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: 767 Published: 11 Jul 2016
A REVELATION TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!
THE TRUE ARMOUR OF GOD - Part 7MEANING FOR OUR LIFE TODAY concludes
CONCLUSION
The armour of God as declared in the New Testament is.....
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:13-18)
Over the past 4 weeks we have seen that the 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)
It contains 4 elements
1. SALVATION
2. RIGHTEOUSNESS
3. THE PRIESTHOOD
4. THE BRIDE
So what have we learned.....
1. The true armour of God is DEFENSIVE, not OFFENSIVE. We are not to put on the armour in order to go out and attack the enemy but to defend ourselves from the enemy when he attacks us.
2. The true armour of God IS NOT THAT OF THE HATED ROMAN SOLDIER, who occupied Israel at the time but IS THAT OF THE GARMENTS OF THE HIGH PRIEST, the link between God and man in the Old Testament Tabernacle/Temple system, as Jesus is under the current dispensation.
3. The protections we have against the wiles and attacks of satan are.....
a. SALVATION: Without which no man can see the Lord.
b. RIGHTEOUSNESS leading to HOLINESS. Without living a godly life, no armour, no matter how thick, how vigorously put on, how loudly shouted about, will protect us! For he will get through the chinks every time!
c. BEING SET ASIDE FOR GOD, as were the priests in the Old Testament. A summary of John 17 is "Live in the world, but not of it."
d. Living a life of DISCIPLESHIP, fully submitted and obedient to God, building His KINGDOM upon the earth as part of the BRIDE OF CHRIST for whom Jesus is returning.
The traditional Pentecostal revelation and understanding is that satan can be overcome (ie. wearing a 100% effective armour of God) is as it says in Revelation 12:11,
by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of their testimony (Holy Spirit).
In fact I had a friend who quoted this to me a very short time ago as all that is required for spiritual perfection. Unfortunately this Western way of thinking, where we simply need to give our lives to Jesus and testify about it, while important aspects of overcoming satan, are not the full story, for the verse does not stop there. Let us see what the whole verse says.....
They overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they loved not their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Revelation 12:11)
As you can see in the highlighted section, there is a 3rd condition required to overcome satan. It relates to obedience to God the Father. This does not appeal to the Western mind, based on Greek understanding, but is an integral part of Eastern and therefore, Jewish thinking. For the Jews, what they say and what they do are to be one. Religion is a 'whole of life ' experience. Similarly for the Muslims. Their primary objection to Christianity is that Christians say one thing and do another. Which sadly is true!
The purpose of putting on the ARMOUR OF GOD is to protect us from the arrows of the enemy. However, I like to explain it this way. If the person inside the armour is 'spiritually deformed' (not living a Christlike life) their armour, no matter how carefully they put it on, will have chinks in it, that allows satan and his cohorts to penetrate with their fiery darts! If they make the additional mistake of attacking the enemy, rather than defensively using the armour, their chinks will be exposed more rapidly! This is a major reason why Pentecostals often suffer more spiritual attacks than more passive believers. They are attacking satan with defective armour.
The primary function that the Lord has given Walking With Jesus Ministries is to show believers that we need to not just to believe, but to live out what we believe, to die to our own ungodly foibles and human desires, in order to be obedient to the will of the Father for our lives.
In other words the true ARMOUR OF GOD is a Christlike nature, which will enable us to overcome satan. This is summed up by Paul.....
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:26-8)
Amen.
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Annas Questions Jesus (John:18:19-24)
“I’ve spoken openly to everyone,†“I always taught in the synagogues and in the Temple where all the Jewish people meet. I haven’t said anything in secret. So why are you questioning me? Ask the people who hear me what I told them. They know what I said.â€
When slapped by the guard for supposedly criticizing the High Priest.
“If I said something wrong, tell everyone what was wrong with it. But if what I said was right, why did you hit me?â€
Caiaphas Condemns Jesus (Matthew 26:62-6, Mark 14:60-64, Luke 22:66-71)
For saying he is the Messiah.
“You said it,†“And I also tell you that in the future you’ll see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of heaven.â€
Jesus Before Pilate (Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-7, John 18:29-38)
Asking if Jesus is the ‘King of the Jews’.
“Did you think of this question yourself, or did others talk to you about me?â€
“My kingdom is not of this world. If it was of this world, my subjects would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here.â€
“You say that I’m a king,†“The reason why I was born and I came to the world was to give evidence for the truth. All those who accept the truth pay attention to what I say.â€
(Continued next week.)
Photo: Annas and Caiaphas
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...
... revelation is given in His timing - which generally isn't ours.
... we learn more about Him in the hard times than the good.
... He can turn our failure into His success.
... when we put others first in this world, He does the same for us in His.
... in the end, He always wins.
... in Him, to die is to live.
