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: 56 Published: 25 Nov 2002
GOD’S PEOPLE: THE SAME - HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE
As you come to a new continent, you wonder, “What will the people be like here?†No doubt, they are thinking the same about us! “What about the Holy Spirit? Maybe He only lives in Africa!†Some very poor theology here! But doubt and faith are usually such close companions!However, all doubts were instantly dispelled when we finally walked through Customs at Cochin Airport to be greeted by the smiling, welcoming faces of our hosts, Daniel and Asher. The bonding was instant.
As we have gotten to know and appreciate the people here in Trichur, there has developed a friendship, not easily found in the world. For beneath the very real veneer of culture there is a family relationship that transcends the differences that divide the world and cause one man to make war against another.
It is so true, that in Christ we are all one.
Unfortunately though, as in all families, there are things that divide along with those that unify. For the divisions between denominations, and non denominations for that matter, are equally apparent in India as elsewhere. How sad our Father must be as He sees his children estranged one from the other.
So let’s try and make a difference. No, we can’t all travel to another country, but each and every one can extend the hand of fellowship to our Christian brothers and sisters in the church down the road. Why not let that be a goal this week.
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AN INDIAN EXPERIENCE
Formula One motor racing does not need to come to India, for it is already there – on the public roads! On our beautiful 2 hour drive into the country to see some scenery while Daniel did some business, we were faced with a challenge of Michael Schumaker proportions. For after regularly using the third lane of the two lane road on the way there, we turned round to come back. This was fine until a bus hurtled past our 4WD. The chase was on! The result? A dishonourable draw and two lots of passengers very relieved to see the end of the journey! Such is normal life in India. An interesting Indian experience - even for an ex motor racing driver!FROM THE WORD
The first in a 5 week series of affirmations from the book of Psalms.1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. (Psalm 31:1-5)
DAVID’S DOODLINGS
More on Faith### Hope is expressed through faith. Faith is expressed through love.
### For God so loved the world that He gave... us grace and faith.
### Faith and doubt are constant companions. For it is only in accomplished faith that we see the devil's defeat.
There are now over 430 David sayings for you to view at ...
MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK
In conjunction with Inspirational Tapes inspirational.org.nz we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to download the following message in MP3 format, free of charge. Inspirational Tapes offers a range of over 4,000 Audio Cassette Tapes, CD's and Videos to members worldwide, for hire, download or purchase.This week's download is:
Spiritual Vision (Parts 1 & 2)
By: Rick Joyner
Rick Joyner is Senior Pastor of Morningstar Ministries in the USA. Rick is also a prolific author and has written many books.
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What's the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?ANSWER: A meteorite is a meteor that has hit the earth – land or water. Meteorites hit the earth all the time but most are really tiny (really tiny, like particles of dust) by the time they make it through our atmosphere, and we never notice them.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Which Roman emperor succumbed to smallpox?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS
THE FIRST CAR ENGINE
Samuel Morey of Oxford, New Hampshire, patented the internal combustion engine in 1826. It was pretty much the kind of engine we still use in cars and trucks, but not as complicated and needing less maintenance than those of today. (No longer have to have a man with a red flag walk in front of our cars though - might be a good idea!)
THE ‘POP’ IN POPCORN
A drop of water in each kernel, surrounded by starch, puts the "POP" in popcorn. When the corn is heated, the water turns into steam. Pressure builds until it explodes, and the starch inflates,inverting the kernel. (How do we react under pressure?)
THE ULTIMATE BATHTUB
The first metal-lined bathtub was constructed by Adam Thompson of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1840 and weighed nearly a ton. (Strong floor a necessity)
A PUZZLE FOR YOU!
BBBBBBBBBBBB
Answer at the end of A David Musing
200 fun facts and trivial trivia now found at ...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***ANOTHER 2 FOR 1 DAY!
MANY A TRUE WORD
On his Key Life radio program Steve Brown told of a friend who attended a meeting of a local civic club. One member who was the pastor of a local congregation normally gave the invocation. Since the pastor was absent and there were no other ministers in attendance, the President asked the guest speaker if he would offer the blessing. The speaker stood up and started his prayer, "Being no ministers present, We thank thee Oh God............."
REALITY CHECK
An elderly pastor, looking over his large congregation on Easter morning, startled them with this announcement: "My friends, realizing that I will not see many of you until next Easter, may I take this opportunity to wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!"
Now over 150 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
JUST JOKES
TYPINGBoss: Can you operate a typewriter?
Boy: Yes, sir! I use the Biblical system.
Boss: I never heard of it.
Boy: Seek and ye shall find.
125 clean jokes for your enjoyment on ...
GOD FACTS
FAMOUS US PRESIDENTS VIEWS ON THE BIBLEGeorge Washington.
"It's impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
John Jefferson.
"A studious perusal of the Sacred Volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands."
John Quincy Adams.
"The Bible is the first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention."
Andrew Jackson.
"The Bible is the rock on which our Republic rests."
Many more educational and interesting facts about the Bible on ...
IF YOU HAVE THE TIME YOU MIGHT LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT ...
When all else fails, we have our family! Or we should. When our family fails, they are still our family! Or they should be. Our family is our greatest source of both pleasure and frustration. They know us best. We cannot fool them. So here is a little about our family. Since the poem was written Andrew and Catriona have produced our baby Eva, our first grandchild. But 20,000km away in Scotland! And our second son, Brendan, has also moved to the UK. Thank you Lord for emails!These family revelations can be found at ...
ANOTHER INDIAN EXPERIENCE
On the trip mentioned above, we stopped at one of our host church’s ‘Mercy Homes.’ Nine beautiful young girls appeared and sang for us, both in the local language and in English. Their charm captivated us, particularly as they were those who, if not rescued, would have been consigned to the scrapheap of a sometimes cruel and heartless society. To see the beauty of our God shining through both these young ladies and their dedicated carers was both a truly inspiring Indian and Godly experience.A DAVID MUSING
Every trip away creates its own new set of challenges. “If it were not so I would have told youâ€, says the Lord! Like the Trinity, challenges often come in threes also. And so it was this time.There was one that just crept up on us though. And that was very basic – the booking of our flights! For India is a very long swim from New Zealand, through shark infested waters! Sitting on an aeroplane may be boring but the danger factor, even with terrorism, is less than crossing the road.
We booked our flights in good time, but due to recent increases in air travel, two flights were waitlisted only. One cleared as they normally do, but suddenly it was 5 days before we were due to leave. We went to pay for our tickets and were told that they could not yet be issued, as the last flight had not yet cleared. The swim became a distinct possibility – in my dreams at least!
The Travel Agent spent much time looking at alternative routes, while we called upon our intercessors to pray. Words of partial comfort came back from round the world that all would be right at the last minute. And so it turned out. Twenty two hours before we were due to fly out our flights were confirmed, with our tickets being issued a mere 5 hours before departure! A faith testing and developing experience!
However, all ended up well as this musing is being written from the city of Trichur, here in India. God certainly is great at finding new ways to expand us and get us to trust Him more!
His servant and yours.
David Tait
Today’s Word Puzzle Answer: Beeline.
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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