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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It’s almost here – Christmas day. The day we celebrate God sending His only Son to the Earth as a baby. Did you ever wonder why He did it that way? I mean, we’re talking about God – the almighty creator and sustainer of the universe – why would He choose such humble means instead of coming in glory and majesty with great pomp and circumstance? The prophets of the Old Testament had described the intensity of His glorious nature – like with Moses on Mt. Sinai, and when He filled the temple with His presence and the priests couldn’t continue their work. Why did He come to us as a helpless little baby?
As we seek to understand the true nature of God, we should realize He desires a close relationship with us. And in our limited understanding we don’t get how that could work – He’s God and we’re lowly humans. But what if He related to us in a way we COULD understand? What if He took human form to look like us and talk like us? He could befriend us and show us the way to the Father. And isn’t that what he did? Was he trying to show us how accessible and relatable he is?
Having a relationship with God is still a tough concept for many, but it’s the core of being a believer so it’s worth figuring out. It means talking with Him, hearing from Him, spending time with Him, and getting to know Him. We do this through prayer, studying His Word, worship, and in community with other believers. I pray we can all spend some time talking with others this Christmas season about our great God, what He’s done, and why we celebrate. As always, thanks for your prayers and God bless you!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Jerron– for understanding, peace, family and children, for my fiancé (Paige), her peace, and patience.
- Manuel– my daughter (Sofia), my wife (Adriana), my family and my friend Javier.
- Victor– my family, my brother (Augustine), my Dad (Lucas).
- Frank– to get home and back to my parents (Frank, 87, and Barbara, 85).
- John– for God’s will to be done in my life, grateful for answered prayers, and that I can stay out of prison once I get out.
- Boz– for everyone to get to court soon and get some good news.
- Bob– thankful for being alive, and for healing on my broken leg.
- Roland– for all the guys to know and experience the love of God and His faithfulness.
- Eugene– for Carl who went up state and was diagnosed with lung cancer. Also for all the guys to have a greater hunger and thirst for God’s Word.
- Andy– my brother is having surgery today – last time he had this surgery he had 3 heart attacks, pray he can get through it successfully this time and a speedy recovery.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Ron– for my stepson, my brother (Dave), and for all of us to get out soon.
- Jonathan– for the mother of my children who is fighting drug addiction. I was an addict so I know how hard it is.
- Jim– my brother-in-law Jeff in a nursing home not getting good care, pray we can get him into a better place that will take care of him and be closer to family.
- Aaron– for my daughter, and my children’s mother- I appreciate what she’s doing. And for my mother’s health.
- Mike– for my wife Robin, my daughter Hannah, and my sons Gavin and Michael.
- Andy L– for my pregnant neighbor who doctors tell her the baby won’t live more than 5 days after birth, we pray for a miracle.
- Brandon– for my brother Clarence on E block, my 3-1/2 year old daughter Nana, and my Mom.
- John– for all of our families and friends.
- Jose G– for the salvation of every person in Chester County Prison – staff, inmates, officers – and for all of their families during this holiday season.
- Phil T– for those feelig lonely and alone to have peace and consolation. And for the preemie twins (Josie and Ellie) who are still going through health trials, and please keep the parents from discouragement.
- Dan T– for my brother-in-law to stop dodging me trying to talk to him about Christ, and that he would come to know the Truth.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Vince– continued good health for my 93 yr old mother, and a quick release for me.
- Steve– for my wife Robin, that we can work on our marriage, for my family, my court case, and to get home soon.
- Armand– that God would bless all of our families with abundance, and we could all have less stress in this Christmas season.
- Matt– my daughter Emma and my family.
- Bill H– I had a prostate biopsy on Monday – pray for negative results and the Lord’s will be done.
- Tom– for my 3-1/2 year old son Noah, for the court to have mercy on my case both here in Chester county and my violation of probation in Montgomery county
- Ron– for my mother, for God to be with her over the holidays and that all her needs will be met, and for my family.
- Daniel– for my wife Grace, for me to go home soon, and for family.
- Jason– for the outside world to slow down and see what’s truly happening, to see Jesus, we all seem to miss it.
- Zack– for my family’s wellbeing and health, especially my Mom Debra going through the holidays alone for the first time- we lost my Dad back in June.
- Andy D– for my neighbors whose nephew passed away last week, and for the parents – this was the third child they’ve lost.
- Joseph– for my family, my baby girl (Darielyc), my other kids, and for a quick release.
- William– for my family and to get released soon.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Chaplain Heinrich Botes, and the male inmates and staff within his mission field.
- Chaplain Rhonda Soland, and the female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Jack Crans, the chaplaincy program at Chester County Prison, and prison leaders within his mission field. Also personal strength and healing from cancer.
- For the Onesimus Ministries board of directors, and the future of the board.
- All the volunteers ministering to 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.
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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