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: 757 Published: 02 May 2016
A REVELATION TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
THE TRUE ARMOUR OF GOD - Part 2Last week we concluded with the passage from James that talks about resisting the devil.....
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
It is important to take scriptures in context, rather than quoting a verse or sentence to justify an argument or position we may have.
Resisting the devil, in context, is talking about submission to God, coming near to God, washing our hands, purifying ourselves, grieving and mourning (in the pain of change), humility before God, and THEN HE WILL LIFT US UP.
To me this does not sound too much like a Roman warrior. Does it too you? When I see people taking an aggressive stance toward the devil, commanding him to flee with the flash of an imaginary sword in their hand, I have wondered if this is truly the way Jesus would act. Particularly when I often don't see much fruit in these people's lives!
How did Jesus resist the devil? The first confrontation He had was at the time of His temptation.
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.†4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,†he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’†7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’â€
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,†he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.†10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’â€
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Firstly, Jesus fasted. This was His armour. Not the the way of a Roman, or any other, soldier, for 'an army marches on its stomach.'
Then He then resisted the temptations offered, not by aggressively attacking the devil in the way of a soldier, but quoting God, His Fathers, word to him. He did not go out actively chasing the tempter, but waited until the tempter came to Him.
The word 'resist' means 'withstand the action or effect of' and has synonyms: "withstand, be proof against, hold out against, combat, counter; weather, endure, outlast; repel, be resistant to, be impervious to, be impermeable to, keep out.'
The Roman soldiers armour was primarily designed to protect him when he attacked his foes in battle, while spiritual armour is designed to resist the enemy when the tempter attacks us. The motivations are opposites.
You may think I am splitting hairs, but the reality is our religious walk is influenced by this aggressive nature of the soldier.
The Crusaders after the turn of the first millennium, were classic, physical examples of copying the Roman soldier principle right down to the armour!
Then, of course, we have songs. For example, I am sure we all know Onward Christian Soldiers.....
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Again, this is an analogy of taking the battle to the enemy, no doubt inspired by putting on the armour of God. We sing it. We feel good. But has the enemy fled? Not yet, I am sad to say.
There has to be something we are missing. And there is.
(Continued next week.)
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
A Warning to be Alert (Matthew 24:36-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:32-36)
For the return of Jesus.
“But no one knows the day or hour when this will take place, not the angels in heaven, nor the Son. Only the Father knows. When the Son of man comes it will be like it was during the time of Noah. 38It will be as in the days before the flood, when they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, right up until the day that Noah went into the Ark. They didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That’s how the coming of the Son of man will be.
“Two men will be working in the fields. One will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding grain with a mill. One will be taken, the other left. So stay alert, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But consider this: if the house-owner knew what time a thief was coming, he would keep watch. He would not allow his house to be broken into and robbed. You also need to be ready, because the Son of man is coming at a time when you’re not expecting him.
“For who is the trustworthy and thoughtful servant? It’s the one his master puts in charge of his household to provide them with food at the proper time. How good it will be for that servant to be found doing that when his master returns! I tell you the truth: the master will put that servant in charge over everything he has. But if he was evil, the servant would say to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time,’ and would start beating the other servants, feasting and drinking with the drunks. Then that servant’s master will return when the man doesn’t expect him, at a time he doesn’t know. He’ll cut him to pieces, and treat him in the same way as the hypocrites, sending him to a place where there’s weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
“The kingdom of heaven is like ten girls, who took their lamps with them to go and meet the bridegroom.
Five were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish girls took their lamps but didn’t take any oil with them, while the wise took jars of oil with them as well as their lamps. The bridegroom took a long time and all the girls became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the shout came, ‘Look, the bridegroom’s here! Come out and meet him!’ All the girls got up and trimmed the wicks of their lamps. The foolish girls said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ But the wise girls replied, ‘No, because otherwise there won’t be enough for both you and for us. Go to the shopkeepers and buy some oil for yourselves.’ While they went to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was locked shut. The other girls came later. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they called, ‘Open the door for us!’ But he answered, ‘I tell you the truth: I don’t know you.’ So stay alert, for you don’t know the day, or the hour.
(Continued next week.)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
***NOW*** FIRST & SECOND BOOKS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
THE WORDS OF JESUS are also now available on Amazon (Kindle) also!This, along with the "TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH", are now available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be charge in order to list.
