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My Brother's Keeper
Volume 9, Number
1, January-March, 2004
Growing on the WORD
A
scripture study
The
Word of God is the source of light, truth, and power, for those who seek it’s
meaning and apply it to their life. Jesus Christ is the word made flesh, and we
seek to follow him.
John 8:12 (NIV) - "I am the light of
the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the
light of life."
Each issue of “My Brother’s Keeper” features a WORD
study. Larry A. Thompson, an inmate at Sterling Correctional in Colorado, wrote
this issue’s word study.
What (Little) I Know Of Wisdom
by Larry A. Thompson
I do not consider myself to be a wise man, never the
less, I am eternally grateful for the measure of wisdom that the Lord has blessed
me with. I truly believe that just as “God hath dealt to every man the measure
of faith” (Romans 12:3 KJV), that he has also entrusted to each of us, a
measure of wisdom with which we are to grow in understanding; in might, and in
the knowledge of his Word.
I’ve looked up the definition of the word “wisdom” in my dictionary and this is what it tells me; wisdom is an “understanding of what is true, right, or lasting.” It further defines wisdom as being, “common sense, good judgment, and scholarly learning.” As much as those last three components are valid, I’m specifically going to focus on the first part of the definition; that wisdom is an “understanding of what is true, right, or lasting.”
Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) - “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and
will all thy getting get understanding.”
King Solomon, the son of King David “the Psalmist”,
wrote many things regarding “wisdom” in the book of Proverbs. Looking at Proverbs 1:2-7 (KJV), King Solomon wrote, “To know wisdom and instruction; to
perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom,
justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young
man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase
learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To
understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their
dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools
despise wisdom and instruction.”
But fools despise wisdom and instruction! Now that
is a frightening reality that every person, in their own way must come to grips
with. I’ve been to the crossroads of my own foolishness and have come to terms
with the fact that I was once a fool, because as a young man I refused to
listen to the inherent wisdom of my dad, a man who taught me one of the most
valuable lessons that I’m going to share with you. It’s a lesson that
encompasses an understanding of what is true, what is right, and of what is
lasting.
The date was December 21st, 1985. The
time was about 8:30 p.m. and the teacher was my dad, the Reverend, Edward Emmet
Thompson. As we sat in his living room watching the evening news, I made a
remark that something the newscaster had said wasn’t true. It was then that the
lesson of truth began.
My dad turned down the volume and looked me straight
in the eyes and asked, “How do you know it isn’t true?” Smugly I replied, “It’s
too far fetched. It can’t be true!” Then he taught me something that to this
very day, to this very moment, I believe with every fiber of my being. He said,
“Son, every man’s truth, whether you like it or not, whether you believe it or
not, is true. It will remain true unless and until you can prove it to be
otherwise.”
I was shocked! I had never thought of truth in such
a simple way. Even now, as I recall that conversation I’m humbled by the
wisdom of his words, because back then, when I was young and foolish, I knew
everything; but I didn’t know that.
During that same discussion he taught me another
valuable lesson, and what I know today is that it has been one of the most
important lessons that I’ve ever learned, and am honored to share. It’s a
lesson that a large portion of my spiritual strength is based upon.
After he opened my mind’s eye to the truth, he
really put me on the spot and asked me if I knew how many sins there are. Well,
considering that at that point in my life I was such an intellectual and knew
just about everything, I began running figures through my mind. I started out
with The Ten Commandments and moved on to crimes in general. Ultimately I had
to swallow my pride and admit that I didn’t know. Then he opened by mind’s eye
even wider.
Again, while looking straight into my eyes, into the
very depths of my soul, a pained expression appeared upon his face. I noticed a
tear forming in the corner of his right eye, and without uttering a single
word, he told me. As that tear began to run down his cheek he held up his
massive hand and put up one finger. Needless to say, I was confused! After a
few moments of silence he softly said, “Son, there’s only one.”
Now, my state of confusion was increased because I
knew, or at least I thought I knew, that with him being a preacher and all,
surely he knew that there was more than that. I was wrong! As fatherly and as
gently as he could, he said, “Larry, in your life you will commit a sin.
