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My Brother's Keeper

Volume 8, Number 4, October-December, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

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.  Robert Estabrook, an inmate at Ely State Prison, Ely, Nevada, wrote this issue’s word study.

 

What Is Freedom?

by Robert Estabrook

 

How often have you heard men and women (both free and bond) say, I want to be free?  This begs the ques­tions: Where on earth has freedom ever reigned?  Is your spirit bridled?  Do you have any direction, any pur­pose?  Or have you simply allowed for your mind, your heart, and your emotions to be stifled too?  Would it be fair of me to say that in order to be free, we must first care?  The illu­sion is that we do!  Does being physi­cally liber­ated constitute freedom to you?  If the cares of the world bind you, and the society you live in de­fines you, how are you then free?

What is freedom, and can we learn from a biblical (spiritual) perspective what it means to be free?  I would hope so considering that I personally have never been more free, more content, and at peace than I am at present.  Yet, I am physically captive! 

Let us now take a biblical journey and see if in fact God can shed some light on this important subject.   Freedom, as defined by the Riverside Web­ster’s II New College Dictionary, is: “Liberty of the person from slav­ery, oppression, or incarceration”

Freedom as defined in the Bible (King James Version throughout) is: “liberty”, “deliverance”.  We are the Lord’s Freeman, “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.”
(I Corinthians 7:22)

It was Jesus Himself who was sent “to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18).  Because of Satan’s deception of Adam and Eve, we have been deceived.  Conse­quently we’ve been opposed, op­pressed, persecuted, suppressed and enslaved - the unwitting victims of an evil whose only intent is “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”.  But thanks be to God that Jesus came “that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly”.  (John 10:10)

Life more abundantly!  Unless one was free, truly free, one could not possess abundant life, wouldn’t you agree?  To be enslaved, oppressed, persecuted, and sentenced to a life of sorrow, sadness, and shame, would be to live a condemned life.  This is the opposite of freedom and contrary to scripture. 

(John 5:24) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condem­nation; but is passed from death unto life!”

Freedom is the product of truth (John 8:32).  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).  If the Son there­fore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  (John 8:36).  We have been liberated!  Regardless of our circumstances, regardless of our situation, no matter what trials, tests, temptations, or tribulations we may experience in this world; if we ac­knowledge the source and become aware of the truth about Satan’s tac­tics/methods, we can avoid losing our freedom i.e. our life, liberty, love, joy, peace, and contentment.

Embrace your liberty;

Galatians 5:1 - “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage.”

Freedom comes from within.  It can only be attained spiritually.  To think in the physical realm is to miss the mark.  How can one have liberty, yet be captive?  How can one be free indeed, yet be captive?  How can one have deliverance, and yet be captive?  How?  Because liberty, freedom, and deliverance have nothing whatsoever to do with our physical position or condition.  Wherever you are, when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are free. 

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

To become “new” is to be “free” wouldn’t you agree? 

I Peter 2:16 - As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Yes, worshipping God in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24).  Following the ex­amples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to be free we must have the “peace of God”, which Vicki Perry wrote about in her Word Study (The Peace of God) July-Sept. issue of “My Brother’s Keeper”; we must be “forgiving” as David Todeschini ex­pressed in his study (The Blessing of Forgiveness); we must be “Christ-like” as Edward Alford explained in his article; yes, we must hear “the Saviors Voice” as Thomas Wirth en­couraged us to do in his poem, and furthermore we must also be: com­passionate, understanding, gentle, pa­tient, kind, tolerant, long-suffering, faithful, and (at all times) grateful for the many blessings in our lives. 

I am reminded of an old Chinese Proverb that says, “I once com­plained that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.”  It really can be much worse.  Take time to acknowledge your creator daily, if you would like for Him to acknowl­edge you.  Do all that your Father wants you to do and I assure you that you will become all that He wants you to be, and you will have every­thing that He wants you to have, including freedom.

