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
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Issue No: 758 Published: 09 May 2016
A REVELATION TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
THE TRUE ARMOUR OF GOD - Part 2Last week we saw that our standard approach to spiritual warfare, based on the armour of a Roman soldier, is to ATTACK the enemy, commanding him to depart in the name of Jesus. While our armour is spiritual, the belt of truth, the sword of the Word, etc., we tend to look at its protection in a very human way, allowing us to proactively attack the enemy before he gets us.
Today I want to look at the armour of God from a different spiritual perspective, through an Old Testament example, that of David and Goliath.
Of course you may well say, 'this is Old Testament, David, we live in the New!'
While that is true, as we will found out in the time ahead, the principle of the armour of God originated, not in the New Testament, but in the Old, well before Roman soldiers existed!
I am reversing normal teaching procedure in giving the example before the exposition, but as the exposition will be outside the comfort zone of what we have been taught, I am reversing the order, to make you think about this possibility, right from the beginning.
David is my favorite Old Testament character, a man after God's own heart, and the one I would most like to be like. (John, the cousin and close friend of Jesus is my New Testament example). Incidentally, my Christian names are David John!
We all know the story of David and Goliath, most of us since childhood. Even outside the church, it is seen as the epiphany of the fight between the big bad guy and the little underdog. (Even more so than Leicester City's triumph in the English Premier League of football this week!)
Firstly, we have Goliath, a picture of evil, of the enemy, of the devil.....
A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. (1 Samuel 17:4-7)
King Saul, a picture of the worldly way of doing things, gave David his armour.....
38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,†he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.†So he took them off.
David wore his simple shepherd's garb (a picture of righteousness), took his sling and stones, and faced off against Goliath.....
45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.†(1 Samuel 17:45-6)
Which the Lord did.....
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. (1 Samuel 17:50-51)
David won the battle, not by going into the Philistine ranks and seeking Goliath out, but by waiting for Goliath to come out and challenge him, similar to what Jesus did when the devil tempted Him in the desert, as we saw last week. The battle was won by the Lord.
The victories, won by both David and Jesus, were not achieved through putting on physical/spiritual armour that gives an illusion of strength in the battle against the enemy, but rather, faced, and defeated, the enemy through the armour of holiness, righteousness, and submission, to their Father God.
The key verse, upon which Walking With Jesus Ministries is based, Revelation 12:11, explains this in another way. It talks about how to overcome satan......
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Revelation 12:11)
We overcome satan firstly, through the blood of Jesus. But that is not enough. Then we must add the word of our testimony, speaking of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, for the words of our mouth come from the heart, the seat of the Holy Spirit. But that is not enough either! For satan can only be overcome through the full submission of our lives to the will of our Father, for you and for me, personally. Just as Jesus did on the mountain and David did when facing Goliath.
The apostle Paul was a great student of the Old Testament, one of the best of his time. Next time we will look at what it means by putting on the armour of God, through his eyes, rather than our Greek/Roman ones.
(Continued next week.)
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
“It’s like a man who went away on a trip. He called in his servants and entrusted them with what he owned.
To one of them he gave five talents, to another he gave two, and to another one, according to their different abilities. Then he left. Immediately the one with five talents went and invested them in a business, and made another five talents. In the same way the one with two talents made another two. But the man who’d received the one talent went off and dug a hole and hid his master’s money. A long time later the master of those servants returned, and settled accounts with them. The one with five talents came and presented the other five talents. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘You gave me five talents. Look, I’ve made a profit of five talents.’ His master said to him, ‘You’ve done well—you are a good, faithful servant. You have proved yourself trustworthy over small things, so now I’m placing you in charge over many things. Be happy because I’m really pleased with you! The one with two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘You gave me two talents. Look, I’ve made a profit of two talents.’ His master said to him, ‘You’ve done well—you are a good, faithful servant. You have proved trustworthy over small things, so now I’m placing you in charge over many things. Be happy because I’m really pleased with you!’ “Then the man with one talent came. “Master,’ he said, ‘I know that you’re a hard man. You reap where you didn’t sow, and you harvest crops that you didn’t plant. So since I was afraid of you I went and buried your talent in the ground. Look, you can have back what belongs to you.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you think I reap where I don’t sow, and harvest crops I didn’t plant, then you should have deposited my silver in the bank so that when I returned I could have had my money with interest. Take the talent away from him, and give it to the one with ten talents. For everyone who has will be given even more; and everyone who doesn’t have anything, even what they have will be taken away from them. Now throw this useless servant out into the darkness where there’ll be crying and gnashing of teeth.’
