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My Brother's Keeper

Volume 7, Number 4, October-December, 2002

 

 

Awaken, Rise Up!

Christ Will Give You Light!

by Sharon K. Griffee

 

 

God has always wanted to include man in his plans and purposes. But, man has not always been willing to carry out the plans and purposes of God. This is no new revelation. Anyone who has stud­ied the Bible knows that man re­jected God’s plans and pur­poses from the beginning.

Briefly stated - Adam and Eve had to be removed from the garden; Cain killed Abel; and with the flood God destroyed the known world, because of their wicked­ness, saving only Noah and his family. Yet, no matter how wrong or foolish man has been in reject­ing God; God still thinks man is worth going after! Consequen­tially, God will move heaven and earth to bring the light of Christ to one sin­ner who is seeking freedom from bondage.

Ephesians 5:14-17 (KJV) - “...Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Whenever a sinner cries out for help, God moves someone in posi­tion to share the light of Christ with that person. The person that God chooses in that critical hour may not feel even remotely quali­fied for the task. But whether that person feels spiritually capable or not, if their desire is to do the will of God, then the way will be pro­vided by the Holy Spirit. Such was the case with Dave [name changed], a prison inmate that I’ve been corresponding with. He said: Sharon, last night as I was clean­ing the galley in my porter job, a guy I had talked to just a few times called me over to his cell. He was being transferred to another prison this morning, a maximum prison where they put the roughest crimi­nals. He started talking to me nor­mally, and then all of a sudden he whispered to me, “Dave, I am so scared!!!”

Those words, I’m scared is not something anyone admits to in here. You’ve got to be, oh - so tough. You can’t show any signs of weakness. That’s the prison motto. But here was this young man, the rough and tumble type, nearly in tears. “Dave, promise me you’ll pray for me tonight.”

I told him I would. So, I went and finished up the job I was doing, then went to take my shower. But, the whole time I’m thinking to myself, “I’m so empty inside...I’ve got nothing to say to help him.” But, knowing he was so fearful, after I finished my shower I de­cided to take him some snacks. I then talked with him for half an hour. I tried to comfort him. I told him to turn to God, that God would always be with Him. I told him to love and to serve God. To not make excuses for his behavior, but to repent and earnestly seek God. Then this young man said something I wasn’t expecting to hear.

He said, “Dave, whenever you are around I make an effort to clean up my language, because you seem so godly. The reason I came to you in my time of need, is because I see God in you and I knew you would listen to me. You don’t belong in prison. You are so different!”

By that time, the CO told me to go lock in. So, I said to the young man, “I’ll pray for you. Just wake me up when you go by in the morning so I can say good-bye.”

He went by around 5:00 A.M. this morning while I was still sleeping. I had heard a voice and woke up, but he was already gone. When I went out to the yard later this morning, a guy gave me a note from him. In the note he thanked me and told me how much he re­spected me and how he would al­ways thank God for having met me and having the opportunity to talk with me. Sharon, it nearly brought me to tears. But inside I kept thinking, “If only he knew what my insides were really like...”

Here Dave had just read a beauti­ful testimony about the power of God at work in this young man’s life, and the influence he had per­sonally made upon him. Yet, in­stead of experiencing the joy of the Lord rising up in his spirit, he felt empty and defeated inside. Why?

It’s called the old guilt trip. Just one of the tactics Satan uses hop­ing to neutralize Christians. There is nothing Satan likes better than to get a believer started on the guilt trip. If he could get Dave to dwell on all his past failures, then he could keep him from feeling good about his desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. He could keep him from feeling good about his recent victory. He could even keep him from pursing the new life Jesus bought and paid for on the cross.

We must keep our priorities straight and remember what is really important. Our relationship with Jesus is what is important. It’s top priority with us! Many years ago while living in Texas, I was a member of a church choir. I recall one year when the members of the choir enjoyed getting to­gether to practice for a perform­ance of the Messiah, to be held the coming Easter. When the day finally arrived we gave it our very best. We all felt moved by God’s Spirit. It was a joyous occasion for the members of the choir. Folks told us afterwards, how they were touched by the Spirit through the music.

The next time we met for choir practice, we expected our choir director to share his joy with us, giving us his blessings, as well. Instead he said, “Well, first I want to say to the choir, that you all brought ministry to the people, …[pause]… but technically speaking, you all stunk!” His comment did not bring a warm, fuzzy feeling over us. Our spirits were not soaring. One lady told me later that she felt like he had just thrown cold water in our faces when he said that.

Brothers and sisters, there will al­ways be forces in the world at­tempting to throw cold water on anything we set out to do for Jesus. But those of us who love Jesus with all of our heart will not let a little cold water keep us from serving the Master. J Jesus doesn’t expect us to be technically correct, but rather spiritually moti­vated by the light of Christ.

Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as chil­dren of light.”

Once we listened to the lies of Sa­tan who kept us living in the dark­ness, covering up our sin. But now that Christ’s light has come, we have been awakened to the truth. We are rising up from the depres­sion that our circumstances have kept us in. We no longer have to lament our past. Christ’s light has come to cleanse and heal us. Whether we are incarcerated be­hind prison bars or living in soci­ety, it makes no dif­ference. God has His hand upon His children. Praise the Lord! God can and will use every part of our life for His glory.

That’s redemption!

 

John 12:46 (NIV) – “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me shall stay in darkness.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. This issue’s Word Study was written by Eddy Kovacevich, an inmate at Skyline Correctional, Cañon City, Colorado.

 

 

Jesus - Our Hope!

by Eddy Kovacevich

 

 

As another Christmas draws near for me away from my family and friends, I find myself looking at what God has done for me, how he has saved me from my own debased mind. I look at myself now and realize that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

I see that all of us can withstand huge amounts of pressure. With unwaver­ing courage we can go through the most horrific sickness, financial mis­fortune, rejection; even year after year living in human cages, known to some as solitary confinement. Yet, all this is completely dependent on one thing...hope. We can come back from earthquakes, volcanoes, fire, and flood. We can survive years of drought, overcome the terrorist at­tacks of 9/11/01, childhood diseases and death; but take away our hope and in a short time the strongest of people will toss in the towel. Know­ing this about us, God calls hope the “anchor of our soul” (Hebrews 6:19).

No matter where we are, no matter what our social status, no matter how long a person has in prison; God has called us to be on a mission with Him. Yes, you are reading this very pager! He has a plan to draw people into a love relationship with Himself. That plan includes me and you. It involves the hope of reconciliation and eternal life that Christ gives us in Himself. It is the hope of eternal son­ship and a place at God’s table, feasting on His glory in Heaven.

One of the most beautiful examples of this type of reconciliation is found in II Samuel, chapter 9. David did for Mephibosheth in the flesh, what God has done in the spirit for us. David took this lamed man out of a place of no communication and re­stored him to the state that was origi­nally in­tended for him. David had other chil­dren, yet adopted this young man and made certain he was pro­vided for. As you read this story look at what hap­pened to Mephibosheth.

II Samuel 4:4 (KJV) - “And Jona­than, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”

I can truly relate to this man in so many ways. Each of us has been dropped by someone, sometime in our childhood, and this has lamed us. I see the reconciliation of us to God in it. Remembering the covenant re­lationship between Jonathan and David and the close bond they shared, makes this act of kindness sensible. This was a relationship far closer than husband and wife, closer than best friends. This closeness is the essence of why David did what he did. This whole chapter so closely parallels what God has done for me in my life, that when I thought about our hope of reconciliation and realized what Me­phibosheth had received; I felt like I’d just received a Holy Ghost shock. It all made perfect sense.

II Samuel 9:1 (KJV) - “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?”

David wanted to redeem someone who was lost of the house of a man dear to him.

Galatians 4:4b-6 (KJV) - “God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adop­tion of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (see: 1 John 4:9-12, Ephesians 2:1-8)

II Samuel 9:3 (KJV) - “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.”

