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: 74 Published: 31 Mar 2003
GOD'S CREATIVITY - IT'S IN US!
In this time of war and mass destruction we need to remind ourselves that our God is creative - and His creativity is reflected in us.God created the heavens and the earth, then man(kind) to rule over it. With the fall of Man and the entry of sin into the world, 'mankind' became 'unkind', to say the very least, both to each other and the earth.
But when we are rescued from this destruction and darkness, being reunited with our God through belief in Jesus, so God's creativity is once more, to be reflected through us.
But in the midst of our 'human-mess' we have three problems in bringing this about.
1. REJECTION: "Great in theory Lord, but not for me. I'm just not the creative sort!"
2. PREPAREDNESS: How many times does the Lord inspire us with a thought, dream or vision and we lose it, simply because we don't write it down. Maybe we are asleep, or just too busy.
3. APPLICATION: "But Lord, I couldn't do that!" or "It is too big for me!" or "I don't want to make a fool of myself!" or all three at once!
During the past fortnight, the Lord has given me two times of creativity during which I have had to set aside the other 'important' things I had planned to do, and listen to Him.
The first was when He gave me, a very amateur worship group singer, a song. It was only the second time this had happened, the first being 11 years ago. I had been reading through Psalms for a few days and He kept showing me bits from them that had been made into songs. That was interesting, but not of particular noteworthiness until I came to Psalm 93, that is. There I was stopped and given a new song.
I could work on the words okay, as I pen a bit of poetry from time to time, but the tune was and is, a major difficulty for me. However I wrote it down in my simple non musical shorthand and, once I get up the courage, will ask someone to transcribe it into true music for me. That will of course mean that I have to sing it - hence the embarrassment!
Then, this past week, the Lord gave me a further 115 'David's Doodlings' on the one day. I had to put aside my normal helping with the church's foodbank for the day, a most worthy work, in order to write them all down.
So if the Lord can cause a 'staunch Kiwi' (New Zealander) like me to move creatively, He can easily do the same for you. For our God is the God of the impossible. He has certainly proved that with me!
So let's be open to what God is saying, being prepared to receive it and then, to do it. The results will amaze you as they continue to amaze me! Use me Lord - use even me.
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FROM THE WORD
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters..... Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them..... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." Genesis 1:1-2,26-7,31)"Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Colossians 3:9-10)
"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." (1 Timothy 4:4-5)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
*** The one thing history teaches is the futility of placing our hope in the goodness of man. Could the world rely upon me - or you?*** Hope in mankind is hopeless, but hope in God springs eternal.
*** In mankind there is only futility, but in God we have hope.
*** God’s hopefulness gives the hopeless, hope.
*** God’s hope can help transform tragedy into triumph.
*** Out of God’s hope springs eternal youth – eventually!
*** Hope expands horizons.
*** The hope of tomorrow helps us deal with the realities of today.
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. It has been a creative week There are now 547 - oops! - make it 548 - David sayings for you to view at ...
THE 'WAR' - WITH A TWIST!
Feelings run high on both sides of the justification argument.However (and this is true!) I heard an interview this morning on the radio with the man who has probably the most difficult job in the world. Iraq's Director of Tourism! He is now showing reporters (the 'NEWs tourists') around the hospitals. So next time you think your job is impossible, just spare a thought for him!
May the Lord use the situation to advance His kingdom. He is in control - fortunately for both us and Him!)
Many more true life stories at which it is better to laugh than cry, are found at...
MP3 DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK
In conjunction with Inspirational Tapesinspirational.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...
THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE
By: Art Katz
Art Katz is a man of prophetic stature whose controversial appetite for truth will continue to bring him into conflict with parts of the church. Whatever your views, this download will certainly make you think!
Download your free MP3 now at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What do cats, camels, and giraffes have in common?ANSWER: Cats, like camels and giraffes, walk by moving their front and hind legs on one side, then the front and hind legs on the other side. When most other animals move, the front leg on one side and the hind leg on the other move together.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Who drew the original Mickey Mouse in his first short cartoon?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS
A 'MUCKRAKER'
President Theodore Roosevelt coined the word ‘muckrake’ in a speech that he delivered to the Gridiron Club in Washington, DC in 1906. (A politician looking into a mirror?)
AND NE'ER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET - TEMPORARILY
The Berlin wall that separated East from West in Berlin was 155km (96 miles) long, lasting for 28 years and 3 months until November 1989 had 302 watch towers and 20 bunkers. 77 people were killed while trying to escape over it. (Physical walls cannot contain the restless soul.)
