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: 181 Published: 11 Apr 2005
DEALING TO DISAPPOINTMENT
One guaranteed certainty of entering Christian ministry is, that at some time, normally sooner rather than later, we will experience disappointment. Objection, dejection, rejection, and in severe cases, ejection, are all common 'jections' experienced when we are led to help others find God and themselves.For me, a particularly bad experience early on in ministry, immediately after a powerful, public visitation of the Holy Spirit, sent me spiralling into depression, taking me to a place where I wanted to end it all. But I was so good at covering up! Not even my wife knew what was going on deep inside. For by nature, I'm optimistic and driven, seemingly unaffected by, almost thriving on criticism, when working towards my life goals. But big 'highs' can easily become even bigger 'lows', as satan pulls out all stops to nullify the effectiveness of ministry.
So how do we 'deal to disappointment'?
Firstly, we need to recognise that disappointment is 'normal' in ministry. We all face it. No, it's not just you! It's not just me! Isn't that a relief? In fact, we're abnormal if we don't experience it! Now, doesn't that make you feel better already? It sure does me! (James 1:2-4)
Secondly, we need to recognise that we are in a spiritual battle. The enemy will use disappointment to remove our motivation to achieve our God given vision. He will twist the knife in our wounds to make us falter, to fall, and finally, to fail. But the devil is an illusionist! He's only as effective in his manipulations as we allow him to be. We can resist and he will flee! For we do have the victory through Jesus! (Revelation 12:10-12)
Thirdly, we need to share our disappointments with others we can trust. And they do exist! Ones who will be prepared to stand with us through our troubles. For a rope of three strands is not easily broken, in the natural as well as the spiritual. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
Finally, and in my experience, most importantly, we must look forward, removing our focus on the past, with its hurts, to the future with its possibilities. The Lord dragged me up by my bootlaces when all seemed lost, making me see the futility of self-pity, at the same time giving renewed vision for the future. A vision that 10 years later still hasn't been fulfilled, yet one I cling too, through times good and bad. (Philippians 3:12-15)
I have had to learn to forgive those who hurt me. And something even harder - to forget it! For how often do we forgive, yet not forget? Yet the slate of our sin has been wiped clean - forgiven and forgotten by our Lord. Surely, the least we can do, is the same to others. (2 Peter 1:3-9)
This is achievable, in a practical way, by looking forwards rather than back. By learning from, but not being embittered by, experience, applying what we have learned to the fulfilment of future goals.
I had a wise man visit me recently whom, after hearing my story, explained that my disappointments had served to build maturity in the Lord. For the reality is, we experience more spiritual growth in the valleys than on the mountaintops. It is through trials and testings that our character is built, as gold refined by ongoing purifying in the fire of life.
Yes, today my character and ministry is the stronger (though not yet perfected) through my my disappointments. "Thank you Lord for making me a little more like you." You too?
Lord, while I don't like the pain of mountain climbing, I love the view from the top!
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FROM THE WORD
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.â€" (Revelation 12:10-12)
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
"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. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. (Philippians 3:12-15)
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins." (2 Peter 1:3-9)
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
WORRY96. Definition of a worrier – one who worries that they have nothing to worry about.
97. I can never catch up with my worries, for they are all about tomorrow.
98. Rarely does tomorrow’s worry become today’s problem.
99. Today’s worry rarely solves tomorrow’s problems.
100. An apple a day keeps the Doctor away, but a worry a day keeps him fully employed.
101. Repentance is when you change a ‘worry’ into a ‘sorry.’
102. Laughter is the only medicine I know where the side effects are even more beneficial than the medicine itself.
103. After birth on earth, a dearth of mirth reduces self-worth, leading to an increased girth.
208. The ultimate worrier does not have the time to concern themselves with today or tomorrow for they are still too busy worrying about what happened yesterday.
356. An optimist tackles a problem while the worrier lets the problem tackle them.
357. Magicians and worriers both create illusions. Magicians entertain others, while worriers entertain themselves.
358. Worry is like the fast breeder nuclear reactor, which feeds upon itself. Unsurprisingly, neither has proved to be of lasting benefit to mankind.