We claim to love our freedom, but without life, liberty, and deliverance we can never be free, no matter how much we regard life; nor how strong our capacity is to live.  This one truth is certain, freedom will elude us and will forever remain distant, unre­vealed, and unrealized; until we arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.  If we are open to this “life”, God will grant us spiritual wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of His Word; of His will; and of His way.  Our joy then will be made full and we will want for nothing, because we will have everything. 

We are bound to attain all that is good and ideal if we will simply learn the art of living in the present and of ex­periencing the life of Christ in us.  Is there time left in your day?  Good!  Then I can assure you that with per­severance, persistence, and patience you will find the way.  I trust that it will all be revealed to you, if you do not stray.  Life is too precious to waste pursuing things we will outlive.

Our freedom is a gift and God has dealt gently (yet firmly) with us.  Likewise we should deal as gently with our fellowman, because we know that we ourselves are also subject to weakness.

Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

As new creatures who enjoy freedom from guilt and condemnation, should we not then treat everyone in a man­ner that best reflects the love, joy, peace, and contentment we have in our personal lives?  Refrain from judging or being critical of anyone.  The more forgiving we are - the freer we become!

In closing I would like to say this: freedom cannot be enjoyed if you live in conflict and confusion.  It was not until I truly humbled myself in the sight of God and man that I learned the importance of freeing man of his/her guilt (in my sight) and dealing with them mercifully and tenderly.  I agree, there are things they do that we do not rightly understand.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own under­standing. In all thy ways ac­knowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Love them, even if you do not like what they do.  I now understand, that it was due to my conscious decision not to strive with man, that I attained this unbelievable peace and joy in my life. 

Yes, you too can have life more abundantly, when you choose to live a life free of the conflicts, confusion, and cares of the cold, cruel, and cor­rupt world.  We only remain con­demned ourselves when we live in judgment of others.  As condemned, a man or woman can never be free as long as they refuse to forgive themselves and others.   Being pa­tient, forgiving, understanding, and gentle with people “frees us” to walk in love, thereby permitting the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit to be with us always.

II Timothy 2:24 - And the ser­vant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient...”

James 3:17 -18 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

When applied, God’s Word contrib­utes a great deal to the “freedom” we can enjoy in this life.  To you sons and daughters of the King, I say em­brace your salvation.  Walk in new­ness of life, because Jesus made you “free”.

Humbly written by your brother in spirit and in truth, Robert Estabrook.  I reserve no right, other than the right to encourage you not to allow any­thing, or anyone to rob you of your peace, of your joy, of your freedom!  To the most high God be all praise, honor, and glory.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suffering -
Etching Out Godly Character

 

by Vicki Perry

Prunty­town Correctional Center, Grafton, West Virginia

 

 

There is a non-truth among Christians today which holds to the belief that, just because we are saved we don’t have to go through any suffering.  It is something many Christians run from.  They don’t like to even think of suffering.  No one wants “suffer­ing” to visit their doorstep. 

I remember when I first began to walk with the Lord; I was 25 years old and so excited about the Lord.  For the next 10 years after that when trials and tribulations came my way, the first thing I would do was to won­der: Was there sin in my life?  Have I missed God?  Where have I gone wrong?  What have I done?  I would run to my mentors and cry and say WHY?  I remember being in constant turmoil and not having much peace.  I believed we as Christians were not supposed to have trouble and suffer­ing, and if we did something was terribly wrong.

Now, after running from the Lord for a decade, I return back to Him and He teaches me that suffering is not only the reaping of the wickedness I had sown (Galatians 6:7-8), but a part of my Christian growth process.  I am not real sure what the proper doctrinal teachings about this subject are, I only know what the Lord has shown me and how much richer I am within my spirit to have the question of suffering settled in my life.

We as inmates know that being in­carcerated can be a miserable exis­tence.  There are times of inner tur­moil, suffering, agonizing, guilt and depression.  On top of all this inner stuff, we also need to deal with cor­rectional officers, counselors, and inmates.  All these things clumped together spells out s-u-f-f-e-r-i-n-g.  As a Christian our spirit is set free.