You will sin against your family. You will sin against your neighbors and your
friends. You will sin against your world. And, worst of all, you will sin
against your God, and against yourself. The one and only sin you will ever
commit in this life, is to know
better, yet refuse to do better!” On my own I’ve learned that
everything after that is a crime.
For confirmation of the truth of my dad’s words, I
need only turn to James, chapter 4, verse 17, which states, “Therefore to him
that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Again, let’s look at what Proverbs 4:7 says: “Wisdom
is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get
understanding.”
Now, some of you know me better than others, and
some of you don’t know me at all; no matter, I’m just a messenger. Even if you
don’t know, or trust the messenger, I hope that you’ll heed the message of my
testimony and search for it’s truths within your own hearts and minds. What
little I know of wisdom is that wisdom is inheritable. In Isaiah, chapter 11,
verse 2, the wisdom that Christ would possess was foretold, it reads, “And
the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the
LORD.”
Brothers and sisters, when we accept Christ into our
hearts, we totally surrender all authority to him to be, “...the author and
finisher of our faith...” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV); and the director of our
destiny, the inherent spirit of “wisdom and understanding; of counsel and
might; and the spirit of knowledge” are passed on to us through the Holy Ghost
who safeguards our spiritual inheritance.
Hebrews 1:14 asks, “Are they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Clearly the answer is “yes”, which is the same answer to another question; for
are we not all, “heirs of salvation?”
What little I know of “wisdom” is that wisdom is a
reward unto itself, because with wisdom comes a multitude of spiritual fruits.
James 3:17 states, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” In Ecclesiastes, chapter 2,
verse 26, it is written, “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight
wisdom, and knowledge, and joy...”
In conclusion, let us bear in mind, once again, what Proverbs 1:7
says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise
wisdom and instruction.” It’s true, fools despise wisdom (understanding)
because it’s so much easier to live in ignorance, constantly making excuses
for their refusal to do that, which is true, right, or lasting in the eyes of
God. Fools despise instruction because the learning of wisdom takes
discipline, and to discipline one’s self takes courage and commitment.
Let us not be foolish in the eyes of God, nor in the
sight of men. Let us embrace wisdom for the gift of God that it is, an
“understanding of what is true, of what is right, and of what is lasting.” For
such is the Word of God, and therein lies wisdom.
Freedom Is Not Free!
by
Okechukwu O. Onokala
CA Nigeria
I remember a folk story that a schoolmate told me
many years ago. In the story, “Animal Kingdom”, by Owie in Nigeria, a law was passed
as a result of famine, that every animal in the forest should bring forth his
or her mother to be killed for food. They all agreed to do that. But one of
them, Osa squirrel, decided within himself to hide his mother, because of His
love for her. So he found a place of refuge for her on the top of a very tall
tree. But, even though the mothers of all the other animals had already been
killed and eaten for food, the famine still continued.
Osa squirrel, being a wise animal, was secretly
feeding from his mother’s milk. This surprised the other animals because they
could see he was in good health. They made inquiries as to why he was surviving
while others were dying. Of course he laughed at them to scorn. For Osa squirrel’s
mother to remain out of sight from the other animals, Osa squirrel had to do
some things [pay a price] to make that freedom possible.
One day the other animals discovered where Osa
squirrel’s mother was hiding and they schemed to kill her. Osa squirrel quickly
saw them as they were climbing the tree on a rope he used to visit his mother.
Osa squirrel immediately shouted to his mother to cut off the rope from the
top. All the animals, by this time had reached the middle of the rope, so when
the rope was cut they all crashed and died.
From that moment, Osa squirrel’s mother regained her
freedom. Indeed, those animals who crashed and died paid a very big price for
the freedom of Osa squirrel’s mother.