359. Somehow, it seems easier to build a mountain of worry than a molehill of achievement.
360. A worry a day keeps the psychiatrist in business.
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CRANWELL'S CARTOON
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.†And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.26 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.â€
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
(Genesis 1:24-27)
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FROM YOU - TO ME - TO YOU
DavidI don't know about you, but I found the following quite pertinent, given the current trend of labelling those Christians who refuse to stray from God's teaching as intolerant. This accusation not only coming from those who do not know God, but also from those who claim they do. God bless
Love
Margaret & Jeze
"I am Radical for God"-Patrick Conaty
You know it's strange to me that when someone refuses to go along with the world in it's "main-stream christian narrow-mindedness", (I'm o.k., your'e o.k., blab it, grab it, name it, claim it, say seven words to be saved") and when one refuses to “follow a multitude to do evil†(Exodus 23:2), when one refuses to highly esteem that which is highly esteemed among MEN knowing it to be an abomination before God (Luke 16:15), when one refuses to regard the honor of MEN or the doctrines and commandments of MEN, that person is labelled a “Radical for Godâ€!
The pressure on men and women today is to go along with the typical path of religious thinking. The trend is toward conformity and if one refuses to conform to this world (as Scripture tells him in Romans 12:2, not to do), it is only to raise the criticism of part-time Christians, lukewarm soul winners, and the anger of "professional pew warmers" as they hurl the slanderous attack upon them—RELIGIOUS FANATIC!
Jesus and the apostles faced such anger and malice from the religious leaders of his day for many [not few, but many] said, “He hath a demon, and is mad [to rage as insane]; why hear ye him?†(John 10:20). The Lord warned His disciples concerning the hatred of religious men against them as it was against Him (John 15:18-21). And why did these religious leaders hate Him? It was because He had told them the TRUTH! They were exposed by the Light and their wicked deeds they could no longer cover (John 3:19, 10:22). The same goes today. How many times have I been asked "are you judging?" When I only stand up to say, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ..." ..........(abridged)
If proclaiming in my life, at all times, this precious gift of salvation, is called radical religious fanaticism. Then, yes, label me a Radical for God!!
Patrick Conaty
Radical for God ministries
www.RadicalforGod.com
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David
I quickly looked at the series, I did not have time to look at it closely. Sorry, so I will kind of shoot from the hip.
How could someone come to the conclusion that Jesus died on Thursday? Lamb selection day was Sunday. that means the family lamb was killed on Thursday Just prior to the Passover meal on what we call Thursday evening but what the Jews would call Friday evening (evening comes before the day because the new day starts at sundown).
Jesus had Passover meal with his disciples on Passover evening. He was arrested, tried, and then crucified on Passover (Fri). He died at 3 pm at the precise time that the national sacrifice (a lamb) was being slaughtered. As the shofar sounded to mark the time, Jesus cried out "it is finished" and died.
He was buried on Fri. before sunset.
Sat was the feast of unleavened bread (starting our Friday evening) when pious Jews would cast wheat on the ground and pray "God give us life/bread from the ground". Jesus the bread of life was buried in the tomb/ground on unleavened bread. Sun (starting our Sat evening) was the feast of First Fruits when Jesus rose from the dead, the First fruits of those raised from the dead.
Only infrequently, due to the lunar calendar, do Passover, unleavened bread, and First Fruits occur on Fri, Sat, and Sun as they did the year Jesus died, when the "time was right".
In the Jewish culture at the time, a part of a day was enough to be considered a day, so Jesus was in the tomb, part of Friday, Saturday, and part of Sun. All or part of 3 days, so he was 3 days in the tomb and then rose from the dead.
With thousands of years of tradition, and a proper understanding of the Jewish culture and the feasts, there is no reason not to believe that Jesus died on Friday. And this meshes wonderfully with your theme of the precise timing of Jesus death to coincide with the feasts.
