APOLOGIES FOR DELAY

Firstly we had problems with our internet reception. Got that working again and my computer went on the blink!

A frustrating time!

However, all is well that ends well, as they say. 

Enjoy.

A REVELATION OF……. THE THIRD AND FINAL DWELLING PLACE OF GOD’S GLORY PLUS THE RIVER OF LIFE. Part 5

THE RIVER OF LIFE

Foreshadowed in Ezekiel’s Temple, the River of Life is the ultimate destination upon the eagerly awaited return of Jesus, but also symbolically, as a haven for those fully sold out to Him in this life. These ‘believers’ people are fully defined in the Amplified Version.

³⁸ He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38)

 As you can see here, the Bibles definition of ‘believer’ is very different to that of the ‘easy Christianity’ that is taught today.

 A true believer (disciple) is not one who simply purchases their ‘ticket to heaven’ through saying the (non-Biblical) sinners prayer, so glibly promoted by many evangelists, then lives life as they wish. In reality, these precious people who have been deluded, are not believers at all, as the Scriptures, here and elsewhere, say that holiness is the aim, and indeed the requirement of every disciple…..

 [ Warning and Encouragement ] Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

And…..

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

This truth is something that is not taught in the church today. The Christian life requires the submission of every area of our life to our Heavenly Father. It is only through this process of obedience and breaking down through trials and testings that holiness can develop in our lives.

It is not a matter of following rules, as found in holiness churches, for that is religious, going back to the Law that was replaced by grace when Jesus overcame death through the cross and resurrection at Calvary round 2000 years ago.

I have had the experience of speaking in Holiness Churches and the Holy Spirit has come and broken the church open, for they were living under law, not grace. Once that spirit is broken, they are on fire for God, for they are God loving people.

Their excitement was boundless! It is the only time that I have experienced how a film star feels being mobbed, for that is what happened to me here. The people were so excited at the freedom they had received in the Lord.

Holiness comes from the submission of our life to the Lord’s will and way. In other words, becoming like Jesus. It cannot be earned, is unobtainable through human effort, but only available through allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our lives and actions. It grows internally, through applied experience, love, grace, trials and testings, before being reflected externally. It is the result of maturity in our walk with Jesus…..

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Truly walking With Jesus is not the easiest is not the easiest path to take in life and few choose it…..

The Narrow and Wide Gates

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Life – eternal life - is what the River of Life is all about. We look to the River of Life as only being available in the future, in the heavenly city that has come to earth, as described in Revelation 21…..

The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb

⁹ One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. ¹¹ It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. ¹² It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. ¹³ There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. ¹⁴ The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. ¹⁶ The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia^[c] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. ¹⁷ The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. ¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. ¹⁹ The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.^[f] 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

²² I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵ On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. ²⁶ The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. ²⁷ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.(Revelation 21:1-27) 

The size of the city is big, approximately twice the size of current Israel in area, at 300km x 300km, compared to 424km x 114k.

 

(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 Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

 “It’s like a man who went away on a trip. He called in his servants and entrusted them with what he owned.

To one of them he gave five talents, to another he gave two, and to another one, according to their different abilities. Then he left. Immediately the one with five talents went and invested them in a business, and made another five talents. In the same way the one with two talents made another two. But the man who’d received the one talent went off and dug a hole and hid his master’s money. A long time later the master of those servants returned, and settled accounts with them. The one with five talents came and presented the other five talents. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘You gave me five talents. Look, I’ve made a profit of five talents.’ His master said to him, ‘You’ve done well—you are a good, faithful servant. You have proved yourself trustworthy over small things, so now I’m placing you in charge over many things. Be happy because I’m really pleased with you! The one with two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘You gave me two talents. Look, I’ve made a profit of two talents.’ His master said to him, ‘You’ve done well—you are a good, faithful servant. You have proved trustworthy over small things, so now I’m placing you in charge over many things. Be happy because I’m really pleased with you!’ “Then the man with one talent came. “Master,’ he said, ‘I know that you’re a hard man. You reap where you didn’t sow, and you harvest crops that you didn’t plant. So since I was afraid of you I went and buried your talent in the ground. Look, you can have back what belongs to you.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you think I reap where I don’t sow, and harvest crops I didn’t plant, then you should have deposited my silver in the bank so that when I returned I could have had my money with interest. Take the talent away from him, and give it to the one with ten talents. For everyone who has will be given even more; and everyone who doesn’t have anything, even what they have will be taken away from them. Now throw this useless servant out into the darkness where there’ll be crying and gnashing of teeth.’

 

Warnings About the Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46)

Separating the Sheep from the Goats. 

