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: 721 Published: 24 Aug 2015
THE PURGING of THE CHURCH
The Lord has led me to go back to a sermon/prophecy I received in a group mailing, and filed, some time ago. It is by David Wilkerson.David was the Founding Pastor of Times Square Church in New York City. He was called to New York in 1958 to minister to gang members and drug addicts, as told in the best-selling book, The Cross and the Switchblade.
After the introduction, he gave 11 bullet points about THE GLORIOUS FUTURE JUST AHEAD. As the Lord leads, I will expand on these challenging but inspiring aspects over the weeks ahead.
8. A tested, tried people, once again devoted to the Person of Jesus Christ!
I live in a society here in New Zealand where 'health and safety' rules above all! The rules and regulations applying to workplace safety are so extreme, that common-sense has departed out the door. Children are so protected, by regulations and over protective parents, that risk taking is is no longer in our vocabulary. Yet risk taking, so learning where boundaries are, is a part of maturing to become well rounded people. Phew! Got that off my chest! Without developing RSI (Repetitive strain injury)!
Why I mentioned it though, is that this mind attitude has crept into all life, including our spiritual journey. We all look for comfort. We are risk averse. But God is not! He leads us through trials and testings, 'Through the valley of the shadow of death", in order to bring us into a deeper and closer relationship with Him.
Reality is, if you want a peaceful, comfortable life, do not give your heart to Jesus! I know that this goes against a lot of modern teaching, of the 'Father Christmas', easy Christianity theology, I mentioned earlier. But it is the truth. Jesus himself said.....
34 ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn ‘“a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.â€37 ‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-38)
We are to lose our life for Jesus! And take on the character of our Lord. That is the purpose of the ministry giftings of Ephesians.....
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13) (all emphasis mine)
My experience has been one over the years of financial trials, the first of which brought me to Jesus, and those after that closer to Him. Do I enjoy financial problems? No! But I do know that for me personally, they have helped meld my character to what it is today. Had I continued to have ongoing business success, I know pride and self-sufficiency would have been at the centre of my soul.
James wrote about this.....
Trials and temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
Peter too, talked about trails building faith.....
5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:5-7)
Persecution is also a means of developing faith. Jesus set it out plainly that we would be persecuted for our faith.....
‘Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. (Matthew 24:9)
Paul experienced huge persecution during his life. He told Timothy.....
11 persecutions, sufferings – what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:11-13)
Devotion to Jesus, as we can see, is developed through trials. testing, and yes, persecution, in our lives.
Are we prepared to pay the price?
(Continued next week.)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUSMay we hear what the Lord is saying to us.
Zeal Without Understanding (, Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50)
John asking about an unknown man healing in the name of Jesus.
“Don’t stop him,†“For no one who is doing miracles in my name can curse me at the same moment. Anyone who is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives a cup of water to you in my name, because you belong to Christ, won’t lose their reward, believe me.
Causing Others to Sin (Matthew 18:7-11, Mark 9:42-7)
The cost of sin.
“But if anyone leads one of these little ones who trust in me into sin, it would be better for them if they were thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around their neck. If your hand leads you to sin, cut it off! It’s better to enter eternal life as a cripple than to go with both hands into Gehenna, into the fire that can’t be put out. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It’s better to enter eternal life lame than to be thrown into Gehenna still having two feet. If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out! It’s better to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown into Gehenna still having both eyes, where the worm doesn’t die and the fire never goes out. Everybody will be ‘salted’ by fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its taste, how could you make it salty again? You need to be like salt, and live in peace with one another.â€
Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14)
Make sure you don’t look down on these little ones. I tell you that in heaven their angels are always with my heavenly Father. What do you think about this? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that’s lost? And if he finds it, I tell you he really rejoices over that sheep more than the ninety-nine that didn’t get lost. In the same way my heavenly Father does not want any of these little ones to be lost.
(Continued next week.)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' NOW 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
GENERAL250. 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.
286. An inspiration lasts for but a moment. An inspiration written down can bless others for generations.
287. If all those godly inspirations lost to memory had been recorded, we would now be much greater in wisdom. Also in filing cabinets!
293. Without challenges there can be no accomplishments.
367. FOR SALE - Free mansions in the sky. Over 1.5 billion sold but still a few left. All enquiries to Jesus.
428. Our human desire is 'to do', but God wants us 'to be'.
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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 4. CHARACTERISTICS OF KINGDOM PEOPLEWe commence a 2 part look at 'the seemingly impossible' unity of Spirit!
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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. ***
216. LETTERS TO THE PASTOR
Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister.
Yours sincerely, Arnold, Age 8, Nashville.
Dear Pastor, Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson.
Sincerely, Pete, Age 9, Phoenix.
Dear Pastor, My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.
Robert Anderson, Age 11, Miami.
Dear Pastor, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance?
Love, Patty, Age 10, New Haven.
Dear Pastor, My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold.
Yours truly, Annette, Age 9, Albany.
Dear Pastor, I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there.
Stephen, Age 8, Chicago.
Dear Pastor, I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.
Loreen, Age 9, Tacoma.
Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon where you said that good health is more important than money but I still want a raise in my allowance.
Sincerely, Eleanor, Age 12, Sarasota.
Dear Pastor, Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow.
Laurie, Age 10, New York City.
Dear Pastor, I hope to go to heaven some day but later than sooner.
Love, Ellen, Age 9, Athens.
Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher.
Thank you, Alexander, Age 10, Raleigh.
Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.
Joshua, Age 10, South Pasadena.
Dear Pastor, Who does God pray to? Is there a God for God?
Sincerely, Christopher, Age 9, Titusville.
Dear Pastor, Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.
Carla, Age 10, Salina.
Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished.
Ralph, Age 11, Akron.
Dear Pastor, How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers?
Sincerely, Marie, Age 9, Lewiston.
215. THE OPTIMIST CAN'T WIN
Two friends, one an optimist, the other a pessimist, argued constantly from their own perspectives.
Finally, the optimist decided to win his friend over by taking him hunting. The two stood by the side of a small pond when a pheasant took to the wing. The optimist's shot was accurate, and the bird fluttered down onto the pond. An order was given, and the optimist's dog quickly ran across the water and brought back the fallen bird.
"So, what do you think about that?" asked the optimist.
The pessimist was quick with his answer,
"Well, I guess the poor dog doesn't know how to swim."
"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: How can birds sit on electric wires without being injured?ANSWER: It's simple. In order to be electrocuted, the bird would have to touch two wires simultaneously or one hot wire and the ground at the same time. One wire won't do it. (You got it? The logic, not the wire.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What happened to Pontius Pilate after he sentenced Christ to be crucified?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS 516. MISPRONOUNCIATION
The correct pronunciation for Dr Seuss rhymes with ‘rejoice’. (Of ‘coise’!)
517. POISE
Elephants walk on tiptoe as the back of their foot is made only of fat and no bone. (Come tiptoe through the tulips with me…)
518. RED EARS
When angry, the ears of the Tasmanian Devil turn pinkish red. (Is that because it is swearing at itself?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
TINNER
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...
WHICH BOOK?
17: …is the 50th book?a. James
b. 1 Timothy
c. 2 Corinthians
d. Philippians
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"""!!!!!!! Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening.
!!!!!! Measure your wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have for which you would not take money.
!!!!! On your birthday, send a thank you card to your mom.
!!!! The best mirror is an good friend.
!!! The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail and not his tongue.
!! There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 AM. It could be a right number.
! When people complain that they don't get what they deserve, they don't know how fortunate they are.
100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
221. WHAT'S YOUR NAME?One weekend my friend Sally, a nurse, was looking after her six-year-old nephew when he fell off a playground slide and hit his head. Worried that he might have a concussion, she checked him all night. Every hour, she'd gently shake him and ask, "What's your name?"
Soon, he began moaning in protest each time she entered the room. When Sally went in at 5:00 A.M., she found something white on his forehead. Leaning close, she saw a crayon-scrawled message taped to his forehead. It read: "My name is Daniel."
222. BRIEF
My sister-in-law Bonnie was very busy one day working in her house. She had just gotten to the basement after quite a few trips up and down when she heard the telephone ring upstairs. Tiredly, she ran back up the stairs only to hear a solicitor on the other end.
"Hello, is this Bonnie D?"
"Yes."
"We are calling people in your area and would like to know if you would help us by participating in a brief survey."
Without missing a beat, she told them... "I'm very busy right now. You will have to survey your own briefs."
223. ACCESSORIES
My mom got mad at my dad the other day and went shopping to relieve her irritation...
When she returned home she informed him that she had purchased ten new dresses...
"Ten!" he hollered, "What could any woman want with ten new dresses??"
My mom calmly replied, "Ten new pairs of shoes."
224. THE RIGHT PLACE
My family physician told me of an incident that actually happened to him back in the early days of his practice. He said a woman brought her baby to see him, and he determined right away that the baby had an earache. He wrote a prescription for ear drops. In the directions he wrote, "Put two drops in right ear every four hours" and he abbreviated "right" as an R with a circle around it. Several days passed, and the woman returned with her baby, complaining that the baby still had an earache, and his little behind was getting really greasy with all those drops of oil.
The doctor looked at the bottle of ear drops and sure enough, the pharmacist had typed the following instructions on the label: "Put two drops in R ear every four hours."
Have a laugh at life here.....
DAVID'S DOWNLOADS
A REVELATION OF…….REVELATION 12:11How to 'walk with Jesus.' The verse upon which this ministry is based. The first revelation received by David Tait, introducing him to ministry.
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WAXING LYRICAL
Playing with words (other than 'munting' them for TXT messages) is both fun and meaningful.WORDPLAY
God is good.
Good is God.
Rather the Father.
To pray and obey.
No time to bide.
In Him abide.
There's the sun.
Here's the Son.
Vie, try, sigh.
Die, guy, high!
Bye, bye!!!
More of David's poetry here.....
A DAVID MUSING
Catch up soon!So until next time.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: UNNAMED
TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' d. Philippians
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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