This lameness for us could mean physical lameness, emotional lame­ness or spiritual lameness. I think of it in the spiritual sense. This condi­tion is like being spiritually crippled, separated from God. I think of my own lame condition before the Holy Ghost came into my heart.

Titus 3:4-6 (KJV) - “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regen­eration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abun­dantly through Jesus Christ our Sav­iour”

This is the spiritual condition we hope for after the Holy Ghost comes to dwell in our hearts.

II Samuel 9:4 (KJV) - “And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Am­miel, in Lodebar.”

In Hebrew Machir means trouble, in ruins, to perish or be brought low. The place LoDebar derives from Lo which means “no” and Debar which means “word”, so like Mephibosheth we are in a perishing, low, ruined state where we receive “no communi­cation” from God.

II Samuel 9:5 (KJV) - “Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir [troubled, low, per­ishing, ruined]... from Lodebar [place of no communication].”

Brothers and sisters don’t count your incarceration as a curse. You may be in a place of no commu­nication from the world, but God is calling you to be in a love relation­ship with Him­self. But we must be fetched and car­ried to our calling. It is impossible for anyone to come to God on his own.

John 6:44 (KJV) - “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Just like Mephibosheth we must be fetched and drawn out of the Devil’s house. We have “the power to be­come sons” (John 1:12), but “it is God who shows mercy” (Romans 9:16), and brings us into right stand­ing with Himself. (See also: Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 9:12-14, Romans 3:24-25). God brings us to a place where we can talk to the King of Kings.

II Samuel 9:6-7 (KJV) - “Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.”

Here is a truth shown that “God re­sisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Mephi­bosheth humbled himself in front of the King. As we humble ourselves before God, he will draw us closer to Himself and restore our love relation­ship that was intended and thrown away by Adam and Eve. With one phrase David said, you are as my only son and will eat dinner as one of my family. He adopted Mephibosheth.

In reading about Mephibosheth, I re­alized he had a misconception of himself. He called himself a dead dog. When I first realized my calling, I also had a distorted opinion of my­self. Setting all of my walls of pride, arrogance, and selfishness aside, I had to admit I was a wretched dead dog. I believed what the world said about me when they called me hope­less, a loser, criminal, unrehabili­tatable. But God said, “No! You’re my son!” And Jesus said,

Luke 13:29 (KJV) - “They shall come from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the King­dom of God.”

Luke 22:29-30 (KJV) - “And I ap­point unto you a kingdom, as my Fa­ther hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom...”

Brothers and sisters, God can use the ugliest of our situations to bring glory to His name. Through Christ and the hope He gives, we no longer have to determine the character of who we are by the place we are in, or the cir­cumstances from which we come.

I decided not to “do time”, but instead to redeem the time God gave me in prison. It’s not a question of, “What can I do for God in here”, but rather, “How can I let God work through me in here?” Someone may have dropped me, so to speak, when I was younger. I may have some “mental dysfunc­tion” or some “emotional dis­order.” I may be lamed by a worldly standard, but in all the things I might have done, God gave me hope of eternal life and remis­sion of sin. I praise Him that those things I might have done, God pre­vented me from doing. He adopted me and gave me a seat in His Kingdom.

It’s not too late to ask Jesus to come into your life, to receive that spirit of adoption, to bring you into the King­dom of Heaven. It’s not too late to have that personal one to one rela­tionship with Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Amen.

II Corinthians 6:2b (KJV) – “...Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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: Lance Elmore, HCCC, Walsenburg, Colorado

Dear Christian Ambassadors, Praises and honor to our Lord and King, Jesus Christ!  What a privilege to be birthed again into the lively hope of eternal life by the resurrection of Christ.  I pray that your ministry and lives will continually be saturated with God’s presence and anointing.  I want to thank you for your recent letter, and to continue to encourage you in the purpose God has birthed in your spirit for His Kingdom.

I know so many of us are looking for the emptiness in our lives to be filled with people, material accumulation, success, etc.  After seven years in prison, friends that forgot, material accumulations lost, distant memories of past accomplishments, I finally found someone that filled me, loved me, empowered, changed and molded me like no other. 

