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: 703 Published: 20 Apr 2015
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
CONCLUSIONS1. The Lord is doing a new thing in His church today. It is very different to the old. For He is working directly in the hearts of His faithful believers personally, in order to make us fully sold out citizens of His kingdom. This is not a movement led by a person, but rather through the deep working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals right around the world.
36Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.†(John 18:36)
20And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-1 KJV)
2. It is in this way that the united kingdom church is developing, for it is a spiritual unity, rather than a locational or denominational one. As we have seen, it is very obvious that the current denominational model has never been, and never will, be able to produce the unity promised for the faithful kingdom church that is necessary to develop before the return of Jesus.
13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)
3. The primary focus of this kingdom church will be SOLD OUT LOVE, both of God and our fellow humans. This love cannot be programmed or taught but must come from a deep conviction of the Holy Spirit within, to turn our natural self oriented human nature into the sacrificial nature of Jesus. This is not easy. We will have trials and tribulations along the way, but we will now understand that they all have a purpose. That of building the character of Jesus in us.
23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (1 John 3:23-4)
4. The result of our unconditional love, will be unconditional obedience to the instructions of the Father, as revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. To HEAR and to OBEY God's voice. (Which, unsurprisingly, is the theme of our retreat next weekend. See 'A DAVID MUSING' at the end of this week's PGIM)
3We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4Whoever says, “I know him,†but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)
Then we can look forward with confidence to the return of Jesus.
6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.†Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 9Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!†And he added, “These are the true words of God.â€
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Amen.
So we can finally conclude that.....
THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.
Find out more about us at.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7-12)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.
Everyone who asks, receives; everyone who seeks, finds; and everyone who knocks has the door opened for them. Would any of you give your son a stone if he asked for bread? Or if he asked for fish, would you give him a snake? So if even you who are evil know to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. “Treat others the way you want them to treat you. This sums up the law and the prophets.
Narrow and Wide Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)
Enter by the narrow entrance. For the entrance is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many travel that way. But the entrance is narrow, and the way is difficult that leads to life, and only a few find it.
The Tree and Its Fruit (Matthew 7:15-23, Luke 6:43-5)
“Watch out for false prophets who come wearing sheep’s clothing, but who on the inside are vicious wolves. You can recognize them by their fruits. Do people harvest grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So every good tree produces good fruit, while a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruits.
“Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven—only those who do the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me at the day of judgment, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name and drive out demons in your name, and perform many miracles in your name?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Leave me, you people who practice wickedness!’
(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
KEEPING THE MIND OFF THE DENTIST’S DRILL!Thoughts while waiting at the dentist.
60. Oh for more than two cheeks to turn!
61. When holiness meets with helpfulness a harvest is reaped.
62. Jesus turns our human ‘LESS - ness’ into His ‘FULL - ness’.
63. From:
- restless to peaceful,
- hopeless to hopeful,
- careless to careful,
- thoughtless to merciful,
- mirthless to cheerful,
- powerless to powerful,
- humourless to gleeful,
- spineless to forceful,
- penniless to bountiful……..
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continuesWe will summarise the aspects of the five churches that Jesus criticised as operating as 'kings' rather than 'kingdom'
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. ***
167. GOD'S PROVISION
There's a little old Christian lady living next door to an atheist. Every morning the lady comes out onto her front porch and shouts "Praise the Lord!" The atheist yells back, "There is no God". She does this every morning with the same result.
As time goes on the lady runs into financial difficulties and has trouble buying food. She goes out onto the porch and asks God for help with groceries, then says "Praise the Lord". The next morning she goes out onto the porch and there's the groceries she's asked for, and of course she says "Praise the Lord". The atheist jumps out from behind a bush and says, "Ha! I bought those groceries - there is no God".
The lady looks at him and smiles, remarking as she takes the bag inside, "Praise the Lord, not only did You provide for me Lord, You made Satan pay for the groceries!"
166. SPEEDER'S HYMNS
45 mph...........................God Will Take Care of You
55 mph...........................Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
65 mph...........................Nearer My God To Thee
75 mph...........................Nearer, Still Nearer
85 mph...........................This World Is Not My Home
95 mph...........................Lord, I'm Coming Home
over 100mph......................Precious Memories
165. MOVE OVER, ROVER
A rather absent-minded pastor observed an interesting sight at the reception for a couple he had just united in marriage. The new husband rose to speak.
