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: 765 Published: 27 Jun 2016
A REVELATION TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
THE TRUE ARMOUR OF GOD - Part 7MEANING FOR OUR LIFE TODAY continued
Last week, we saw that the TRUE ARMOUR OF GOD is previewed in the Old Testament, through Isaiah.....
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 62:10)
Consisting of 4 elements we considered then
1. SALVATION
2. RIGHTEOUSNESS
Today we will look at the third element making up the TRUE ARMOUR OF GOD.
3. THE PRIESTHOOD These next two elements refer specifically to the garments of the High Priest. Firstly, and specifically, the headgear. The Mitre or turban is of fine linen. The head is where we make decision to follow Christ. We can reject God.....
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. (Psalm 10:4)
or we can put on the helmet of the hope of salvation.....
But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Underneath the Mitre, as the picture shows, is a gold plate worn on the High Priest's forehead. This stands for 'holiness' and 'repentance'.
Genuine repentance is a requirement of salvation for all are sinners.....
2 Jesus answered, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. ((Luke 13:2-3)
Repentance is the first step, but a life of holiness is also required.
[ Warning and encouragement ] Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Remember that the High Priest had to go to extreme lengths to cleanse himself before, and while inside, the Holy of Holies. The bells on the bottom of the tunic reflect the seriousness of this. Should they stop tinkling, they would tell people the High Priest had not been able to live in the presence of God because of sin!
33 Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate round the hem of the robe. 35 Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die. (Exodus 28:33-5)
Very serious stuff, both then and now!
We need to understand that under the New Covenant, we are all priests.....
5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)
The true armour of God reflected in the High Priests garments call us to a life of repentance and holiness in order to repel the attacks of the devil in our life.
(Continued next week.)
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Jesus Prays (John:17:1-26)
For Himself.
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you. For you gave him authority over all people so that he might give eternal life to all those you have given to him. Eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent. I have brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the beginning of the world.
For His disciples.
“I have revealed your character to those you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you; you gave them to me; and they have done what you said. 7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. I have given them the message that you gave me. They accepted it, completely convinced that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I’m praying for them—not for the world, but for those you gave me, for they belong to you. All who belong to me are yours, and those who belong to you are mine, and I have been glorified through them.
“I am leaving the world, but they will remain in the world; I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name, the name that you gave to me, so that they may be one, just as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you gave to me. I watched over them so that no one was lost except the ‘son of the lost,’ so Scripture was fulfilled.
“Now I’m coming to you, and I say these things while I am still here in the world so they may share completely in my joy. I gave them your message, and the world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I’m not of the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but for you to protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I’m not of the world. 17Make them holy by the truth; your word is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19I dedicated myself for them so that they may also be truly holy.
For all believers.
“I’m not only praying for them, I’m also praying for those who trust in me because of their message. I pray that they all may be one, just as you, Father, live in me, and I live in you, so that they too may live in us so that the world will believe you did send me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, so that they may be one, just as we are one. I live in them, and you live in me. May they be completely one, so the whole world will know that you did send me, and that you love them, just as you love me.
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so they can see the glory which you gave to me—for you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and these here with me know that you sent me. I have revealed your character to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have for me will be in them, and I will live in them.â€
(Continued next week.)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
***NOW***SIX BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
7 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!An extra one has been added about the core of our walk with Jesus - AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS..... LOVE.
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
They are all found at this link.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
'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.....
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
HEAVENLY TRUTHS GOD HAS SHOWN ME739. - 809. God has shown me that...
... the more I fear Him, the more I am prepared to change my life.
... the fear and love of Him are intertwined.
... as pride comes before a fall, so repentance precedes restoration.
... there is nothing good in me until I am touched by His healing hand.
... I can't be found until I admit I'm lost.
... to be a servant is indeed the highest calling.
... He is to be obeyed, even when I don't understand why.
... He lives outside of time, but I don't.
... love works wonders.
... He desires me to change: not me to try and change Him.
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:THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues.......... as we look at DOCTRINE
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. ***
339. THE POPE'S DISCOVERY
The Pope dies and, naturally, goes to heaven. He's met by the reception committee, and after a whirlwind tour is told that he can enjoy any of the myriad recreations available. He decides that he wants to read all of the ancient original text of the Holy scriptures, and spends the next aeon or so learning the languages.
After becoming a linguistic master, he sits down in the library and begins to pour over every version of the Bible, working back from the most recent "Easy reading" to the original script. All of a sudden there is a scream in the library.
The angels come running to him, only to find the Pope huddled in a chair, crying to himself, and muttering, "An 'R'! They left out the 'R'."
God takes him aside, offering comfort and asks him what the problem is. After collecting his wits, the Pope sobs again, "It's the letter 'R' ... the word was supposed to be CELEBRATE!
