RESCUING THE WANDERER IN PRISON!

Surprisingly, when I first began in prison ministry I was shocked to discover so many inmates that were Christians. I wrongly assumed they probably did not know God in order for them to commit this crime. Boy, was I WRONG! The enemy found them wandering aimlessly away from God and His TRUTH. Many inmates know their Bible, they were raised in the faith and yet they wandered and fell victim to the world of sin. We are all helpless, vulnerable and open to attack when we wander away from God and His Truth. 

We are wrapping up our summer long Persevering With Purpose James series. 

This weeks final topic is:"Rescuing the Wanderer!" James 5:19-20

• I am guilty myself, of being wayward as a believer from one time or another. How about you? Many of these inmates are thankful that they are incarcerated. Yes, you heard me right - several are thankful they were rescued by God. Rescued from their life of drugs and crime and now have a "time-out" to return to God. Often I hear; "Thank you for rescuing me or else I would be dead." 

James is clear...

"My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God." 

James 5:19-20 (Message)

Imagine for a moment... in Africa the animal that wanders away from the herd alone, and the vicious lion pride that prowls around waiting to devour his prey... you can imagine what happens next. 

"Be alert and of sober mind (self-controlled). Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Will you help us? We are no fool to the enemies' ways... helping the wayward is a spiritual battle which begins with the power of prayer. Will you pray for the message, and our prison ministry as we rescue the wandering inmates and bring them back to the cross?

Pray for all of us... that God would show us how to rescue those in our own personal families that are wayward and help lead them back to Christ.

Please pray for the Prison service: 

• That God would hand-pick and invite the inmates to come - pray for continued "room-busting" attendance!
• Good listening, good timing and no distractions
• Laughter, love and surrendering to Christ.
• Thankful worship
• Pray that the enemy would be bound by God and rendered helpless in these inmate's lives.
• Freedom in the Holy Spirit during the message - God's Spirit would flow like a river through the prison!
• EVERYONE WOULD BE RESCUED FROM WANDERING AND COME BACK TO GOD'S TRUTH!

Please realize the impact of your actions... By getting on your knees in prayer, you are doing for the prison what James said... "Rescuing precious lives from destruction!"

It just doesn't get any better than that!

"WAKE BOARDING" IN THE FLORIDA JAIL!

I am still living in the "WAKE" (wake-boarding sort of speak) from the awesome power of our Almighty God in the Florida jail this past weekend. I am humbled as I recall His awesome power and love for the so-called "outcasts" of society. I kept reminding myself: "It just doesn't get any better than this..."

I wish you were with me to have watched God rescue the inmates who were living in the dark choppy waters of life. Some were depressed and exhausted, many with their heads hung low. Yet, before our eyes, God transformed them into women of identity. They received a renewed purpose in life as they raised their hands and said "YES" to Jesus Christ... indescribable. 

"It just doesn't get any better than this!"

• To feel the power of God's "pull" as He led me through prayer and the message...
• To feel the power of the Christ's "pull" as He embraced each of us in His love and forgiveness at the foot of the cross. 
• To feel the power of Holy Spirit's "pull" as we surrendered to Him. I continue to be amazed each time the Spirit lifts us up through prayer... not just the inmates and the team but the Officer shared he was moved as well...

"It just doesn't get any better than this!"

Here are a few tips that I've learned when expecting a great WAKE of miracles:

1. Listen and prepare... be still and listen for God's voice to speak to you through prayer. Repent yourself, be open to His voice. God is the one who knows which inmates will attend and what message they each need to hear. Then trust that message and prepare for an awesome workout!
2. Take action... We have to be prepared ahead of time and voice to words; "HIT-IT!" This is a term used for telling the driver (God) that you are ready to be pulled out of the water. Don't be afraid, trust in God's power. You cannot go wrong by showing God's love to the inmates.
3. Hang on... Don't be alarmed, when you begin to get pulled out of the water, is when the greatest resistance is felt. But as you hang on and grip tighter to God, His love will PULL you through the deep dark waters of the jail. Before you know it, you'll be above the waters drag because God is in control. May I encourage you not to release the rope by getting frustrated with your ministry. Remember this is a Spiritual warfare and jail is right on the front lines. Please bring everything to God in prayer. As our Master throws you the rope, grip tighter to God's promises as He pulls you through the waters of His message.
4. Expect a great WAKE of God's miracles. This is the best part...

Jesus continues to pass through the jails and prisons, using us to help rescue the inmates out of the dark, choppy waters of this world... for I am still flying high in the WAKE of His miracles in Florida!

"It just doesn't get any better than this!"