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: 793 Published: 09 Jan 2017
APOLOGIES - MISSING PART 3
Several have mentioned that Part 3 of this teaching is missing. I apologize for that, due to my error when preparing these editorials in advance, to cover our time overseas.Part 3 will be printed next week, after this week's completion of the series, as this seems the least disruptive to the flow of these editorials.
Thank you to those who let me know about my mistake.
‘THE RAPTURE’ - SATAN’S PLAN OF DECEPTION WITHIN TODAY’S CHURCH (Part 8)
CONCLUSION"Today´s church wants to be raptured from responsibility."
-Leonard Ravenhill
I understand that many reading this will likely have embraced this false teaching. Some will argue that it is implied in Scripture and will not be open to considering anything different. But the reality is, the momentum for rapture teaching arose primarily out of the dream of a 15 year old girl in Scotland.
Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,†declares the Lord. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,†declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:32)
Others dreams of modern times too, have resulted in false doctrines, such as Joseph Smith (Mormonism), John Wilson (British Realism), Ellen G.White (Some Seventh Day Adventist teachings) and many more. While dreams can be revelatory, they must be in line with Scripture. That applies not only to dreams but to prophecy and teaching as well. Prophets are subject to confirmation.....
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. (! Corinthians 14:31-2)
19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 519-22)
Teachers will be judged most severely for false teachings as well.....
[ Taming the Tongue ] Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)
I put Leonard Ravenhill's quotation at the beginning because my conclusion for the popularity of rapture theory is that the church and Christians are looking for an easy way out. Persecution is a forgotten word in our materialistic, soft Western society, in particular. However persecution was the norm for Jesus, culminating in His crucifixion. And for the disciples and believers of the day.
Walking with Jesus is not meant to be easy.....
22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,†they said. (Acts 14:22)
Jesus summed up end times in Matthew.....
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14)
Personal sacrifice is required.....
29 “Truly I tell you,†Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Mark 10:29-31)
We are strengthened through persecution.....
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.†Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Rapture teaching runs contrary to the very foundation of Scripture. As the righteous were persecuted in both the Old and New Testaments, why should we be exempt now?
Paul explains the return of Jesus simply and clearly.....
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
MAY WE NOT BE DECEIVED FROM BIBLE TRUTH BY THE SEDUCTIVE, FALSE, DIVISIVE TEACHING ABOUT THE RAPTURE.
Amen.
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Jesus Commends John the Baptist (Matthew 11:1-19, Luke 7:18-35)
When approached by John’s disciples asking Jesus if He truly was ‘the one who was to come’.
“Go and tell John what you’ve seen and heard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers cured, the deaf hear, the dead raised back to life, the poor are told the good news. How good it is for those who are not offended because of me!â€
“About John: what did you expect to see when you went out to meet him in the desert? Some reed blown about by the wind? Did you come looking for a man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who have stylish clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes he is, and I’m telling you, he’s much more than a prophet. “It was written about him in Scripture: ‘Look, I’m sending my messenger to go before you to prepare your way.’ “I tell you, no one born of women is greater than John, but even the most unimportant person in God’s kingdom is greater than he is!â€
But the Pharisees disagreed.
“What shall I compare these people to?†“What are they like? “They’re like children sitting in the market who tell one other, ‘We played the flute for you but you didn’t dance; we sang sad songs but you didn’t cry.’ When John the Baptist came he didn’t eat bread or drink wine, but you say he’s demon-possessed. Now the Son of man is here, and eats and drinks with people, but you say, ‘Look, he spends his time eating too much food and drinking too much wine. Plus he’s a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ However, God’s wise ways are proved right by all who follow him!â€
Jesus Rebukes 3 Cities (Matthew 11:20-30)
Jesus denounced the people of the towns where most of His miracles were performed for not repenting.
