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My Brother's Keeper

Volume 7, Number 2, April-June, 2002

 

 

Growing on the WORD

 

A scripture study

 

 

The Word of God, is the source of light, truth, and power, for those who seek its 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. Vicki Perry, an inmate at Ohio County Cor­rec­tional, Moundsville, WV, wrote this issue’s Word Study.

Note: All scriptures in this article are taken from the New International Version of the Bible.

 

 

Set Apart Christ as Lord

by Vicki Perry

 

 

After twenty-two months at a Re­gional Jail, I was finally sent to prison. The C.O.’s placed me in a receiving block and I was placed on top bunk of a four-man cell. My most conscience effort each day is to act, or react, the way the Lord would have me to. I had been tried before at the jail by others, but not in this way. I hate to be awoken in the middle of the night by an in­mate who is being in­considerate.

After I had been in this cell with three other women for about a week, one of the women decided to push my but­tons. She stood right beside my bed, in the middle of the night, and began to sing. I’m sure it wasn’t as loud as it seemed, but it startled me awake. I was auto­matically angry! I asked her to please not sing, or talk loud, by my bed, especially where my head was. I’m sure I wasn’t too nice about it. Not an attitude the Lord would advo­cate for sure. Her come back to me was, “Deal with it Vicki, I’m not go­ing to be quiet!”

I prayed myself to sleep. The next morning her attitude was not any bet­ter. I knew I needed help, so I cried out to the Lord. Thankfully, I had enough of the Word in me for Him to begin to teach me anew. He lead me to I Peter 3:8-17.

When in trouble, go to the Word and talk to the Lord, and not neces­sarily in that order. That is my advise to anyone who would ask me what to do in this kind of situation. As I sought the Lord over this particular situation, I caught my mind racing to see whom I should talk to about this. I real­ized the Lord was saying to be quiet and trust Him. He spoke gently within me to not seek man first, but to seek Him first for di­rection, and go to the Word for direction and guidance. But my mind kept looking around to see whom I could talk to about my situa­tion. Then the Holy Spirit spoke strongly to my inner being and said, “Go ahead, Vicki, if that is what you want to do - but I said to be quiet!” I sensed that if I disobeyed there would be conse­quences I would not like. Also, there could be damage made in the circumstances that would prolong the restoration of this woman’s soul to the Lord. That’s when I realized that she, or whatever was con­trolling her, was trying to sabotage the Chris­tian influ­ence I was having on her.

I’ve come to realize that in my desire to be all that God wants me to be, obedience is a very crucial act on my part. My cry to be used of God is useless, if I don’t learn to obey Him when He answers my cry for guid­ance. So, I made a conscience effort to obey Him and He led me to I Peter 2:23b “...He entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Jesus gave Him­self solely to the Father - the one who judges justly.

In my desire to be a witness for the Lord, I pray daily for the Lord’s wis­dom, knowledge, understand­ing, and insight to manifest them­selves in my life. The Lord re­minded me of that. So, I began to be quiet in my spirit and the Lord encouraged me to read further in I Peter. I love this book. It has so much in it to help us, not only in our daily lives on the outside, but for us inside the walls also.

My eyes scanned the verses and I no­ticed the caption above I Peter 3:8-17 which read, “Suffering For Doing Good.” The following is an insight the Lord gave me before, and now for this type of situation.

Let’s read verse 8, “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one an­other; be sympathetic, love as broth­ers, be compassionate and humble.”

Believe me, my spirit did not want to acknowledge these words! Or, should I say, my flesh! Jesus is my example (I Peter 2:21) and Peter’s words are blunt, and they demand obedience to the individual whose desire is to be com­pletely sold out for Christ. Flesh wants to get indignant and yell for justice. On the other hand, the new man yells to obey the Word. Obedi­ence is better and far wiser, and our actions have eternal ramifications to other’s souls. This thought should be close to one’s mind.