“But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his majestic throne. Everyone will be brought before him. He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He’ll place the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to the ones on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, and inherit the kingdom that’s been prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then those who are right will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ The king will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you did for one of these of least importance you did for me.’ “He’ll also say to those on his left, ‘Go away from me, you who are doomed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you didn’t give me anything to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t invite me in. I was naked and you didn’t clothe me. I was sick and in prison and you didn’t visit me.’ Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t look after you?’ Then he will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you didn’t do for one of these of least importance you didn’t do for me.’ They will go away into eternal condemnation, but those who are right will enter eternal life.”

 (Continued next week) 

 

https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj46p39.pdf

OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

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REPORT FROM THE ‘KINGDOM’ HOSPITALS

No. 12: March to May 2019

 

Dear Supporters and Friends 

It is now 3 months since our last report. 

To be honest, for Kathy and me, these have been our MOST DIFFICULT MONTHS since we have been in Kenya. 

Yes, some things have been achieved, as you will see following. But we have also faced so many frustrations along the way. We appreciate that things take (much) longer here than in the West, but some of the challenges we have had seem unreasonable, even by local standards. 

We have had brought home to us that we live in a spiritual as well as a physical world, and some of our problems definitely have a spiritual content. 

This was brought home to us in a graphic way a couple of weeks ago when our host David, got up early in the morning and found an otherwise injury free black dog, strangled with a rope round its neck beside the entrance to our house! Our dogs had made a big noise around 1am. Where were the security guards? Sleeping or conveniently out of the way. 

This brought home the spiritual battle we are in, in a graphic way. We then had reinforced that witchcraft (male and female) is very strong in this area, particularly when hearing of other things that have happened to the Bible School over the years. Finding this out has helped us understand in a greater way the battle we are in. 

We would appreciate your ongoing prayers as we continue to work in a society that is so alien to the one we have come from. 

Of course, there have been things to CELEBRATE 

THE KINGDOM EYE HOSPITAL SHELL COMPLETED   

This was nearing completion at the time of the previous report. So here it is….. 

A sleeping customer waiting for the building to be completed and opened! LOL!

In the foreground is our KINGDOM garden design. 

HUGE APPRECIATION TO CBMNZ (Christian Blind Mission, New Zealand) 

CBMNZ working in conjunction with CBM Kenya have provided the funding to get the building to the closed in stage. Floors, walls, roof, windows, and doors. Funding is being sought the internal work required to complete the project.

WE HAVE THE POWER! POWERFUL!

MORE PARTNERS COMING ON BOARD

PROJECT CURE

The container of product worth over $NZ600,000 ($US400,000) is nearly on the way, 3 months after we last said it was nearly on the way! This has been for various reasons, but mainly meeting Import Requirements. We are endeavouring to do everything right this time so that we have minimal problems when it arrives in Mombasa after a 2 ½ month journey. But this is still Africa! 

NHIF

Another 3 months have passed and in spite of so many promises, nothing has happened. The Chairman of their Board told us last Monday there would be meeting on Thursday and we would be approved. Unfortunately, on Tuesday or Wednesday, he and the Board were fired for corruption! This is Kenya! A new Board started on Monday and we will see. Back to square one, along with another 300 facilities waiting for approval also! We are now taking other measures to approach the problem.

This one is the killer for us. It is necessary so that we may become operationally profitable. Your prayers and support are necessary to get us through.                                         

We are so grateful for those who have supported us. Special thanks to K & S and J, without their major support we would not have been able to keep going. 

EYE OPERATING MICROSCOPE AND SLIT LAMP

Our equipment is still in Mombasa along with 700 other containers that are clogging up the port. Some have been there since 2107, and traders have gone broke, unable to collect their goods. 

Last week however, President Uhuru Kenyatta was taken to Mombasa to inspect the chaos. He ordered that all containers and loose goods be released within 3 weeks without inspection. Many people have been arrested or fired over the fiasco. So we look forward to picking up our goods very soon. 

OTHER HAPPENINGS

MATARIKI DAY

Last Saturday, 1 June, was Kenya’s 56^th Matariki day, celebrating the independence of Kenya from British rule. It is a big day with celebrations everywhere. Last year Kathy was privileged to speak for a few minutes and this year was my turn. Our host, Bishop David (rarely seen in ‘Bishop’ dress) spoke on behalf of the church and speeches from the President and County Governor were read by senior Government and County officials.

 And of course, there was entertainment from schools and community groups.  

STRAWBERRY FEVER

Last year’s small trial patch produced so many plants I couldn’t resist planting them! 1/3 in plastic, 2/3 in soil.. Another experiment to see which does best. Takes us back 40 years when we were commercial berry growers in New Zealand. Advantage this time? We personally don’t have to do the physical work!