I may define freedom as someone who enjoys liberty;
not in bondage, not in prison, or restricted in movement or action by any
person or authority. The word freedom is strong and powerful anytime it is
mentioned. And, it has a lot of influence and psychological effects on the
people concerned. But freedom does not come to someone without a price, in
whatever form. In Nigeria, my people used to say, “A palm fruit does not fall
down from its stuck without a sand [price]”, so it is with freedom - that it is
not free. In other words, an inmate cannot regain his or her freedom, until
their prison term is over. And the price of their freedom is the time they have
spent in prison prior to their release.
Let us see how freedom is not free in relation to
our Christian faith. In the beginning, God created man for a purpose. That same God desired
a relationship with the man he had created. But man failed God as a result of
disobedience. Though man had sinned, God continued to desire a relationship
with him, because of his love for man. God wanted to reconcile with man,
through his son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of man. The
death of Christ on the cross was a serious indication of God’s love for man.
Before Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection
from the grave, the sin of disobedience enslaved man and kept him in prison.
As such, man needed freedom from the sin, enslavement, and imprisonment, for
which Christ paid the great price by being crucified on the cross for the sins
of man. Jesus paid the price so that man would be free and be able to make a
new beginning in life according to God’s purpose and direction for him.
John
3:16 -
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Indeed this scripture is talking about God’s love for man, whom he has saved or freed from the bondage of sin, through the death of Christ on the cross. That same God went further to promise man safety and everlasting life, if only man would pay the price. That price, as found in the gospel of John 3:16 is for man to believe on his only begotten son.
In that same gospel of John 8:32, Jesus says, “And
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” There the
truth mentioned was Jesus Christ. When we believe and embrace the truth, then
we have paid the price for freedom from sickness, from sin, imprisonment,
persecution, famine, etc.
Freedom is not free in relation to trade. And, what is trade here? By
trade I mean people who engage themselves in learning one handy work or the
other as a profession for life. They have their masters, for instance, in a
motor mechanic workshop. There is a master, and there is a foreman and others
who are apprentices. If someone has decided to learn motor mechanics as a
profession, in such a workshop, an agreement has to be reached with the Oga
(the master of the workshop). Such an agreement would read such things as: the
amount of money to be paid by the apprentice, duration, do’s and don’t of the
workshop, etc. The apprentice has to sign a guarantee [contract] for his
master (owner of the workshop). With this agreement being reached, therefore,
on the day of the freedom (that is the time the apprentice has successfully
completed his training as a motor mechanic in that workshop); there and then
something has to be done, either in cash or in kind to earn him freedom before
the agreement paper could be torn. And that is his freedom; it is not free.
Freedom is not free in relation to academics. As a brilliant scholar, you
can study and prove yourself worthy in your academic pursuit, either as a
lawyer or a doctor. But, before you can attain your academic freedom to pursue
your profession, you have to defend your thesis in the presence of your school
senate. And that is a price you must pay for academic freedom.
Freedom is not free in relation to a patient. In the case of a patient in
the hospital, or perhaps you are hospitalized for whatever sickness: the doctors
and the nurses have done what they could to bring cure to the patient, and he
or she is well again. But the cured patient cannot leave the hospital without
financial settlement to the hospital management. Until that is done, the
patient is not free to go home. And a price has to be paid, before freedom or
discharge takes place.
Freedom is not free in relation to culture. Culture, they say is the
root of people. There are some cultures where somebody could commit an atrocity
and the person is placed in bondage until something is done to appease the
rulers of the land before the person’s freedom is guaranteed. For instance, in
my culture, if you impregnate your sister, that is an abomination and hence
you are put in bondage. And such an offense would require a serious price to be
paid before freedom is guaranteed. The price must be paid in whatever form as
agreed.
Freedom is not free in relation to family. Family could be defined as
a small unit of people comprising father, mother, and their children. Each
existing family has their own system of life. There are rules to be obeyed to
ensure the smooth running of the family. And if any member of the family goes
contrary to such rules, particularly the children, they must adhere to the
agreed punishment. As such, a price is paid for freedom.
Freedom is not free in relation to government. Every nation of the world
has a constituted authority that oversees governmental affairs in that nation.
