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: 968 Published: 11 May 2020
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
MALE AND FEMALE
In a way, this is the most difficult subject we have looked at so far, as relational challenges between the sexes affect us all. The saying, 'men are from Mars, women from Venus', while unscriptural, does make the very valid point, that men and women are different!
But this is how God planned it! I will simply attempt to briefly summarise the Western and original Hebrew views.
Greek (Western) In Western thought, from early Greek times until the present day, the role of women has vacillated between subservience and sexual equality.
In essence it would be fair to say that in agricultural orientated societies women have been considered inferior to men, but where city living, both in Greek times, and now, became more popular, unisex attitudes have become more prominent. This has resulted, both then and now, in the breakdown of the traditional family unit and the growth of same sex relationships. The state has also assumed a greater role in the bringing up of children. Looking at past civilizations, these family breakdown developments helped bring about former empires eventual downfall, and are likely to do the same to ours.
Eastern (Hebrew) In original Hebrew thought, based upon firstly a nomadic, then an agrarian society, the traditional family unit was the basis of society.
From the very beginning, man and woman were made to be 'one flesh', to operate as a team, utilizing differing physical, emotional, and way of thinking giftings to work the land, run the household, procreate, and raise families, to 'inhabit the earth'...
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:20b-24)
Without each other, a man and women are less than we are created to be. In the original nomadic and agrarian societies, men and women had different but equal roles within the family. The man tended the animals and worked the fields, while the woman tended to the home. The responsibility for bringing up and educating the children was a joint, and hugely important, one. Motherhood was regarded as the most important function in the family unit, and contrary to later erroneous teaching, no God-fearing Hebrew man considered women to be inferior in any way.
Women dressed differently to men and gathered socially, separately to the men. This is illustrated in the wedding at Canna in Galilee. The men were in a room, sitting round celebrating the marriage. Mary, perhaps the chief caterer, was in a separate room with the other women. The unthinkable happened. After several days’ celebration, they had run out of wine! Mary asked Jesus to help.....
3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:3-5)
We know the rest of the story. Check out the amazing detail and revelation it contains at A REVELATION OF... THE FIRST MIRACLE OF JESUS’ found on the Walking With Jesus Ministries website (www.wwj.org.nz)
As the Jews had become more involved with the people around them, they had become influenced by their neighbours' lifestyles. Paul summed this up in his epistle to the Romans. God had made His ways known.....
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
but the people were led astray.....
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (Romans 1:21-7)
In New Testament times too, the original principle of a man and woman working together as one to raise a God-fearing family, was illustrated in the Biblical qualifications for eldership.....
6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. (Titus 1:6)
Today, the pattern continues. God's people are being overtly influenced by the world around us. To be sure, the consequences will be the same as in the past, if we do not mend our ways.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. Marriage for life is God's desired way. While, for many, that is not their situation today, God is able to forgive and give a new start.
2. We need to be diligent to avoid being caught up in modern humanist thinking promoting a wider, increasingly ungodly, range of family lifestyles.
3. Being disciples of Jesus in today's world is becoming increasingly difficult and will inevitably result in persecution, if it has not already.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Workers are Few (Matthew 9:35-8)
Talking to His disciples.
“The harvest is large, but there are only a few workers. Pray to the Lord of the harvest, and ask him to send more workers for his harvest.
Sending Out the Twelve (Matthew 10:1-42, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6)
After giving them spiritual authority and power.
“Don’t go to the foreigners, or to any Samaritan city. You are to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Wherever you go, tell the people, ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal those who are sick. Resurrect the dead. Cure the lepers. Drive out demons. You received freely, so give freely! Don’t carry any gold, silver, or copper coins in your pockets, or a bag for your journey, or two cloaks, or sandals, or a walking stick, for a worker deserves to be supported. Wherever you go, whatever town or village, ask for someone who lives according to good principles, and remain there until you leave. When you enter the house, give it your blessing. If the home deserves it, let your peace rest on it, but if it doesn’t deserve it, let your peace return to you.“If someone doesn’t welcome you, and refuses to listen to what you have to say, then leave that house or that town, shaking its dust off your feet as you go. I tell you the truth, it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah at the Day of Judgment than for that town!
