UNITED WE WIN; DIVIDED WE LOSE

Right at this moment, 1,200,000,000 (1.2 billion) people, that is 1 in 5 of us on this planet, eke out an existence, not a living, on less than $US1 a day. Although some of our readers are very poor by Western standards, it is most unlikely that any of us fall into this category. For the means of receiving this message would be beyond both our ability to pay and our comprehension.

A problem too vast to tackle? Surely there are insufficient resources to make a real difference, without imposing a burden on the richer countries that they would not realistically be prepared to contemplate? Well, I thought so. But I forgot one thing. Where incomes are low, so too are costs. For it is estimated that to provide basic, health, sanitation and education services to these poor, economically desperate people, would cost $US100 billion per year. What a lot of money - particularly if some of it has to come out of my pocket! But is it? Let's put it into perspective.

The military budget for the United States alone is $US300 billion! World wide military expenditure totals $US700 billion. This is not necessarily a criticism of the military, but rather a practical of putting the seemingly vast amount of money required into perspective. For if we can find $700 billion for the military, plus $1000's of billions for other governmental expenditure, surely it has to be feasible to find $100 billion world wide, to meet the very basic needs of one fifth of humankind.

While Christian Aid Agencies do a tremendous job in meeting the needs of millions of people, we cannot by ourselves, without divine intervention, fully do the job. For governmental action, both of donors and recipients, is required to complete this task. My family can, and do, try to do our little bit to help improve the lot of a few individuals, but to complete the job requires a change in the hearts and minds of voter's worldwide. This in turn, will affect the attitudes of the governments that rely upon their votes.

While we can say that the answer lies in converting all unbelievers, which is of course the perfect solution, it is also up to us to persuade individuals, groups and governments world wide, of the critical need to start remedying this obvious injustice that plagues our planet. To do this effectively, we must put aside the barriers that have divided us over the centuries and work together to convince people, politicians and political parties of the justice of the cause. For the church divided, is an object of scorn to a world seeking excuses to continue with their selfish practices. But a church united in purpose to change world opinion, is an irresistible force as God will look upon it with favour and cause it to be done.

Foe it has been shown many times, that one of the main factors behind 'revival' is a coming together of church leaders, then the people, united in their desire to see God move. As each day passes we move one day closer to the return of Christ for his 'Bride', a united church. Impossible as it seems to us, it is the promise of God. As we need to unite to bring about revival, so we also need to come together to change the world. For we are called to both faith and works. The key to the effectiveness of both is unity.

Let's set aside our differences and start making a real difference to the world, today.

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FROM THE WORD

"James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognised the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." (Galations 2:9-10)

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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)

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

***The world says, 'blessed is the one who receives', but the Lord says, 'Blessed is the one who gives.'

***The foolish man seeks pleasure on earth. A wise man builds treasure in heaven. But the godly man seeks to build heaven on earth.

***When holiness meets with helpfulness a harvest is reaped.

There are more than 200 David sayings on the web at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php

EXTENSIVE EXPLANATIONS

A fun page with 'extensive explanations' on lots of important(!) subjects. These are a few beauties from a true collection of classified newspaper advertisements.

### Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children. ###

### Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel. ###

### Stock up and save. Limit: one. ###

### Illiterate? Write today for free help. ###

### 3-year old teacher needed for pre-school. Experience preferred. ###

### Dinner Special -- Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25; Children $2.00 ###

### We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand. ###

### Have several very old dresses from grandmother in beautiful condition. ###

### Vacation Special: have your home exterminated. Get rid of aunts. Zap does the job in 24 hours. ###

### Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated. Come here first. ###

Many more extensive explanations on

http://www.wwj.org.nz/exex.php

TAPE OF THE WEEK

In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministries
inspirational.org.nz
we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge!

GOD'S BIAS TO THE POOR

By Jackie Pullinger

Jackie arrived in Hong Kong in 1966 and was immediately drawn to the most notorious and dangerous city imaginable - Kowloon's Walled City. Jackie reminds us that God's heart is towards the poor, oppressed and downtrodden. She also reminds us the City of God is a present as well as future reality, and that reflections of it can be established even in a place like the Kowloon's Walled City.

Order your free tape today at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/tape.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: a. What exactly defines a planet? b. Which is the only planet to have an orbit that crosses that of another planet?

Answer: a. There is actually no scientific law defining a planet, but generally the planet must directly orbit a star, be small enough that it has not undergone internal nuclear fusion (i.e. is not a star or starlike object), and must be big enough that its self-gravity gives the general shape of a sphere.

b. Pluto, usually the farthest planet from the sun in our solar system, crosses Neptune's orbit. Pluto is a tiny planet, smaller than Earth's moon, and its elliptical orbit takes 248 years and carries it as close as 2.8 billion miles from the sun and as far as 4.6 billion miles away from the sun. In 1979, Pluto crossed Neptune's orbit on its way closer to the sun, making Neptune the farthest planet for most of the 1980's. Pluto recrossed Neptune's orbit again in 1999 as it headed away from the sun and once again became the most distant planet.

