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 16, 1999

 From God's Word:

  Priority One

    "The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there." (Joshua 18:1 NIV)

In this seemingly innocent verse, and elsewhere (v 10 for example), the presence of the Tent of Meeting was equivilant to the very presence of God in the lives of the Israelites. These believers had just entered a new era in their lives and the first thing they did was to make sure God was there by erecting the Tent of Meeting before they undertook any task or made any decision.

    In our "information now" society, believers often fall into the trap of not establishing or reestablishing God's presence in our lives as we embark on new journeys. Like so many, we tend to think more about who we should talk to, what book we should read or review, or what expert we should consult. These things may be of value, but what is really important, what is really priority one, is our establishing God's presence in our lives -- not only as a reminder to ourselves but as a witness to those around us.

    Where is God is in your life? Is He your centerpiece or have you allowed other things to come between you and Him? Make room for God -- not on the fringe of life but at the head of it. Make Him your first priority in the morning, your first priority at lunch, your first priority when you get home at night, your first priority as your go to bed at night; make Him the first priority of your family, of your church, and of your work -- and everything else will fall into place when you do.

 

Almighty Father, forgive me for failing to make You or keeping You priority one. Forgive me for first looking elsewhere when You have been waiting all along. Help me, dear Lord, to reestablish Your Sanctuary and Your presence in my life and the life of my family and church. For these things I ask in the name of Your Son and my Lord . . . Amen.

Together We Pray

For the plight of all Kosovo refugees especially the little children who are afraid, hungry, and in great need of God's divine presence.

    For the continued recovery of a dear brother in Christ who was electrocuted weeks ago and is still a long way from recovery; thank God for his healing thus far and for His great presence in this man's life.

    For a son in rebellion.

    For a friend under great stress.

    For a family sick with sinus infections.

    For a husband with bronchitis.

    In gratitude of a sister's positive mammogram.

    For summer youth workers.

    For a dear friend undergoing gallbladder surgery Friday, April 16.

    For a church deacon with circulation problems in his leg.

    For a sister in Christ with an inoperable tumor; test results are due Friday to determine how this will be treated.

    For those in hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities.

    In gratitude of family and friends but most of all, God's very real presence. Amen.

Click here to share your prayer concerns and/or updates!

Living By Faith:

My Father Is With Me All the Time!

Like so many today, I was saved as a young teen. My life in the years to follow was anything but that of a born again Christian. I enjoyed a good party and would attend one every time I could. I drank beer, was interested in sex, and wasn't immune to telling a lie or two if I felt it would advance my own cause. Still, I considered myself a "good" person. Good, that is, by society's standard.

    Something changed my life while I was in college. I read a book. I would like to tell you it was the Bible, but it wasn't. It was, however, a book about the Bible. And in that book, the title of which I have only recently remembered, I became aware of just how much God loved me. The book told me about the ugly reality of sin -- and not just those sins I thought I had committed when I first bowed my head and recited a sinners prayer, but all those terrible sins I had committed since becoming a Christian. How well I recall thinking: "God can't possibly forgive me for committing those sins! I did them when I was suppose to be saved!" Then I read on.

    As I continued to read, the reality of sin in my life took on new meaning. No longer was sin something someone else had done and that I might be guilty of, sin was the very things I HAD done and WAS absolutely guilty of doing. Things I deserved to be punished for! Even worse, God knew about my sins -- all of them. I was embarrassed and ashamed. Not that others knew but because I knew God knew.

    Despite all that I had done, and my having failed to be the kind of Christian God wanted me to be, I read these words: "My dear children, I write this to you so that you might not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1).

    Tears swelled from within my heart and burst forth from my eyes. I well recall realizing I was all alone in that room and glad of it -- I didn't want anyone to see me cry like that. But with those tears came a cleansing unlike the most refreshing bath in the world.

    I didn't get up out of bed. I just laid there clutching that book to my chest -- weeping so hard that my whole body shook. As you might imagine, I begged God to forgive me. Over and over I begged Him in a louder and louder voice. He did!

    As impacting as that day was in my life, it wasn't the end of my sin problem. I've sinned over the years too. The difference now is that I'm aware that God is aware of my sins each and every time I succumb. No longer am I sinning with a heart predisposed to doing wrong -- when I sin now, it bothers me until I do something about it! That's the difference being a Christian makes.

    Today, Jesus is with me all the time.  I spend my days trying to live His model and do His work. In fact, Jesus actually helps me avoid those things which would lead me to sin and fall into the kind of life I was living back before and during college -- a life which dishonors God. Best of all, the Holy Spirit tells me when I have sinned so I can correct the problem and seek forgiveness right away.

    It's kind of like having your father with you all the time. And come to think of it, that's exactly what He is . . . a Father who is with me all the time!

 

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

Ministry Needs . . .

Honduras Food Project -- The Kosovo crisis and other factors no doubt impacted our overall goal but thanks to you we were able to pack 3 food boxes for needy families in Honduras. The joy of this project didn't end when the last dollar was received, however. My wife and I found our hearts filled with unexplainable joy as we shopped the grocery store for every item. Neither of us had ever pushed a grocery cart full of beans, flour, rice, and more!

      Our boxes are being combined with those from organizations and churches all across South and North Carolina. The final numbers were not available prior to printing but we'll update you on this as soon as possible. By all indications, however, we should have well exceeded the state goal of 2,000 boxes!

    To those of you who contributed, thank you! God blessed us in many ways. In fact, when my wife and I went to buy the 1.5 cubit foot boxes to pack the food, the owner of the company gave them to us! Isn't God wonderful! And just think, through us, God will be able to provide much needed food to 3 families for one full month. Wow! Thanks be to His glorious name! Amen.

Kosovo Crisis!  The plight of the Kosovian refugees is growing worse every day. And for this reason, JTTB will now turn it's attention to helping where we can. I believe the most effective way to do this is through monetary contributions. Information on what is being done in Kosovo and other ways you can help have been posted on our JTTB Web site. The important thing is to get involved. Such is a necessary part of our being the kind of representative of God's kingdom that will both glorify the Kingdom and demonstrate our love of God and neighbor (cf John 13:34-35).

    In addition to efforts by Southern Baptists via the International Missions Board, relief efforts by World Vision, Samaritan's Purse and others are on the JTTB website. In addition, we've posted the name and information of several missionaries who are in the area right now working the refugees.

 

Click here to discover ways you can help in Kosovo . . .

 

Internet Corner

 

Learning how to use your computer in ministry, whether it be at church or at home, has never been easier. That is if you've discovered Computing Today's web site at www.computingtoday.net. It's current online edition discusses how youth pastors are using the computer to reach today's teens, an article on how hit Christian comic Mark Lowry uses the his computer and internet connection, how digital cameras are the wave of "today," and much, much, much more! But instead of me talking about all of it, why not check it out for yourself. I think you'll enjoy it because 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?"