Journey Through the Bible e-letter by Pastor Charles J. Williams, Jr., M.Div.

Friday, March 5, 1999

From God's Word:

The Earth Is Full of It

"The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love" (Psalm 33:5 NIV).

In a time when political oppression seems everywhere, morals are ideals of the imagination, racism is expressing itself in new horrors, and God's Word is all but forgotten, it's good news indeed to discover "the earth is full of [God's] unfailing love." It may not feel like it at times, but it is.

Look around you! As I look around at my little piece of earth, and reflect upon the truthfulness of these words, I see God's love in a great many places. I see beauty in the day, music in the trees where birds perch, and joy in hearts of children at play. As I reflect upon my life, I realize God's love has forgiven me my sins, guided me into His service, directed me on the path of righteousness "for His namesake." Indeed, the very presence of God's love has filled my heart with a new awareness of His presence, preference, and purpose. God's love has shown me first hand kindness, blessed my family and I materially, and now holds a future before us that is bright and hope filled.

Yes, there is "bad" in the world -- and in our country and community, and in our personal lives. But such does not nullify God's presence, His promise, and His unfailing love. If we read this text as if it only applied to the psalmist, we will have reduced the Bible to a history book. Thus, such must be true today -- and it is! The earth is still full of God's love!

Thank you, O Lord, for reminding us of Your steadfast love and how You greatly desire we realize Your love in our lives; no matter how hard pressed we may feel by the world. Amen.

Together We Pray

For a son who continues to deal with separation anxiety.

For a son who is on the road to destruction.

For a couple who would like to have children either naturally or via adoption.

For a friend cooping with the death of two close uncles this week.

For a mother suffering from an respiratory infection.

For those who are experiencing severe persecution and being forced to renounce Christianity in Korea.

In praise and thanksgiving for a child is getting over an illness.

In thanksgiving for a father's favorable test results.

For God to richly bless the 1999 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering which supports North American Missions.

For God's love, mercy, and grace . . . Amen.

In The Bible
Date	Read	Reflect
Fri, Mar 5	Num 24:1-26:25; Psm 37	Psalm 37:23
Sat, Mar 6	Num 27:1-31:11; Psm 38	Num 27:18-23
Sun, Mar 7	Mark 9:1-50; Prov 10:19-21	Mark 9:23
Mon, Mar 8	Mark 10:1-52; Prov 10:22-23	Mark 10:13-16
Tues, Mar 9	Mark 11:1-33; Prov 10:24-26	Mark 11:12-14
Wed, Mar 10	Mark 12:1-44; Prov 10:27-30	Mark 12:1-12
Thur, Mar 11	Mark 13:1-13:37; Prov 10:31-11:3	Mark 13:24-37
Fri, Mar 12	Mark 14:1-72; Prov 11:4-11:5	Mark 14:26
Sat, Mar 13	Mark 15:1-16:19; Prov 11:6-7	Mark 16:16-17
The complete one year Bible reading plan is available on the Journey Through the Bible web site.

Internet Corner

A friend said to me last week: "I sit in front of the computer and can't think of interesting places to visit on the internet." Such seems to be a recurring problem. Fortunately, the Internet has many good sites of interest to the whole family. My wife spent a few minutes on the world wide web and came up with these.
If you're interested in libraries, the internet gives you access to libraries all over the world. You'll find the New York Public Library at www.nypl.org; the County of Los Angeles Public Library at www.colapublib.org; the Library of Congress at www.loc.gov -- here you'll find children’s literature reading rooms and more. Better still, for a complete list of online libraries check out www.sunsite.berkeley.edu/Libweb.
If museums are of interest, be sure to check out the compiled list by the International Committee on Museums at www.icom.org/vlmp.html.
Newspapers are an excellent source of information. The New York Times is available online at www.nytimes.com and the Washington Post at www.washingtonpost.com. Here too, a complete listing of public and collegiate newspapers in US or by country is available at www.newspapers.com.
Finally, encyclopedias are popular tools for students and researchers. You'll find the official online internet encyclopedia at www.encyclopedia.com includes links to related sites. Encarta is also available online on a limited free basis at www.encarta.msn.com.
Check some of these out. It's some of the good stuff on the Internet.

For other interesting web sites, check out our list of links on the
Journey Through the Bible web site.

Living By Faith:

A God Thing!

John, a dear friend and mentor in the faith, wrote me last week with this inspiring testimony of God's love at work. I think you'll agree.

My current job story was quite simple, yet awesome in the respect to the workings of God. My job with an international container company was over when both sides determined the company had broken many promises to me and that they could no longer afford to keep me on the payroll. That was in August of 1998. The company, however, paid me through the end of October.
By the end of September, a volunteer opportunity at our church's new building happened to open up (a God thing). With plenty of free time on my hands, I started working 6 days a week. It wasn't really work but more like a privilege since I was serving our Lord. I enjoyed every minute of every day. The time completely took my mind off not having a job.
Not having a job never really bothered me; a great many believers were praying and God answers prayer. My prayer was that God would open the door after the first of the year, when most of the major at the church would be completed. I also prayed that God would grant me a job in Louisville, in packaging, so my wife and I could stay in our wonderful church and remain close to my mother. Secular "odds" were very much against me, however. Louisville is not a packaging town. Besides, landing a job that would pay what I needed, was even more remote.
The year ended and the money we sat aside to keep us afloat was down to the break point. Still, I never lost one night's sleep worrying -- I knew God would provide!
Almost immediately, a job in sales opened up where I could remain in Louisville. I was accepted, and started working for the Hanson Group on February 8th. Yet another example of answered prayer in my various jobs over my career. God has, in fact, provided on many other occasions -- but that's another story and another "God thing."
: How has God helped you? Where have you seen God at work? Share your story today!
How has God helped you? Where have you seen God at work? Share your story today!

Ministry Needs

Let's Each One Reach One! The Journey Thorough Bible e-letter is now six weeks old. In that period, we've reached more than 120 homes with the good news of Jesus Christ! Wow! Best of all, each reader is being nurtured in at least five Christian disciples (obedience to Christ, prayer, reading and studying God's Word, ministry service, and witnessing). In fact, we had quite a few subscribers come to us by way of our world wide web site. The e-letter is reaching all over the United States and even one couple in Germany!

How about you? Isn't there someone you know who could benefit from practicing five Christian disciplines each week? Why not ask them if they would like to receive this e-letter. If you prefer, forward them a copy of this issue! The idea here is to advance God's kingdom. We can, if we work together.

Week of Prayer for North American Missons, March 7-14, 1999

Want More?

e-mail Pastor Williams at pastor_wms@oocities.com for help in overcoming the storms of life, share prayer concerns, provide feedback, and more. You may also want to visit us on the World Wide Web at www.oocities.org/heartland/hollow/9254. There you'll find the latest updates on Service/Ministry opportunities, review & print the entire one year Bible reading plan, discover links to web sites that help you grow in Christ, back issues of the JTB e-letter, biographical data on Pastor Williams, and more.

Preview subscribers will automatically become subscribers unless we hear from you otherwise. Send an e-mail to Pastor Williams to unsubscribe from this free ministry. Submitted testimonies and prayer requests are subject to editing by Pastor Williams for length and content. Bible readings alternate between Old and New Testament selections so as to journey the reader through the Bible in one year. Reflection verses are suggestions for daily spiritual growth. When reflecting, ask yourself: "What is God saying to 'me' in the this passage?" Then ask "What will I say to God in response?"