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: 837 Published: 06 Nov 2017
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 18
1517-1700
THE MONROVIAN REVIVAL
JOHN HUS (1373-1415) A pre-Lutheran reformer, Hus was a professor at the University of Prague, (now the capital of the Czech Republic) and pastor of Bethlehem Chapel, the most influential church there. One hundred years before Luther, he preached justification by faith and the supreme authority of Scripture!
As could be expected, his preaching infuriated the church hierarchy, and he was burned at the stake as a heretic in 1415.
THE MONROVIANS (United Brethren)
The followers of Hus, persecuted by the institutional church, spread the word through Bohemia and into the neighbouring province of Monrovia. The Counter Reformation in the Roman Catholic Church saw many forced from their homes, between 1722 and 1727.
Many of these refugees found sanctuary at Berthelsdorf, Saxony, on the estate of Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (1700-1760). There they established the community of Herrnhut, meaning "under the Lord's watch" or "on watch for the Lord."
COUNT ZINZENDORF (1700-1760) The Count was a committed Christian whom a contemporary described as "one of the most extraordinary personages that have appeared in the Church of Christ since the period of the Reformation." Zinzendorf was reared by Pietist parents and was influenced by the leaders of the Pietist movement. Pietism was a spiritual renewal that arose within German Lutheranism in the late 1600's, in a reaction to the intellectual staleness that had arisen within Lutheranism one hundred years after Luther.
FERVENT PRAYER
Zinzendorf organized the Moravians into a church body with elders and pastors, and he encouraged them to seek God for a gracious outpouring of His Holy Spirit. Zinzendorf himself led the way with fervent supplications that sometimes lasted through the night. Others soon began to gather of their own accord for prayer continuing at times for the entire night. A spirit of prayer prevailed, touching the children as well as the adults.
AN OUTPOURING
During the summer of 1727, their prayers began to be answered in a remarkable fashion. On Sunday, August 10, about noon, while Pastor Rothe was leading the meeting at Herrnhut, he was overwhelmed by the presence of the Lord and fell to the floor. The entire congregation, overwhelmed by the Spirit and presence of the Lord, sank to the floor with him. The service continued until midnight with prayer and singing, weeping and supplication.
During a communion service three days later, God's presence was manifest in such a way that none of the participants could fully describe it. John Greenfield, Moravian historian and evangelist, says that they "hardly knew whether they belonged to heaven or earth." Zinzendorf said.....
A sense of the nearness of Christ [was] bestowed in a single moment upon all the members that were present; and it was so unanimous that two members, at work twenty miles away, unaware that the meeting was being held, became at the same time deeply conscious of the same blessing.
Miraculous healings and other spiritual gifts appeared, including prophesying and supernatural healings. Again Zinzendorf said.....
To believe against hope is the root of the gift of miracles; and I owe this testimony to our beloved Church, that Apostolic powers are there manifested. We have had undeniable proofs thereof in the unequivocal discovery of things, persons and circumstances which could not humanly have been discovered, in the healing of maladies in themselves incurable, such as cancers, consumptions, when the patient was in the agonies of death, all by means of prayer, or of a single word.
Critics inevitably criticized them for speaking in tongues also.
This initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit lasted for 4 months.
'100 YEAR' PRAYER MEETING
On August 26, 1727, 48 Moravian men and women met and covenanted together to continue from one midnight to the next in continuous prayer. The twenty-four hours of the night and day were divided among themselves by lot as each took their turn in keeping a continual fire burning on the altar (Leviticus 6:13-14). Others soon joined this group of intercessors, and the group grew to seventy-seven. The children also organized a similar plan. The fervent intercessory prayers kindled a burning desire to make Christ's salvation known to the heathen. These meetings continued, non-stop, for 100 years!
MISSIONARIES
Missionaries spread throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. Moravian missionaries sailed to Georgia on the same boat as John Wesley, profoundly influencing his life. The German historian of Protestant missions, Dr. Warneck, declared.....
"This small Church in twenty years called into being more Missions than the whole evangelical Church has done in two centuries."
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Religious Leaders Look For Way to Kill Jesus (Matthew 21:15-16, Mark 11:18, Luke 19:47-8)
As the children responded enthusiastically to Him.
“Yes,” “Haven’t you ever read the Scripture that says, ‘You arranged for children and infants to give you perfect praise’?”
The Fig Tree Has Withered (Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:20-25)
By the next morning, amazing the disciples.
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “If you really trust in God, and don’t doubt him, you could not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even more. If you said to this mountain, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea,’ it would happen! You will receive everything you ask for in prayer, as long as you trust in God.”
