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: 930 Published: 19 Aug 2019
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
ERROR/SIN
Greek (Western)
Greek thought primarily views sin as a wrong belief or incorrect thinking. The mind is blamed for the actions of the will. Excuses abound for sin. Spiritually we emphasize what a person knows about faith. Hence we lift up knowledge about Jesus, such as is gained from theological learning institutions. Degrees, diplomas or other qualifications have become a prerequisite for spiritual appointments.
Eastern (Hebrew)
Hebrews view sin as wrong behaviour. They emphasize what a person does in response to faith.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is the most famous example.
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37)
The reason that Jesus hated the Pharisees so much was their spiritual hypocrisy - which would be pretty acceptable in our day too!
25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (Matthew 23:25-8)
And, of course, thoughts, words and actions not agreeing, cost Ananias and Sapphira their lives! The church was afraid then and should be so now!
Ananias and Sapphira
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. (Acts 5:1-11)
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. Actions speak louder than words. Words and actions must agree.
2. The proof of salvation isn't a verbal statement, prayer or even a written pledge, but a life lived under the control, and in the image, of Jesus.
3. Ministry is a calling, not a profession.
4. Knowledge about Jesus is good, but a life changed by Jesus brings salvation and eternal life.
(To be continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
THE RESSURECTION
Jesus Appears to the Two Mary’s (Matthew 28:9-10 , Mark 16:9, John 20:14-17)
To Mary Magdalene
“Why are you crying?” he asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
“Mary.”
“Don’t hold onto me,” “for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.”
To the other Mary “Don’t be afraid! Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
Jesus Meets Two on the Road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:`13-32)
Talking about the things that had happened. Jesus replied.
“What are you discussing as you walk along?”
“What things?”
“You’re so dull! How slow you are to trust in all that the prophets said! 6Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer before he could enter into his glory?”
Jesus Appears to the Disciples Excluding Thomas (Luke 24:36-49, John:20:19-24)
“Peace to you!”
“Why are you frightened? Why are you doubting?” “Look at my hands and my feet—you can see it’s me. Touch me and you’ll be certain, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
“Do you have anything to eat?”
They gave Him broiled fish.
“This is what I explained to you while I was still with you. Everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, had to be fulfilled.”
“It was written like this: the Messiah would suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that in his name repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of all this. Now I’m going to send you what my Father promised—but wait in the city until you receive power from heaven.”
Again Jesus said.
May you have peace!” Jesus told them again. “In the same way the Father sent me, so I’m sending you.”
Jesus breathed on them, saying,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you hold them unforgiven, unforgiven they remain.
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
***NEW*** A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT - Issue 5
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 5
One thing the Lord has shown me, over many years, is that the kingdom of God is not just a post death experience but commences when we give our lives to Jesus. Yes, God’s kingdom is an earthly as well as a heavenly experience.
The Disciples thought that His return was imminent, which has been the belief also, of sold out believers down through the ages.
But more than that, the teaching of Jesus was, and is, that eternal life begins the moment we give ourselves to Him. Jesus said…..
24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)
So, when do we change over from death to eternal life then? When we become His disciple, for this is what belief is in Jewish terms, thoughts and actions working together.
For 2 millennia we have prayed the Lord’s Prayer ….
‘Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,’
….. but we have not truly understood what it says. God’s will is to be done on earth not just in heaven!
Sadly, the church has lost this understanding, particularly since the time of Emperor Constantine, when the church and state became intertwined.
The Reformation did not help, for although the separation of church and state was declared, the concept of God’s kingdom now, was not resurrected. If anything, after the first push the state regained control, ongoing through the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church in Britain and the Lutherans in Germany. To this day, German citizens pay a tax, collected by the Government, to the church to which they declare allegiance.
It is obvious to most that the church today is not the kingdom of God, certainly not the pure, united bride of Christ for which Jesus is to return.
God’s kingdom follows more the Jewish thought pattern of a body of sold out believers who 100% live God’s word, producing the 100 fold crop of the Parable of the Sower in their lives.
The kingdom is spiritual but also reflects in the physical. Hence for Kathy and me, the Kingdom Faith Based Hospital here in Malaha, Webuye, Kenya, is an outworking of God’s kingdom (not our own) in our lives.
‘Church’ is not to be an hour or two on Sundays but a 24/7 commitment to our Lord.
Shukrani
(Thank You)
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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WEEKLY OUTREACH TIME
Each week we have an outreach to areas where there are few medical facilities. Here is this weeks.....
Usually take our gazebo. Sides down to let in fresh air.
Kathy, Helen and Mary attending to patients.
A local with the muzungu i.e. Kathy. A special experience for the girl.