John 8:36 (NIV) - So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

We don’t have to be prisoners to sin anymore.  Jesus already gave us the victory for that.  Praise the Lord!  But, Jesus is our example as I Peter 2:21 tells us, “...because Christ suf­fered for you, leaving you an exam­ple, that you should follow in His steps.”  I began to think as I read this scripture - Christ is our example - He suffered much for me - who am I that I should think that I am not to suffer in this life?  Thus, I began my search for answers.  The Holy Spirit, as my companion, began to teach me about suffering.

John 14:26 (NIV) - But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:13 (NIV) - But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

First Peter is a wonderful book, along with the companion book of Two Peter.  The apostle Peter wrote these two letters “...as reminders to stimu­late you to wholesome thinking
(II Peter 3:1)”.  It was from these let­ters, and others, that the Holy Spirit taught me to have a “wholesome” attitude toward any suffering that may come my way.

I Peter 4:1-2 (NIV) - Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [emphasis mine]

This scripture struck me right in the chest.  When I read it I had to stop and chew on this one.  There is a lot of information in these two verses that can change the way we think.  Jesus suffered, therefore we are to arm ourselves - get ready to have suffering in our lives.  This scripture says that suffering will be a part of a Christian life - so prepare yourself for it!  But there is a positive note that says, if we have this attitude we can be done with sin!  The end result is to be able to live a life as sinless as humanly possible.  Read this scripture again and you will see suffering can be a productive part of our Christian walk. 

In Romans 5, I found that suffering produces.  Paul says in verses 3 and 4 that suffering produces persever­ance, character and hope.  These are good healthy, wholesome Christian traits, and they can be given to us through suffering.  James says in Chapter 1, verse 3, “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” [emphasis mine].  In verse 4, it says persever­ance when developed brings maturity.  These scriptures indicate that suffer­ing in our Christian walk can bring growth and other positive things in our Christian walk.  I’ve always be­lieved that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23), is the character of Christ.  Suffering etches out, or produces Godly character and brings development into our lives, thus maturing us.

The apostle Peter goes on to say in
I Peter 4:12-13 (NIV);

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suf­fering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

During those years I talked about before, I did think that something strange was happening to me, so suf­fering always caught me off guard.  I just didn’t have the right attitude at all.  Nor did I want to rejoice!

I found the word rejoice in a lot of places concerning suffering.  Rejoice and suffering in the Bible must be a paradox, because anyone going through a period of trials and suffer­ing does not want to rejoice!  This is another attitude that, as I see it, can be embraced according to what the writers of the New Testament tells me.  (James 1:2; Philippians 4:4-9; Romans 5:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Peter and Paul were in prison many times.  I find it amazing that they, through their sufferings, could write in their letters to rejoice!  The prison system then was much worse than ours today (and we gripe about the system?!?).  Their heart’s cry was to praise and rejoice through suffering.

One more thought before I finish.  Perhaps we shouldn’t run from suf­fering.  Perhaps we should endure and persevere.  As I have shown above - there are many positive things that come out of our suffering.  So when suffering comes, don’t jump up in a panic and pray for the Lord to remove it from your life, because you don’t want the pain!  Pray for the Lord to help you endure what you are going through and to be able to per­severe.  Pray that if it is in His plan to remove it, then remove it.  If not - to help you go through the pain of suf­fering.  In Isaiah 43:1b-3 (NIV) we read;

“...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...”

He carries us through the trials and tribulations.  I don’t read here where He would remove us from these.  He helps us go through - walk through each and every one.  I know there are times when He does deliver us from the hardships of life, but when He doesn’t, we have these promises that He will see us through.  Praise the Lord!  I love you all and I truly understand.  Let the Lord help you today.

