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: 731 Published: 02 Nov 2015
CHRISTIANITY - A CULTURE, ORGANISATION, OR A RELATIONSHIP?
Tonight (Sunday) I attended a 'Liturgy of the Eucharist' service to farewell the Vicar of the local Anglican Church. It was a formal, written service with the Bishop of the Diocese dressed in gown and mitre, with a rod of authority, similar to that worn by a Roman Catholic Bishop or Cardinal.The words were beautiful, the language polished. The words were read from the page by the participants, including the congregation.
One question asked by the Bishop to the departing Vicar follows......
"Will you release this Parish from their dependence upon you as a minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care?"
Dependence upon who? Jesus? No the Vicar.
Communion was again very formally taken, with most of the people kneeling before the priests and servers to receive the Sacraments.
This reminded me of a very different location, a church in a village of Arica. I asked the pastor how often the church had communion. I got the answer, 'never'. 'Why', I replied. 'Because I am not ordained to take communion', was the response.
How sad, how formal we have made the church and how dependent the people - and even the leaders - become on the structure of the particular church denomination or grouping.
Here, in two completely different cultural situations, as different as chalk and cheese, culture and organisation took precedence over the relationship with Jesus.
Don't get me wrong, the people and congregations involved are very nice, good people, Christians we would call them. But whether they are God people, through personal relationship with their, and our, Saviour and Lord, Jesus, is a matter of serious concern.
'Good' and 'God' are similar words, and lifestyles, but differentiated by an all important number of 'o's. The words look similar the people act in a Christian way, but their dependence is upon man before God.
Jesus said.....
"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)
The same applies to leadership, to culture, to religious organization.
The Lord's supper, or communion as we call it, is available to all believers, at home with your meal or when we gather together as a group.....
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-7)
We have made the Lord's supper a cultural and religious experience, with rules and regulations, rather than a natural act of remembrance between believers.
Whom do you serve? A religion or Jesus?
Continued next week.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Jesus Teaches His Disciples and a Great Crowd (Luke 12;1-12)
To the Disciples.
In the meantime the crowd had grown to several thousand and they were trampling each another. Jesus spoke first to his disciples. “Beware the yeast of the Pharisees—hypocrisy. For there’s nothing hidden that won’t be revealed, nothing secret that won’t be made known. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and whatever you whispered in private will be announced from the rooftops. I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, for once they’ve done that there’s no more they can do. Let me make it clear whom you should be afraid of. You should be afraid of the one who after he has killed has the power to dispose of them in Gehenna. That’s the one you should be afraid of. Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? But God doesn’t forget a single one of them. Even the hairs on your head have been counted. Don’t be afraid—you’re worth more than many sparrows!
“I tell you the truth, those who declare they belong to me, the Son of man will also declare they belong to him before God’s angels, but those who deny me will be denied before God’s angels. Everyone who speaks in opposition the Son of man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
“When you’re brought to trial before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself, or what you should say. The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what’s important to say.â€
Jesus Teaches Against Greed (Luke 12:13-21)
And to the crowd, including a man who asked about sharing an inheritance.
“My friend,†“Who appointed me as your judge to decide how your inheritance should be divided?†“Watch out, and beware of all greedy thoughts and actions, for a person’s life isn’t summed up by how many possessions they have.â€
Using the example of the Parable of the Rich Fool.
“Once there was a rich man who owned land that was very productive. The man said to himself, ‘What shall I do? I’ve nowhere to store my crops?’ ‘I know what I’ll do,†he decided. “I’ll pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and then I’ll be able to store all my crops and everything I own. Then I’ll tell myself, ‘You have enough to live on for many years, so take life easy: eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!’ But God said to him, ‘You foolish man! Your life will be demanded back this very night, and then who will get everything you’ve stored up?’ This is what happens to people who hoard up wealth for themselves but are not rich as far as God is concerned.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.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
BELIEVERS v DISCIPLES236. A believer praises the Lord in good times, the disciple at all times.
