A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
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Issue No: 933 Published: 09 Sep 2019
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
FAITH
Greek (Western)
We see faith as being intellectual. We express faith in creeds and doctrine, using support texts to support and prove our beliefs.
This speaks particularly of men, especially those with a theological interest or training, who primarily happen to be the ones in ministry and those of major influence in churches and denominations. Unfortunately creeds and doctrines differ, depending upon the supporting texts used and human interpretation of them. This gives rise to division in the church. These people concentrate on the Epistles, for the foundations of doctrine are found there.
Women, on the other hand, both in the natural and the spiritual, are much more relational. We will see shortly, that this is more akin to the Hebrew approach to faith. This helps explain why 2/3 of the church is women and that they are more ecumenical than men, for they look at things from a different perspective.
While theology, organisation and order have their place, they are currently given too much focus over and above a genuine relationship with Jesus.
Eastern (Hebrew)
Hebrews see faith as relational and personal. They express faith in terms of their relationship with God rather than as a rationalisation.
There are two occasions recorded in the Gospels, interestingly both involving Gentiles, which Jesus used to show the Jews who had lost faith, what faith is all about. These are.....
The Faith of the Centurion
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour. (Matthew 8:5-13)
And.....
The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” 25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. 26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21-28)
Faith comes through relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, not by observance of the Law (or having 'correct' theology).
10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:10-14)
A TESTIMONY FROM DAVID My faith has been built upon experiences where I have had to trust the Lord, not upon theological learning. The most memorable one for me, which has carried me through more recent difficult times, was when I went to Africa for 2 months on 50 cents a day! Had I thought about it rationally, I wouldn't have gone! I spent all but $2 of my $30 during the first week, then the Lord starting providing. I left Africa 7 weeks later 'cent-less' but having been provided for, for the time I was there. My faith was increased dramatically through this amazing experiential relationship with Jesus!
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. We talk about being 'born again', about developing a personal relationship with Jesus, then argue about a pre, mid or post-trib rapture! No wonder so many quickly lose faith! We need a new emphasis on discipleship, a sharing of day to day life experience, to build up personal faith experiences in new believers.
2. The church needs to understand that relationship - with Jesus and each other - is more important than fine points of theology, about which there will always be disagreement.
3. Individually, we need to spend time with Jesus, being prepared to listen to Him, letting Him change our life, and be prepared to take risks, to step out in faith, as He guides us.
4. To understand that trust, not logic, is the true foundation of faith.
(To be continued next week.)
Acknowledgement: http://www.followtherabbi.com
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19, 26:12-18)
Where Jesus spoke supernaturally to Him.
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It’s hard for you to fight against me!”
“‘I am Jesus, the one you’re persecuting,’ ‘But pick yourself up and get to your feet. The reason why I’ve appeared to you is to appoint you as my servant, to be a witness for me, telling others how you have seen me and everything I will reveal to you. I will save you from you own people and from the foreigners. I am sending you to them to open their eyes so they can turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to
God, and so that they can receive forgiveness for their sins and a place with those who are set right as they trust in me.’
And to Ananias.
“Ananias!”
“Get up, and go to Straight Street,” the Lord told him. “Ask at Judas’ house for someone called Saul, from
Tarsus. He’s praying. He’s seen in vision a man called Ananias come and place his hands on him so he can regain his sight.”
Who protested.
“Get on your way, because he is the person I have chosen to take my name to foreigners and kings, as well as to Israel. I will show him what he’ll have to suffer for my name’s sake.”
Paul’s Vision and Thorn (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)
Paul asks for his ‘thorn’ to be taken away.
“My grace is all you will need, for my power is effective in weakness.”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT - Issue 9
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 9
The art of intercession is something almost unknown in today’s church world.
Intercession is different to prayer. In prayer, we are in control, praising God (hopefully) and taking our needs and wants to Him. A very small percentage of us will listen to what He has to say to us. In reality, it is mostly about us
Intercession however, is all about God. In intercession we pray as God through the Holy Spirit, leads. It is not about us but all about God. In intercession, as we wait upon Him, He shows us what to pray. God is in charge. My experience has been that the things prayed for will be completely outside our sphere of life. We are bringing His desires into action through our submission to Him.
