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My Brother's Keeper

Volume 9, Number 4, October-December, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

Growing on the WORD

 

A scripture study

 

 

 

The Word of God is the source of light, truth, and power, for those who seek it’s meaning and apply it to their life. Jesus Christ is the word made flesh, and we seek to follow him.

John 8:12 (NIV) - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Each issue of “My Broth­er’s Keeper” features a WORD study.  This issue’s word study is from Troy Clerk, an inmate at Mt. McGregor Correctional, Wilton, New York.

 

 

Trusting In God When

You Cannot Trace God

by

Troy Clerk

 

 

Before God pours out his righteous judgments on this earth, He has promised that something must happen first. There is an event that must take place before God judges the world for its sinful wickedness. That event is, He must first judge us, the church, for our sinfulness. The Bible says, “For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God...”
(I Peter 4:17).

The word “judgment” in this passage means, a verdict or decision made after a careful investigation. This is not the same judgment God will send upon this world. When God judges this world for its sinfulness and rebel­lion, He will judge it in His wrath. But when God judges the church it will be judged in His mercy. In other words when His judgment falls on the world, it will be to destroy, but when His judgments fall upon the church, it will be to refine and to purify.

Many Christians are going through very painful, perplexing and difficult times now. Persecution, affliction, loneliness, rejection and strenuous testing seem to be their lot. As a re­sult of these heavy times, some have even questioned God’s faithfulness to them and have accused Him of being unfaithful and uncaring about what they are suffering.

Others have prayed over and over again. They have wept in his presence and it seems as if God isn’t hearing them. They feel like Job and cry out from the anguish of their souls, “O God where are you?” They cannot discern God in anything they are go­ing through and discouragement and despair has gripped them. But I want you to know today that God has heard your prayers and he has not forgotten you. He loves you with an everlasting love. The eternal fire of God’s com­passion and grace is mixed with eve­rything you now suffer and will ever suffer. You may not understand why all the suffering and pain, but God has his very best planned for you. What you are suffering are the in­struments God is using to bring you to that place of fulfilling his purpose for your life. As the beloved puritan, Thomas Watson, once wrote, “God is most in his way, when we think he is most out of the way.” Beloved, we are in God’s school and he is teaching us to trust him even when we cannot trace him.

This brings us to a very familiar story; the story of Jesus and his disciples on the boat.

Mark 4:35 (NIV) - That day when evening came, he said to his disci­ples, "Let us go over to the other side."

Jesus had told his disciples these words and these words were a prom­ise. When Jesus says, ‘we are going to the other side,’ regardless of how it may look or feel, we are going to the other side! I’m sure the disciples re­ceived that word Jesus spoke, because they set sail. I’m also sure they were relaxed and full of joy. The sun was probably shining and there was a great calm on the sea. But no sooner than they began to sail towards their divine destination (the other side) something transpired without warning to challenge the word Jesus had just given them.

Mark 4:37 (KJV) - And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

The Bible says ‘a great storm arose’. This means it wasn’t something they saw coming afar off. It was some­thing that just happened suddenly and unexpectedly. This was not a normal storm, it was a great storm, and it appeared to be life threatening to the disciples. The boat was filling with water and I’m sure they had thoughts of the boat capsizing and them drowning.

Many of us find ourselves in this same situation. You know that God has spoken to you concerning a par­ticular thing. You’ve seen him con­firm that word he’s spoken to you over and over. You’ve experienced the miracles he’s performed on your behalf and you’ve heard his voice of reassurance. You rejoiced in the light of these confirmations and miracles but now a great storm has risen in your life and come upon you without warning. This storm seems contrary to everything God’s spoken to you. You set sail in comfort and pro­claimed with confidence the promises God’s prophetically spoken to you. But now, because of current circum­stances and because of the way things look, the great storm has blinded you concerning the truth of God’s prom­ise. What was once great light to you has suddenly become deep darkness.

The disciples had found themselves in this situation. Jesus gave them a promise of going over to the other side, but a storm arose to challenge that promise. What the storm was saying in so many words was, ‘I know what Jesus told you, but look at me, focus on me, look how big and how powerful I am. You will never make it to the other side; you will die in this storm’. Isn’t this what our storms tell us when we focus on them instead of focusing on God and on the promises he’s given to us? Some peo­ple are so focused on their storms right now that fear, worry, doubt and unbelief are choking the promise God has spoken to them. Their problems are all they can see and they are drowning in despair and depression.

