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: 696 Published: 02 Mar 2015
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCHThe major question now is, "where is the church of the 21st Century heading".
Fifteen 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 SOWER Continued
Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.†9 Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.†10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked hi m about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that, â€â€˜they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’†13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come i n and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.†(Mark 4:1-20)
Today we move from the soils to the crops. Interestingly, seed sown in the good soil does not all produce the same crop. That means, not all Christians are the same!
In our democratic world, where one man has one vote, we are taught that all we need to do is to 'come to Jesus' for everything to be prosperous and wonderful now, then fly off to our heavenly mansion without suffering any tribulation, to live as Jesus does, in paradise! Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but I trust you get the point! The equality of all Christians is a view widely held in the church.
But it is not Biblical!
As we have also seen in the Parable of the Talents, we are all given talents, to which we respond in different ways. In the Parable of the Wedding Feast too, we are required to keep our lamps topped up with oil in order to receive our reward.
The reality is, as Jesus explains, that there are 30, 60 and 100 fold Christians. Yes, there are different 'performance levels' and rewards according to what we have done for Jesus. We are simply, not all the same.
Matthew 16:27
We all have the same, free salvation, but will be judged according to our works.
1 Corinthians 3:11-14
And again;
Ephesians 6:7-8
We are to go 'all out' for Jesus.
Colossians 3:23-4
Finally, we have the final promise of Jesus, as given to John in Revelation;
Revelation 22:12
Are you a 30, 60 or 100 fold follower of Jesus? For we are able to determine our own reward!
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.
(Sower parable concludes next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Healing From Leprosy (Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-16)
At a man’s request.
“I am willing,†he said. “Be healed!†Immediately he was healed from his leprosy. “Make sure you don’t tell anyone,†Jesus told him. “Go and show yourself to the priest and give the offering which Moses required as public proof.â€
Healing the Paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26)
As Jesus returned to Nazareth.
“My friend, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven.â€
When queried about being able to forgive sins.
“Why are you thinking evil thoughts in your hearts? What is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Get up and walk’? But to convince you that the Son of man does have the authority to forgive sins…†“Get up, pick up your mat, and go home!â€
Matthew the Tax Collector Called(Matthew9:9-13 , Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-31)
“Follow me!â€
Jesus was then criticized for mixing with undesirables, while eating at Matthew’s house.
“Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and discover what this means: ‘I want mercy, not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call those who do right—I came to call sinners.’â€
Jesus Questioned About Not Fasting (Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39)
By John’s disciples who did fast.
“Do wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them?†“But the time is coming when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a new patch on old clothes, otherwise it will shrink and make the tear worse. No one puts new wine in old wineskins either, otherwise the wineskins will burst, spilling the wine and ruining the wineskins. No, new wine is put into new wineskins, and both last.
(Continued next week.)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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'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.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
RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM1022. Religion revolves round organisation, the kingdom of God, relationship.
1023. Religion is planned, God's kingdom, spontaneous.
1024. God's kingdom is visionary, religion, managed.
1025. Religion is birthed in the institutionalisation of a revelation of God's kingdom.
1026. 'God given' revelation quickly becomes 'man controlled' religion.
1027. God's kingdom is eternal, mankind's religion, transitory.
1028. Religion formalises the spontaneous informality of God's kingdom.
1029. God's kingdom 'upskills', religion removes the 'ups'.
1030. Religion is really 'the opiate of the priests'.
1031. To get closer to God we need to swap the bonds of religion for the liberation of His kingdom.
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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOMAs we look at the early church.
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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. ***
148. MORE TRUTH
A woman invited some people over for dinner. At the table she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" The girl replied, "I wouldn't know what to say." "Just say what you heard Mommy say," the mother answered. The daughter bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?
147. THE TRUTH OF IT
After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money. "Well, thank you," the pastor replied. "But why?" "Because," the boy responded, "my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."
146. GRAVITY RULES
A woman was at the beach with her children when her four-year-old son ran up to me, grabbed my hand and led me to the shore where a sea gull lay dead in the sand. "Mommy, what happened to him?" my son asked. "He died and went to heaven," I replied. My son thought a moment and then said, "And God threw him back down?"
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Is it true that hair and nails continue to grow after death?ANSWER: No, they only seem to. What really happens is that the body dries out after death and the skin recedes from the hair and nails, making it appear as if they are longer. In fact, even though hair is not technically ‘living’, hair and nail cells still need to be nourished by blood in order to grow. (They’re bloodthirsty?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is an ‘inclined elevator’?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 588. MUSIC OF MANY PARTS
A violin contains around 70 separate pieces of wood. (But it still takes the violinist to make a sweet sound.)