It is the responsibility of government to make laws for her citizens. And if
any of her citizens goes contrary to such laws, the person would be arrested
by the police, prosecuted in the court and judgment would be passed on the
person standing trial. If the alleged person were justified, he or she would be
discharged and acquitted. And if not, the person would be imprisoned. The
imprisoned would only regain their freedom when their prison term is over, and
that is a price that must be paid for freedom.
Freedom is not free in relation to self. As a human being, you might
have offended someone in your life and the person’s spirit suffers. But your
mind keeps telling you that you have wronged your friend and he or she needs to
be told, “I am sorry, forgive me.” Until that is done, your spiritual freedom
is in jeopardy. But the moment that price of confession is paid to your
friend, immediately your spiritual
freedom would be regained.
Freedom is not free in relation to secret society
[gang or cult]. Many people in the world today
have gotten themselves involved into one secret society or another for money,
power, etc. Because of that, they do rituals, thereby staining their hands with
innocent blood; coupled with the vows they made not to let the cat out of the
bag. Before they can know the extent of damages done to themselves and their
victims, they are already reaping their evil deeds in many ways. Madness,
deaths, losses, etc. would be their portion. At this stage of the calamity,
they begin to cry for liberation and freedom from all the evils they have
committed. But freedom is not free. For sure they would be required a sacrifice
as a price to pay for freedom from the secret society they entered into in
ignorance.
In summary, every evil committed by man is a sin, and sin
leads into bondage and imprisonment. And for someone to have freedom from a
crime committed, there is a price to pay.
Indeed, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price on the
cross for our sins. He said, it is finished, for all our pains, sorrows,
sickness, poverty, bondage and imprisonment. Moreover, for us to enjoy the
freedom for which Christ paid such a price, we not only have to believe on him
and accept him as our Lord and Savior, but we must also endeavor to apply the
principles of Christianity in our Christian faith. That is the price for us to
pay (be you a prisoner or a freeman) for freedom from sin, bondage and
imprisonment.
Thank you and God Bless all of you.
STAY FOCUSED
by Louis McCray, 9/24/03
Woodbourne Correctional, New York
No one is a stranger to hardship,
struggles,
pain unbearable, & bad moments
we would rather forget.
Stay Focused
We put up with people we don't
like in our face, and think…
this is the day I'm going to let them
have a piece of my mind.
Stay focused
Relationships begin and start
as a dream comes true, and then unexpectedly
turns into our worst nightmare.
Why can't I simply find someone
to love me for the me I try to be?
Stay Focused
In life we begin in the womb,
struggle to survive,
with help of those around us…
& whether you believe, or not,
with God's help because he loves the world,
And … You.
Stay Focused
On God…
& He will Stay Focused on You…
Forever!
Lessons Along the Way
I've learned a lot of lessons, as the
years have rolled on by
I know sometimes I won't get answers to
all my questions why
Every time that I'm in doubt, it's to my
knees I go
For just because it “looks” real good, doesn't
make it so
I've learned its folly to put plans in
motion and then ask God to bless them
For the end result of that course of
action, is usually chaos and mayhem
I've learned forgiveness is more for
yourself than the person you need to forgive
It's a conscious decision, that's not
based on feelings and the only way to live
I've learned there's nothing here on
earth, that compares with God's sweet grace
He knows I need an unlimited amount, to
keep running in the race
My lack of faith does not decrease God's
ability to answer prayer
I know He loves me in spite of myself,
He's good, and just and fair
Trusting and waiting are two of the
toughest areas in which to yield
We like control and giving that up is like
letting down our shield
You can't change people, that's up to God,
and only if they submit
And the possibility, you need some
changes, is something that's hard to admit
“Service” is good, but what are your
reasons for doing what you do?
Rest assured, if your motives are murky,
God will always see straight through
If your “walk” is only “talk”, it's only a
matter of time
Before the truth is brought to light and
your words aren't worth a dime
Sometimes it's hard to see the good in the
middle of a test
You get so tired of pressing in and you'd like
a little rest
Trials are tests and tests can teach, but
you must choose to learn
To keep your faith in the fiery furnace
and not give up and burn
Tears are cleansing, music heals, and
laughter brings release
Praise will lift you, prayer sustains and trust
will give you peace
Joy is inside, hope endures, and faith is
a lifestyle choice
The Word is truth, Heaven is real and I
know my Shepherd's voice
So when I start to question why a trial is
so intense
I must remember, He's very close and preparing
my defense
By His grace and by His mercy, I can face
each passing day
And know He's working for my good, in the
lessons along the way
By Merissa Lee Kelley, March 18, 2002
“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.”
