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: 33 Published: 10 Jun 2002
THE WILDERNESS DOES END
Seven years ago, at a meeting I was holding, the presence of the Holy Spirit came down powerfully upon the people. Satan worked upon this amazing experience to send me into a spiral of depression, which lasted for a few months. But it has taken 7 years of walking in the wilderness of experience, trial and testing until the time has finally come to be restored to the ministry that was promised that day.For these 7 long years I have wondered whether this day would ever come. Yes, there have been times when I have felt deserted, in a ministry sense, by God. For while I have always maintained a close personal relationship with Him and have been obedient and blessed to write the book ‘Eagles Fly High!’, and send out these weekly emails, my heart’s desire has always been to minister to others in the power of the Spirit.
Both the Word and experience shows that the Lord often gives us the taste of a vision before withdrawing it for a wilderness period. We don’t like it – at least, I don’t! And I don’t know many who do! But the wilderness has a purpose, to train and mould us to the ways of God. So it was with Moses and my favourite namesake, King David. Their times of waiting matured them to become better prepared for the tasks the Lord had for them to do.
Since arriving this week in the village of Umuakah, in the interior Imo State of Nigeria, to minister there and in the neighbouring town of Orlu, the Lord has graciously poured out His Spirit upon a people, hungry for the Word and power of God in their lives. It has been a privilege to be a part of. And personally, it has been the restoration of a dream, a dream briefly experienced those seven long years ago.
Of course, the number ‘7’ in the Bible is symbolic of ‘completion’, an apt time for a wilderness experience. But irrespective of how short or long your ‘wilderness experience’ may be, no matter how great your doubts, be assured that if your vision is of God, it will come to pass, in His time. This week has dramatically proved that to me.
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AN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
African worship is something to behold. African worship when the power of God comes down is literally out of this world!Tony and I came from one meeting where the presence of the Holy Spirit was really powerful and He graciously ministered to His people. Then directly to another united prayer and worship meeting where people from different churches had come together to pray for their town. Something dear to our hearts.
As we entered into the worship with them, there was a transformation. Something happened. The heavens opened and the praise to the Lord reached up into them. It is so difficult to describe. It truly needs to be experienced. For we can talk about the presence of God, but to experience it personally, amidst a cacophony of African colour and abandonment to the Lord, was truly out of this world.
I was able to lead them in prayer for their town and the power of the people’s pleadings to their God was a wonder to behold. Another snapshot to add to the memory album of this amazing continent.
THE LAST OF YOUR MOST UNBELIEVED VERSES FROM ‘THE WORD’
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;†(Romans 5:3)“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.†(Acts 1:4-5)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God†(Ephesians 2:8)
DAVID’S DOODLINGS
### One step of faith is worth ten thousand words of talk about it.### Faith is but one small step for God, but viewed as a giant step by us.
### The dropping of a small stone in the centre, ripples the entire pool of faith.
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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!
Ian Coker "A Critical Approach to the Bible"
Continuing on from last week we again bring you something a little different by way of MP3 link in that we bring a copy (with permission) of a radio broadcast, from Toowoomba Australia. The radio programme is "The 11th Hour" and is presented by local Pastor and Christian Apologetic Ian Coker as he presents "A Critical Approach to the Bible".
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FACTS FOR FUN
RING OF FIREThe "Ring of Fire" is a string of about 300 active volcanoes that rims the Pacific, going from the tip of South America north to Alaska, west to Asia through Japan, then south to the Philippines, Indonesia, and New Zealand. My home.
THE BARE BONES OF IT
Bones are actually not brittle or even solid. They are living tissues - extremely porous, and pulsating with blood. They are soft, light, and sort of spongy on the inside.
Human bones have four layers: a core of marrow (where white blood cells are produced); an area of thick, spongy material full of blood vessels; a wall of hard, calcified material; and a thin area of skinlike tissue on top.
Bones really aren't all white at all. They actually range in colour from beige to light brown. The bones you see in museum displays have been boiled and cleaned. Except for Ezekiel' vision of the Valley of Dry Bones.
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU!
POODlb.E
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
150 fun facts and trivial trivia at…
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***SHORT SERMONS!
1. Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to get into their pews or their favorite church parking spot.
2. Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.
3. It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
4. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers.
5. When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
6. People are funny. They want the front of the bus, middle of the road, and the back of the church.
7. Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door for years.
8. Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
9. The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience: "And in conclusion."
10. If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
11. To make a long story short, don't tell it.
12. Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
13. I don't know why some people change churches. What difference does it make which one you stay home from?
14. A lot of church members are singing "Standing on the Promises" while they are just sitting on the premises.
--Selected from Pastor Tim's Illustrations List - http://www.cybersalt.org
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JUST JOKES
SELF HELPI went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
COUNT YOUR CHICKENS
The farmer stood in his chicken yard watching hundreds of baby chicks running here and there. He kept pointing to them and trying to count them. "One, two, three, four, five, six,... oh, no..." then he would start over, "one, two, three, four, and,... oh, no." Then he'd start over again.
Finally he said, "I give up. They say don't count your chickens before they hatch but it sure is easier to do that than it is to count them after they hatch."
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EXTENSIVE EXPLANATIONS
SIGNS THAT YOU ARE WEBBED OUT* Your opening line is, "So what's your home page address?"
* Your best friend is someone you've never met.
* You see a beautiful sunset, and you half expect to see "Enhanced for Netscape 1.1" on one of the clouds.
* You are overcome with disbelief, anger and finally depressed when you encounter a Web page with no links.
* You are driving on a dark and rainy night when you hydroplane on puddle, sending your car careening toward the flimsy guard rail that separates you from the precipice of a rocky cliff and certain death. You look for the "Back" button.
* You visit "The Really Big Button that Doesn't Do Anything" again and again and again.
* Your dog has his own Web page and so does your hamster.
* When you read a magazine, you have an irresistible urge to click on the underlined passages.
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IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TAKE A LOOK AT (A PDF DOWNLOAD)
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. – 31, A5 pages from “Eagles Fly High!â€ANOTHER AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
Moving to an African village without the normal comforts of home has been an interesting experience! Without doubt, the main challenge is the washing and toilet facilities. I never cease to be amazed at how beautifully dressed the people are – far better than in the West – particularly in light of the lack of facilities which we take for granted. The bathroom consists of a bucket of water and a ‘squat loo’, which is basically a hole in the ground! Took a little getting used to, but once you work out a routine, it is fine! All part of the African village experience!A DAVID MUSING
On Thursday night, at the meetings mentioned above, the presence of the Lord ministered powerfully to His people. It was just so wonderful to be involved.At the end of the second meeting I just happened to glance down at my hands. Startled, I looked again. For it was if my hands were covered in glitter. It wasn’t sweat - that was everywhere else though! My hands were clean – as clean as they can be in Africa. I tried to rub it off, but it stayed! I showed it to Tony and Collins and they confirmed its presence. When we got home, I got Tony to take a picture, but how it will come out, I don’t know.
For it was the Lord’s anointing, resting upon me. I have heard all the stories of ‘gold dust’ but with my natural, sceptical, ‘doubting Thomas’ Western mind, had been very cautious about them. But now it had happened to me! I believe you are the God of miracles now, my God! Thank you for your blessing. You are the Almighty one!
And just to prove it to me, the same happened the next night too! The heavens opened in a glorious celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. Amazing! Incredible! Unbelievable! The energy of the celebration tired out even my new African friends, and that takes some doing! And more glitter too! In the words of Nigeria – Praise the Lord - Hallelujah! Hallelujah - Amen!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today’s Word Puzzle Answer: Dog Pound
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