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: 44 Published: 26 Aug 2002
ARE WE WHO WE APPEAR TO BE?
In the midst of completing final preparations for our departure tomorrow, I asked the Lord for an inspiration for writing this word. He led me to John 12:6, where it talks about Judas leading a double life.We very easily criticise Judas, who indeed, thought he was on to a good thing, helping himself out of the moneybag. Of course, sin inevitably degenerates into greater sin, in his case, the betrayal of his master, Jesus. This was no surprise to Jesus, who always knew what was happening. While Judas could hide his errant, evil ways, from the rest of the disciples, he could not hide from Jesus.
It is the same for us too. So often, the appearance we give to others is not an accurate reflection of what is going on, on the inside of us. While we may be able to fool the world, for a while anyway, we cannot fool our God. For He knows our every thought and action. He is the ultimate private eye!
In the end, the decisions we make in life, are influenced by our desire to please God, to please man, or to please ourselves. A single situation can provoke three different reactions, depending upon the direction in which our heart is truly focused. My experience too, has shown that most often, God's way is seemingly the least attractive and even the least sensible option, to our human spirit. Yet in the end, God's way is always the best.
So can I encourage us both, next it comes to making a decision, to ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" For Jesus is our God given role model. We may be able to put on a good face to others, or even convince ourselves that our way is God's way - or near enough to it - but we can't fool God. So why do we try? Let's give God a go in our lives, shall we? In the end, unlike Judas, we wont die to regret it!
PS: Just as I was completing this item, a cartoon came in my email. I had to take a look! This cartoon is at the top of 'Jeff the Cartoonist's', top 20 list of all times. Click on this live link to have a look at it:
CONFIRMING CARTOON Maybe this is a complete coincidence, or just maybe, God is reinforcing the point! Happy viewing - Godly living!
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FROM THE WORD
"But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.†He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." (John 12:4-6)"When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,†he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.â€
“What is that to us?†they replied. “That’s your responsibility.â€
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.†So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.†"
(Matthew 27:3-10)
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
### Our faith is like the air we breath. It is only the current breath that gives life.### As we build our faith, so faith builds in us.
### Past faith is but a memory, future faith but a dream, but today's faith defines our relationship with God.
These 3 Doodlings started off last weeks time of inspiration. Now there are 400+ sayings to be found at...
WHY?
Can you provide answers to these puzzling mysteries of life.??? How do you get off a non-stop flight?
??? How come that no-one is listening until you make a mistake?
??? Why is it that the colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required on it?
??? Why are credit cards always in debit?
??? Why did Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
??? Why when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you, but when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window?
??? Why is anyone going slower than you an idiot, but anyone going faster than you a maniac?
For more of life's most challenging questions see...
TAPE (MP3) OF THE WEEK
In association with Inspirational Tapes Ministriesinspirational.org.nz we are pleased to offer you this inspirational tape - absolutely free of charge!
CREATED TO RULE
BY: Dr Neal Patterson
A few weeks ago we offered our first tape by Neal Patterson, which was extremely well received. Neal is an outstanding Bible teacher over many years and a personal friend. This tape will challenge those who think that salvation and Holy Spirit anointing are all that there is to our Christian walk. Should change your life.
Order your free tape or run the MP3 today at ...
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***SCIENCE v GOD
A group of scientists decided that mankind had advanced far enough that they no longer needed God. So they drew straws, and the loser went to find God. When he found Him, he dithered a bit, made some small talk about the weather, and finally came out with it.
"OK, look God," he said, "We've mastered space exploration, we can cure any disease, we can talk instantaneously with people around the world, we can clone human beings; basically, we don't need you any more."
God listened patiently. Finally He spoke.
"Tell you what," He said. "We'll settle this with a man-making contest. Each of us will make a man, and the first one to finish wins."
"Sure," said the man, who headed off to consult with his colleagues.
"Wait a minute," called God.
The man turned.
"We're going to do this the real way; the way I did it in the beginning."
"No problem," responds the man, bending down to grab a handful of clay.
"No, no, no," says God. "You make your own dirt."
25 (125 in all) new sermon fillers at ...
FACTS FOR FUN
LAST WEEKS QUESTION: How many sweat glands do we have in our body? The sort of thing you think about before you go to Africa!ANSWER: About five million. Most are in the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, and your armpits.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: How does a frog cope with freezing temperatures?
Answer Next Week.
***SOME FUN FACTS***
'KINGLY KARDS'
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history. Spades - King David; Clubs - Alexander the Great; Hearts -Charlemagne; and Diamonds - Julius Caesar. (They all dug with spades, swung clubs, won hearts and collected diamonds!)
COLD COMFORT
You are more likely to be struck by lightening than to be eaten by a shark. On the other hand (if you still have one), you are less likely to be struck by lightening than be infected by flesh-eating bacteria. (Youzzzzz Takes Your Choice!)
CIRCUITOUS LOGIC
The reason firehouses have circular stairways is from the days of yore when the engines were pulled by horses. The horses were stabled on the ground floor and figured out how to walk up straight staircases. (What about the horses on merry-go-rounds?)
IT'S A PLASTIC WORLD
There is a Tupperware Party held somewhere in the world every 2 seconds. (Simply cannot contain(er) my excitement!)
A CHALLENGE FOR YOU!
What four-letter word can be placed in front of each of the following words to form new words?
PHONE
LINE
WATERS
Answer at the end of ‘A David Musing’
Find 150 fun facts and trivial trivia at ...
JUST JOKES
TECHNOLOGY"If automotive technology had kept pace with computer technology over the past few decades," boasts Gates, "you would now be driving a V-32 instead of a V-8, and it would have a top speed of 10,000 miles per hour. Or, you could have an economy car that weighs 30 pounds and gets a thousand miles to a gallon of gas. In either case, the sticker price of a new car would be less than $50."
"Sure," says the GM chairman. "But would you really want to drive a car that crashes four times a day?"
Visit our Just Jokes for lots more fun at...
A BRILLIANT BOOKLET ON THE CHURCH SUPPORTING CHRISTIANS IN BUSINESS
Left this out last week. Sorry.Called 'Supporting Christians at Work Without Going Insane'this superb booklet has been widely distributed in the United Kingdom. It is available for sending overseas too. They just ask that individuals overseas who wish to receive a copy, should make a donation towards the print and postage cost, through their website to help keep costs right down. Bulk supplies are available also. For example, the Baptist Union here in New Zeaand ordered 600 copies to give one to each of their pastors.
The booklet:
1. Makes the case for workplace ministry
2. Provides Pastors and Ministers with a discussion of the theological issues which have blocked workplace ministry
3. Includes a large number of ideas on how they and their communities can practically support the workers.
You can contact THE LONDON INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANITY at...
A DAVID MUSING
The time has come to catch the plane,Off to Africa, we're to go again,
Must get all the last minute jobs done,
Before getting on board and having fun.
So much to do, so little time,
Had better then, finish this rhyme.
Must go now and ring my Mum,
Then Uganda, here we come!
His servant and yours
David Tait
Challenge Answer: HEAD
LINKS
If you would like to link your web links@wsite to ours, and ours to yours, please advise us on links@wwj.org.nzDID THIS EMAIL HAVE A BLUE BACKGROUND AND RED HEADINGS?
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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