The word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah while he was shut up in
prison, saying, "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and I will show
you great and amazing things which you do not know anything about."
Jeremiah 33:1-3
Some of the most prolific writers, whom God has used to touch and inspire multitudes of people throughout the centuries of time, were in prison...
prison, saying, "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and I will show
you great and amazing things which you do not know anything about."
Jeremiah 33:1-3
Some of the most prolific writers, whom God has used to touch and inspire multitudes of people throughout the centuries of time, were in prison...
They were incarcerated when they penned their words, which ultimately reached the eyes of millions, and are still read today.
One of these individuals was known as the apostle Paul. Formerly known as "Saul of Tarsus," he was a devout Jew who despised his fellow Jews who embraced Jesus as their Messiah. Saul would hunt these followers of Jesus down, have them arrested and beaten, and even put to death.
But when he himself had a supernatural encounter with Jesus, Saul became Paul. He was transformed from a murderer into a minister. The ones he once hated, now became his spiritual family. Suffering prison himself, and being persecuted for the faith he once tried to destroy, Paul became a writer of letters to those on the outside. His letters of faith, in the midst of suffering and hardship, have brought encouragement to millions. A good portion of what has become the New Testament was penned by Paul while he was confined.
Another was the prophet Jeremiah. Today, the now much loved spokesperson for God, had to endured horrible times of suffering and persecution for proclaiming the word of the Lord to a rebellious and ungrateful nation. But when he was shut in behind prison walls, God spoke to him. Although incarcerated, a faithful Jeremiah used his pen to great advantage. Today, almost three thousand years later, the prophet's words live on.
Still other saints who picked up pens while in prison, have likewise written letters and even books that, many years later, continue to inspire their readers. The legendary John Bunyan was in prison when he wrote "The Pilgrim's Progress." Written a few centuries ago, it is now considered to be a classic work of literature.
And then there's the Chinese pastor, Watchman Nee. Arrested for preaching the gospel and confined for twenty years, he became a prolific writer, as well. With pen and paper, brother Nee touched and inspired millions of Christians throughout the world. Now long deceased, his books (free to read online) live on. So do his many letters to family, friends, and the churches.
God doesn't see prisoners any differently than he sees those who are not incarcerated. Christ came to save sinners and law-breakers. He sees the awesome worth of every person. He knows our potential to accomplish good things when we surrender our lives to Him.
D.B.
One of these individuals was known as the apostle Paul. Formerly known as "Saul of Tarsus," he was a devout Jew who despised his fellow Jews who embraced Jesus as their Messiah. Saul would hunt these followers of Jesus down, have them arrested and beaten, and even put to death.
But when he himself had a supernatural encounter with Jesus, Saul became Paul. He was transformed from a murderer into a minister. The ones he once hated, now became his spiritual family. Suffering prison himself, and being persecuted for the faith he once tried to destroy, Paul became a writer of letters to those on the outside. His letters of faith, in the midst of suffering and hardship, have brought encouragement to millions. A good portion of what has become the New Testament was penned by Paul while he was confined.
Another was the prophet Jeremiah. Today, the now much loved spokesperson for God, had to endured horrible times of suffering and persecution for proclaiming the word of the Lord to a rebellious and ungrateful nation. But when he was shut in behind prison walls, God spoke to him. Although incarcerated, a faithful Jeremiah used his pen to great advantage. Today, almost three thousand years later, the prophet's words live on.
Still other saints who picked up pens while in prison, have likewise written letters and even books that, many years later, continue to inspire their readers. The legendary John Bunyan was in prison when he wrote "The Pilgrim's Progress." Written a few centuries ago, it is now considered to be a classic work of literature.
And then there's the Chinese pastor, Watchman Nee. Arrested for preaching the gospel and confined for twenty years, he became a prolific writer, as well. With pen and paper, brother Nee touched and inspired millions of Christians throughout the world. Now long deceased, his books (free to read online) live on. So do his many letters to family, friends, and the churches.
God doesn't see prisoners any differently than he sees those who are not incarcerated. Christ came to save sinners and law-breakers. He sees the awesome worth of every person. He knows our potential to accomplish good things when we surrender our lives to Him.
D.B.