MORE PLUTO INFO
1. How else is Pluto unique among the planets in our solar system?

Pluto is hard to classify. It is neither a gas giant planet nor a terrestrial planet. Pluto resides in the outer solar system, where all its neighbours are gaseous giants, but Pluto is a small, solid object. Pluto is far too large to be a comet, but it frequently behaves like one by warming up and losing its atmosphere into space.

2. What controversy involving Pluto occurred in 1999?

In January 1999, misleading reports appeared in the media that suggested Pluto was about to lose its status as a planet and be reclassified as a minor planet or even an asteroid. The furore was caused by a suggestion to include Pluto in a specialised listing of "Trans-Neptunian Objects," a group of smaller objects that have been discovered in the outer solar system beyond Neptune's orbit. These objects are similar to Pluto, though drastically smaller. Astronomers did not intend to imply that Pluto was not a
planet by suggesting its inclusion on the list, but the assumption that Pluto was being "demoted" caused an uproar anyway and the International Astronomical Union had to issue a statement confirming that Pluto remained our ninth planet.

THIS WEEKS QUESTION: Throughout the years, many Popes have been assassinated or have been the targets of assassinations. Who was the first Pope to be murdered? John Paul II, Leo X, John V, John VIII or Luke IV. Answer next week.

Another WORD PUZZLE for you.

DRESSED
bit

Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’

Many more Fun Facts at...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.***

(Seemingly appropriate given this weeks theme. Unity in diversity - may we see the light!)

HOW MANY CHRISTIANS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHTBULB?

CHARISMATIC: Only one. Hands already in the air.

PENTECOSTALS: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

PRESBYTERIANS: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times.

ROMAN CATHOLIC: None. Candles only.

BAPTISTS: At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.

EPISCOPALIANS: Eight. One to call the electrician, and seven to say how much they liked the old one better.

METHODISTS: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved - you can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Churchwide lighting service is planned for Sunday, October 14. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

NAZARENE: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

LUTHERANS: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

AMISH: What's a light bulb?

More gems of Christian humour at ...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

JUST JOKES

THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON!
Several women, trying to outdo each other, appeared in court, each accusing the other of causing the trouble they were having in the apartment building where they lived.

The judge, realising the case was frivolous decreed with Solomon-like wisdom, “Okay, I’m ready to hear the evidence.... I’ll hear the oldest first.”

The case was dismissed for lack of testimony.

Many more fun jokes (for both sexes) on...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/jokes.php

IF YOU HAVE TIME YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ... (A PDF File Download)

THE TWO MARATHONERS - A thought provoking and entertaining allegory about our journey through life. How will we run our race? This 3-part story was given by the Lord right at the beginning of this ministry. As I continued and finally wrote the third part of the Walking With Jesus Course which is based on Revelation 12:11, I realized that the allegory exactly mirrored the course!

You can freely download it (the 4th item) from...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dload.html

A DAVID MUSING

What a fascinating time it has been on the sporting scene in Australia and New Zealand over the past few weeks. Tiger Woods played golf in New Zealand and unexpectedly lost! New Zealand played Australia in cricket and unexpectedly won! A relative unknown won the Australian Men's Tennis Open, while Jennifer Capriarti fought back from an impossible position, saving 2 match points, to go on and defeat Martina Hingis in the Women's event.

No, I haven't spent all my time watching sport! Except for the cricket, I have just heard the results. Yet, it has been a learning curve for me too. For in the modern world of professional sport, gifted competitors reach similar physical standards, having all day to hone their skills. More and more it is the mental side of their preparation and application that is making the difference between who wins and who doesn't.

Which set me musing about my spiritual walk. About running and winning my personal race. For the Jesus race is the only race in which we can all be winners. Thank God for that! Where to finish to the best of our ability is what is required of us.

The New Zealand cricket team so nearly missed out on the tri-series finals by letting Australia come back from an impossible position to win the 4th match in the series, but were saved by South Africa eliminating Australia in last night's match. Sorry Australia! Really! Well - not really actually! But it is just so sad how many Christians are falling by the wayside, are eliminating themselves from the Jesus race. Lord, may I continue to run until the very end.

Then there are those of us who are taking it easy in our spiritual race - walking instead of running. Having a rest when the going gets tough. Being satisfied with a mediocre performance well below our God given capabilities, those spiritual gifts graciously given to us. Lord, like Paul, may I face you one day, having done my best for you, so that I might hear those precious words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Even if I have listened to a little too much cricket! Like the New Zealand cricketers, I have not attained perfection yet!

His servant and yours

David Tait

Word Puzzle Answer: A bit under dressed.

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
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: 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