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: 809 Published: 01 May 2017
CHANGING WITH THE TIMES - EVENTUALLY!
After 16 years of the same website layout and over 15 years of PGIM in this format, we are getting radical! Next week (all being well) your PGIM will be in a similar but updated format with a white background, and will be phone friendly.AND WE WILL HAVE A BRAND NEW WEBSITE FOR YOU TO VISIT TOO!
Sixteen years ago, cellphones were bricks and cost their weight in gold! But increasingly, our site is being viewed on phones and tablets, rather than the traditional desktop computers of the time.
We trust you will find the new format of both our new ezines and website easier and more convenient to view.
OUR SOURCE - GOD OR MAN
MENTORING IS THE KEY TO GROWING DISCIPLESJesus chose 12 Rabbinical rejects, those of little education, whom He mentored to become change agents in the world.....
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,†Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.†20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-22)
Of course, He also called the Rabbi Saul, to replace Judas (Not Mathias, whom the disciples chose using Old Testament methods before the Holy Spirit came upon them.) But he too, had to go through an intense time of training from Jesus, to meet the requirement for the original disciples, to have walked with Jesus.....
Paul Called by God
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)
So firstly, Jesus took an untrained group of men, and then added a Rabbi, turning their religious theology upside down, in His intense education of Paul.
Jesus did not teach theology. Virtually all of today's theology has been developed from the teachings of Paul. I am sure Paul would be turning in his grave - if he was still there (an interesting, but unimportant theological subject). For the simple teachings, given by Jesus, have been distorted by man into widely varying theology that has resulted in the 30,000+ denominations and groupings we have in the world today!
Jesus saved His harshest criticism for the Rabbis and their teachings....
8 “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either. (Matthew 23:8-13)
Sadly, theological teaching as such, does not make disciples. It is not as simple as that!
So how did Jesus build His disciples?
Firstly, by living with Him, day by day. As I mentioned much earlier, discipleship is caught, not taught. Mentoring, teaching by what we do, not by what we say is the first key to building a disciple of Jesus. Unfortunately, this is not only time consuming, but also tests the character of the teacher. And it can only happen individually or in small groups, sharing not theology, but the practical realities and challenges of life.
It is no surprise then, that when Jesus taught the multitudes, He taught them in parables, using real life experiences of the day. One of the most important, in that it explains the kingdom, was extensively explained by Jesus. The parable is.....
Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed
13 Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.†(Matthew 13 1:9)
While it was explained later to the disciples, they first queried Jesus on why He used parables....
10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?â€
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets[a] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. (Matthew 13:11-13)
Preaching or teaching, by itself, is not sufficient. It must transformed into experiential living through, in our case, the Holy Spirit.....
16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it. (Matthew 13:16-17)
Teaching must be transformed into spiritual understanding and living. We cannot have the one without the other.
Mentoring continued next week.
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Who is Greatest in the Kingdom? (Matthew 18:1-6, Mark 9:33-7, Luke 9:46-8)
An argument between the Disciples.
“What were you talking about on the way?â€
“I tell you the truth, unless you change the way you think and become like little children, you won’t ever enter the kingdom of heaven. 4But whoever humbles themselves and becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever accepts a little child like this in my name accepts me. 6But anyone who makes one of these little ones who trust in me sin, it would be better for them to have a large millstonea tied around their neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
“What disaster is coming on the world for all its temptations to sin! Temptations will surely come, but it will be a disaster for the person through whom the temptation comes! 8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better for you to enter eternal life crippled or lame rather than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into eternal fire. 9If your eye causes you to sin, pull it out and throw it away. It’s better for you to enter eternal life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the fire of judgment.
Zeal Without Understanding (, Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50)
John asking about an unknown man healing in the name of Jesus.
“Don’t stop him,†“For no one who is doing miracles in my name can curse me at the same moment. Anyone who is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives a cup of water to you in my name, because you belong to Christ, won’t lose their reward, believe me.
Causing Others to Sin (Matthew 18:7-11, Mark 9:42-7)
The cost of sin.
“But if anyone leads one of these little ones who trust in me into sin, it would be better for them if they were thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around their neck. If your hand leads you to sin, cut it off! It’s better to enter eternal life as a cripple than to go with both hands into Gehenna, into the fire that can’t be put out. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It’s better to enter eternal life lame than to be thrown into Gehenna still having two feet. If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out! It’s better to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown into Gehenna still having both eyes, where the worm doesn’t die and the fire never goes out. Everybody will be ‘salted’ by fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its taste, how could you make it salty again? You need to be like salt, and live in peace with one another.â€
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A NOTE ABOUT AFRICA
Visas applied for this week - online! We will now see how the system works.Actually it is most encouraging to see that this is now possible. Africa is going ahead. Of course there are many problems and climate change is wreaking havoc, but the media only tells the bad news stories.
