Encouragement!
This page is dedicated to all of our friends, brothers, and fathers who are locked-up in the U.S. These bits of encouragement are compiled to be printed and mailed to the men behind the walls who live long, dark days with little hope. Our prayers go out to them and the families left broken by the U.S. "justice" system.
RESISTANCE STRENGTH TRAINING
An easy, routine way of life which many associate with stability and security only gives man stagnation. Entrenched routine only spoils man and makes him simple and weak.
On the other hand, progressive resistance in life always has the potential to give man progressive strength, and to make man progressively wiser.
Resistance makes a man think new thoughts he never thought before. It makes a man ask questions he never asked before. It makes a man seek answers he never sought before.
It makes a man beg God for help that he never before realized he needed. These quests, quests of the heart and soul, eventually make a man deeper, wider, taller.
-Pastor Yoma
WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT ME IN HIS WORD?
Colossians 1:13 I am delivered from the power of darkness
Colossians 1:2 I am qualified to share in His inheritance
Colossians 2:10 I am complete in Christ
Colossians 2:12 I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places
Colossians 5:18 I am reconciled to God
Deuteronomy 28:1-4 I am blessed
Ephesians 1:4 I am holy and without blame before Him
Ephesians 1:6 I am accepted in Christ
Ephesians 1:7 I am forgiven all my sins
Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship
Ephesians 2:5 I am alive with Christ
Ephesians 5:1 I am His faithful follower
Ephesians 6:10 I am strong in the Lord
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ, and yet I live
Galatians 3:13 I am redeemed from the curse of the law
I Corinthians 1:8 I am established to the end
I Corinthians 2:16 I have the mind of Christ
I Corinthians 6:19 I am the temple of the Holy Spirit
I John 4:4 I possess the Greater One in me
I John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one does not touch me
I John 5:4 I have overcome the world
I Peter 1:23 I am God's child
I Peter 2:9 I show forth His praise
I Thessalonians 1:4 I am beloved of God
II Corinthians 2:14 I always triumph in Christ
II Corinthians 5:17 I am a new creature
II Corinthians 5:20 I am an ambassador for Christ
II Corinthians 5:21 I am the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ
II Peter 1:4 I am a partaker of His divine nature
Jeremiah 31:3 I am loved with an everlasting love
John 10:10 I have abundant life
John 10:14 I know God’s voice
John 13:34-35 I am a disciple of Christ and I have love for others
John 17:21-23 I am one in Christ
John 6:47 I have everlasting life through Jesus
John 8:31-32 I am set free
Matthew 5:13 I am the salt of the earth
Matthew 5:14 I am the light of the world
Philippians 1:6 I am being changed into His image
Philippians 3:14 I am focused and disciplined to press toward the goal
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength
Philippians 4:19 I have all my needs met by God
Philippians 4:7 I have the peace of God
Psalm 17:8 I am the apple of my Father’s eye
Revelation 21:7 I am victorious
Romans 1:7 I am a saint
Romans 6:2,11 I am dead to sin
Romans 8:1 I am free from condemnation
Romans 8:2 I live by the law of the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:37 I am more than a conqueror
LET IT GO
by T.D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you, let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean, hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you, let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.
The Bible said that, "they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us." [I John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person, it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.
Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of goodbye. It's the tenth spiritual gift. I believe in goodbye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have, He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat, I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!
If you are holding onto something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains, LET IT GO!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth, LET IT GO!
If someone has angered you, LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge, LET IT GO!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction, LET IT GO!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents, LET IT GO!
If you have a bad attitude, LET IT GO!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better, LET IT GO!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him, LET IT GO!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship, LET IT GO!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves, LET IT GO!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed, LET IT GO!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying, "take your hands off of it," then you need to LET IT GO!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. God is doing a new thing! LET IT GO!
Get Right, or Get Left. Think about it, and then, LET IT GO!
"The Battle is the Lord's!"
LUKE 12:15
"...One's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
- Jesus
HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE
I was walking down
life's highway a long, long time ago
When I saw a sign that read, "Heaven's Grocery Store"
When I got there the doors swung open wide
And when I came to my senses, I was standing right inside
There I saw a host of
Angels. They were everywhere
One handed me a basket and said, "My child, go shop with care."
Everything a Christian needed was in this store.
All that you could carry, and then some more.
First I found some
patience, and love was also in that row.
Farther down was understanding, needed everywhere you go.
I got a box of wisdom, a bag or two of faith,
And I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost -- He was every place!
I got some strength
and courage to help me run the race.
My shopping basket was getting full, but still I added grace.
Now I couldn't forget salvation and found that it was free.
So, I made sure to get enough to save both you and me.
Then I started for the
counter to pay my bill.
