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: 939 Published: 21 Oct 2019
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
LOGIC v FAITH
Greek (Western)
We attempt to explain and justify everything according to human understanding. We apply linear logic to understanding the Bible. This can be likened to lining up dominos on their edge in a line. Push the first one over and that pushes over the next, and so on down the line. Problems arise where a domino is missing (no knowledge), or is placed outside the line (an apparent contradiction in Scripture).
One example is the apparent contradiction of predestination and freewill.
God's order has been 'predestined'.....
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)
....but we have 'freewill', through prayer, to change God's mind.....
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
Hence we get a division in the church, and church theology, between those who major on predestination (Calvinism) and freewill (Armenianism) and all shades of opinion in between that divide people, and denominations, one from another! For we cannot accept, from our limited human understanding, that both can be, and are, correct!
Eastern (Hebrew)
Jews acknowledge that God's wisdom and knowledge is infinite, and is sometimes beyond human understanding. Therefore they accept that there can be apparent contradictions in our sight. They apply block logic. While all the facts within a given block are coherent, they accept that one block of facts might present paradoxes and apparent contradictions with another block. They accept the almighty understanding of God.....
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)
.....that affirms that man's knowledge is finite, and limited. Solomon acknowledged this.....
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
An interesting example of this is seen in whether God is visible or not. Most Western Christians will automatically say God is invisible, quoting.....
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
Yet God appeared to Abraham in the form of 3 men.....
The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.....33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home. (Genesis 18:1-2,33)
.... and to Moses and 73 others.....
9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. (Exodus 24:9-10)
Now John would have been aware of the Old Testament Scriptures when he wrote his Gospel, but he didn't see a need to explain the difference between the scriptures, as we would have needed to do, looking with Western eyes. John knew that God, in His infinite wisdom, understood, even if John, in his human understanding, didn't. It simply wasn't an issue for John, as it is for us.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. We must understand that God is God, is God! He understands all, even where Scripture is not able to be understood by us. This is true, even when Scripture appears to contradict itself - through our limited eyes of understanding. (A premise that is particularly hard for theologians to accept!)
2. Unnecessary divisions have arisen in the church through different interpretations of Scriptures about which we do not have a full understanding. We all need to repent and reconcile!
3. We must base our theology on the whole of Scripture, not just limited selections of our favourite passages that justify our desired conclusion.
4. May we be gracious and humble enough to accept that we do not have all the answers, and be tolerant and understanding to those who hold to differing viewpoints to ours.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Jesus Clearing the Temple (John 2:12-25)
Overturning the tables and driving people out with a whip. Talking to the dove sellers.
“Take these things out of here! Don’t turn my Father’s house into a market!”
Then when His authority was questioned by the leaders and a miracle asked for.
“Destroy this Temple, and in three days I’ll raise it up!”
Jesus Meets Nicodemus at Night (John 3:1-21)
The Jewish teacher.
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “Unless you are reborn, you can’t experience God’s kingdom.”
Nicodemus asked how?
“I tell you the truth, you can’t enter God’s kingdom unless you are born of water and the Spirit,” “What’s born of the flesh is flesh, and what’s born of the Spirit is Spirit. Don’t be surprised at my telling you, ‘You must be reborn.’ The wind blows wherever it wants, and just as you hear the sound it makes, but know where it’s coming from or where it’s going, that’s how it is for everyone who is born of the spirit.”
“You’re a famous teacher in Israel, and yet you don’t understand such things?” “I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know and give evidence regarding what we have seen, but you refuse to accept our testimony. If you don’t trust what I say when I tell you about earthly things, how would you ever trust what I say if I were to tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven, but the Son of man came down from heaven. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so the Son of man must be lifted up, that everyone who trusts in him will have eternal life.
“For God loved the world, and this is how: he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who trusts in him shouldn’t die, but have eternal life. God didn’t send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Those who trust in him are not condemned, while those who don’t trust in him are condemned already because they didn’t trust in the one and only Son of God. This is how the decision is made: the light came to the world, but people loved the darkness rather than the light, for their actions were evil. All those who do evil hate the light and don’t come into the light, because they don’t want their actions to be exposed. But those who do good come into the light, so that what God accomplishes in them can be revealed.”
Jesus Begins to Preach in Capernaum(Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15)
Giving the message of salvation after the arrest of John the Baptist.
“The time predicted has come,” “God’s kingdom is near. Repent and believe in the good news.”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 14
CHRISTIANITY AS A BUSINESS
The time goes on, it disturbs me more and more that church, evangelism etc. is becoming a business rather than a soul-saving and disciple building institution, as was instructed by Jesus in the Great Commission.
I could repeat it, but I don’t need to, for we all know what it says. As do many other passages of Scripture.
For some, particularly the mega churches, TV evangelists, it is overt. Their teachings and appeals are all money based. Many books, videos, and more are written, promoted through the media and Christian bookshops. Conferences are run with the next magical way of saving souls, getting deeper into Christ and more.
All charge fees that go into the pockets of the organisers. Gullible Christians pay for the latest fad, and when it doesn’t work, chase another.
