IS GOD ALL?

I will never forget one moment on my first ministry trip overseas. My friend Tony and I were having dinner with our Ghanaian host at a restaurant in the capital of Accra. We had been in this totally new and different environment, ministering to people of a different culture and colour to ourselves, for a couple of days by now, and we were quickly starting to become adapted to it. Our host was a perfect gentleman. A dedicated and godly pastor, 110% sold out for God, in a way that very few of us are in the West. The - almost - perfect Christian!

As we were having dinner, I asked our friend what he did in his little spare time, as an interest or hobby. “Well, I read the Word, read Christian books and watch Christian videos,” was his immediate reply. Can you imagine how I felt? A real heathen by comparison to this great, godly man! And he had invited us here to minister! "Oh God, how inadequate I am!"

In one last attempt to rescue my last vestiges of self (rather than 'God' which it should have been!) confidence, I asked in a pathetic, pleading, desperate voice, “Isn’t there anything you do outside of God things?”

Well, actually, there is one thing. I watch WWF!” “Pardon?” we exclaimed, not believing what we had heard! “I do like watching the wrestling on TV,” came the confirmation.

Tony and I just about collapsed onto the floor, our laughter uncontrollable! Once we had managed to regain our composure, a flood of relief flowed over me in waves. He is human after all! I am rescued and just maybe, with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can minister to these people. And, as it turned out, the Holy Spirit generously accompanied us throughout our entire African trip.

You see, sometimes those in ‘ministry’ seem so remote, appear to be living in a different world to that of their people. At best, seeming to have overcome all life’s problems, at worst, to be irrelevant in a complex, rapidly changing world. And many Christian leaders propagate this misleading impression in order to set an apparent example for others to follow, or in the worst case scenario, to impress their people. I find I have to fight this nearly everywhere I go, for people want to portray me as someone I am not. And it is such an easy trap to fall into, for we are all human and like hearing nice things said about us.

But I have yet to meet anyone who has overcome all of life’s problems and challenges. The one or two ‘perfect people’ I have come across whom have thought they had made it, have quickly been exposed by the Holy Spirit as not yet having got there! For we all have areas in our lives in which we have not yet ‘reached the mark.’ And if we are to be of maximum effectiveness in bringing others to the faith, and growing those already in it, we need to be honest with and about ourselves. Once we admit to our humanness, and can attest to the power of the Godhead to help us cope with, deal with, and finally overcome, our weaknesses, so others will be encouraged to try the same thing. For I am saved, am being saved, and will be saved. Praise the Lord for His much-needed grace towards me as I walk along the road of life!

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FROM THE WORD

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”"(Hebrews 12:1-6)

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:12-14)

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

Let's not take ourselves so seriously this week! Some new, trivial doodlings that have occurred to me when working hard, trying to be seriously funny writing a trivia book.

??? How is it that those who hate mice can still manage to operate a computer?

??? How is it that ‘back seat drivers’ usually sit in the front passenger's seat?

??? Heroism is in the eye of the beholder.

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 ...

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

COMMENTS ON LAST WEEKS NEWSLETTER

ON THE LEADING ARTICLE ON UNITY
Dear David
The church were I worship is also looking at unity amongst the local churches - we regularly pray for local our brothers and sisters in Christ from different denominations.
We view that being individual soldiers we won't achieve anything, but by being united we will be an army to reckon with.
Every blessing
Pattie

Dear Brother David,
What a blessing and confirmation this message is to me. I was saved in 1991 and God called me into the ministry shortly thereafter. As I studied for the ministry I had to write a paper on Galatians 5:1-12, what God showed me and what I have repeatedly preached since is that the churches have gotten so tied up in religiousity and denominational legalisms that they have forgotten what God has called them to do. What needs to be done is to kick the walls down, reach out take our brothers' and sisters' hands and get on
with the High calling of Christ, to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. Once that is done then He will return for His church united. Praise God and may His many blessings be upon you.
Yours in Christ's Service
Cathy

CHALLENGE QUESTION - AGAIN! (One of several - thanks to all.)
Dear David,
I respectfully challenge your answer to this week's challenge. I submit that we have TWO birth days - one is a natural birth through woman (our mothers) and the second is
a spiritual birth through baptism by which we become a child of God and inheritor of eternal life.
Bob vonFrisch
Reading, PA USA

Your comments to me or fellow readers are always welcomed at... david@wwj.org.nz

FREE 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...

1. THE BIBLE - THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOK DESPITE THE CRITICS
2. THE BIBLE - INSPIRED BY GOD

BY: Ian Coker

Presenter of a well known Australian and followed radio programme. These 2 practical radio broadcasts will both inspire and encourage you about the foundational place of the Bible in our faith.

Download your free MP3 now 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***

*** "Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others." ***

Still 2 for 1 with so much to laugh about!

LATERAL THINKING
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait." Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"

KIDS ARE FUNNY PEOPLE
A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"

Now one of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 500 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

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

FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Are fish more abundant in cold ocean water or warm water?

ANSWER: Most people would guess that ocean life is more abundant in warm water. They'd be wrong. All kinds of marine life - plant and animal - are more abundant in colder waters. Many of the best fishing grounds are found in the coldest places. Why? Cold water holds more dissolved gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, that marine plants need to photosynthesize. The more plant food you have, the more fish and sea mammals you'll see. Antarctic waters are simply teeming with microscopic plankton that attracts whales and fish.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

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 WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

T42

Answer at the end of A David Musing.

Two weeks ago it is a fact that, with much blood, sweat and laughs, these facts doubled from 250 to 500! Last week a further 250 have been added. This week a futher 250 again so hitting quadruple figures at 1,000! Amazing how little things can satisfy - and clutter up cyberspace at the same time!

You can download a sample Trivia Book at
Truly Trifling Trivia or view all 1000 online at...

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

WHY?

There are some questions in life - even outside of faith - to which we don't have the answers. Here are a few.

??? Why, when I wind up my watch, I start it; but when I wind up a project, I end it?

??? Does the reverse side also have a reverse side?

??? If a book on "Failure" doesn't sell, is it a success?

??? Does a bankruptcy lawyer expect to get paid?

??? Why does food with half the calories costs twice as much?

A total of 100 impossible questions can be pondered over at...

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

'CHURCHSPEAK'

Ordinary words with an underlying spiritual meaning.

ARMOUR-----------Protection

BABYLON----------Religious confusion

DOOR, GATE-------Jesus i.e. the entrance to God

EGYPT------------World

LINEN------------Righteousness

Many more at...

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

WALKING THE ROAD WITH JESUS

An illumination of Gods desire for our Christian walk as revealed in Revelations 12:11 Both a challenge and a hope. Drawn from the book 'Eagles Fly High!' Available as a PDF download from...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/bk1.pdf

A DAVID MUSING

For David Tait
Is Running late
Here's a musing
Find it amusing

Life was short
People then fought
Now life's longer
Are people stronger?

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's Word Puzzle Answer: 'Tea For Two'

REPRODUCTION OF NEWSLETTER CONTENT

Most weeks we get enquiries about reproducing, in electronic or print form, articles contained in 'PGIM!' We welcome and encourage you to utilise this material. Freely received, freely given. We would ask though, that the scource be acknowledged as an encouragement to others to subscribe to this newsletter also.

Subscription opportunities are available at the bottom of each newsletter or at...

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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 website
wwj.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