Warnings About the Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46)
Separating the Sheep from the Goats.
“But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his majestic
throne. Everyone will be brought before him. He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He’ll place the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to the ones on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, and inherit the kingdom that’s been prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then those who are right will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ The king will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you did for one of these of least importance you did for me.’ “He’ll also say to those on his left, ‘Go away from me, you who are doomed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you didn’t give me anything to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t invite me in. I was naked and you didn’t clothe me. I was sick and in prison and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t look after you?’ Then he will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you didn’t do for one of these of least importance you didn’t do for me.’ They will go away into eternal condemnation, but those who are right will enter eternal life.â€
(Continued next week.)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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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
PERSEVERANCE685. Perseverance perseveres!
686. Perseverance is keeping running the race with feet blistered by the problems of life.
687. Perseverance is wading through the mire of life, confident of reaching our eternal heavenly home.
688. Perseverance is walking through the valleys before ascending to the mountaintops
689. Perseverance is retaining hope when all seems hopeless.
690. Perseverance is …
… forgiving one more time
… one more prayer.
… going on when others are giving up.
… picking yourself up once again.
… loving that little bit extra.
… just one more step.
… serving one more time.
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 concludes........ with a look at the principle of the priesthood of all believers.
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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. ***
318. WAKE UP CALL
A certain pastor was upset with a man in his congregation who was frequently going to sleep during the sermon, so the pastor decided to teach the man a lesson. Near the end of the sermon, the pastor, in a normal voice said, "If there's anyone here this morning who wants to go to hell . . .", he began - then raising his voice to a near shout, continued, PLEASE STAND UP."
The sleeping gentleman, startled from his slumber, sprang to his feet. Then he slowly looked around and then said, "Well, Pastor, I'm not sure why it is that I'm standing, but it looks like it's you and I are in the same boat."
317. GOD'S FIELD
A pastor drove out into the country to visit one of his parishioners, a farmer. As he approached the farm, he noticed the man along side of the road, leaning over the fence gazing out at his expansive field of corn, nearly ready for harvest. As the pastor approached, the farmer exclaimed, "Look at this, isn't it beautiful?" "Well I think you should be careful not to be too boastful," the Pastor noted. "After all, it is God who created this field." "Maybe so," the farmer replied. "But you should have seen this field when God had it all to Himself."
316. OF THE DEVIL
Two drunken men were sitting at the local bar when one turned to the other and asked, "What do you think of that 'speaking in tongues' thing? "I think it's of the devil," replied the other man, "what do you think?" "I don't know, but I don't think it's of the devil, because if it was, you and me would have it."
"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: 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.ANSWER: John VIII (died 882) was the first Pope to be murdered. He was poisoned and then clubbed to death. (Double jeorpardy?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: When did camouflage become standard military practice?
SOME FUN FACTS 413. FOOT FOOD
A person who is lost in the woods and starving can obtain nourishment by chewing on his shoes. Leather has enough nutritional value to sustain life for a short time. (If you’re that hungry, you don’t worry about the foot odour flavouring.)
414. MUDDLING MEASUREMENTS AGAIN
The measurements of a mile on the ocean and a mile on land are different. On the ocean, a nautical mile is 6,080 feet. A land or statute mile is only 5,280 feet. (Must be why walking on water is so difficult!)
415. FLY HIGH
A jet powered aircraft uses more fuel flying at 25,000 feet than at 30,000 feet. The higher it flies the thinner the atmosphere and the less atmospheric resistance it encounters. (The Concord used too much at any height.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
CEREALS
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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GENERAL TRIVIA 1
14: Who addressed the Sanhedrin with a face 'like and angel'?a. Philip
b. Stephen
c. Paul
d. Jesus
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething.
!!!!!! If you are willing to admit you are wrong when you are wrong, you are all right.
!!!!! Sometimes friends are just two people mad at the same person.
!!!! Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.
!!! Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.
!! If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.
