My Brother's Keeper

Volume 4, Number 4, October-December, 1999

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 month's study was prepared by an ambassador for Christ, Roy Roberts, an inmate at Orofino Correctional Institute, Orofino, Idaho.

Colossians 2:8-10 (KJV) " Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."

I saw a video in the chapel and in this video a man, whose name I will not mention, said, "How come America doesn't baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost any more?" He went on to say, "In the Book of Acts (2:38) it is recorded that Peter baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; So who are you going to believe, Jesus or Peter?"

First of all, I'd like to say that Peter did exactly as Jesus told him to do.

In John 5:43, Jesus is talking and He says, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."

Also in John, chapter 12, verses 23 through 28, Jesus says again, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

So here we see that Jesus came in His Father's name, and that God glorified that name. The name Jesus translates Jehovah is salvation, or Jehovah is our Savior. Christ, on the other hand, translates to be the Messiah, or the anointed one.

So, if Jesus came in His Father's name and God glorified that name, Jesus is the glorified name of the Father. Let us go a little farther. In John chapter 14, starting at verse 14, Jesus says,

"If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

Now, let us drop down to verse 26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Now we find that the Holy Ghost was sent to us in Jesus name. So the Holy Ghost's name is Jesus also! Why should this surprise You?

Let us read Philippians 2:9-10 which says, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" If everything in Heaven will bow at that name of Jesus, it must be powerful! Jesus is a name above all names. But only in the Godly form, for there are men today that bear that name who are powerless. It only refers to Jesus of Nazareth, who has all power, forever, Amen.

Ephesians 1:20-21 states, " Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."

Jesus has been given all power of the Godhead. There is no power other than Jesus. Colossians 2:9-10 tells us that, "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power." Jesus has all power in Heaven and here on earth.

Acts 4:12 says it this way, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." We must be baptized in the name to be saved! That's where the power is, it is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:17 backs this up by saying, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." So if we are commanded to do all things whether word or deed in the name of Jesus, doesn't baptizing come under this also? Isn't the one baptism talked about in the Bible, talking about being likened unto dying with Christ (spiritually) and being resurrected as a "new creature?"

I say again, Peter was absolutely correct in what he said about baptizing. You baptize in the name of Jesus. All power has been given to the name of Jesus. I believe I John 5:7 says it all!

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

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Note: Scriptures are from the KJV.

Life without Christ, I define it as drinking tea without sugar or a walk in darkness without light. Tea without sugar is tasteless, and a person who goes in darkness stumbles. So, any person who has experienced both honestly would not appreciate it, because such experiences perhaps could not add anything good in his life, instead sorrows and loss.

Let me x-ray human problems in relation to: a) crime, b) hunger, c) injustice, d) immorality, e) murder, f) slavery, g) nepotism, and etc. What is the cause of these problems to man?

The answer is man's refusal to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Man needs Christ in his life in order to be freed from the problems associated with him on earth. Besides, if man had realized that these atrocities found in him caused a separation from God, and later - because God still wanted a relationship with him; sent His Son Jesus Christ into this world to reconcile man with Him. Jesus' death on the cross brought salvation and freedom to man from such atrocities and yet man continued to chain himself in sin.

It is life without Christ that has bound people in chains; not only the prisoners, even those who feel they have their freedom are not free; Because they live their life in sin. So people today whether in chains or free need spiritual liberation in their lives.

Let me share a testimony that was first shared some months ago during our group spiritual growth counseling with our friends and former inmates. The theme of the testimony was "Through the Narrow Path." Naturally there are two ways designed for man to follow in his life. One way is broad and the other way is narrow. In the broad way you see so many attractions, zests of life and evils too. The majority of people choose this way rather then the narrow path, which many avoid - maybe because of its nature and sufferings. According to the gospel of Saint Matthew, chapter 7, 13-14 (TLB) - "Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way. But the gate way to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it."

From the scripture we read, one would discover that the broad path is the way of the world and the end of it is destruction, and the narrow path is the way of God, and the end of it is life and everlasting joy.

I came from a poor family and my parents though late, (to God be the glory for their blessed memory) were good Christians and their Christian life influenced our whole family. I had every opportunity to be rich if I had gone through the broad way. But the fear of God, coupled with the respect I have for my family as Christians, and the calling from God to serve Him and humanity - a decision was taken by me to be fully committed in the Lord's work. And later, after so many theological courses; I was ordained as an official minister of the gospel in the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, where I have been serving as a pastor - till I had my new vision "Prison Inmate's Ministry." Because of my calling and challenges, I followed the narrow path in order to have a good relationship with God the Creator. I know very well, if I remain steadfast, the end of this narrow path will bring joy and everlasting peace in my life.