589. THE NEXT GENERATION
Popeye's four nephews are Pipeye, Peepeye, Pupeye, and Poopeye! (Pip took a peep at the pup pooping!)
590. THEY'RE RICHER, YOU'RE POORER
There are no clocks but plenty of slot machines in Las Vegas gambling casinos! In fact, one machine for every 8 inhabitants of the city. (Many easier ways to make a million – unless you own a casino, that is!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
SERRATED
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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BIBLE TRIVIA 1
12. How many times a day did Aaron burn incense on the altar of incense?a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to MacDonald's makes you a hamburger.
!!!!!! Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.
!!!!! A coincidence is when God performs a miracle, and decides to remain anonymous.
!!!! Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.
!!! I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
!! Lead your life so you won't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
! Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% of how you respond to it.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
344. ANSWERS OF A BRILLIANT STUDENT WHO OBTAINED 0% . . .I would have given him 100% !!
Q1. In which battle did Napoleon die?
* his last battle
Q2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
* at the bottom of the page
Q3. River Ravi flows in which state?
* liquid
Q4. What is the main reason for divorce?
* marriage
Q5. What is the main reason for failure?
* exams
Q6. What can you never eat for breakfast?
* Lunch & dinner
Q7. What looks like half an apple?
* The other half
Q8. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become?
* it will simply become wet
Q9. How can a man go eight days without sleeping ?
* No problem, he sleeps at night.
Q10. How can you lift an elephant with one hand?
* You will never find an elephant that has only one hand.
Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in other hand, what would you have ?
* Very large hands
Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it?
* No time at all, the wall is already built.
Q13. How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?
*Concrete floors are very hard to crack.
343. THE LAWN
Paddy and Mick were waiting at the bus stop when a truck went past loaded up with rolls of turf.
Paddy said, “I’m gonna do dat when I win da lottery…'
“What's dat den?â€asks Mick.
“Send me lawn away to be cutâ€â€¦
342. FULL SERVICE STOP
A guy comes into a coffee shop and places his order: "I want 3 flat tires & a pair of headlights".
The waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, goes to the kitchen & asks the cook, "This guy out there just ordered 3 flat tires & a pair of headlights. What does he think, this is an auto parts store?!"
"No," the cook says, "3 flat tires means 3 pancakes & a pair of headlights is 2 eggs sunny side up."
"Oh," says the waitress. She thinks about this and then she spoons up a bowl of beans and gives it to the customer.
The guy says "What are the beans for?"
The waitress replies "I thought that, while you're waiting for the flat tires & headlights, you might want to gas up."
Just have a laugh here.....
'Why Is the West Silent?' ISIS Captives Cry for Help
CBN NewsThe Islamic State suffered two major setbacks on the battlefield this week – one in Iraq and another in Syria.
The Iraqi military routed ISIS forces from al-Baghdadi, a city west of Baghdad that they've held since last June.
Meanwhile, Peshmerga troops in northeastern Syria, known as the YPG, drove Islamic State terrorists from the Kurdish city of Tal Tamr.
But as they retreated, the ISIS jihadists kidnapped at least 90 Assyrian Christians. The men were taken to an undisclosed location, and the women to a nearby mountain.
Based on their past actions, ISIS may behead the abducted men, and use the women as sex slaves.
Juliana Taimoorazy is with the Assyrian Philos Project.
"These women were sobbing, saying, 'What is our fault? Why is the West silent? Why is the Church not talking about our persecution?'" Taimoorazy said.
"And they're asking, they're questioning the foreign policy of America and also other world powers and Europe, saying, 'Why is it that there's nothing; there's no agenda.' There's really nothing being done to help the persecuted in the Middle East," she continued.
On Tuesday, a group of Egyptian-American Coptics gathered near the White House, demanding the Obama administration do more to protect Egyptian, Syrian and Iraqi Christians.
"Obama, Obama, did you see? Christian blood in the sea," they chanted.
And Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is calling for a United Arab military force to combat ISIS. He says Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have already offered to help Egypt on the battlefield.
Source: CBN News
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
REVELATION’S REVELATIONTo 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
Another Bowentown adventure. It is amazing how the Lord communicates with youwhen you are genuinely seeking Him. I am one of those strange people who enjoys
running – well, most of the time anyway. This poem shows how the Lord is not 2000
years behind the times, but communicates with us in ways that are relevant to our
circumstances and life.
