THE HOLY SPIRIT – CULTURE AND POSITION

Greetings once again from the friendly Philippines.

When one travels to another country, you wonder, “Will the Holy Spirit be there?” Of course it is a stupid question, for the Holy Spirit is everywhere!

The question should really be, “How will people respond to the Holy Spirit?”

Interestingly, the Philippines follow the patterns established elsewhere. For, from observation, there are two primary factors that determine the people’s response to the Holy Spirit.

Firstly, culture. Some cultures are more open to the Spirit’s moving than others. New Zealand, my home, probably because of our humanistic value system, is less open to the Holy Spirit moving in power than say Nigeria, maybe the best example of the Spirit consistently moving in today’s world.

How do I know that culture is the cause? Simply, through varied responses between men and women in different countries. Women generally, are more sensitive to the Spirit, but in much of India for example, where women are not given the freedom to freely worship as part of a 10,000 year cultural history and conditioning, men are more responsive. You can gauge, reasonably accurately, the position women enjoy in a society, by their freedom to worship and respond. And the cultural restrictions placed on society in general too.

Secondly, and sadly, position! For the further you go up the ‘religious’ scale of authority, the less the response! I have heard all sorts of reasons why, but the reality is that the Holy Spirit moves most in general church situations, next best in Bible Colleges and the least, in Pastor’s gatherings. Shouldn’t it really be the reverse? Certainly should!

Here in the Philippines the Holy Spirit ‘broods’ over the Pastors Seminars, the attendees often being reluctant to leave at the end of the day. But He breaks out in power during open meetings. As in other places all round the world.

Those of us in ministry need to really ask the question, why? Does knowledge, does theology, kill? Pride? Fear? Perhaps you can tell me! But surely you, our pastors, are in need of the greatest refreshing of all – considering us, your congregations!

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AN EXPERIENCE FROM THE PHILIPPINES

‘African Time’ or ‘Christian Standard Time’ is well and truly alive in the Philippines. I was amused the other night when the 7:30 start time for our meeting passed with a congregation of one. I was given my pre service dinner at 7:55! And the meeting started some time after 8:15! And a wonderful meeting it was too! Even if it did finish late! But it didn’t stop even more people coming the next day. Late too – of course! A ‘Christian’ experience in the Philippines – and most of the world!

FROM THE WORD

" The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again. However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:23-29)

PAULS VISION AND HIS THORN
"I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows — was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

GOD'S REST (2 of 4)
One of the most important things I have had to learn in my walk with Jesus is not to strive in my own power, but rather to rest in Him and let Him do it all. I am learning – sometimes slowly!

God’s rest is freely given, but rest in God must be freely learned.
oooOooo

A believer receives God’s rest, but a disciple rests in God.

oooOooo

Man seeks to strive for God. God wants us to rest in Him. Couldn't be easier, couldn't be harder!

oooOooo

God's rest is to be sought not only in death, but firstly in life!

oooOooo

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A MESSAGE FROM ROY

Although this PGIM! e-letter is sent free, some readers have decided to support this Ministry one or more times a year by sponsoring a week's PGIM! @ USD $50.00. Can I ask you to consider sponsoring a specified week/s? You will get an acknowledgement on your particular week/s of sponsorship (unless you do not want it). If you are interested to help this very informative & helpful newsletter, please email me, Roy McGreevy, as it is God who authored this idea through me in the USA. roy@kscbtv.com. I look forward to hearing from you... thanks. Roy

FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU

David
I'm writing in response to the article about the ladies 3 G's glamor, gossip, and gold. This may be true for some women but I feel a more excellent description for ladies desires would be 3 S's - a Sound Man, Security and Stability. Majority of the women, just like men, enjoy the opposite sex. Many times what we enjoy play a major role in what we desire. For instance a man enjoys woman therefore money and power makes him feel more manly and more presentable to that woman. A female because she is a different vessel; she enjoys the man therefore feeling secure about her looks and the man's love or feelings toward her makes her feel more secure and stable.

Many times a woman endeavors to obtain security and stability on her own so that she doesn't feel less of a woman or so that she doesn't have to feel incomplete without the man. Just as a man would strive to obtain money and power so that he doesn't feel incomplete or less of a man without the woman. God however stated that it is not good for man to be alone, therefore He took from the man and made woman. So neither can be complete without the other for God has ordained that they be one, fitly joined, just as He is one.

