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: 937 Published: 07 Oct 2019
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
DOCTRINE
Greek (Western)
Church membership is based upon agreement with the theological precepts of the particular church. This process started early on in the history of the church with the 'Apostles Creed' (AD200-900), the 'Nicene Creed' (AD381), developed under Emperor Constantine, and the 'Athanasian Creed' (AD500), being early, widely accepted, examples. Today, each denomination (and non-denomination!) has its theological statement upon which the particular grouping or church operates. Theological differences and disputes cause division and distrust between the multitudes of Christian groups. These differences assume greater importance than what should unite, that is, the person of Jesus Christ.
Eastern (Hebrew)
Synagogue membership required people adhere to a certain way of living. Divergent views abounded, but all those who lived a godly lifestyle were accepted. Until the Middle Ages, there was no overall Jewish doctrinal statement or creed. At that time one was developed by Rambam, in order to counter arguments of Christian apologists. This creed concept however, was foreign to the Judaism of Jesus' time.
When Jesus was asked how His true followers would be identified, he answered....
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:15-20)
Furthermore, He proceeded to reinforce His point about behaviour versus mere mental assent.....
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-3)
Amongst others, the parable of 'The Sheep and the Goats'(disciples v intellectual believers) makes this point forcefully. On Judgment Day.....
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (Matthew 25:31-3)
Why? .....
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ (Matthew 25:34-6)
This was followed by an intellectual defence for the Pharisees lack of action.....
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ (Matthew 25:37-9)
To which Jesus replied.....
40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ (Matthew 25:40-45)
Followed by His words of reward and judgment.....
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)
Indeed, actions speak louder than words!
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
Now for something different here! A 'joke', which I trust will challenge you too!
What is Your Faith?
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, "Stop! Don't do it!"
"Why shouldn't I?" he said.
I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"
He said, "Like what?"
I said, "Well...are you religious or atheist?"
He said, "Religious."
I said, "Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?"
He said, "Christian."
I said, "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?"
He said, "Protestant."
I said, "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"
He said, "Baptist!"
I said, "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"
He said, "Baptist Church of God!"
I said, "Me too! Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"
He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God!"
I said, "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?"
He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!"
I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.
Jesus generated 'Deeds', not 'Creeds', are the true measure of faith.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
The Young Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:41-52)
To His parents looking for Him, Jesus said.
“Why is it that you were looking for me?” “Didn’t you know I should be here in my father’s house?”
John Baptizes Jesus (Matthew3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-3, John 1:33-4)
John protests.
“Please do so, because it’s good for us to do what God says is right,”
Temptation of Jesus(Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13)
By satan in the desert.
“As Scripture says, ‘Human beings do not live by only eating bread, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
“As Scripture also says, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
“Go away, Satan!” said Jesus. “As Scripture says, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him, and him alone.’”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT - Issue 12
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 13
Here in Africa, but also in the West, although in a more refined way, there are pastors, TV evangelists and others ‘ripping people off’.
It is so sad, for true Christianity is a faith of giving and helping people, of being the light of the world, of living in the image of Jesus.
The question I ask is, ‘Why does this happen?’
Paul tells us that there were and always will be charlatans that mislead and take advantage of gullible people. Sadly, he was right!
So, how do we stop these succeeding in their beguiling wiles?
The only real answer I know is to be personally immersed in the word and led by the Holy Spirit, so that, as individuals, we have knowledge of the truth and discernment to know whether we are being misguided.
This can only come through spending time with God the Father, listening to the Holy Spirit, and living as Jesus did.
There is no shortcut.
Don’t believe those who say all you need to do is say the ‘(unbiblical) Sinners Prayer’ and earn your ticket to heaven no matter how you live!
Giving our heart to Jesus is only the start of our walk with Jesus. Jesus did not command us to get commitments but to make disciples of all people, until He returns.
Discipleship means understanding the Word, for that reveals the Father to us. Discipleship means spending time in prayer, glorifying and listening to Him, rather than rather than just parroting our wants and complaints. Discipleship is loving God with all our being and our neighbour as ourselves. Discipleship is a total dedication of our lives to Jesus. In short, discipleship means living like Jesus did.
In this way we should be able to reject the ungodly but seducing words and actions of the deceiver.
Shukrani
(Thank You)
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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A 'GOD'-INCIDENCE!
We have been waiting for our Ophthalmologist to come for a week now, after returning from Russia from disabled games, where he was one of the very few in the world authorized to place visually disabled in their correct category prior to competing.
Next he was delayed by torrential rain and other commitments.