It seems I always have to look weak to those around me, and my flesh does not like looking weak. I knew this was where the Lord was leading me. I did not want to be sym­pathetic (actually I wanted to smack her), nor did I want to love her as a sister ei­ther! Not only does this scrip­ture tell me to do these things, but also to be compassionate and humble! (See also Colossians 3:12)

There was another time I was go­ing through a milder, but similar situa­tion. The Holy Spirit led me to Ephesians 4:2,3 which reads, “Be com­pletely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” That was when the Lord began to teach me the value of one’s soul.

I began to ask myself some ques­tions regarding this current situa­tion. Were my retaliation and my comfort, worth the prospect of damaging that per­son’s soul, or possibly pushing her to the point of eternal death? Be­lieve me that was a very sobering thought! Again, I needed to ask myself, ‘what would Jesus do?’ And not think of what my flesh wanted to do. In this in­stance, as in the other, I really stopped to listen to what the Lord wanted to teach me. It was up to me now to be obedient and open-minded - “to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

As I thought about the situation, my heart began to be sympathetic. The love part - well let’s just say I have to work on that! My heart began to be compassionate and all of this hum­bled me. He showed me again how important each and every one of us is to Him. A very sobering thought for one who desires to be completely sold out for Christ.

My eyes began to read verse 9, of I Peter 3, “Do not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult, but with bless­ing, because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing.”

Oh great! I never intended to repay the evil that was thrown at me! My flesh had acted as the comeback queen, and I fed into the insult for insult thing (in a lighter sense). So...I repented! My attitude needed an ad­justment for sure, but to reply with a blessing? Oh Lord, help me! Give me more grace. I’m going to need it! Not only are we to repay them with blessings, but also Peter says in the rest of this verse, “...to this you were called...” Oh, boy! I’m called by God to act like what these verses tell me. It’s part of the new man experi­ence (Colossians 3:10), and the Lord’s command for obedience. There is a promise tagged on to the end of this verse, that if we obeyed the first part we would inherit a blessing. I feel the Lord knows the first part of this scripture would be hard for us to do, so He tacks on a promise that we will inherit a bless­ing if we obey His Word.

Peter goes on to quote Psalm 34:12-16. In verses 12-16 it reads, “Who­ever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceit­ful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the right­eous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Peter backs up what he has said, with what the Word says. These strong words of his needed to be backed up by what the Word says, because they are strong words, and they are impor­tant to our Christian walk. Our tongue can get us into a lot of trouble.

James says in Chapter 3, verses 9 and 10, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse men who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”

The offensive person is loved by God (Romans 8:38-39; I John 4:7-12). He loves them as much as He loves me. James tells us our tongues have the ability to praise and curse; and that we should not do this, which backs what Peter is saying in I Peter 3:10. The Lord’s eyes are al­ways aware of what we do. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel very uncomfortable and very ac­countable. He doesn’t miss a beat and he saw my reaction to this situation (talk about squirming in conviction). Our Abba Father sees how we act and react. He sees if we will obey His words. He sees if we are pure or two-faced, and if our actions back up what we preach (see Titus 1:15, 16).

To me, the last part of I Peter 3:12 is for both sinner and Christian. When the Word says, “...the face of the Lord is against those who do evil...” I be­lieve this is saying that He is not pleased with anybody who acts this way. Es­pecially His children!

Peter goes on to say in verses 13-14, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” This is our assurance, which I needed, be­cause you never know when others are going to be abusive with their words and hurt you in that way. Peter tells us “Do not be afraid.”

As scary as all this confrontation stuff is, I have the assurance of Jesus him­self for me not be afraid (see John 14:27). The Lord promises to help us through these kind of situations (see Isaiah 43:1-2, 5). If I believe his Word, these words of encouragement for me not to be afraid, are comfort­ing. In this situa­tion, that is exactly how I felt (see Lamentations 3:55-57).

The Lord encouraged me in my heart to set apart Christ as Lord - He is in charge of this situation! Also for me to be ready to have an answer to oth­ers, who very well could yield to the conviction and come to Christ. My actions and reactions are very impor­tant to the eternal soul of another. So, I ask myself this question, “Is it more beneficial to be obedient to the Word, or to react in the flesh?” My conclu­sion is; I need to be obedient to the Lord and His Word. His promise of protection and help is of great en­cour­agement and comfort to me. He is the God of all comfort in our trou­bles (see II Corinthians 1:3, 4). Also, not only am I encouraged for myself, but also for the offensive per­son. Their souls could very well be saved, if my reaction is the way Jesus would react. It’s my choice and yours. That night the woman got on her knees and prayed. She also read her Bible for a while. I had never seen her do that. All of what I went through was worth the memory of seeing her seeking God. After all, that is our goal - isn’t it?

