Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This morning a friend at church shared devastating news received just weeks ago – a prognosis of cancer, with chemo already in progress.  What most impressed me was the strength of her faith as she repeated “God’s got this”, and her request for prayers of thankfulness for her healing.  She’s already claiming victory in Jesus’ name, hanging onto these verses:

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Sure, she doesn’t understand why this is happening now – we all want to assign a reason to the situations we find ourselves in. But she’s not getting hung up on that.  We always want to know “why?”, but God does not owe us any answers.  We must trust Him since He is perfect and all-knowing, and we can’t see the big picture from our viewpoint.  Some things we won’t know until we get to heaven.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

As we discussed how God answers prayer in sometimes unexpected ways (especially prayers asking Him to use us as He would), I shared the passage below with her:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

I believe God allows trials in our lives to strengthen our faith through reliance on Him, and to perfectly equip us to minister to others going through the same trial.  Instead of asking “why?”, perhaps a better response is “God, what do you want me to learn through this?”

In the prison, we often hear of inmates ministering to other inmates on the cell blocks – Mature Christians witnessing to new believers and leading bible studies while they’re all going through similar trials. I think we can all take a lesson from them and from my friend.  Thanks as always for your support of this prison ministry, and let’s lift up my friend, the inmates and staff of Chester County Prison, and our wonderful Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich.  More prayer request below.  Have a blessed week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please Pray for:

R.F.: “Thank you so much for the book. It helped a lot plus the talk you gave at my church”. We never know who the stranger is we interact with and where they are in their walk with God. Pray that the counseling sessions will be blessed.

J.G.(37) : Sentenced to 22 ½-45 years in State prison. He has always been open to the Gospel, attended programs in the chapel but never fully surrendered to the Lord. Pray that Christ will change his heart and make him a true missionary in his new “village”.

A.E.: He is from a very conservative, “plain” background, trying to “do life” without the God he fears but have never surrendered to. Pray for him and his very supportive but broken parents and siblings.

K.B.: Distraught since he discovered his father is in a hospice facing the end of his life. Pray that KB will be an encouragement to his family even from inside the prison. Pray also for the family dealing with this situation.

Thank God for Christian brothers and sisters among the staff. They are a true blessing and an extension of the chaplains efforts.

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

For health among the prison population – physical, mental, and social/relational.

For every inmate to embrace salvation made possible through Jesus Christ alone. May each one hear the Gospel message clearly, whether from the Chaplains or fellow inmates, and to choose wisely.

For staffing issues and covid fears to subside.

For peace on the cell blocks, and an abundance of understanding and compassion between inmates and staff (in both directions).

That decisions would soon be made to reopen the prison to volunteers, so that in-person ministry to inmates could resume.

Many blessings upon the various aftercare programs among churches in Chester County.  May these programs enjoy ample support and a steady flow of volunteers to support the faith journey of men and women released from prison.  May those gifted with Christian mentorship seek to use that gift within these programs to honor our Lord.

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 info@onesimusministries.org.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This past weekend at my daughter’s church in State College, we heard an old testament teaching centered on how can a fallen humanity approach a Holy God?  In ancient times, as God’s chosen people followed leaders like Abraham and Moses, the presence of God was experienced as fire on Mount Sinai, or the glory of God filling the temple where Moses could not even go in.  God’s presence was an awesome, powerful, and fearful thing, and if not handled with due respect, you could die. Not even Moses could see God and live.

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”  And The LORD said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:18-20)

I wonder if that’s how inmates feel about their day in court.  How can an incarcerated sinner approach a strict Judge – someone who has the power to determine what happens next in their life?  Thank God we know the rest of the story that had not yet unfolded for the ancient Jews – That forgiveness is possible through Jesus Christ and his ultimate sacrifice to pay for all of our sins!  And He sits at the Father’s right hand interceding for us!

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

While we should maintain a healthy respect and awe of God, those who trust in Christ can feel safe about “throwing ourselves on the mercy of the court” since our intercessor and our ultimate Judge love us unconditionally.  Breaking man’s law will still require payment for the transgression, but praise God our future with Him is secure through Christ our savior!

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Thanks for hanging in there with us each week in prayer as we share the requests from inmates, relayed through our wonderful Chaplains in Chester County Prison – Rhonda and Heinrich.  And keep them in prayer as well. God bless your week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda

The requests for this week:

T. C. – in prison for a very serious offense, but seeking to turn her life around and grow in a relationship with God.

S. L. – back in Chester County Prison; dealing with mental health issues, but very sincerely seeking after God.

K. N. – a religious “none”; requested a Bible and now writes, “thanks again for the Bible. I’ve been benefiting a lot from having it.” Please pray that she will have an unquenchable desire to continue in the Word and that she will come to know the Lord.

J. K. – “Please pray for my mother’s health and to deliver her from stress.”

D. M. – desiring to grow closer to the Lord, she requested a visit, writing, “I have a lot of questions I hope you can answer for me. Please help me understand some if this.”

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

That each and every inmate would realize that forgiveness is possible through Jesus Christ, and avail themselves of that opportunity while there’s still time.

Thank you Lord for your servants Heinrich and Rhonda who minister in your name to inmates, staff, and families connected with Chester County Prison – please continue to bless them to be a blessing to many others.

That there would be peace among the prison population, on the cell blocks, and compassion between inmates and staff (in both directions).

May God’s Word continue to be studied, discussed, and meditated upon back on the cell blocks, even in the  absence of formal religious gatherings (still not allowed).

For the prison to reopen soon for volunteers to minister in-person to inmates, and may the prison chapel be filled with those eager to hear the Word of God.

May God bless and cause the various aftercare programs to flourish among churches in Chester County.  May these programs continue to support the faith journey of men and women released from CCP, and help them in their efforts to re-enter society as children of the King.  May those with the gift of Christian mentorship seek to use that gift within these programs to honor you, God.

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 info@onesimusministries.org.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Savior lives!  We just celebrated the Super Bowl of Christianity – Resurrection Sunday – where we recall the most significant event in human history.  The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the difference between the one true faith and all the other religions.  Only in Christianity did the Messiah, the Chosen One, willingly lay down His life, then as He himself foretold, took it back up again and rose from the dead on the third day.

And he (Jesus) said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22)

He said he had to suffer….and He did.

And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Matthew 27:28-30)

He said He would die….and He did.

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)

He said He would rise….and He did.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:1-6a)

He said He’d be back again…

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3)

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:36-37)

We live in anticipation of joining our Savior in paradise for all eternity, not because of anything we’ve done, but because He promised – and everything else Jesus said came true.  I pray you each had a wonderful Easter celebration as we did at my church.  Prison ministry teams long for the day when we can once again worship alongside inmates in Chester County Prison.  Praise God we still have Chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda in there ministering while we wait for volunteers to be allowed back in.  Please pray with us for a timely resolution to this dilemma, and thank you for your faithful prayers each week – they really do matter.  God bless your week!

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Heinrich

Please pray for:

Calmness to prevail during the celebrations of Passover and Ramadan. Pray for an activist groups who is trying to exploit the situation for their purposes.

A.O. – Mother of his two sons was released from CCP recently and died of a drug-overdose soon after. Children were placed in the care of a relative. AO is totally distraught about the situation

C.H. – His wife (C) is addicted to drugs and is not caring for their 2year old, Aubrey.

J.F. – who sent this Praise Report: “I had nothing during the holidays. A few days before we received a (Christmas) gift bag, I prayed not for sweets but for a Bible and you were the vessel that made my Christmas…good Bible. Thank you”

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

For each inmate to know they are loved by God, and that they might take this time to seek Him with their whole heart.