OUR SON BRENDAN

Brendan, as we mentioned last time, has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He is now on the latest drugs which are meant to slow the progression of the symptoms and maybe provide some current relief. As is natural, he is having challenges in accepting and adapting to his new situation. Your prayers for him, as you are able or remember, would be much appreciated. 

FINANCIAL

Our greatest challenge (and frustration) has been our inability to obtain Provider status for the Kenya Government health insurance scheme NHIF, which a growing percentage of the community are registered for. It is a great scheme and the Governments desire is to see it become universal amongst poorer communities where the need is greatest. Provider registration will also secure our operational funding requirements and provide a good contribution towards expansion. 

Since December, each month we have been promised it will be ‘this month’! Unfortunately as mentioned above, a corruption scandal in the organization erupted at the same time. So we, along with 300 other facilities, are still waiting. We are No.1 on the list, as we have waited longest (May last year), we are a mission hospital, which NHIF favours next to the Public Hospitals, and the NHIF clients of the area are in desperate need of our services. Insufficient registered facilities are available here. We are now taking steps to try and sidestep the normal process (Without paying a bribe!).A real challenge! 

Any assistance you are able to assist us with would be extra appreciated at this time, before my hair completely falls out - and Kathy has to get another rinse! LOL

God has been very good to us with His provision. He asks us to trust Him and we do, for He always has provided since we have been here. Of course, God provides through people. So if God motivates you to assist (or you simply wish to donate to a good cause helping many most needy people) our bank account details are below. The need is great. (In five figures)

 So it’s…..

Cheers from Him and Love from Her

David and Kathy

 

Our New Zealand Bank Account is…..     

Walking With Jesus Ministries,    WESTPAC , Greerton.     A/C 03-1549-0018667-001

Our Kenyan $US Account is…..

Kingdom Health CBO,   KCB BANK, 332 50205 Webuye, Kenya   BANK 011886:60  A/C 1232872865  Swift Code  KCBLKENX017

Donations are not currently deductible for tax purposes in New Zealand.

***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!

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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.....

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DAVID'S DOODLINGS

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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK:  12 LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM ‘DIVIDING THE WATERS’ (Continued)

As we consider the vital question of how, as individuals, are to live in God's kingdom now.

 

 

https://www.wwj.org.nz/tuesday-teachings

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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. ***   

272. Three Wise Women

Do you know what would have happened if it had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men?

* They would have asked directions,

* arrived on time,

* helped deliver the baby,

* cleaned the stable,

* made a casserole, and,

* brought practical gifts.

 

QWIK QWIP: “The bank of friendship cannot exist for long without deposits.”

 

273. If At First You Don't Succeed

A pastor was counselling a newlywed couple who had just had their first fight. “Why would her cooking get you so mad, Tom?” asked the pastor.

“Well,” Tom replied, “I asked if the steak was ready yet, and she told me, ‘I’m sorry for the delay, dear, but it looked hopeless grilled, and it doesn’t look much better fried, but if you’ll be patient a little longer, I’ll see what boiling does to it.’”

 

274. Judgement

When a rural Kansas preacher returned after visiting New England, a parishioner met him at the train station 

"How are things out our way, Hiram?" the preacher asked. 

"Sad, sir. A cyclone came and wiped out my house." 

"Dear, dear," cried the parson. "Well, I'm not surprised, Hiram. Your remember I warned you about the way you have been living. Punishment for sin is inevitable." 

"It also destroyed your house, sir," said Hiram. 

"It did?" The pastor was horrified. "Ah me, the ways of the Lord are past human understanding."

 

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

Here in Kenya it is now 'Winter', relatively speaking, of course. 

We are 5000ft above sea level, and the normal temperature here at this time of year is 25c in the day and 14c at night. Very pleasant. 

However today is cloudy and only about 18c max. And both Kathy and I are coooold! 

While this would be a winter heatwave in our New Zealand winter, we have adpted to the climate over the 2 years we have lived here. I enjoy warm weather. But Kathy likes it cool, and even she is cold!

It is a lot like faith really. When we have a little faith, it seems like a lot, but as our faith grows, so we adjust to the new levels. Many are scared to move from one faith level to another but I wish to assure you that as you as you take the step and move to a new level, you will soon find that level becomes normal too. 

Kathy and me coming to Kenya from New Zealand was a really big faith step. But as we are gradually adjusting, so it is becoming the new norm.

Can I encourage you to take that next faith step. You will be glad you did. 

Until next week.....                                                                                   

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD

His servant and yours 

David Tait

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veerything.

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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 website
wwj.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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