 

 

 

 

The Will And The Spirit

by Bradley Derby,
an inmate at HCCC, Walsenburg, Colorado.

 

The will is as the island rock cliffs,

Lofty, hardened, and steadfast.

In arrogance, looking down at the waves at it’s base,

Laughing brazenly it says, “What can you do to me?”

 

The waves of the spirit, white capped and insistent,

Knowing a secret, hidden down deep, smile up from below.

Planned long ago by the hands of the Almighty,

Of a power that’s limitless, loving, and patient.

 

There’s voices below knowing the truth, but not wasting,

Waiting, watching, confident of the end.

 

As time goes by, suddenly alerted the will is gone,

The spirit did take it, little by little quietly and sure.

Now the will knows the secrets of the deep,

Of the love and union it had longed for all along.

 

The will knows the plan was best kept secret,

For in the passing of time is perfection attained.

The patience and power of the spirit joined to the

Temperance and strength found in the erosion of the will.

 

It’s God’s ultimate plan to bring us into an everlasting
covenant, the emersion in His Heavenly love.

 

 

 

 

Sharing the Good News

 “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God..”

II Corinthians 5:20-21

 

From: Eddy Kovacevich,
TCF, Trinidad, Colorado

Dear Alan and Sharon, I wanted to send you a short testimony to let you know how God has blessed me. When I first wrote to you, I was in Delta Correctional in Colorado. Delta is very far from where my son lives with his mother and from where my parents live. I hadn’t seen my son for nearly 3 years (he is now 3½). On December 22nd, after fervent prayer and fasting, God made a way for my parents to bring him to see me. Praise God! We had a blessed day. Tyler, who has Cystic Fibrosis, sat on my lap. The Lord blessed us by allowing us to give gifts and stockings to our children. One of the brethren put a picture Bible in Tyler’s stocking. He wasn’t feeling well that day and every time I showed him a picture of Jesus and he said His name, I could hear him breath much easier. God’s still in the healing business.

I also prayed that God would move me closer to home. On January 9th, I was transferred to a brand new facil­ity here in Trinidad. I’m now only 1½ hours from my par­ents. Thank God! Please keep me in your prayers. Yours in Christ, Eddy.

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From: Raymond Mayers,
CCDC Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Miss Sharon, Thank you for sending my friends a copy of My Brother’s Keeper. I really appre­ciate it! I am 45 years old. I was saved by God’s grace when I was 22 years old. Since then, although I have slipped at times, I have stayed strong in the faith of God’s gra­cious love.

Thank you also for the Spiritual Growth Lesson #17. As always I got a lot out of it! I continue to look for­ward to growing spiritually through your newsletters and teachings! I really appreciate what your ministry has done for me. It’s a wonderful thing you do. Keep it up! My prayers will be with you all. Take care and may God Bless you always.

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From: Shawn Winkler, Sterling Correctional, Sterling, Colorado

Dear Sharon & Alan, greetings, glory, and grace unto the elect ac­cording to the foreknowledge of God the Father.

(I Peter 2:9) - “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

As I read the words of our brothers in Nigeria, and the plea of my friend and fellow saint, Brother Wright up in Idaho, I am drawn to remembrance the encouragement of Peter in his first epistle. Every­one who contrib­utes their insight, or praise that is gained by/through CA becomes a living testimony to those truths. We are a peculiar people. As brother Obodo in Nigeria, weeps for the trag­edy Americans felt, we lift his name to the Father for mercy. When brother George writes his encour­agement, he shows forth the praises of him who has called us out of dark­ness. As brother Okechukwu writes of that marvelous light we are re­minded that we are a chosen genera­tion, a holy priesthood. A people bound in love that knows no bounds.

