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/
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