237. The Holy Spirit resides in the believer but shines through the disciple.
238. A believer loves God with heart and mind while a disciple commits the will.
239. A believer loves God and others, but they are the disciple's life.
240. A believer lives in hope, but for the disciple, God's hope is certain.
241. A believer seeks forgiveness for sin but the disciple also determines not to walk that path again.
242. A believer has faith in God but the disciple's faith is tempered in the fire of testing.
243. A believer loves the Lord, but the disciple's love is unconditional.
244. The believer serves the Lord in strength, but the disciple is made perfect through weakness.
245. God is part of the believer's life, but the central focus of the disciple.
246. A believer forgives, but the disciple also forgets.
247. A believer communicates with God at their own convenience, but the disciple's heart is open to the Lord at all times.
430. A believer knows, but the disciple does.
1077. Believing is free, discipleship costs your life.
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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:SERMON ON THE MOUNT continues.......... as we look at the righteous and the merciful. Seen as more signs of weakness in today's ruthless world!
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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. ***
243. SEND THE BILL
A man was brought to Mercy Hospital and taken in for coronary surgery. The operation went well and, as the groggy man regained consciousness, he was reassured by a Sister of Mercy, who was waiting by his bed. "Mr. Smith, you're going to be just fine," said the nun, gently patting his hand. "We do need to know, however, how you intend to pay for your stay here. Are you covered by insurance?" "No, I'm not," the man whispered hoarsely. "Can you pay in cash?" persisted the nun. "I'm afraid I cannot, Sister." "Well, do you have any close relatives?" the nun essayed. "Just my sister in New Mexico," he volunteered. "But she's a humble spinster nun." "Oh, I must correct you, Mr. Smith. Nuns are not 'spinsters.' They are married to God." "Wonderful," said Smith. "In that case, please send the bill to my brother-in-law!!"
242. FROM DUST
A little boy came home from Sunday School and went into his room to change clothes.
When he emerged, he asked his mother, "Is it true that we came from dust?" His mother replied, "Yes, dear. God made us from dust."
The kid ran back into his room and came out all excited. "Mom, I just looked under my bed, and there's somebody either coming or going!"
241. CALLING GOD
It seems a man in Topeka, Kansas, decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Francisco, and started working east from there. He went to a very large church and began taking photographs, etc. He spots a golden telephone on a wall and is intrigued with a sign which reads "$10,000 a minute."
Seeking out the pastor he asks about the phone and the sign. The pastor answers that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to Heaven and if he pays the price he can talk directly to God. He thanks the pastor and continues on his way. As he continues to visit churches in Seattle, Boise, Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, Atlanta, and on around the United States, he finds more phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.
Finally, he arrives in Texas. Upon entering a church in Dallas, lo and behold, he sees the usual golden telephone. But THIS time, the sign reads "Calls 25 cents."
Fascinated, he requests to talk to the pastor. "Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I found this golden telephone, and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to God, but, in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads 25 cents a call. Why?"
The pastor, smiling benignly, replies, "Oh, my son, that's very easy to explain. You see, you're now in Texas and, of course, it's a local call from here."
"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 percentage of a watermelon is water?ANSWER: A watermelon is 92 percent water. Strawberries are approximately 99% water! (Both mouth-watering treats!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who invented Khaki military uniforms?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 483. PAY UP LEGAL OR NOT
The United States Supreme Court once ruled Federal income tax unconstitutional. Income tax was first imposed during the Civil War as a temporary revenue-raising measure. (Funny how the temporary has a habit of becoming permanent!)
484. COMPULSORY
The U.S. Congress passed a law in 1832 requiring all American citizens to spend one day each year fasting and praying. For the most part, people ignored the law, and no effort was made to enforce the legislation. (Compulsion is resented, compulsory religion, despised.)
