We visit men and woman in prison for many reasons, first of course is because they are there and are in need of help, encouragement etc. Second is because we have been there, we understand their plight in other words, and third, because it is a part of the call of God on our lives, and also because we just plain enjoy it alot.
If none of you reading this had anything to offer except that you understood that those that are in prison are people in need, that would be enough for you to give into their lives somehow if only to pray for them.
Craig spent many years in jails and Prison before he came to Christ and was changed by the power of God, so he especially understands where they are, what they are going through and what they need.
We enjoy it so much I suppose because we came from a life that many of them are from. We understand that most of them are people just like you and I, who made mistakes, yes, dumb ones too. Foolish choices they were, but the fact is so have most of us made them, only we didn't get caught or it didn't happen to get us into prison.
We enjoy it so much because when you are in that position you are usually much more ready to listen, to learn, and to change. That's a sad and wonderful truth in all aspects of life, people are very often ready to yield to the Lord when the chips are down. So it is not a hard thing to preach to them, or to speak to them about hard things when you have a captive audience that isn't going anywhere and hasn't much else to do but listen.
We do it because we must! We live in a fallen world, it is ignorant of truth and is so self centered in it's thinking and desires that they don't see just how needy they are. The people in the world are in a prison too, it is a prison without walls that they can see, but they are in a prison none the less, and someone must set them free as well.
So as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we visit the prisoner in and out of prison walls, it makes no difference to us, they all need the Lord and the freedom that only He can bring. We are to meet people whereever they are and they are everywhere!
You see, we are all fighting the same war. It is the war against sin in our own lives, the war against the devil and his sceams, and against temptations itself. And we also fight that never ending war against our own resistance to the Lords will in our lives. So you see we are all in the same boat, we just don't realize how alike we really are.
It is a hard fight to be sure and an impossible one to win with out the Lord. Without Him and His power in our lives, we are finished before we begin. But we have all we need to win and to be victorious in our lives with Him. With His word living in us, and with the power of His Holy Spirit released in our lives to lead, guide and direct us, as well as to give us the power over all the enemies we face, we can't lose.
And it is also true that we need one another to help us along the way. We can't do it all alone you know, and the sooner we yield to that truth the easier it will be for all of us.
And so we give our lives to the Lord, and to His love and desire that none should be lost. We also commit ourselves to the fact that all should be comforted and helped as the Lord enables us. . We must work so that all who are willing, can be brought into the kingdom of God to live with Him forever.
Please pray for those that are in prison. Men, women and children who must have help to get through the hard times, and help to come to know Christ and the real freedom they need.
We are seeing the Lord do mighty things behind these walls, and it is His will to do more and to reach more. God Bless you as you care for the least among us. Besides going into the prisons to preach and minister, we send in bibles and learning material that they need.
We encourage those who wish to give to that purpose specifically to do so. The donations you give to this work will cover the costs of sending in a special bible and books directly to a specific prisoner, or to sending in a case of them to the general population. That one act of kindness can change their life forever, and they are very greatful when someone cares that much about them.
PRISON WALLS
When you work with a prisoner and help them to get their lives in order, you affect their whole family. When you help them in the Lord and they come to the Lord and serve Him, it is the open door to their whole family coming into the Kingdom.
My new book has been released and is available for you to buy here on our website, and from my publisher Authorhouse.
It is also available from your favorite local or online booksellers too.
Purchase your book here at reduced prices and I will autograph it and ship it right out to you.
It would make a great gift for someone special too!
When you are done here, click on this very special tribute button to the greatest man you sadly never had the opportunity to meet.
Maranatha!, 1987-2002Oil on paper mounted to board, 40 x 67
Collection of Galen and Connie Carlson
Those who belong to Him are royalty
And they will rule and reign with Him
Thieves in the Kingdom
Ellen Burgoyne
Front of Book
Back of Book
The word of the lord through the prophet Isaiah, "Remember the former things long past. I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not done, saying, My councel, [my plans and purposes] shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure" (Isaiah 46:9-10
