Tuesday, February 19, 2008

UPDATE 2-19-8

We went into one of our usual wards last night and we didn’t see too many familiar faces so I walked around the cell block passing out Bibles and tracts, talking to the guys and trusting God for ministry. I went into one of the upper level jail cells where the inmates sleep; this particular one had 8 bunk beds. There were two guys sitting in there talking.
I was really feeling the unction of God to stop here and talk to these guys.

Sure enough, it was really a God moment of intense ministry as these two guys were really open to hear about God and the things of God. One of the men, named Jason, was raised in a home where his dad was an evangelist. He was raised hearing the Gospel, but he got tired of it and desired to experience the world and it pleasures and to do his own thing. The result was pain, anguish, sadness, misery, broken lives, in and out of jail three times, basically, a broken busted and disgusted life. Sin is a hard task master. There is a high price for low living. The devil has an “M.O.”(modis operandi) and that is to rob-kill and destroy and sad to say, he is doing a good job, but Jesus can and will deliver. Praise God Jesus can have the last word on a situation! That is why it is so exciting going into places like the County Jail or out on the streets. Jesus is what people need! There is hope and His name is JESUS!!

The other young man in the cell was named Mike and believe it or not, he has been in and out of the county jail 14 to 15 times, he said he lost count exactly, but at least 13 times. How heart breaking is that? He told me since he was 18 yrs old he has never been out of the jail for more that six months. Again, the devil is sure working overtime destroying people’s lives. I Wish to God the Church of Jesus Christ would rise up and take its place and be salt and light in people’s lives. We have the solution! It’s not politics, its not social programs; it’s not a good economy. It’s Jesus Christ! A surrendered live given to the lordship of JESUS!!

By outward appearance you would never guessed these guys have the past that they do. They were very polite and easy going. As I talked and shared with them they openly acknowledged their need for God. They both are finally at a place to start seeking God and they desire change. Sometimes it takes awhile for people to get it, but praise God the Holy Spirit will take a willing heart, with mess, junk and all that and He will reveal Jesus! Praise God! He never gives up on us!!

We must have talked for a good hour. I spoke they listened, they spoke and I listened, we had a good dialog. They asked many questions and I pray that the Holy Sprit will continue to draw these men. They both have a rough road a head of them, they are awaiting sentences in the range of 5-15 years.

Please pray for God’s will on the sentencing for Jason and Mike. Pray that they get placed in a facility where there are men of God to disciple them and that God surrounds them with good influences
.

Thanks everyone!
God Bless!

-Steve