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: 836 Published: 30 Oct 2017
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 18
1517-1700
THE QUAKERS
The 'Religious Society of Friends', or 'Quakers' as they were derogatively known for shaking under the power of the Holy Spirit, was an obvious charismatic movement, in huge contrast to the established church of the time. King Henry VIII had split from Rome, but other than appointing himself head of the Church, had continued with most Roman Catholic practices.
GEORGE FOX (1624-91) In total despair, unable to find help from the state Church and clergy, he heard a voice say.....
"There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition."
The Lord then proceeded to teach him personally and dynamically, and he became particularly convinced of the priority of Christ within (Colossians 1:27) and the Inner Light (John 1:1-14).
This brought Fox into conflict with the authoritarian State Church, which relied on ritual and ceremony to rule the people. He emphasized personal responsibility to seek and respond to Christ, through Scripture. He preached against church buildings, salaried clergy, and titles. The authority to minister remained with Christ, expressing itself through true and equal believers.
PERSECUTION
This led to both civil and church persecution. At one time 15,000 Quakers were held in British prisons and 100's died in there. But the movement continued to grow!
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
Charismatic gifts were common among the early Quakers. Fox's 'Journal and Book of Miracles' is filled with accounts of miraculous healings and other charismatic gifts. It reports that on one occasion as Fox prayed.....
The Lord's power was so great that the house seemed to be shaken. When I had done some of the professors said it was now as in the days of the apostles, when the house was shaken where they were.
In his Journal, Fox talks of the healing of John Banks, a fellow Quaker who had lost the use of his right arm and hand. Banks had a powerful dream where he was to ask Fox to pray for him. Fox prayed.....
"The Lord strengthen thee within and without."
When eating a meal elsewhere that night, Banks realized he had regained full use of his arm and hand. Later, in gratitude he said.....
My heart was broke into true tenderness before the Lord, and the next day I went home, with my hand and arm restored to its former use and strength, without any pain. And the next time that George Fox and I met he readily said, "John, thou mended, thou mended;" I answered, "Yes, very well, in a little time." "Well," said he, "give God the glory."
Spiritual gifts such as discerning of spirits and gifts of wisdom and discernment were exercised by Fox and others.
Speaking in tongues was normal. Edward Burrough, a friend and colleague of Fox recalled Quaker meetings where they sat and waited in silence upon God for hours at a time, experiencing God's dynamic and apostolic presence, saying.....
We received often the pouring down of the Spirit upon us, and the gift of God's Holy eternal Spirit as in the days of old, and our hearts were made glad, and our tongues loosed, and our mouths opened, and we spoke with new tongues, as the Lord gave us utterance, and as His Spirit led us, which was poured down upon us, on sons and daughters.
CONCLUSION
In spite of savage persecution, stoning’s, whippings, beatings, public hangings and lengthy imprisonments, Quaker missionaries went round the known world, becoming the fastest growing Christian movement in the world within a single generation, having by 1660, forty to sixty thousand adherents. This truly was a Spirit-led movement.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19)
Jesus’ request of 2 disciples.
“Go to the village further on. As you enter it you’ll find a colt tied up that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
Pharisees request Jesus to silence His followers.
“I tell you that if they kept quiet then the stones will shout!”
Jesus weeps for Jerusalem.
“I really wish today that you, even you, had known the path that leads to peace!” he said. “But now it’s hidden from your eyes. The time is coming upon you when your enemies will besiege you, building ramps to attack you, encircling you and closing you in from every side. They will smash you to the ground, you and your children within you. They won’t leave one stone on another within you, for you refused to accept salvation when it came to you.”
Cursing the Fig Tree ( Mark 11:12-14)
That had no fruit out of season.
“May no one eat fruit from you ever again.”
Second Temple Cleansing (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, Luke 19:45-6)
Throwing out the merchants.
“Doesn’t Scripture say, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?
But you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Experience life here with us in Kenya.
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A RED LETTER DAY FOR THE KINGDOM CLINIC, MALAHA, WEBUYE!
Today, 29 October saw the completion of Stage 1 of the construction of our Eye Clinic/Hospital, with the completion of the foundations. In the photo you can see (with a little imagination) Kathy standing in her Clinic!
Just as in life, the foundations are the most important part of the building. not that impressive to look at, but they are the base on which the building is built. More person days have gone into its construction than will be expended on all the rest of the buildings construction.
Yes progress will seem faster from now on, but without sound foundations, the rest of the building would not be able to be built properly.
The small, lower section in the front is for the veranda or porch, from where people will enter through the front doors.
At this time, only the front half of the building will be developed as the Outpatients Clinic, with the rear area where the permanent OperatingTheatres will be located, to be developed as funding allows.