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN 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
SELF CONTROLPEACE
670. Peace is to be found in the eye of the storm.
671. A soul truly finds peace in God’s rest.
672. Strive for strife, rest for peace.
673. Internal peace can flourish amongst external turmoil.
674. Peace is not a feeling, but a place.
675. World peace is an impossibility, inner peace a personal choice.
676. How is it that people rejoice when a peace agreement is reached, yet remain at turmoil within themselves?
677. Peace in our time – simply impossible. Peace within – always available.
678. Inner peace is a treasure of far greater value than gold.
679. Peace and riches are seldom bedfellows.
680. War within? Sign the Lord’s ‘Peace Treaty’ today!
681. Our internal battles are bloodier than man’s wars.
682. War is of the world. Peace is of God. Therefore we need to seek peace in the right place.
683. The ‘War of the World’s’ is fought within each one of us. Satan versus God.
684. The person with peace has more than all the riches of the world have to offer.
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:A REVELATION OF... THE THREE PRIESTHOODS continues.........as we look at the history of the church and see what the Bible says.
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. ***
315. LOT'S WIFE
The teacher was in the middle of telling the Bible story of Lot's rescue from the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. When she came to the part about Lot's wife, she said, "And Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt." A little boy's hand shot up. "That's nothing. Last week when my mother was driving to the store, she looked back and turned into a telephone pole."
314. CHRISTMAS CONFUSION
The Sunday School children had been asked to draw a Christmas nativity scene. When the teacher reviewed what they had done, she noticed that one picture, in addition to Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds and Wisemen, also had a rather plump man standing off to the side. So the young artist was asked to explain who this was. "Oh," he said, "that's round John virgin".
313. LAUGHTER LIKE MEDICINE
A pastor listened outside the Sunday School room door while the children recited their memory verse. One little boy repeated it this way, "Laughter does good like a medicine should."
"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 its body weight can a pelican consume in a single meal?ANSWER: The pelican can consume 66% of its body weight in a meal. (Might well struggle to fly straight afterwards though!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Throughout the years, many Popes have been assassinated or have been the targets of assassinations. Who was the first Pope to be murdered? John Paul II, Leo X, John V, John VIII or Luke IV.
SOME FUN FACTS 416. GET THE GEARS
A car with a manual shift gets 2 miles more per gallon of gas than a similar one with an automatic gearbox. (The effort is worthwhile for both economy and fun.)
417. FIRST PRIZE
You may call it Britain, Great Britain, United Kingdom, or the U.K. However, if you purchase a stamp there, you won't find any name on it. Great Britain was the first country in the world to issue postage stamps, and still today, they are the only nation in the world that doesn't use a national name on their stamps. (Because they wouldn’t know which name to put on?)
418. PERFECTLY ROUND
A bubble is round because the air within it presses equally against all its parts, causing all surfaces to be equidistant from its centre. (Until the bubble bursts, when inequality again rules.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
PINKISH
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...
GENERAL TRIVIA 1
13: What did Joseph Barnabas sell to raise money for God's work?a. Horse
b. Field
c. Flock of sheep
d. House
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"""TAKE TIME OUT FOR TEN THINGS...
Take time out to work ~ It is the price of success.
Take time out to think ~ It is the source of power.
Take time out to play ~ It is the secret of youth.
Take time out to read ~ It is the foundation of knowledge.
Take time out to worship ~ It is the highway of reverence.
Take time out to help and enjoy friends ~ This is the source of happiness.
Take time out to love ~ It is the one sacrament of life.
Take time out to dream ~ It hitches the soul to the stars.
Take time out to laugh ~ It is the singing that eases life's load.
Take time out to pray ~ It helps bring Christ near and washes the dust of earth from our eyes.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
176. THREE ENGINEERSThere are three engineers in a car: an electrical engineer, a chemical engineer and a Microsoft engineer. Suddenly the car engine shuts off, leaving the three engineers stranded by the side of the road. All three engineers look at each other wondering what could be wrong. The electrical engineer suggests stripping down the electronics of the car and trying to trace where a fault might have occurred. The chemical engineer, not knowing much about cars, suggests that maybe the fuel is becoming emulsified and getting blocked somewhere. Then, the Microsoft engineer, not knowing much about anything, comes up with a suggestion, "Why don`t we close all the windows, get out, get back in, open the windows again, and maybe it`ll work!?" (Inexplicably it did! - David)
175. JUST IN TIME
The scene: Alexander Graham Bell's laboratory.
An exciting new discovery is about to take place. Mr. Bell and his assistant, a man named Watson, have been hard at work on Bell's new invention to transmit sound over wires.
As Mr. Watson toiled away in the room with the receiver, he suddenly hears ... ring, ring , ring .... then....
"Good evening, sir. Are you paying too much for your long distance service?"
174. SAD STORIES?
Bill, Jim & Scott were at a convention together & were sharing a large suite on the top of a 75-story skyscraper.
After a long day of meetings, they were shocked to hear that the elevators in their hotel were broken & they would have to climb 75 flights of stairs to get to their room.
Bill said to Jim & Scott, "Let's break the monotony of this unpleasant task by concentrating on something interesting. I'll tell jokes for 25 flights, Jim can sing songs for the next 25 flights and Scott can tell sad stories for the rest of the way."
At the 26th floor, Bill stopped telling jokes & Jim began to sing. At the 51st floor Jim stopped singing & Scott began to tell sad stories.
"I will tell my saddest story first," he said. "I left the room key in the car!!!
A joke aday keeps the frowns away!.....
Prolific Cuban church planter: 300 churches planted and 1,000 leaders trained
April 21, 2016By Mark Ellis
Otoniel Martinez grew up in a Christian family. His father was a pastor in a time when government pressure made it difficult to follow Jesus. Otoniel was a gifted student and could have attended one of the top schools in Cuba.
But in order to attend a top university, he had to deny his Christian faith, which he would not do. He decided he would bypass upper-level education to follow Christ no matter what, according to a report by United World Mission (UWM).
His resolve was tested many times as he faced opposition from the authorities. He successfully planted one church, which proceeded to reproduce 26 other churches.
From there, the Holy Spirit planted a God-sized vision in Otoniel’s heart: to see churches planted in every corner of Cuba and to send workers into the rest of the world. For assistance, Otoniel reached out to UWM, because they led his family to Christ many years ago.
A church planting trainer from UWM was introduced to Otoniel. Together, they developed a training for Cuba known as the “Sembradores†(Sowers) Network.
They assembled 50 people from 20 denominations in Bayamo, the heart of communism in Cuba. After just one training session they were kicked out of the church they were using because the pastor feared that he would receive retribution from the local authorities.
“We began to meet outside in a remote area of a campground,†noted Joseph Milioni in the Evangelical Missions Quarterly (EMQ). “We didn’t use any chairs so that we could scatter if local officials came near.†Rocks scattered around the camp became their chairs.
“Even with all the setbacks, it was never a question of stopping the training. Otoniel showed dependence on God when things went well and when obstacles developed. This went on to be one of our best trainings. Many of our current network leaders came out of this training.â€
As churches were planted a new need arose. In a country where the average person makes $15 a month, how could churches support church planters and achieve Otoniel’s long-term vision?
“By partnering with several different North American partners we began to help develop micro-enterprises on the island. We have seen everything from bicycle taxis to ice cream stands. All the funds go towards church planting and the churches that support it,†according to UWM.
Milioni marvels at the fruit. “Together, we developed a church-planting network that has seen close to one thousand church planters trained in less than five years. One of the greatest lessons he (Otoniel) taught me is dependency—not the dangers of developing dependency on outside resources, but rather of being truly dependent on God.â€
Otoniel’s reliance on God sets him apart. “Despite having more talent, passion, and vision than many could hope to have, he met every step with a heart pleading to God for guidance,†Milioni notes. “Every step of the way, despite success, Otoniel has never relied on his own abilities.â€
“He is recognized by many national leaders and has tremendous respect both in and out of Cuba, but inevitably during each visit, I still see him gathering his family together, looking to God to meet needs and give guidance.â€
Inevitably, a God-sized vision is met with adversity. “When everything seemed to be going well, Otoniel’s father passed away and his wife, Idalmi, was diagnosed with cancer. However, because Otoniel has established a habit of leaning on God, he is seeking God to comfort him and be with him as he has always been,†Milioni notes.
Otoniel’s vision has grown to develop Cuban missionaries to go to the unreached. From the beginning, the responsibility of the church to be involved in missions was taught. A missions professor from Costa Rica was brought in to teach the Cuban pastors how local churches could be involved in missions. After a few days the hearts of the pastors were burdened to send church planters around the world, according to UWM.
Despite the fact that these churches had very little income, the pastors raised $60 for missions on their first night (4 months wages). A committee was formed to create a Cuban missions organization and training center for missions.
The Sembradores network has resulted in more then 300 new churches being planted. Many second-generation churches have been counted. More then 20 micro-enterprises have been established.
“We have seen God do amazing things and believe there is still more to come.â€
Source: United World Mission
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
A REVELATION OF... THE BOOK OF RUTHIn one of the oldest books of the Bible, God reveals His plan for the Church in these end times. Unbelievable! No! For God's plan has been there from the beginning of time. He is now revealing more of it to us. Wondered about the Church and Israel? Read on...
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
It's funny how subjective time can be!LIFE!
Life is short
When watching sport......
But life is so very eternally long,
When the preacher misses the gong.......
Yet, if you time them both on your watch,
The sermon will be shorter than the match!
Funny that!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Great excitement here when we finally saw a Monarch Butterfly out of the cocoon, drying out its wings in our garden! Six months ago we planted a Swan Plant (that the caterpillars feed upon, but it is only now, since we have found the nest of the egg eating wasps, that we have finally had success. Nature surely is a 'dog eat dog' world. Upon looking further we saw two more empty chrysalises of butterflies that had already hatched, but we had missed. So we are learning as we go!I am sure you can see comparisons in your spiritual life with the butterfly breeding process. It is worth musing upon!
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: KINSHIP
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' b. Field (Acts 4:36-37)
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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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