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: 26 Published: 22 Apr 2002
IN HIS TIME
One thing I have found out about God is that He has a lot more time than I do! Not surprising really, when you think about it, for he lives in infinity while our earthly lives are cruelly constrained by the scourge of time.In our modern world, time often assumes a greater importance than money as the greatest single limitation to living a fulfilled life. Here in New Zealand, the birthplace of the 40-hour working week, this long time, dearly held principle has been consigned to the pages of politically incorrect history. It's simply no longer relevant in a world where families seemingly require two incomes, with one partner at least working round 50 hours per week, just to 'survive'. For we live in a society of high material expectations.
Life too, with its inevitable conclusion of death unless the Lord first returns, is full of time constraints. Yet, when we pray, even when we are made promises by God, there so often seems to us to be a completely incomprehensible and frustrating time delay built into the heavenly 'prayer fulfilment' and 'promise delivery' systems.
"God, don't you know that time is passing! You are causing my hair to go grey with frustration!" (My excuse anyway!)
"Just wait, my son, for my time is not your time, my days not your days," says the Lord in reply. And in the end, we find that His timing to be just perfect, even though the wait has been hard and long!
Yes, prayers and promises often do tarry, for that is God's way. But we are instructed to hold fast to our faith, for perseverance brings us towards maturity in Christ. Of course, it's something we have difficulty in accepting, due to limitations of thinking time, particularly in these over busy days! Yet God surely knows best. For He has lots more time to think than we do! Eternity in fact! So let's trust Him, shall we, to get it right.
Learning this lesson hasn't stopped the greying of my hair though! Need more time to ponder upon that one!
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MORE MOST UNBELIEVED WORDS FROM 'THE WORD'
Some more of your entries in the 'least believed' verses quest. Not by us, of course!"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
" 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' " (Malachi 3:10)
"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." (Revelation 22:7)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
*** People find it much easier to find solutions to the problems of others than to face up to their own.*** Strength is not a matter of opinions, but of purpose.
*** Have you noticed how the most 'holey' socks always find their way to the top of the pile?
There are over 250 David Doodling's 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!
YOUR PRAYER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD - PART 2
By Derek Prince
Derek, a rare Doctor of Philosophy in philosophy, is a truly international Christian leader. Born in India in 1915, a Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge, England, he now lives in the USA and Israel. Undoubtably New Zealand's favourite Bible teacher over many years, Derek is well known and respected around the world.
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A CONTRIBUTION FROM IRELAND...
The land of my mother's birth. She left - but when she was one - so she didn't have any say in the decision! The IRA did though! I have seen the bullet holes in the wall of the old family home that prove the 'Irish yarn'."..... On an entirely different subject, that of long prayer meetings. This was not a prayer meeting as such. Near where I live in N Ireland are the remains of Bangor Abbey. It was the site of an early Celtic Christian monastery and settlement, probably established by St Columba. It survived for over 300 years until the Vikings eventually overcame it in the 12th century. During those 300 years there was continual praise and prayer 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Little wonder that those early Celts were the leading missionaries of their day, with their influence spreading all over Europe, and as far as Romania, Bulgaria and the Black Sea. That was when Ireland was known as 'the Land of Saints and Scholars'. Please God He would restore it again to that status.
Blessings, Ronnie Irvine."
Thanks Ronnie. Readers contributions are welcomed.
FACTS FOR FUN - INCLUDING INTERESTING BIBLE FACTS
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: If you cut an earthworm in half, will it grow into two new worms?ANSWER: This is largely a myth. It's true that earthworms can regenerate, but when you cut one in half, BOTH parts don't regenerate into fully developed worms. Only the front end of the worm, containing the "brain" (cerebral ganglion) has a chance of growing new segments.
MORE INTERESTING EARTHWORM FACTS
!!! If earthworms make you squeamish, you might want to avoid South America, Africa, and Australia. Worms in those places can grow over a dozen feet long! The biggest one on record was 22 feet, found in South Africa.
