And He (Jesus) said, The things which are
impossible with men are possible with God.
Luke 18:27
I am thankful for those Christians who have found it in their hearts to pray for and support jail and prison ministries...
impossible with men are possible with God.
Luke 18:27
I am thankful for those Christians who have found it in their hearts to pray for and support jail and prison ministries...
I am certain, as well, that God is doing many amazing things in correctional facilities in these last days. And while much of it is happening out of the public eye, and even away from the eyes of much of the church, the Lord is indeed at work, whether His acts are seen by many, or by few.
Here at Sullivan Correctional Facility, for instance, we have recently witnessed two powerful salvation experiences. Of course every salvation experience is powerful, and every human being is important to God. Nevertheless, here at the prison we have seen firsthand men who were spiritually lost, but who have now been found. We have watched sinners become saints.
Thrillingly, for the congregation, we have witnessed the new births of two men who were considered to be "thugs" and dangerous felons with long criminal records. Each was a member of a different gang, at least until only a few weeks ago. Now, however, they have publicly renounced their involvement with those gangs and want to walk away from them because they have stepped toward Christ.
One of these new converts had been a dedicated member of a Black Nationalist organization and a neighborhood gang, too. He said he was so hateful toward white people that he would not even speak to a white prisoner. And as for the guards, most of whom are white, he would only speak to them because he had to. He confessed to me that he seethed with hatred toward my race. I've encountered this attitude before. It's not uncommon to see it in the prison system. I also know that racial prejudice can be an indomitable barrier among those who are incarcerated.
Now, however, he cannot stop talking to me. We've already walked the outdoor recreation yard together a couple of times. Now this former black nationalist never hesitates to greet me and the other white inmates whenever we gather together in the chapel for a service or Bible study. One man even gave him an extra study Bible he had. Everyone, be they white, black or Hispanic is showing him a lot of brotherly love because we want to see any traces of hatred eradicated from this new Christian's heart.
While the other man had been a "soldier" for the violent street gang he belonged to. He's doing time for murder. But it was another member of our chapel's fellowship who had befriended this man, and with godly patience and love, eventually won him to the Lord.
Such salvation experiences are miracles. They truly are. And I know there was joy and excitement in heaven when these men got saved (Luke 15:7, 10).
D.B.
Here at Sullivan Correctional Facility, for instance, we have recently witnessed two powerful salvation experiences. Of course every salvation experience is powerful, and every human being is important to God. Nevertheless, here at the prison we have seen firsthand men who were spiritually lost, but who have now been found. We have watched sinners become saints.
Thrillingly, for the congregation, we have witnessed the new births of two men who were considered to be "thugs" and dangerous felons with long criminal records. Each was a member of a different gang, at least until only a few weeks ago. Now, however, they have publicly renounced their involvement with those gangs and want to walk away from them because they have stepped toward Christ.
One of these new converts had been a dedicated member of a Black Nationalist organization and a neighborhood gang, too. He said he was so hateful toward white people that he would not even speak to a white prisoner. And as for the guards, most of whom are white, he would only speak to them because he had to. He confessed to me that he seethed with hatred toward my race. I've encountered this attitude before. It's not uncommon to see it in the prison system. I also know that racial prejudice can be an indomitable barrier among those who are incarcerated.
Now, however, he cannot stop talking to me. We've already walked the outdoor recreation yard together a couple of times. Now this former black nationalist never hesitates to greet me and the other white inmates whenever we gather together in the chapel for a service or Bible study. One man even gave him an extra study Bible he had. Everyone, be they white, black or Hispanic is showing him a lot of brotherly love because we want to see any traces of hatred eradicated from this new Christian's heart.
While the other man had been a "soldier" for the violent street gang he belonged to. He's doing time for murder. But it was another member of our chapel's fellowship who had befriended this man, and with godly patience and love, eventually won him to the Lord.
Such salvation experiences are miracles. They truly are. And I know there was joy and excitement in heaven when these men got saved (Luke 15:7, 10).
D.B.
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