D & K at a Welcome Party, welcoming a new baby for Geoffrey, our Head of Security, and Sharon.
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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.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
857. Depression focuses on self, optimism on others.
858. Consumerism is an insatiable burden, altruism an abundant blessing.
859. A godly church is focused on meeting the needs of others before its own.
860. Self is simply selfish!
861. It is truly amazing how helping someone else helps me even more than it helps them.
862. The best way to solve problems within is to look without!
863. True happiness comes through what we give rather than what we get.
864. 'Helps' help change the world.
865. Helps help helplessness.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... GOD'S CALL TO HIS CHURCH
We live in a church system that has evolved over the past, nearly 2000 years. It is obvious that the church had problems of doctrine and organisation right from its formation. Many people are reluctant to admit to this, but there were difficulties between Jews and gentiles in a theological sense, as well as practical organisational problems in terms of looking after the needy widows. However, over the centuries, church structures developed and became formalised along human lines. While the Reformation saw some changes, both in theology and organisation, the old, unbiblical, structures have tended to replicate themselves within our modern denominations and groupings. The Bible warns of this.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
Today, in these end times, God is calling His church back to basics. To its relational roots rather than formal structural organisation and methods that restrict, through human intervention, the Holy Spirit from truly working in the way He would wish.
Yes, God is calling us today to return to the principles set out in the New Testament, not to create the 'perfect church', for it will still have you and I in it, but rather, one capable of absorbing the promised bountiful end-time harvest.
*** 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. ***
303. Fund Raising
The crumbling old church building badly needed repairs, so the preacher made an impassioned appeal, looking directly at the richest man in town.
At the end of the message, the rich man stood up and announced, "Pastor, I will contribute $1,000." Just then, plaster fell from the ceiling and struck the rich man on the shoulder. Flicking a speck of white dust from his suit, the rich man calmly announced, "Pastor, I will increase my donation to $5,000." Before he could sit back down, plaster fell on him again. Now covered from head to toe with plaster dust, the rich man grimly said, "Pastor, I will double my last pledge, but that's all I intend to contribute."
As the rich man sat down, a deacon suddenly shouted, "Hit him again, Lord! Hit him again!"
QWIK QWIP: “It isn't that life is short. It's that death is so long!”
304. Always at Work
During the French Revolution, they condemned a priest and an engineer to be executed by the guillotine. The priest asked to be executed face up so he would be looking toward Heaven when he died.
The executioner raised the blade of the guillotine and released it. It came speeding down and suddenly stopped, just inches from the priest's neck. The authorities took this as Divine Intervention and released the priest.
Next, the engineer was placed on the guillotine. He also requested to die facing up, hoping he would be as fortunate as the priest. As the executioner slowly raised the blade of the guillotine, the engineer suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, I see what the problem is..."
305. Hell in Hell
The Pope, Billy Graham, and a Television Evangelist (who shall remain nameless) were among the passengers on a transatlantic flight. The plane crashed in the ocean and all passengers died.
When the three men of God arrived at the gates of heaven, St. Peter threw up his hands in dismay.
"Oh my," groaned St. Peter. "Your arrival is completely unexpected so your quarters aren't ready just yet."
Thinking hard, St. Peter got an idea. He quickly pressed the "Hell" button on his intercom, then said, "Hi Lucifer, I need a favour. You see, I've got these three fellows up here. They're ours, but they weren't expected right now so we need to fix the place up for them. If you could put them up for a while, I'll owe you one."
Reluctantly, the Devil agreed.
The next day, St. Peter's intercom buzzes. "Hey Pete, this is Lucifer. Man, you have to come get these three men outta here RIGHT NOW! The Pope is forgiving everybody. Billy Graham is saving everybody. Worst of all, that Television Evangelist has raised enough money to install central air conditioning!"
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
A,B,C.D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z
Twenty-six simple characters, primarily designed by the Phoenicians, nearly 4000 years ago.
Vowels were added by the Greeks, and some letters by the Romans. U and V have only been distinguished from each other in relatively recent times.
What amazes me though, is the amazing variety of objects identified, actions expressed and emotions shown by these now 26 simple shapes!
Such versatility is expressed in so many different languages, It is simply amazing how we communicate through these perfectly designed squiggles.
In the kingdom of God too, we have many, many different groups, races and peoples, all united to Christ through the Word, generally expressed by using these different combinations of these 26 characters.
No one person or group has a mortgage on the ideas of total committment and sacrifice expressed in so many different languages round the world.The kindom is open to all who desire to be sold out disciples of Christ, irrespective of race, country or church.
Are we prepared to fully sacrifice our lives to God and live in the image of Jesus?
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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