Actually, the narrow path is not easy to go, but with God on your side, you can make it. In the narrow path you see temptation, sufferings, tribulations, persecutions, hunger, and intimidation. However, it is the path of love, peace, joy, hope, and responsibility. Also there you see caring and encouragement to life, and at the end you see Jesus Christ, the reconciler and the Savior. What class of people can you see on this path? You see those who have truly repented of their sins, and have truly accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Indeed, this path has personally helped me a lot in life. Through this path I have come alive today, and have God's blessings. I have had the opportunity to share the gospel with people free and imprisoned, to travel to many places in the world, even the United States of America.

So, I advise whosoever that will read this testimony to go through the narrow path in order to be saved, and to receive an everlasting peace and joy.

In conclusion, brethren, today we suffer hardship, being imprisoned, crimes all over, immorality, nepotism, injustice, pain and sorrows, and our lives being separated from God; Why? Because of "Life Without Christ." What do we do? We need Christ now as the only hope for our salvation and freedom.

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This article was submitted by Rev. Okechukwu O. Onokala, Nigeria.

"...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." II Corinthians 5:19 (NIV)

From: Alan & Sharon Griffee, Dacono, Colorado

We are happy to announce that on October 31, 1999, we will be celebrating the 4th anniversary of the incorporation of CA. For those of you who are just getting to know us, Christian Ambassadors, Inc. is a Colorado-based, non-profit, non-de nominational Christian Prison Ministry. In the 4 years we have been in existence, we have reached many inmates with the message of reconciliation. We want to thank our spiritual growth counselors, who lovingly volunteer to share the Word of God through correspondence.

We are blessed as well with inmates who spend quality time preparing and submitting Word Studies, articles, poems and songs to be published in "My Brother's Keeper." And, our joy is increased each time you write and share the Good News of how God is blessing your life.

Alan and I are indeed thankful for the growth and expansion of CA. Our CA Web site on the Internet (www.christian-ambassa dors.org.) has been well received. We have been put into contact with and are ministering to more prison inmates now because of the Internet referrals.

In closing, we are pleased to announce the forming of a sister organization of Christian Ambassadors, Inc. in Nige ria, under the leadership of Rev. Onokala Okechukwu. Alan and I have been working diligently with Rev. Onokala for the past two years "writing the vision" as the Lord has given direction to fulfill His plans. CA of Colorado is now providing "seed money" to assist Brother Onokala with the incorporation of CA Nigeria. We are blessed with the knowledge that God's Spirit is touching the lives of prison inmates in Nigeria, offering them renewed hope.


From: Jess and Joleen McDowell (who exchanged wedding vows on July 31, 1999 in Ft. Collins, CO).

Dear Alan and Sharon, Thank you for sharing our special day with us. What a blessing to have you there and to finally meet you. Thank you for all of your prayers and support and especially for your helpful insights in the past years. God has blessed you for your willingness to serve and be there for others. Thank you for your Christian example and mentorship. They have helped often. May God bless you and your ministries.

NOTE: Alan and I were honored to attend Jess and Joleen's wedding. It held such special meaning to us, because this couple began their marriage with Jesus at the center, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12)." The theme of their wedding, "Faith is the Victory," was a powerful confirmation of their devotion, love and praise to God. May the Lord bless and keep them forever.


From: Anthony Saldana, F.M.C.C. Cañon City, CO

Dear Sharon, I'm writing to let you know how very blessed I am and how I was touched after reading your newsletter, "My Brother's Keeper" for the first time. I wish to share my witness with all my Christian brothers and sisters.

I am physically incarcerated at Four Mile Correctional Center in Cañon City, CO. I was spiritually lost within my own prison walls. My very first day at Four Mile, I met up with my brother, Tony O. and was so amazed how he was living for Christ. I told brother Tony I wanted what he had. After sharing my past failure with him, he smiled, looked me right in the eyes and said, "You need Jesus in your heart. You need to repent and you need the Baptism in the Holy Ghost!" I got down on my knees and prayed and gave my life over to God. My Baptism was arranged a short time later.

That night I had the first truly peaceful night's sleep in years. My past evil thoughts that repeatedly coursed through my head, had vanished. My life is under new management. It's the best thing that has happened to me, since I accepted Jesus as my Savior in prison. I prayed and asked Jesus to use me as a vessel, to get closer to other inmates, and to know the Lord's plan for me at Four Mile. I was blessed in the Worship Leader's position, plus I was blessed with boldness to witness to others. I now have hope and purpose in life. "Praise God."

