Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
While in State College this past weekend for my daughter’s 30th birthday party, we attended my daughter’s church where a guest preacher spoke about blessing. Blessings and curses were mentioned throughout the Old Testament, and they held weight among God’s people in both the physical and the spiritual realm. Yet nowadays we hardly speak of blessings outside of describing a person’s good fortune, and I can’t recall the last time I’ve heard talk about a curse.
We have it in our power to give our blessing to friends and family, and a Father’s blessing still means something in traditional circles. We can live into and continue generational blessing by consistently reminding our children (and others around us) that we love them and are pleased with who they are (not necessarily what they’ve done). We find the perfect example of a Father’s blessing at the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
Some may also be living under curses, even generational curses, being told they’re no good, can’t do anything right, or will never amount to much. In fact, the absence of a parental blessing can in some ways be a curse. I imagine a great deal of men and women who find themselves in prison can relate to that experience. We can thank God once again for a His solution –
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1John 4:4)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)
We must never underestimate the power of our words – we have the choice to bless or curse whenever we speak with anyone.
“Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)
Our wonderful Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich know that very well, and are there in Chester County Prison as God’s representatives to bless and not to curse, and to remind them of God’s agape love and forgiveness that is so much greater than any curse here on earth.
Thank you for your blessing of this prison ministry through prayer and other means of support. I pray God would pour out His blessing upon each of you in a very real way this week.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda
Prayer requests for this week:
A.W. – came in with no faith; was here a long time; left with a new-found and growing faith in God; going to state prison.
J. K. – recently left CCP after turning to God.
M. I. – wrote: “I really need to sit and speak with you. I just had a death in my family and I have a few questions I’m hoping you can help me with so I can find some kind of inner peace right now.” Please pray that she finds the “inner peace” (aka Jesus) she’s seeking.
T. K. – asking for prayer for upcoming court date.
Prayers from Onesimus Ministries
Blessings of peace, strength, endurance, compassion, and wisdom upon Chaplains Rhonda and Heinrich as they minister to everyone out at Chester County Prison day after day.
That the staff and inmates (and their families) would be blessed with good health – physically, mentally, and relationally.
For revival within the prison walls where many open their hearts and are moved by the Spirit of God to accept the reality of Jesus Christ as the only hope and the only answer to our sinful condition.
For decisions to be made once and for all to allow in-person ministry to resume at the prison, and for chapel services to be green-lighted once again. Volunteers have been eagerly standing by for over 3 years – but Lord, we wait for your perfect timing.
Blessings upon the aftercare ministries helping men and women recently released from prison to cope/assimilate to life on the outside, building upon a foundation of faith that may have begun or been re-ignited during their prison stay. We ask God’s blessing upon the many ministry workers and clients alike.
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.