I realize that, for many people, this will be outside their understanding and experience.
We mostly think that the church is all about us, which is so far from the truth. The church is Gods. Ministries are to be Gods, which He gives to us to operate on His behalf. People who call their ministry (God’s ministry through them) by their own name are so wrong. There is no such thing as ‘my church’ or ‘my people’. All belongs, or should belong, to God.
Our church is inward focused, rather than seeking God and giving Him the glory. Go to any church elders or deacons meeting, and that self will be most evident.
Nor is there any such thing as ‘my vision’. Sure, God gives visions, but if they are truly of Him, they are ‘His visions’ that you have been privileged to be given to implement.
How to do these things relate to intercession? Simple. In all things, we are to seek God and give Him all the glory for the results. Try it and see the difference it makes!
Shukrani
(Thank You)
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
FOR MORE DETAILED AND REGULAR UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
AN EYE 4 Africa - https://www.facebook.com/aneye4africa/
AN EXCITING DAY FOR US!!!
Our Slit Lamp is assembled!
Assembled by Kathy, with some help from David. Then Andrew, our Optometrist friend, set up the motorized table on which the lamp sits, used for adjusting the height of the Slit Lamp to that of the customer.
Our Eye Clinical Officer Jacqui, tests the lamp out on a customer.
If at first you don't succeed - read the instructions! Kathy and Andrew at work.
A close up view! Andrew inspecting the eyes of Zac, our Accountant/Administrator who runs the hospital.
The slit Lamp itself.
A huge thanks to our donor, Niall McCormack of Specsavers Hastings, New Zealand, and his Trust, that is raising money for our eye hospital. Niall has visited us and is very willing to talk about Africa and the hospital to any group in the Bay, or perhaps further afield, who may be interested. Thank you so much Niall, and please support Specsavers Hastings if you need glasses etc, - or you could come to Kenya and see us, of course!
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
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***DAILY EZINE!*** 'DAVID'S DAILY DOODLINGS' Subscribe Today
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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.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
902. Religion breeds division, revelation, unity of Spirit.
903. Religion claims to be truth, revelation is truth revealed.
904. Religion panders to people, revelation reveals God's truth.
905. Religious love is a theory, revelatory love an experience.
906. As soon as man starts interpreting revelation, you get religion.
907. Revelation expands, religion contracts.
908. Revelation builds, religion demolishes.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF... GOD'S CALL TO HIS CHURCH continues
as we look at a change of focus required in 2 areas in the church.
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link lao--on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done!
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. ***
QWIK QWIP: “It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.”
311. Explaining God
A teacher gave her third grade class an assignment to write essays on the topic, "Explain God." The following was turned in by one of her 8-year-old students...
One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth.
He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way, He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to Moms and Dads.
God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times besides bedtime and meals. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or watch TV because of this.
Because God hears everything there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off.
God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy, so you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your Mom and Dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.
Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any that come to our church.
Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and doing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him.
Jesus was good and kind like His Father and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said OKAY.
Jesus’ Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore, He could stay in heaven. So He did. Now Jesus helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary only more important.
You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to hear you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.
You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong! And, besides, the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.
If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim very good and get thrown into real deep water by big kids.
But you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases.
And that's why I believe in God.
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
Or read them all online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!
I am just writing this for no specific reason, other than that it is true!
Whether things are going well or not so well, in our opinion, God is always there, 24/7.
Although it may not seem so at the time, when you look back you can see God's hand in what we have been through.
Jesus did not promise us an easy life, just the reverse in fact. But when we are are faithful to Him, He is faithful to us in the midst of our difficulties and challenges.
The illustration, Footprints, of only a single pair of footprints on the sand, for God carrying is carrying us, is so true when we place all our faith and trust in Him.
He is waiting for you and me today, to place our all in His hands.
Indeed, great is His faithfulness to those fully sold out to Him.
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
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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.
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Ahuriri
Napier
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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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