... when there is less of me there is room for more of Him.
... salvation is a privilege, not a right.
... He can change me if I let Him.
... while salvation is free, the walk with Jesus is to cost us everything we have.
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
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com TO READ THIS CARTOON AND SEE THE OTHER PICTURES IN THIS EMAIL YOU NEED TO BE ONLINE.A take on 'darkness and light'!
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues.......... as we look at LOGIC v FAITH
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. ***
345. NOISY
Sunday School Teacher: "What evidence is there in the Bible that Adam and Eve were noisy?"
Boy: "They raised Cain!"
344. THE PERFECT OFFERTORY SERMON
"I would like to remind you that what you are about to give is deductible, cannot be taken with you and is considered in the Bible that the love of this is the root of all evil."
343. PEANUTS
A preacher visiting an elderly parishioner at a nursing home noticed a bowl of peanuts by her bed and took one. As they talked. he couldn't help himself and ate one after another. By the time their visit was over, the bowl was empty.
"I'm sorry, but I seem to have eaten all of your peanuts," he said.
"That's OK," she replied. "They would have gone stale anyway. Without my teeth, all I can do is suck the chocolate off."
"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: If you cut an earthworm in half, will it grow into two new worms?ANSWER: This widely held idea is largely a myth. While it is true that earthworms can regenerate, when you cut one in half, both parts don't regenerate into fully developed worms. Only the front end of the worm, containing the ‘brain’ (cerebral ganglion) has a chance of growing new segments. (2 into 1 doesn’t go, 1 into 2 doesn’t grow!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How did trivia (such as this), get its name?
SOME FUN FACTS 394. SINCERE LOVE
The amethyst, February's designated birthstone, is the symbol of sincerity. This gem was said to be a favourite of both Cleopatra's and St. Valentine's. (Always sought, not always found.)
395. JUST IN CASE
In 18th century English gambling dens, there was an employee whose sole job was to swallow the dice if there was a police raid. (A dicey job!)
396. DIVERSITY
Over 150 ethnic groups exist in Cameroon. (All united through the national game of football!)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
LINKAGE
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...
BIBLE OR NOT
Is this saying in the Bible or not?2. "Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
a. BIBLE
b. NOT BIBLE
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
!!!!!!! There is something wrong if you're always right.
!!!!!! After all is said and done, more is said than done.
!!!!! People are like tea bags - You never know their strength until they get into hot water.
!!!! The easiest crops to grow are weeds and pests.
!!! If you do nothing, nothing will happen. If you do something, something will happen but not necessarily what you intended.
!! All's war in love and fairness.
! Before having a midlife crisis, it's good to have a life.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
TIL DEATH DO US PART
221. FLATTERED MINISTERA pastor was leaving his area and was saying farewell to his congregation at the Church doors for the last time. He shook the hand of an elderly lady as she walked out. She said "Your successor won't be as good as you." "Nonsense", said the pastor, in a flattered tone. "No, really", said the old lady, "I've been here under five different ministers, and each new one has been worse than the last."
222. DISRUPTIVE SCHOOL KIDS
What did the cross eyed school teacher say to his disruptive children? - "I can't control my pupils."
224. QUICK QUIPS!
Speculate - You are three weeks overdue with delivering my new pair of glasses.(Simon Champion)
Somersault: Seasoning used during the warm months of the year. (Doug Drill)
Courtship: Chartered cruise boat for a group of judges (Stan Kegel)
Reduce: The tennis game is tied again. (Tim Bruening)
Demonstrate: A reformed devil. (Guy Ben-Moshe)
Lite: A bulb that uses 22% fewer watts (Cynthia MacGregor)
Goodbye: A purchase at a garage sale (Stan Kegel)
Geriatric: Mr. Lewis scores three times in one hockey game! (Bob Dvorak)
Passport: To drive by the docks
Metallurgy: The study of how to keep people from being allergic to metals. (Cryptoquote)
Abundance: Big party held in a bakery. (Douglas Helsel)
Groupie: Scheduled bus stop to empty your bladder (Stan Kegel)
Accounting: a-one, a-two, a-three, a-four... (Douglas Helsel)
Cuban: Forbid the letter between "P" and "R". (Tim Breuning)
Eureka: EUREKA that cheap cologne (Stan Kegel)
Farce: This is as FARCE the bus goes. (Cynthia MacGregor)
Ganglion: Leo left the pride, fell into bad company and became a GANGLION. (Ken Pinkham)
Formaldehyde: "The police came to my door looking for my cousin Melvin, I told them there ain't no place FORMALDEHYDE in the house, it's too small." (Darnell)
Exclaim: Watch my EXCLAIM more than he's entitled to in the divorce! (Cynthia MacGregor)
Moustache: Before the police arrive, I MOUSTACHE this pot where they can't find it. (Stan Kegel)
Kama sutra: The surgeon has finished the operation. Now we're only waiting for the intern to KAMA SUTRA the incision. (Gary Hallock)
Emulate: Dorothy's uncle told his wife, "EMULATE getting into the storm cellar!" (Cynthia MacGregor)
Emboss: I had to tell my secretary I EMBOSS around here. (Stan Kegel)
225. PROHIBITED!
The famous Olympic skier Picabo Street (pronounced Peek-A-Boo) is not just an athlete....she is a nurse currently working at the Intensive Care Unit of a large metropolitan hospital.
