NOT POWER… NOT MIGHT… BUT SPIRIT (Zechariah 4:6)

In the Western Church particularly, but also throughout the world, recent years have brought with them a proliferation of counseling services within our churches. The pastor is now expected to be skilled in this area and many other people have been employed or deployed in counseling roles.

Generally, when a personal, spiritual or relationship problem develops, our first reaction is to seek counseling. While in many cases counseling fulfils a valuable role, should it be our first option or our last? Have we become a counseling dependant people, simply to survive in our day-to-day lives?

The Bible teaches personal responsibility, plus direct confrontation in the resolution of relational conflicts. But primarily, seeking the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit in all the difficult situations we are faced with. The power of this last, often ignored alternative was dramatically illustrated to me this week. Kathy and I went to minister in a church, completely unaware that relationships within, and to the oversight without, were virtually irreconcilable. The fact that we got to minister in the church at all was a miracle in itself, given the circumstances. The church itself had also become religiously set in its ways. All and all, a real minefield to negotiate! But ignorance is bliss, so ahead we went.

We couldn’t deliberately either help or hinder, as we didn’t even know there was a problem! But after 3 days of meetings, during which we saw a dramatic transformation amongst the people, we learned both of the problems and of how the conviction of the Holy Spirit had come upon the situation, bringing about both repentance and reconciliation amongst all those involved. Maybe we should try it more often? It works!

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AN AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

Through a communications failure, we missed a Pastor’s Meeting that had been arranged for us. When we arrived for the evening open meeting there were only 20-30 disgruntled people left, spread around a church capable of seating several hundred. A very lonely feeling! Then we found that there was no sound system or music team available! Both were being used for a Crusade. Not exactly conducive to building confidence for a successful evening! Yet, according to Kathy, almost as soon as the meeting started, the Holy Spirit made His presence felt and ministered powerfully to the people. Both He and Africa are full of surprises!

FROM THE WORD

The Validity of Jesus’ Testimony
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12)

“ But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”
“Who are you?” they asked.
“Just what I have been claiming all along,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”
They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.” (John 8:23-30)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

### Faith is a current stock item, available to all. Some however leave it on the shelf for fear the price may be too high.

### Faith is one of the few things in life where the more you take, the more you get given.

### If faith was easy, it would be of little value.

There are now over 400 David sayings for you to view at . . .

http://www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php

TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEK

In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministries
inspirational.org.nz we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge!

THE GOD WHO WORE A TOWEL

BY: Ian Coker

Another tape by Ian Coker. 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 "The God who wore a Towel" first broadcast on 23 June 2002.

Order your free tape or run the MP3 today at . . .

http://www.wwj.org.nz/tape.php

LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

THE POWER OF PRAYER
The minister's little six-year-old girl had been so naughty during the week, that her mother decided to give her the worst kind of punishment. She told her she couldn't go to
the Sunday School Picnic on Saturday.

Then, when the day came, her mother felt she had been too harsh and changed her mind. When she told the little girl she could go to the picnic, the child's reaction was one
of gloom and unhappiness.

"What's the matter? I thought you'd be glad to go to the picnic." her mother said.

"It's too late!" the little girl said. "I've already prayed for rain!"

125 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at . . .

http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What was the first toy ever advertised on television?

ANSWER: Mr. Potato Head was the first toy advertised on television. Now, of course, kids are inundated with ads and have to have the "hot" toy of the moment right away! Mr. Potato Head, by the way, was originally sold (in 1952) without the plastic potato body. The whimsical accessory parts, like the nose and eyes, were to be inserted into a REAL potato. Eventually, that was considered too dangerous, as the parts had to be sharp to pierce a real potato (and, of course, real potatoes rot).

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How long can honey be stored and still safely eaten?

Answer Next Week.

***SOME FUN FACTS***

ANIMAL ACTIVITY
Right now as you are reading this, more than 100,000 creatures are swimming, feeding, reproducing and depositing waste inside your mouth. (It’s no wonder then that so much drivel comes out!)

PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE
The average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches. (Presumably only 1 if it is hit – my pitching would be expensive!)

COCONUT KILLERS
More people are killed each year by coconuts than sharks. (It is safer to look heavenward than earthward if you are worried about this – is best too, even if you aren’t!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU!
Weatre

Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’

Find 150 fun facts and trivial trivia at . . .

http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php

JUST JOKES

JUST GIVE UP
George set out on a very windy night to see his friend Sam, who was sick in bed. Hours later, George dragged his weary body into Sam's house, and collapsed on the couch, exhausted. "I'll tell you," George said, when he had caught his breath, "it was just brutal. For every step I took forward, I fell back two."

"So how did you ever make it over here?" Sam asked.

"Well," George replied, "after a while I decided to give up, so I turned around and headed for home."
Visit our Just Jokes page for lots more fun at . . .

http://www.wwj.org.nz/jokes.php

CHURCHSPEAK

Numbers with underlying spiritual meanings include.

12----Divine government

40----Trial and testing

144---(12x12) New man in Christ, Ultimate government of God

666---Man setting himself up as God

888---Jesus

There are lots of others that can be found at . . .

http://www.wwj.org.nz/chspeak.php

IF YOU HAVE THE TIME YOU MAY LIKE TO HAVE A LOOK AT

ST. THOMAS-BECKET SYNOD AND UNIVERSITY, CANTERBURY, ENGLAND
Established in 1994 as a full independent non-denominational Christian Organisation. Working around the world with over 1000 ministers in many Countries taking the Word to many people. Highly recommended.

Visit them today at . . .

http://www.Way.To/JesusChrist

ANOTHER AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

On the way to a meeting our car was stopped by a policeman, our offence being driving with 4 people in the back seat of the car, instead of the allowable three. Now if this had been Nigeria, having only 4 in the back would have been considered luxurious, not overloading!

The policeman, sensing a potential windfall from the ‘rich (!?) white people’ the car was carrying, proceeded to try and find other offences we had committed. But instead of writing a ticket, as would happen in most places, he asked Andrew to report to his office the next morning. Why? To negotiate the bribe!

Fortunately, Andrew met ‘a very nice man’ in the offices instead of our corrupt ‘friend’ and he was let off with a warning. Another experience of the diversity of Africa!

A DAVID MUSING

Christians are Christians, are brothers and sisters, no matter which country we come from. For underneath our skin pigmentation and cultural differences we have a bond that joins us as one.

Once again, we have found this to be so in Uganda. A friendlier people you could not imagine, a trait we have found amongst all African Christians. Always grateful for what spiritual help we are able to bring – but many with an eye open for a dollar or three, if it might be available! The African way!

We have been truly blessed by our hosts, in all 4 countries we have now visited. Each has been motivated by a burning desire to spread the gospel, at a personal financial cost to them, not to seek financial assistance. You see, God organizes things His way, in His time. Thank you Peter and Melody, Dusan, Collins and Andrew for making the Lord’s work possible and for looking after us so well. The fruit is yours.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Word Puzzle Answer: A bad spell of weather.

LINKS

If you would like to link your web links@wsite to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on links@wwj.org.nz

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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 website wwj.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