“Shame on you, Korazin; shame on you, Bethsaida! If the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which happened among you, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago. But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than it will for you! And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be exalted to heaven? No, you’ll go down to Hades! If the miracles had been performed in Sodom which happened among you, Sodom would still be here today. But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than it will for you!â€
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!The final one to be added is THE PURGING OF THE CHURCH. It is based on 11 bullet points David Wilkerson, noted author of 'The Cross and the Switchblade', published about changes needed in the church of today to prepare it for the return of Jesus.
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/
BOOK OF THE WEEK
THE PURGING OF THE CHURCHA CHURCH WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE, A PEOPLE WITH CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART, PREPARED AND WAITING FOR THE RETURN OF JESUS
The Lord led me to go back to a sermon/prophecy I received in a group mailing, and filed, some time ago. It is by David Wilkerson.
David was the Founding Pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. He was called to New York in 1958 to minister to gang members and drug addicts, as told in the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade.
Downloadable from Amazon for USD99c at.....
https://www.amazon.com/PURGING-CHURCH-WITHOUT-WRINKLE-PREPARED-ebook/dp/B01LE1RSNU/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XS80F9BWK20ZGT857SP7
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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
RELIGION, REVELATION AND GOD'S KINGDOM1062. Religion is not a church but a mind closed to change.
1063. Revelation is from without, while the heart of religion is birthed within.
1064. Revelation sows, religion mows!
1065. Religion is not the church, but the church too easily becomes religion.
1066. Religion kills, God upskills.
1067. Religion is a gathering of like minds, God's kingdom, one of godly natures.
1068. Religion insidiously enters the church through repetition.
1069. Repetition is religion's close ally.
1070. As people we are inherently religious, for we enjoy feeling comfortable - even in our discomfort!
1071. Religion is revelation become tradition.
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.....We complete our study with the CONCLUSION!
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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. ***
413. LATERAL THINKING
Question: "Who is the most unhappy in the Parable of the Prodigal Son?"
Answer: "The fatted calf."
412. THE FUNERAL
A new Pastor in a small Oklahoma town spent the first four days making personal visits to each of the members, inviting them to come to his first services.
The following Sunday the church was all but empty. Accordingly, the Pastor placed a notice in the local newspapers, stating that, because the church was dead, it was everyone's duty to give it a decent Christian burial. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon, the notice said.
Morbidly curious, a large crowd turned out for the "funeral." In front of the pulpit, they saw a closed coffin, smothered in flowers. After the Pastor delivered the eulogy, he opened the coffin and invited his congregation to come forward and pay their final respects to their dead church.
Filled with curiosity as to what would represent the corpse of a "dead church," all the people eagerly lined up to look in the coffin. Each "mourner" peeped into the coffin then quickly turned away with a guilty, sheepish look.
In the coffin, tilted at the correct angle, was a large mirror.
411. OBSERVANT
Three people were trying to get into heaven. Peter asked the first, "Who's there?" "It's me, Albert Jones," the voice replied. St. Peter let him in.
Then St. Peter asked the second one the second same question, "Who's there?" "It's me, Charlie Jones." And St. Peter let him in.
Finally he turns to the third, asking the same question, "Who's there?" "It is I, Verla Chapman," answered the third.
"Oh, great," muttered St. Peter. "Another one of those English teachers."
"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 do cats, camels, and giraffes have in common?ANSWER: Cats, like camels and giraffes, walk by moving their front and hind legs on one side, then the front and hind legs on the other side. When most other animals move, the front leg on one side and the hind leg on the other move together. (Having only two legs makes decision making so much easier.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How can birds sit on electric wires without being injured?
SOME FUN FACTS 306. AN OPEN SECRET
In her 1990 autobiography, talk show host Sally Jessy Raphaël said this about the entertainment field: "I secretly believe that there are more villains than good guys in this business." (So even talk show hosts can work out what we all know – eventually!)