Oh and between the settings of the sun would be between high noon as the sun reaches its peak and begins it descent, and 6 pm when the sun sets behind the horizon. Halfway between these two times is 3 pm. Of course their hour was not exactly 60 minutes as in our time. High noon is the zenith, the end of the day is when the set sets behind the horizon. This time was divided into 6 "hours". And the length of an hour depended on the time of year.
Henry A.L. Wollman Moody Bible Institute (www.moody.edu)
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David
You noted that your math was dependent on randomness, but it's probably even more likely that the people who misunderstand one concept, misunderstand several. In other words, the same people are missing several or all of the questions. Still sad to think of the misunderstandings and mistaken beliefs. Thanks for the information and link to the survey, as well as your ongoing work - I really appreciate the newsletter.
In Christ,
Tim Haugen
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Hi David,
Couldn't help picking up on your WALKING / / / today.
The odds against "me seeing me in heaven" are pretty high if we take what the Bible says without traditional "spin".
My hope is, as Paul taught - in the Resurrection of the righteous dead and the glorious return of Jesus to reign in Jerusalem - for 1000 years. Between when I quit and that moment will seem only a "twinkling of an eye".
Maybe, after all that we may see "heaven", even the whole universe.
Like the kids say "I can't wait"!
Blessings,
Keith
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David
Fun Fact 690 suggests that the date of Easter is determined by a 'pagan' ancient lunar calendar; but the Jewish date of Passover is actually determined by a Jewish lunar calendar, which we today have to cross-calculate to our modern solar calendar of 365 and 1/4 days. The cross referencing is further complicated by the fact that we Christians also chose to adjust the answer slightly to ensure the Day of Resurrection is celebrated on the Lord's Day of Sunday every year.
Yes the name 'Easter' does come from an ancient pagan source, but the calculation of the date is thoroughly Jewish in origin.
(There are some excellent technical web-sites around that go in to great detail concerning the exact astronomical and calendar intricacies that are involved in calculating the date of Easter for each year. There are other web-sites which also debate in detail the arguments for and against a simplification of the system of calculation. Personally speaking I would support a system which produces a more regularised date for Easter, the way the lunar calendar swings the date about each year seems to me to be excessively complicated, and it is difficult to justify to an increasingly secular world. I write this from a United Kingdom perspective where our government still grants two official Bank Holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday. It gets harder to convince a non-church-attending world why their public holidays should move about so much each year.)
Did you know that the Jehovah's Witnesses stick to the use of the traditional Jewish lunar calendar and celebrate their annual Lord's Supper on the exact Jewish Passover date of Nissan 14th no matter what day of the week it occurs? I don't care much for that idea, Easter Sunday matters too much for me.
Mike
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Dear David,
I have seen a version of this story before. There is one slight problem with it! Its not true. I first heard a similar version of this story back in 1983 from the youth director of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, who told me that Easter and Christianity had many pagan influences from the Germans (like kneeling). I was a bit disturbed by his story because Norse, German and Anglo-Saxon (Celtic as well) myths were formerly a big hobby of mine. Why was I disturbed, becasue after having read 100's of books about Norse mythology and its variants, I had never heard of Oster (German for Easter) or Easter. How could I have missed it.
To the best of my ability and research, it appears that Oster was invented by the Brothers Grimm and linked to Astarte as a proof of the great age of the German culture. By the way the only references I could find recently to the idea of an Anglo Saxan Easter was on a Wiccan website, of whose scholarship I have some doubts about. NO references at all to Oster. Easter as Oster is based on the word East (Ost) because the son (sun) or Sohne (Sonne) rises in the East.
The western date of Easter was set at the council of Nicaea in 325, and as adjusted by the Gregorian Calendar. The Eastern Orothdox follow the same basic rule, but they use the Julian Calendar. The Jewish Calender has a leap month periodically and this sometimes allows Passover to fall regularly late in the year (like this year). It seems that the Orthodox usually celebrate Easter after Passover. The Celts on the other hand were celebrating Easter on a fixed day of the week, although I am not clear as to whether it was the 15th of April or the 15th of Nissan.
There is a similar myth about Christmas trees coming from pagan Germans, when in fact they came from the medieval morality plays. The tree in the church on the 24th of December was the tree of life in the play about Adam and Eve. The cross of course is our tree of life.