“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Watch out for those who will hand you over to be tried by town councils and will whip you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, to witness to them and to the foreigners. But when they put you on trial, don’t worry about how you should speak or what you should say, because you’ll be told what to say at the right time. For it’s not you who will speak but the spirit of the Father will speak through you. Brother will betray brother and have him killed, and a father will do the same to his child. Children will rebel against their parents, and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because you follow me, but everyone who endures until the end will be saved.
“When you’re persecuted in one town, run away to the next. I’m telling the truth: you won’t finish going to the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes. Disciples are not more important than their teacher; servants are not more important than their master. Disciples should be satisfied to become like their teacher, and servants like their master. If the head of the house has been called the head demon Beelzebub, then the members of his household will be demonized even more! So don’t be frightened of them, for there’s nothing covered that won’t be exposed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known. 27What I tell you here in the dark, declare when it’s light, and what you hear whispered in your ear, shout from the rooftops. Don’t be afraid of those who can kill you physically, but can’t kill you spiritually. Instead, be afraid of the One who can destroy you physically and spiritually in the fires of destruction. Aren’t two sparrows sold for just one penny? But not a single one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing about it. Even the hairs on your head have all been counted. So don’t worry—you’re worth more than many sparrows!
“Anyone who publicly declares their commitment to me, I will also declare my commitment to them before my Father in heaven. But anyone who publicly denies me, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Don’t think I’ve come to bring peace on earth. I haven’t come to bring peace, but a sword. I’ve come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be those of your own family! If you love your father or mother more than me you don’t deserve to be mine, and if you love your son or daughter more than me you don’t deserve to be mine. 38If you don’t pick up your cross and follow me you don’t deserve to be mine. If you try to save your life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life because of me you will save it. Those who welcome you welcome me, and those who welcome me welcome the one that sent me. Those who welcome a prophet because that’s what they are will receive the same reward as a prophet. Those who welcome someone who does right will receive the same reward as someone who does right. I tell you the truth, those who give a drink of cool water to the least important of my disciples will definitely not miss out on their reward.”
The Disciples Return (Matthew 14:13, Mark 6:30-2, Luke 9:10, John 6:1)
With their news. Jesus takes them away from the crowd.
“Come with me, just yourselves. We’ll go to a quiet place, and rest for a while,”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 36
THE CORONA VIRUS
This is a hard Thought to write, for it goes against the natural me!
I have always been of the view that the Corona Virus is simply one of those things that happen. As the earth gets more and more populated it is likely that these rogue viruses will come more often, and become more widespread.
Of course man’s approach to fighting them is becoming more sophisticated all the time. A battle of the bugs’ v man! A part of the natural cycle of life. Now you may understand how all my paradigms were turned upside down when, out of the blue, so to speak, as I was spending time with the Lord, I got a huge shock.
For He told me that this Corona Virus was both a judgement and a test on mankind!
I was horrified, for my educated world was shattered in a moment!
He explained that it was a judgement on the many that had turned away and a test of the faith for those who remain true to Him.
I cannot say much more really, for my job is simply to pass His message to you.
What you make of it, what changes it make, if any, in your life and faith are up to you.
But for me it is a wakeup call that God is not happy with me and my logical explanations. He desires me to get closer to Him and listen to His voice before expressing my education based opinions.
I fully admit and apologize for my earlier statements that this was just another strain of flu. Events have proved me wrong. It is more serious than that, and a wakeup call from God for us to change our wicked ways.
Of course, the reaction of governments has been extreme also. The cost of saving lives now, particularly in the 70+ age group into which Kathy and I fall, is to burden future generations with a mountain of debt that will take a long time to repay.