Kyra

David
1. Isn't Jesus like a Big Mac? The same yesterday, today, and forever?

2. On the Wearable Insurance, back in my Navy days, I was taught that the only permissible jewelry (other than wrist watch and wedding ring) was a gold earring if you had survived a ship wreck. Is that a sign of the "new navy?" I had tried without luck to track down this tradition, but can't find just how far it dates back.

Garey Southern
webservant@haywoodhills.org

Hi,

Glad to read your comments about our country. Hope you will be blessed more than what you have expected during your stay here, And may the Lord continue to be honored to all what you are doing for the expansion of His kingdom.

Blessings,
Nida
Las Pinas City, Philippines

Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz

A FILIPINO EXPERIENCE

Cats and dogs here are seen but not touched. Dogs wander freely round, certainly not the pampered pets of the West. The cats have stubby tails, unusual markings and face, but never hop up on your lap to grace you with the opportunity to pat them. They ignore their human ‘lesser mortals’ with a great disdain – unless there is food around, of course! Some things never change, anywhere!

It was remarkable too, observing the behaviour of dogs when the Holy Spirit turns up. They bark and run round most unsettled, something I have noticed elsewhere too.

An interesting Filipino animal experience.

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." ***

236. DRESSED FOR CHURCH
One Sunday morning, the congregation of a ritzy church, with vaulted ceilings, hand-carved oak pews, stained class windows, and a deep plush carpet, had a stir.

A man came in just minutes before the service was to begin. He was dressed terribly, had on ratty old boots, a dirty flannel shirt, jeans and a filthy cowboy hat. Besides that he must have not heard of deodorant. The congregation was not happy!

Several sent notes to the minister about their concern. So at the end of the service, the pastor greeted the wretchedly attired man and asked him if he enjoyed the service. The fellow exclaimed wholeheartedly that he had.

The minister invited him back but said, "Next time you come, please dress properly and take a shower. I want you to pray and ask Jesus about how He would want you to dress if you returned to His house." The fellow said he would.

Next week he came back, dressed the same way. Once again the congregation was very upset. At the end of the service, the minister greeted the fellow and asked, "Did you ask Jesus about how to dress for church here?"

"Oh yes," said the man, "I surely did." "And, what did He say to you," persisted the pastor.

"Well," said the fellow, "Jesus told me He didn't know how I should dress for this church, because He's never been here."

235. CLERICAL CLOTHES
A priest was walking along the corridor of the parochial school near the preschool wing when a group of little ones were trotting by on the way to the cafeteria. Little Johnny stopped and looked at him in his clerical clothes and asked, "Why do you dress funny?"
He told him he was a priest and this is the uniform priests wear.
Little Johnny pointed to the priest's plastic collar tab and asked, "Do you have an owie?"

The priest was perplexed till he realized that to him the collar tab looked like a band-aid. So the priest took it out and handed it to Little Johnny, to show him. On the back of the tab were raised letters giving the name of the manufacturer.

Little Johnny felt the letters, and the priest asked, "Do you know what those words say?"
"Yes I do," said Little Johnny, who was not old enough to read. Peering intently at the letters he said, "Kills ticks and fleas up to six months!"

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Where do you find Pink Snow and what does it smell like?

ANSWER: On some mountaintops, where it is created by an algae that can live there. Sometimes it is called watermelon snow as it apparently smells like watermelons!

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What Aztec emperor is said to have had 50 goblets of hot chocolate each day?

Answer Next Week.

SOME FUN FACTS

843. USEFUL MAGGOTS
In a recent study from the Netherlands, researchers applied maggots to the severely infected wounds of 11 patients as a last-ditch effort to prevent amputation. They found the treatment promoted healing. According to study co-author Japp van Dissel, the maggots eat only dead tissue, and they secrete substances that help prevent infection. ( Man has known this for thousands of years, yet we have to prove it scientifically.)

844. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER - ALMOST!
Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man. The only thing that can destroy a diamond is intense heat. Ancient Greeks revered diamonds and some believed that they were actually splinters from fallen stars. (Intense heat is generated over their possession too.)

845. MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE PLEASE?
Michigan J Frog was the name of the frog in the Bugs Bunny cartoons that sang and danced only when no one (besides his owner) was looking? Michigan first appeared in "One Froggy Evening" in 1955. His poor owner, desperate to make money off the singing and dancing frog, was never able to make him sing and dance when other people were around. (I can relate to that. Many men can!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Job I'm Job

Answer at the end of A David Musing

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BE INSPIRED WITH INSPIRATIONAL TAPES

Take a look at the wide range of over 4,000 tapes from speakers old and new, to be found at Inspirational Tapes. Built up over 30 years, this library contains many tapes and teachings unavailable elsewhere.

Free MP3 downloads will recommence on 23 February.

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UP THE MOUNTAIN

An allegory of one man's (well - bird's actually!) spiritual journey, during which he finally found the Kingdom of God. A fun and challenging read.

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IT'S SURE GREAT TO BE A GUY!

It's a man's world - or is it?
*Phone conversations last 30 seconds
*You know useful stuff about tanks and airplanes
*A 5 day vacation requires only one suitcase
*Bathroom lines are 80% shorter
*You can open all your own jars
*Old friends don't care if you've lost or gained weight
*When clicking through the channels you don't have to stop on every shot of someone crying
*You don't have to lug a bag of "necessary" items with you everywhere you go
*You can go to the bathroom alone
*Your last name stays put
*You can leave a hotel room bed unmade
*You can kill your own food
*The garage is all yours
*You see the humour in "Terms of Endearment"
*Cleaning the toilet is optional
*You can be showered and ready in 10 minutes
*Wedding plans take care of themselves
*If someone forgets to invite you to something, they can still be your friend
*Your underwear costs $7.50 for a pack of 3
*None of your co-workers have the power to make you cry
*You don't have to shave below your neck
*You don't have to curl up next to some big, hairy guy every night
*If you're 34 and single, no one notices
*Chocolate is just another snack
*You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger seat
*You never have to worry about other's feelings
*Three pair of shoes are more than enough
*You can say anything and not worry about what people think
*You can whip your shirt off on a hot day
*Car mechanics tell you the truth
*You don't care if someone doesn't notice your new haircut
*You can watch a game in silence for hours without your buddy thinking "He must be mad at me"
*One mood, all the time
*You can admire Clint Eastwood without having to starve yourself to look like him
*Gray hair and wrinkles add character
*Wedding dress $2000, Tux rental $100 bucks
*You don't care if someone is talking behind your back
*You don't pass on the dessert and then mooch off someone else's
*The remote is yours and yours alone
*You need not pretend you're "freshening up" when you go to the bathroom
*If you don't call your buddy when you said you would, he won't tell your friends you've changed
*If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you might become lifelong buddies
*The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected
*If something mechanical didn't work, you can bash it with a hammer and throw it across the room
*New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet
*You think the idea of punting that small, ankle-biting dog is funny
*If you retain water, it is in a canteen
*You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness
*Flowers and/or Duct Tape fix everything

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FAMOUS WORDS AND PHRASES FROM THE BIBLE

SEEK AND YE SHALL FIND

Often quoted words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. If only people would take heed of them!

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ANOTHER FIPIPINO EXERIENCE

Texting! Not memorizing Bible verses but on their many mobile phones! Texting is really cheap here at 1 Peso ($US0.02). So wherever you go you see people pushing buttons with great concentration, or laughing as they read their replies. A country claimed by the locals to be the ‘texting capital of the world’. There are plenty of signs, ‘No texting while driving’. People push the limits – everywhere!

A unique Filipino communication experience.

A DAVID MUSING

Friendliness is a fine feature of the Filipino character. And what a difference it makes too! The visit is so much more enjoyable!

Set me musing! Dangerous! That if it has this effect on me, maybe I could be friendlier to others too – for the betterment of all! The Lord told me to ‘enjoy myself’ this year, and that is certainly easy to do here in these friendly isles. But now for home too ...

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: I'm between 2 jobs.

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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
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
3 Hetley Crescent
Taradale
Napier 4001
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 8449-377 International (+64) 8449-377
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)

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