A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 834 Published: 23 Oct 2017
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 17
1517-1700
THE FRENCH PROPHETS
THE HUGUENOTS
After 1520, Reformation ideas began to infiltrate Catholic France, finding fertile soil there, in spite of intense persecution. Protestantism then became a force to be reckoned with. After 1560, French protestants became known as the Huguenots. In 1598 they were granted religious freedom by the Edict of Nantes.
However, when Louis XIV revoked the charter in 1685, severe persecution resumed.
Up to 400,000 Huguenots fled to England, Prussia, Holland, South Africa and the Carolinas in North America. Many though, chose to remain, primarily being concentrated in the Cevennes Mountains of southern France. Because of the dynamic power of the Spirit operating in their midst, they became known as the French Prophets.
Their firm belief in the supernatural power of God arose from their prayer and diligent searching of the New Testament. They insisted.....
"God has no where in the Scriptures concluded Himself from dispensing again the extraordinary gifts of His Spirit unto men."
Tongues, visions, prophetic utterances and other supernatural phenomena were common amongst them.
A PROPHETIC ANOINTING
Both children and adults received this anointing. Children as young as 3 prophesied in perfect French that was not their native language. Adults too, experienced the same spiritual phenomena.
It is reported that one simple minded woman, under the power of the Holy Spirit gave discourses of such elevated character in such good French that her hearers exclaimed.....
"This ass of Balaam has a mouth of gold."
A writer of the day wrote of many whom.....
"fell on their backs, they shut their eyes, they heaved with the breast, they remained a while in trances, and coming out of them with twitching, they uttered all that came into their mouths."
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Tongues speaking was apparently common amongst the French Prophets. John Venett, who escaped to England, recalled hearing his mother speak French under the power of the Holy Spirit. He was amazed.....
"because she never before attempted to speak a word in that language, nor has since to my knowledge, and I am certain she could not do it."
Sir Richard Bulkey, a wealthy English nobleman, was converted through contact with French Prophets who were refugees in England. He tells of hearing one of their leaders, John Lacy.....
"repeat long sentences in Latin, and another refugee speak in Hebrew, neither one of whom could speak a single word in these languages when not in spiritual ecstasy."
CAMISARDS
Hunted down by the dragoons of the French Government, the believers mounted an armed resistance becoming known as Camisards, that is, 'night stalkers.' By 1711 their resistance was crushed, and the movement dispersed. Their memory could not be extinguished with their spiritual experiences and faith exploits became legendary throughout Europe.
John Wesley cautiously welcomed those who fled to England, declaring when a Dr Middleton denied the post apostolic gift of tongues.....
"Sir, your memory fails you again...It has been heard of more than once, no further off than the days of Dauphin,".....
in a reference to the French prophets.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Parable of the Wicked Servant ( Luke 19:11-27)
Given to people expecting the immediate appearance of the kingdom.
“Once there was a nobleman who left home to go to a distant country to be crowned king there, and then to return. He called ten of his servants, divided money equally among them, and told them, ‘Invest this money until I return.’ But his people hated him, and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We won’t have this man as king over us.” After he had been crowned king he returned. He ordered his servants brought to him. He wanted to know what profit they had made by investing the money he had given them. The first servant came in and said, ‘Lord, your money has earned ten times as much.’
“‘Well done! You’re a good servant,’ said the king. ‘Since you proved yourself trustworthy in a very small matter, I’m placing you in charge of ten cities.’
“The second servant came in and said, ‘Lord, your money has earned five times as much.’
“‘I’m placing you in charge of five cities,’ said the king.
“Another servant came in and said, ‘Lord, look, here’s your money back. I kept it safe, wrapped up in a cloth. I was afraid of you because you’re a hard man. You take what doesn’t belong to you, and you harvest what you didn’t plant.’
“‘I’ll judge you by your own words,’ the king replied. ‘You know I’m a hard man, “who takes what doesn’t belong to me, and I harvest what I didn’t plant.” Why then didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have had my money with interest?’
“The king told those who were standing beside him, ‘Take the money away from him, and give it to the one who made ten times as much.’
“‘But master, he already has ten times as much,’ they replied.
“The king replied, ‘I tell you, to those who have, more will be given; but those who do not have, even what they have will be taken away from them. And as for my enemies who didn’t want me to be king over them, bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”
Mary Anoints Jesus (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:3-8)
Criticized by Judas Iscariot.
“She did this in preparation for the day of my burial. You’ll always have the poor here with you, but you won’t always have me here.”
And to others there, including the remaining disciples.
“Why are you upset with this woman? She’s done something wonderful for me! You’ll always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me. By pouring this perfume on my body she’s prepared me for burial. I tell you the truth: wherever in the world this good news is spread, the story of what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Experience life here with us in Kenya.
Check out our website too.....
SPECIAL ISSUE OF PGIM - TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER 2017
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26)
IN THIS SPECIAL ISSUE WE WILL SHARE WITH YOU OUR OCTOBER SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS REPORT OF OUR WORK HERE IN KENYA.