Jesus’ Authority Questioned in the Temple (Matthew 21:23-7, Mark 11: 20-26, Luke 20:1-8)
By the priests, teachers and elders.
“I too will ask you a question,” “If you give me the answer, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Where did the baptism of John come from? Was it from heaven, or was it from people?
No reply is given.
“Then I won’t tell you by what authority I’m doing these things,”
(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 - when it is back online, bigger and better, in a few days.....
LAYING THE SLAB!
Foundations are finished, now we have laid the slab. Firstly ground sprayed to kill termites - permanently. Then a layer of thick polythene, followed by steel, before pouring the hand mixed concrete to a depth of 100mm, (6"). Once the walls are up a further 40-50mm finishing floor layer will go on. Excellent craftmanship!
MIXING CONCRETE AFRICAN STYLE - PEOPLE POWER!
Today we have been laying the foundation of the Clinic/Hospital. No concrete trucks or concrete mixers here! This is how it is done. (ladies - carrying water - great for the posture!)
and.....
THE WALL STONES
Firstly, they must be found at the quarry on Mt Elgon (A medium hill in NZ terms) up 'roads' that eventually have to be walked!
Then they are brought here and shaped into oblong blocks that can be used for the walls, by Stone Shapers. Walls will start today, as the slab has now cured.
FIRST FRUITS OF OUR TOMATO LABOUR!
FIRST FRUITS OF OUR TOMATO LABOUR!
A day of celebration as our 'first fruit' is tasted and our 'first fruits' are picked! For me, David, this is the fulfillment of a dream to get back into greenhouse growing in my dotage!
And even better, here in Kenya there are others to do the hard work! The team having a taste. From left, David, John, Isaiah, Kathy and Patrick. It was delicious!
***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/
'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
1329. Worship is more than a song, it is a lifestyle.
2. The foolish need wisdom, the wise godliness, the godly the character of Christ.
3. The foolish deny God; the wise acknowledge Him, while the godly experience their God.
4. The foolish seek pleasure on earth. The wise build treasure in heaven. But the godly seek to build heaven on earth.
5. Earthly possessions are perceived to be:
- Owned - by the foolish.
- Rented - by the wise.
- Administered - by the godly.
6. Our true heart is found in our wallet:
- The foolish spend all on themselves.
- The wise tithe 10% to the provider.
- The godly use all they have been given on the provider's behalf.
7. The foolish reject God, the wise respect God, while the godly live for their God.
8. The foolish speak before they think, the wise think before they speak, while the godly let their lives speak for them.
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 5
Without the death and resurrection of Jesus we would be completely without comfort in a human centred world.
*** 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. ***
QWIK QWIP: “Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.”
69. A Direct Line to God
Rick volunteers with prison ministries, and in his work has become a friend with the pastor of a storefront church. The pastor's church is called Almighty God Tabernacle.
On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes.
When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the guy said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer."
The pastor remembered the mishap and apologised for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, "That's OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.'
At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was too afraid to answer!!
QWIK QWIP: “Sour grapes can turn into WHINES.”
70. True Redemption
While handing a 25 cent-off coupon to the supermarket clerk at the checkout counter, a woman inadvertently missed her hand, and the coupon slipped beneath the scale and was gone.
The checker looked distressed, so I the woman said, "That's Okay, it's in coupon heaven now."
"Coupon heaven?", the checker said.
"Yes", the woman said, "That's where coupons go when they die."
"Only the redeemed ones!" said the checker.
71. Thank You Jesus
Faith, 3, went to Good Friday services. That night she prayed, "Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the Cross. And thank you we didn't have to watch!"
A DAVID MUSING
Patience is the Fruit of the Spirit most necessary in Africa.
A job that would take a short time in the West, can extend out into several hours here in Kenya.
First of all, I made a mistake (Not my first one ever! LOL!) in misplacing the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the land on which our hospital is now being built.
To get official County approval for our building, (which is already well underway), we needed it.
We knew there were about 5 copies around, but the problem was not only to find one, but also to have it delivered to us. That took 3 hours of otherwise productive time lost.
Sadly you can't just ring someone, have them scan a copy and have them email it to you!
Everything is done in person here, so you just wait and talk, and talk, and talk while you wait.
However, all is right in the end, and everyone goes on with life without a worry, having lost nearly half a day or work.
It is all part of living in Africa.
So next time someone is 5 minutes late, don't worry! That would be wonderful in Africa! All depends upon perspective!
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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