Learning to trust God is not an easy task, but without learning how to wholly trust him, we can never have the lasting peace or lasting joy that is ours to possess as Christians. Jesus was using this storm, not to harm or to destroy his disciples, but to teach them a great lesson. This storm ex­posed the unbelief in their hearts. In­stead of them trusting what Jesus said, they panicked. The Bible says,

Mark 4:38 (NIV) - Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?”

The disciples became so afraid and so intimidated by their circumstances they doubted whether or not Jesus cared for them. They could not under­stand why Jesus wasn’t restless and troubled as they were. They believed he had no sympathy for what they were going through. They knew he had power over the storm, but they were baffled by the thought and ques­tioned, ‘why isn’t he helping us in this storm?’

Some of you reading this find your­selves here now. You have heard God speak to you and give you a promise, but now you can’t trace God and you are accusing him of being unfaithful and unloving. God promised someone that their children would be saved, but all they can see are disrespectful and disobedient God haters. God prom­ised to restore marriages, but the spouse seems to be getting worse and wants nothing to do with you. Some are struggling financially and are on the verge of losing everything. They are struggling to believe God’s promise that he will meet all of their needs.

But beloved, I hear the Spirit of God saying in this hour to the church, “Be still, your breakthrough is in your change of focus. Take your focus off of your circumstances and focus again on me and the promises I’ve spoken to you.” Your faith in the promises of God will bring back your peace and quicken your joy. God is with you in your loneliness. He’s heard your cry for freedom, and your cry for companionship. It’s already done. Trust him to bring it to pass in his own time. God is with you in all of your sufferings. He’s promised never to leave us nor forsake us.

The problems come when we try to figure God out with carnal logic and our own limited understanding. When we do this we set ourselves up for unnecessary disappointments. If we seek to trace God with emotions, cir­cumstances, or anything other than faith, it is inevitable we will confuse ourselves. You cannot trace God; you must walk in faith and trust his promises. Faith is the God tracer. When your natural eyes cannot trace God, your faith will reveal Him.

Jesus gives us an example of how to weather our storms. The word says, “but He (Jesus) was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him...” (Mark 4:38) Jesus did not allow the storm, regardless of how great it was or how sudden and unex­pectedly it came, to upset his rest. Jesus had heard from the Father. They were going to the other side. That word settled it for Him. He rested in that promise regardless of the storm. It is God’s will that we also rest in our storms. One thing good about the storm is it doesn’t last al­ways. It will eventually pass. Satan makes things look worse than what they really are.

To rest means to cease looking, fo­cusing and entertaining anything that is contrary to God’s promises to us. We must also beware of those who try to upset our rest while the circum­stances and storms are raging. They may be as the disciples were, they have good intentions, but their good intentions are mixed with doubt and unbelief. All they see are the trials, the uncertainties and impossibilities. And, if you are not careful about what you hear and from whom you hear it, their doubts and opinions will produce uncertainty in you concerning what God promised you. So beloved, beware of what you hear but remem­ber, when God speaks a word to you, rest in it! Don’t let anyone upset your rest or rob your peace by putting doubt in your mind about what God has promised you.

God is refining us (the church) and He is teaching us how to trust and to depend wholly upon Him. Our testi­mony of how we’ve learned to trust God will be the instrument used in these last days to bring multitudes to Christ. When fear, panic and unrest falls upon this earth and the world sees the refined church resting in God’s promises, walking in peace and in the joy of the Lord; they will say in their hearts ‘how have these people such peace in the midst of all this turmoil?’ Then we will be able to an­swer aloud with great confidence, ‘we have learned to trust a loving, com­passionate, faithful God even when we could not trace Him.’ May this truth forever burn within our hearts and may these words become our testimony.

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Troy is an inmate serving time at Mt. McGregor Correctional, Wilton, New York.

 

 

 

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: Robert Mando,

Mule Creek State Prison, Ione, California

Dear Christian Ambassadors,

I am writing to you in regards of “My Brother’s Keeper”. I’ve been incar­cerated for a while now. One of my friends gave me a copy of “My Brother’s Keeper” to read and man, I liked it! In fact, I liked it so much, that I had to sit down and write to you.

Please, could you put me on your mailing list? It would be so highly appreciated. I enjoyed it a lot! Sincerely, Robert.

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From: Stephen Grace,

Limon Correctional Facility, Limon, Colorado

Dear Brother and Sister Griffee, God loves you all and so do I. Since my last correspondence with you all, I have really been blessed. God has sent a friend to me from Friends in Tran­sition, a Christian based minis­try in Denver. God sent a man I’d never seen before into my life. And he has helped me change my life and open my eyes to the future that lies before me. I thought I was in this world alone for a while, but through prayer and faith I’m not alone.