Shalom B'Yeshua HaMoshiach
Michael Joe Thannisch+, SST, OSL
mjthan@quik.com
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
A REVELATION OF... THE POWER OF THREE IN GOD AND THE CHURCH - Part 1 of 3In walking further with Jesus, I increasingly appreciate that this particular revelation of 'threes in God' has been hugely important in developing my understanding of God and how He works both in the church and in our lives.
It matters not whether you are a 'oneness', 'twoness', or 'trinitarian' believer. The concept still applies.
If you can grasp this simple, yet profound concept, I'm sure it will open up new realms of understanding for you too about God and His plans for His people in these end days.
This teaching is an introduction. It will be followed in coming weeks by examples of this principle's application to the church and us as individuals.
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
359. CSN YOU SPELL "GOD"?
Three people from different parts of the country passed away at the same time. All were met at the gates by St. Peter. The first was an architect from California. Peter said, "You've built beautiful buildings and served men on earth, but before you come in you have to pass one small test, spell 'God'". "G-O-D," replied the architect and St. Peter waved him through.
The second person to approach was a rancher from Texas. Peter looked at him and said, "You've served man upon the earth by providing food through the cattle you've raised but before you come in there's just one small test, spell 'GOD'". "G-O-D", said the rancher and Peter waved him through.
The third person was an attractive businesswoman from New York. Peter said, "You've served the world of commerce, but before you come in you'll have to pass one small test." At this the woman interrupted, "Oh come on now Saint," said the woman, "I've had to fight for every promotion I've ever gotten. I've had to take lower pay for the same job as a male colleague, and I've been continually harassed by bosses and peers for one reason, my gender. And now here I am and you're giving me a hard time too; what kind of test? Let's get it over with."
Peter thought for a moment and said, "Spell Czechoslovakia"
358. ISAIAH AND HIS HORSE
A young lad came home from church one day, and his mother asked him what he had learned in Sunday school. He said, "We learned about Isme."
Not remembering that name in the Bible, his mother asked, "Who is Isme?" "I guess it was a horse, the horse a man by the name of Isaiah rode." "What are you talking about, there's no mention in the Bible of Isaiah riding a horse", the mother responded.
"Well, he must have", said the young boy. My teacher read from the place where Isaiah said "Woah, Isme!"
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FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: What does it mean "to take pot luck"?ANSWER: "To take pot luck" means to take whatever is available by chance, rather than choosing for yourself. In the Middle Ages, leftovers were often thrown into a big pot each day. When offered dinner from the pot, it really was a matter of luck what was in there! Nowadays, when we are invited to a "potluck dinner," it means everyone is expected to bring something for everyone to share. At least it's not all mixed together into one stew!
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is black gold?
Answer Next Week.
SOME FUN FACTS687. APRIL FOOL - AGAIN!
In Scotland, April Fools' Day is called "Taily Day" and lasts two days, during which time pranks involving the posterior are played. (‘Behind’ the times!)
688. INSULATED IGLOOS
The structure of an igloo is so well insulated that one can sit inside without a coat while the outside temperature is as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. (No need to light a fire – fortunately!)
689. INJECTIONS INITIATED
The hypodermic needle was invented in 1853. It was initially used for giving injections of morphine as a painkiller. Physicians mistakenly believed that morphine would not be addictive if it by-passed the digestive tract. (The jab! A classic example of ‘no pain, no gain.)
A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU
Make another word from this word using all the letters.
RETINAE
Answer at the end of A David Musing
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RESULTS OF THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
By: Bill Subritzky
New Zealand's leading evangelist for many years. The second in a series of 3.
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DO YOU KNOW? (The Death & Resurrection of Jesus)
Whom do we know was among those whom Jesus revealed himself on the road to Emmaus?Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING.