A simple praise report brings those truths to me in new, and living light. For the first four years of my incar­ceration I was one of the many men taken from Colorado to serve my time in Appleton, Minnesota. I found my­self assistant to the chaplain the entire four years I was there. I have kept in touch with him as much as possible. Chaplain Werner is now associate pastor of the Menahga Assembly of God church in Menahga, Minnesota. The fire, faithfulness, and love he found within prison walls, moti­vated him to carry that message beyond. Those truths, like we have found, are the simplicity of Christ, “and the truth shall set you free”.

Like Brother Okechukwu writes, we all have wonderful, marvelous lights to share with those who come in contact with, those of us, who have waited in solitude for His light. Good job Saints! Shalom, Shawn Winkler.

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From: Lance Elmore,
HCCA, Walsenburg, Colorado

Dear CA, Blessings and honor to our Lord and King. I pray He will guide you through every valley, storm, and victory.

Thank you for your continual com­mitment to those of us who are incar­cerated. Truly your ministry is a blessing and encouragement to so many. I pray God’s continual strength, joy, and peace on your min­istry overflows this New Year.

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From: Glenda Kay Holmes,
DWCF, Denver, Colorado

Dear Sharon, How is my dear sister in Christ doing today? I pray that God’s majestic beauty and grace is flowing in every access of your life.

Sharon, I want to thank you for all your love, prayers, and spiritual sup­port. You are a very dear, sweet lady. You and Alan give your love, life and time to God’s service in the lowest of low places.

But I just pray and ask God to bestow blessings upon blessings, joy upon joy on your life. I don’t know why I’m writing like this, as you know this is not my style of writing. Thank you for sending a copy of the Eagle story for me. Sometimes just the simple little things mean so very much.

Thank you for listening, Sharon, and thanks again for all the prayers. Your sister in Christ, Kay.

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From: Isai Olivas,
Federal Correctional Institution

Three Rivers, Texas

Dear Miss Sharon: As I read the last Spiritual Growth lesson, “Counting the Cost,” I’ve noticed how you’ve hit a lot of major and important points in my life. I agree with you 100%, and I’ll be totally honest with you, I’ve caught myself too many times expecting blessings from God and trying to negotiate with him. You’ve opened my eyes to something else, Miss Sharon, when we try to bargain with God, that only shows we are thinking of ourselves, and it shows us our selfishness.

Something else you made very clear, in the part where you talk about dis­tant followers of Christ and their spiritual immaturity; how we con­stantly test God’s love for us. Well that’s me also. Gees, Miss Sharon, talk about a spiritual growth lesson! J This is what you call a lesson! I’m studying myself “big time”.

You said in the beginning of the les­son that by the time we finish the les­son we should know where we are today in our spiritual journey. Well, before I read halfway through the lesson, I already knew where I was. I’m way back there - when I should be way up there! J I love God and he knows that I struggle daily to carry the cross and I don’t run as often when I see trouble. But, I know I could do much better. By now I should be walking on a much straighter path.

You know Miss Sharon, I used to think, “In a world full of so much corruption, jealousy, hate, and full of people that are only trying to get as much as they can, thinking only of themselves; how could there be someone like you and Alan who do all that you do for others? But you know what else, Miss Sharon? I know now that it’s because God truly exists!”

Your letters inspire me so much that they are one of the major reasons why I continue to strive for the goal, or should I say strive for perfection [maturity] in everything in my life. My main goal and concern is to serve God and to do His will to the best of my ability. I’m so grateful for eve­rything you have done in my life, and please thank everybody at Christian Ambassadors, Inc. for all they do for prison inmates. Always, your brother in Christ, Isai.

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Your let­ters of inquiry about our ministry are welcome and appreciated. If you or a loved one is incarcerated in a jail or prison facility, anywhere in the US or abroad, please write for more information:

Christian Ambassadors, Inc.
PO Box 260812

Littleton, CO 80163-0812 USA

Your family and friends may also check our website at: www.christian-ambassadors.org

 

 

 

 

 

The King of Glory!

 

by Sharon K. Griffee

 

Psalm 24:7-10 (NIV) - Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty -- he is the King of glory.