Let me pray for those of you who are going through those valleys:  Lord, prison is not an easy thing for any of us to deal with.  Life in general, in prison, can be a very hardship in our lives.  I am asking you to open the reader’s spiritual eyes and under­standing to the words of this study.  Help them to see that you take the bad and make something good out of it.  That your character will flow through their lives and much fruit would hang off their spiritual limbs.  Also Lord, that the mature spirit would develop within them.  And mostly, that regardless of anything in their life, that if they seek you and ask, you will carry them through.  Right now Lord, give them a spirit of peace and a witness within that you will do what your Word says.  Touch my sisters and brothers - reveal to them the joy that can come through hard times. In Jesus name, Rejoice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Parable For A Father

 

by David Todeschini,
Wende Correctional Facility
Alden, New York

 

 

I Peter 2:2-3 (KJV) - As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The family had just arrived home from a long trip.  As his parents un­packed their bags and did the numer­ous chores that needed to be done in such a case, their exuberant little boy went out in the yard to play.  After several hours of hectic activity, the father sat down in the living room to rest, just as his son came running in from play.

Exhausted from the long drive, the father called the boy over to him saying, “Son, can you go out to the kitchen and bring me a glass of wa­ter?  Let the faucet run for a minute, so the water will be clear and cold, OK?” 

The child, who was only 4 years old, said “OK”, and quickly ran out of the room, into the kitchen.  The first hur­dle he had to overcome was his height.  He was not tall enough to reach the cabinet where the glasses were kept, or the sink, for that mat­ter.  So he drug a chair across the floor and climbed up.  It is hard to say how those tiny hands held the heavy glass tumbler he pulled from the cabi­net - the only thing that he could reach; the first “glass” that came to hand.  That he was able to hold onto it, and fill it to the brim is remarkable, and how he climbed down off the chair with it, no one will ever know.

The first glimpse the father had of his little boy, was that of his son holding the huge tumbler with one tiny hand, palm up, holding the bottom; while the other hand (fingers too short to hold it properly), held it by the rim with fin­gers on the inside.  As he walked the water splashed over the top, some spilling onto the floor, and some washing the dirt of the backyard off his fingers and into the glass.  As he made his way around the coffee ta­ble, he stumbled over the throw-rug, and a bit more water spilled.

When he finally made it over to where his father was sitting, the little boy was smiling, joyously offering his dad half a tumbler of muddy water with both arms outstretched.  The expression on his face was enough to melt a man’s heart.  The father, looking into his son’s big brown eyes, felt his soul touched.  He would not have disappointed that little boy’s heart for all of Solomon’s gold.  He took the tumbler from the tiny hands and drank the contents - dirt and all, and then pulled the happy child to him.  He kissed him and said, “well done, my son.”

You see, with a father’s heart, he could look past the child’s limited ability and lack of knowledge of the proper way to hold a glass.  He un­derstood that little feet are prone to stumbling, and he could see the purity of heart and eagerness to please - the obedience of love that his son had for him.  It is this that made the child’s service acceptable; a glass of dirty water more delicious than the finest wine.

And so it is with our Heavenly Father, he looks into our hearts and sees our intentions.  He knows our abilities and our limitations, and takes his pleasure and joy from our sincere efforts to please him, and to do His will.

Psalm 34:8 (KJV) - O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

© Copyright 2002 - David Todeschini - All rights reserved.  Permission was granted to Christian Ambassadors to use this article.

 

 

 

 

 

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: Brenda Collier, Boulder, Colorado

Dear Alan and Sharon, I’ve been thinking about you and wanted to tell you that Doug and I really enjoyed your last Spiritual Growth Lesson. I always look forward to getting your newsletters and Spiritual Growth Lessons...I can only imagine the light and spiritual guidance that this must surely impart to those with open hearts and minds. Your tireless dedi­cation is amazing...after all these years!