338. MONKEY TALK
Two monkeys were discussing the theory of evolution while they passed the time in their zoo cage. Finally, one turned to the other and said, "Tell me; am I my keeper's brother?"
337. GOLFING ON SUNDAY
Bill Jenkins served as a deacon in a very strict, fundamentalist church. Skipping church to play golf would be considered a grave infraction, especially for someone in leadership. But the urge was greater than his ability to resist, and Bill found himself at the golf course on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.
Nearing the end of a very enjoyable 18 holes of golf, Bill suddenly heard a voice from heaven calling out his name. "You may receive either a blessing or a punishment. Which will it be?" "Well, of course a blessing," Bill answered. "Then you may ask for one blessing, what will it be?" "Oh, I would love, just one time, to get a 'hole in one'".
So Bill teed up, took a few practice swings, and sent the ball soaring toward the next green. To his great delight, the ball bounced at the edge of the green, and slowly rolled to the flag and dropped in." "Thank you, thank you", Bill shouted toward the sky. "Well actually," the voice responded, "You asked for a blessing, but you have received a punishment instead."
"Why? What do you mean?" "Because", intoned the voice, "Who are you going to tell?"
"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 literary sisters used male names when they published their novels?ANSWER: The Bronte sisters - Charlotte, Emily, and Anne - used male pseudonyms Currer Bell, Ellis Bell, and Acton Bell starting with the same letters. It was normal in earlier time periods for female writers to adopt male names in order to be published. (Their writings certainly ‘rang a bell’ with their readers!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Which American first lady carried a gun in her purse?
SOME FUN FACTS 400. A BIG NOISE
'Brontology’ is the study of thunder. (Clap your hands to thunderous applause, A thunderclap will further your cause.)
401. LUCKY?
In 1060 a coin was minted in England shaped like a lucky four-leaf clover. The user could break off any of the four leaves and use them as separate pieces of currency. (Spreading your money around?)
402. ‘OZOSTOMIAâ€
If you are suffering from ‘ozostomia’, you are suffering from halitosis – actually, bad breath. (Polluting the ozone layer?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
ATHENS
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA
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GENERAL TRIVIA 1
20: What was influential in turning Solomon away from God during his later life?a. Wealth
b. Foreign wives
c. Rebellious sons
d. Possessing land
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""SAYINGS FOR YOU TO PONDER
!!!!!!! If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.
!!!!!! Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe.
!!!!! Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing.
!!!! We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
!!! A + B + C = Success if, A = Hard Work, B = Hard Play, C = Keeping your mouth shut.
!! Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit next to a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.
! Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
250. WHY ARE FIRE TRUCKS RED?Everyone knows that fire engines have 4 wheels and 8 men. 4 and 8 make 12. There are twelve inches in a foot. A foot is a ruler. Queen Elizabeth, a ruler, is the name of one of the largest ships on the seas. Seas have fish and fish have fins. The Finns fought the Russians and Russians are red . . . and fire trucks are always rushin' therefore, fire trucks are red!
NOW . . . if you think that's wild, you ought to hear folks' excuses for not keeping their New Year's Resolutions!
249. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Mrs. Hunter was called to serve for jury duty, but asked to be excused because she didn't believe in capital punishment and didn't want her personal thoughts to prevent the trial from running its proper course. But the public defender liked her thoughtfulness and quiet calm, and tried to convince her that she was appropriate to serve on the jury.
"Madam," he explained, "this is not a murder trial! It's a simple civil lawsuit. A wife is bringing this case against her husband because he gambled away the $12,000 he had promised to use to remodel the kitchen for her birthday."
"Well, okay," agreed Mrs. Hunter, "I'll serve. I guess I could be wrong about capital punishment after all."
248. SPEEDY
An industrious turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to perfect a better turkey. His family was fond of the leg portion for dinner and there were never enough legs for everyone. After many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results of his efforts to his friends at the general store.
..."Well I finally did it! I bred a turkey that has 6 legs!"
They all asked the farmer how it tasted. "Don't know" said the turkey farmer. ....."I never could catch one!!!"
247. VALUE FOR MONEY?
The mine operator called the nearby state prison and asked them to send over a safecracker to open his jammed safe. Soon a convict showed up, spun the dials, listened intently, and calmly opened the safe door.
"Well," said the mine operator, "what do you think I owe you?"
The prisoner said, "Uh, the last time I opened a safe, I got $25,000."
246. I KNOW IT IS EARLY...
I know it is early, but every year about this time, I start to long for the holidays. Maybe you are like me when it comes to the holidays. Some people REALLY love Christmas. Me, I love Thanksgiving. Last year I had my chance to do the traditional thing of shooting my own turkey for Thanksgiving. Man... you should have seen the people scatter in the meat department.
245. THE DRUMMER
A little boy runs up to his mother and shouts, "Mommy! Mommy! I want to be a drummer when I grow up!"