She is not permitted to answer the telephone. It caused too much confusion when she would answer the phone and say,
*
*
*
Picabo, ICU.
Enjoy more on my favourite form of humour here.....
Jesus Film to be Translated into 8 New Languages
Veronica Neffinger | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com | Tuesday, June 28, 2016The JESUS film, which is often used as an evangelistic tool and has drawn many to Christ around the world, has been translated into eight new languages.
According to ChristianToday.com, the JESUS Film Project announced that it has translated the film into eight new languages, which means 6.5 million more people can be reached with the Gospel in their own language.
In addition, JESUS Film Project spokesman Joe Class said that people from all eight language groups were given a screening of the film in their respective language.
"It was utterly amazing to go to this location and have community members from eight different language groups gathered together," Class says. "All of us thanked God for what He's done to dedicate these to God's glory. Our hope and our prayer is there would be transformation and [that] churches would be started as a result of this."
Class also spoke with those who said that the JESUS film was the catalyst for their church plant.
"If you look at the last hundred years and you see how much translation has been done, and then you look at the growth of the evangelical church over that same period, you see an incredible ramping up. There's just this incredible link between translation God's Word and the Gospel and churches being planted and people coming to Christ. It's an amazing phenomenon to be alive at this point in history and watch all this!" Class says.
Via OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
WALKING WITH JESUS POSTERQuoting 1 John 2:1-6, six of the most thought provoking and important verses in scripture for walking with Jesus today. A4 size.
Download your free PDF Files here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
Some people can inspire in the midst of terminal pain and suffering, My mate Basil was one of those.BASIL
It comes to us all, once to die,
Our best to ignore it, we do try.
Don’t know how, nor when, nor where,
Until death, in the face, does us stare.
For most, the sands of time predictably flow,
Plenty of life, our ultimate destiny to know,
Three score years and ten, normally more,
The last few perhaps, may be a chore.
For some though, death comes as a shock,
A life snuffed out at the tick of a clock,
In the fiery inferno of a collapsing tower,
Or a car, ramming another at full power.
But our Basil was chosen for a different task,
A walk through sickness and pain was his ask.
God knew what an inspiration he would be,
And he surely was, both to you and to me.
Basil I have known for a good number of years,
A wise man, a prophet, somewhat given to tears,
A man well respected, both at church and at home,
Salt of the earth, with not much hair to comb.
But it was only during this current year,
That Basil’s character became so clear,
Oh, what had I missed out on, in days now past,
In a busy life, where spending time, comes last.
Unless the house has been built on a firm foundation,
Trials and troubles easily lead to spiritual ruination.
But through his pain, the light of his Saviour did shine,
What I saw in his life, I would like to see in mine.
Of course, he did naturally ask the question,
“Why me Lord?†I did hear him mention.
Then his wry sense of humour would shine through,
As into perspective, his whole life came into view.
Basil has been an inspiration to us all,
Through his trials, he has walked tall,
The quiet man - thought he had little to offer,
In his ultimate test, came through to conquer.
Basil my mate, us you still inspire,
In that certain faith, we so desire.
I will miss you my friend, so Basil tears I now shed,
As I seek to follow the path, in which you have led.
David Tait: 4 October, 2001
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
I am at a loss what to write this week.As I see the exploding situation in the USA, a dynamite combination of racism and unfettered gun use, as a New Zealander I cry out for their country!
Our country is far from perfect but we do have relatively successful gun controls and predominantly, harmony between our racial groups.
Jesus taught.....
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-9)
The proliferation of guns worldwide, in those places without controls has, and is, leading to a culture of a disregard of human life. In trouble spots in the Middle East and Africa for example, governments worldwide are providing, and the people are using, guns that are purely and wholly designed to kill other people. Terrorism is now exported everywhere and prevention, in itself, has become a big industry, involving even more guns.
This can be excused as the deteriorating human condition of the last days, but the particular sadness to me, is seeing Christians, who oppose killing by abortion, quite happy to see unfettered gun circulation that, in the hands of humans, kill. Again, guns are inanimate, but guns in the hands of people do what they are designed to do, and that is to kill!
May we as disciples of Jesus, consider how we can best react to this situation.
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: LEAKING
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: b. NOT BIBLE (Mahatma Ghandi)
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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