Journey Through The Bible e-letter

The kingdom building ministry of Pastor Charles J. Williams, Jr., M.Div. promoting five Christian disciplines; obedience, prayer, reading and studying the Bible, ministry service, and personal evangelism.  This newsletter version represents the prayerful hope that you will grow closer to God and live the abundant life which only comes through Jesus Christ.

Friday, March 26, 1999

  From God's Word:

  Fresh Fruit from the Soul

"John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, 'You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.'" (Luke 3:7-8a NIV)

How does one produce fruit in keeping with repentance? Such was the crowd's question to John. I found it particularly interesting that John directs the people to do ministry service; to share with the less fortunate and the needy. Such rings a familiar tune to we who seek to abide in Christ daily. Jesus says it like this: "A new commandment I give unto you, love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another.  By this will all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love one for another" (John 13:34-35). Later, Jesus adds: "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit" (John 15:8). In fact, John seems to touch on virtually every element of the disciple's cross.

    Are you producing fruit in keeping with repentance? Such is a good question as we continue to support the Honduras Food Project. As John points out, one good way to begin is for those of us who have to share with those who are in need.

Lord, forgive me for failing to glorify your Holy name. Forgive me for overlooking my responsibility to my neighbor. Forgive me, O Lord, in Jesus' name, for failing to bear the kind and quantity of fruit that You make possible in my life . . . Amen.

Together We Pray

For God to bless our Honduras Food Project and its goal to send 10 boxes by April 17.

    For a Husband and father of two who was electrocuted this week; both his hands and arms were severely burned and he is now in an Augusta, Ga. hospital.  Our friend underwent surgery today to remove the burned skin from both arms and hands. 

    For Kosovo; its people and those in harms way. Please pray for peace.

    For a five year old daughter's hearing; her parents are worried.

    In gratitude for a daughter's safe return from a Missions trip during Spring Break.

    For those missing in an Alaska snow storm.

    For a church who is seeking how God would have them use a swimming pool.

    For a 21-year old mother who abandoned her baby in a fast food restaurant; the mother did not, however, abort the child or end the baby's life once it was born.

    For survivors of this week's Cyclone in Australia.

    For a young man in rebellion.

    For God's presence, provisions and love.  Amen.

Send your prayer concerns and/or updates today!  

Living By Faith:

Christians Attack Evil At Its Roots In Caseros, Argentina

(Religion Today, March 18, 1999)

A 200-year-old tree had become a meeting place for spirit worshipers, Every Home for Christ recently said.  Similar worship centers outnumber churches in Argentina six to one.

    A handful of Christians decided to fight back. One Sunday evening they set up a movie screen next to the tree and showed the Jesus film to townspeople.  After the film, 135 people gathered under the tree and prayed to become Christians.

    Two days later, "without any weather circumstances to explain it," EHC director Rino Bell said, "this 200-year-old tree split in two, making a tremendous noise as it fell to the ground, smashing everything around it."  "The city's mayor came to see the phenomenon and brought along a couple of engineers who might give him an explanation.  But the tree had no disease or anything else to explain the fall."  Christians say they believe God supernaturally destroyed the symbol of darkness, EHC said.

    The Colorado Springs-based ministry has helped distribute about 66 million gospel booklets in Argentina.

How has God helped you?  Where have you seen God at work?  Share your story today!

Ministry Needs

Read more about this, and view photos, on the Baptist Courier Web Site.

Let Dr. Billy Graham Help You Reach Family and Friends! I still recall as a young boy watching Billy Graham preach on television. His messages are always timely and eternally spirit-inspired. This Easter, invite your family, friends and neighbors to watch Billy Graham as he discusses the true meaning of Easter and shows the way to the risen Savior. He will be telecasting a crusade during the week of March 28, that's next week. And not only will you be enriched by the message, you will be putting into practice the Spiritual Discipline of personal evangelism.

Internet Corner

We've had our fun and we've had our laughs. Now its time to get serious -- about taxes that is!

    A friend e-mailed this week saying he wished I hadn't mentioned taxes.  He, like so many, has not done his yet.  Well, this week's Internet Corner may help -- especially for those of you who wait for the last minute to file.

    The Internal Revenue Service has established a typically governmental web site (which means it's SLOW) at www.irs.ustreas.gov. Other web sites such as www.irs.com are available but are NOT related to the government. On these sites, you'll find a wealth of information that will not only help you prepare your taxes but even file your returns, pay your taxes via credit card, review tax publications, ask questions, and more.

    My wife and I benefited from the online features when we needed a form to complete our returns. In almost no time at all, we accessed and printed the form. In fact, one would be hard pressed to tell the difference between our printed copy and the forms which accompany the tax booklet. An Adobe document reader is required, however, but its available on most Windows based PCs today.

    I know we're talking about Uncle Sam -- and even worse, his tax collectors! But hey, its still some of the good stuff on the Internet.

 

Have you an idea for "Internet Corner"?  Write me. 

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

Want More?

e-mail us at jttb@oocities.com or visit us on the World Wide Web at www.oocities.org/~jttb for the latest updates on Service/Ministry opportunities, the complete one year Bible reading plan, links to web sites that help you grow in Christ, biographical data on Pastor Williams, and much more.

God loves you!  (cf John 3:16)

(c) 1999 Charles J. Williams, Jr., M.Div.  All rights reserved.

Preview subscribers will automatically become subscribers unless we hear from you otherwise.  Send an e-mail to Journey Through the Bible 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?"