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: 1 Published: 21 Oct 2001
ONE MONTH ON.....
... from the terrorist attacks in the US and one week into the promised American reprisals, it is time for us, the world-wide Christian community, to carefully and prayerfully consider this new situation we ourselves in.Inevitably, within the 'church', there will be those who strongly agree with reprisals, others who are ambivalent, while some will strongly oppose them. And we all have valid scriptural beliefs upon which our opinions are based!
Whatever our views about these events, and governmental responses to them, there is more general agreement that the spiritual battle, for the hearts and minds of people world-wide, has markedly intensified since the tragedies of September 11.
Our spiritual response therefore, must be both definite and unifying. For the Bible tells us that we are to:
1. PRAY extensively and intensively. For prayer, fasting and the implementation of 'The Word' in our lives, are our primary weapons of spiritual warfare.
2. WITNESS to the hope of salvation in Jesus, throughout the whole world.
3. HELP others, through application of the 'love principle', upon which effective Christianity has always been based.
With the imminent onset of winter in Afghanistan, a massive relief effort is necessary if a huge, human tragedy is to be avoided. The concern and more importantly, the reaction of Christians to this critical situation, rates as our first and greatest opportunity to witness to the reality of our faith. Not only to these desperate people, but to the whole world, in particular many Moslem communities. For the eyes of a suspicious and critical world are upon 'the church' at this time. Let us respond by working together through our amazing Aid Agencies, by political means, and through prayer, to be the witness of Jesus to the world it so needs, in this crucial hour.
OCTOBER IS 'PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH' IN THE USA
A great idea! What about others countries? Why not a missionary month too?'Praise God It's Monday' offers appreciation and encouragement to all those in Christian ministry at the start of the working week, 52 weeks a year. It's Sunday afternoon in Australia & New Zealand, Saturday evening in the US & Canada, very early Sunday morning in the UK and Europe, yet still Saturday afternoon in Nuie & American Samoa, which ironically, are not too far away from New Zealand! It's a big, small world we live in! As it takes 40-50 hours to send these, we hope you receive yours near the right time. Due to technical problems last week, distribution was limited. Some articles therefore, have been repeated.
Life in ministry, while heavenly rewarding, can be humanly tiring. From archbishop to receptionist, from pastor to missionary to cell group leader, all need a little support, recognition and gratitude, to help make the constant giving out of ones self, in the Lord's cause, that much easier and more effective. PGIM is here to say 'thank you' to you, with some refreshing 'Faith, Facts and Fun' on a Monday morning. You can find out a little more about us on ...
FROM THE WORD
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:12-14)"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11)
FEAR OR FAITH?
In New Zealand, a long 17 hours flying time from New York and Washington, our postal system has been semi-paralysed for most of the past week, as a result of up to seven hoax anthrax scares. While the mentality of the ‘hoaxers’ is a matter of doubt, the much greater concerns have been the ‘flow on’ effects upon ordinary life (I am still waiting for that promised cheque in the mail!) and particularly, in the logically irrational fears surfacing amongst many people. Why? I asked the Lord. He gave me two definitions , or ‘doodlings’ that helped explain things to me.Firstly, why should the very limited threat posed by anthrax, when compared to driving a car or crossing a road, bring about this unnaturally fearful reaction in otherwise rational people? He showed me.
“FEAR is the inability to affect the unknown.”
When we drive a car or cross the road we feel, however erroneously, that we have the ability to control the potential dangers we face. This of course, is not the case with germ warfare. So fear grows.
As Christian leaders however, we have the opportunity to witness, through our lives, to our fearful friends, because our reaction is to be different to theirs. This is where our faith comes in. For…
“FAITH is the ability to prevent the unknown affecting you.”
Rationally, we are no more or less immune to the physical affects of germ warfare than anyone else, but we do have a future hope that others lack. One that should reflect in the way we face potential biological warfare threats. Two more ‘doodlings’ may be of help.
“ULTIMATE FEAR is the uncertainty of future hope when death threatens.”
“ULTIMATE FAITH is the certain hope of life after death.”
This ‘ultimate faith’ is the assurance that has overcome fear for every Christian Martyr since the time of Jesus, and is still our true inheritance today. Let’s live it, shall we?
DAVID’S DOODLINGS
"A foolish man speaks before he thinks, a wise man thinks before he speaks, but a godly man lets his life speak for him.""It’s easy to be wise in theory, but a lot more difficult in practise!"
