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 30, 1999

 From God's Word:

  Has the Word Come to You?

"Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him" (1 Samuel 3:7).

 

Chapter three of 1 Samuel opens with the Lord calling Samuel to serve Him.  Unfortunately, Samuel did not know it was God because "the Word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him" (emphasis added).  It wasn't because Samuel couldn't hear.  It wasn't that Samuel was too young.  It wasn't that Samuel wasn't educated or experienced.  The reason Samuel didn't know it was God who was calling him was because he had "not yet" received the very words recorded for us in our Bibles -- God's Word.

    After accepting Jesus as Savior at the age of twelve, my life was anything but that of a Christian.  I knew Jesus but I lacked the personal relationship I enjoy today.  And I was a "good boy" -- by the world's standard.  But the world's standard wasn't what I needed.  I, like so many today and Samuel many years ago, needed the Word of God to be revealed in order for me to recognize the plan and purpose of my life by my creator Lord and God.

    God's Word is to a believer's spirit what food is to our body.  Thus, we need a regular and well balanced diet of God's Word in order to live healthy, joyful lives.  Without God's Word, our Spirit quickly becomes weak, sick and susceptible to attack by the evil one.  With it, we develop a close personal relationship with a Just and Holy God who loves us more than we can imagine.

    Unlike books we read for pleasure or education, when believers read the Bible, we actually develop a relationship with the book's author -- God.  In fact, the Bible tells us "all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16).  These words moved famed theologian Herschel Hobbs to write: "The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is the record of God's revelation of Himself to man. . . . It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter" (Baptist Faith and Message, http://www.sbc.net/bfm1.cfm).

    God's Word comes to us in many ways.  We can hear it preached; we can sing it in hymns; we can study it in Sunday School; we can even buy tapes of the Bible and listen to it while driving in the car.  But as Samuel discovered, the best way to digest God's Word is to read it ourselves -- with an expectant ear and an open heart.

    A current radio commercial reports that more and more people today do not believe the message of the Bible for various reasons.  Shocking as that statement may seem, even more amazing is that the same report concludes the vast majority of those who say they don't believe the Bible also acknowledge to have never read it.  To these people "the Word of the Lord has not yet been revealed."

    People need the Bible -- more important, we need the Person which the Bible reveals.  Believers and non-believers alike need the Bible!  At the very least, we need it so to recognize and respond to God's leading and purpose in our lives.

    God's Word is a big and important book.  It may take time for you to get through it -- but it's worth it!  And when you do, you'll find Him and the joy He offers for your life.

 

Dear Lord, reveal Your Word to me as I read and study Your Word.  Amen.

Together We Pray

For those in the Hospital whatever the reason; especially for the children and teens undergoing tests and/or procedures.

    For our health care professionals who sacrifice much of themselves to care for the sick and injured.

    For those who have lost loved ones this week.

    For those sick and recovering from various illnesses at home; remember especially those who live alone and do not have someone to nurse them back to health.

    For a daughter suffering from the pain of Endometriosis.

    For a husband who is home from the hospital but still weak.

    For a son with severe back pain.

    For a dear sister-in-Christ who is undergoing special procedures in a Charleston, SC hospital today.

    For a man with a drinking problem.

    For a daughter facing an MRI this week.

    For those in nursing homes and special care facilities.

    In gratitude for God's travel mercies.

    In great gratitude for God healing a small child with a lingering ear infection -- there was no hearing loss!

    For those dealing with the aftermath of the Denver tragedy.

    For those suffering in Kosovo and those seeking to minister in Christ's name.

    For the lost of our family, community, country and world.

    For the grace of Almighty God to sustain us during all manner of difficulty.  Amen..

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

Living By Faith:

Red dot on wristwatch opens doors for witness

By Barbara Denman

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP April 14, 1999) -- As she works in the hospital arena where people are conscious of blood-borne diseases, patients often ask critical-care nurse Sandi Martin about the red dot on her wristwatch, thinking that blood has splashed onto the watch face.

    Martin's quick response to patients has always been, "... don't worry, this blood is 2,000 years old. This dot reminds me of Jesus, who paid for my eternal salvation with his own blood.'" Most people respond to Martin with a smile and nod while continuing to gaze at the dot.

    Martin has found the red dot an effective witnessing tool. "Maybe from the encounter people will begin thinking about the state of their own salvation. And from that time forward every time they see my watch, it waters the seed. It's a gift that keeps on giving." . . .

 

  Read the rest of the story on the JTTB web site!  

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

Ministry Needs . . .

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

Get Hottest News Really Fast!   As I Christian, it's important for me to stay informed on events which impact my family, community and world.  By doing so, I can better pray for and minister to needs which might otherwise go unnoticed for days or weeks at a time.  Your Internet connection can help you accomplish this most worthwhile goal with MSNBC's News Alert.  The program is quick and easy to use -- but even more important, it's clean and VERY user friendly.

    News Alert is a computer program which "pushes" news to your computer whenever you log onto the Internet.  Whenever news items are available, a flashing red bulls-eye button appears on your computer's status line.  You simply click the bulls-eye and read a summary of the latest business, sports, and top news stories.  You can even customize the program at any time to get more or less news and to receive local news stories.

    To get News Alert, visit www.msnbc.com/toolkit.asp and scroll down to the bottom of the screen.  There you will find a button for "Cool Tools" -- select this.  Click on "News Alert" and follow the onscreen instructions.  The program will download in under 1 minutes on 28.8k modems.

    Check it out . . . it's 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?"