In conclusion, I guess when you have nothing left in life, but God, only then can you realize that God is enough, and making a positive change in your life for him. They say the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. That's what room I'm in right now. I'm just glad God has a big eraser or I would be in trouble on judgement day. Thank you Sharon, and God Bless.


From: Joe Wiggins, Pensacola, Florida

Dear Alan and Sharon, Thank you for keeping me on your mailing list. It is great to know that Christian Ambassadors is doing so good and touching so many lives. God continues to have a master plan for my life, and I continue to follow His direc tion with every waking day. I have done great with my parole here in Florida and I will be completely done with it in five months. My faith is strong and I look forward to a life of prosperity and the opportunities to continue to do His good will. I will never forget what God has done for me through you. You were a blessing to me, and your goodness has surely made a difference in my life. And I want to add, if it wasn't for Joe Huff, I really don't know if I would have found you while I was in prison. I also want to write and thank him!


From: Larry Stratton, Los Angeles, California

Dear Sharon, I came across an old "Spiritual Growth Lesson" that you published. The lesson involved your experience when your mother was ill, when you had a confrontation with a motorist, and when you went into the store to reconcile with her. Even though you wrote that article several months ago, it still meant a lot to me, even now. The reason I am sharing this has to do with "turning the other cheek." Even though you were probably, in the earthly sense, the "wronged" individual in that store parking lot, it really doesn't matter to God. "Turning the cheek," and allowing someone to "smite us" on the other, is, I believe, not necessarily for the benefit of the other person, but it is for us. It is an act of obedience, so that we remain God centered, and not pride, self-centered. Thank you for blessing me with your "Spiritual Growth Lesson."


From: Shawn Parker, Delta Correctional, Delta, Colorado

Dear Miss Sharon, Thank you for taking the time to gently steer me away from my anger at the system. When I received your letter, I must admit that I was consumed with anger. As I read your letter, though, the anger just faded away. When I fin ished it, I knew that I would not sue. I also knew that the Lord would take care of my concerns. As I put down your letter (but didn't let go of it J ), I turned to the Lord. Your presence was felt, too - through your letter. The Lord filled me with His peace. No more anger, and I was then receptive to follow the Lord's direction.

Your lessons have proven to be correct Miss Sharon! When your heart is in tune with the will of God, the Spirit will satisfy your soul with an overabundance of love, peace, and joy, and your physical needs will be met better then you could have expected! Life is good!


From: Joey Dowdell, R.C.C., Rifle, Colorado

Dear Sharon, I love you only because your every day walk and talk is about Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, Lord God. I read your Spiritual Growth Lesson, "Living on Every Word From God." I know that I have to stay close to God's Word to avoid the struggles of temptation that Satan brings. Also, the fact that you sent the song, "Tell Me The Story of Jesus," I'm going to have this wonderful lady of God sing it for every one this coming Sunday at the Open Door Church here in Rifle. As she sings it, I'm going to remember you. The Lord has blessed me by bringing me here and I feel good about myself because I'm serving Jesus Christ.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV) "...Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

Whether we are imprisoned behind physical bars or invisible prison bars created in our mind, we want our cry for deliverance to be heard. As people let us down - time and time again, we begin to direct our cries toward God. We are tired of suffering. We want God to do something. We want Him to rush into our life and fix all of our problems, so we won't have to deal with any more unpleasantness.

We can think God is letting us down, too, if we fail to get to know him, to understand His nature. While we wait for God to do something to fix our life, we get more and more angry.

In reality there are no quick fixes for those whose lives have been shattered and broken by sin. The timeless truth still prevails. Even though God loves the sinner, God still hates sin and is unwilling to compromise with it. If God will not compromise with sin, what does that mean for us?

What it means is that we may have to go through some more unpleasantness before things start getting better; before righteousness starts taking the place of the sin we have become so familiar with. It would be to our benefit then, not to waste time and energy blaming God because our problems haven't been fixed over night. What we should do is trust God and wait, but our waiting should be for the purpose of getting answers from God.

Those who wait upon the Lord will pray and meditate on His word, seeking His wisdom. Scripture promises wonderful things to those who wait upon the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) - "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

On the other hand, people who don't wait upon the Lord are not strong. Because of their impatience, every little thing troubles them. Even though God desires to bless them with His wise counsel, they are too restless doing other things to wait upon him for answers. They don't make the time to diligently study their Bible or to meditate upon God's word.

