Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
How often do we ask God what HE wants us to do with our day? Do we make enough room in our daily lives for what HE may have in store for us? Or do we fill every minute of our day with what WE feel is most important? Rick Warren once said God gives us enough time each day for the things He has in store for us, if we run out of time, it may be because we’re doing things God didn’t intend for us to do.
Proverbs 16:9 says “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” I think God expects us to use the brain he gave us to make plans (and not just sit idle), but wants our flexibility to accomplish things He may have in store for us. I believe inconvenience is where ministry happens. He gives us choices all day long – we see opportunities and must decide – am I going to do what I had planned to do, or help another person in need?
Let’s dive into even more uncomfortable waters – What’s our typical response when someone in ministry (or at church) asks us to do something? Do we default to how much we have going on right now, to evoke some understanding of why we are about to decline?
On Sunday, I asked a friend at church to consider his nomination to be an Elder. He began to tell me how full his life is right now, so I challenged Him to boldly ask God to move something else out of the way if He is truly calling him to this role. And if God makes a way, you clearly know you’re called. Let me challenge all of us – when we think life is too busy to help with something, ask God to make some room. Pretty sure the One who raised Jesus from the dead can do anything we ask in our lives.
Thank you all for saying Yes each week to praying for our chaplains, volunteers, the staff, and the inmates in prison. We are storing up treasures in heaven every time we say Yes to God, and He wants us to pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5.17). Thank you for all the ways you support this prison ministry. God bless your week!
Grace and Peace,
Rick
Prayer Requests from last Thursday (12:00 Chapel Service, plus Inmate 1-1 sessions):
- Carlos– for my friend Danny.
- Sean– for my girlfriend (Rita), and all of us in here like Mike – get us through. Also for my dog Blue.
- Dan– thanks God for bringing me back here even on a traffic ticket, because now I’m going to the rehab I need!
- Mike– God please show me your purpose for me.
- Javier– family, especially my daughter.
- Manuel– my family.
- Roland D– for all the upcoming court dates, and that in each case, the truth would be evident.
- Paul– chapel time is time well spent, pay for my direction.
- Andy D– salvation for family members.
- Eugene C– for the Jesus Rally in Upper Darby on Saturday.
Prayer Requests from Medium Security (7:00pm Monday service):
- Timothy— prayer for the victims in Minesota shooting.
- Josh–kids going back to school.
- Daryl–no home to go to when released, can retrieve belongings, needs a thicker mattress, repair of tv on cell block.
- Andy–for unsaved family members.
- Phil— for Jose’s recovery from fall, for President not knowing how salvation is received–thinking he can earn it through good works.
- Josh— for understanding.
- Dan— for brother-in-law’s salvation.
- Dave— for upcoming court dates.
- Phil– praise and thanksgiving for birth of my granddaughter (Lillianna) and that my son Kyle and daughter-in-law Hannah are all doing well and appreciate everyone’s prayers. Also continued prayer for Joy’s high risk pregnancy with twins.
- Rick C– for Erwin’s wife (Rena) continued recovering from back surgery.
Prayer Requests from Minimum Security (8:30pm Monday service)
- Will (Bo)– pray for the guys in here, significant other to accept Jesus Christ as her savior
- Frankie– mother who just had a radiation treatment, pray for my uncle and his brother, everybody in here and for my court hearing
- John– everybody to get out to their loved ones
- Chris– my family has a safe trip on their cruise and my release
- David– everybody here, daughter is being buried today, pray for my grandsons, my release and my other daughter who is holding it all together during this difficult time
- John– everybody in here
- Martin– everybody in here, pray for my dad who is recovering from a leg operation
- Andy– unsaved family members, pray for myself to be bold and create opportunities to have conversations and spread the Word
- Cam– circle of people I know that are unsaved, create opportunities to share the Gospel
Prayer Requests from Onesimus Ministries
- Chaplain Rhonda and all the female inmates and staff within her mission field.
- Chaplain Heinrich and all the male inmates and staff within his mission field
- Chaplain Jack Crans and the entire chaplaincy program, and the prison leadership within his mission field.
- All the volunteers ministering to the male and female inmates at Chester County Prison.
- God’s provision for expanded opportunities within the prison, and God’s wisdom for how best to capitalize on them and get more volunteers plugged in.
- Protection for the families that support each inmate, staff member, chaplain, and volunteer.
- For Aftercare ministries and post-prison support organizations in Chester County ministering to recently released men and women.
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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