I agree whole heartily with the Apostle Paul, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in Him...That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings...” (Philippians 3:7-10) 

Also in Psalm 18:6-7, David says that in a time of distress he called on his Rock, his fortress and that God heard him.  Then in the 7th verse David explains God’s response.  I began to realize how no one but God and David heard the prayer by David, but everyone heard the response by God! Yeah, God is...Greater is He...!

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From: Michael Johnson, Gowanda Correctional, Gowanda, New York

To: Christian Ambassadors, Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am writing this letter to let you all know how greatly I appreciate hearing from you.  Though many letters go out to other believers, I want you all to know I am touched by the August 12th [Spiritual Growth] Lesson 19, “Take Up Your Cross Daily”.  And the Word of God is quick and powerful.  Praise His Holy name!  God is moving in your life and His anointing is upon you all.  Please continue reaching out to the Brothers and Sisters in prison and He will continue doing mighty works in this Ministry. 

God Bless you Sister Griffee.  I am moved and blessed.  This letter was a big lift and big encouragement.  God is using you.  Let’s give Him the Glory He deserves!  I love you all!      Brother Michael Johnson.

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From:  Freddie Pacheco, Coxsackie Correctional, Coxsackie, New York

To: Christian Ambassadors, Dear Sister Sharon, I pray that when you receive this letter you find yourself in the best of health, as well as in God’s loving hands.

I find myself incarcerated at Coxsackie Correctional Facility, and because of God’s will I received in my hands one of your beautiful messages.  It was a blessing.  I would like you to add my name to your Ministry so you can continue sending me more lectures.  Thank you for your time.  May God continue blessing you and your family. 

I Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) - “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

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From: Joseph Huff, Sterling Correctional, Sterling Colorado

To: Christian Ambassadors, Dear Sharon, I received your August Spiritual Growth Lesson and Letter.  Talk about close to home!  I think that lesson you wrote was aimed directly at me.  J  I really appreciate your advise and direction.  You are always looking out for us.  It’s difficult to stay focused 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but that’s what it takes.  You keep doing the wonderful job you are doing with CA.  We all love it!!  Brother Joe

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From: Thanagobal Karthik,
Kanaier Men’s Prison,
Qulabia, Egypt

Dear Christian Ambassadors, Beloved Alan and Sharon, Greetings to you in Jesus name, to the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.  I pray that the Lord Jesus, our Morning Star and our Messiah give you peace, joy, and strength to be His Ambassadors (II Corinthians 5:21) to shepherd the people, especially those in prison.  I thank you for sending me “My Brother’s Keeper” newsletters.  I am very much inspired and uplifted.  It gives me spiritual nourishment.  I read all the articles and testimonies in it.  Thanks for your love and kindness to minister to me.

                         Brother Karthik

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Memory of George

(AKA: Smylee)

by Shawn Winkler

 

 

In memory of our sweet brother in Christ, George Wright; Cartoonist, viewer of the lighter side of life, and shareholder in the Eternal Kingdom. 

Daily George would begin his quiet time with the Father in prayer.  Requests and needs of his brothers, sisters and problems of the world always came first.  His simple plea for himself was to just know the truth. This inspired in him the joy of freedom and a fresh look at the world around us. 

George shared those insights with a daily drawing while we were incarcerated in Appleton, Minnesota.  One of George’s jobs was to have a cartoon every month in our humble “rag” newsletter.  I wish I had, had the foresight to save each issue we produced.  Just the desire to share laughter with all of us tells the complete story of his heart.  Joy is his crown.

V      V      V      V      V      V      V

George  (Smylee) passed on in April of heart failure while he was incarcerated at Idaho Correctional Center in Boise, Idaho.  George was well known to many of the inmate population as one who always had a kind word and generous smile.  He had been active in chapel activities at all the facilities he was housed and will be greatly missed by all his Christian brothers.  Thank you for allowing us to share the journey.

 

 

 

 

 

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