By refusing to wait upon the Lord, a person will miss out on receiving the truth (John 8:32) that could set them free from the bondage of sin.

It is a given, God wants to bless us. He wants us to mature in the truth that He gives us. He wants us to grow spiritually strong. It doesn't matter how bad things are, we can have a better life when we make up our mind to trust the Lord and wait upon Him.

We are taught through the prophet Habakkuk, how to live in complete confidence that God will come to our aid to help us. He will show us how to achieve His purposes in our lives, even when things around us look bleak.

There is only one catch. If God's purposes are going to be achieved in our lives, it must be done on God's timing, not our own.

Too often we'll miss God entirely by just hearing a portion of what He is saying to us. Without waiting to get all the facts or to understand the whole picture, we get anxious and move too quickly. When that happens we wind up slowing down or hindering God's plans for us, rather then fulfilling them.

Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) - And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

If the vision isn't plain, we can't run full speed ahead with it. We will need more direction from God before proceeding. What God doesn't want, is for us to run ahead of Him. Neither does He want us to lag behind Him. What He wants is for us to keep in step with the direction He gives us.

Galatians 5:25 (NIV) - Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

When God gives us a vision or revelation of something he wants us to do, that doesn't mean it will come to pass the moment we received the vision. We will be required to work with God to make it come to pass, because there is an appointed time for God's plans to unfold and to be fulfilled. Not everything we need to fulfill God's plans (the money, the people, or the re sources), is necessarily available when the vision or revelation is given.

I didn't just wake up one morning, bursting with enthusiasm and proclaim, "Hey - I've got this great idea - I think I'll start a prison ministry!" No, that's not how my involvement in prison ministry began. Christian Ambassadors didn't come about because of a bright idea that popped into my head one day. CA came about because of a vision born out of the very heart of God Himself. He orchestrated the whole thing!

Before I had the slightest clue of the degree of pain prisoners go through day in and day out, while they are locked behind bars - God knew! Before I had met my first prison inmate, God already knew each one by name. He knew everything about them, from their inmate number to the color of their hair and the size of shoes they wore. He knew of their likes and dislikes and the deep dark secrets hidden within their heart.

While society echoed, "Let's just lock them up and throw the key away," Jesus was preparing my heart to take His love and ministry to prisoners. To offer them hope and a future filled with peace.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..."

A couple of years before CA was even a thought in my mind, I was driving my car out on a lonely country road when the Lord spoke to me, "Sharon, you are going to be telling people about Jesus!!!"
I had no idea what the Lord was talking about, because I was already telling people about Jesus through my preaching and teaching ministry. One thing I was sure of, the Lord had something new and exciting planned for me and it would be taking place at some time in the future. I could feel it in my bones, because the joy and excitement of the Lord caused electric vibrations to pulse through my whole body.

Little by little the vision began to take shape. Sometime later, alone in my prayer closet, the Lord led me to II Corinthians 5:19-20. The same excitement rose up within me, as before.

II Corinthians 5:19-20 (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."

I knew then that God was giving me more details of his vision and of his plans for my future. I was going to be telling people about Jesus as an "ambassador for Christ!" I wasn't sure yet, who these people were, but I knew that God would let me know when the time was right.

In 1993, I came in contact with my first prison inmate. It was into this world of hopelessness and despair that Jesus called me to minister the "message of reconciliation." The method God asked me to use was through a correspondence-based prison ministry. After all it wasn't my physical presence that prisoners needed, it was the daily spiritual presence of the Lord Jesus that they needed to depend upon. God wanted me to use my "gift of writing" to accomplish His purposes in their lives.

As one inmate found hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ, my name was passed along to other inmates. By word of mouth, the ministry grew. Through discipline and hard work, I kept my eyes focused on God's vision and plan to reach those who were incarcerated. After two years the time had come to incorporate. God wanted more inmates to be reached. All Glory be to God!

Although, Alan and Sharon Griffee, along with the love, encouragement and spiritual support of a half dozen or so prison inmates (Doug Simonsen, Donald Woodward, Joe Huff, Shawn Parker, Gary Fugate, Dennis Luscher, and David Hall) could be given the credit for CA coming into existence; The real founder of Christian Ambassadors is Jesus Christ!

Without the vision from Jesus, none of us would have had the wisdom nor the spiritual insight to fulfill God's plans for CA.

We lift you up, Lord Jesus, giving you all the praise and the honor and the glory for your involvement in each of our lives.

Psalm 40:5 (NIV) - Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

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