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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today is veterans day, where we remember and honor those who have served in our military forces to preserve freedom throughout the world. The United States military is unique in that it’s an all-volunteer force, and without it, much of the world would likely fall under the rule of evil regimes or descend into chaos. Our military brothers and sisters not only protect our freedoms here at home, they are a stabilizing force in the world. Many feel called to that life, and each of them serves a cause greater than themselves.
The parallels to Christianity seem so obvious to me. God doesn’t force His way into our lives, followers of Christ voluntarily give up their old life to follow a much better path, and definitely serve a cause greater than all of us. And without God choosing us to be part of His family, the whole world would be slaves to evil and lost to sin. In the Old Testament, Joshua met the commander of the Lord’s armies, who was none other than God Himself. Without a doubt, God is the leader of THE stabilizing force in the world, and without Him we are truly lost.
So thank a veteran today for their sacrifice, and thank Jesus EVERY day for His sacrifice which paved the way for our salvation. And why not thank the person who introduced you to Jesus? I want to thank all of you for your enlistment in the Lord’s army – inmate prayer detachment. Your continued service is commendable. God bless you!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Mark– for officers to change how they do things.
- Steve– for ourselves, and that I can get through this gambling addiction.
- Manuel– daughter Sophia and wife Adriana, family, and my friend Javier now back in Mexico.
- Terry– my father is in hospice, hope to get out and see him before he passes, for family, for my gambling addiction, and for all our active military and those in prison.
- Patrick– my Dad with lymphoma had CAT scan Tuesday, get results tomorrow, praying not cancerous. Praying for a bail hearing soon, and for all the guys in here to have strength and hope.
- Bolden– for everyone in here, and I have court on the 10th
- Boz– I’m in court on the 13th, pray it all goes well.
- Roland– that every man in prison can feel the hope, peace, and joy of Christ, especially over the upcoming holidays.
- Eugene– for the Jesus pop-up rally in Coatesville on Saturday, that God will have His way and for no rain that day.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Phil T– praise update for my daughter’s sister-in-law Joy (high risk pregnancy) – last Monday night her twin girls were born at 32 weeks (Josephine and Eleanor), both around 3 pounds and breathing fine without oxygen. Must wait until at least 5 pounds for discharge, but Mom and babies all doing well. Doctors discussing heart surgery options for Josephine – we pray for full healing and no need for surgery.
- John– our families and court cases.
- Erwin– continued prayer for my sister with cancer.
- Phil– for Deron’s case to be on target that he can be home for thanksgiving. Also safety and protection for my son-in-law coming back from China and blessing on his family as they reunite.
- Dan T– for witness opportunity to my brother-in-law, and he would accept Christ. Also for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel.
- Andy L– my pregnant next door neighbor with bad prognosis for the baby- only expected to live a few days after birth. We pray strength for the mom and dad, and full healing for the baby.
- Deron– for everyone to have a joyous celebration of thanksgiving, and pray that my days until release would get easier – they are still hard.
- Rick– for our government leaders, and that they could get together to solve problems of government shutdown and food benefits for the hungry.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Elly– for strength, courage and faith.
- Gordon– for strength, wisdom and courage.
- Matt– for Rebecca, comfort for lost husband as we celebrate Veterans Day. For unsaved family members. For all prisoners at Chester County Prison.
- Andy– His brother Jeff getting heart surgery. Also for his salvation.
- Ryan– prayer for my family – lots of anxiety.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Safe return from South Africa this week for Heinrich and wife Susan, and for Heinrich’s Mom and his sister’s family after her sudden passing in July.
- Chaplain Rhonda and all the female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Jack Crans and the entire chaplaincy program, and the prison leadership within his mission field. Also for strength and healing in the face of his cancer.
- For the members and future of Onesimus Ministries board of directors.
- All the volunteers ministering to the male and female inmates at Chester County Prison.
- The families supporting each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations throughout 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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