Proverbs 4:13
Let Mercy Go
Before Judgment
by Troy B. Clerk
Hudson Correctional Facility
Hudson, New York
Acts 5:1-6
(KJV) - But a certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price,
his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the
apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to
lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ...why
hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?... And Ananias hearing these
words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that
heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out,
and buried him.
Acts 5:7-10
(KJV) - And it was about the
space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And
she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have
agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them
which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then
fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young
men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her
husband..
I often wondered why God struck Ananias dead so
suddenly, as well as his wife Sapphira. I saw people do worst than them and the
Lord didn’t judge them as severely. I know they played the hypocrite and had
the love of money on their hearts, but what was it that moved an all-merciful
God to strike them dead? A careful look at verses 3 and 4 gives us the answer.
Ananias had become filled with his sin, but this only after he had conceived it in his heart. Once the sin
was conceived in his heart and it wasn’t dealt with, it constantly grew. I’m
sure the Spirit of God dealt numerous times with Ananias, but he refused to
lay down his sin. As a result of his constant and persistent disobedience, what
was conceived as a thought over a period of time, became an action. This
action, because it exposed a heart “filled” or “full” of sin prompted God’s
judgment.
James 1:15
(KJV) - Then when lust hath
conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth
death.
It may appear that God’s mercy was absent at that
time with Ananias, but it wasn’t. God’s mercy period is the time in-between,
when sin is first conceived until the time it is full-grown. If God’s mercy to
repent is not received within that period, we leave God no other option but to
judge the sin within us. God promised Abraham a land of milk and honey. But
this land belonged to the Amorites who were wicked; but God’s mercy would not
judge their sin until it was full, then his righteous judgment would be
just. (Genesis 15:16)
God is an eternal essence with eternal attributes.
We know God is love, but God is holy also. The holiness of God demands that sin
be punished, but God’s integrity says, “Let mercy go before judgment.”
In mercy he sends loving words of correction, words to return to him, words
that expose the depths of our hearts saying, “lay down the idols, the lust,
pornography, bitterness, hatred, unforgiveness and rebellion.”
If we refuse these words of reproof, the sin that
God tries to remove from us continues to grow in our hearts. We confess it, but
refuse to forsake it. Thus the mercy of God has been refused, it has run it’s
course, now judgment must do what mercy couldn’t.
Psalm 94:15
(KJV) - But judgment shall
return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
I know many reading this find themselves in this
sinful condition and are fighting sin. There are also those reading this article
who have made peace with their sin and love the darkness they are in, but still
believe that all is well. You may say, “things are going great in my life,
nothing bad is happening, I must be doing the right thing.” Beloved, heed the
scripture:
Romans 2:4
(KJV) - Or despisest thou the
riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the
goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
The only reason things are going all right for you
while you are practicing your sin, is because you are in God’s mercy period.
God’s goodness is sent in hopes of
bringing you to repentance.
Romans 2:5-6
(KJV) - “But after thy hardness
and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath
and revelation of the righteous judgment of
God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”
Beloved, today is the day to lay down your sin
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Although God has a mercy period for all
of us, the reality is, we don’t know at what point that mercy stops. If we
persist in practicing sin, God will deal with us accordingly. But, if we
humble ourselves before him, confess our sins and forsake them, God will have
mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
(KJV) - He that covereth his sins
shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Then and only then can we receive the fullness of
his blessing. He desires to fill us with all his fullness and to pour out upon
us wonderful things that cannot be uttered, only experienced. Beloved, God loves
you so much and desires his best for you. Let go today, because tomorrow might
be too late.
Proverbs 29:1
(KJV) - He, that being often
reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without
remedy.