For more David sayings check out...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
***When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.***Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething.
***Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.
***To some people, religious freedom means a choice of churches to stay home from.
***One who boasts of being a self-made person relieves the Lord of a lot of responsibility.
***Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.
***Was Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark?
There are many more fun and thoughtful thoughts at
FREE AUDIO 'TAPE OF THE WEEK'
In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministries (http://www.inspirational.org.nz) we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge!"FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD"
Floyd McClung
Floyd, along with wife Sally, are Directors of YWAM in the USA. They are seeking increased holiness, purity and the fear of God in their lives.
Order your free tape today at...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO CAN LAUGH AT THEMSELVES, FOR THEY WILL NEVER CEASE TO BE AMUSED***Nine year old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.
"Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie - talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."
"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.
"Well, no, Mom. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"
(God's way was the better one! A lesson for our time?)
More 'church humour' at...
FACTS FOR FUN
The answer to last weeks question. "The Bible is the world's best seller, but what is the world's most shoplifted book?" Answer: The Bible!This week's Question: "What is the hardest substance in the human body?" Answer next week.
A word puzzle for you. What does this mean?
PASS
MEAL
Answer at the end of 'A David Musing'
### The rings of a tree are always farther apart on the tree's southern side. Woodsmen often read tree rings to find the compass points.
### A colour-bar test pattern on a Los Angeles television drew higher ratings than two competing stations' 10 p.m. newscasts.
### In 1875 the Times of London became the first newspaper to print a daily weather chart.
Many more 'Fun Facts' at...
IF YOU HAVE TIME, TAKE A LOOK AT 'A GOOD MAN GOES TO HEAVEN?'
A highly relevant poem in today's world about that contentious issue of whether being a good person is all you need to be to get to heaven.Check it out on the web at...
A SPECIAL WELCOME THIS WEEK TO MEMBERS OF MfM
MfM is a service that sends a free gift of two, worship music CDs or tapes, three times annually to workers serving overseas. For further information, to subscribe, or suggest possible recipients who work in another country, simply email Paul Garratt atpgarratt@paradise.net.nz
A superb free service!
A DAVID MUSING
The terrible tragedy of September 11 has had an incredible impact on the minds of people, all round the world. Mankind has again been rudely reminded of the fragility of human existence, and has become more open to spiritual explanations for it.Even here, in far away New Zealand, 2,000km south-east of Australia and a full 17 hours flying time from Washington and New York, our highly secular National Television News reported a 10-15% increase in church attendance over the weeks following the nightmare. While in part, this has been an expression of solidarity with our American readers in your time of trouble, there has also been a significant resurgence of interest in spiritual matters, both within and beyond the church.
For very evident in the coverage of the unfolding nightmare, was the unity amongst Christians involved in the horror. The question asked in the fleeting seconds available amidst the carnage wasn’t, “Are you Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant? Traditional, Evangelical or Pentecostal? Calvinist, Armenian or Charismatic?” But rather, “Do you love Jesus?” Yes, when faced with the grim reality of that unbelievable situation, this basic truth was all that really mattered.
The Bible itself succinctly states, in Revelation 12:11, the keys to winning the spiritual battle in which, like it or not, we find ourselves deeply involved. It clearly sets out the 3 requirements for satan’s defeat (The lower case ‘s’ in satan is a personal protest!)
“They overcame him (that is satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Three positive responses are required if we are to overcome the spiritual forces arraigned against us.
1. Do we really believe in Jesus?
2. Are we prepared to fully live life as a testimony to Him?
3. Are we ready to die for Jesus, should that be required?
Do you realise that there were more martyrs for Jesus during the 20th century than in all the previous nineteen centuries combined? Martyrdom is not simply a fact of history, but an ever-present possibility for many Christians!
Our personal answers to these three questions will determine the fate of the church in these vital, turbulent days. Yes, it’s now up to you and to me. As fully committed believers and leaders, working together towards the same goal we, the Church, will be victorious. Revelation 12:11 confirms it!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Word Puzzle Answer: Passover Meal.
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LINKS
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Mount Maunganui, 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 www.wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 5160
Mount Maunganui
New Zealand
Phone: (07) 575-7164 International (0064) 7575-7164
Fax: (07) 575-7124 International (0064) 7575-7124
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: www.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