Tomorrow work will start on laying the slab, which will take 1 day of preparation, and a second to lay the slab itself. After curing for a few days, work will begin on the walls, then the roof. So things will progress rapidly from here.
We thank those of you who have partnered with us through prayer and financial contributions. Without your support, this project would not be possible.
We welcome more of you to join our team, so that you too can be part of what the Lord is doing, here in rural Kenya. The project does not belong to Kathy and David, but to the Lord!
As the Lord leads, for more details of how you too can be involved, please contact david@wwj.org.nz
OUR FIRST BUILDING - AFRICAN LOOS!
Our Luxurious African Latrines! The normal hole in the ground sits above a 30 toot long drop, is accompanied by a washroom for visitors to the hospital. This truly is 5 star luxury as far African loos go!
And what else can you see.................?????
(That Kathy is everywhere! But be assured, squat latrines are not our favourite!)
THE KENYAN PRESIDENTIAL REPEAT ELECTION
The election has come and gone - in most places, at least.
The result was inevitable, with Uhuru Kenyatta being elected - again.
The result was inevitable, as the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, knowing he could not win, used the excuse of unfair elections to withdraw from the ballot.
This cost the country over 12 billion shillings, a huge amount compared to the daily earnings of a labourer on our building site of KES400!
Now Raila is promising civil disobedience from his shrinking, but still large group of tribal supporters, to endeavour to achieve some form of power sharing.
Effectively, whatever side of the political fence you may be on here, one man is endeavouring to hold the country to ransom for personal gain.
Ordinary Kenyans, of all persuasions, are heartily sick of it all, and simply want to get on with their lives.
Yes, because of his power base in certain areas, there will be some troubles, but I don't believe they will be as they were 10 years ago, when over 1000 people died, for the large majority will not allow it to develop in that way.
Kenya has the most robust democracy in East Africa, and probably in all of Africa with the problems of South Africa. However, democracy is still not embedded in the nations psyche as it is in more mature democracies, so people will try to hijack it for their own ends.
Things are changing though, as the tribal voting patterns of the past are slowly changing, to a development based system of policies for the benefit of all.
But it all takes time.
THE GREENHOUSE WILL SHORTLY BE THE REDHOUSE!
Our greenhouse tomato crop is growing extremely well, and there are tinges of orange are starting to appear. The crop is huge, as the photo shows.
For me, this has been a dream come true, as I had always wanted to greenhouse grow once again, but could never have afforded it in New Zealand.
The Lord does provide the desires of your heart to those who are obedient to His will. Just happen to be in Kenya, not in New Zealand!
Thank you Lord.
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a 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/
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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
1318. Religionists talk, disciples walk.
1319. Religionists talk of past glories, disciples walk into present glory.
1320. By definition, 'following' Jesus requires walking, not talking.
1321. If we talk, but not walk with Jesus, we will soon be 'left behind'!
1322. We must walk into God's rest.
1323. In God, talk is cheap, walking expensive, for it costs our life.
1324. Talking changes minds, but walking, hearts.
1325. To talk about Jesus is good, to walk in His ways, godly.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF...THE SEVEN REVELATIONS OF THE LAMB - Part 4
Let's see how.
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
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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. ***
63. If Only!
Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers.
The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."
The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."
The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!"
QWIK QWIP: “God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called”
64. Powerful Prayer!
The Wednesday-night church service coincided with the last day of hunting season.
Our pastor asked who had bagged a deer.
No one raised a hand.
Puzzled, the pastor said, "I don't get it. Last Sunday many of you said you were missing because of hunting season. I had the whole congregation pray for your deer."
One hunter groaned, "Well, it worked. They're all safe."
QWIK QWIP: “Be ye fishers of men - you catch them and He'll clean them.”
A DAVID MUSING
Yesterday (Saturday) Kathy took off her gumboots and shared with a ladies group in Webuye town. Today we both went to a village church with a friend, where I shared the message.
We were privileged, on both occasions, to be accompanied by a powerful annointing of our friend, teacher and guide, the precious Holy Spirit.
This afternoon, back to the working clobber to see the completion of the foundations of our hospital building. (See article above).
After that we checked out our Tomatoes. Mine in the greenhouse, Kathy's outdoors.
Now both of us are sitting on the computer, completing PGIM for me, Kathy arranging to get copies of the necessary documentation for her nursing registration here in Kenya.
So you can see we are living a varied, and sometimes challenging, life.
The point of mentioning all these things is not for personal recognition, but to show that the development of the kingdom of God involves both the spiritual and practical aspects of life. The kingdom involves everything we do, from when we wake up in the morning until we go to bed at night - and while we are asleep too.
The kingdom of God encompasses all our life and actions 24/7. We are to glorify God in all that we do, not just in church on Sundays.
This is true discipleship; this is the kingdom of God, within you, within me.
Praise the Lord!
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!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz