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: 642 Published: 03 Feb 2014
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY?
THE POST APOSTOLIC CHURCHAgain I acknowledge that much of the material that follows is drawn from the excellent publication by Eddie L. Hyatt, 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity. For specific references to the writings quoted, please refer to that publication.
We now move on to the post-Reformation eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
1700-1900
METHODISM
JOHN WESLEY (1703-1791)
The son of an Anglican vicar and brilliant mother, John graduated from Oxford with the highest honours available and was ordained into the Anglican priesthood in 1728, aged 25.
While at Oxford he and his brother Charles founded a group which became known as Methodists, due to their disciplined, methodical approach to seeking God. It did not bring John peace to his soul.
After a failed missionary venture to Georgia, USA, he returned to Britain and continued his search. On 14 May, 1738, he found the inner assurance he had long sought at a reading of Luther's 'Preface to Romans', at a meeting in Aldersgate Street, London, declaring.....
I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sin, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.
This radically changed both his personal life and his ministry. Preaching justification by Christ alone, he was accepted by the masses but rejected by the church hierarchy, a rejection that continually stung him.
Supernatural phenomena followed. About an all night prayer meeting Wesley wrote in his 'Journal'.....
At about three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground...We broke out with one voice, "We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord."
As the churches continued to reject him, he found new avenues to minister, traveling on horseback throughout England, preaching in the open air. Multitudes were converted. The Holy Spirit confirmed the Word with healings, with deliverances and with unusual manifestations such as falling, trembling, roaring, crying and laughing. Healings took place too.
Interestingly, he was 'charged with enthusiasm' by an appropriately names 'Mr Church', particularly over the supernatural phenomena being experienced! Wesley responded.....
I do not recollect any Scripture wherein we are taught that miracles were to be confined within the limits either of the apostolic age or the Cyprian age, or of any period of time, longer or shorter, even till the restitution of all things.
A SECOND WORK OF GRACE
Wesley's primary revelation was his emphasis on an experience that Christians should seek subsequent to the new birth experience. He referred to this second experience as Christian perfection or entire sanctification. This was not sinless perfection. For Wesley, this experience consisted of God's love so filling the heart that the power of sin would be broken and holiness of life would result. While a sanctified person could still make mistakes, and even sin, the mistakes would be related to the mind and making poor judgments rather than wilful sins of the heart, being based on Hebrews 12:14 .....
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness [sanctification] without which no man shall see the Lord" (KJV)
JOHN FLETCHER (1729-1785)
Fletcher, an ordained Anglican priest, became the systematic theologian of early Methodism. His most important work was 'Checks to Antinomianism,' a defence of the Arminian theology of Wesley and a rebuttal of the Calvinistic branch of Methodism led by George Whitfield.
Quoting Eddie L Hyatt.....
Fletcher was widely read by nineteenth-century holiness advocates who also incorporated his Pentecostal language into their teaching and writing. Wesleyan terminology was thus replaced by his Pentecostal terminology. This helped set the stage for the twentieth-century Pentecostal movement that emerged out of the nineteenth-century Holiness movement. Early Methodism, a Charismatic movement in its own right, thus became the womb that gave birth to the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement of the twentieth century.
So we can continue to say.....
THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE ONES WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR LIVES.
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS continuedThe Lord has asked me to compile a publication of the words Jesus spoke, as recorded in the New Testament in chronological order. I have got about halfway, and have found it very enlightening and encouraging in my relationship with Him. The final version will have changes of layout and version used, but this is a foretaste of things to come. Of course, it is not a Bible substitute! I Hope you find it helpful too, in your walk with Jesus.
Discipline within the Church (Matthew 18:15-20)
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.â€
A Question About Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-35)
Peter asks Jesus how often sin is to be forgiven.
“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.â€
(Continued next week)
Read the NIV Bible online at.....
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
GENERAL201. Every time we forego excellence in favour of the average, we succeed in lowering the average.
202. A procrastinator would get a lot more done if they lived tomorrow, today.
203. To overcome procrastination, live tomorrow today.
214. A truly wise person is quick to listen but slow to answer.
248. Life experience has taught me that the most 'forthright' are more than likely to be the most 'forthwrong'.
249. Enthusiasm wins the sprint, perseverance the marathon, while enthusiastic perseverance maximises performance in the race of life.
250. Life experience has taught me that 'much fuss' hinders results while 'little fuss' reaps great rewards.
251. People find it much easier to find solutions to the problems of others than to face up to their own.
252. Strength is not a matter of opinions, but of purpose.
253. Many mean to 'find the way', but few seek 'The Way' to find life's answers.
274. An Olympic Gold Medal will soon tarnish, but God's reward is eternal.
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
THIS WEEK: THE 3 GARDENS OF GOD PLUS ANOTHER YET TO COMETHE GARDEN OF ETERNAL LIFE: A GARDEN OF REST
Moving from the hope of the resurrection to the reality of eternal life.
Let's have a look.
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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. ***
845. THE DRUGGIST
A young man went into the drug store and told the druggist he wanted to buy 3 boxes of candy; a one pound box, a 3 pound box, and a 5 pound box. The druggist brought the candy then asked, "I'm curious why you're getting 3 different boxes."
The young man replied, "I have a date tonight with a girl I've been wanting to date for months. I'm going to her house for dinner and, afterwards, if she goes out to sit with me on the swing, I'll give her the 1 pound box; if she lets me put my arm around her, I'll give her the 3 pound box, and if she lets me kiss her, I'll give her the 5 pound box." The druggist agreed that the plan was ingenious.
That night the boy arrived for dinner and, when they sat down to eat, the father asked the boy to ask the blessing. Well, the boy prayed and prayed and prayed until the girl had to elbow him to stop. Afterwards as they sat on the porch swing, the girl said, "I didn't know you were so religious." To which the young man replied, "And I didn't know your Daddy was the druggist."
.....Sermon Fodder and Joke A Day Ministries (http://www.sermonfodder.com) by way of AndyChaps "The Funnies" (andychaps_the-funnies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com) and "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)
844.ODD COD
We enjoyed our recent trip to England. The service was good and the food was much better than we had been told to expect.
When we ordered at a small fish and chips shop in the English Midlands, we couldn't believe the size of the portion of fish. It was unbelievably large and it was
even more delicious. It was truly wonderful, but how could they make money giving so much fish at such a
low price?
The shop's proprietor explained, "It's the piece of cod which passes all understanding."
Via Daily Humor... To Join: Daily-Humor-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
843. THE PREACHER AND THE PARROT
A preacher is buying a parrot. "Are you sure it doesn't scream, yell, or swear?" asked the preacher. "Oh absolutely. It's a religious parrot," the storekeeper assures him."Do you see those strings on his legs? When you pull the right one, he recites the Lord's prayer, and when you pull on the left he recites the 23rd Psalm.""Wonderful!" says the preacher, "but what happens if you pull both strings?" "I fall off my perch, idiot!" screeched the parrot."
" FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now 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 ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Are pigeons and doves of the same family?ANSWER: Yes, they're in the same family. But pigeons are the poor relations. They are pretty much looked down upon as city annoyances. But doves have become recognised as symbols of peace, and in Christianity, the Holy Spirit. The birds are so closely related, though, that some companies offering to release doves at a wedding are really using pigeons. The pigeon and dove family Columbidae consists of 309 species ranging from the sparrow-sized ground-dove, to turkey-sized crowned pigeons. (Is that deception the reason why marriages aren’t peaceful?)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Why do some animals have eyes that glow in the dark?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 745. SAVE ENERGY
If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee. (Many babies inherit this knowledge and are environmentally friendly(?) from birth.)
746. SAVE A LITTLE TOSAVE A LOT
American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first-class. (They could, of course, have achieved the same result by reusing all those that passengers, who didn’t like olives, left on their plates!)
747. EVERY SECOND COUNTS?
In 32 years. there are about 1 billion seconds! (2.5 billion in a lifetime. Now, what was I doing 184,973 seconds ago?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
SEVERED
Answer at the end of A David Musing
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA Or view all 1232 online at...
BIBLE FIRSTS
1: Which is the first book of the Bible to mention locusts?a. Leviticus
b. Exodus
c. Genesis
d. Joel
Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk
Heaps more fun and serious 'God Facts' are found at...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""!!!!!!! A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something.
!!!!!! When you became a Christian, God didn't call you to a playground, but a battleground!
!!!!! Sin will keep you from the Bible ~ but the Bible will keep you from sin.
!!!! Co-operate! Remember the banana ~ every time it leaves the bunch it gets skinned.
!!! Success comes in cans: Failure comes in can'ts.
!! To be the picture of health, be in a good frame of mind.
! We have two ears and only one tongue, in order that we may hear more and speak less.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
PETS RULE
64. RIGHTLY MAD!"Hello, Animal Control?" the excited spinster said into the phone. "I need some officers here right away. There are 30 dogs on my front lawn."
"I see." said the dispatcher. "Can you tell if any of them are mad?"
"Well," she said "28 of them are. The other two are busy eating the postman and they won't share.."
65. A TALKING DOG?
A guy walks into a talent agency with a dog, and says "I've got a great act...my dog can actually talk."
"Surrrre he can," replies the talent agent, "prove it."
So the fellow asks the dog, "What is on top of a building?" "Roof, roof!" the dog replies.
"What does sandpaper feel like?" "Rough, rough!" the dog replies.
The talent agent starts to get impatient as the man asks his dog, "Who was the greatest baseball player of all time?" "Ruth, Ruth!" says the dog.
Instantly the talent agent throws open the door, and kicks the pair out of his office.
After a few seconds, the dog looks up at his master and says, "Should I have said DiMaggio?"
66. YOU GOTTA HELP ME!
There once was a lady who was very concerned about her missing parrot. Not knowing what to do, she called 911. "You gotta help me find my parrot!"
The operator patiently replied, "We can't help you with that, ma'am. This number only deals with emergencies." But the lady persisted, and then the operator told her not to be concerned, that the parrot should fly back in a few days. Then, out of desperation, the lady begged, "But you don't understand! The only thing he says is "Here, kitty, kitty!!!"
Pets rule your family here.....
More Than 2 Million Indicate Accepting Christ as Savior Through Billy Graham Association Operated Website in 2013
By Jeremy ReynaldsSenior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ANS) -- Approximately 10.5 million people worldwide in 2013 visited the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's (BGEA) PeaceWithGod.net website.
According to a news release from BGEA, more than 2 million of those individuals indicated making a commitment to Christ after viewing the message.
The evangelistic site, part of BGEA's Search for Jesus Internet ministry, uses Bible scripture, video presentations and live chats to share the Gospel with visitors to the site.
Since the site was launched in May 2011, more than 19 million people have viewed the Gospel presentation, with nearly 4 million responding to the message.
Additionally, hundreds of thousands have submitted their contact information to BGEA in order to receive follow up and ongoing training in their new faith.
“The numbers are hard to fathom, frankly. They're exciting, but difficult to really grasp or comprehend,†said John Cass, BGEA's Director of Internet Evangelism, speaking in the news release.
He continued, “However, on a daily basis I get the opportunity to read through transcripts of the chats taking place between visitors to our site and our trained volunteer counselors, and I can tell you that the world is being impacted for Christ.â€
Cass added, “What we see as a number may be the Filipina woman working in a Chinese home when she stumbled upon the site and finally realized the truth of repentance and forgiveness. Or it may be the man in his 30's who was up early one morning to look at adult websites, but instead stumbled upon PeaceWithGod.net and ultimately gave his life to Christ. These people aren't just numbers, but real, hurting individuals who finally found hope.â€
The news release said the online ministry is strengthened by a network of more than 300 trained volunteers ranging in age from 20-somethings to octogenarians. They’re from all walks of life and have committed to assist those looking for answers in life.
“They take the online interaction and make it a much more personal one-on-one experience,†said Cass. “They chat with people on PeaceWithGod.net, guide them through a free online discipleship course, and respond to spiritual questions by e-mail.â€
Additional information on BGEA's Internet Evangelism efforts can be found at www.SearchforJesus.net.
Source: Assist News Service
Via: OpenHeaven.com
DAVID'S DOWNLOAD
A REVELATION OF... DIVIDING THE WATERSA revelation based upon the 3 times the waters were divided in the Bible (The Red Sea with Moses, The River Jordan with Joshua and The River Jordan again with Elijah and Elisha.) and their meanings for the restoration of God's church in these end times.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Yes, today's choices affect our eternal destiny. This poem just came to me as I was writing the PGIM newsletter. Aimed at me - aimed at you!CHOICE
Come into my parlour said the spider to the fly,
Delicious treats are in here for you to try!
Should I go in, or should I stay out?
Want to find out, what it's all about!
So into the parlour I go,
Looks delicious, I know,
The web is so sparkling white,
On it, I alight with delight.
Now I go to lift my front leg,
Stuck - locked as with a peg!
I struggle my leg to release,
By now, having lost my peace.
Shouldn't have come in!
Knew it twas a sin!
Now can't get away!
Am here to stay!
My energy does all go,
I'm in my dying throe!
Be you all warned,
About sin scorned!
Or you'll end up here just like me,
Death in a web, don't you see!
But Jesus came, His forgiveness to give,
By repentance, through Him, we can live.
So when you are caught in the enticing web of life,
Call out to Him, to extract you from your strife.
Then away from that larder undertake to stay,
And He will remain with you all of the day,
Instead of the web, in His kingdom do play,
When temptation comes, to Him let us pray.
The web of life, is very nice,
Seems full of fun and spice,
But it will get you and me in the end,
Eternity in hell we will spend,
Unless we turn and walk the other way,
Then with Jesus we may forever stay.
Life all is about choice,
How to use our voice?
In praising Him,
Or seeped in sin?
Yes, about this life we do muse,
But what, will you and I, choose?
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Have been busy this week finishing our new shop, getting it ready for our first shipment of clothes which will arrive in 2 weeks time. All finished on Saturday. Amazing for us to get something finished ahead of time, as we usually work to tight schedules!In the meantime my wife Kathy, as her British holiday nears its end, has hopped over to Italy for a day to see our new clothing suppliers. Fortunately she was most impressed with what she saw!
During the week we also received our shipment of beautiful Swarovski element (Austrian crystal) jewellery, which also lived up to expectations. So we are ready to go, once the clothing arrives.
Kathy has had a most enjoyable family time with out 2 sons, partners and grandchildren, who live in the UK. It will be very nice to have her home again on Tuesday.
Families are at the heart of God. Both in terms of our relationship with Jesus and other believers, and as the foundational principle of society. May we seek to build family relationships today.
So until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: DESERVE
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' b. Exodus (Exodus 10:4)
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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!
For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz