Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I was hit with this question in a morning devotion – Do we trust God?
Do we trust Him when He puts someone in our path? Like a really needy, self-absorbed person- How do we trust Him in that situation? How do we know what to do?
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
Jesus was constantly surrounded by self-absorbed needy people. Some might argue most of His disciples were like that. How did He handle the most needy among the crowds? How did He not get dragged down into their problems or become their sole provider of support?
He loved them. He healed them. More importantly, he forgave them and reconciled their relationship with God.
But what can WE do? Paul reminded the church in Corinth that we are all called into the ministry of reconciliation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
God’s word clearly instructs us to love them. But that doesn’t mean we submit to their every wish. In fact, sometimes the most loving thing we can do is withhold something that ultimately may not be beneficial to them.
Isn’t that what God does with us?
So we must trust. Trust in the One who made all things. Trust in his Son who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And trust in His Spirit who guides our understanding and leads us into all truth. No one ever said it would be easy, in fact Jesus warned us that we will have trouble…yet we must trust.
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9.23)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33)
As a ministry, we trust God to provide, and He always does. He’s proven His trustworthiness consistently- carrying this ministry through tight financial times, finding us needed resources (for free), and leading us to the right servants when our prior Chaplains retired. And He has brought all of you alongside us to support through prayer and other means. So why do we even hesitate to trust a God who’s provided over and over?
May God bless you richly as you trust in Him.
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from Chaplain Rhonda
Here are the requests for this week:
K.S. – an older inmate; many times incarcerated; trying to focus on God and grow her faith; has a court hearing this week, asking for prayer.
T. F. – very open to the things of God; requesting much material to read and study; pray that her desire to know God continues to increase and is satisfied.
S.H. – reading, studying, and pursuing God with the woman mentioned above (T.F.); pray that they will encourage each other to keep going and that God will meet them.
A.N. – a very sweet woman; years of trauma and abuse; but still has a sweet, gentle spirit; wanting to reclaim the faith she knew as a child; please pray for her.
Also, please keep praying as the talk of opening the chapel again for services continues and increases; that soon we may be able to gather the men and women and tell them face to face about our wonderful Savior.
Prayers from Onesimus Ministries
Traveling mercies for Chaplain Heinrich and his wife Susan as they return to the U.S. this week after an extended trip throughout South Africa and Mozambique.
Continued prayers for Chaplain Rhonda’s strength and endurance covering all Chaplain duties during Heinrich’s absence.
We pray God’s timing would be soon for volunteers to return to in-person ministry within Chester County Prison. May any obstacles be removed and the way made clear for your servants to proclaim Your majesty directly to the inmates.
We lift up the inmates, staff, and all their families to You Lord, asking for blessing in the way each one needs. May there be good physical health and compassionate spirits across the cell blocks.
We pray for speedy recovery of any in prison who have fallen ill, and relief for those suffering withdrawal from addiction. May each one receive the help they need.
We lift up the aftercare ministries to You Father, who have not stopped serving even during the pandemic time. May their faithfulness bear fruit in the many women and men they counsel after release from prison. Please bless them with the time, resources, and volunteers needed to do Your will in that space.
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/
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