Those with deep and abiding love for the Lord, will find themselves revved up with excitement, because of the boldness proclaimed in these verses of scripture. We can easily picture ourselves getting caught up in the planning of such an event; a worship event of such magnitude, that our joy and excitement can’t be contained. We want to jump up and shout and sing praises to His name. The gates must be opened wide to allow the entrance of the King!

By fast-forwarding to the last book in the Bible, we find out who this King of glory is and why he is worthy to be worshipped in such grand fashion. Looking through time, Revelation 19:13-16 describes the awesome spiritual authority this King has over his enemies.

Revelation 19:13-16 - He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

The blood-spattered robe that Christ is dressed in, symbolizes the great battles He fought over time against his enemies’ sin, Satan and death. Spiritual battles won that we might be set free from these evils. How can we, who have been forgiven, not open the gates wide to make way for such a King as this? How can we not love one who loves us so deeply?

In our pursuit of the King of glory, we must move back in time now to over 2,000 years ago, where we find him riding into Jerusalem seated on the back of a donkey. Indeed, this was a symbolic act of humility by a king. The king chose the time of the Passover (when Jews from all over the country would be there) to make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He was there to offer Himself to the people, to announce his messiahship publicly. He wanted to do it in such a way that those who had spiritual eyes to see - should see, and those who had spiritual ears to hear - should hear and understand what kind of deliverer he was.

Jesus wanted the crowd to know he is more than an earthly king. His desire is to win the hearts of men. He wanted them to see that he came to represent His kingdom, a kingdom that was not of this world. He knew if people had a heart of faith, they would discover the sovereign power of the king within. Through spiritual eyes, they would see him for who he really is and the purpose for why he came. So, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9.

See, Your King Comes!

Matthew 21:5, 10-11 (NIV) - (5) Say to the Daughter of Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey...” (10-11) When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

The crowds received Jesus like a king. They spread their cloaks in front of him. They cut down and waved palm branches. They shouted “Hosanna”! What were they really shouting about? Although we typically think of the word Hosanna as a word of welcome and praise, Hosanna is more than that. It is the Hebrew translation of the phrase, “Save Now”! The cry that went out on that day was a cry for deliverance. It was a cry for help in the day of their trouble. It was an oppressed people’s cry to their savior and king. Hosanna in the highest! Save us, O Lord, save us!  See Psalm 118:25.

The shouts and praise of the Jews for their king was short-lived, because the people were looking for physical and political deliverance from their Roman oppressors, rather than to fulfill God’s spiritual purposes. They did not see until after the resurrection, that Jesus had come to face the cross and to show them the true meaning of Messiah - humility!

Matthew 21:5 - “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey...”

 

Come By Here, O Lord!

The Lord has dropped a familiar old camp song into my heart. This song lives daily in my heart for prison inmates all over the world who are crying out to be “saved” from the bondage of sin. Through this song, the Lord has shown me that these prisoners are not crying out for physical deliverance. They’re crying out for spiritual deliverance! Their cry for Jesus to come by their cell to “save” them is echoed in the chorus and verses.

Kumbayah (Come By Here)

Chorus:

Come by here, my Lord, come by here;
Come by here, my Lord, come by here;
Come by here, my Lord, come by here;
O Lord, come by here!

Verses:

Someone’s crying Lord, come by here!
Someone’s lonely Lord, come by here!
Someone’s hurting Lord, come by here!
Someone’s praying Lord, come by here!

I bear witness to you, there’s something stirring in the hearts of prison inmates. Something is stirring to be released! As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I am sensing that this new life He came to give, is stirring to come forth---to be resurrected!

As an ambassador and witness for Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, I invite prison inmates to write to me for spiritual direction.

Sharon K. Griffee
Christian Ambassadors, Inc.
P.O. Box 260812
Littleton, Colorado 80163-0812

Exodus 20:24b - Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.

 

 

 

The Cross Room

 

Author Unknown, Contributed by Ronald Galey,
Branchville Correctional Facility, Tell City, Indiana

 

The young man was at the end of his rope.

Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.

“Lord I can’t go on,” He said.

“I have too heavy a cross to bear.”

