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: 715 Published: 13 Jul 2015
THE PURGING of THE CHURCH
The Lord has led me to go back to a sermon/prophecy I received in a group mailing, and filed, some time ago. It is by David Wilkerson.David was the Founding Pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. He was called to New York in 1958 to minister to gang members and drug addicts, as told in the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade.
After the introduction, he gave 11 bullet points about THE GLORIOUS FUTURE JUST AHEAD. As the Lord leads, I will expand on these challenging but inspiring aspects over the weeks ahead.
2. A Church that God is calling back to repentance and holiness
As a modern church we have placed an unbalanced emphasis on GRACE, with many preaching and teaching that grace over rides all else. That God's grace is so all encompassing that we can simply say the (unbiblical) 'Sinners Prayer', thereby earning our 'ticket to heaven' which is unconditionally redeemable at the (unbiblical) 'Pearly Gate', irrespective of the life we have lived after making our verbal commitment to Jesus. An exaggeration? Sadly, no, amongst many evangelists and in many churches today.
This has led to a church where 'Shades of Grey' are turning darker by the day. A church where so many unbiblical behaviours are being accepted in the name of grace and love. I don't need to expand - especially in light of recent events!
A church in which the biblical life of holiness has been relegated to the bottom of the pile or discarded entirely!
Let's consider some New Testament scriptures.....
Instructions for Christian living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (all emphasis mine) (Ephesians 4:17-24)
Surely a very clear instruction.
Warning against idolatry
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ 17 Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ 18 And, ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ 7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)
In fact we are told that if we want to see the Lord, we must live holy lives.....
Warning and encouragement
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterwards, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done. (Hebrews 12:1417)
Jesus, through the apostle John, called the churches of Asia to repentance, when they fell into ungodly ways. To the church at Ephesus......
4 Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. (Revelation 2:4-5)
The church at Pergamum.....
14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: there are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:14-16)
At Thyratira.....
20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (Revelation 2:20-23)
And at Sardis.....
I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (Revelation 3:1b-3)
May we all be warned. May we all now REPENT and live HOLY lives. Our kingdom futures depend on it!
(Continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Men’s Traditions Rebuked. (Matthew 15:1-11, Mark 17:1-16)
Jesus asked why the disciples didn’t wash their hands before they ate.
“Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition?†“For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother should be put to death.’ But you say that if someone tells their father or mother, ‘Whatever you might have expected to get from me is now a gift to God,’ then they don’t have to honor their father. In this way you’ve annulled God’s word for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! How well Isaiah described you when he prophesied: ‘These people say they honor me but in their minds they don’t care about me. Their worship of me is pointless. What they teach are just man-made requirements.’â€
“Listen, and understand this: it’s not what goes into you through your mouth that defiles you. It’s what comes out of your mouth that defiles you.â€
Parable and Explanation of Man’s Traditions to Disciples (Matthew 15:12-20,
Mark 17:17-23 )
When the disciples commented that the Pharisees were offended by this teaching, Jesus gave this parable.
“Every plant my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted,†Jesus replied. “Forget about them—they
are blind guides. If a blind man leads another blind man, then they’ll both fall into a ditch.â€
An explanation asked for.
“Haven’t you understood this yet?†“Don’t you see that whatever goes in through the mouth then passes through the stomach, and then leaves the body as wasted? 18But what comes out through the mouth comes from the mind, and that’s what defiles you. 19For what comes from the mind are evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and blasphemy 20and those are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands doesn’t defile you.â€
(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
LOVE545. Lust brings temporary pleasure, love, long term happiness.
546. Lust reduces, love reproduces.
547. The difference between young and old lovers is proven commitment.
820. When all else fails, try love.
837. Love lubricates the engine of life.
1217. If we loved each other as much as we love our pets, the world would be a better place.
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: 4. CHARACTERISTICS OF KINGDOM PEOPLEWe commence the final part of our study on the Transformation of the Church, by looking at the characteristics of kingdom people.
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. ***
202. HOW TO GET RID OF YOUR PASTOR
1. Look the pastor straight in the eye while he’s preaching and say "Amen" once in awhile, and he’ll preach himself to death.
2. Pat him on the back and brag on his good points, and he’ll probably work himself to death.
3. Rededicate your life to Christ and ask the preacher for some job to do, preferably some lost person you could win to Christ, and he’ll die of heart failure!
4. Get the Church to unite in prayer for the preacher, and he’ll soon become so effective that some larger church will take him off your hands.
201. THE PIG AMD THE CHICKEN
A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a gala charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution.
"Great idea!" the chicken cried. "Let's offer them ham and eggs?"
