Category Archives for "Inspiration"

The Value of One Eternal Soul

Inspiration , News

In Mark 5 we read of a demon-possessed man. All he knew was a wild, violent life. He was driven by a superhuman strength and a devilish bent to be with the dead.

Are you willing to give up earthly dreams for eternal ones?

When he met Jesus, the man came running and bowed down to Him. Jesus came to his rescue with compassion and love, commanding the devils to leave.

By the power of God, the man was transformed from self-abuse to peace, from exposure to restraint, and from insanity to a right mind. Praise God! What a marvelous change!

But that’s not the end of the story. One man’s gain was another man’s loss. Did you notice the devils were not barred from the earth? They moved—from a man’s body to a nearby herd of pigs. The man was restored and able to follow Christ. Legion overtook the herd and drove them down a steep cliff and into the lake.

Jesus knew the value of one eternal soul. A pig is good and created by God (yes, ribs are my favorite). Yet the value of one soul far exceeds the value of pigs. Jesus did not hesitate to give the devils permission to destroy them.

When the people heard what Jesus had done, they began to plead with Jesus to leave. In other words, “Get out of here and never return!” They valued their business more than this man’s soul.

How much do you value one eternal soul?

Are you willing to give up earthly dreams in light of eternal ones?

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Is Your Vision Clear?

Inspiration , News

Most successful businesses have a vision statement. They know their purpose, their mission, and their core values. The vision is clear. Everything is done according to the vision statement. The leadership hires and fires to the vision. The vision is key to success. It guides the company, attracts the right team, and creates the brand.

Does your personal life reflect such clarity? Many professing Christians today make decisions and buy stuff without a clear purpose and mission. However, it is impossible to give your all to the Kingdom of God when you’re passively sliding through life. Unless we have a clear vision, the love of the world will move in and affect our decisions.

We have examples in the Scriptures of godly men with a clear vision. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Stephen the martyr, and the Apostle Paul each had a clear vision statement. Notice what Ananias told Paul when he came to baptize him:

“The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:14–16).

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Are You Busy in the Mission Field of America?

Inspiration , News

Recently, I took a little time to read a few of the prisoner letters in the mailroom. I was reminded of how badly sin destroys people.

People are confused and misled by the thousands. There are countless broken families and marriages. Husbands are frustrated. Wives are broken-hearted. And children are crying. Many who are seeking God have nothing more than a foggy idea of truth and a strange concept of God.

Of course, many people in prison are serious about walking with God and God’s grace is very evident in their lives. The fault is not the prison. The prison system simply filters out men and women who are at a low point.

The prisons in America are a ripe mission field. Few people in the free world are truly ready for change. Tens of thousands in the prisons are hungry for us to speak into their lives.

It is our responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples in prison. The night is coming. Who will serve these masses in prison who receive and appreciate what we teach them and even share it with their friends?

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A Letter Melts a Cold Heart?

Inspiration

Recently a letter landed on my desk from Jerry Conway, a prisoner and acquaintance from New York. What he said really touched my heart and I decided to share part of his letter with you:

“I would really enjoy corresponding with other Christians. I am not allowed to correspond with other inmates at other prisons and other inmates aren’t allowed to correspond with me. Most prisons don’t allow inmates to correspond with each other.

“You just don’t know how good it feels to get a letter from someone. I watch the mailman pass by my cell everyday, and everyday I think maybe he will stop and give me a letter. It’s not just me, Lavern, a lot of guys in here have nobody and it’s hard to walk this road alone when you think nobody cares.

“I read your article in Volume 8, Issue 1, 2010 about “Discover a Friend Who Really Loves You” and you’re right, Lavern, Jesus is the best friend anyone could have, but it takes a strong heart and mind to set behind these walls and feel Jesus’ love without some encouragement and inspiration. Sometimes when people feel rejected and unloved, it’s hard to even believe that Jesus will love you.

“It’s hard for someone in the free world to understand what it’s really like in prison, but I can truly tell you, Lavern, that when that mailman walks by and puts a letter on your cell door, it’s one of the happiest moments of your life. I’ve seen grown men cry like a baby when they got a letter. I’ve seen cold, cold hearts melt like butter from a card or a letter.”

We can teach the prisoners how much Jesus loves them and wants to be their intimate friend, but many of them will never find that without encouragement from personal connections. Yes, God can give grace in a lonely situation, but it takes “a strong heart” to sit behind those walls and know God all alone.

Let’s rise up and visit those in prison. Have weekly or monthly visitation in prisons and jails. Get in touch with a prisoner (or maybe a few) and send them greeting cards and hand-written letters.

The opportunities we have in our local jail to preach and visit with the men is amazing. As Jerry says, it’s hard for someone in the free world to understand what it’s like in there.

Most prisoners are behind bars because they’ve seriously messed up their lives. If Jesus made “failures” his top priority, shouldn’t we be doing the same?

You can start today by asking us for a prisoner to write to. We’ll send you his/her letter, mailing address, and some guidelines to follow. We only ask that you encourage your new friend and show them the love and truth of Jesus.

For the Kingdom,

Lavern Gingerich