!!! Why do earthworms come up out of the ground when it rains? Simple, really, say some researchers. Earthworms breathe air, just like we do. They CAN breathe water (they breathe through their skin), but not for long periods of time. When it rains and the ground fills with water, they have to come out or they'd drown. Of course, they have to get back underground before too long, or the hot sun could dry them out, causing them to suffocate. Other scientists, however, say the worm-drowning theory is bunk. They say worms can live underground in water for weeks and speculate that the reason that worms come out after it rains is to mate or to look for different kinds of food. Since the rain has made the surface moist and humid, they can move around freely without fear of dehydrating.
THIS WEEKS QUESTION: Why isn't Puerto Rico on the list of countries?
Answer next week.
SOME QUICK BIBLE FACTS (KJV)
1. These Words appears only once in Bible
-- Reverend (Psalms 111:9)
-- Eternity (Isaiah 57:15)
-- Grandmother (2 Tim 1:5)
2. Verse containing all letters except J -- Ezra 7:21
3. Verse containing all letters except Q -- Daniel 4:37
4. The word "God" appears in every book of the Bible except Esther and Song of Solomon
5. History states that all of the writers of The New Testament, but the apostle John, were martyred.
A CHALLENGE FOR YOU!
Midge lives on the twelfth floor of a modern elevator apartment building. Whenever she gets into the automatic elevator on the ground floor, and no one else is in the elevator, she pushes the button for floor 6, gets off on the sixth floor, and walks up the stairway to the twelfth floor. She would much prefer to ride the elevator all the way up to her floor. Why does she do this?
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.***SUNDAY SAVINGS
Johnny (It’s okay all you Johnny’s – don’t be offended - John is my second name too!) came skipping into the house with a big ‘all day sucker’ in his mouth. "Where did you get it? his mother asked."
"I bought it with the dollar you gave me."
"But the dollar I gave you was for Sunday School!"
"I know mum, but the minister met me at the door and let me in for free!"
SERMON TO ORDER
After the praise and worship the pastor got up and said, " For today I have prepared 3 sermons. A $10 hell raiser on fire and brimstone that will take an hour and a half to deliver, a $50 exposition on the evils of sin that will take 45 minutes to give, along with a $100, 10 minute gem on love and generosity. We will now take the collection to see which you vote for!"
More gems of Christian humour at ...
IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!
>>> The trouble with staying at home is you never find out just how good it is to get back.>>> Life is better when you open meals with a prayer instead of a can opener.
>>> They serve a balanced diet in the Army. Every bean weighs the same.
>>> I don't want candles on my birthday cake. I don't want to make light of my age.
>>> Now-a-days a good conversationalist is anyone who can talk louder than the stereo.
<<< A pessimist complains about the noise made when opportunity knocks.
>>> Truth does not need a defender - only an investigator.
Hundreds of fun and thoughtful thoughts on...
IF YOU HAVE TIME YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ... (A PDF File Download)
BODY 'NOT SO' BEAUTIFUL!A poem about the inevitable ravages of life on our temporary body. We have to laugh before we cry!
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A DAVID MUSING
Over the past few months I have been growing a range of succulents. I have now started splitting up and potting these on, mainly as a hobby, but also hoping to earn some money to help finance the overseas ministry trips coming up this year.There is one particular sort called 'Semperviviums', flat growing, round plants with many pointed leaves, which are best described as looking like miniature suns. These particular species normally multiply by producing baby plants that grow round the edges of the main plant. I have been watching them grow with great interest, for I am very keen to remove the new offshoots and pot them on for later sale. Yet experience has taught me that up to a certain stage, these baby plants grow faster being attached to the mother plant, rather than separated from it. It is a real struggle for me though, to leave them until the optimum time for removal, for I am keen and eager to get on with the job.
Reminds me in a practical way of our this week's first article, 'In His Time.' For we are all keen and eager to be used of God, yet he leaves us on the mother plant of our current situation until He concludes that we are ready to be separated and transplanted into the new realm of service we are so eagerly awaiting. Of course, we think we are ready well before we really are but the wisdom of God plucks us out of our nurturing environment and 'pots us on' at precisely the right time. We just have to be patient and apply ourselves to grow in our current situation so as to by ready to be separated by the Maker's hand, at the optimum moment.
It's not easy though, for generally human beings are an impatient lot - well I am anyway! But I am learning - though impatiently sometimes!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's Challenge Answer: Midge is a small child and can reach up only as high as the sixth-floor button.
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