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: 18 Published: 25 Feb 2002
CHRISTIAN RACISM!
When we look at the trouble spots in the world today, we can very easily get the impression that religion is the cause of nearly all the world's problems. But is it?While it is true that many of the protagonists do have different religious beliefs, these tend to be a smokescreen, masking the deep seated problem of racism - a suspicion, dislike and sometimes even a hatred of those different to ourselves.
No, unfortunately I cannot come up with immediate solutions to these complex and generally centuries old problems, but it did set me thinking, which is dangerous!
For when I look at the church, what do I see? It is true that today there aren't as many examples of overt racism as there were 50 years ago, but there is another problem within the church that also saddens God's heart. One that stealthily destroys the effectiveness of its work, while its proponents sincerely believe that they are doing God a favour. I am referring to what can be called 'Denominational Racism'. A suspicion, dislike and sometimes even a hatred (a godly one of course against heretics!) of those whose beliefs, customs and ways of worshipping the Lord are not the same as our own.
With nearly every new move of God since the Reformation, when the spiritual truths of the early church, so nearly lost in the appropriately named Dark Ages, began once again to be progressively revealed to the mainstream church, a new denomination would form. Yes, sadly, it is a very 'true truism' that those at the forefront of any new move of God are generally those the most resistant to the next. So the Lord seeks out a new group of people open to His calling, who amazingly, after receiving new revelation, then proceed to repeat the process!
Today however, the Lord, to those who have an ear to hear, is revealing a new understanding of this historical process. There is arising a new standard of co-operation and unity between Christians, churches and denominations, as the Lord begins to prepare his 'united' church for the return of Jesus. No, we wont all be clones of each other or one 'super church'. But we are, and even more will be, expected to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit towards becoming a mature, powerful body, fulfilling the work of Christ upon the earth. As the Bible promises, many will opt out, but for those prepared to respond, it is the most exciting time yet to be alive!
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FROM THE WORD
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:13-14)"...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. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:13-15)
"At that ime many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:10-13)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
*** United we stand, divided... God will wait upon another generation.*** Don’t be seduced by the fleeting rainbow, but search for the eternal pot of gold.
*** A truly wise person is quick to hear but slow to answer.
There are more than 200 David sayings on the web at...
ANOTHER LIGHTBULB REVELATION
Another to add to the collection of the past couple of weeks. Thanks to Mike. Sad but so often true.Q: How many youth ministers does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Nobody knows. The youth ministers burn out before the lightbulbs.
I really enjoy receiving your comments and contributions. Feel free to contact me on
david@wwj.org.nz
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!
THE KINGDOM OF GOD - A NEW DENOMINATION?
By Juan Carlos Ortiz
It is Jesus that unites us, not our denomination. Juan is Pastor of the Hispanic Ministry at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. He is also a professor at the church’s Fuqua School of Communications. Juan has founded five churches, preached on five continents and has taught in a Bible College (Instituto Biblico de la Plata) in Argentina. For five years, Dr. Ortiz produced the television series, "La Hora de Poder," which was aired in a dozen Latin American countries. He has also produced two radio series. He has written a number of books that have been translated into many languages.
Order your free tape today at...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.***DOGGIE RELIGION!
A client brought a litter of golden retriever puppies to my veterinary clinic for inoculations and worming. As the look-alike pups squirmed over and under one another in their box, I realised it would be difficult to tell the treated ones from the rest. So, I turned on the water faucet, wet my fingers, and moistened each dog's head when I had finished.
After the fourth puppy, I noticed my talkative client had grown silent. As I sprinkled the last pup's head, the woman leaned forward and whispered, "I didn't know they had to be baptised, too."
A COUPLE OF 'QUICK QUIPS'
!!!!! "If absence makes the heart grow fonder," said the preacher, "a lot of folks must love our church."
!!!!! Did you hear about the dead angel? He died of harp failure.
More gems of Christian humour at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: What percentage of its body weight can a pelican consume in a single meal?Answer: The pelican can consume 66% of its body weight in a meal. Might well struggle to fly afterwards though!
THIS WEEKS QUESTION: Who invented asprin! Answer next week.
A WORD PUZZLE for you.
REVOPILF
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
Many more Fun Facts at...
LIFES A LAUGH
***The best humour in life is true!***TOUCHE!
Three violin manufactures have all done business for years on the same block in the small town of Cremona, Italy. After years of a peaceful co-existence, the Amati shop decided to put a sign in the window saying:
"We make the best violins in Italy."
The Guarneri shop soon followed suit, and put a sign in their window proclaiming:
"We make the best violins in the world."
Finally, the Stradivarius family put a sign out at their shop saying:
"We make the best violins on the block."
More true stories to put a smile on your dial at...
IF YOU HAVE TIME YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ... (Also Available as a PDF File Download)
TABERNACLE TO TABERNACLE -How the pattern of the first Church, The Tabernacle of Moses, has applied to the Church through the ages and predicts the Church to come.Can be found as the last booklet on the page at...
A DAVID MUSING
On Saturday, my wife Kathy participated in a 100 mile (160 km) relay race around the beautiful Lake Taupo at the heart of the North Island of New Zealand. Lake Taupo is the largest volcanic crater lake in the world, having been formed by the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the last 2000 years or so. It was recorded as far away as China where the sun was blotted out by ash from the eruption. Fortunately the event occurred before human occupation of the country (my family are surprised that I wasn’t there though!), for the resulting devastation would have wiped out any settlement, had it occurred. Today this tranquil lake is most famous for the huge numbers of trout it contains, which draws fishermen from around the world keen to do their share in reducing the population.Kathy participated as a member of a team from her work, one member of one of nearly 400 teams and nearly 5,000 participants. Kathy did very well, completing her leg in 10% less than her estimated pre race time, indicating that she could now see why I enjoy participating in such events.
What struck me however, was how much the race was like how our Christian walk should be. The members of each team supported each other towards reaching the goal of finishing the race. Each team too was working towards the same goal. While it was a race, the real achievement was to finish, and it didn’t really matter whether it took the teams 12 or 20 hours. To successfully complete the race was the goal and each team was applauded as they reached the finish, no matter how long it took. There was an air of co-operation and goodwill between the contestants with a big prize giving and party at the end. I am sure Jesus and Paul would have enjoyed it! I would have too a lot more, had I been running. Still, there’s always next year!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Word Puzzle Answer: Flip over backwards.
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