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: 679 Published: 20 Oct 2014
TWENTY-FIVE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS
Not clearly numbered and listed, as in the Old Testament outward Law of the 10 Commandments, they are found among the teachings of Jesus in the 4 Gospels, and are available for all who have a heart to seek them.We all too easily think, with the emphasis that Jesus places on love and forgiveness, that he didn't teach any absolutes. But, as can be seen here, Jesus did place boundaries on believer's behaviour, along with instructions for Godly living.
I have grouped these into 3 categories for easier comprehension.
Don't take my word for it! Study the Scriptures!
David Tait
Walking With Jesus Ministries
www.wwj.org.nz
LOVE THE 25 COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS!
BRILLIANT!
Dr Bernie Wade
President - ICOF Global Union
You may download the PDF here.....
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCHThe major question now is, "where is the church of the 21st Century heading".
Fourteen years into the new century, it is becoming more apparent that God is 'doing a new thing'. But as we have seen over the past 2000 years, through the Dark Ages, the Reformation and the Holy Spirit revivals of the 20th century, the Holy Spirit will always be to the fore of what transpires.
Regrettably from a human perspective, all past movements of the Holy Spirit have come to an end, primarily because man has codified them and taken over. Like Moses, the world's humblest man and the closest to God before Jesus, when he hit the rock, (which he had done successfully before to bring water), rather than talk to it as God had instructed him to do,(Numbers 20:13) man has always seemingly known better than God. This cost Moses the opportunity to take the Israelites into the Promised Land.
So where do we go from here? What is God doing here and now, and into the future.
THE CHALLENGE OF..... LIVING THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE
To conclude this series on the history of the church, past, present and likely future from a Holy Spirit anointing perspective, I will finish, over the weeks ahead, by looking at the 'Parables of Jesus' which set out the principles of living a kingdom lifestyle.
The relevant Scriptures can be accessed by clicking on the blue links.
THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT BANQUET
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.†16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 â€â€˜Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’†(Luke 14:15-24)
This illustration of the guest list at a feast is both an encouragement, and a warning, for those who desire to be a part of the kingdom of God. On the encouraging side, we don't have to be spiritual superstars in order to enter the kingdom. God looks not at our position, our clothing or our spiritual gifts, but at our heart attitude towards Him.
Mark 12:32-4
The kingdom is accessed through the application in our lives of the 'golden rule', agape loving (a love involving action, not just mental assent) of both God and others. As we saw from the Parable of the Sower last week, perseverance is required.
Luke 8:15
Our heart attitude, as demonstrated through our actions, is the invitation that enables us to attend the feast, to enter the kingdom of God. The warning, on the other hand, was directed, at the time, to the religious people of the day.
Matthew 5:20
While we all see the problems of the Pharisees, we are often blinded to the reality that these characteristics are the potential downfall in leadership of any generation. Let's look briefly at the 'woes', a list of warnings from Jesus that we need to guard against today.
Matthew 23:13
We must be so careful to only teach Biblical truth, not denominational theology. Verse 14 is excluded from the NIV, but it talks about taking advantage of 'widows' ie. the easily beguiled - and the saying of long prayers! We can travel away, looking better than we are in reality, for at home people know us better.
Matthew 23:15
Do we make additional rules in an attempt to earn holiness by human means?
Matthew 16:22-3
Do we major on the minor?
Matthew 23:23-4
Are we really what we portray ourselves to be? We need to be honest with others.
Matthew 23:27-8
Of course we are not like the Pharisees! But are we?
Matthew 23:29-32
Two additional warnings precede these 'woes'. Do not dress to distinguish yourself from those you lead.
Matthew 23:5-7
Do not use a title. Walk in humility.
Matthew 23:8-12
Please do not take offence with me. This is Scripture speaking. I take offence with myself when I see areas here where I am failing my God, through my thoughts and actions.
"Forgive us lord. Help us Lord become more like You."
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.
(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.
On the Mount of Olives (John:15:1 – 16:33)
The farewell discourse.
The Vine.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every one of my branches that doesn’t bear fruit. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so it can bear even more. You are already pruned and made clean through what I’ve told you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it remains part of the vine, so it is for you: you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. I’m the vine, you’re the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit—for apart from me you can’t do anything. Anyone who doesn’t remain in me is like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Such branches are gathered together, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, then you can ask for whatever you want, and it will be given you. My Father is glorified as you produce much fruit, proving you are my disciples.