Yesterday morning, out of the blue, an Opthalmic Technician, Emmanuel, one trained to assist in cataract operations arrived from Kisii, 5 hours away. (This is Kathy's field of expertise but she is in India spending time with our 8 month old granddaughter while at a family wedding,)
In the afternoon Dr Ronald finally arrived and we were able to set up our 1st Cataract Operations for he 19th October, when our friend John from New Zealand will be here to video the occasion. Sorry, no pictures - yet!
It is amazing how God works! To bring the two together at precisely the right time.
The hospital from down the road showing both current buildings together.
They Presto! They are done and painted.
***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/
***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
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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
935. "I will obey You", is the ultimate form of worship.
936. The path of obedience takes a different route to that of our natural understanding.
937. To do what we don't understand, because God said it, is the ultimate test of obedience.
938. It may be easier to die as a martyr, than to die to one's self!
939. As I die, so God grows in me. There is only room for one of us!
940. In God, submission is a sign of success, not one of failure.
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: BEYOND THE VEIL – 1 REVELATION FROM THE DAY OF ATONEMENT
INTRODUCING THE OVERCOMING TABERNACLE (KINGDOM) CHURCH
Before we start, it must be made clear that Jesus was the fulfilment of all the Tabernacle Feasts.
When He died on the cross the veil was parted forever.
“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud
voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the
curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to
bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51)
Jesus, through His death made it possible for us to enter the very throne room of God. Praise the Lord! Yet we all know that we have not yet occupied the throne room, at least not for more than short periods of time. Why is that? We have been saved; many have been filled with the Holy Spirit, yet these twin experiences have not been sufficient to live in the throne room of God’s presence. There has to be something more.
*** 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. ***
4322. Too Much To Bare
A Preacher, a missionary, and an overweight tenor from the church choir are visiting Israel when, all of a sudden, they are captured by Arab terrorists. They are informed by these terrorists that they are going to be shot.
The Preacher said, "We are men of God. You can't shoot us!"
When the terrorists refused, the Preacher asked the terrorists for one last request each.
"Okay," said the terrorist chief, "one last request each - but keep it short."
The Preacher says, "I would like to give a two hour sermon and not have anyone in my audience leave or fall asleep."
The tenor says, "I would like to give a two hour concert of my favourite hymns."
"And what about you?" the terrorist chief asked the missionary.
"Oh please!" said the missionary, kneeling with his hands raised in supplication. "Shoot me first!"
QWIK QWIP: “Truth will be truth regardless of a closed mind, ignorance, or refusal to believe.”
323. Superbowl XXXIII - aftermath
After John Elway dies and enters the Pearly Gates, God takes him on a tour. He shows John a tiny two-bedroom house with a raggedy Broncos banner hanging from the front porch. "This is your house, John. Most people don't get their own houses up here," God says.
John looks at the house, then turns around and sees one sitting on top of the hill. It's a huge two-story mansion with white marble columns, flowing fountains, a rolling lawn, and splendid patios. Flags for the State of Georgia line both sides of the sidewalk, and a huge Atlanta Falcon’s banner hangs between the marble columns.
"Thanks for the house, Lord," says John, "but let me ask you a question. I get this dinky little two-bedroom house, but Chris Chandler gets a mansion with brand new Falcon banners and flags flying all over the place. Why is that?"
God looks at him seriously for a moment, then with a smile God says, "That's not Chandler's house. It's mine."
QWIK QWIP: “The most effective answer to an insult is silence.”
324. Not To Be Outdone
During Sunday services, a Pastor is so overwhelmed with religious fervour that he drops to his knees, puts his forehead to the ground and says, "Before you Lord, I am nothing."
Not to be outdone, the Deacon also gets down on his knees, puts his forehead to the floor and says, "Before you Lord, I am nothing."
Moved by their humility, a layman in the fourth row steps into the aisle. He falls down on his knees, puts his forehead to the ground and says, "Before you Lord, I am nothing."
The Deacon, noticing the guy, elbows the Pastor. "So," he whispers. "Look who thinks he's nothing."
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
Or read them all online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
Without inspiration, life is so dull.
Doing the same thing over and over because it is the routine you follow day by day, week by week, year by year........
As we grow older, this becomes the story for more and more of us.
Imagination, risk taking, doing something different, facing a new challenge, are no longer on the menu.
The play, 'Waiting For Godot', by Samuel Beckett truly reflects so many lives. We are waiting for....................................... nothing!
Spiritually too, it is so easy to fall into that trap. Our initial enthusiasm for God morphs into ritual, where the same follows the same, time after time, until we die of spiritual boredom.
Let us refresh ourselves today. Our God is not boring! Seek Him earnestly and He will guide you into new pastures of understanding and service that will truly change your life.
Surely, it's worth a try, isnt it? It's up to you to take the first step!
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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david@wwj.org.nz