"I have a confession to make to my bride in front of all of you. I confess, dear, that before I married you, I spent many happy hours in the arms of another man's wife--my mother." All present enjoyed it and the minister made a mental note to use it at the occasion of his golden wedding anniversary to be celebrated that week at his church.
The big night arrived. The fellowship hall was full of guests to honor the pastor and his wife. He rose to speak. "After fifty years of married life, my dear, I have a confession to make to you in front of all our friends. Before I married you I spent many happy hours in the arms of another man's wife."
He paused for dramatic effect, but his wife's look made him lose his train of thought and he finished weakly, "And for the life of me I can't remember who she was!"
"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 there really such a thing as a flea circus?ANSWER: Yes, flea circuses first appeared in Europe in the 1820s and featured such spectacular diversions as the re-enactment of Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. They – but not their fleas - died out sometime in the middle of the last century. Trainers use the fleas' natural responses to stimuli to encourage them to jump and move around and even pull props. Of course, the performers are tiny, so a magnifying glass is necessary for a good view. (‘Flea bitten’ trainers?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Do sword swallowers really swallow the sword?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 567. EVERY EVENTUALITY
It is illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while you're sitting on a curb in St. Louis. (Undesirable anywhere! The next day particularly!)
568. THE PRINTED WORD
Almost half the newspapers in the whole world are published in the United States and Canada! (But are the people better informed?)
569. A FAST BREAK
When glass breaks, the cracks move at faster than 3,000 miles per hour. To photograph the event, a camera must shoot the event at a millionth of a second! (Not sure which is the most amazing – the speed of the crack or the shutter.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
PATTERER
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 TRIVIA 1
19: There will be a temple in New Jerusalem. True or False?a. True
b. False
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""POLITICAL APHORISMS
!!!!!!! The problem with political jokes is they get elected. ~ Henry Cate, VII
!!!!!! We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. ~ Aesop
!!!!! If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these State of the Union speeches, there wouldn't be any inducement to go to heaven. ~ Will Rogers
!!!! Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even where there is no river. ~ Nikita Khrushchev
!!! Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your opponents will do it for you. ~ Author unknown
!! A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country. ~ Tex Guinan
! I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians. ~ Charles de Gaulle
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
127. SETTING THE CLOCKEvery morning for years, at about 11:30, the telephone operator in a small Sierra-Nevada town received a call from a man asking the exact time. One day the operator summed up
nerve enough to ask him why the regularity.
"I'm foreman of the local sawmill," he explained. "Every day I have to blow the whistle at noon so I call you to get the exact time."
The operator giggled, "That's really funny," she said. "All this time we've been setting our clock by your whistle."
128. PERSPECTIVE
Travelling through New England a motorist stopped for gas in a tiny village. "What type of town is this?" he asked the station attendant.
"All depends," the native drawled. "Do you mean by them that has to live in this dad-blamed, moth-eaten, dust-covered dump, or by them that's merely enjoying its quaint and picturesque rustic charms for a short spell."
129. VALIDATION?
In the small, family-owned electronics store in Spokane, Wash., where I work, we often get folks from out of town whose idioms are a little different from our own.
One day, after parking across the street in an attended lot, a young woman came in, made her purchase, and then asked, "Do you give validation?"
Without batting an eye, my manager replied, "You are an excellent person, and I love your hair."
130. THE TAP
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window. For a second, everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look mate, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!"
The passenger apologized and said he didn't realize that a little tap could scare him so much.
The driver replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving a hearse for the last 25 years!â€
131. QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS
A father and son went fishing one day.
After a couple hours out in the boat, the boy suddenly became curious about the world around him. He asked his father, "How does this boat float?" The father thought for a moment, then replied, "Don't rightly know, son."
The boy returned to his contemplation, then turned back to his father, "How do fish breathe underwater?" Once again the father replied, "Don't rightly know, son."
A little later the boy asked his father, "Why is the sky blue?" Again, the father replied. "Don't rightly know, son."
Worried he was going to annoy his father, he says, "Dad, do you mind my asking you all of these questions?"
"Of course not, son. If you don't ask questions, you'll never learn anything!"
Much more marriage and family humour here.....