The mother sweetly replies, "You can't do BOTH."
Just have lots more more laughs today right here....
Garbage dump boys start gospel music group, get radio play
By naycrumors -June 20, 2016
As millions of Christians flee the Middle East and Christianity’s original homeland becomes lacking of Christians at increasing rates, an odd anomaly is occurring: Christianity in the Gulf states is surging. Amid a shocking exodus in neighbouring countries, this strictly Islamic region has seen a jump in its Christian population.
Figures show that in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Christianity was practically non existent just over a hundred years ago. There were only 80 Christians in the UAE in 1910 (0.1 per cent of the population) and 50 in Saudi Arabia, even less than 0.1 per cent, according to a recent study. However one hundred years later in 2010, Christianity had exploded to 12.6 per cent of UAE’s population and 4.4 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s. Between the two countries alone there are now well over one million Christians. While by no means a majority, this represents a a significant growth in such a conservative Islamic region.
Indeed, this surge is not limited to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Throughout the Gulf, countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar have all seen dramatic increases to their Christian populations.
Converting from Islam to Christianity in the Gulf is punishable by death in both countries and evangelism is prohibited. In Saudi Arabia any public observance of non-Muslim faiths is illegal and Saudi Christians are forced to worship in private. However despite the dramatic increase, it is likely there will be little change to religious tolerance in the region. Wahhabism, a strict interpretation of Islam, still dominates Saudi Arabia in particular and even in the relatively liberal UAE, Christian converts face severe persecution and no religious education other than the teaching of Islam is permitted.
Although the recent increase of Christians in the Middle East is truly amazing, many are asking why this is happening. Over the past few years, thousands of Middle Eastern muslims have claimed to have seen Jesus in dreams and visions; is this just a strange coincidence or is God actually trying to speak to these people before it’s too late?
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.†// Acts 2:17
The future is therefore uncertain for Christians in the Gulf. But as Christianity loses its most ancient communities in the Middle East, the arrival of Christians in Islam’s most conservative heartland may be a source of hope to those praying for a revival in the Middle East.
Source: http://www.naycrumors.com/articles/muslims-turning-to-jesus-revival/
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
GODS VICTORIOUS CHURCHA revelation of the church to come from the book of Ruth + a prophecy on the 3 armies (type of Church ) of God. Fascinating.
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
Faith is an issue for all of us. As humans, doubt is a greater part of our nature than we would like it to be! But why?FAITH
I wonder why, when 'faith' is an issue,
So often then, we reach for a tissue,
To mop up the tears of doubt you see,
That assail us now, both you and me.
For on the one hand, we trust God with our all,
On the other, human doubt, our faith does stall!
"Will He or wont He?" we are wont to think,
Our faith, once so strong, begins to sink.
"You've always proved faithful to me, my Lord,"
While former blessings, I wish I could hoard!
Each new level requiring greater trust in Him,
Memories of past successes faded, now so dim.
If today's faith was the same as in the past,
Our belief in Him, just simply wouldn't last.
It would just be our own strength that had won,
Not that of our Lord, Jesus Christ the Son.
Now, today's challenge is to break new ground,
Then our faith in Him, it will be truly found.
Oh Lord, please help me in my unbelief!
You've come through again - what a relief!
Put simply, it's the way God's faith works,
Though to our human spirit, it still irks!
So if now, we are to mature and grow,
Trusting Him's, the only way to go!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
As I write this, I am listening to the results coming through for the 'Brexit' poll on whether Britain should remain in the EU.Ironically, here in New Zealand, being 12 hours ahead of Britain time wise, we can listen to results leisurely in the afternoon, rather than in the early hours of the morning. This time, an advantage of living at 'the end of the world'!
The USA too, is in turmoil as it wends it way, very slowly, to a Presidential election, seemingly between two equally unpopular candidates.
What does God think about all this?
Unlike much incorrect teaching today of God's absolute sovereignty, God gives us free choice to make up our own mind of whether we will follow Him or not. We cannot blame God for our bad decisions!
It is particularly ironic to me that Americans bemoan both presidential candidates, yet they themselves elected them through the recent Primary elections!
God lets us make our own decisions in life. It is called 'freewill'. If God had wanted automatons, he would simply have created robots!
God wants us to choose to love and follow Him personally. It is called 'discipleship'. He is not interested in those who make an intellectual or emotional decision to follow Him and then go on living their old lives. 'Tickets to Heaven' are not 'bought' through an (unbiblical) 'sinners prayer', but are gained through a life of righteousness, holiness and submission to the will of God.
Are you prepared to make a total commitment to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus? I am.
PS: Britain has decided to leave the EU. The power of the people over the establishment - for better or worse.
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: HASTEN
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: b. Foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-4)
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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