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THE BIBLE
The word ‘Bible’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Biblia’, which means ‘books,’ and refers to the sacred writings of Judaism and Christianity. The Bible consists of 66 books and has two parts. The first part is called the ‘Old Testament’ by Christians. It consists of 39 books of the sacred writings of the Jewish people which was written originally in Hebrew, except for some portions in Aramaic.The second part is called the ‘New Testament’. It consists 27 books which was composed in Greek and records the story of Jesus Christ and the beginnings of Christianity. It is translated in whole or in part into more than 2,000 languages, The Bible is the worlds best seller ever, and the most widely distributed book in the world. Its influence on history and culture, including literature and the other arts, is incalculable.
The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. The United Bible Societies (UBS) estimate they have distributed nearly 9 billion Bibles, whole or in part, since 1947.
In 1989, the American Bible Societies (ABS) distributed more than 106,387,551 Scripture portions in the United States alone. During the same year, a worldwide partnership of Bible Societies distributed well over 650 million Scripture portions and about 15.5 million Bibles.
In 1988, the 1,000th anniversary of the baptism of Prince Vladimir of Kiev, the Soviet Union, in an agreement with the UBS (United Bible Society), received hundreds of thousands of Bibles. According to a recent U.B.S. report, Bible portions are available in 2,123 languages, the complete Bible, in 349 languages, and the New Testament in 841 languages. In 1995, they distributed 565 million Bibles and Bible portions to 200 countries.
The Bible is, some calculate, a $200 million-a-year retail market in the United States. According to a recent national survey concluded in US, the average American home had four bibles and almost all U.S. homes had at least one or more. Most Americans prefer the King James Version (KJV).
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DO YOU KNOW THE ANSWERS?
1. Why is the time of day when the traffic is slowest called the ‘rush hour’?2. Why isn’t ‘phonetics’ spelt the way it sounds?
3. Why are homes called apartments when they are all stuck together?
4. Why do we drive in parks and park in drives?
5. Why don’t sheep shrink in the rain?
6. If nothing sticks to teflon, how do they make it stick to the pan?
7. Why is it for each and every action, there is an equal and greater criticism?
8. If fire fighters fight fires and crime fighters fight crime, what do freedom fighters fight?
9. If a service station never closes, why do they still have locks on the door?
10. Do vegetarians eat animal biscuits?
11. How come an iron has a setting for ‘permanent press’?
12. If Barbie (the doll of course) is so popular, why do you need to buy her friends?
13. What’s another word for ‘Thesaurus’?
14. If you had everything in the world, where would you put it?
15. After they make styrofoam, what do they ship it in?
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BIBLE BITS (The 'Minor' Prophets)
HOSEAHosea was a prophet of love. His experiences of dealing with his wayward wife Gomer are used as an illustration of God's problems with Israel. Like Gomer's sin, that of Israel would also be punished before restoration. Israel is described as a 'harlot' and an adulterous wife, with God portrayed as a faithful husband.
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DRIPS AND DROPS
God can talk to us when we are relaxing too. Some of my best inspirations and timeswith God came when relaxing in the spa pool. Great excuse to stay in! Unfortunately we don't have one now! I miss it.
DRIPS AND DROPS
Relaxing in the spa, after my workout,
Pondering awhile, what life is all about,
When a drip of rain, upon me, it did fall,
These musings to my mind, it did recall!
A drip of inspiration for me!
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A DAVID MUSING
Some weeks the newsletter takes longer to write than expected. Guess you have similar experiences!Kathy is on 'call' tonight (Sunday - rarely early in writing this!) at the hospital, so I need to get off the computer shortly in case they want to call her in for an emergency.
This week we expect to produce twins! Well, not us, really. That would take a miracle! Some miracles you would rather not have!
But our family in Scotland are the lucky ones. For there is nothing like 'new life'. Particularly when you can take the credit without the work! So we are just waiting for the phone call, sadly though, from 20,000km (12,000 miles) away. Life in today's world. You can't get further from New Zealand than Scotland!
Kathy will just have to visit next month...
So until next week...
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.
His servant and yours
David Tait
Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: TRAINEE
TODAY'S 'DO YOU KNOW?' ANSWER: Cleopas. "13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?†They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?†(Luke 24:13-18)
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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
3 Hetley Crescent
Taradale
Napier 4001
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 8449-377 International (+64) 6 8449-377
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