For a number of the men who are doing time with me and are now members of the body of Christ, the fact is, unless a miracle happens, they may die in here...
They're serving life sentences. So while they and I await with hope and anticipation the "rapture" of the church and our being caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air - which is the "blessed hope" for every born again child of God - we know that not all of us will ever see the "streets" again.
A few do have their appeals before the courts, however. Some of them truly appear to have been railroaded and should not be in prison. Nevertheless, they are. They also got "saved" in prison and, I must say, they've become good examples of what the Christian faith is all about. As I've said time and time again, these men would be a blessing and asset to any church. And this is because of the God who now dwells in each of them, as He does in me.
Yet it is a sobering thought to realize that incarceration may continue for many more years. That their sojourn upon this earth, like mine, may end in death behind these walls.
And I do not mean for this to sound negative or depressing. We Christians are a family of hope. Still, while we remain on this earth we're bound by its physical laws, and aging and dying are part of it.
Therefore, because of our love for the Lord, and because of our heavenly hope, my brothers and I press forward in the faith. We serve the Lord Jesus with joy of the heart for what He has already done for us, and for what He will do for each of us in the future. We're only pilgrims who are passing through. There's a better place awaiting us at the end of our days.
D.B.
A few do have their appeals before the courts, however. Some of them truly appear to have been railroaded and should not be in prison. Nevertheless, they are. They also got "saved" in prison and, I must say, they've become good examples of what the Christian faith is all about. As I've said time and time again, these men would be a blessing and asset to any church. And this is because of the God who now dwells in each of them, as He does in me.
Yet it is a sobering thought to realize that incarceration may continue for many more years. That their sojourn upon this earth, like mine, may end in death behind these walls.
And I do not mean for this to sound negative or depressing. We Christians are a family of hope. Still, while we remain on this earth we're bound by its physical laws, and aging and dying are part of it.
Therefore, because of our love for the Lord, and because of our heavenly hope, my brothers and I press forward in the faith. We serve the Lord Jesus with joy of the heart for what He has already done for us, and for what He will do for each of us in the future. We're only pilgrims who are passing through. There's a better place awaiting us at the end of our days.
D.B.