We look forward to sharing good news stories with you, once we are there.
It is getting closer now! Only 7 weeks until we leave New Zealand arriving in Africa on 14 July, via Britain, where we will celebrate(!) my 70th birthday with our family there.
We (and you!) are never too old to be used by God! We simply have to be available.
There is nothing special about us. Just willing hearts. May we not be those pictured!
Check out our website at.....
***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
TRANSITION FROM "THE CHURCH" TO "THE KINGDOM":Living The Kingdom Lifestyle Today
The more I grow in Jesus, the more I study history, and the more revelation the Lord gives me, the more I see differences between where we are as 'the church' and where we should be as integral members of 'the kingdom' of God.
Surely the two are the same? Yes, they are meant to be. But the reality is that they are not. For over the 2000 odd years since Jesus, the church has become an 'institution', with a life of its own, rather than being an 'instrument' to build God's kingdom.
Please don't get me wrong! The church does many good things. It has spread the Good News of Jesus around most of the earth. It is the leading supplier of social services worldwide. It has influenced society and history over the last 2000 years more than any other institution. One third of the world's population is Christian, or nominally so. Considerable milestones have been achieved.
Yet, is the church today truly ushering in the kingdom of God? Do we really mean, or believe it, when we pray.....
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
Sadly, the reality is, in much of the church, God's kingdom has become man's kingdom, where the protection and promotion of the individual church, denomination or grouping, has become more important in men's minds than building the kingdom of God. We have moved from a single church kingdom in the 1st century to over 30,000 church kingdoms now!
From the death of the Apostle John round AD100, we saw the gradual erosion of the Apostolic foundations of the church. With the conversion of the Roman Emperor Constantine, the church became a human based institution furthering the ends of the state, or the clergy, or both. The Reformation brought some of the foundational truths back into the church which has been built upon over the centuries since. However churches, whether of traditional, evangelical, charismatic or pentecostal hues have created further division, instead of unity, within the body of Christ.
'Why is this?' and 'What are we to do about it?' are at the heart of what we will look at here.
TESTIMONY
When the Lord started speaking to me about the church, approaching 20 years ago now, people were generally not interested in what He was saying to me. It was like hitting your head against a brick wall!
But over the past 10 years there has been a lot more interest and understanding of what the Lord is saying and requiring of us, His people, in these end days. All round the world He is giving a similar kingdom or apostolic message and vision to individuals and groups of people.
None has it all, or gets it all right, for there is a huge change in mindset required for the messengers as well as the people. Yes, we are nearly all imbued in church ways! As well, all are human, able to make mistakes in hearing from God, adding in bits from our own minds and experience. No-one is perfect, least of all, me!
But, in spite of this, there is gradually arising a body of people who are becoming increasingly sold out to Jesus, ones whose desire it is to put His kingdom ahead of their own, both as individuals and as a church, those whose whole desire is to be in the bride for whom Jesus is returning.....
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.†(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:7-8)
Come Jesus, come.
Downloadable from Amazon for USD99c at.....
https://www.amazon.com/TRANSITION-CHURCH-KINGDOM-Kingdom-Lifestyle-ebook/dp/B01FF19I0Q/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SY4DCE4PPDJDWSP290DD
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
Receive one of David's sayings in your mailbox each day to inspire, challenge or maybe, amuse. To register today, simply click here SUBSCRIBE HERE go down to the bottom of the page, click subscribe. Then it's done! If you have an Irish heritage, you will love the background coloring! Should you wish, check out current and back issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
'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
HOLINESS1001. Holiness is not found in living to the letter of the Law, but reflected through the living law of our life.
1002. Holiness is an attitude reflected in behaviour.
1003. Holiness comes, as we let the hold on our lives, go.
1004. The 'Law of Holiness' needs to be written in our hearts and applied through our will.
1005. Holiness grows as we walk hand in hand with Jesus.
1006. Every day is to be a 'holy-day'
1007. Holiness is a way of life, not a doctrine.
1008. Holiness grows as my will goes.
1009. To walk on the path of holiness I need Jesus at my side.
1010. Holiness is tough, but hell, deadly!
1011. Life is a game, living holiness the aim.
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
This one you need to think about! So true!