I have changed my ways and I want to do something special with my life. I want to be able to help some child or adult by telling my story and maybe I can keep them from making the same mistakes I did. Even if its just one soul, I’ll be grateful and be able to put my past behind me. God bless the two of you! Brother Stephen.

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From: James Bolton,

Sterling Correctional Facility, Sterling, Colorado

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am sending you my new address, so I can continue to receive “My Brother’s Keeper” newsletters. I want to thank you for your ministry to inmates and I will keep you in my prayers.

I pray that your ministry will bring forth much fruit for God’s King­dom and that the seed you plant will bring forth many souls into God’s King­dom. With love, your brother in Christ, James.

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From: Michael Johnson

Attica Correctional Facility, Attica, New York

Dear Sharon and Alan, God is good! My walk with the Lord is good, not perfect, but good! I am attending Bible studies, listening to teaching tapes, and I find myself praying more. Not only more, but I’m learning to pray for others, as well as for myself.

I have grown a lot from the knowl­edge God has given me, and I ask for wisdom each day. No one can say that God doesn’t know his peo­ple, because he does. God will change lives, if you allow him to. He has changed me! I am forever grateful to receive “My Brother’s Keeper”. You all are al­ways in my heart, just like I am never alone. I truly know that I am being prayed for.

I received a surprise visit from the Church of Gethsemane, which is in New York City. The distance is nine hours. I had never met any of the saints from this church. I could not believe this visit. I had not had a visit in over 15 years. God is so good! I just felt the need to share this joy with you all. Please take care and may God continue to guide you and bless you!

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From: Louis McCray,

Woodbourne Correctional, Woodbourne, New York

Dear Sister Sharon, Once in a while we hear a really powerful message, one we heard before (and know in our heart is the truth). But because God loves, He sends the message to us again and again, until we hear Him clearly.

I was reading “Spiritual Growth Les­son”, number 27, “Jesus Came to Bring Life, Not Condemnation”. So True! Thanks for the Lesson and a refreshing reminder. Our duties and instructions from God are to forgive our neighbors and love them as we love our self.

Addressing the subject of forgive­ness; an equal heart in line with Jesus Christ practices forgiveness every day of their life! And those that don’t [practice forgiveness] need our prayers to get to that level of true re­pentance. Lifting one an­other up, be­cause He draws us unto Him, and [because] God is Holy and He cannot have anything to do with sin. Let me add my prayers with yours on this issue of “forgiveness” and may God bless you all at Christian Ambassadors.

Dear Lord, please teach us your commands and open up the heart of those who lack a forgiving heart, even our government and those throughout the world. Allow your peace to touch us, in Jesus Christ’s name we pray and to Him be all the glory. Amen.

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From: Joseph Huff,

Colorado State Penitentiary, Cañon City, Colorado

 

Dear Miss Sharon, I feel so good, my spirits are high, my heart is light, Jesus loves me and all is well.

I received your Spiritual Growth Les­son, “Jesus Came To Bring Life, Not Condemnation”. Thank you very much. Your lesson deals with an issue that has been a real struggle for me, and continues to be, “for­giveness”. The bottom line says it all; “There can be no spiritual rela­tionship with God, without receiving His forgive­ness”. And how can I ask God for His forgiveness, if I can’t find it in myself to forgive others? So I prayed and asked the Lord to soften my heart, to allow me to see beyond the pain, that I might be able to forgive and to ask for forgiveness.

I feel so good; I just can’t explain it in words. An awful feeling of hurt and anger that I’ve lived with for so many years is now gone, replaced with peace and hope. I’m going to share this message with an inmate who struggles with forgiveness as I have. I pray through God’s love and forgive­ness, I can help her find the peace I have found.

You continue to be an inspiration to all of us Miss Sharon. God bless you for your hard work and guidance in times of need. Brother Joe.

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From: Harry Sedlak,

Delta Correctional Center, Delta, Colorado

 

Mr. and Mrs. Griffee, I just wanted to thank you for all the spiritual help you have sent my way. It always seems to get to me at the right time, whatever struggle I’m going through, your lessons are always there.

Isn’t it wonderful how God always lets us know how much he loves us and cares about our well being? Take care and may God bless you always. Sincerely, Harry

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From: Earlily Aganon,

Women’s Com. Correctional, Kailua, Hawaii

Dear Sharon, You are such a bless­ing to me. I can’t stop expressing the blessings I’ve received and been re­ceiving since I started the lessons, “Knowing The Voice Of God”. Thank you so much. I can learn from all these Biblical characters. It is so awesome.

Your letters are such an inspiration to me. I like the way you use im­agery to emphasize scriptures. “Since we live by the Spirit, Let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Gala­tians 5:25). I am the child being led by God. I can create pictures in my mind where God is directing my steps. Beautiful!

