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: 76 Published: 14 Apr 2003
‘TO DO OR NOT TO DO, THAT IS THE QUESTION’ (With apologies to one William Shakespeare)
In life, we are always being faced with making decisions. It could be to a vital question like, “Is this the right person to marry?” which has lifelong, if not eternal, consequences. Or it could more simply be “Should I buy this car or not?” which, while it might affect our perceived status, fitness or finances, is not exactly a life and death decision, whatever we may feel at the time!“What do you want Lord?” we should ask, if the emotional juices inside of us can be settled sufficiently long for us to hear the answer. An ‘Alka-Selser ‘ pill for churned up emotions would be a great settling agent in such situations! Maybe you can suggest what it should best consist of! A pinch of logic, 10 grams of coolant, ……………..
But if and when we do get to ask the Lord, there is one answer that we don’t want to hear. One answer that is normally even worse than ‘no’ - and that is …………… ‘wait’!
And yet that is the answer we so often get, particularly when seeking to do work for the Lord – to fulfil the dreams and visions He has placed within us. For we desire to do His work and to fulfil our purpose in Him. And yet, He tells us to wait! “Why, Lord?” And then to wait some more! “Why, why Lord?”
“Wait for me”, He gently replies.
As our experience in the Lord grows we need to learn to heed His word. For we should soon realise that if we run ahead in our own strength, we will quickly run into trouble. As His mature servants, we still like ‘yes’; accept ‘no’, but hate ‘wait’! For life is surely uncertain and short enough already. But we learn to accept it – eventually graciously!
This week I was about to book my ticket to go to India to speak at a large Pastor’s Conference and to do other ministry, which I was looking forward to. But when I prayed, the Lord said, “Wait”. I have by now started to truly understand that He really does know best, so I will wait (with impatience - not really!), until He tells me the time is right. Thank you Lord. I do trust you and want to wait with grace. Please help me Lord, to be obedient to you - every time.
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FROM THE WORD
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:18-25)DAVID'S DOODLINGS
*** To believe in God is good, to hear from God is great, but to obey God reaps the ultimate reward.*** A man’s wisdom is based upon experience, but God’s wisdom comes through revelation.
*** We may plan for the future, but can only live in the present.
*** In God, being led to lead is a calling. Leading when not led, guarantees an appalling mauling!
*** A Christian leader is but an ordinary person called to an extraordinary task. Both leaders and the led need to be reminded of this!
Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now 530 David sayings for you to view at ...
FREE 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...
UNDERSTANDING TRUE FAITH (From the radio programme, Victory in Jesus)- PART 3
By: Bill Subritzky
Bill Subritzky, New Zealand's leading evangelist for many, many years is well known, right around the world. This MP3 is particularly targeted towards and helpful to those in ministry. The first 2 parts of a 3 part series were offered last week. This is final one. The first two are available on the ITT web site.
Download your free MP3 now at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: When did Superman first appear in print?ANSWER: Superman dates back to June 1938, when he appeared in Action Comics No. 1. Batman arrived on the scene one year later in Detective Comics No. 27, appearing May 1939. (Sorry about giving the answer too last week - but it is worth repeating for all those who think Superman is a modern phenomenon.)
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS
SINGLE MINDED
An autocracy is a government by a single person having unlimited power. (Many households however, are "cat-ocracies.")
WHO INVENTED THE LIGHTBULB
Edison improved the incandescent lamp in 1879, but he didn't actually invent it. Sir Humphrey Davy is reputed to be the true inventor of the electric light. He passed electricity through a platinum wire and caused an arc lamp to glow as early as 1802.However, Davy did not pursue the discovery. By the time Edison entered the scene, arc lamps had been burning for several decades, but were limited by short life spans. Edison developed a long-lasting filament light in 1877, and in 1879 produced the first long-lasting light bulb.
ALL GOOSED UP!
A group of geese on the ground is called a gaggle. But if the geese are flying, they're a skein. (Give rise to split personalities?)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
What phrase is represented here?
tHE sAnD
Answer at the end of A David Musing.
75 NEW FUN FACTS AND TRIVIAL TRIVIA have recently been added to...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES (A further 60 new jokes this week - didn't know there was so much to laugh about!)
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***Now 2 for 1 with so much to laugh about!
THANKS A LOT!
A minister was called to come to the bedside of a man who was dying. In spite of the lateness of the hour, the minister came and did what he could for the dying man. In a barely audible voice, and between hoarse hacking coughs, the man confessed his sins and asked the Lord's forgiveness as the minister bent close to catch his words.
As he was leaving, the minister said to the man's wife, "I was happy to come and comfort your husband the best I could. But, you're not members of my church. Don't you have a minister of your own faith?"
"Oh yes," the woman said, "but we couldn't call him out in the middle of the night and have him exposed to scarlet fever."
THE RIGHTEOUS EAT
My pastor-husband Scott has a sweet tooth, so I knew the chocolate chip cookies I'd just baked might disappear before I returned from running errands.
To discourage him, I taped a verse on the wrapped goodies: "Everything is permissible for me -- but not everything is beneficial." - 1 Cor. 6:12.
When I returned I found half the cookies gone and another verse attached: "The righteous eat to their heart's content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry" - Prov. 13:25.
Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 400 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...
IF YOU ENJOY TRIVIA YOU MIGHT LIKE TO DOWNLOAD...
TODAY’S TRULY TRIVIAL TRIFFLING TITBITS...to temporarily titillate tetchy, talented tadpoles, timidly traipsing throughout terrifying tearful turmoil, then thankfully turning towards tangible transformation.
This is a free sample from the trivia book I am slowly compiling. Has proved popular on the site without any promotion. Looking for a publisher or distributor too - if you can help!
Be entertained and enlightened at...
JUST JOKES
CHIMP LOGICPassing by the primate area one day, a zoo attendant happens to notice a chimpanzee sitting on a rock with an open book in either hand, looking first at one and then at the other. Upon closer examination, he identifies the books: the Bible, and Darwin's
"Origin of Species".
Curious, he asks the chimp, "What's with the books?"
The chimp replies, "I'm trying to decide whether I'm my brother's keeper, or my keeper's brother."
25 new jokes added this week at...
GOD FACTS
ADHERENTS OF MAJOR RELIGIONS2 billion – Christians (Including 1.0 billion - Roman Catholics)
1.1 billion – Muslims
890 million – Hindus
875 million - Non-Religious/Atheists
680 million – Evangelicals
340 million – Buddhists
340 million - Chinese Folk Religions
220 million - Tribal Religions
17 million - Judaism
Many more interesting facts about God, the church and evangelism at ...
A DAVID MUSING
A week ago, much of New Zealand was in the grip of a drought, including some parts of the country that don't normally experience such weather conditions. Ironically, Hawkes Bay, the normally drought prone area to which we have recently moved, has had a reasonable amount of rain since we arrived. Maybe we brought it with us.But over the last two days, the rains have come, just in time, while there is still some warmth left in the ground. Now the grass can grow to substantially assist our vital cattle and sheep export industries, before winter sets in, in another month or two.
Seems to me, a bit like our walk in God. Things are barren. Nothing is happening. Then suddenly, when we least expect it, the rain of the Spirit falls upon us and our spiritual life is revitalised!
Interestingly, rain is so much more appreciated in those areas where it falls less often. Just maybe, that is true in the Spirit as well.
First in the natural, then in the spiritual.......
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's Word Puzzle Answer: 'Head in the sand'
REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT
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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