Can This Be True? 2 Million Indonesian Muslims Find Jesus Per Year
Steve StrangAmid all the news about Islam's gains around the world, here is some startling news you've probably never heard: In Indonesia—the most populous Muslim nation—2 million Muslims are converting to Christianity per year. That's right. That's one new convert every 15 seconds. At this rate, Indonesia will be mostly Christian by 2035.
Some Muslims are so alarmed they've created a video on YouTube to alert other Muslims to this menace and are trying to raise $2 million to start a TV station aimed at Muslim youth to keep them in Islam.
Called "Save Maryam," it depicts a young teen named Maryam who represents all disillusioned Muslim youth that have responded to invitations to gospel events or someone handing them a tract that says "Jesus Loves You." Watch the 4-minute, 45-second video yourself if you don't believe me. It's from Muslims in their own words, alarmed at the rate of conversions to Christianity.
It ends by urging Muslims to stop this trend (thereby "Saving Maryam") by alerting other Muslims to the threat by forwarding the video on social media.
There also are YouTube videos debunking this, using government statistics showing growth of Christianity in Indonesia at a slower pace. Also, the videos cast aspersions on the fundraising tactics of the sponsoring organization and to their motives. However, the Islamic government has incentive to under report the size of the Christian population.
Recently, I talked to an Indonesian pastor visiting the United States that confirmed to me that the Indonesian church is growing despite persecution like churches being burned down and some Christians being killed.
"The Muslim has no answer for their life and they are very depressed because life's so difficult," he told me. "Their religion has no answer. Many of these people are so lonely that they will watch a Christian program and a Christian will follow up (with) them and bring them into the Christian community and disciple them."
In this Easter season, as we remember Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection, it's good to be reminded that the message of the gospel is real and it's changing lives—even in the most populous Muslim nation.
So, let's get this word out. The Muslims want this to be shared to alert people that many Indonesian Muslims are becoming Christians. Share this on social media—not to lament this news, but for Christians to rejoice.
God is still on the throne and is drawing all men to Himself (see John 12:32). It's like I heard Bob Mumford say one time: "I've read the end of the book, and Jesus wins!"
Steve Strang is the founding editor and publisher of Charisma. Follow him on Twitter @sstrang or Facebook (stephenestrang).
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
'TABERNEAGLE' THOUGHTS FROM.....A poster of thoughts about living life in Tabernacles. Out of a human mind but hopefully with God given inspiration. An A4 sized wall (’loo?’) hanger. A4 size.
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
One of the first poems I ever wrote. Written in a time of trouble - as most of the bestpoetry is.
A FRIEND IS THERE
A friend is there to lend an ear,
To listen while you shed a tear,
To understand while others scorn,
To give you comfort as you mourn.
Yes, a friend is there.
A friend is there about you to care,
The one with whom you can always share,
Is there to help you carry your load,
As you walk along life’s wearying road.
Yes, a friend is there.
A friend is there when your burden is great,
You’re crying out inside, ruing your fate,
Desperately wanting to tear out your hair,
Because life, it seems, is just not fair.
Yes, a friend is there.
A friend is there to help you through,
To be with you when you’re feeling blue,
To support you as you come to terms,
With that stinking, rotten, can of worms.
Yes, a friend is there.
A friend is there to gear you vent your spleen
As you look back, wondering what might have been,
Had you done this or had you done that,
You wouldn’t be in the place you are at.
Yes, a friend is there.
A friend is there to help heal the sores,
To turn you away from settling old scores,
To look at life in a different light,
Helping you separate day from night.
Yes, a friend is there.
A friend is there both on heaven and in earth,
Waiting, yearning, to help with the rebirth,
One who is precious both above and down here,
The one in whom you can confide, without fear.
Yes, a friend is there.
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
This coming weekend, 24-26 April, I will be participating in a camp in the country half an hour or so from our city.I am meant to share the speaking with Rodney Francis, but he is having an operation under local anaesthetic on Wednesday so it is touch and go whether he will be able to make it.
Kathy and I would appreciate your prayers both for Rodney's health and for the retreat itself. May the Lord's presence be there powerfully in all that is done.
As usual, before I speak, we have had a number of things go wrong. For example Kathy's normally reliable car has broken down 4 times, driving our mechanic to despair! Kathy has also not been as well as she might be.
We would much appreciate your prayers for protection and God's leading as we head into the weekend. May His name be glorified.
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: PRETREAT
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' b. False. (Revelation 21:22)
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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