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: 962 Published: 30 Mar 2020
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
EDUCATION (I) v EXPERIENCE (WE)
Greek (Western) In Greek culture, physical conquest was immediately followed by the setting up of educational institutions to train the conquered people in Greek culture and ways.
What we do, after a revelation is given by God, is to set up a new denomination with its own Bible College, to formalise and disseminate the truths that have been revealed.
In New Zealand, where I come from, the pattern of revelation and formalisation has been experienced within all the Pentecostal streams that arose through the various Holy Spirit revelations of the 20th century. Initial revelation, enthusiasm and changed lifestyle of leaders and people, were overtaken by the formality of organisation, position, theological schools, buildings, programmes and growing lukewarmness amongst both leaders and adherents, focusing more on the little that divides than the much that should unite. This is not unique to the Pentecostal Church but simply follows the pattern of denominational church separation since the Reformation.
The focus is on 'I' as an individual, and the 'bigger I' of denominationalism. The emphasis is on transformation, through education, of the mind.
Eastern (Hebrew) Converts into Judaism are absorbed into Jewish society and culture, so they can learn experientially the ways of G_d (God).
In early Judaism, converts were absorbed into a tradition and experiential lifestyle, where learning came from absorbing the values and experiences of the forefathers as recorded in the Old Testament, as well as the Rabbi's and leaders of the day. There was a greater tolerance of differing views on many matters. There were 3 or 4 main groups, not the thousands we have today in Protestantism.
When a Jewish boy became a disciple of a Rabbi, he would copy his Rabbi in everything he did. Literally! In every way! Sit. Stand. Gesture. Walk. Eat.....
Jesus took a group of 'students' (disciples), those not good enough to become disciples of the other Rabbis, and trained them in His ways, living with them, teaching them by word and example, sending them out into the mission field to gain practical experience.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. (Matthew 10:1-10)
They participated in His miracles.....
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:16-21)
He answered their questions.....
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:25-9)
They participated in the good times.....
The Transfiguration
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:1-4)
and the bad.....
Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:36-41)
Discipleship was a group experience, where the group was more important than the individual, it was both word and deed, and it took place in the school of life, not the academic classroom.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. The group, the cause, is more important than any individual within it.
2. Discipleship involves a change in lifestyle, not just academic knowledge.
3. A godly lifestyle change is the measure of true conversion.
4. True discipleship training requires interactive experience with others more mature in the faith, in order to grow into the image of Jesus.
Find out more about us at.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
The Sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-45)
As Jesus returned to Nazarath.
“Evil people who don’t trust in God are the ones who look for a miraculous sign. The only sign they will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah,” “In the same way Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights, the Son of man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
The people of Nineveh will rise in the judgment together with this generation and they will condemn it because they repented in response to Jonah’s message—and as you see, there’s someone greater than Jonah here! The Queen of the South will be raised in the judgment together with this generation and will condemn it because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon—and as you see, there’s someone greater than Solomon here! When an evil spirit leaves someone, it wanders through deserted places looking for rest, and finds nowhere to stay. So it says, ‘I’ll go back to the place I left,’ and when it returns it finds the place empty, all clean and tidy. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits even more evil than it is, and it enters and lives there. So the person ends up worse than they were at the beginning. That’s the way it will be with this evil generation.”
The Family of Jesus Come to Visit Him(Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21)
When told of their presence, Jesus replies.
“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
“Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! Whoever does what God wants, they are my brother, and sister, and mother.”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 31
Of course, Covid-19 is all the news, right around the world.
So we need to give it a break!
Sadly not sickness entirely, for over the past 4 days I have had one of, if not the worst bouts of diarrhea, of my Life! Followed a couple of days later by Kathy, which proves it was a bug and not her cooking! For she is a great and ingenious cook here in Kenya where we have less selection of ingredients and no McDonalds down the road!
Maybe those of you who are now locked down in your homes will be able to appreciate our normal situation a little more now! LOL! I am so blessed to have such a lovely lady and inventive cook in my life!
However, cooking has come to a halt for the past few days as I, then Kathy have had to come to terms with the 'tummy rot'.
But we have been saved, for we have a hospital next door! Kathy, of course, got much better attention than me, for she is a lovely lady!
As I write this I am just starting to feel a bit better, after 3 1/2 days of misery. Maybe talking about it helps?
I know many of you may have a little better to do than read this diatribe, but I hope it gives you a little lift for a couple of minutes. You can say there is always someone worse off than you. I can assure you there was - for 3 miserable days!
When we have life it is good, even though we face many challenges!
Shukrani
(Thank You)
PS: Photo: Married Bliss!
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UPDATE ON KATHY AND DAVID IN KENYA
We haven’t written much lately, not because we have not been working, but the results we are looking for have not yet happened.
