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 23, 1999

 From God's Word:

  The Unexpected

    "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all." (Luke 17:26-27 NIV)

As part of our focus reading this week, these verses address the Bible's clear teaching that the time of Jesus' second coming is unknown to all. No one knows when Jesus will return! In fact, life will go on just as it always has when it happens; people waking up, eating breakfast, going to work, attending meetings, taking tests, grading papers, visiting the doctor, teaching classes, telephoning friends, and even receiving and sending e-mail. And yes, some will be planning weddings. All these things, and so much more, will be taking place when Jesus next returns in a thunder cloud of trumpets and angelic sounds.

    People like to share scriptural viewpoints with Pastors. Almost everywhere I go someone wants to give me "their perspective." The recent conflict in the Balkans has stirred much commentary. Many have told me they believe the "end of the world" is at hand. Why? Most site how terrible the world has become, how children are killing children, frequent recurrences of unusual weather patterns, the rise of evil political leaders, and more. Such viewpoints, however, stand in stark contrast to Jesus' teachings. Such events may well indeed signal the coming of the end -- as does the passing of every minute. But according to these verses, the end will be unexpected!

    Our hearts sank and our eyes swelled with tears when we heard the news that violence had once again struck a school. These words not only reminded me of how unexpected the end will be but also how unexpected crime strikes. Chuck Colson wrote this week: "Children all over America were afraid to go to school yesterday and parents were afraid to send them." Believers, however, need not fear what today holds. For just as surely as Christ's coming will bring judgment upon those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior, those who do can rest in the knowledge that we will instantly become just as He is -- no matter when it happens.

 

Amen.

Together We Pray

For the families struck by grief in Denver, Colorado; especially those who lost loved ones but also for those being treated and those dealing in the aftermath of this horrible crime.

    For those in and around the Kosovo crisis.

    For the continued recovery of a dear brother who was electrocuted weeks ago.

    In gratitude for a husband's successful angiogram.

    In gratitude for God healing a family sick from sinus infections.

    For a sister in Christ with an inoperable tumor; she is going to Charleston, SC for specialized treatments over the next four to five days.

    For a sister in Christ experiencing problems in her marriage.

    For a school teacher dealing with a very difficult child; please pray God will reveal to her how she can help.

    For mothers and fathers to open their hearts and homes to God's presence and teaching as they seek to raise their children to be happy, productive members of society and God's Kingdom. Amen.

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

Living By Faith:

Pastor shares Jesus Amid Students Fleeing Columbine High

Art Toalston, LITTLETON, Colo. (BP April 21 1999) -- Denver-area pastor E. Michael "Butch" Caner has never seen the horrors of war, "but I assume it would have been something like this."

    Caner, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Aurora, was among several ministers brought to Columbine High School in Littleton as the nation's worst-ever school shooting unfolded April 20, taking 15 lives, including the two weapons and bomb-wielding youth clad in black trenchcoats who invaded the school.  Asked by a patrolman friend to the school grounds, Caner recounted, "It was a gruesome scene. ... Blood was everywhere, students were being carted off on gurneys and stretchers, parents were weeping.  "Some people kept asking, 'Why, God, why?'  It was specifically to these families we ministered most. They needed someone to assure them that God is not the author of sin and that he wanted to bring them peace."

    "We had amazing opportunities to share Christ," Caner said of his ministry at the scene, which extended to 9:30 that night.  "With the media swarming and secular counselors giving no hope, we really had the chance to share Jesus.  "It was ministry on the front lines, which is exactly where the church should be."  Read the full story on the JTTB web site!  

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

Ministry Needs . . .

Honduras Food Project Update! -- The South Carolina goal was to collect 2,000 food boxes for needy Honduras families. As you no doubt recall, Journey Through the Bible collected three. State officials now report that more than 3,000 were collected! Praise the Lord!! And again, thanks!

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

Web based e-mail is becoming more and more popular. Many find it attractive because it gives other members of your household an e-mail address of their own. The drawback is that one must connect to the Internet and maintain a separate password in order to retrieve messages. What's more, e-mail message are not automatically received when you connect to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) via a POP server. On the plus side, web based e-mail is free.

    My wife and I recently came across www.email.com that provides users FREE web based e-mail with the added feature of forwarding your mail to your IPS's POP server. In this way, you automatically get your e-mail message when you log onto the Internet. Best of all, the company is relatively new so its possible to get an e-mail address that closely matches your own -- if you want that.

    Now every member of your family can have their own e-mail address and his or her mail can be automatically received via your IPS provider thanks to www.email.com. 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?"