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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I use the YouVersion Bible app on my phone (highly recommended) which allows me to read and study God’s Word in many versions, subscribe to Bible reading plans, and one of my favorites – the verse of the day. Each morning, it only takes about 5 minutes to ingest a little nugget of God’s wisdom, including a short devotion, some encouragement, and a prayer. It’s a phenomenal way to begin your day.
Yesterday’s verse was Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In this context, think of the heart as the center of our being – a combination of our mind and our soul. Our behavior is determined by our attitude. And our attitude is determined by our heart. Therefore, to truly effect permanent change in any behavior, it must begin with the heart.
God tells us to be careful what we feed our heart. Especially this time of year, the world is very willing and able to fill it with selfishness and materialism. God created our heart, so what our heart needs most is Him. Some of the best things we can do for ourselves is seek God through prayer, read His Word, reflect on His blessings, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to us throughout our day. Something will always be missing if we don’t invite God into our hearts. And we must be careful to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from it.
I’m thankful there’s a place in your heart for the inmates, chaplains, volunteers, and staff at Chester County Prison. The time we spend in prayer for them each week is time well spent. It honors God, it blesses them, and it grows us closer to our Heavenly Father. Thank you for your heart, may God fill it to overflowing with His love all the days of your life.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service):
- Shaun– to have a positive re-entry once I’m out of here, and to reconnect with my Mom (Melissa) – she’s homeless and I lost track of her years ago, pray I can locate her.
- Sean– court date in 7 days, pray for no more continuances, and that all goes well.
- Manuel– my wife (Adriana), my daughter (Sofia), my family and my friend Javier back in Mexico.
- John– to incorporate God’s will more into my life, get time served judgement, get to rehab facility, and get back to my family and stay out of jail.
- Boz– for whatever in the dark comes to light in the name of Jesus.
- Andy– for my relationship with Jesus to deepen this advent season.
- Roland– for all inmates to experience Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy this Christmas season.
- Eugene– prayers for me- going to Kensington & Somerset tomorrow to evangelize.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Vernon– for my kids, my ex-wife, my mother, and I have a bad toothache.
- Ron– for my stepson, and my cat.
- Cory– for my Mom who was in the hospital for 4 days with swelling in her face, they treated her with medications and released her, pray for her full healing. Also pray for when I get out, whether from here or if I go to state prison, that God would put me on a good path.
- Billy– my upcoming court date.
- Andrew– all my brothers and sisters in the prison, and outside the prison, and for my Mom (Kathleen), my father (James), and my sister (Kyra).
- Alics– for my Mom and Dad (Ed and Crystal), for my grandma (Joyce), and for them to get along without me since I’m the main wage earner and it gets tight if I’m not around (they are all on social security).
- Mike– for my wife (Robin) and my kids (Hannah, Michael, and Gavin), and forgiveness.
- Jose G– for everyone in here to be saved and their families. Also pray for all those struggling with addictions.
- Dan T– for the peace of Jerusalem, for clarity and focus for me (the meds I’m on make me a little foggy), and for my Brother-in-law to have clarity and presence to accept Christ (memory issues).
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Kostas– for his girlfriend to answer phone so he knows she is ok.
- Beto– power to work with God.
- Chett– get out this week. Prayer his son who is starting his first job goes well.
- Cam– his wife seasonal depression
- Tyreek– for all the prisoners. Pray for peace for his pregnant girlfriend.
- Daniel– wife and home peace.
- David– fellow inmates.
- Matt– prayers for his in-laws and for his father in law Gerald who just received new pacemaker. May it give him energy he is seeking.
- Steve– For Robert has prostate cancer. Also for his wife who just got into car accident and car was totaled.
- Gina– for her father John. He had to go to emergency room for inflammation of his intestines and his lung capacity is low.
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Chaplain Heinrich, and all the male inmates and staff within his mission field.
- Chaplain Rhonda, and all the female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Jack Crans, the chaplaincy program at Chester County Prison, and prison leadership 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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