ON THE RUN Concluded
Standing on the rock gave a new perspective,
For of new truths, I was ever more receptive.
As I looked down there, into the water,
Seeing the tide flow, allowing no quarter.
First there was the sand, a myriad of it you know,
Pushed about by the tide, not seeing where to go.
For there are many Christians just like that sand,
Drifting with the flow, not knowing how to stand.
In the water too, were many plants a bobbing,
So painful, one could almost hear them sobbing!
For they had grown initially, but their roots were short,
Overcome by the troubles of life, their God they did abort.
But the saddest of all to me, in the now seething cauldron,
Were the dead leaves floating, no protection to call on,
Even as I watched one, broken, smashed into a rock,
Yes a Christian, but the Spirit’s power, he did mock.
My heart lifted, looking at the rocks out there,
For them, the turmoil all around did not scare.
But as I looked closer, I could see rough edges worn away,
For The Spirit was moulding them, they were there to stay!
I realised then, the value of ‘The Rock’ in my life,
For he protects me, from the effects of the strife
That surrounds me. Christians, so hard to believe!
Refusing the mighty power of The Spirit to receive!
I jumped off my rock, now surrounded by water,
It’s time to return home, for I must not loiter,
My lessons for the day so moving, never to be spurned,
But more was to come, still more wisdom to be learned.
By this time, my body would hardly canter,
Kept going only, by pretending joyful banter,
For I knew the end of the pain would be,
When I reached the base of that fallen tree.
I thought I had reached the limb of my choosing,
Only to find, it was now my mind I was loosing!
So I plodded on, until my tree was found,
My energy levels, now at zilch were around!
Oh Lord, please help me up this path,
For I want to go home to a hot bath. (Shower actually!)
I’ve not the energy to do this myself,
Please lend to me, a little of thyself."
"Reached the end of yourself, that’s good to see,
For that is how I want you, permanently to be!"
Words spoken gently but with firmness by He,
"Yes Lord, I will try then, to give you all of me."
I walked up the path, past the Sewage Station,
It so reminded me so, of the state of the nation,
As I breathed in that foul, decaying smell,
God prompted me, "How many will rot in hell?"
A few drops of rain started to fall around,
Seen in the puddles but not on the ground,
But symbolic to me, His hand making me wet,
Today my own efforts did not raise a sweat.
"Drops of anointing," He let me know,
"And as your faith continues to grow,
The spots will increase, to a heavy stream,
That is, if what you say, is what you mean."
As I sit reviewing what is written,
My heart with wonder, it is smitten.
It is ironic, for when I woke up today,
No poem could I see, coming my way.
I know the Lord has called me to warn the lost,
To repent now before they are forever tossed
Into the pit of hell, from which there is no way out,
Many souls out there, don’t know what it’s all about.
Also to warn the church, before it is too late,
That many of you too, will meet the same fate,
If you don’t teach Biblical Christianity,
Instead of a godly form of Humanity.
For the Lord is calling us to holiness today,
This is now his call, that we must obey,
To take part in his Tabernacle Church,
Or be left outside, forever in the lurch.
His call is yours, His call is mine,
No longer acceptable, no longer fine,
Another Laodicean Church, us to be,
Lukewarm, not red hot, in seeking Thee!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Saturday, I have to admit was mainly spent in front of the TV watching sport! Oh dear! Self indulgent? Yes! But fun? Yes, indeed! Particularly considering the results of the games of the 3 different sports I watched!New Zealand beat Australia (just - phew!) in the One Day Cricket World Cup. Always a moment to savour when we beat our larger Trans Tasman rival, particularly in cricket. Then came Rugby Union. The team I support, The Chiefs, demolished the Crusaders 40-16. An outstanding result, and the Chiefs biggest win ever over them. Finally Basketball. Our only New Zealand club team, the Breakers, comprehensively beat the Australian Adelaide 36'ers to qualify for the final of the Australian National Basketball League (ANBL). What a day - and night!
I was tired on Sunday after all my 'couch potato' support! LOL!
However work does go on and now I have had to write this PGIM much later than normal! How sad!
If 'all work and no [play makes Jack (David actually) a dull boy', then I should no longer be dull!
I only wish you could celebrate with me, and my friend David, whom I know will have been supporting the same teams. New Zealand is almost back to normal today!
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: ARRESTED
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' b. 2 (Exodus 30:7-8)
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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