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: 10 Published: 31 Dec 2001
THE MYSTERY OF GIVING AND RECEIVING
Sometimes life seems just so much simpler to live in the world, than in the Lord!Giving and receiving are classic examples of this. It is nice to give, when it suits, to make oneself or a loved one feel good; but it is a greater pleasure to receive. Most often the gift is all-important, while the giver tends to be easily forgotten in ones preoccupation with the present itself. Often too, one gives in order to receive whether it be material pleasures, or love and affection. For like it or not, 'self' is the primary motivator of the (our!) human spirit.
Paul’s quoting of Jesus in Acts 20:35, "It is more blessed to give than to receive", if we are honest, is one of the most difficult 'Godly Principles' to build into our lives. For it has never been truer than it is today that:
'How we spend our money and time clearly reveals where we are at in God.'
Like all of us, I have struggled in this area too, for it is so easy to slip into the ways of the world, those traps and trappings of my old human nature. Yet the majority of those in ministry have received this amazing 'giving revelation' - for very few are in it for the money! What money, do I hear! The Lord greatly appreciates you.
To be blessed in giving - that is a well-proven mystery of the Scriptures. A mystery that we need to remember and share at this Christmas time.
By the way - if anyone has a spare Formula One racing car, a $100 million to run it, and can give me the miracle of skill, courage and reaction time of a long lost youth to drive it, I would be interested!!! Just joking!
Have a happy, giving Christmas.
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FROM THE WORD
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:32-35)"Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets." " (Luke 9:20-26)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
"The world says, 'blessed is s/he whom receives', but the Lord says, 'Blessed is s/he who gives.' ""It is so easy to remember the gift, but to forget the giver."
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TAPE OF THE WEEK
In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministriesinspirational.org.nz
we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge! This is the same tape as last week as it is such valuable listening for anyone in ministry. We would love to send it to you.
THE EVANGELIST AS A SERVANT LEADER
By Dr Victor Hamm
Dr Hamm has been the Russian Regional Director for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for the past 10 years. Viktor's message was most highly appreciated at the worldwide gathering of evangelists at Amsterdam 2000. This superb address too, is a 'must hear' for all Christian leaders.
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LIFE'S A LAUGH ***NEW PAGE***
***Nothing is as humorous as life itself - well, much of the time!***TASTY NEWS TRAVELS FAST!
Returning from a trip to visit my grandmother in Canada, I was stopped by a state trooper in New York for exceeding the speed limit.
Grateful to have received a warning instead of a ticket, I gave him a small bag of my grandmother's delicious chocolate-chip cookies and proceeded on my way.
A short time later, I was stopped by another trooper.
"What have I done?" I asked.
"Nothing," the trooper said, smiling. “I just heard you had some really great cookies.”
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Which country has the lowest crime rate in the world? Is it Japan, Singapore, Togo, New Zealand or Canada?ANSWER: Togo. At 11 reported crimes annually, per 100,000 population.
THIS WEEKS QUESTION: What is an "interrobang"? A tool used to knock down walls; an obscure key on some typewriters; a new species of bird; or the latest slang.
Answer next week.
Another WORD PUZZLE for you.
Bbacklong
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.***HELP?
Several women were visiting an elderly friend who was ill. After a while, they rose to leave and told her; "We will keep you in our prayers."
"Just wash the dishes in the kitchen," the ailing woman said, "I can do my own praying."
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A DAVID 'non' MUSING
Everyone is far too busy to want to read much this week! Hence the abbreviated newsletter.Our family is going to visit my Mum in Napier, for her first Christmas in a resthome. It is a mere 320km away, but that is considered a considerable distance in New Zealand! Our terrain does make for windier roads however, than in many countries.
Will be in touch again next week - on New Years Eve! Doesn't time fly!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today’s Word Puzzle Answer: Be back before long
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 websitewwj.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: 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