While the science of health, of which we are part with our Kingdom Hospital, has done there thing in reducing the death toll, it has come at a terrible cost.
Whether it was worth it, future generations will judge.
And you can be sure looking back in history, when God’s judgement comes, it will return, if we do not change our ways and go back to Him.
Shurakini
(Thank You)
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CELEBRATING GOLD WITH CORONA
IT RAINED!!!!!
Either cats and dogs or floodlike blessings of the Holy Spirit, whichever you prefer!
Noahs flood proportions! The photo doesn't do it justice!
ALSO VISITED A CLOSED DOWN RESORT.....
.....because of lack of custom due to the virus.
We had a fun afternoon - after a challenging morning at the hospital!
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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
207. David was a godly man who sinned but remained godly. His son Solomon, a wise man who sinned and became foolish. His son Rehoboam, a foolish man who sinned and remained foolish.
305. The foolish can seek wisdom, the wise godliness, while the godly grow into the image of Christ.
306. The foolish rest content in hope, the wise find faith, while the godly unreservedly love both God and others.
427. The foolish seek nothing, the wise, 'to do', while the godly desire 'to be'.
484. The foolish lust after instant pleasure, the wise seeks knowledge, while the godly yearn for God's truth.
485. Laziness begets foolishness, knowledge wisdom, but the truth, godliness.
870. The foolish one looks inwards, the wise outwards, but the godly, upwards.
1273. The foolish give seeking earthly return, the wise, to build up treasures in heaven, while the godly give their all out of love for God, with no need of reward.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continues.....
....... as we go more deeply into stewardship.
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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. ***
407. The Evils of TV
A pastor was preaching an impassioned sermon on the evils of television.
"It steals away precious time that could be better spent on other things," he said.
He advised the congregation to do what he and his family had done.
"We put our TV away in the closet."
"That's right," his wife mumbled, "and it gets awfully crowded in there."
QWIK QWIP: “Life is what you make of it... kinda like Play-Doh”
408. Preaching
It's about two elderly excited women who were sitting together in the front pew of church with a fiery preacher. When this preacher condemned the sin of lust, these two ladies cried out at the top of their lungs..... AMEN... BROTHER!
When the preacher condemned the sin of stealing, they yelled again.... PREACH IT REVEREND!
And when the preacher condemned the sin of lying.... they jumped to their feet and screamed, RIGHT ON BROTHER.... TELL IT LIKE IT IS..... AMEN!
But when the preacher condemned the sin of gossip, the two got quiet and one turned to the other and said, "He's done quit preaching and now he's meddlin'."
QWIK QUIP: “The bubbling brook would lose its song if you removed the rocks.”
409. Sunday Service
The 2000 member church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The preacher was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered through the rear of the church. One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back of the church. They both then reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons.
The one in the middle announced, "EVERYONE WILLING TO TAKE A BULLET FOR JESUS STAY IN YOUR SEAT!"
Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choir. The deacons ran out the door, followed by the choir director and the assistant pastor.
After a few moments, there were about 20 people left sitting in the church. The preacher was holding steady in the pulpit.
The men put their weapons away and said, gently, to the preacher, "All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service."
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
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. (Psalm 97:1)
As we go through these tough times with Corona, wherever in the world we are, we need to remember the words of this famous Psalm, and the well known song also.
In this most unusual ocurence, all of us are effected to some degree.
Here in our area of Kenya the virus has not yet arrived but people fear coming to the hospital as they think they may catch the virus here. So the sick stay at home and get sicker. This is the same with hospitals and doctors around the world. The very people here to help are suffering financially greatly.Ironic really, when you think about it!
We will all have our individusl stories of how the virus has affected us personally.
Many are wondering where God is in this? Has He disappeared and deserted us?
Then we need to go back to the Word.....
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
Amen
Until next time.....
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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