"Not so fast," said the pig. "For you, that's a contribution. For me, it's a total commitment."
"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 elephant graveyards?ANSWER: Elephants do not really have 'graveyards,' but field workers and other people occasionally encounter several unexplained elephant skeletons in one location. Once, people believed these places were elephant graveyards. These people speculated that elephants could sense when they were going to die and took themselves to graveyards just before their deaths.
Another, more probable explanation sees the ‘graveyards’ as a result of the elephant's teeth. Elephants wear out their molars from eating coarse vegetation. And, after an elephant has worn out six sets of molars, no more molars grow in to replace the old ones. As the last set of molars wears down to nubs, old elephants frequently retreat to swamps to fend off starvation by eating soft water plants. Eventually, these animals do die, though, often while they are in the water. Their bodies sink below the water and remain there for years. Later, if the swamp dries out, the bones of several old elephants may be found in the newly exposed land. (Death comes to all – turtles, elephants and us!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What infamous Countess was a mass murderer?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 534. DEAD OR ALIVE
'Taphephobia’ is the fear of being buried alive! (Many more of us have a fear of dying – but not those who know Jesus.)
535. FISH FACE
Most lipsticks contain fish scales. (A fishy tale!)
536. ONCE SEEN, ALWAYS SEEN
It takes glass one million years to decompose, which means it never wears out and can therefore be recycled an infinite number of times. (Will ‘glassnost’ last forever too?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
MUNDANE
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...
WHICH BOOK?
11: …starts with "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass…"?a. Joshua
b. Judges
c. 1 Samuel
d. Numbers
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"""GEMS FROM STEVEN WRIGHT (my favorite comedian)
29 - To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
30 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
31 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
32 - The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
33 - Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
34 - If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
And the all-time favorite -
35 - If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?
(Thanks to Rodney Francis of the GOSPEL FAITH MESSENGER for forwarding these to me.)
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
TIL DEATH DO US PART
3.0000IT'S SURE GREAT TO BE A GUY!
*Phone conversations last 30 seconds
*You know useful stuff about tanks and airplanes
*A 5 day vacation requires only one suitcase
*Bathroom lines are 80% shorter
*You can open all your own jars
*Old friends don't care if you've lost or gained weight
*When clicking through the channels you don't have to stop on every shot of someone crying
*You don't have to lug a bag of "necessary" items with you everywhere you go
*You can go to the bathroom alone
*Your last name stays put
*You can leave a hotel room bed unmade
*You can kill your own food
*The garage is all yours
*You see the humoUr in "Terms of Endearment"
*Cleaning the toilet is optional
*You can be showered and ready in 10 minutes
*Wedding plans take care of themselves
*If someone forgets to invite you to something, they can still be your friend
*Your underwear costs $7.50 for a pack of 3
*None of your co-workers have the power to make you cry
*You don't have to shave below your neck
*You don't have to curl up next to some big, hairy guy every night
*If you're 34 and single, no one notices
*Chocolate is just another snack
*You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger seat
*You never have to worry about other's feelings
*Three pair of shoes are more than enough
*You can say anything and not worry about what people think
*You can whip your shirt off on a hot day
*Car mechanics tell you the truth
*You don't care if someone doesn't notice your new haircut
*You can watch a game in silence for hours without your buddy thinking "He must be mad at me"
*One mood, all the time
*You can admire Clint Eastwood without having to starve yourself to look like him
*Gray hair and wrinkles add character
*Wedding dress $2000, Tux rental $100 bucks
*You don't care if someone is talking behind your back
*You don't pass on the dessert and then mooch off someone else's
*The remote is yours and yours alone
*You need not pretend you're "freshening up" when you go to the bathroom
*If you don't call your buddy when you said you would, he won't tell your friends you've changed
*If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become lifelong buddies
*The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected
*If something mechanical didn't work, you can bash it with a hammer and throw it across the room
*New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet
*You think the idea of punting that small, ankle-biting dog is funny
*If you retain water, it is in a canteen
*You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness
*Flowers and/or Duct Tape fix everything
More marriage and family humour here.....
Cambodian ‘Saul’ killed for the Khmer Rouge, transformed into ‘Paul’ by the Word and the Spirit
July 1, 2015By Mark Ellis
When the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in 1975, they forced people out of the cities, and sent them on forced marches to rural work camps for “re-education.†They demanded the entire population of 2.3 million vacate the capital of Phnom Penh within three days, including the elderly, children, monks, doctors and nurses, hospital patients, wounded and sick people, even mothers who had just given birth.