307. WHAT A SHARK
The largest Great White Shark ever caught measured 37 feet and weighed 24,000 pounds. It was found in a herring weir in New Brunswick in 1930. The harmless Whale Shark, holds the title of being the largest fish, with the record being a 59-footer captured in Thailand in 1919. (Who holds the record for being the biggest human shark?)
308. FINE FEATHERS
The whistling swan has more than 25,000 feathers on its body. (A walking, swimming, feather mattress.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
STRAYING
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...
THE PARABLES
8: In the parable of the sower, what does the seed represent?a. Believers
b. Jesus
c. Gentiles
d. Word of God
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"""MANY MORE MOST INTERESTING THOUGHTS
!!!!!!! It is better to keep your mouth shut and look like a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
!!!!!! If you ever quit being a kid at heart, you'll get old.
!!!!! I Love You because . . . you only sneak neat stuff into the grocery cart.
!!!! It is always helpful to learn from your mistakes because then your mistakes seem
worthwhile.
!!! "People and things" do not upset us. Rather we upset ourselves by believing that
they can up upset us.
!! Many go to their grave with their music still inside of them.
! Firmness is that admirable quality in ourselves that is merely stubbornness in others.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
194. THE TRAINSA Texan is bragging to a Rhode Islander. "In Texas," he drawls, "you can get on a train, ride all day long, and still be in Texas by nightfall."
"Yeah", replies the Yankee, "We have slow trains in Rhode Island too."
193. THE RUNWAY
Airhead Airlines, Flight 101, is coming in for a landing, and the pilot is freaking out.
The sweat is jumping off his brow.
(Plane landing and screeching to a halt.) RRRtttt!
He turns to the co-pilot, and he says, "Man, that is the *shortest* runway I ever landed on."
The co-pilot says, "Yeah, and so *wide*."
192. THE GOOD AND THE BAD
"Today, gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news.
First, the good. Private Peters will be setting the pace on our morning run.' With this the platoon was overjoyed, as Private Peters was overweight and terribly slow.
But then the drill sergeant finished his statement: "Now for the bad news. Private Peters will be driving a truck."
191. THE REAL OIL!
There are a lot of folks that can't understand how we ran out of oil here in the USA.
Well, here's the answer: It's simple.........nobody bothered to check the oil. Didn't know we were getting low. And of course the reason for that is geographical. Most of the
oil is in Texas and Oklahoma, and all the dipsticks are in Washington, D.C.
190. NO CRAYONS
The kindergarten class had settled down to its colouring books. Willie came up to the teacher's desk and said, "Miss Francis, I ain't got no crayons."
"Willie," Miss Francis said, "you mean, "I don't have any crayons. You don't have any crayons. We don't have any crayons. They don't have any crayons. Do you see what I'm getting at?"
"Not really," Willie said, "What happened to all them crayons?"
Just have a laugh today.....
Kickstarter’s Million-Dollar Bible Is Finally Finished
But Bibliotheca now has company.Kate Shellnutt
NOVEMBER 1, 2016
Making a better Bible is harder than it sounds—even if you’re given more than a million dollars to do it.
Adam Lewis Greene, creator of the Kickstarter-funded Bibliotheca, learned the intricacies of the process as about 15,000 supporters waited through two years of production delays.
When his project to create a four-volume, single-column Bible raised $1.4 million—ranking among Kickstarter’s top 10 campaigns of 2014—the California-based book and type designer found himself overwhelmed at the scope.
Transforming the Bible from its familiar reference-packed pages to a format more like a novel proved to be far more complicated than removing chapter and verse numbers and footnotes. In addition to sorting out design elements and materials, producers had to choose how to present a text that readers have seen the same way for generations.
The timeline was pushed back as Greene used the additional funding for a professional revision of the American Standard Version (ASV), complete with copy editors, Bible scholars, and proofreaders to change archaic words like thee and thou and update verses whose translations have improved since the ASV’s original 1901 publication.
Then came the typesetting, as the team decided how to space each book of the Bible without the typical divides. For example, passages of Isaiah traditionally printed as prose got line breaks like poetry, a better reflection of their Hebrew format, said Greene.