It’s important, in particular for in­mates, to understand that all people in their everyday life struggle each day (just as they do), to make decisions that will bring us closer to God and His work for us. We all have our crosses to bear and it really does come down at the end of the day to reaping what you sow, no matter where you are in your life. Your Spiritual Growth Lesson [#23, “Vessels of Honor, Fit For the Master’s Use”], reminded me of a plaque that we have in our kitchen that says, “Lord, help me to remem­ber that nothing is going to happen today that you and I together can’t handle”. This has helped me through a lot of stressful times. Another thought that has always helped me is, “Lord, your gift to me is life, and my gift to you is what I become and make of the life you gave me.”

Anyway, I was deeply touched and I appreciate your unending dedication.

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From: Craig Ray Montgomery, Golden, Colorado

Dear Sharon, I want to thank you for writing. Your words of encour­age­ment are anointed in every letter. As you can see, I have moved. Please keep me in your prayers. I will con­tinue to lift you up, and intercede for your powerful ministry. The Lord has blessed me and is already using me. I love to share the Word with my new brothers and sisters, plus fellow­ship with all of God’s people.

The Lord Jesus Christ has placed a fire under me and I’m moving, prais­ing, and dancing to it. Yes, we serve an awesome God, and we must con­tinue to let the world know that there is hope in Jesus. My footsteps have been ordered. I’m a man that has truly surrendered unto Christ, and now the Lord is doing His mighty works in me. I pray that many will surrender this day, in the name of Jesus.

Well, Sister Sharon, I’m going to close for now, but I want you to know that I love you in Christ Jesus.

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From: Michael Johnson, Attica Correctional Facility, Attica, New York

Dear Sharon, First I want to say that I pray that you and Alan and the oth­ers of the faith are well. I was read­ing your Spiritual Growth Letter con­cerning the brother from upstate New York prison. I can identify of his sin­cere heart and his willingness to change. I can in no way deny what he is going through. I myself am 44 years old and I have 3 felonies. I have been coming back and forth to these prisons for the past 25 years. I am also very tired and know that these years have been slipping away. I would like very much to see this gentleman you spoke about, to seek God and keep him, to repent and con­fess to a new life, and to be delivered from sin.

I have accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. I know the thirst for change, for encouragement, to want to fellow-ship. I will pray for this gentlemen and also pray that God will continue to bless you and Alan to reach out to the lost souls to win them over for Christ. I am full of joy! Sister Sharon, I continue to walk by faith! When I go to a new prison, I immediately seek my Christian Brethren, and I write and request to meet the pastor. I need to be with the Saints!

Thank you for your encouragement. I can’t afford to give the devil any space in my life. Praise God, the Alfa and Omega, the first and last, begin­ning and end. There is no other. In Jesus we are saved. God Bless you!

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From: Edward Alford, Alabama State Prison, Brent, Alabama

Dear Alan and Sharon,

8/15/03 - Greetings in Christ Jesus. I am attempting to facilitate a program here in our Faith Based Honor Dorm and I would very much like your permission to use the Spiritual Growth Lessons from Christian Ambassadors as our base study material for this class. I feel that the Spiritual Growth Lessons you provide are among the most accurate and solid interpreta­tions I have read of what the Bible is saying. I’d love to build this class on that solid foundation.

9/5/03 - Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus. I want to thank you for the package of study material you sent me for the newly approved class, “Ambassadors of Christ” here at Bibb County. I’d like to share the awesome events that preceded the approval of the class by our Chaplain here at Bibb.

Two days before I received the package, God spoke to me quite clearly and told me that I was to “do what He’d put on my heart and to see it through with all of my ability”. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what He meant and was troubled about it. Then today I was called to the chaplain’s office and I was told he had a package for me, your package! Instantly, I knew what God meant. The chaplain told me it was a “wonder” that the mailroom hadn’t sent the package back, as we are only allowed to receive ten sheets of correspondence in any given parcel. He did, however, give me the pack­age and told me that future lessons should be mailed to me, in care of him. It was at that time that he ap­proved the class. He read one lesson and was very impressed with the quality and content, as I knew he would be. I also found three people, who are eager to join the class, on my way back from the chaplain’s office! God is truly moving so powerfully in this camp that you can’t help but feel Him!