All my teachers and my chaplain are thrilled how God is working in my life. My testimonies are adding up how God is shaping me. Sharon, I have not felt a strong desire for God before. I want more and more of Him in my life. Awesome God.

Sharon, God used you to make an appeal to Earlily. God has got me now and I must remain in Him. God Bless you my dear sister. Keep bringing people to God. Remaining in Christ, Earlily

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From: John M. Ray,

Texas Department of Corrections, Venus, Texas

Dear Alan and Sharon, I’ve had a recent change of address.

I really enjoy receiving “My Brother’s Keeper”. Please keep it coming! It’s good every time! Thoughts and prayers, John.

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From: Troy B. Clerk,

Mt. McGregor Correctional, Wilton, New York

 

Dear Sister Griffee, I want you to know that you and brother Alan along with all of the Christian Ambassadors are in my prayers, and in the prayers of the entire church here at Mt. McGregor.

I am totally grateful to God for you and your ministry. The sincerity of these words are manifested in the tears I now shed as I commit my thoughts to this paper. God has used you for so many different things in my life. Whatever season the Lord has had me go through, he has al­ways used you to speak a word of grace to me in that season (Proverbs 15:23).

I thank God for his gifts and his min­istry he has placed inside of you, and for your faithfulness to use it for His glory. My prayers are always with you, brother Alan, and the entire ministry. With the Love of Jesus, Brother Troy.

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From: Hosea B. Davis,

Hudson Correctional Facility, Hudson, New York

Sister Sharon and Brother Alan, Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

When I am awakened at the 4:00 A.M. hour, I cover “Christian Am­bassadors” with prayer. I come be­fore God thanking Him for your ministry, and the impact and trans­forming power it has made in my life in this short period of time. I give honor to the Holy Spirit of God first.

I am reminded of the gospel of Mark 9, where it talks about the transfigu­ration. After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them on a high mountain apart by them­selves, and he was transfigured be­fore them. Transformed, changed (me). I’m not the same! Hallelujah! God Bless you and Heaven smile upon you. In His service, brother Hosea.

 

 

Spiritual Growth Prayers

 

Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV) - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and peti­tion, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

 

From: Marilyn Dubois,

Gadsden Correctional Facility, Quincy, Florida

Heavenly Father, please hear my request.  I come to you humbly, asking to grow in your love.  My soul needs the peace of your presence.  I am weary and need your help.  Please hear me.  I need to experience your rest.  Let me slow down and learn from Jesus, what it means to know love and forgiveness. 

I need your compassion and patience towards people who sometimes try me.  Give me the proper response to unreasonable demands made upon me.  Show me how to give mercy and grace as you give it to me.  Let me tackle my responsibilities with diligence, knowing that your will is ultimately for my own good.  May I walk in peace and serenity with God. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. 

Amen.

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From:  Tony Lee Wright Sr.

Arkansas Valley Correctional, Crowley, Colorado

As I sit here in this cold and darken cell, I wonder if this is my personal Hell.  I’ve been to the bottom, seen strife and despair, felt sorry for myself and said, “Life isn’t fair!”

I realize now, no one said it would be, and the things that have happened are because of me.  So, I turned to God and as I bow my head, I beg Him to forgive me for the life that I’ve lead.

Well, now that I know and now that I care, I see clearly now that life is fair.  Thank you God for making me see, that only through you will I be set free.  As I sit here in this cold and darken cell, I thank God again for making me well, and taking my mind out of this living hell.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Flag of Freedom

By

Okechukwu Onokala

CA Nigeria

 

In my home country [Nigeria] there is the story of a man who had much love for his only son. One day his son went to the city in search of work, for a living. After several months, this son sent money to the father for the preparation of his homecoming.

In the process of this preparation, the father dug a well that would provide clean water for the family and nearby neighbors. The significant day came, when the young son was supposed to return home. The father and other members of the household were very much ready to receive their son home. Because of anxiety, the father went out of his house often to look for his son, to see if he could receive him home. But unfortunately, the much-loved son did not return, as expected. At this juncture, no one knew that the son would return late at night on the expected day. When the son finally arrived, he fell into the well the father had dug. This accident probably oc­curred because the well, which was situated in front of their house, had been dug without the son’s knowledge.

As the father anxiously awaited his son’s arrival home, he suddenly heard a cry for help from inside the well. As he drew nearer he found out that the cry was coming from his expected son. He immediately threw in a rope to his afflicted son, and told him to tie the rope securely around himself, so he could be pulled out of the well. And before one could know it, the son was pulled out of the well alive, and there were shouts of joy and happi­ness everywhere. The son was set free from the well in which he was imprisoned.