“What I did not expect was that, through this process, my admiration and reverence for the text would deepen as it has—maybe tenfold,†he said. “This literature is so complex and interwoven. The deeper I dig, the more I discover.â€
Finally, specialty materials caused delays at his German printer, which had to acquire new machinery and adhesive to bind the books. The 150,000 volumes shipped in 40-foot containers in October and are scheduled for delivery in December.
The completion of Bibliotheca coincides with a wave of multi-volume reader’s Bibles from major publishers. Enthusiasts for this format—which has come up as niche, alternative editions several times over the past century—believe it might finally take off among readers.
“It wasn’t purely aesthetics that drove people. It was the idea that text could be experienced in a less mediated way,†said J. Mark Bertrand, who runs the site Bible Design Blog. “I wouldn’t be surprised if after the success of Bibliotheca’s fundraising, a lot of people are seeing that as a template.â€
Crossway, whose single-volume English Standard Version (ESV) Reader’s Bible released in 2014, debuted a new six-volume edition in October. The grey, cloth-bound books resemble Bibliotheca—as supporters on social media quickly noticed—but Crossway said its project had been in the works before the launch.
Holman Bible Publishers released the first versions of the King James Version (KJV) and New King James Version (NKJV) without chapter and verse numbers this fall, and a reader’s version of the new Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is due out in 2017, said Trevin Wax, Bible and reference publisher for LifeWay Christian Resources.
The proliferation of Bible apps has not deterred reading the Bible in print, which remains the most popular method across age groups (according to American Bible Society research). Bertrand even believes this is somewhat causal: because today’s readers can instantly look up references on their phones, they’re free to read a Bible without them in the text.
Source: www.christianitytoday.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
A REVELATION OF... THE 3 RIVERS OF GODThe principle of the 'river' in scripture and how it applies to our lives and the church today.
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
When thoughts desert you....... write a poem. People will then excuse you -I hope!?!?!?!?!
An 'inspiration'?
Where, where!
Perspiration!
Here, here!
In a sweat!
What to write?
Getting wet!
Too right!
WhatcanIwritewhenIhavenothingtosay.
Inmymindmymusingsdonowdesiretostay.
ThereisajumbleinthereIcannotsort,
cannotseparatethoughtfromthought.
By next week,
Mind may clear.
It will speak.
Yes! No fear!
Until then, please do, do, enjoy the day,
For then my mind will come out to play!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
After our time in Bangalore for Nigel and Savi's wedding, we went with our good friends, Asher and Karuna, to Visakhapatnam (Vizag for short) where we spent a very happy 10 days getting our teeth repaired, plus excellent ministry in Asher's churches and in a nearby village with Joseph Raj, his churches, and 40+ local pastors.Dental work in New Zealand, as in most Western countries, is really expensive, hence why our teeth had been neglected for 20 odd years. Between Kathy and myself we had 11 crowns (caps), 5 fillings, 1 extraction and cleans for $NZ1,275 ($US850)! The dentists were excellent and I would recommend them to anyone who might wish to have dental work done there. At home, this would have cost us $NZ13,000+! The savings certainly paid for our trip!
Asher and I have been friends for the 15 years PGIM has been published, for he replied to the very first issue! He has been to New Zealand round 10 times now, spending time with us here in Napier. I have not been to India for 10 years, but the special occasion here was to take Kathy to meet Asher, Karuna and their family, Shekinah and Daniel. Karuna and Kathy are both Theatre Nurses, so they had much in common.
Ministry in the village was the best I have ever had in India. The Spirit moved, which I have generally found difficult in India, mainly due to the rigidity of their 10,000 year old culture.
The photo is of us with the family, except Asher, who is taking the photo!
A special 10 days.
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: STINGRAY
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: d. Word of God (Mark 4:14)
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!
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david@wwj.org.nz