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.
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK:A REVELATION OF------THE BOOK OF RUTH continues
....... with a look at the final chapter, Chapter 4. See its implications for our church today.
Check out all the available teachings at...
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, simply click here lao-on@wwj.org.nz and press send. Then it's done! Should you wish, check out early issues (where you can also subscribe) at...
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. ***
459. POOR GEOGRAPHY
A little girl from Minneapolis came home from Sunday school with a frown on her face. "I'm not going back there anymore," she announced with finality.
"I don't like the Bible they keep teaching us."
"Why not?" asked her astonished mother.
"Because," said the little girl, "that Bible is always talking about St. Paul, and it never once mentions Minneapolis."
458. MISPLACED IDENTITY
A Sunday School teacher asked a little boy, "Bobby, do you believe in the devil?"
"No," said the little boy. "He's just like Santa Claus. I think it's my daddy."
457. TOO BUSY
So few people know the Bible nowadays!
I was standing downtown waiting on a bus. It was raining cats and dogs. A lady was standing next to me so I tried to be friendly and make conversation. 'If it keeps it up, we'll all have to buy an ark," I said.
"What's an ark?" she asked.
'You mean you haven't heard about Noah and the great flood and all those animals?" I asked incredulously.
"Look, mister," she replied, "I've only been in town for four days. I've scarcely had time to read a paper."
"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 is an egg tooth?ANSWER: Many snakes and other reptiles have an ‘egg tooth’ on their snouts to help them break out of their leathery shells. The tooth slits through the shell when it's time for them to hatch, then falls off shortly after hatching. (An ‘eggcellent’ idea!)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Where are all the baby pigeons?
SOME FUN FACTS 258. A GIANT GLASS
If the Millennium Dome at Greenwich, London were to be up-turned, it would take 3.8 billion half-litres of beer to fill it up. (Or lemonade! Both would go flat before it was full though!)
259. WIDE RANGING COMFORT
When it was opened in 1965, the Houston Astrodome was the world's largest air-conditioned room - reportedly, an 18-story building can fit inside it. (Does it cool the ardour of the fans?)
260. A SECOND TRY
The real name of director Stanley Kubrick was in fact Terrence Nezman. His parents changed it the second day after he was born. (Sounds much more ‘Directorial’.)
SPLENDID
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...
PAUL
2: Who did he take with him on his first journey?a. John Mark
b. Titus
c. Timothy
d. Lucius
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
!!!!!!! People who cough incessantly never seen to go to the doctor, they go to banquets, concerts, and church.
!!!!!! Nobody talks so consistently about God as those who insist that there is no God.
!!!!! The longest word in the English language is the one that follows... "And now a word from our sponsor."
!!!! My doctor is an eye, ear, nose, throat and wallet specialist.
!!! We've just moved into our dream house. It costs twice as much as we ever dreamed it would.
!! Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
! Heroes are people who rise to the occasion and slip quietly away." -Tom Brokaw
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
JUST JOKES
169. NOT YETA tourist from the city was visiting a quaint country village, and got talking to an old man in the local pub. "And have you lived here all your life, sir?" asked the tourist.
And the old man, with a wise look, said, "Not yet."
168. EXCESS BAGGAGE
A porter loaded down with suitcases followed the couple to the airline check-in counter.
As they approached the line, the husband glanced at the pile of luggage and said to the wife, "Why didn't you bring the piano, too?"
"Are you trying to be funny?" she replied.
"No, I really wish you had" he sighed. "I left the tickets on it."
167. YOUR PERSPECTIVE
A man had his first appointment with a psychiatrist and when asked why he was there, the man said, "Doctor, I'm tired of being on the outside looking in."
"Well," responded the doctor, "sounds like we have to try to improve your self-image. Let's get a few basic facts first. What do you do for a living?"
The patient replied, "I'm a window washer."
166. WHO DONE IT?
Once there was a millionaire, who collected live alligators. He kept them in the pool in back of his mansion. The millionaire also had a beautiful daughter who was single. One day he decides to throw a huge party, and during the party he announces, "My dear guests...I have a proposition to every man here. I will give one million dollars or my daughter to the man who can swim across this pool full of alligators and emerge unharmed!" As soon as he finished his last word, there was the sound of a large SPLASH!! There was one guy in the pool swimming with all he could...the crowd cheered him on as he kept stroking.