485. SOUND AND SMELL CONTROL
In Massachusetts, USA, snoring is prohibited unless all bedroom windows are closed and securely locked. Plus, it is illegal to go to bed without first having a full bath. (Clean and green, to the extreme!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
HUSTLING
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...
AN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
From Kisumu to a small village on the outskirts of Kisii, Kenya. Every visit to Africa should include a compulsory village experience! To see and to experience the way so many still live.Since my last African visit 10 years ago, material conditions have improved substantially, with virtually every adult owning a cell phone and many with TV sets, powered through solar panels. Prices for primary agricultural products such as tea and coffee fluctuate, mostly on the down side however. One of the best ways to help villagers is to purchase 'fair trade' products, for the little more we may pay makes a huge difference to the villagers. The best form of aid, for it involves the commitment of all parties, generating self-respect and financial independence.
Getting to the village, late at night, was an experience in itself, involving taxis (14 seater vans), walking, waiting, more van, motorbike ride over a very rough track and finally, a kilometre walk down another track illuminated only by flashlights! The back of beyond - or so I thought. When we came to leave I found it was right beside a main road which we were unable to use so late at night! Africa!
It is great to get up in the morning and see water being boiled over an open fire - we have almost forgotten what open fires are in our over regulated society! The people are so friendly and grateful for me taking the time to visit.
Spiritually, the villages are the religious heartland, with most people attending church. But we still had 2 salvations, including one man who had been a drunkard and trouble maker all his life. The whole church was baptized in the Holy Spirit while I was there. Sadly, a great need in independent and Pentecostal churches worldwide!
Will continue with the village next time. Photo is of a typical village, not the one I visited.
(Continued next week.)
WHICH BOOK?
In which Gospel is this account found?7: The Ten Virgins?
a. Matthew
b. Mark
c. Luke
d. John
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 professor is a person who talks in SOMEONE ELSE'S sleep.
!!!!!! We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. (Dwight Moody)
!!!!! Christ is a substitute for everything, but nothing is a substitute for Christ. (Ironside)
!!!! No one who really wants to count for God can afford to play at Christianity.
!!! If lips and life do not agree, the testimony will not amount to much.
!! Time is given us to use in view of eternity.
! No one ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
GREAT GROANERS
213. POOR OLDE PEANUTSDid you hear about the two peanuts that went walking around the Bronx in the middle of the night? One of them was assaulted.
214. THE BRUTAL TRUTH!
A man called up a bible believing church and the church secretary answered the call. The man on the other end of the line said, "I’d like to speak to the head hog." The secretary replied, "That wasn’t a very nice thing to say about our beloved minister, Rev. Jones." Again the man replied, "I’d like to speak to the head hog, because I’m going to donate £75,000.00 to the church. She replied, "Hold on a moment, I think the big fat pig just walked in."
215.0000
A STRANGE COMBINATION
What do you get when you cross an atheist with a Jehovahs Witness?.... Someone who knocks at your door for no apparent reason.
216. THE ANGRY ATHIEST
The story is told of the Atheist who accosted a preacher. "Do you believe in eternal life?" The preacher has no time to reply. "Well its a load of rubbish!" shouted the Atheist. "I believe in science, evolution, survival of the fittest, and when we die, that's it! No eternal life, no great judgement, and no God!" The Atheist continues his assault against the preacher repetitiously and tirelessly. "Eternal life! Eternal life! Ha! "Its all pie in the sky when you die." When I die that's it, the end, no eternal life, no nothing. He continues, until he reaches his climax, "I will be buried six feet under when I die and that's it! Nothing! Caput! When I die I am utterly convinced that that will be the end of me!" "Well thank God for that" replies the preacher!
217. GOOD KING WENCELESLAS -Brilliant!
Good King Wenceleslas went out to the pizza parlour and ordered a pizza. The assistant asked Do you want your usual? Deep pan, crisp and even?
218. A TROUBLESOME FRUIT
It wasn't the apple that caused the trouble in the Garden of Eden, it was the pair on the ground.
