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: 881 Published: 10 Sep 2018
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 56
THE CHALLENGE OF..... LIVING THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE
THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” 33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (Mark 4:30-34)
A description of the botanic characteristics of the mustard seed is interesting.
The seed of both black and white mustard is similar in size, about 1.0 to 3.0 mm (1/8 inch)(11) so it is not the smallest seed but it is the smallest seed of those which "you plant in the ground" clearly indicating that the Lord was not comparing the mustard seed to all plants but only to those which were commonly grown. There would be numerous plants familiar to His audience with smaller seeds, of which the best example would be the seed of the black orchid. But there are few plants which grow so large in one season as a mustard, and few plants would be characterized by such rapid germination of the seed. Mustard planted one day could begin growing the next.
A grown black mustard would still be a herb, botanically speaking, but sometimes a very big herb, popularly considered a shrub. There are wild mustard plants over ten feet tall near the Jordan River, and even in moderate climate a mustard plant may grow that tall, provided it gets enough sunshine. It must, moreover, be remarked that generally trees in most parts of the Holy Land do not reach a large stature. The stem of a mustard plant also becomes dry and wood-like, which gives it the aspect of a tree.....
In summary, the three features of the mustard plant emphasized by the Lord are the small size of the seed, the large size of the plant in relation to the seed, and the rapid growth.(Bible Plants - Old Dominion University)
Again, we must be careful not to read more into the parable than Jesus was meaning. While much speculation has been made about the birds and what they represent, the most likely explanation is that Jesus was making the point that the tree (large shrub) had rapidly grown big from a very small seed, large enough for birds to land on.
In Jewish understanding, prophecy generally has past, present and future applications. I would suggest that this perception also applies to this parable. Obviously, teachings of Jesus were only a very small seed at the time, eventually attracting no more than a tiny number of people.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) (Acts 1:15)
Over the next months, years and centuries, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the kingdom grew rapidly. For example…..
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:38-41)
Reality is, since that time, the kingdom has grown fastest where and when the light of the Holy Spirit has been allowed to operate in and through His people. The Dark Ages, so named because the light of the Holy Spirit was generally extinguished in the church, saw the kingdom basically shrivel and die, as the mustard plant does on an annual basis. The seed remained however, in small groups of those who continued to be led by the Spirit and were harshly persecuted for it.
After a thousand years or so, the flame of the Holy Spirit grew into the fire of the Reformation and spread like wildfire throughout the world.
Since that time there have been ups and down's, but the growth of the kingdom plant has been fertilised by the Holy Spirit through revivals. Now we are receiving the understanding that the kingdom is not something just for when we die, or for when the world ends, but to is be established upon the earth through the holy and righteous lives of His disciples.
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 KJV)
I quote from Doug Fortune, who has studied the Greek meaning of this statement in the Lord's Prayer.
The word translated as "be done" is ginomai in Greek, its' meanings include- to cause to be, it is the “gen” in the English word generate, to become or come into being, be brought (to pass), be fulfilled. As we pray, Thy will be done, it is a creative declaration that reaches into the spiritual realm and serves as a catalyst for His will to be “gen” -erated, a spiritual genesis established in earth, thus causing it to be manifested in the natural realm. It is much more than just wishful thinking! It is a creative genesis! (In Earth as it is in Heaven by Doug Fortune)
When I was a relatively new believer I completed a 30 week, (2 hours a week) course called 'Word of Life'. My only theological training! It was through this course that I came into the realm of the Holy Spirit, for which I am eternally grateful. At the conclusion of the course, the graduates participated in a 'Presbytery' where two outside prophets were brought in to prophecy over our lives. For me, the two prophecies were along similar lines but using different imagery. The first was about me being like the mustard plant, growing into a big tree, while the second was about climbing up a mountain, higher than others had gone, but being guided in my steps, my direction, by Jesus, who had walked the path before me.
Throughout the 25 odd years since I have pondered on these things as I have done my little bit in life and ministry to be a disciple of Jesus. However, as I have written about this parable, I have had a new insight into what the Lord was saying to me that evening, long ago. For many are now getting the revelation that the kingdom of God is indeed like a spiritual mustard tree which is and will continue grow rapidly upon the earth in these end times.
My desire is to be a part of His kingdom now. Yours too?