Finally, he made it to the other side unharmed. The millionaire was impressed. He said, "My boy that was incredible! Fantastic! I didn't think it could be done! Well
I must keep my end of the bargain...which do you want, my daughter or the one million dollars?" The guy says, "Listen, I don't want your money! And I don't want your daughter! I want the person who pushed me in that WATER!!!
Laugh with me .....
China Gripped by Spiritual Revival as ‘Hundreds of Millions Turn to Religion and Faith’
Apr 26, 2017“While problems abound, the space for religious expression has grown rapidly, and Chinese Believers eagerly grab it as they search for new ideas and values to underpin a society that long ago discarded traditional morality.â€
(China)—[CBN News] Forty-one years after China’s Cultural Revolution snuffed out all forms of religious expression, hundreds of millions of Chinese people are flocking to religions like Christianity.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ian Johnson believes what’s transpiring in China is nothing short of “one of the world’s great spiritual revivals†and says the world better take note because the impact of this “spiritual transformation†could have significant global implications.
“People {in China} are looking for new moral guideposts, some sort of moral compass to organize society,†said Johnson, author of The Souls of China: The Return of Religion after Mao. “So they are turning to religion as a source of values to help reorganize society.â€
Johnson spent six years researching the “values and faiths of today’s China.†He says the fastest-growing drivers of this “religious revolution†are unregistered churches or so-called “house†or “underground†churches.
“These groups have become surprisingly well-organized, meeting very openly and often counting hundreds of congregants,†Johnson wrote in an article for The Atlantic. “They’ve helped the number of Protestants soar from about one million when the communists took power to at least 60 million today.â€
Over the past 15 years, CBN News has also documented this unprecedented revival.
From the countryside to the big cities, we’ve highlighted how a new generation of Believers is changing the face of Chinese Christianity.
“Any casual visitor to the country can tell you that the number of churches, mosques, and temples has soared in recent years, and that many of them are full,†Johnson wrote. “While problems abound, the space for religious expression has grown rapidly, and Chinese Believers eagerly grab it as they search for new ideas and values to underpin a society that long ago discarded traditional morality.â€
Church leaders that CBN News spoke with say prayer has played a key role in sparking the Christian revival.
For example, in one corner of northeast China, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, thousands of Christians have been meeting for an unprecedented prayer movement.
What started as a small gathering several years ago has turned into a nationwide prayer initiative uniting hundreds of Chinese churches. In some cases, this revival is even touching China’s state-controlled churches known as Three-Self Church.
“Now there’s big revivals happening in the Three-Self Churches,†Dr. Zhao Xiao told CBN News from his offices on the outskirts of China’s capital city.
Zhao is one of China’s foremost experts on Christianity. A former Communist Party member and atheist, Zhao converted after reading the Bible. “If you go to Haidian Church, you’ll find yourself in a more than 100-meter line trying to get inside and worship. In Shenzhen, there are usually an average of 500 people being baptized each Sunday!†he shared.
Decades ago, the Chinese government had a law that said that young men and women below the age of 18 could not attend Three-Self Churches. Zhao says those rules have been loosened in recent years.
“There’s an increasing proportion of them in churches now—more young male Believers, professionals, mainstream celebrities, especially in the big cities, that are attending the church unlike the past when it was mainly the elderly who attended.â€
While the government remains deeply suspicious of China’s religious revival, Johnson says it hasn’t stopped people from exploring matters of faith.
“Hundreds of millions of Chinese are consumed with doubt about their society and turning to religion and faith for answers that they do not find in the radically secular world constructed around them,†Johnson writes in his book.
Source: CBN NEWS
Via OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCHOne day, while in the shower, (that is, from a bucket) in Nairobi, Kenya, the Lord gave me a revelation.
I had just seen the amazing new TBN broadcasting auditorium on TV, filled with beautiful people (it seems compulsory for preachers to have glamorous wives, generally much younger than themselves!), fantastic choirs, singers and setting, all broadcast over 47 satellites.
In the shower the Lord showed me a picture of the Pentecostal church. How it started in storefronts and homes, of how rejected these first weird pentes were. But these early pentecostals remained fully committed to the cause, staying close to God, for they were then at the forefront of Gods revelation and indeed, presence.
Gradually however, Pentecostalism (now with a capital P,) has become mainstream. Pastors (and now Bishops) have become elevated beyond a job description or a calling, to positions above the people a new priesthood. In the west, new pastors must be seminary trained, and are likely receive a reasonable salary from the beginning of their ministry. No longer is their real sacrifice in being called to ministry.