There we can share much more, pictorially as well as in words, what the Lord is doing through us and others, here in Webuye Kenya. If you are inspired, we would encourage you to join the team, through prayer, financial and other support.
Please, enjoy and become part of our journey in building the Kingdom of God, through the Kingdon Clinic, Malaha, Webuye, Kenya.
THE KENYAN PRESIDENTIAL REPEAT ELECTION
Itg now appears the repeat election will go ahead on 26 October.
Sadly the NASA Coalition opposition, who knows they will not win, are doing everything it can to prevent this happening, by endeavouring, with limited success to date, to cause mayhem through demonstrations.
Economically the country is at a standstill, and most people just want to get on with their normal lives.
The demonstrations have been relatively small, and limited to their strongholds of Mombassa, Nairobi and Kisumu to date. The country is not on fire, as the opposition desires, nor as portrayed by some sensationalist news media.
But, being Africa, there is some concern things will escalate if something unexpected happens.
Please do not worry. We are safe where we are living.
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
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Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
They are all found at this link.....
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***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
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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
1294. What Jesus did on the cross He proved through the resurrection.
1295. How I long for my resurrection body!
1296. To be resurrected I must first die. a hard lesson to learn!
1297. While all desire resurrection, few are prepared to pay the price of the cross.
1298. The price of eternal life is death - Jesus' and mine!
1299. As a flower dies to produce the seed of new life, so must I.
1300. Jesus resurrected is a glimpse of the glorious kingdom of God.
1301. The cross qualifies me to walk in resurrection power.
1302. Death is the price of resurrection.
1303. Once we can walk through walls, will there any longer be a need for doors?
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK:
That Jesus came as the fulfilment of the Feast of Passover, where the blood of the lamb was placed on the door-post to provide protection against the angel of death, is generally well understood in the church today.
It is at the very heart of our faith. We will see what happened.
*** 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, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link lao--on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done!
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. ***
59. Hoover!
Father Murphy was playing golf with a parishioner. On the first hole, he sliced into the rough. His opponent heard him mutter "Hoover!" under his breath.
On the second hole, the ball went straight into a water hazard. "Hoover!" again, a little louder this time.
On the third hole, a miracle occurred and Fr. Murphy's drive landed on the green only six inches from the hole!
"Praise be to God!"
He carefully lined up the putt, but the ball curved around the hole instead of going in.
"HOOVER!!!!" By this time, his opponent couldn't withhold his curiosity any longer, and asked why the priest said "Hoover". "It's the biggest dam I know."
QWIK QWIP: “If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.”
60. A Little Knowledge is.....
While interviewing a prospective Minister of Education over lunch, one of the ladies on the committee at my end of the table was sharing the following.
Her husband was an avid bicycler. She was sharing that he loved to race in bicycle races and that when he raced, he loved to race in the second position. Trying to explain why he did this almost broke up our luncheon. She meant to use the term "drafting", the technical term for allowing the person in front of him to block the wind on him - allowing him to work less as he raced and conserve his energy.
However, this is what she actually said. "My husband loves to race in the second position. That way, he can make the person in front of him break wind."
Most of the committee was under the table. I was trying to maintain what little ministerial decorum I had left. The people at the other end of the table were asking why we were laughing so loud - with no explanation ever given. (P.S. The Minister of Education came and some of the committee members gave the lady a special Christmas gift that year - a "windbreaker".)
61. Pastoral Care!
After the birth of their child, an Episcopal priest, wearing his clerical collar, visited his wife in the hospital. He greeted her with a hug and a kiss, and gave her another hug and kiss when he left.
Later, the wife's roommate commented: "Your pastor is sure friendlier than mine."
62. Directions?
The Rev. Billy Graham tells of at time early in his career when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon.
Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy told him, Rev. Graham thanked him and said, "If you'll come to the Baptist church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven."
"I don't think I'll be there," the boy said. "You don't even know your way to the post office."
A DAVID MUSING
This week we have built the founations for the Kingdom Clinic, here in Kenya.
Work is done here by 'people power', rather than machines. Labour is plentiful and unemployment is rife, so it is both more economic and beneficial to the area, to employ locals to do the work. Lots of them! About 40 people for 4 days resulted in the quality foundations displayed in the picture. A brilliant example of the popular truism, 'Many hands make light work.'
In the long term, as Kenya develops, machines will progressively take over, but in our area's present stage of development, this is the most benificial solution for all.
What has amazed me, once again, is the amount of work that goes into making the foundations accurate and strong. For without good foundations, the building on top, no matter how good it looks when it is built, will eventually crumble and fall.
Our spiritual lives are similar. If we do not build form foundations for our faith, in bible study study aand spending time with the Lord, our faith on Sunday in church will founder in due course also.
There is another truism that applies 'You get out what you put in'!
Are you 'putting in' today and every day?
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
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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