On the flip side, anytime God moves this strongly in a place like this, Satan inevitably rears his ugly head as he did today, when hostilities arose be­tween some of the inmates. Sister Sharon, I ask you and Alan and all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, to agree with me in prayer and bind the spirits of evil and hate and loosen the Spirit of love and peace.

Again, thank you sincerely brother and sister Griffee for your love and service to Jesus Christ. You make us better Christians!

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From: Samuel Sutton, Arrowhead Correctional Center, Canon City, Colorado

Dear Sister Sharon, Praise God! Blessed are those who fear the Lord and those who hate evil. May we walk in grace and with the peace of the Spirit. How have you and brother Alan been? It is always my joy and privilege to lift you two up in my prayers. I pray that you are well and hedged divinely and protected within the center of the will of God. I am doing fine. Thank you for your con­cern and faithful prayers.

Praise God that He heard and an­swered prayers concerning the mail­room. Your response was a big blessing. Our Lord certainly smiled on me throughout that situation. God is in control and I continuously pray that He will continue to rebuke and bind hindering spirits bringing them to no effect and those who are influenced by them.

The responses that you printed in My Brother’s Keeper to the article I wrote, blessed my socks off. I am very thankful. All things are on time within God’s economy.

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)

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From: Alan and Sharon Griffee, Littleton, Colorado

On behalf of CA, U.S.A., Alan and I want to extend our love and best wishes to brother Okechukwu Onokala and his family in Umuahia, Nigeria. Brother Onokala was dis­charged from the hospital on Septem­ber 8th after undergoing intensive medical treatment for Malaria. As brother Onokala described it, “Ma­laria is a very bad sickness, especially to those living in the tropics, like us.” His condition required that he get complete bed rest for a lengthy period of time. In a recent e-mail he said, “I am better now, to God be the glory! Indeed, I thank God for my health, family, and the ministry today. And I pray that things will continue to im­prove. ” May we all, through Christ Jesus, keep brother Onokala, his fam­ily and co-workers, and the prison inmates in Nigeria in our prayers. Amen (So Be It).

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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why I Cry

by

Gregory Jones

Sing Sing Correctional Facility

Sing Sing, New York

 

They say that a man ain’t supposed to cry,

But I cry, because I have nothing to hide.

 

When I cry it’s joyful tears,

Because I haven’t felt this good in years.

 

I cry because “God” brings me happiness and joy,

At times I feel like a hysterical little boy.

 

The tears flow, because it’s true love I’ve found,

And “God’s” promise to me that He’ll always be around.

 

So when you all see me shed a tear or two,

It’s because I’m praising God for carrying me through.

 

Again, it’s happy tears that flow from my eyes,

Because, living without “God”, I’ll never survive.

 

You all must know, it’s a feeling that’s hard to describe,

It’s the type of love only “God” can subscribe.

 

Now you all know, why I cry,

It’s not because I’m hurting or depressed,

It’s because I found “God” and have been blessed.

 

 

Scripture references:

 

Blessed Ones

James 1:12

Isaiah 30:18

Matthew 5:1-12 & 11:6

Psalm 1:1

 

The Lord Does Miraculous Things

Isaiah 25:1

I Corinthians 2:9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking Free
From Our Old Sin Nature

 

by Sharon K. Griffee

 

 

II Corinthians 5:19-21 (NIV) - “...God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 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.”

In the first verse of this scripture pas­sage we find the key to becoming the righteousness of God, the key to breaking free from our old sin nature. We break free from our old nature with the same key that unlocks our new nature: God was reconcil­ing the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.