Of course, you will say that it is not me or my church. But there is an even more insidious move through nearly all churches today. It is the ‘love syndrome’. Yes, God is love. Yes, we live in the age of grace. But the principle of love has and is overpowering the basic principles of the New Testament, which were also foreshadowed in a different form in the Old.
Man is sinful. God requires a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus was our blood sacrifice. Our sins are forgiven through His blood if we repent of our sins, accepting Jesus as both saviour and the Lord of our lives. Accepting Jesus as Saviour is wonderful but His life must also be reflected in our actions. Believing is not enough - we must become disciples of Jesus.
Sadly, to say the least, churches have diluted the hard message of God so much in order to get ‘bums on seats’. Entertainment and a tolerance of sin pervades much of the church. ‘Jesus weeps’!
The simple answer for those wishing to get deeper into Jesus is the read His Word, the Bible, follow all that it says, not just one convenient verse, and spend time with God through the Holy Spirit, letting Him teach you and guide you in your life.
Thus is not an easy, nor a popular word, but the Bible tells us it is the only way to the Father.
The choice is ours.
Shukrani
(Thank You)
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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ACTIVITY IN THE EYE HOSPITAL PROJECT
We are now full speed ahead as funding is received. Thank you CBMNZ and our donors!
Tiling is completed in the Reception Area.
Building an entry way over an open storm water drain. It will last 100 years, judging by the steel in it!
They are dug out with a scalpel and the feet are washed in
disinfectant
The happy young man is donated a pair of shoes from our son Andrew, and his wife Catriona's, Highland Christian Church, in Thurso, Scotland. The dirt floor of family home also needs to be sprayed with insecticide to kill the problem at its source.
WE ARE STILL TREATING PATIENTS!
This young man has a very bad case of Jiggers, a bug that lives in the ground in infected areas, and burrows into your feet. Obviously it handicaps your movement!
A closeup of the damage the bug does as it feeds on your feet.
***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
954. My 'Personal PrayerLine' is open 24/7. Love, God.
955. Prayer proves faith. Answered prayer improves faith.
956. Prayer builds relationship with God.
957. Prayer is to be an ongoing process, not an occasional experience.
958. Little and often is better than lots occasionally when it comes to effective prayer.
959. Prayer is like having an internal, open telephone line to heaven. Only trouble is, we too often forget to use it.
960. Ringing God is toll free. Take advantage of it now!
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: BEYOND THE VEIL – 1 REVELATION FROM THE DAY OF ATONEMENT continued.....
A. ATONEMENT PRINCIPLES TOTALLY FULFILLED BY JESUS
(Fulfilled both Positionally and Experientially.)
With the last 5 of the 10 principles.
*** 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. ***
327. Church-o-logical Definitions
AMEN - the part of a prayer that everyone understands.
BULLETIN - a claim check to show your Mom you went to church.
CHOIR - a group of people whose singing allows the rest of the congregation to lip-sync.
HYMN - a song of praise sung three octaves higher than an operatic soprano can reach.
CLOSING HYMN - the last song in the service, usually sung softly so as not to awaken the children.
JESUITS - an order of priests known for their ability to establish colleges with good basketball teams.
JUSTICE - when your kids have kids of their own.
MANGER - where Mary gave birth because Joseph didn't have MediCare.
OFFERATORY PROCESSION - when the ushers come forward to receive the offering followed by late visitors looking for seats.
PEW - seating designed to punish you for your sins.
328. Touche!
Melba was a Christian lady who did a lot of travelling for her business. Flying made her nervous so she always took her Bible along, because reading it relaxed her.
One time Melba was sitting next to a man. When he saw Melba reading her Bible he chuckled and said, "You don't really believe all that stuff in there do you?"
Melba replied "Of course I do. It is the word of God."
"Well what about that guy who was swallowed by that whale? You don't believe that, do you?" the man asked.
Melba smiled. "You mean Jonah? Of course I believe it. God doesn't tell fairy tales."
The fellow snorted and asked, "Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?"
Melba said "Well I don't really know. I guess when I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
"What if Jonah isn't in heaven?" the man asked sarcastically.
"Then you can ask him." Melba replied quietly.
QWIK QWIP: “If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?”
329. 'Heblish'
Old Simpson, a stubborn opponent of changing anything, was a constant thorn in the side of the Parent-Teachers Association. For one thing, he was loudly against the introduction of foreign languages in the town's junior high school curriculum.
Waving his Bible high in the air, he shouted, "If English was good enough for the prophets and the apostles, it's plenty good enough for me."
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
As I write this, we are getting ready for our first 5 cataract operations, one of the key objectives of our Eye Hospital, here in Kenya. This is an exciting time and the fulfilment of a dream.
However, it also involves a lot of hard work! Expensive equipment needs to be bought, you are short of money, people to be organized, and the theatre prepared.
This is the reality of achieving your dreams. It is inevitable they will take a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
Inspiration and perspiration go hand in hand.
Many people have dreams, but few the application to see them through to reality.
This same principle applies in the spiritual too. Many have dreams of doing great things for God, but are not prepared to spend the time with Him to really know Him and be ready to pay the price of trials and testings, to bring one to the state where God can use you.
God is constantly searching the earth to find those who are willing to pay the price.
How prepared will he find you?
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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