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: 20 Published: 11 Mar 2002
THE COMFORT ZONE
Have just opened a letter from our friends Beryl and Roger, who have recently travelled from New Zealand to Britain for a year, to work and have a look round.Being positive people, they hope to soon be able to look back on their first week or so and laugh, rather than cry! Yes, establishing yourself in a different culture is a challenging experience for all those who attempt it. For we are comfortable with what we are used to - even if we don't like it that much!
As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. Well the human spiritual that is! For the status quo was not at all what Jesus was about. In His time Jesus was a revolutionary, one who promoted a new and radically different society to the one in which He lived. A society that is still radically different to that we live in today.
Now, very few of us are radicals, but we are all capable of gradual change. Jesus didn't expect us to become perfect overnight, but He does want us to work towards that 'impossible' goal, even if it does challenge our comfort zone from time to time.
So let us this week, we do one of those things in God that we know we ought to do, but for one reason or another, have always put off until another day. For our life's direction is more easily 'radicalised' through a series of small changes, rather than waiting for the perfect time to make that one 'big change', a time which for most of us, never comes. Come on, we can do it! And together, we may just start changing our world!
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FROM THE WORD
"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. Moreover no man knows when his hour will come:..." (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12a)"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
**** A single step is necessary to start the marathon of life in faith.**** One step of faith is worth ten thousand words talking about it.
**** FEAR is the inability to affect the unknown.
**** FAITH is the ability to prevent the unknown affecting you.
There are more than 200 David sayings on the web at...
NEW THIS WEEK! 'TAPE OF THE WEEK' NOW AVAILABLE AS AN MP3 DOWNLOAD!
Our associate ministry, Inspirational Tapes, who kindly supply and post free of charge our 'Tape of the Week', have now introduced an online MP3 download facility, to enable you to have instant access to each week's tape. Because the tapes are audio only (no music) download speeds are rapid. With high speed internet it takes only 30-40 seconds to download a message. With a 56k modem, 5-10 minutes, depending upon line speeds and your computer's configuration.This technology will, over time, give Christians around the world instant access to this amazing resource of over 4,000 messages, built up over a period of 35 years. The collection contains the wisdom and revelation of many of the world's leading Bible teachers and preachers.
The conversion of audio tapes to a digital format is a time consuming process - longer than real time - so more messages will become available as we are able to attract volunteers to do the work. Thinking about it, it could be done anywhere in the world really!
We are always looking for new materials to add to the collection the library contains. So if you have access to any quality teaching or preaching material worthy of, and able to be made freely available to the wider Christian community, please contact us.
The library is also developing a network of Church Representatives around the world, those prepared to promote use of the Library in their particular church and area.
If you feel led to help in any of these areas please email the Director, Jeff Leigh, direct on jeff@inspirational.org.nz
You can visit their site at...
TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEK
In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministriesinspirational.org.nz
we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape or MP3 download - absolutely free of charge!
MEMORIES OF WIGGLESWORTH
As told by Mollie Cressey
A fascinating teratimony of Mollies walk with the Lord the Lord and her conversion at a Smith Wigglesworth Crusade in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, 70 odd years ago. I too, can remember my Geat Aunty Ina talking about that same crusade and the effect that it had on her own and so many peoples lives in New Zealand at the time. A unique walk back into history to get a glimpse of one of the most powerful evangelists of all times. Now instantly available as an MP3 download too!
Order your free tape or download your MP3 today at...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.***IF ONLY!
Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers.
The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."
The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."
The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!"
POWERFUL PRAYER!
The Wednesday-night church service coincided with the last day of hunting season.
Our pastor asked who had bagged a deer.
No one raised a hand.
Puzzled, the pastor said, "I don't get it. Last Sunday many of you said you were missing because of hunting season. I had the whole congregation pray for your deer."
One hunter groaned, "Well, it worked. They're all safe."
More gems of Christian humour at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: Is it possible that a caterpillar could have more than 1,000 muscles?Answer: Yes, it certainly is! In fact a caterpillar has over 2,000 muscles to control the movement of its long body and many legs.
THIS WEEKS QUESTION: What did Chester Greenwood invent in 1873?
Answer next week.
CORRECTIONS:
1. A pelican can only eat one third of its body weight in a meal, not two thirds as stated in the 18 February newsletter. My apologies. Still an awful lot though!
2. In a January newsletter I jokingly suggested that a cross between a sheep and a goat could be called a 'shoat' rather than a 'geep'. However, thanks to Bob Simes, my idea is consigned to the 'bad ideas basket', for a 'shoat' is in fact a small piglet.
A WORD PUZZLE for you.
ATHLON ATHLON ATHLON
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
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IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
!!!!! Plan ahead - It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.!!!!! Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
!!!!! Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
!!!!! Exercise daily - walk with the Lord.
!!!!! Never give the devil a ride - he will always want to drive.
!!!!! Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
Many more fun and challenging thoughts on...
IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TAKE A LOOK AT ...
DRIPS AND DROPSA poem about letting go and letting God take control of your life. Easily said, not so easily done!
You can find it at...
A DAVID MUSING
Have you noticed that the greater the steps we take to move out in faith, the greater the doubts that arise around the step we are taking? Maybe it is just me? But I know it isn't!Of course, I realise that this can be the natural reaction of that great inhibitor of our stepping out in life, known as our 'comfort zone'. But I am a 'born' or 'natural' risk taker, one who enjoys the challenge of trying things that haven't been done before, of pushing the boundaries, whether physically such as in sport, or mentally, as in business.
In the business field this has led to a roller coaster ride of both considerable success and equally spectacular failure. Through these experiences I, and my family, have learned to be content in the midst of plenty and in times of relative (for New Zealanders)financial hardship. For bankruptcy brought me to belief in Jesus and He has sustained me through the ups and downs of life ever since. Hallelujah!
However stepping out in God is different. For there is one who doesn't want to see this happen, who adds his twist to the thumb screw of natural doubt that accompanies any new Godly adventure. I had such an experience for a week or so in relation to our upcoming African trip. But fortunately, I now understand a little more about the workings of the enemy and realise that these moments of unreasonable doubt will pass, which they inevitably do, and have done in this case. In fact, we should welcome these attacks, for they are a positive sign that we are moving in the right direction in God's will. Can't say that I have reached that level of perfection yet though!
But wouldn't life be dull if there were no challenges to face and everything went smoothly all the time? Well - maybe a little smoother would be nice! But my God knows best - all the time!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Word Puzzle Answer: Triathlon. Appropriate this week in New Zealand for the annual NZ Ironman Triathlon was run (and swum and biked) this weekend. A 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike and a full (42.196km) marathon! The Apostle Paul would have loved it! I did complete a half ironman triathlon once - and that was a long way, without then doing it all again!
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