Jesus did not come to count men’s sins against them. It was never the plan of Jesus to condemn us for our sins, but to call us to leave our life of sin. That is the difference be­tween the nature of Jesus and the nature of Satan. Jesus is interested in saving the man or woman behind the sin. Satan could care less about the man or woman. Satan counts men’s sins against them, because he wants to use their sins as a weapon to de­stroy them. He is obligated to, be­cause it is his nature to condemn!

If we want to leave our life of sin, and enjoy a new life in Christ, we must break free from the “spirit of condemnation” in ourselves and in others. In short, we must break free from Satan. A way to tell if we have successfully broken free from the devil, is to evaluate our answer to the following question; “How well am I treating sinners (myself and others)?”

Acts 10:38 (KJV) - “...God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

If we truly are children of God, fol­lowing the example of Jesus, we must not lose sight of our compassion for others. But we sometimes do, don’t we? We sometimes lose compassion for those who have lost their way.

A recent example of what I’m talking about is found in a letter to the editor, printed in our local Rocky Moun­tain News. The Colorado De­partment of Corrections was forced by statewide budget cuts to reduce the pay to inmates for work per­formed, to approximately 60 cents per day. An inmate wrote to the paper expressing concern for the pay cuts saying there is more violence and theft among the inmates, because many can’t buy commissary items like they used to be able to do.

A woman (lacking in compassion) wrote the following response;

“OK, let me see if I can under­stand this, inmates are com­plaining about a pay cut…[put in lockdown]...and instead of get­ting chicken fried steak and mashed po­tatoes, they have to settle for peanut butter sand­wiches, instead? I’ll bet there are hundreds of families that would give a right arm to have chicken fried steak for dinner. And let’s not forget that these inmates committed criminal acts. Why are they so pampered? They should be grateful they are getting paid at all - from our tax money I might add. I don’t know about everyone else, but I would rather see that money going to needy families that could benefit from a decent dinner.”

Where does this lack of compassion come from? Why certainly, it comes from the spirit that is influencing this attitude. It comes from the “spirit of condemnation”. It comes from losing sight of the compassion Jesus has for those who are oppressed.

As Christians we sometimes lose sight of Jesus, don’t we? After walking with Jesus for a while and getting a few victories under our belt (receiving bountiful blessings from God), we start feeling pretty proud of ourselves. Thinking we’ve got this Christian lifestyle all figured out, it becomes easy for us to start devel­oping a high-toned attitude toward those who simply aren’t “measuring up”! However, losing compassion for others does great harm to us. It makes us more vulnerable to sin. How quickly we forget that it wasn’t that long ago when we were in a similar situation they are in now -- lost, lonely, hurting...needing someone to care...to understand!

When we lose compassion for others, the ugly spirit of evil comes over us influencing us to take matters into our own hands. I’m sure you are all familiar with the story in the Bible of the woman who was taken in the act of adultery. Her accusers brought her to Jesus.

John 8:3-11 (NIV) - “...They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses com­manded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

God was with Jesus! Acting with compassion for every sinner present, Jesus had something important to teach that whole crowd who wanted to condemn the woman through stoning. His thoughts were centered on healing all that were oppressed of the devil. Their healing would come in response to the essence of his ques­tion, “Who is going to be the first one to put away this evil “spirit of con­demnation” from their own life?” Who indeed? Not surprising, the old­est ones present, those who had lived the longest and had experienced the rich lessons of life, were the first ones to leave. Jesus made his point with love and with precision. The power of good overcame the power of evil. Freed from the influence of the devil, those who would have stoned the woman, no longer had the desire to condemn her. With the same level of healing compassion for the woman caught in adultery, Jesus was quick to forgive her, telling her to go and leave her life of sin.

In summary: Sin occurs in all levels of society. Even as Christians, how quick we are to count everyone else’s sin against them, forgetting the mess we have in our own life. The good news is that Jesus came, not to condemn us, but to heal all of us from the oppression of the devil. My prayer is that we will accept the healing power of Jesus. May we all “break free from our old sin nature” and walk in newness of life in Christ.

 

 

 

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