This story could be very helpful to you, my brothers and sisters behind the prison walls, irrespective of your color, tongue, religion or situation in life. God has given you the power to handle every difficult problem that comes your way, if only you would surrender your life to the savior Jesus Christ, with all humility.

No doubt, you must have heard of the gospel message in different forms and at different situations in life. The message therein is the call for practi­cal, free Christian living. As such the “Flag of Freedom” (Jesus Christ) could very well be explained as a way out for the prisoners. Incarceration is indeed a very difficult situation one could find himself or herself in, and it requires people of great faith in the Lord to handle such a hard condition. Let it be known unto you this day, that JESUS the Savior; is the FLAG OF FREEDOM! Honestly, God has designed the earth as a place for peo­ple to live with principles. And as human beings, we are supposed to obey such principles, in order to be freed from both physical and spiritual imprisonment in this life.

For a better understanding of what God expects every one of us to put into practice, please study the fol­lowing scriptures in depth regarding the life of Joseph: Genesis 39:1-23, 40:1-23 and 41:1-57.

Looking at an overview of these scriptures, we need to emphasize that it is only the grace of God that can bring about FREEDOM and this is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, the Lord.

Genesis 39:1-6 (NIV) - Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ish­maelites who had taken him there. The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he en­trusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Furthermore, this message is ad­dressed to all people everywhere, ei­ther free or in prison. To be freed, however, is not merely a mystical ex­perience. It has essential, practical overtones. It means turning our back on our former, negative way of life, and turning towards a positive, right­eous way of life. Christians (including Christian inmates) have the glorious hope of the personal return of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. We also have the hope of being freed from physical and spiritual imprisonment in this life. This hope is an incentive to holy living. And it powerfully affects the Christian inmate’s character and conduct.

Finally, when someone is trapped in the well of sin or incarceration, and a cry for help is made to the Lord Jesus Christ, God in his infinite mercy, could for sure show you a way out; just as the father did in the story, when his son cried-out for help - for a way-out of the well!

Like the apostle Paul of old said to his son Titus, a true son in faith, “Grace and peace, from God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ our savior” – Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Fix Your Light Switch

By

Craig Ray Montgomery

 

 

One beautiful morning, I picked up my daily devotional book and faithfully started reading. A soul striking and pondering question came from the author of the devotional book. The question was, “Does your life shed light or cast shadows?”

After I had finished reading, I immediately took a few minutes to examine myself. For some Godly reason, all I could think about was my relationships with people whom I'm in contact with daily. I would smile (for approval of my light), and then I would frown (for disapproval of my light's brightness). However, one of my spiritual goals for everyday living is to become more like Christ Jesus. And, I fall on my face a lot, because it's not easy. But, I thank my Heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit who guides me, and reminds me of what Christ Jesus has given me; a light filled, faith walk (when I'm obedient), that shines in His glory.

On the other hand, there is always so much more we can do to enhance and shed more light, and not cast shadows. For instance, some people recognize me as a faithful man of God; an ambassador of Christ who shares words of love, salvation and hope in Christ Jesus, who also is a pretty good listener and prayer warrior. I’m even recognized as someone who will physically give you a helping hand, whenever you need one.  At those times my light will be shining. But I'm referring to those people who have a relationship with me and who are around me daily.

What I (we) need to do is to reach out to those people who do not know Christ Jesus, or even understand the ways of believers. And those people, whom are non-believers, are around us every day.  And, when we do not reach out to them, these are the times when our lights are not shining at all.

In the Holy Bible, we find the following passage:

Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV) - For you were once [in] darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

So, just be mindful of those non-believers who are around you, but yet far from the truth/salvation. “Fix Your Light Switch!”  Be concerned, caring, and faithful to all whom the Lord places in front of you and around you.  Fight off that strong spirit of division and condemnation. Be ready at all times to give your testimony of Christ Jesus in your life.

I Peter 3:15 (KJV) - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Christ Jesus is counting on you and I to become good and faithful people unto Him, in a troubled and dark world.  We are soul winners!  We must remember that we, too, were once in darkness; and many are still in darkness.  But, Christ Jesus died for their sins also; and He will save them, just like He saved you and me.  Let us all ask the Lord Jesus to fix our light switches, or just replace the old one for better service unto Him.

 

I’d like to leave you with an encouraging song to sing, to brighten your light and spirit:

 

This little light of mine,

I'm going to let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine,

Let it shine...

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Craig Ray Montgomery is an inmate serving time at Camp George West, Golden, Colorado

 

 

 

 

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