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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Last week I wrote about 1 Peter 3:15 and being prepared. I think preparation has 2 parts: being equipped, and recognizing the right opportunity to act.
About 3 weeks ago we adopted a 3-1/2 month old puppy from a German shepherd rescue organization. Barley is mostly house broken because of great training by his foster mom. But like any puppy, we need to take him outside often to do his business. We must be ready to act or the result is a mess inside the house.
Over the weekend we took him on a 3-hour car ride to visit my daughter and son-in-law in State College. On the journey up and back we learned to recognize signs of when he needed to do his business. Then we could effectively find a place to pull off the road and get him out on the leash to relieve himself. Being equipped with the leash and a poop bag was only part of being ready – recognizing when to act was vital, and we were all much happier with the result!
I think that’s how God would have us behave. He gives us direction in His Word, and equips each of us with gifts and skills we can hone to use for his glory. Then we must be sensitive to His spirit’s prompting towards the opportunities He provides to use what He gave us. And I believe we all- the giver, the recipient, and God – will be much happier with the result.
Thanks as always for using what God has given you to support this ministry. What else has He given you? And where does He want you to use it? Only you can answer that, but be assured, anything done for His glory will be thrilling and satisfying.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Lamar– my family, positive outcome of court case, go home soon. My court case was postponed, praying for a new date or for case to get thrown out.
- Carl– keep me strong on my spiritual journey.
- Dave– for my family, I’m going up state for 2 years, pray to get back to kids and family as soon as possible.
- Javier– family, and court date rescheduled to the 21st.
- Manuel– my family and court date on 29th.
- Andy D– my sister Donna struggling with stage 4 cancer, I don’t think she’s a believer. She asked me to get her a large print Bible, and I hope to have Gospel conversation with her.
- Roland D– praise God my wife Deb is healing- walking better and the boot is off. She still has 3 physical therapy scripts- a way to go yet.
- Eugene C– continued healing for my sister Yvette after heart surgery, and for unity in the body of Christ.
- Jack– for South Carolina detainer to be lifted/resolved before my 7/23 release date to avoid additional extradition. To be able to find a good Bible-preaching church when I go home to Miami, and find brothers and sisters in the faith to continue conversations like we’ve been having. [NOTE: this was potentially our last meeting, and knowing his Catholic background similar to mine and abundance of religious “head knowledge”, I asked if he was saved/born again. He wasn’t sure. We spoke of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, and read through Romans 10:9-13. I offered a prayer, and reminded him of grace alone through faith alone in Christ and His accomplished work on the cross. Pray that Jack can come to a place of complete surrender to Christ and be assured of salvation.]
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Kevin– for all the inmates on M block who feel violated from a search of all the cells. Claims of personal items missing that were purchased are causing bad feelings between inmates and officers. Pray there would be respect for officers towards inmates, and inmates toward officers.
- Corey– praying I don’t get sent to state prison, and that I can get out early.
- Eric– I overslept and missed lawyer appointment, tomorrow is my last chance- pray I can meet with him and this doesn’t affect my case.
- Christian– for all of us to get out of jail early and maybe get to enjoy some of the summer before it’s gone. Also for more to come to church and believe in Jesus. Also want to pray for all our futures to be successful, I want to become a realtor. Pray for success and guidance, God’s protection, and the mental health of everyone in here.
- Jim M– my brother-in-law Jeff is in a nursing home and needs prayer.
- Kevin– thankful for the volunteers coming in each week.
- Cody– for my mother and father’s business to get sorted out. Dad passed away recently and Mom passed away before that, and things are getting really complicated and confusing.
- William– that the enemy would be pushed back and the Lord Jesus protects us.
- Dan T– for my brother-in-law to stop avoiding and deflecting conversations about Christ, and come to a saving knowledge before he passes.
- Phil T– continued prayer for Joy and her high risk pregnancy with twins. God has sustained both babies thus far – still 2 heartbeats – against the odds doctors have given (I LOVE when He does that!). Joy and her husband continue to trust in God over the doctors, walking in faith, and we pray our mighty Father’s blessing upon them with 2 full-term happy and healthy babies – Oh Lord, please continue this miracle of life! And may all the doctors and care givers take notice of their faith, and we pray for softened hearts among them and for more to accept you as Lord and Savior.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Michael– for answered prayer- talked to my mom today, she’s doing OK. Want to pray for all our moms and loved ones to be patient and forgiving- we’ve put them through a lot.
- Donald– I want to go home and see my daughter.
- Jeff– my brother is in Christiana hospital with rapid heart rate and clogged arteries, but he’s too weak for standard procedures so they must figure out what to do. Pray God would protect him and heal him, and send someone to remind him that people care about him.
- Brian– mom’s pain has subsided and she meets with surgeon on the 31st. My sister (13) is helping out a lot but it’s really stressful for her. My birthday is coming up and I’ll have to spend it in here.
- Frankie– for mom’s cancer- she’s in radiation treatments now. And for my uncle with colon cancer and his brother. I should find out this week about my heart issues. And I pray for my buddy Johnny.
- Luis– for my wife, son, kids, my mother, and for me.
- Andy D– my sister Donna with stage 4 cancer is coming over tomorrow- pray for right opportunity and right words for gospel conversation. I will give her the Bible she asked for. Pray she reads it.
- Bill H– my PSA level is up and I have an MRI Friday- praying for good outcome and God’s healing hand upon me.
- Matt R– praise the Lord I’m ahead of the game recovering from shoulder surgery. Pray for my in-laws Gerald and Sheryl who are having a tough time physically. I pray hope and patience for both of them.
- Ryan– my friend Jeremy had half his lung removed and still in the hospital. He suffers with opioid addiction and dumped out his pain meds – pray the Lord would honor that and take away his pain.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Chaplains Rhonda, Heinrich, and Jack – with their tireless efforts ministering to everyone at the prison.
- For current and future prison ministry volunteers, and more opportunities for them to get plugged in at CCP.
- Continued prayer for the family of Heinrich’s sister in South Africa after her sudden passing.
- For every soul at the prison- inmates, staff, and the families that support them.
- Blessings upon the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations across Chester County ministering to recently released men and women.
If you’d like to find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at outreach@onesimusministries.org.
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