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: 24 Published: 08 Apr 2002
YOUR CHOICE OF THE LEAST BELIEVED BIBLE VERSES
Last week's 'God Facts' said that there are 31,173 verses in the Bible. And it seemed like nearly every one of them was nominated as the least believed verse! A slight exaggeration of course (I repent!) but the diversity of responses received was amazing. I always knew that Christians found it difficult to agree on anything - and this question too, is no exception!Beforehand, I expected that the creation story would be the winner (loser?) but the vast majority of answers related to faith, or rather, our lack of it, in one form or another. Faith, not facts, is regarded as our greatest weakness in the church. Both a faith to believe and faith to act upon our beliefs.
The book of Matthew took the greatest battering, probably because we tend to look there first when seeking scripture from one of the four gospels. Just like having your name at the top of a phone list! Interestingly too, ninety percent of the answers were from the New Testament, a further indication of the emphasis upon faith.
A sample of the range of verses voted for in Matthew follows:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" (Matthew 16:24)
"He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing is impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20)
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17)
"For where there are two or three gathered in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20)
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," (Matthew 5:44)
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b)
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged." (Matthew 7:1)
And the single most quoted unbelieved verse was.....
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)
At least I wasn't 100% wrong! But like voting in a 'first past the post' democracy when there are a large number of candidates, an unrepresentative nominee can win with a very small proportion of the total vote.
More of your selections will follow in coming weeks. Thanks to Ronnie for the idea and to all those who took the time to respond. Please keep the good ideas rolling in.
Find out more about us on...
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
*** Life experience has taught me that the most 'forthright' are more than likely to be the most 'forthwrong'.*** Enthusiasm wins the sprint, perseverance the marathon, while enthusiastic perseverance maximises performance in the race of life.
*** Life experience has taught me that 'much fuss' hinders results, while 'little fuss' reaps a great reward.
There are 250 David Doodling's at...
TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEK
TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEKIn association with Inspirational Tapes Ministries
inspirational.org.nz
We are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape or MP3 download - absolutely free of charge!
MOTHER OF ISRAEL
By Lydia Prince
Ultimately to become the first wife of Derek, Lydia was a real literal and spiritual mother of Israel. Accumulating an adoptive family of many Jewish daughters in Jerusalem in the new state of Israel after World War 2, this strong willed woman recounts the amazing story of her life, lived under the most trying of circumstances, yet provided for by her God every step of the way. An amazing, inspirational testimony.
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.***THE FLOCK
Three priests were having lunch in a restaurant.
One said, "You know, all summer I have been having trouble with bats in the belfry. I’ve tried everything to get rid of them - noise, spray, cats – but nothing works.
Me too, said the second. I’ve got hundreds living there too. I even had the place fumigated, but still they stay.
That’s simple, said the third. "I baptised all mine – made them members of the church….. Haven’t had a single one back since!"
More gems of Christian humour at ...
FACTS FOR FUN - INTERESTING BIBLE FACTS
THIS WEEKS QUESTION: How long was the world's longest ever prayer meeting?Answer next week.
SOME QUICK BIBLE FACTS (KJV)
THE MIDDLE BOOK
1. The Holy Bible - - Micah and Nahum
2. Old Testament -- Proverbs
3. New Testament -- 2 Thessalonians
THE MIDDLE CHAPTER
1. The Holy Bible -- Psalms. 117
2. Old Testament -- Job 20
3. New Testament -- Romans 8,9
THE MIDDLE VERSE
1. The Holy Bible -- Psalms. 118:8
2. Old Testament -- 2 Chr. 20:17,18
3. New Testament -- Acts 27:17
A CHALLENGE for you.
A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
Many more interesting God Facts on...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
SOME MORE GODLY THOUGHTS### He who angers you controls you.
### Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
### Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.
### Be ye fishers of men - you catch them and He'll clean them.
100's more pearls of others' humour and wisdom on...
LIFE'S A LAUGH
***The best humour is found in life itself***WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
About a year ago my sister, who lives in Virginia, was talking with her four year old son, Brent. He was asking her why all their relatives from Wisconsin talk funny and
sound like their noses are plugged up.
"They think we have an accent," she replied.
"But they have an accent, right?" Brent asked. "They talk funny."
"Everybody talks in different ways" she tried to explain. "To them, we sound like we talk very slow and all our words are d-r-a-w-n out."
His eyes got big, and he whispered seriously, "Oh, no. You mean they hear funny too?"
CHARACTERISED?
My kids love going to the Web, and they keep track of their passwords by writing them on Post-it notes. I noticed their Disney password was "MickeyMinnieGoofyPluto," and so I asked why it was so long.
"Because," my son explained, "they say it has to have at least four characters."
More humorous, real life stories at...
IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, PLEASE MAKE THE TIME TO HAVE A LOOK AT...
... the poem "Seven Times Shed For Me". 10% of you did during the last week which is excellent, but many more could yet find it helpful. I used it at an Easter Service on Sunday and it really spoke to the people. It could to you and yours too.Based on truths revealed to me through the teaching of Dr Derek Prince, this is a powerful (even if I say it myself!) presentation of the pain and suffering Jesus went through before and during His time on the cross. Use it for your personal devotions, or in a communion service, if you wish. Each time I have used it there has been a powerful response.
Much to my surprise, the 'Waxing Lyrical' page is consistently the most popular on our website. So, if you haven't visited it yet, please take this opportunity. I didn't know poetry could be so much fun and so powerful until the Lord inspired me to start writing it!
You can find it on...
A DAVID MUSING
Early - well, not too early - on Good Friday morning, I had to make an important decision. After spending some time with the Lord, I had to decide whether or not to go for a run! Should I, or should I not? Bed is nice! It is a holy day, after all. But, whether right or wrong, I got out of bed and went.At the beginning I felt terrible! I should stop now and go walking with Kathy. I will make a final decision at my first timing point. I looked at my watch. The time was excellent, particularly considering how my body felt. I persevered. As I got further round my course I realised that there was a possibility of a good time, so digging deep, I pushed the old protesting legs along a little harder, finishing in my second best time yet! A very satisfying result, particularly considering how I had felt at the start.
Set me thinking, it did! Had I relied upon my feelings (of the emotions) I would have given up early. However I analysed (of the mind) the situation first by looking at my split time. Further on, I pushed harder (of the will) to come up with an excellent result. Used all three parts of my soul in the process.
A real lesson for me. For in spite of what the world now teaches - that what feels good is right for you - it is not God's way. For our 3-part God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) created us a 3-part being (body, soul and spirit) with a 3-part soul (mind, emotions and will) and He expects us to use all three in our walk through life.
On Sunday morning however, I did stay in bed, for it was raining. Failed to practise what I preach! But matter wins over mind on wet days! Wonder what sort of time I would have run?
Instead, I practised what I was to preach! The service went really well! The Spirit of God was there strongly. Excuses, excuses! Perfection is yet to come!
His Servant and Yours
David Tait
Today's Challenge Answer: The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
LINKS
If you would like to link your web site to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us onlinks@wwj.org.nz
DID THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND & RED HEADINGS?
YES - Great!NO - Your web browser needs to be set to 'Rich Text'. If you have an older 'Text Only' browser, this email may also be viewed on our web site at...
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