219. DOMESTIC PROBLEMS
Adam was walking outside of the Garden of Eden with Cane and Abel when the boys were young. Cane and Abel looked into the garden and viewed waterfalls, lovely birds, lush forests and fruit trees bending over because of the large amounts of fruit on them.
Then they took a long look at where they lived at. It was dry, dusty with weeds and sickly-looking trees.
"Daddy? Why don't we live in there instead of out here?" they asked innocently.
Adam said, "Well sons. Eve and I use to live in there at one time. But your mother ate us out of house and home."
Many more fun puns here.....
Spanish revival sparked by one man finding a Gideon Bible on his hotel bed
A few years ago in Spain a man named Antonio* cried out to God, “If you’re real, speak to me!†He was in an elevator on his way to a hotel room. Highly educated at 27 years old, he had taught chemistry and math at a Catholic school in Spain. He knew of God, but didn’t know Him personally.The bellhop helped him to his room where he found a Gideon Bible on his bed. When he asked why the Bible was on the bed, the bellhop told him it was for those who wanted “to hear God speak to them.â€
The same day Antonio accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he preached the gospel to his entire family. In one week, 35 of his family members became believers. Along with Antonio, his family began to share the Good News with others. Within the span of a few weeks, 200 people were born again.
That’s not all. Antonio began preaching in the prisons of two districts in Spain, and the first year, 1,000 inmates gave their lives to Christ. He gradually expanded his outreach to all of the prisons in Spain, and today there are more than 100 “home group†churches inside of those prisons.
Revival had begun in a spiritually dead country, where many were disillusioned with the Catholic Church and had become atheists.
As a direct result of the 70+ house churches Antonio has planted in Spain, he is seeing between 10 and 15 people come to the Lord every week.
According to Antonio, in the last 10 years, the percentage of evangelical Christians in southern Spain has risen from 1% to 8%.
The revival is spilling over the border into Morocco, separated from Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar. On the north coast of Africa, sharing a western border with Morocco, is the Spanish city of Ceuta.
Every day, approximately 20,000 Moroccan women enter Ceuta to buy and sell goods in the marketplaces. The vast majority of these women are Muslim. Antonio’s ministry to the Moroccans began after he and his coworkers led several of these women to the Lord in Ceuta, and encouraged them to go back and share with other women in Morocco.
Coming from southern Spain, Antonio’s culture is very similar to that of the Moroccans, who have been quick to accept him as one of their own. Friendly talks lead to discussions about God—namely the evidence of Him in creation—which eventually lead to the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Through Antonio’s work, more than 100 house churches exist in Morocco. . . and he shows no signs of slowing down.
By Brittany Tedesco, Christian Aid Mission
Because a man who is native to the land shared the gospel with his family, and these natives went out and shared with their friends and neighbors, thousands of people have come to Jesus. This amazing movement is entirely organic.
The Great Commission wasn’t just given to the United States of America, it was given to the Church—worldwide. And we are committed to helping our brothers and sisters overseas with the financial assistance they need to carry it out in their respective countries.
*Name withheld for security purposes
Via OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
A REVELATION OF... PARABLE OF THE SOWERFind out the meaning for today of this famous parable, as it applies to Christians.
NOTE: Takes a little longer to download as it contains pictures. But its worth the wait!
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WAXING LYRICAL
This came to me when I was wondering what to write. Now I have to live it!I WILL
I will walk with You.
I will talk with You.
I will seek You.
I will speak You.
I will crave You.
I will rave You.
I will submit to You.
I will remit to You.
I will bow to You.
I will vow to You.
I will grace You.
I will pace You.
I will, I will.
I will, I will!
So help me Lord!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Short and VERY SWEET!2015 Rugby World Cup final.....
New Zealand 'ALL BLACKS' 34 v Australian 'WALLABIES' 17
I will become a Christian again next week. Lol! (not really)
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SUNLIGHT
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' a. Matthew (25:1-13)
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!
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david@wwj.org.nz