat of the car. He asks the driver, "What's up with the penguins in the back seat?"
The man in the car says, "I found them. I asked myself what to do with them but, I haven't a clue."
The clerk ponders a bit then says, "You should take them to the zoo."
"Yeah, that's a good idea," says the man in the car and drives away.
The next day the man with the car is back at the same gas station. The clerk sees the penguins are still in the back seat of the car.
"Hey, they're still here! I thought you were going to take them to the zoo!"
"Oh, I did," says the driver, "and we had a swell time. Today I'm taking them to the beach."
225. HAPPINESS!
A woman walking down a residential street, noticed a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. She called out to him as she passed. "Hello there! I couldn't help but notice how happy you look. What's your secret for a long happy life?"
"I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day," he replied. "I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat nothing but fast food, and never exercise."
"Wow!" The woman was amazed. "How old are you?" she asked.
"Twenty-six," he replied.
224. THE SETTING SUN
The sun never sets on the British Empire. But it rises every morning. The sky must get awfully crowded. - Steven Wright
223. DO WHAT?
Two men were talking one day.
"My wife asked me to buy ORGANIC vegetables from the market garden." said the first man.
"So were you able to find some?" the second man, asked.
"Well when I got to the market, I asked the gardener, 'These vegetables are for my wife. Have they been sprayed with any poisonous chemicals?"
"The gardener said 'No, you'll have to do that yourself."
222. WAIT!
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael cried, "I want excitement, adventure, money, and beautiful women. I'll never find it here at home, so I'm leaving. Don't try and stop me!"
With that he headed toward the door. His father rose, smiled, and followed close behind.
"Didn't you hear what I said? I don't want you to try and stop me."
"Who's trying to stop you?" replied his father. "If you wait a minute, I'll go with you."
Have more laughs here.....
9 Rapid Changes in Church Worship Services in the US
By By Thom S. RainerLifeway Christian Resources
If you were attending a church worship service in 1955 and then returned to the same church in 1975, the changes would be noticeable but not dramatic. Churches were slow to change over that 20-year period. If you, however, attended a church worship service in 2000 and then returned to that same church in 2010, there is a high likelihood you would see dramatic changes in just ten years.
So today, Jonathan and I discuss some of those changes that are happening in worship services. The related post for this topic was one that caused a lot of discussion and at least a little controversy. In this week's episode, we share some of the reaction to the original post, dive deeper into some of the changes more, and I explain why I hate neckties.
1. Choirs are disappearing. From 1998 to 2007, the percentage of churches with choirs decreased from 54% to 44%. If that pace holds to this year, the percentage of churches with choirs is only 37%.
2. Dress is more casual. In many churches, a man wearing a tie in a worship service is now among the few rather than the majority. While the degree of casual dress is contextual, the trend is crossing all geographic and demographic lines.
3. Screens are pervasive. Some of you remember the days when putting a projection screen in a worship center was considered a sacrilege. Now most churches have screens. And if they have hymnals, the hymnals are largely ignored and the congregants follow along on the screens.
4. Preaching is longer. I will soon be in the process of gathering this data to make certain the objective research confirms the anecdotal information.
5. "Multi" is normative. Most congregants twenty years ago attended a Sunday morning worship service where no other Sunday morning alternatives were available. Today, most congregants attend a service that is part of numerous alternatives: multi-services; multi-campuses; multi-sites; and multi-venues.
6. Attendees are more diverse. The Duke study noted the trend of the decrease in the number of all-white congregations.
7. Conflict is not increasing. In a recent post, I noted the decreasing frequency of worship wars. The Duke study noted that overall church conflict has not increased over a 20-year period.
8. More worship attendees are attending larger churches. Churches with an attendance of 400 and up now account for 90% of all worship attendees. Inversely, those churches with an attendance of under 400 only account for 10% of worship attendees.
9. Sunday evening services are disappearing. This issue has stirred quite a bit of discussion the past few years.
Source: Christian Post
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Read more about it and download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
This poem was 2 years in the writing! The inspiration came, half was written, then I got busy on other things! In the last day or two I have had some spare time, so thought to finish it. (Actually I have had more spare time during the two years but never quite got 'a round tuit'!) I hope the result is worth waiting for!MR BUMBLE (Part 1)
The other day I met with a bumble bee,
The two of us together, just him and me.
I asked, "How are you, my high flying friend,â€
As our way down the road, we did gently wend.
“A ‘box of buzzes’ " said Mr Bumble, rumbling along,
In the prime of life - yes, a bee so buzzingly strong.
“I'm on the way to the garden down the road,
Plentiful pollen there, will get me a load.â€
“For I’m a worker bee you see,
One of many, in our big family,
We have a purpose for which to live,
Honey aplenty, to our hive, to give.â€
“Your life is a fulfilled one then,
A privilege not given many men.â€
“I guess it is, in following family tradition,
Feeding the hungry hive’s a real mission.â€
“I learned what to do from my brother,
The Queen you know, is our mother,
It was Jimmy who taught me how to fly,
Led by example, encouraged me to try.â€
“But soon flight, I did learn to master,
With practice, went faster and faster.
Till now I’m known as the ‘brmm-brmm bee,’
Always winning the race to the cherry tree.â€
“Of course, you know you can’t really fly!†I rashly said,
As diplomatic as taking a sledgehammer to his head!
“For the ‘Laws of Aerodynamics’ you know,
State that ‘up in the air,’ you cannot go.â€
‘Your shapes all wrong
To push you along!
Your body’s far too big!
Ever seen a flying pig?’
In full swing now, big in my bumble bee knowledge,
Intensively learned during five full years of college.
“Your little wings wear out beating ten thousand times a minute,
Therefore your life span is only sixty days – at the very limit!â€
Was somewhat surprised at my clever words’ effect,
For these, I thought, he would automatically reject.
But to take on board my knowledge, he did elect,
My erudite words, to him they did only deject!
“You humans are simply so superior
Us bumbling bees, greatly inferior!
You know more about me than I do!
So what you say, must surely be true.â€
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
At the moment I am on a diet to lose some weight. Not that, relatively speaking, I am huge, but my wellness doctor put me on a machine that told him I had great muscle tone (per courtesy of the gym) but was carrying 9kg of surplus fat.Having seen a previously porky friend recently, one whom I had not seen for 9 months, and noticed the difference in him, my mind was attuned to 'giving it a go'. Have now lost 1.5kg in the last fortnight.
This reminds me of my trips to India. As a generalisation, I observed that the pastors there are fat but their congregations are thin! They tell me it is their lifestyle! I will let you draw your own conclusions, as I have drawn mine.
Self control is a problem, particularly in societies where food is plentiful, and the sugar/calorie fix is encouraged. McDonalds and Coca Cola (and pretenders) have taken over the world! Food has become a gratification - and its pursuit, a religion.
Worth thinking about, isn't it?
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: MIRACLES
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' c. Shishak (1 Kings 11:40) Also the only King of Egypt to be called by name.
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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