“As the Father loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you do what I say, you will remain in my love, just as I do what my Father says and remain in his love. I’ve explained this to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my command: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than to give your life for your friends. You’re my friends if you do what I tell you. I don’t call you servants any longer, for servants are not taken into their master’s confidence. I call you friends, for everything my Father told me I’ve explained to you. You didn’t choose me, I chose you. I have given you the responsibility to go and produce lasting fruit. So the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command to you: love one another.
World hates the disciples.
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before it hated you. If you were part of this world, it would love you as its own. But you’re not part of the world, and I chose you out of the world—that’s why the world hates you.
“Remember what I told you: servants aren’t more important than their master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them too. But everything they do to you will be because of me, for they don’t know the One who sent me. If I hadn’t come and spoken to them, they wouldn’t be guilty of sin—but now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not given them such a demonstration through things that no one had ever done before, they wouldn’t be guilty of sin, but despite seeing all this they hated both me and my Father. But this just fulfilled what Scripture says, “They hated me for no reason at all.â€
“But I will send you the Comforter from the Father. When he comes, he will give evidence about me. He is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. You will also give evidence about me because you were with me from the beginning.
“I’ve told you this so you won’t give up your trust in me. They will expel you from the synagogues—in fact the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing God a service. They’ll do this because they have never known the Father or me. I’ve told you this so that when these things happen, you’ll remember what I told you. I didn’t need to tell you this right at the beginning because I was going to be with you.
The Holy Spirit’s work.
But now I’m going to the one who sent me, and yet not one of you is asking me, “Where are you going?†Of course, now that I’ve told you, you’re full of grief.
“But I’m telling you the truth: it’s better for you that I go away, for if I don’t the Comforter won’t come to you. If I go away, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convince those in the world that they have wrong ideas regarding sin, what’s right, and judgment: Sin, for they don’t trust in me. 10What is right, for I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me any longer. Judgement, for the ruler of this world has been
condemned.
“There’s much more I want to explain to you, but you couldn’t stand it now. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, he will teach you the whole truth. He doesn’t speak for himself, but he only says what he hears, and he will tell you what’s going to happen. He brings me glory for he teaches you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine. This is why I said that the Spirit teaches you whatever he receives from me. In a little while you won’t see me anymore, but then a little while after that you will see me.â€
From grief to joy.
“Are you wondering about my comment, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me’? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will turn into joy. A woman in labor suffers pain because her time has come, but once the baby is born, she forgets the agony because of the joy that a child has been brought into the world. “Yes, you’re grieving now, but I will see you again; and you will rejoice, and no one can take away your joy.
“When that time comes you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you haven’t asked for anything in my name, so ask and you shall receive, and your happiness will be complete. I’ve been talking to you using picture language. But soon I won’t use such picture language any more when I speak to you. Instead I’ll explain the Father to you very plainly. “At that time you will ask in my name. I’m not saying to you that I will plead with the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you—because you love me and believe that I came from God. I left the Father and came into the world; now I leave the world and return to my Father.
The disciples now understood.
“Are you really convinced now?†“The time is coming—in fact it’s just about to happen — when you will be scattered, each of you to your own homes, leaving me all alone. But I’m not really alone, for the Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that you may have peace because you are one with me. You will suffer in this world, but be brave—I have defeated the world!â€
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) 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.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
SIN1152. The centrality of both sIn and prIde is 'I'!
1153. Sin is the external result of internal rebellion against God.
1154. Just because we grow up with sin doesn't mean we need to hold on to it all our life!
1155. Sin causes God to cry!
1156. The foundation of sin is 'self interest', that of righteousness, 'God interest'.
1157. As sin goes, righteousness grows.
1158. No-one has ever conquered sin by their own efforts!
1159. The deep darkness of sin cannot co-exist with the bright light of holiness, in the natural or spiritual.
1160. While we are forgiven of our sins through the cross of Jesus, upon request, we still have to live with the consequences. So it's best not to sin in the first place!
1161. Overcoming sin is a lifelong process of eliminating the 'self' from our life.
1162. God never asks us to deal with more than we can currently handle. So eliminating sin is a lifelong process!
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 ...
THE WORLD'S GREATEST PROBLEM!!!!! (Next to not knowing Jesus)
HOW MUCH EXERCISE DO WE GET?The ongoing and increasing challenge of our current age of mechanisation and now computerization, particularly in the developed world, is the reduction in effort necessary to exist, to provide the necessities of life for ourselves and our families.