They said they would be leaving for a few days, but the evacuation turned into a three-year nightmare. Nearly everyone was either executed, faced starvation, or was worked to death. During their violent rule, 2.5 million perished — almost a third of the population — in what became known as the Cambodian genocide.
The horrific ordeal was memorialized in the award-winning Hollywood film “The Killing Fields.â€
Christians living in Cambodia during the rule of the Khmer Rouge were heavily persecuted for their faith – even for reading the Bible.
By the time the Khmer Rouge were finally vanquished by Vietnam in 1978, there were barely any Christians left due to the brutal and arbitrary executions, torture, and genocide committed then.
Sovann was a member of the Khmer Rouge during those horrible years. “Looking back,†he whispered, “I am ashamed of the terrible things I participated in as a member of the army. We treated people as if they were animals, and worse.â€
When asked if he had ever taken a life, all he could do was quietly whisper ‘yes’ while staring at the bamboo floor, according to a report by Bible League International.
The reign of terror ended when Vietnam took control, but Sovann left the army a defeated man. He was continually weighted down by the crushing load of guilt he carried, and nothing provided any relief.
One day while he was preparing to spend another day in an alcohol-induced haze, there was a knock on his door. It was a pastor making calls on all the residents in his neighborhood.
“I don’t know why I let him in,†Sovann told Bible League International, “but I sensed that he could help me.†As they sat together, Sovann shared his personal despondency with the pastor, who immediately opened his Bible. He turned to Isaiah 1:18 and asked Sovann to read it.
“Come now, let us reason together,†says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.â€
“When I read those words…’scarlet…crimson…rouge,’ tears began streaming down my face,†he told Bible League International. “The pastor told me that even though I used to be Khmer Rouge, God would forgive all of my sins and make me white as snow.â€
That was the beginning of a new life for Sovann. The power of forgiveness found in the Bible enabled him to embrace Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. “I thank God for this ministry and the pastors they train in Cambodia.â€
“I don’t know where I would be if God hadn’t spoken to me that day,†he said, with a broad smile.
Source: Mission Network News
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
A REVELATION OF....... THE TABERNACLE OF DAVIDSandwiched between Moses Tabernacle, representing the church, and Solomon's Temple, representing the Millennial reign of Christ, David's simple tent is a picture of the end time church that will last for but a short time before Jesus returns.
Check it out to find out about the people God is seeking for Himself today.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Depression and loneliness are big problems today. Yet the answers are often in our own hands through applying the principles of loving and helping others, that Jesus taught us.LIFE IS FUN
Life is fun.
On the run.
Plenty to do.
How about you?
Time dragging?
Morale sagging?
Go help some others.
Orphans and mothers.
Takes mind off yourself,
You're not on the shelf.
It's something you can do,
Yes, a word, so very true.
Serving others, it gives you a lift,
Depression off you, it does shift.
You get to help someone in need,
While bringing you up to speed!
A win, win action for all,
It keeps you on the ball.
While those who so need the hand,
Will smile, all around the land.
Jesus came to show us the way,
A servant to all, was His play.
If we care to follow His chosen path,
Will brighten the day, make us laugh.
When you are down, but want to be up,
Remember Jesus, drink from His cup.
For His ways are greater than ours,
Serving others will fill the hours.
Jesus to others we will become,
Widows, orphans and solo mum.
God's kingdom will be built here on earth,
And you will have assisted in its birth.
"Your kingdom come, Your will be done"'
Is not to be religious, it can be fun.
You too can shine as a light so bright,
Reflecting Jesus' love, day and night.
JUST DO IT!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
For my recent birthday I received 3 blessings, food, physical, and spiritual.I am a connoisseur of pork ribs! LOL! Went out for dinner with my wife and son at a local pub, and was served the most tender pork ribs I have ever tasted! Beautiful!
Secondly, I am a regular at our local gym. As motivation, I like to set myself a goal to achieve on my birthday. This year I wanted to do 10 chin-ups! This was a huge goal for me as when I was young and only 70kg, I could only do 1 or 2! I was very fit then, but running fit only.
Now at 68 and 86kg I have built up my strength sufficiently to give it a go - and succeed! Wow and wow! The photo shows it! Believe it or not! LOL!
Finally, I was chatting on Facebook to my friend Andrew in Uganda, where I am about to go in 3 weeks. As we chatted he said the people there really loved me. "Why' I asked, "I haven't been there for 10 years and would have thought they would have forgotten me!" H e replied that they remembered and loved me because they could see God's spirit within me. Humbling and encouraging! I pray that they may not be disappointed this time!
All in all a wonderful birthday - except that I have become another year older! LOL!
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: UNNAMED
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' b. Judges
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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