In our services, the emphasis has changed from listening to the Holy Spirit and following His desires, to a concentration on excellence and good order, to the near exclusion of the Holy Spirit leading us. Worship times, unlike the days of the storefront believers, are based on a proven formula of thanksgiving, praise, then worship, followed by (maybe) a prophecy, then the Word and finally ministry until we all go home after exactly 2 hours.
Next comes an emphasis on building buildings for the glory of God, as so grandiosely epitomized by TBN. I have been involved in three different pentecostal churches over the years and have seen this process in practice. All churches that started meeting in homes, then storefronts or halls, before being called to build or buy a church. The church then has to be rebuilt to be bigger, or ancillary buildings added, so that a church complex is created.
Often too, we hear the statement, God is in the house. Wow! Fantastic! But is it true? Is God really in these beautiful structures man has created? Or rather, is He in the hearts of the people who inhabit the house? Or again, has He departed altogether, to allow us to play church in the beautiful temples we have built.
The process of monument building that started in the fourth century AD with the Roman Catholic Church, and which continued after the Reformation once those churches became mainstream, continues today as Pentecostalism enters the mainstream also. This seems to be the process of a maturing church.
The Lord showed me that the people He calls on to impart the next revelation are those with the kingdom within, those dissatisfied with the established status quo, those hungering for more of Him. Those whose emphasis remains on the spiritual, who have not been seduced by the inevitable physical emphasis of the maturing church.
Today God is calling out another new generation, as He has in times past. It is a new generation desiring to move forward into the new (but old!) truths of submission and obedience to the Fathers will, of servanthood and sacrifice, a simple people with hearts sold out to God, those who will finally fulfil the Great Commission. A Church not of Pastors, Programmes and Property, but of kingdom people, who, through their sacrifice, will usher in the return of Jesus.
Download your free PDF File here.....
WAXING LYRICAL
All too often we don't consider the long term consequences of our choices in life. Choices made now will affect us for eternity.WE CHOOSE
Life comes, life goes,
Brings peaks, and lows.
We surely reap what we sow!
Our tide does ebb and flow.
When I look back on what I've done,
I see the storms, but also the sun.
For I have done good, at times been bad,
Sometimes am happy, sometimes am sad.
No, the time past I cannot now change,
But my future, yes, I may rearrange.
What will I do? Where will I go?
I may think, but God does know.
Will I put my life in His hand?
On His Rock, my days to stand.
Or will I build my house on the sand?
And His will for me, not understand.
Today I am charged to live the call.
Am I prepared to give Him my all?
Or will I continue in my earthly ways?
Seeking my own pleasure, all my days.
My time may well be short, it may be long,
Before joining Jesus, forever to belong,
What will He say that glorious day I see His face?
Knowing I've been saved, by His amazing grace.
Will it be, "Well done good and faithful servant",
Or will I seek my actions to quickly recant!
For on that day, I will surely see
The result of choices, made by me.
The past I can't change, the future neither,
But by my today's actions I can either
Build His kingdom here upon the earth,
Or make my own! My decision, my worth.
What will I do? Where will I go?
Will it be wheat or tares I sow?
Today I now have the choices to make,
Of what direction my life will take.
You too, my friend, today are in the very same boat,
To be a sheep of the Shepherd, or to be the goat.
What will be your choice of 'the way' to live?
All your life to Jesus, will you now give?
One day we will meet together with Jesus in heaven,
Having lived lives of fruitfulness, or of leaven.
The choices we now make on earth today,
Do determine what role we will play.
Let's now look towards
Our heavenly rewards.
The choice is mine,
The choice is thine!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
This week, we have had a houseful of several visitors. Anyone would think we are deserting New Zealand to live in Kenya! Which we are!One of the challenges of shifting so far away is that we do have to leave friends and family behind.
However, it is nothing like the early missionaries to Africa who packed their possessions in their coffin, for they knew they would not be returning! What tremendous dedication and sacrifice those people made to follow the commandments of their Lord and Master.
Today, with modern communications, from cellphones to airplanes, we can all communicate and commute so easily.
in spite of easier times though, it seems to me that our commitment to the Lord and His wishes for our lives has decreased, not grown. We all know the reasons (excuses) we have, but in the end, when the Lord calls, the choice and responsibility for our response, is ours.
We have free will as human beings, but the true disciple is under the authority of their heavenly Father.
What is the response be to the call of the Lord on your life today?
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: SPINDLED
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTIONS' ANSWER: a. John Mark (Acts 12:25)
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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