The exodus from the country to the city continues to escalate, all round the world. So even the 'new poor' of the cities are less fit than when they lived in the countryside.
I am a typical example! In my youth I did lots of sport which kept me active. While at university and then on to work, I spent ever more time sitting down studying, then working at a computer. I was temporarily 'rescued' when we bought and worked commercial horticultural properties. But back to town and business, where a computer became my 'best friend'!
Combining this with some 'maturity of years', the dreaded 'pot' started appearing! For a good number of years I was able to supress this through the challenge of marathons and triathlons. However the day came when the knees had had enough and running was off the menu although food wasn't! Joining the gym helped a little but not a lot.
Finally, between the example of seeing an acquaintance reduce weight and a health doctor friend telling me I also needed to, the motivation to change my food intake, both volume and quality, erupted. With now 10kg (22lbs) less of me, I am getting nearer again to a healthy weight. Another 2-3kg to go.
The most difficult part for me, was the motivation. Food and a sedentary lifestyle are addictive. As much so as alcohol or smoking. We justify and excuse the abuse we give our God given bodies. Our temple in which the kingdom is to live.
I am not - and never have been - a glamorous hunk! No Mr Universe or sleek specimen here in this kingdom body. But slowly I am learning not to abuse what I have been given, in order to live a healthier, happier and more effective life than what was developing. One hopefully more honouring to God and useful to Him, as He chooses.
My prayer is that someone/s, somewhere, maybe you, will be motivated through my experience, to do something about the 'pot challenge' in your own life.
PS: Comments are welcomed and appreciated.
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: BEYOND THE VEIL – 1 REVELATION FROM THE DAY OF ATONEMENTBefore we start, it must be made clear that Jesus was the fulfilment of all the Tabernacle Feasts. When He died on the cross the veil was parted forever.
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51)
Jesus, through His death made it possible for us to enter the very throne room of God. Praise the Lord! Yet we all know that we have not yet occupied the throne room, at least not for more than short periods of time. Why is that? We have been saved; many have been filled with the Holy Spirit, yet these twin experiences have not been sufficient to live in the throne room of God’s presence. There has to be something more.
Check out all the available teachings at...
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***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. ***
102. I BAPTISE YOU
The young son of a Baptist minister was in church one morning when he saw for the first time baptism by immersion. He was greatly interested in it, and the next morning proceeded to baptize... you guessed it... his three cats in the bathtub.
The youngest kitten bore it very well, and so did the younger cat, but the old family tom cat rebelled.
The old feline struggled with the boy, clawed and tore his skin, and finally got away. With considerable effort the boy caught the old tom again and proceeded with the "ceremony."
But the cat acted worse than ever, clawing and spitting, and scratching the boy's face.
Finally, after barely getting the cat splattered with water, he dropped him on the floor in disgust and said:
"Fine, be a Methodist if you want to!"
101. SMILES FROM THE BIBLE
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married?
A. Ruthless.
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.
Q. What was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.
Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.
Q. Who is the greatest baby sitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.
Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.
100. TOP TEN SIGNS YOU'RE IN FOR A LONG SERMON
10. There's a case of bottled water beside the pulpit in a cooler.
9. The pews have camper hookups.
8. You overhear the pastor telling the soundman to have a few (dozen!) extra tapes on hand to record today's sermon.
7. The preacher has brought a snack to the pulpit.
6. The preacher breaks for an intermission.
5. The bulletins have pizza delivery menus.
4. When the preacher asks the deacon to bring in his notes, he rolls in a filing cabinet.
3. The choir loft is furnished with La-Z-Boys.
2. Instead of taking off his watch and laying it on the pulpit, the preacher turns up a four-foot hour-glass.
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU'RE IN FOR A LONG SUNDAY SERMON
1. The minister says, "You'll be out in time to watch the super bowl" but it's only November!
"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 is the real name of the painting now known as the ‘Mona Lisa’ANSWER: The real name of Leonardo Da Vinci's hugely famous painting is ‘La Giaconda’. It is supposed to be the portrait of the wife of a middle-class Florentine merchant named Francesco del Giacondo, but a number of other alternatives have also been suggested. (Will always be Mona to me.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What does the name ‘Jolly Roger’ come from?
Answer Next Week.
639. BURIED DEEP
Alaska holds the World Record for the greatest daily snowfall, where 78 inches (1.95metres) of snow fell on February 16 1907. (Even buried the snowmen?)