CORONAVIRUS
We are grateful for our friends who have enquired how we are.
Many people are losing their jobs. For example, Kenya has a large cut flower industry. The primary export market at Aalsmeer in Holland, which distributes flowers to most of Europe has collapsed. So 120,000 workers here have been laid off, and the flowers thrown away. The Tea Market has also collapsed, leaving thousands of growers without income.
Of course, there is no welfare net of any sort, so these people and their families will likely starve. So the Government cannot just self-quarantine the population, as there is no money in the kitty for financial support.
Hunger may well be a greater problem here than the virus itself which so far at least, has not proved to be as virulent as elsewhere in the world. Maybe this will change, but then again, God’s protection is likely on His faithful people here.
The Hospital, along with others is suffering, not with business, but through a lack of patients! For the people think they will catch the virus from the hospital, so they sit at home and suffer with the illnesses they have, instead of seeking treatment. A lose – lose situation for them and us!
Public transport, upon which people here rely, has been regulated to half capacity, to keep distance between travellers and to stop people moving between areas easily.
Our area is one of the least affected so far. As long as self-quarantine is not made compulsory, the people here will survive okay, as they normally do, living day by day. There are no cases diagnosed in our greater area at this time.
Overall, Kathy and I are in a good place, both physically and freedom wise and looking forward to our Golden Wedding Anniversary 50 years married) in 5 weeks' time. We were intending to spending it with our families in Britain with Cameron coming over from New Zealand, but that is off in the meantime.
We pray that our good health may continue. Our faith and trust are in the Lord. We will look after ourselves to the best of our ability, but overall He is in control of our lives.
We thank you for your concern.
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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
Godliness is...
....... putting God's heart in place of mine.
....... placing other's needs before my own.
....... keeping short accounts with God and others.
....... blessing God before myself.
....... giving myself to God because I truly love Him, without expecting a return.
....... absorbing the ridicule of others without reacting negatively.
....... being sold out to God's will for my life.
....... truly entering God's rest.
....... being prepared to die for my Lord.
....... Christ likeness.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgment 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
NEXT WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continues.....
...We will summarise the aspects of the five churches that Jesus criticised as operating as 'kings' rather than 'kingdom'.
*** 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. ***
394. Bulletin Bleepers Keep Coming
!!! The sermon this morning: Jesus Walks on the Water.
!!! The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus.
!!! Next Thursday, there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
!!! The agenda was adopted . . . the minutes were approved. . . the financial secretary gave a grief report.
!!! Barbara C. remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.
!!! The 'Over 60s Choir' will be disbanded for the summer with the thanks of the entire church.
!!! Missionary from Africa speaking at Calvary Memorial Church in Racine:
Name: Bertha Belch
!!! Announcement: "Come tonight and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa."
!!! Announcement in a church bulletin for a National Prayer & Fasting Conference: "The cost for attending the Fasting & Prayer conference includes Meals."
!!! Miss Charlene Mason sang, "I Will Not Pass This Way Again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
!!! Will the ladies of the Willing Workers who have towels which belong to the kitchen please bring them to the church on Friday as we need them for supper
QWIK QWIP: “He who boasts of being a self-made man or woman relieves the Lord of a lot of responsibility.”
395. Jesus Wept!
Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathered them around Him and taught them saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."
"Blessed are the meek,
Blessed are they that mourn,
Blessed are the merciful,
Blessed are they that thirst after righteousness.
Blessed are you when persecuted, Blessed are you when you suffer, Be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in Heaven."
Then Simon Peter said, "Are we supposed to know all this?"
And Andrew said, "So we have to write all this down?"
And James said, "Will we have a test on this?"
And Phillip said, "I don't have any paper."
And Judas said, " How much credit does this give me?"
And Matthew said, "May I go to the bathroom?"
And Bathelomew said, "Do we have to turn this in?"
And Simon said, "May I borrow a pencil?"
And Judas Iscariot said, "What does this have to do with real life?"
And James the Lesser said, "Now what was that again?"
Then one of the Pharisees, who was present, asked to see Jesus' lesson plan and inquired of Jesus, "Where are your anticipatory set and objectives in the cognitive domain?"
AND JESUS WEPT !!!!
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
Covid-19 has taken over the world over the past few weeks.
Here in Kenya, there are travel restrictions and a night-time curfew.
In New Zealand, where we came from nearly 3 years ago, there is a complete lockdown.
This is a truly trying test of our faith in God.
In whom do we believe?
May we take all the precautions we can, but with the added comfort of a supportive Saviour and Lord to help us cope with the challenges we face.
May we rely on Him for comfort at this critical time, remembering that ultimately, our life is in His hand.
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