For peace within the prison population, on the cell blocks, and towards the prison staff – may more inmates become peacemakers through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the absence of religious gatherings (still not allowed), may the Word of God still be preached, studied, and shared among believers within Chester County Prison.

For health and wellbeing of our Chaplains, Rhonda and Heinrich, and unending strength and passion to do God’s will and share His love with inmates, staff, and families – everyone they come across.

May God re-open the prison soon to volunteers for in-person ministry to inmates, and may the prison chapel once again become a hub of daily activities that glorify and honor you God.

May aftercare programs flourish among churches in Chester County, that every man and woman released from CCP would have the opportunity for a Christian mentor to help them stay strong and progress in their faith journey.

To find out more about mentoring and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison, drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website – https://onesimusministries.org/category/weekly-prayer-requests/

If this email was forwarded to you and you’d like to subscribe, click HERE.

www.onesimusministries.org

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’ve been meticulously working on a design to replace the fence in my back yard.  Being cost-conscious, I plan to build it myself so I’m working out every angle and every measurement ahead of time. I want to create the most efficient design to allow me to purchase the minimum amount of materials. This planning, designing, and preparation takes time and intentionality, and reminds me of our Christian faith.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)

Peter reminds us that in order to fulfill our primary purpose as Christians (to spread the Gospel and grow the kingdom of God), we must be intentional and take the time to prepare.  Paul charges Timothy (and I believe all of us as well) to actually do it.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Preparation is key.  We must know what we believe and why we believe it.  And to follow the Great Commission given to us by Jesus himself, we must be able to articulate our personal story and the Gospel message to others.  Our prison chaplains Heinrich and Rhonda have opportunities like that every time they are in Chester County Prison.  God blesses the male and female inmates through them, and we are grateful they have remained “on duty” throughout the pandemic.  Their effectiveness is also a reflection of your support through prayer and other means.  Thank you for lifting them up in prayer each week, along with the inmate prayer requests they pass along.  God bless your week.

Grace and Peace,

Rick

Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda:

(Letting the women speak for themselves this week: Each request is a direct quote from Inmate Request slips from the women.)

J. Y. – “I’m enjoying the Life Recovery Bible very much. Thank you for your generosity. I’m reading the Bible every day now & it is giving me hope. Thank you.”

B. M. – “I can’t thank you enough; God has been a part of my life in the past, but I have put Him on the bench for a long time when I obviously needed Him most…. Especially now, I need it just as much as a person needs oxygen.”

L. K. – “Yes, I will like to partake in the letters from volunteers. I also want to bring God into my life. I would like a Bible if that’s possible.”

J. K. – “Please say a prayer that my brother and his girlfriend [will] let my daughter have my letters and the bracelet and ring I made her. She misses me.”

H. Z. – “Are we gonna have church soon? I miss it.”

C. P. – ” I am in need of guidance, council, prayer, literature, support…”

B. K. – “Could I please receive the Life Recovery Bible and Life Recovery workbook? I’m locked in Medical and these books really help me.”

Prayers from Onesimus Ministries

Perseverance of Chaplain Rhonda and Chaplain Heinrich as they “go it alone” without any of the volunteer help in place before covid.  May God continue to bless them with strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom as they minister to inmates, staff, and family members connected to the prison.

For God to remove all barriers to volunteers once again ministering in-person to inmates.  And restore the ability for inmates to gather for sharing, study, and worship. 

For peace among the prison population, and healing mercies for those suffering from physical, mental, or social disorders within the prison.

For the prison aftercare programs that take inmates released from Chester County Prison and mentor them as disciples of Christ.  May these ministries flourish with volunteers whose hearts are set on seeing former inmates successfully re-integrate back into society as productive citizens.

Want to know more about being a mentor, and discipling a man or woman coming out of prison? Drop us a note at info@onesimusministries.org.

These weekly prayer requests are also posted on our website www.onesimusministries.org

www.onesimusministries.org