! Need rain? Wash and wax the car.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
259. PERFECTION PLUSWhen we put our house up for sale, I stressed emphatically that my sons make their beds each morning. I left for work before they left for school, and I wanted to be sure that the house looked presentable when the agent showed it to prospective buyers. I was surprised and impressed that my 15-year-old son's bed was perfectly made each day. One night when I went into his room, I discovered his secret. He was fast asleep on the floor in his sleeping bag.
260. MAKES CENTS
Some kids were in the habit of teasing Timmy by repeatedly offering him a choice between a nickel and a dime. He always choses the nickel, "because it's bigger." One day, a friend took him aside and asked, "Don't you know that a dime's worth more than a nickel?" Timmy answered, "Yeah, but if I picked the dime they'd stop doing it!"
261. THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS
A doctor, in scanning over a form to see how it had been filled out, noticed the figures 120 and 113 under the headings, "Age of father, if living," and "Age of mother, if living." "But your parents are not really so old, are they?" "No," was the reply, "but they would have been, if living."
262. GONE MISSING
Dawson and his wife, Jennifer, had been debating buying a vehicle for weeks. He wanted a truck. She wanted a fast little sports-like car so she could zip through traffic around town. He would probably have settled on any beat up old truck, but everything she seemed to like was way out of their price range. "Look!" she said. "I want something that goes from 0 to 200 in just a few seconds. Nothing else will do. My birthday is coming up so surprise me!" Dawson did just that. For her birthday, he bought her a brand new bathroom scale. Nobody has seen or heard from him since.
Laugh some more at life here.....
Incredible! Scientists Discover Moment Life Begins is Marked with a Brilliant Flash of Light
by Aimee Herd : Apr 27, 2016 : Sarah Knapton, science editor - Telegraph UKhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/04/26/bright-flash-o f-light-marks-incredible-moment-life-begins-when-s/
"It was remarkable... to see the zinc radiate out in a burst from each human egg was breathtaking."
In the Gospel of John 1:9 it calls Jesus "The true Light that gives light to everyone..." so why wouldn't the moment human life begins (or even animal life for that matter) be marked with light?
Well now we know it is.
A Telegraph UK report states that about five years ago, scientists were able to see that at the moment of conception in a mouse there was a flash of light emanating from the egg as it was pierced by the sperm.
However they had never before seen it in a human embryo—until now.
Researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago have documented on film the tiny "spark" that is set off the moment a life begins in the egg.
According to the Telegraph report:
The bright flash occurs because when sperm enters an egg, it triggers calcium to increase, which releases zinc from the egg. As the zinc shoots out, it binds to small molecules which emit a fluorescence which can be picked up by camera microscopes.
Professor Teresa Woodruff, one of the study's two senior authors and an expert in ovarian biology at Northwestern said, "It was remarkable. We discovered the zinc spark just five years ago in the mouse, and to see the zinc radiate out in a burst from each human egg was breathtaking."
The article also notes that the intensity of the flash is directly related to the degree of the health of the egg, and which ones will likely become a viable pregnancy.
Source: www.breakingchristiannews.com
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
When you commit to something you have to keep doing it - week after week, after week.MUSING ABOUT MUSING
Why do a musing?
Simply to be amusing!
Just to entertain?
Looked upon with disdain.
To give a word of advice,
About my cruelest vice,
To add some spice,
That would be nice.
Or to wax on lyrical,
About something spiritual.
To add a religious flavour,
Looked upon with disfavour.
But what is left?
I am simply bereft.
If it is too deep,
You'll go to sleep.
If too shallow,
Be too hollow,
So now I'll end,
Before I offend!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Here in New Zealand we are experiencing an 'Indian Summer', or as I prefer to say, an Indian Autumn! Daytime temperatures have been at near Summer levels, as we now move into the second month of Autumn, here in the Southern Hemisphere.For Kathy and me too, this week has seen us celebrate our 46th Wedding Anniversary. Another Indian Summer we are enjoying together.
Finally, In November we will truly get to celebrate a genuine Indian Spring, as our third son Nigel, marries his Indian beau in Bangalore, India.
The world is a changing place. Times are a-changing.
But one thing is stable. Our God is still God, no matter what changes around us. While He is manifesting Himself in different ways, primarily through the revelation of kingdom living, He remains, 'the same yesterday, today and forever.'
Upon Him we can rely.
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: RESCALE
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' b. Stephen (Acts 6:8,15)
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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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