[To view in a browser, visit this Link]
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I reflect on nearly 2 full weeks of pain and discomfort with a stomach bug, our human minds invariably ask the question “why?” – I used my message in the prison last night to probe why a good God allows bad things to happen. First of all, we live in a fallen world (thanks, Adam and Eve!) with evil all around us. And with God-given free will, people can make choices. Evil plus choice often equals selfish choices that hurt others. God’s Word tells us many times to expect trials and persecution, summed up by Jesus in John 16.33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“
But WHY does He allow the trials? Romans 5 tells us it’s to build endurance, which builds strength of character, which strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 2 Corinthians 1 tells us it’s to prepare us to comfort others with the comfort God gave us as we went through the same trial. We are to share how trusting in God’s strength pulled us through, and He will do the same for them. James 1 tells us it will grow our endurance and faith, to ultimately receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love Him.
I believe God allows trials to grow us more into His likeness, learning to rely on His strength, bringing comfort to others by sharing God’s faithfulness with them, and building confidence in our hope of salvation to share our stories with others as an invitation into the family of God. The big character question is – will we sit helplessly in our pain and cry out for Him to take it away? Or will we trust in His ability to get us through, and ask for His help to see what He’s teaching us in each circumstance? I think that’s what He taught me through my latest trial, and maybe others can benefit.
Thanks as always for sticking with us each week as we lift up the inmates, their families, and their requests each week. It may feel like a daunting task some weeks, but God is growing all of us, slowly changing our hearts to be more like Him. What a great God! Have a fabulous week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Dan– For Brittney and Megan to stop gambling.
- Bhievm– to get home by September, marry my fiancé, and get back into the sport of boxing.
- Lloyd– for my family- all 9 sisters and 9 kids – we have 3 birthdays this month.
- Javier– family, especially my daughter.
- Manuel– my family, particularly for my wife.
- Sean– I have court on Monday, and my girlfriend (Rita) is struggling and I can’t help her.
- Paul C– to clearly understand where God is calling me.
- Andy D– salvation for my sister.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Frank– my relationship with my parents.
- Chris– for success in my future, and to never be in jail again unless it’s to share my testimony. Also, thanking God I was able to avoid a fight that would have led to restriction.
- Jim M– for my neighbor (Mary) who fell and broke her wrist. Also for my wife (Kim) recovering from knee surgery.
- Timothy– for me, I had a close call with another inmate last night, pray for my protection from altercations.
- Dan T– ongoing prayers for my brother-in-law to finally accept Christ, and for all our family members who are not walking with the Lord.
- Phil T– for our brother Jose to have a speedy recovery from multiple injuries, and relief from pain that he can sleep. Also continued prayer for Joy’s high risk pregnancy with twins, moving along (still 2 heartbeats!) even though doctors initially thought one or both would die and recommended abortion. Praise God for Joy’s faith and trust in You, may we all learn from her. Also for my daughter-in-law Hannah who is due TODAY, pray she will do well through delivery of her first child (baby Lillyana). Also thankful for my twin grandchildren who had their first day at a Christian Preschool- may God use that to reach the whole family.
- Dan– for our brother Erwin and his wife Rena’s continued recovering from back surgery.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Chris– God help me strengthen my patience and that I would have more productive thoughts.
- Ryan S– my wife Janice is going through a tough time, battling anxiety.
- Frankie– for my mother’s cancer, and my uncle has cancer too.
- Bo– pray for Candace and her healing from health issues, and that she would accept the Holy Spirit.
- Aaron– for all of us to get out and stay out of here, and do the right thing.
- Rick C– my son Kyle is not walking with the Lord.
- Cecil– to get out of jail – I’m dying in here, I want out!
- Logan– pray for family, and greater faith for me, and to have more patience with other people.
- John– for everyone in here to hopefully get home soon, and for everyone’s families.
- Mackiet– for my kids, and for me to get out, and for my girl.
- Andy D– my sister-in-law (Ginny) is bound up with depression and anger- may God break through and give her peace. Also for inmate Jeff, who was allowed to attend funeral of his brother Mark- prayers for him and his girlfriend.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Our Chaplains (Rhonda, Heinrich, and Jack) and all the volunteers ministering within the prison.
- God’s provision for expanded opportunities within the prison, and God’s wisdom for how best to capitalize on them and get more volunteers plugged in.
- All staff and inmates at the prison, and the families that support them.
- For the Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations in 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.
If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.