 

The Lord replied, “My son, if you can’t bear its weight,

Just place your cross inside this room.

Then, open that other door, and pick out any

cross you wish.”

 

The man was filled with relief.

“Thank you, Lord,” He sighed, and he did as he was told.

Upon entering the other door, he saw may crosses,

some so large the tops were not visible.

 

Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.

“I’d like that one, Lord.” He whispered.

And the Lord replied,

“My son, that is the cross you just brought in.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accept His Gift of Righteousness

by Robert Estabrook, an inmate at Lovelock Correctional

 

 

It took years of hoping, of searching, of praying, of enduring, and doubting whether or not I would ever make it, for me to under­stand and accept that “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.”

When I truly became aware of that, all of my cares and every struggle I had with sin, fear, and doubt sub­sided. All along, he was after all, per­forming the good work in me that he had begun.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV) - Being confi­dent of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

He allowed for me to see things; live through times and experience the af­flic­tions I have, so that I could get to this place where I am, a place where I now realize is a far more ex­ceeding and eternal weight of Glory.

II Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV) - For our light af­fliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Yes, the glory of being the righteous­ness of God. No longer am I of this world, nor do I care to be. I am alive in spirit! Alive in truth! Free from the bond­age of sin. I have life and I have it more abundantly than I ever have.

John 10:10 (KJV) - The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I now live! No longer am I dead as a result of Adam’s error. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ has paid the debt in full. Now as a result of his sac­ri­fices, as a result of his righteousness, we can all live and be made whole, be made alive!

I Corinthians 15:22 (KJV) - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The struggle ends once we realize we are the righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus. Regardless of our cir­cumstances and whatever situation we may be in, if we acknowledge that we really are the right­eousness of God; in heart and in spirit, it will be easier to allow our creator to order our life in conformity to His will.

Psalm 143:8 (KJV) - Cause me to hear thy lov­ing kindness in the morn­ing; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

It becomes easier to be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus, His Son.

Romans 8:29 (KJV) - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predesti­nate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

If our inner image of our­selves is one of righteous­ness (which it should be if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior) our creator will create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us.

Psalm 51:10-11 (KJV) - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

He will perfect that which concerns us (Psalm 138:8), as he orders our steps in his Word (Psalm 119:133).

Getting to a place where we see our­selves in a posi­tive light may seem diffi­cult, if all we do is dwell on the past, hold grudges, and consider the conditions of man and the world in which we pres­ently live. For love’s sake, for life’s sake, for the sake of everyone including yourself you must wake up to this new world in which you live; and not let Satan rob you, nor your family, of the peace, love, joy, and happiness de­rived from God at the very moment you accept His gift of “righteous­ness”.

All things are become new as we ful­fill all righteous­ness.

Matthew 3:14-15 (KJV) - But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him,“Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteous­ness.” Then he suffered him.

You are a new man; you are a new woman, made in the image of God!

Colossians 3:10 (KJV) - And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

II Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) - There­fore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 4:24 (KJV) - And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

We cannot undo what we have done, nor anything that has been done to us. It really is a canceled check. In new­ness of heart we put it all behind us and think ahead. Certainly we do not concern ourselves with tomorrow, although it is a promissory note, it is no guarantee.

Proverbs 27:1 (KJV) - Boast not thy­self of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Today is after all the only cash we have and we would all do well to use it wisely. To become all that our Heavenly Father would have us be: righteous and prepared for the mor­row, in the event it comes.

Brother Todeschini ex­pressed senti­ments in a previous article to which I can relate when he said, “I was ar­rested - actually I was abducted, what I did and what they did, and who lied and who told the truth is all water under the bridge now...but the jour­ney through this nightmare set me on course.”

I do not condone what the advocates of our rival Satan do, but neither do I worry myself with them, because as I look ahead I see there is nothing done in the dark that will not eventually be brought to the light, “Every wrong done is made right”, in His time, not ours. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) leave this world, its peoples, and the cares of this world, in the ca­pable hands of God, while you and I move for­ward from darkness into light.

Brothers and Sisters, ac­knowledge your righteous state, embrace it as you have been embraced. Then and only then will you have His peace, regardless of your circumstances.

 

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