DOLL TALK
Thomas Alva Edison (of light bulb fame), not toy maker Mattel, transferred this major feminine characteristic to dolls in 1888. (Generations of young ladies now trained in its ways!)
A CHALLENGE FOR YOU
You go on a picnic with your friends. Each one of them wants a
different amount of oil and vinegar in his salad. However, you've
already mixed the oil and vinegar in one bottle. How can you please
everyone at the picnic?
Answer at the end of A David Musing.
75 NEW FUN FACTS AND TRIVIAL TRIVIA have recently been added to...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***10 REASONS NOT TO WASH
In one church, the pastor, apparently fed up with all the excuses given over the years as to why people don't go to church, included "Ten Reasons Why I Never Wash" in the Sunday bulletin:
1. I was forced to as a child.
2. People who wash are hypocrites - they think they are cleaner than everybody else.
3. There are so many different kinds of soap, I can't decide which one is best.
4. I used to wash, but I got bored and stopped.
5. I wash only on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.
6. None of my friends wash.
7. I'll start washing when I get older and dirtier.
8. I can't spare the time.
9. The bathroom is never warm enough in winter or cool enough in summer.
10. People who make soap are only after your money.
Now over 150 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY FACTS ***NEW***
***A nation's true wealth is best measured by its families' health****** The New Zealand government does not track family structure in relation to many social outcomes, however data from the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia - countries which compare closely with New Zealand on social issues, show that: Compared with the intact married family, serious child abuse is 33 times higher when the mother lives with her boyfriend. The rate of child abuse fatalities is 73 times higher. (UK)
*** For every dollar spent on a child brought up in a two-parent family, the government spends $10 on a child brought up in a single parent family. (Australia)
*** Fatherless children are worse off in terms of health, educational attainment, work ethics, income and lifetime wealth. They are more prone to crime, drug addiction, divorce, unemployment, illness, truancy, suicide, poverty and depression. (UK and USA)
A new page devoted to facts, both encouraging and discouraging, about the state of God's foundation stone of society, the family, from around the world. Review them now at...
PETS RULE ***NEW***
PET ALARMMarge was telling her friend Grace how she gets her son out of bed in the morning. "I just open his door and toss the cat on his bed... He sleeps with his dog."
The Bible says that a man is to be head of the household. That was in the days before pets! Read more on...
GOD FACTS ***NEW SECTION ON WORLD EVANGELISM***
!!! Every year the churches hold a megacensus costing $1.1 billion, sending out 10 million questionnaires in 3,000 languages, which covers 180 major religious subjects.!!! At a steady rate over the last 20 centuries, and in all 238 countries, 70 million Christians have been martyred -killed, executed, murdered -for Christ.
!!! The 5 most dangerous of all Christian vocations (over 3% murder rates) are: bishops, evangelists, catechists, colporteurs, foreign missionaries.
!!! Books primarily about Jesus in today’s libraries number 175,000 different titles in 500 languages, increasing by 4 newly published every day.
!!! Emboldened by lax procedures, trusted church treasurers are embezzling each year $16 billion out of church funds but only 5% ever get found out.
!!! Christians spend more on the annual audits of their churches and agencies ($810 million) than on all their workers in the non-Christian world.
!!! The total cost of Christian outreach averages $330,000 for each and every newly baptised person.
!!! Despite Christ’s command to evangelize,67% of all humans from AD 30 to the present day have never even heard of his name.
100's of interesting and challenging facts about evangelism now found at...
A DAVID MUSING
In two countries of the world, India and Australia, the war in Iraq took very much second place yesterday to the more important war - the final battle for the World Cup of Cricket, fought out in Johannesburg, South Africa. While those outside the British Commonwealth cannot understand or appreciate this glorious game, for the participants, it is more important than the American Superbowl.This war turned out to be much like its more lethal counterpart, Australia dominating the game with occasional but fruitless fightbacks by their Indian opponents. The result was as the pundits predicted, but with the glorious uncertainty of the war of cricket, you never know until the game is over. For 8 hours the battle raged before Australia, seemingly inevitably, were able to hold the World Cup above their heads in victory.
Congratulations Australia, commiserations India. If only all wars could be fought in such a 'civilised' way. But then, there is nothing else nearly as civilised as cricket!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's Challenge Answer: Oil floats in vinegar. All you have to do is tilt the bottle. To pour vinegar, turn the bottle upside down and by pulling off the cork a little and you can let the desired amount of vinegar out.
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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: (06) 878-9330 International (0064) 6878-9330
Fax: (06) 878-9330 International (0064) 6878-9330
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