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: 1158 Published: 25 Dec 2023
A REVELATION OF....... HOLINESS
APPLICATION OF HOLINESS TO OUR LIVES (Revelation 12:11 ) Part 2
Last week we looked at the the 1st 2 parts of Revelation 12:11. The walk to holiness starts with the salvation of Jesus, follows on to the release of the Holy Spirit as our teacher and guide. The final requirement is dealt with today.....
OBEDIENCE EVEN UNTO DEATH (The Father)
The ultimate goal of the mature Christian is holiness, becoming like Jesus. The key difference in His life to ours was his 100%, absolute obedience to the will of God the Father - even though it would ultimately cost Him his life. This is perfectly illustrated in the hours before His death.
"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.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 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.”" (Matthew 26:36-39)
Yes, Jesus was literally prepared to sacrifice His life for the Fathers will. So too, we are to deny our own human desires, to do His will. For most of us this, at least until now, has not required literal martyrdom. However, it's equally difficult living a life of total obedience as it is facing death for the cause. So for most of us, the death talked about in this verse is 'death to self.' It is hard and it is painful, but it reaps the richest of rewards.
"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:7-11)
And confirmed in:
“The mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (v16) Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 8:6-8,16)
And which forms the basis of the Golden Rule, the 'new commandment' of Jesus.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).
Yes, the precious ones throughout the ages who have sought holiness, those who have been prepared to commit their all to Jesus by doing the Fathers will as revealed by the Holy Spirit, are those whom truly display God's 'love.' These are the hearts that God truly desires. For 'love' is the greatest of all.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Holiness is built upon love. And true love is the sacrifice of self to God's will, serving the needs of others.
SUMMARY:
Holiness cannot be attained in an instant, but grows within us as we truly learn to submit our will to God the Father, as Jesus did. It isn't a matter of following rules, but rather, reflecting Jesus. He sacrificed His life for others while living, and was obedient to His Father, unto death. He overcame satan, and we are to follow experientially in His footsteps. Truly learning to walk in holiness.
(Continued next week)
FROM THE WORD
THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF JESUS
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. (Luke 18:9-14)
Spoken to some self righteous Pharisees.
“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed to himself, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—cheats, criminals, adulterers— or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithe on my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even look up to heaven. Instead he beat his chest and prayed, ‘God, please be merciful to me. I am a sinner.’
“I tell you, it was this man who went home right in God’s sight and not the other. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Divorce (Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:1-9)
Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees.
“Haven’t you read that God who created people in the beginning made them male and female?
He said, ‘This is the reason a man will leave his father and mother, and join with his wife, and the two shall become one. Now they’re no longer two, but one. What God has joined together no one should separate.”
Then asked why Moses permitted divorce.
“Because of your hard-hearted attitude Moses permitted you to divorce your wives, but it wasn’t like that in the beginning,” “I tell you, anyone who divorces his wife except on the grounds of sexual immorality and then marries another woman, commits adultery.”
The disciples also thought the teaching was too difficult.
“Not everyone can accept this instruction, only those it’s given to,” “Some are born as eunuchs, some are made eunuchs by men, and some choose to be eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Those who can accept this should accept it.”
Jesus Blesses the Children (Matthew 19:10-12, Mark 10:3-16, Luke 18:15-17)
When the disciples rebuked them for approaching Jesus.
“Let the children come to me! Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t welcome the kingdom of God like a child won’t enter it.”
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*DAVID"S DOODLINGS
Enjoy some of David's sayings here, plus 1300 more on the website at.....
'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
702. In God's dictionary, 'doing' follows 'being'.
703. 'To do' is simply living out our 'to be'.
704. If 'to do' does not follow out of our 'to be', then our 'to be' is 'not to be'!
705. 'To be' a witness is 'to do' God's will.
706. We are first called 'to be', then 'to do'.
707. Too often we try 'to do' when God is simply calling us 'to be'.
708. 'To do' good, it is best 'to be' good!
709. To best know what 'to do', we must first learn how 'to be'.
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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
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'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
Another laugh or three for you today
Many more on our website below. Also many, may, many more under these categories on our website, wwj,org,nz Look under the heading MAINLY LAUGHS. Choose from.....
THIS WEEKS TUESDAY TEACHING.....
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... DIVIDING THE WATERS (part 4)
We summarize the 12 features and look at the principle message for today from the crossing of the Red Sea.
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
443. Misplaced Identity
A Sunday School teacher asked a little boy, "Bobby, do you believe in the devil?"
"No," said the little boy. "He's just like Santa Claus. I think it's my daddy."
444. Too Busy
So few people know the Bible nowadays!
I was standing downtown waiting on a bus. It was raining cats and dogs. A lady was standing next to me so I tried to be friendly and make conversation. 'If it keeps it up, we'll all have to buy an ark," I said.
"What's an ark?" she asked.
'You mean you haven't heard about Noah and the great flood and all those animals?" I asked incredulously.
"Look, mister," she replied, "I've only been in town for four days. I've scarcely had time to read a paper."
QWIK QWIP: “In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him” - Derek Bruce
445. Every Word.
One Sunday morning, after attending church services in Hartford, Connecticut, Mark Twain said to Dr. Doane, the minister: "I enjoyed your services this morning, doctor. I welcomed it like an old friend.
I have, you know, a book at home containing every word of it."
"You have not," said the indignant Dr. Doane. "I have so,"
countered Twain. "Then send it to me. I'd very much like to see it."
"I'll send it," promised Mark and the following day he sent the Reverend Dr. Doane an unabridged dictionary.
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
NEW YEAR BLESSINGS
Once again, a new year is upon us.
With age, they seem to arrive faster and faster, for they represent a shorter part of one's life.
Birthdays and Christmas comes round so slowly for kids, but too quickly as we grow in years.
It is fair to say that 2023 has been a difficult year around the world, and most are looking forward to its end.
Unfortunately, we base our impression of the year primarily on worldly materialism, politics, wars, climate etc..
Many Christians too, are looking forward to a big revival in end times.
However, my Bible says that the Word will spread the Word round all the world, yes, but we need to expect greater persecution at the same time. History shows us that the church thrives under persecution. So, God's ends are achieved in a way we don't want or expect.
There is, and will be even more, a falling away from the traditional church system as we know it but there will be a great growth in true followers of Jesus who are prepared to give their all to our Lord and Master.
I wish you a successful new year in your search for a greater understanding of and commitment to our God.
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 website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webuye 50205
Kenya
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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