640. SWISS CAUTION
Every Swiss resident is required to have access to a bomb shelter. (In about the only European country that has managed to keep out of all wars for more than 100 years.)
641. ADVENTUROUS TRAVELLERS?
The foreign city most visited by American citizens is the closest – Tijuana. (The closest foreign city to New Zealand is Sydney, Australia, some 2,000km away. Proportionately though, more New Zealanders have visited Sydney!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
GARNISH
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...
PRAYER
15: You will be healed if you pray for one another and what else?a. Confess your faults
b. Thank God
c. Do a good turn
d. Love one another
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 pat on the back is only a few inches from a kick in the rear.
!!!!!! Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind, and the ones who mind, don't matter.
!!!!! "Be my Valentine...forever." - God
!!!! By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong.
!!! Do not believe in miracles...rely on them.
!! Do you brighten a room just by entering or just by leaving?
! Friends may come and go but enemies accumulate.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
EXTENSIVE EXPLANATIONS
106. 10 COMMANDMENTS FOR 'WORKING HARD'1. Never walk without a document in your hands
People with documents in their hands look like hardworking employees heading for important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like they’re heading for the cafeteria. People with a newspaper in their hand look like they’re heading for the restroom. Above all, make sure you carry loads of stuff home with you at night, thus generating the false impression that you work longer hours than you do.
2. Use computers to look busy
Any time you use a computer, it looks like “work†to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal e-mail, chat and generally have a blast without doing anything remotely related to work. These aren’t exactly the societal benefits that the proponents of the computer revolution would like to talk about but they’re not bad either. When you get caught by your boss - and you will get caught — your best defense is to claim you’re teaching yourself to use new software, thus saving valuable training dollars.
3. Messy desk
Top management can get away with a clean desk. For the rest of us, it looks like we’re not working hard enough. Build huge piles of documents around your workspace. To the observer, last year’s work looks the same as today’s work; it’s volume that counts. Pile them high and wide. If you know somebody is coming to your cubicle, bury the document you’ll need halfway down in an existing stack and rummage for it when he/she arrives.
4. Voice Mail
Never answer your phone if you have voice mail. People don’t call you just because they want to give you something for nothing - they call because they want YOU to do work for THEM. That’s no way to live. Screen all your calls through voice mail. If somebody leaves a voice mail message for you and it sounds like impending work, respond during lunch hour when you know they’re not there - it looks like you’re hardworking and conscientious even though you’re being a devious weasel.
5. Looking Impatient and Annoyed
According to Seinfeld's George Costanza, one should also always try to look impatient and annoyed to give your bosses the impression that you are always busy.
6. Leave the office late
Always leave the office late, especially when the boss is still around. You could read magazines and storybooks that you always wanted to read but have no time until late before leaving. Make sure you walk past the boss’ office on your way out. Send important emails at unearthly hours (e.g. 9:35pm, 7:05am, etc.) and over the holidays.
7. Creative Sighing for Effect
Sigh loudly when there are many people around, giving the impression that you are under extreme pressure.
8. Stacking Strategy
It is not enough to pile lots of documents on the table. Put lots of books on the floor etc. (thick computer manuals are the best).
9. Build Vocabulary
Read up on some computer magazines and pick out all the jargon and new products. Use the phrases freely when in conversation with bosses. Remember: They don’t have to understand what you say, but you sure sound impressive.
10. MOST IMPORTANT:
DON’T forward this to your boss by mistake!!!
Lots of Extensive Explanations here
Terror group inadvertently creates Gospel curiousity in Iraq
Published by Ruth Kramer on October 13, 2014Iraq (CAM) — Editor’s Note: We share this news story released by Christian Aid Mission, your link to indigenous missions. The personal experience described here about ministry opportunities made us decide to publish it in its entirety:
Working in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region day and night to help meet the needs of people displaced by the threats and violence of the terror group Islamic State (ISIS) in Mosul and other areas, members of an Iraqi ministry team recently came into contact with a colonel from the Kurdish forces battling ISIS.
The colonel was serving as a division commander of the Peshmerga, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s armed forces, which have helped to slow the incursion of ISIS in its brutal push to establish a caliphate imposing a strict version of Sunni Islam. With the aid of U.S. airstrikes, the Peshmerga have also slowly retaken some territory. They are helping to secure the Kurdish capital of Erbil, where the ministry team assisted by Christian Aid Mission is supplying displaced people with food, clothing, beds, and medicine.
