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: 950 Published: 06 Jan 2020
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 Rejected at Nazareth (Luke 4:14-30)
His home town. Reading from the scroll of Isaiah.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to announce good news to the destitute. He has sent me to proclaim that prisoners will be released, the blind will see, the oppressed will be freed, and to proclaim the time of the Lord’s favor.”
“This Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled today!”
“I’m sure you’ll repeat this proverb to me, ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ and ask, “Why don’t you do here in your own hometown what we heard you did in Capernaum?” But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I guarantee that there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah when there was a drought for three and a half years, causing a great famine throughout the country. Yet Elijah wasn’t sent to any of them. He was sent to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon! Even though there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha, the only one who was healed was Naaman the Syrian!”
Jesus Healing an Official’s Son(John 4:32-54)
Who was near to death.
“Unless you see signs and wonders you people really won’t trust me,”
“Go on home,” “Your son will live!”
Jesus Driving Out an Evil Spirit (Mark 1:21-8, Luke 4:31-7)
At the synagogue in Capernaum.
“Be quiet! Come out of him.”
Jesus Praying in a Solitary Place (Mark 1:35-8, Luke 4:38-44)
Is advised that the people are looking for Him.
“We have to go to the other towns around here so that I can tell them the good news as well—for that’s why I came,”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 18
I received a real lesson yesterday, I have to admit!
Normally, here at Kingdom Faith Based Hospital, we have devotions each morning, before commencing the day’s work.
Yesterday morning, we had cataract surgery for 7 people, our biggest number yet. Everyone was running round getting things ready, so I said, “No devotions today.”
Suddenly, a little later than normal, all the patients, their carers and our staff, came down from the Ward, en masse, to Reception, and had beautiful worship and prayers before going back to start their operations!
I was humbled and excited at the same time!
People from outside Africa have this perception that all Africans are savages in grass skirts, who need missionaries to come and convert them the Christ.
Nothing can be further the truth! Through much of Africa there is a vibrant Christianity, no longer seen in the West. They may not have much materially, but they are likely to have a Bible. In fact it is probably the only book they own, and they read it regularly! Because of their material lack, they have to rely upon God for their provision.
Kenya is a fast developing country, but still one third of the population lives in poverty, earning under $US2 per day.
Missionaries have come and the result of their labours is a large faith filled community. Missionaries are now going back the other way!
The greatest spiritual needs here are for teaching and discipling.
I continually tell people that with wealth, generally comes a falling away from God, as can be clearly seen in the West. God dependence turns into self-reliance, or reliance upon the state. Humanism quickly becomes the replacement religion.
We are here in both health provision and teaching and discipling roles, as we are able.
Friends, Africa is far more than jungle and grass skirts! In fact, where we live, there are no wild animals, not even a monkey. You have to go to a zoo or game park to see these! A very occasional small snake is all we see.
Much of Africa is fertile land and the climate is generally very good for growing things. Of course, in the north there are deserts, with associated drought problems.
As well, Africa is a mix of cultures, such as you find in Europe, so every area is individual.
Please come to Africa and see for yourself!
Shukrani
(Thank You)
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
FOR MORE DETAILED AND REGULAR UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
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BEFORE CATARACT SURGERY WE HAVE WORSHIP WITH STAFF, PATIENTS AND CARERS!
A beautiful way to start the 7 successful cataract surgeries we did today!
God is given the glory!
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM DAVID AND KATHY
May 2020 take us from the valleys to the mountain tops!
May we each fulfill God's plan for our lives as we go into the beginning of a new decade.
HAPPY NEW DECADE!
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
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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
1100. As the church develops the character of Christ, so it will conquer the world for Him.
1101. To fulfil our potential in God we need to inherit His character.
1102. Character cannot be bought but must be developed through the trials of life.
1103. Salvation is instant, but developing godly character takes a lifetime.
1104. Feeling come and feelings go but character is eternal.
1105. An ounce of character outweighs a ton of enthusiasm, any day.
1106. Gifts are given, character developed. We prefer gifts but God seeks character, for the gifts are already His!
1107. Spiritual gifts are temporary while character lasts through eternity.
1108. Believers believe in God, while disciples build a godly character.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
We look at the concept of greater personal participation in our meetings together.
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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. ***
359. Thank God!
A rabbi said to a precocious six-year-old boy: "So your mother says your prayers for you each night Very commendable. What does she say?"
The little boy replied, "Thank God he's in bed!"
360. Country Wisdom
Pastor Jones was on vacation and had just driven into a rural town, when he had a flat tire. “How far is it to the next service station?” the pastor asked a farmer.
“Nigh onto two miles as the crow flies,” the farmer said.
Perturbed, the pastor asked, “Well, how far is it if the crow has to walk and roll a flat tire?”
361. A Minister Learns from a Student
A minister was chatting with a University student about the doctoral paper he was preparing. Through reading and exacting studies with many patients, the student was prepared to report that the type of conversation that went on in the operating room had a definite impact on the recovery rate of surgical patients.
The minister was especially interested in the finding that even though a patient under anaesthesia was totally "out of it", in a comatose like condition, positive conversation by doctors and other attendants had a very beneficial affect on the patient. As the pastor listened to this revelation, his face suddenly lit up, and he said, "At last I've found some hope for the people who attend the Sunday morning church service."
QWIK QWIP: “It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.”
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
At our Eye Hospital here in Western Kenya, we have just done our third lot of cataract operations. Seven this time, compared with four previously. Challenging, but satisfying too.
So we are beginning to build up and gradually will become better known for offering quality service and excellent outcomes.
In fact, we have just received a call from someone who wants to run an eye camp with 170 operations! Out of our league currently, but we will see what we can work out.
In the Spirit too, even after you start to find and work in God's will, things wont magically happen overnight. We still have to persevere and persist in what He has for us, before it all comes to fulfilment.
We need to work out God's will in our life on an ongoing basis. There is no magic formula, other than obedience and perseverance.
For that is life in Christ.
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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