I was sure I had enough of everything to do my Master's will.
But on the way I saw some prayer, so I put lots of that into my bin,
Because I knew that once I stepped outside, I'd run right into sin.
Power and joy were
plentiful setting on the shelf.
Songs and praises were also there, so I helped myself.
Then I said to an Angel, "How much do I owe?"
He just smiled and said, "Take them everywhere you go."
So I looked at him and
asked again, "What's the price I owe?"
That's when he told me Jesus paid my bill
A long, long time ago.
God Bless You!
FIVE FINGER PRAYER
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is your pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us to pray for our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry. These people need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher would testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them!
5. And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
RESPOND WITHOUT QUESTION
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. ??? Acts 8:26
Philip was used to leading others to Jesus because he was obedient. In Acts 8:26, we read that the Lord said to him, "Arise and go toward the south..."
How easily Philip could have argued with the angel who gave him these instructions from the Lord. Here was Philip in the city of Samaria. Revival was breaking out. Then an angel comes and says, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."
It helps to know a little about the geography, the lay of the land. The angel was telling him to travel about 80 miles from where he was. If you were to make the trip today, you would hop in your car and be there in a little over an hour. But Philip had to walk. And 80 miles is a long walk. It would take days for him to reach his destination.
Note that the Lord didn't say, "There are people waiting to hear the gospel." He simply said, "Go to the desert."
How easily Philip could have said, "Excuse me, but the apostles and the other believers in Jerusalem are at least 30 miles closer. Couldn't You call one of them? I'm busy here. I'm not the only Christian around. Could You call someone else?" Yet we don't read of Philip saying anything like that.
Sometimes God will tell us to do things that may not make sense at the moment. But who are we to question the wisdom of God? That is why Philip was a man whom God could call on. Philip trusted and recognized that God knew exactly what He was doing.
Do you question the tasks that God presents to you? Do you question, "Why do I have to do it instead of someone else?" Or do you meet the day with, "Here I am, Lord. Use me in Your plan for this day! I am ready as You equip me to be Your hands and feet to serve Your purpose, for Your glory." I pray this is your response to His calling even when it's not something you would choose to go through or go to. It's easy to do things for our Lord when it's something we like to do, but as His Word says, "we must praise and trust Him both in the good times and the bad." Philip's obedience resulted in another person being saved from his sin and thus another soldier/servant in God's family. Don't miss your chance when God gives it to you.
We pray you are a blessing to the body of Christ in all you do, and all Glory will be His.
-Your Emmaus/Cursillo Team
God’s Word reveals a wonderful plan for my life.
It shows how God sees me and what he has for me through Jesus Christ. I will keep my thoughts and words in agreement with God’s Word. I will say, “Everything I lay my hand to prospers and succeeds.” I am the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. I am blessed going in and going out. The blessings of God chase me down and overtake me. God is on my side. I am blessed to be a blessing to everyone I meet today.
ALL OF THE “I WILL SAVE” TEXTS IN THE BIBLE:
II SAMUEL 3:18 – Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of their enemies.
ISAIAH 49:25 – But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: For I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
JEREMIAH 30:10 – Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob [Israel], saith the LORD; Neither be dismayed, O Israel: For, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; And Jacob [Israel] shall return, and be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.
JEREMIAH 46:27 – But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob [Israel], and be not dismayed, O Israel: For, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; And Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.
EZEKIEL 37:23 – Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: But I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: So shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
ZECHARIAH 8:7 – Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: And I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; And I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
ZECHARIAH 10:6 – And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; For I have mercy upon them: And they shall be as though I had not cast them off: For I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.
YOU WILL NEVER LOOK AT A CUP OF COFFEE THE SAME WAY AGAIN
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first she placed carrots. In the second she placed eggs. And in the third she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bow. And she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, “What do you see?”
The young woman replied, “Carrots, eggs, and coffee.”
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
The mother then asked her to break-open an egg. After pulling off the shell, the young woman observed the hard boiled insides.
Finally, the mother asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled and sipped its rich aroma. Then, the daughter asked, “What does it mean, mother?”
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: Boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid insides, but after sitting through the boiling water, it became hard inside.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
The mother smiled and asked, “Which are you? When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?”
Ask yourself the same question: Which one am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but when adversity comes with pain, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, legal issues, or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water – the very circumstances that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and
Want to help?
Locked-up men who love Jesus are making a difference in their populations behind the Walls: Leading Worship Services and Bible Studies, redeeming the years taken away from them to make a positive difference. If you, your church, or your family would like to help, consider writing letters or donating music song sheets, worship CDs, instruments, or bible study materials to these facilities:
|
FLORENCE
CORRECTIONS CENTER |
|
WASHINGTON
STATE PENITENTIARY |