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Healing the Sick Woman (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:24-34, Luke 8:42-8)
In a crowd.
“Who touched me?”
“Someone touched me,” Jesus replied. “I know because power went out from me.”
“Daughter, your trust has healed you, go in peace.”
Healing Jairus’ Daughter (Matthew 9:23-6, Mark 5:35-43, Luke 8:49-56)
When Jarius was told his daughter was dead.
“Don’t be afraid, just trust in me.”
When he got to the home of Jarius.
“Why are you making such a commotion with all this crying? The little girl isn’t dead, she’s just sleeping.”
“Talitha koum,” (which means, “Little girl, get up!”)
Healing Two Blind Men (Matthew 9:27-31)
In another place.
“Are you convinced that I’m able to do this?”
“Because of your trust in me it will happen!”
“Make sure nobody knows about this.”
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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MEETING WITH CHIEFS AND ELDERS
Being part of the community we gathered today with the Chiefs and Elders from the surrounding area.
Of course, we were keeping them up to date with current and future developments in the Hospital, which were well received.
Naturally, we also took the opportunity to drum up business for we could always do with more clients.
Sadly, we also had to raise the matter of the serious thefts of drugs and equipment we have recently experienced. This is very distressing to us, as we came to help, and are suffering losses of equipment especially, that prevent us from offering the best possible services to our clients.
The CID are involved, but in the village environment, where it is difficult to keep secrets, the chiefs and elders are often likely to come up with information to assist the Police. Time will tell!
Round 40 Elders were here, each responsible for a village, were in attendance.
At the top table were Chief, Assistant Chief and our people.
OUR GROUNDNUT (PEANUT) HARVEST
On some of our currently spare land we are growing groundnuts, Peanuts are basically the same, just different names for the same thing.
They have grown over a period of round 4 months, and now is harvest time.
Next time you eat Peanut Butter, you will know where it comes from!
The nut nodules are removed from the roots of the plant, for as the name says, they grow underground.
The nuts will now dry for a week before being dehusked.
Bon Appetit!
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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
1224. For most, prosperity is a magnet that attracts people away from its source.
1225. Prosperity comes, prosperity goes, but God's provision is eternal life.
1226. Prosperity is human indulgence, sacrifice, a godly command.
1227. Faith is of more value in affliction than in prosperity.
1228. A general rule in God's economy is that faith grows through affliction, but dies with prosperity.
1229. Want to build your faith? Then ask God for affliction, not prosperity. Not surprising there is so little faith today!
1230. It is an enigma to me to see the carparks at prosperity preacher's meetings full of old jalopies!
1231. History proves that God's kingdom grows faster through affliction than prosperity.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK: THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES - PART 3 (2) APPLICATION TO TODAY’S CHURCH: MINISTRY GIFTS
Fascinating stuff, showing the glory of God's eternal plan.
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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. ***
QWIK QWIP: “As you grow older, you'll find that most of the things you regret are the things you didn't do.”
180. Church Marquee Signs
"The best vitamin for a Christian is B1"
"Under same management for over 2000 years"
"Soul food served here"
"Tithe if you love Jesus! Anyone can honk!"
"The wages of sin is death. Repent before payday"
"Never give the devil a ride. He will always want to drive"
"Beat the Christmas rush, come to church this Sunday!"
"Don't wait for the hearse to take you to church"
181. The Final Word
The sermon went on and on. Finally the minister paused and asked, “What more can I say, my friends, what more can I say?”
From the back of the congregation came a voice that elicited a ripple of snickers. “Amen.” it suggested.
182. Elementary
Sherlock Holmes was sent to heaven to find Adam and Eve. He came back within a day and said he had found them.
Watson: "How did you find them so quickly?"
Sherlock: "Elementary, my dear Watson, they were the only ones that didn't have belly buttons!"
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 ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
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A DAVID MUSING
This week, in our morning devotions, I have been talking about living for Jesus 24/7.
Sadly, here in Kenya, as well as in the rest of the world many, perhaps most, Christians are 1/1 (in Church) or 24/1 (Sunday) Christians.
The Bible is very clear that only 24/7 Christians will inherit the kingdom of God...
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
A challenge both for me and for you!
How does your life, and mine, stack up to God's Word?
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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