The colonel had a few questions for the team members: What was the reason for offering all this aid? What was the motivation, what was the source of it?
“We spoke with him explicitly, explaining everything to him, saying that Christ taught us to love and express our love to the people in a practical way,†said the team director, who informed the officer that all relief items had been donated or purchased locally.
The Peshmerga colonel, whose name is withheld for security reasons, was quick to respond.
“You see the Arabs around you in the Gulf states, which claim to be religious Muslims, have not sent us anything but terrorists,†he told the ministry team members. “But you who follow Christ send love and peace and goodness to people every day.â€
The conversation continued at length, the ministry team director said.
“After we had a long talk with him about Christ, he bowed and prayed, asking Christ into his life,†the director said. “And he said, ‘Today I am the happiest person! I’ve had the privilege of making this decision,’ and he received a copy of the Bible.â€
The colonel’s experience was just one of many taking place in Iraq. In cities of refuge like Erbil for people displaced from their homes in other parts of Iraq, people are turning to Christ at a stunning pace. Tent churches are springing up in the makeshift camps. Under normal circumstances, mission strategies focus on how to proclaim Christ effectively, but the challenge now is keeping pace with the number who would receive Him, the director said.
“The greatest challenge in the ministry right now is not whether these people will accept Christ or not,†he said. “In all our travel to deliver the aid and preach God’s Word, we did not find anyone opposed to or rejecting our message. The challenge is how and when we will reach all those people with the message of salvation in the squares, sidewalks, roads, inside the tents and out, and everywhere.â€
Christian Aid Mission’s Middle East director said that as a result of this trend, some church leaders and workers for ministry organizations are remaining in Iraq even as the cruel practices of ISIS–beheading Iraqi children who refuse to deny Christ in Qaroqosh and Western journalists elsewhere–gain greater notoriety.
“I think of workers who stayed behind in Mosul and the surrounding areas because there are so many who are receptive to the gospel,†he said. “They are willing to risk being in an area under the rule of ISIS for the privilege of more and more fruit for Christ.â€
Forced to trust God more than they ever have before, these Christians are growing in their relationship with God in ways they had never imagined, he said.
“I respected them before the Arab Spring because they were serving in Islamic areas, but now they are serving more and maturing even more,†he said. â€We need to intercede for these workers. They are all always in danger. They need God’s power to show His love to the thousands of helpless people.â€
When Iraqi ministry workers assisted by Christian Aid Mission obtain more funds for food, water, medicine, and other supplies, they have the opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love in a tangible way, he added.
“God has put within the hearts of thousands of Muslims a desire to read His Word,†he said. “We can be the instruments of providing them with New Testaments and audio Bibles.â€
Source: Mission Network News
Via: 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.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Life is a battle when we are walking in God's will for our life, for the enemy doesn't like it. But we must never forget that we have the victory - even though it sometimes may not seem like it!WHEN BAD THINGS ARE GOOD
There is a man, I do know,
Who in God, desires to grow,
When something bad in life, does come along,
He's not now sad, for it makes him strong.
When satan tries to destroy his day,
He can now tell him to go away,
Has learned that, when doing God's will,
Satan will run you, through his mill.
He will accuse you of being blind,
And put evil thoughts in your mind,
A mighty battle now does take place,
Before you go on to win the race.
While satan's antics seem so real,
They're an illusion designed to steal
God's vision and purpose from our life,
Continually forcing us into strife.
The time to worry I have found,
Is when the devil is not around.
For when we proceed on our own way,
He takes time off to go and play.
He'll try his tricks on another one,
As our God, he tries to outgun.
So bad things are good, when we're in God's design.
Defeated satan - you have no power, us to decline!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
On Friday evening, having both worked all day in our shop, Kathy and I went and bought dinner and ate it in our city's sunken gardens (pictured) before going to support our local Hawkes Bay representative rugby team win the semi final of the second division of New Zealand's interprovincial rugby championship.Good company, good food (a reduced quantity thereof than formerly) and a victory all made for a very pleasant evening for us both.
Today, Saturday, both back to work!
We do need both work and play, for a balanced life, don't we. Too much one way or the other, and the value of both dissipate. At the moment, we both err on the work side, so the evening out was doubly nice.
Must do it again soon sweetheart.
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SHARING
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' a. Confess your faults
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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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