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, April 2, 1999

  From God's Word:

  The Ugly Weight of Sin

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" (Mark 15:34 NIV)

Holiday memories.  They cause us to reflect upon and recall precious moments and future bearing events.  I was pondering such of Easter this week and found myself recalling my own past Easter memories.

    A photograph on the piano reminds me of the Easter in Charleston, SC we spent with friends from Georgia.  I bought my favorite black suit in observance of another Easter.  In fact, I well remember many new outfits worn by my children on what many (myself included) believe to be the Holiest holiday of the year. My youngest daughter now wears some of my oldest daughters Easter dresses.  Last but not least, I remember a multitude of Church Easter services in more than one city, heart warming sunrise services in the cold, spirit-lifting after service picnics with family, and ball games with children, nieces, and nephews.  Easter fills me with many pleasant memories.  But I wonder, what Easter memories does Jesus have?

    Least we forget, in approaching His first and only Easter, Jesus was falsely accused, hastily tried, wrongly convicted, mistreated, abused, insulted and paraded, and then nailed to an old wooden Cross where He bled and died. But these are but some of the memories Easter holds for our Christ.

    Easter celebrates Jesus' great vicarious sacrifice for you and me.  True, His memories of Easter no doubt revolve around that fleeting moment when the ugly weight of sin -- our sin, caused Him to feel that God had forsaken Him.  He had!  But equally true would be His memories of you and me as He hung on the very brink of death -- clinging to life until every solitary sin had been atoned for. He would have stayed as long as it took just so you and I might be saved. He didn't leave a single person out -- past, present, or future. But as a Holy and Just Father, God could not overlook the sin which Jesus bore -- not even the sin of the Cross.  Sin bears consequences of unfathomable realness.  Jesus Christ experienced those consequences when He was crucified on Calvary's Hill.

    As we approach Easter this Sunday, and Good Friday tomorrow, may we pause and give thanks to Jesus for taking our place on the Cross. May we thank Him for bearing the consequences of our sins so we wouldn't have too -- that is, if we accept His gracious offer of forgiveness which cleanses us from all unrighteousness. And may we observe and participate in what may well be the greatest miracle of all time -- the redemption of a sinful, fallen humanity to Almighty God and accept the ultimate expression of God's forgiving grace no matter where we may be.

Dear Father, the sins of my life leave me feeling alone and afraid. I earnestly seek your presence, comfort, and grace. Thank you for sending Your only begotten Son that I might not bear the consequences and pain of sin but live forever with You instead. In Jesus' Holy and precious name I pray . . . Amen.

Together We Pray

For God to continue to bless our Honduras Food Project; our goal is to send 10 boxes by April 17.

    For a Husband and father who was electrocuted last week; this dear brother in Christ lost his left hand this week and doctors are now concerned about the other -- he is left handed.

    For Kosovo; its people and those in harms way; the military personnel seeking to end the brutality and atrocities; relief efforts which are just now getting under way; and for peace.

    For a friend's work and his wife's new job.

    For the families of those killed in an Alaska avalanche.

    For a dear friend under stress at work.

    For a subscriber who would like to get his Passport so he can go on a missions trip this Summer.

    For a family who needs a new home.

    For family members who will be traveling this Easter holiday weekend..

    In thanksgiving for improvements in a son experiencing separation anxiety.

    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:

It's Not Much But I Wanted to Help

"I've been searching for something meaningful to do for the Lord," one subscriber wrote recently. "I found partial fulfillment in ministering to the needy in my community but still there was a void. Then I read about the Honduras Food Project you were supporting. I'm seeing pictures on the television of people running for their lives and struggling to stay alive. Thus, I'm sending you this in full assurance it will help someone. It's not much but I wanted to help. I'm also making plans to join one of the construction teams this Summer if I can get my passport in time. Pray for me -- and thanks for giving me something to get involved with."

 

    Many believers feel like this brother in Christ -- we want to help but lack the knowledge or opportunity to get involved. Living the full and abundant life which Christ offers involves our learning to serve the ministry needs of others. Besides, helping others, even if they are thousands of miles away, makes us feel good.

    God needs us all! The work of God's kingdom is a mighty task that requires we work together in the Spirit of love and mutual, Christ-like cooperation. There is something for everyone to do. Contact me for more information.

 

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

Ministry Needs

Honduras Construction Teams -- In addition to the Food Boxes mentioned above, the South Carolina Baptist Convention is working in conjunction with the North Carolina Baptist Convention to help rebuild Honduran homes. The Convention is now seeking volunteers to staff seven construction teams. Dates for the work are April 7-15, May 17-25, June 17-25, July 23-31, August 11-19, September 14-22, and November 2-10.

     If interested in helping, contact me or telephone Cliff Satterwhite, 803-765-0030. And again, share this information with your church and/or church group!

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

Kosovo! The International Missions Board has established a fund to receive and distribute aid to refugees in Kosovo. Contributions to this fund may be mailed to: Volunteer Mobilization, North American Mission Board, SBC, 4200 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022 -- be sure to designate the funds "Kosovo Relief." A representative of Samaritan Purse also told me that members of their organization were in Kosovo already and a special newsletter would be mailed within the next two to three weeks detailing how the organization will be helping the Kosovians.

Read more about this on the JTTB Web Site.

Internet Corner

Interested in going overseas this summer -- maybe on a missions trip? You may be interested in learning that while applications for United States passports cannot be filled via the Internet they can be downloaded. Doing so may save you considerable time.

    At http://travel.state.gov/pass_port_services.html, the State Department allows visitors to download free of charge, the entire application for United States Passports. The process takes only a few minutes but requires you have the Adobe document viewer/printer program. For those who do not already have it, the Adobe program can be downloaded at the same site.

    Once the application has been completed, you must return it to any Federal or State court house. You'll also have to take proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate will do), proof of identity (driver's license or military id), two photographs, and all necessary fees. First time applications cost $60.00 if you are 16 or older and $40 if 15 or younger. Passports are valid for 10 years from the date of issue.

    Check it out . . . its some of the good stuff on the Internet.

 

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

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, e-letter back issues, 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?"