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Newsletter
We have a newsletter that is sent out into many prisons, nursing homes, hospitals, as well as homes all across the United States.
Our newsletter is ten pages and includes stories, Bible trivia, poems written by inmates, Bible studies,prayer requests, praise reports, and the word search and crossword puzzles are geared from the Bible study that month. It reinforces the Bible study for that month. Every issue includes the way to salvation as well as the Covenant in the Blood. This newsletter is very effective tool that reach out to those who are feeling lonely and abandon as well as those who need encouraged by the Word of God. It has a little something for everyone.
We send these newsletters out bi-monthly free of charge to inmates and nursing homes. If you can help us send out more of our newsletters please go to donations. If you are unable to send in a donation to further our newsletter, please keep us in your prayers as we continue to reach out and encourage those in the Lord.
2nd Quarter 2012 - Volume 12
What Really Happened at the Cross
Although crosses adorn our church steeples and their likeness is printed, woven, and worn in a variety of ways, there often is only a vague knowledge of the true meaning of the Cross. What really happened at the Cross? What does it mean for you today? Is it all that important?
At the cross of Christ, the three mortal enemies of humankind --- sin, death, and the devil were confronted and defeated by the Son of God. Jesus took your sins on Himself at the cross. He bore God's judgement of death on your behalf, as your substitute. God's uncompromising wrath against sin was satisfied. You have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, from the dominion of sin of the dominion of God.
The next time you look at a cross, wear it around your neck, or see its imprint, remember that sin was judged, death slain, and the devil conquered at Calvary.
To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and
The blood, agony, and torture of the cross of Christ are well known, even to unbelievers and adherents to other religions. The Cross, however, was far more than historic melodrama. Its significance lies not in the emotional experience of the participants but in the reality of what God accomplished through His Son's death.
At the cross of Calvary, our sins were forgiven. The penalty of sin was death. Christ suffered that divinely decreed punishment on our behalf, that enabled God to forgive us of our transgressions based on Christ's substitutionary sacrifice. At the Cross death was defeated. Since Christ tasted the bitter dregs of death at Calvary and rose again three days later, death no longer reigns over those who trust in Him.
Christ triumphed over the grave, and we who come to Him for salvation share in that awesome conquest.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:1)
Perhaps you have viewed the Cross with supreme sympathy for our suffering Messiah but never understood what His death entailed.
If so, realize today that on the cross Christ died for your sins, overcame death and conquered the devil.
Oh what love that was on display for you and I. Gods love for you is immeasurable. To send His only begotten Son as the lamb for sinners slain.
Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God? Do you really believe that Jesus died on a cross for ALL the sins of mankind? Do you also believe that God is not willing that anyone should perish but have everlasting life? The last question that I would like to ask you is this; "Do you really believe Jesus is who He says He is"?
"Then, why do you continue to live the way that you do"? Make time to build a personal relationship with the one who loves you......more than you will ever know or realize. Invite Him into your heart and life today. He gives meaning and purpose to life. We must take up our cross DAILY. It is day by day. If you lose a battle today in your life, there is new grace and new mercies each and every day. The enemy knows he lost the war. That is why the devil wants to take you with him to be separated from God. Separated from the one that loves you and died for your sins on the cross. Sin, Death, and the devil, has been defeated at the cross. Celebrate this victory today and give Him Honor and Glory forever.
Inside Agape
The up coming months we will be preparing for our annual balloon launch and yard sale. The balloon launch will be held on the national day of prayer which is the first Thursday of May. We will be launching the prayer balloons at the park at 6:00pm. Some of the balloons have touched lives. We will be sharing a response from Wexford, Pa. in our next issue. God is still on the throne and cares for YOU.
Our annual yard sale will be held the last week-end of May. If you would like to donate anything please contact Mark at (330) 495-8584 or call the office (330) 956-3441. If you would like to help out in any way, please contact Mark.
We would like to share a praise report with everyone that came over our web site. My praise report is Jeff. My husband and wonderful father to our kids. We are coming up on the 8th anniversary of his release from Belmont CI. (Feb. 8th) That is where he met you. You helped lead him to the Lord. Jeff was delivered from alcohol and drug addiction. We have been able to rebuild our family and our marriage on the rock of the Lord! No more sinking sand. We've had long term unemployment this past year but have never had to go without. Praise God for his favor and providence! I could go on and on.
Joe, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping Jeff and our family during the most painful time of our lives. We will be forever grateful.
All our Love, Dawn, Jeff, Maddie & Jeff Jr.
County Jail Communicator
The purpose of this column is to share the love of Jesus with you. May He speak to your heart through these words. My parents taught me that if a person lives long enough, he or she will have someone they love or care about die. This has happened to me numerous times already. Some of the people I lost were before I came to prison; others were after. However the pain of losing someone dear to you can affect you very deeply, in or out of prison. I know most everyone reading this knows what I'm talking about.
What does God's Word the Bible say about death? Please open your Bible to Hebrews 9:27. Verse 27 says, "And as it is appointed for man to die once but after this the judgement". If every man and woman is going to eventually die, then why did Jesus Himself say in John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die". Do you believe this? Why would Jesus say you will NEVER die if you believe in Him, but elsewhere in the Bible it says that every man will die ONCE? You know what that means? The Bible is NOT contradicting itself. It means that there are TWO possible deaths.
Every man, woman, and child are made up of 3 parts; the body, which is the physical part of us that everyone can see; the soul which is made up of our thoughts, emotions, and will; and the spirit which is the life force that God put in every one of us. Our life force, or spirit, works lovingly and gently all of our lives to turn us back towards our creator, Father God, so we can have fellowship and wisdom from Him. Meanwhile our souls and body are always trying to fill up that emptiness with food, sex, money, friendships, power, or any of hundreds of other substitutes. Our spirit knows the only close relationship with God can fill that emptiness and loneliness we feel. But satan is always tempting us with other things to distract us from looking to God to fulfill our needs. If we never listen to our spirit that yearns to have God's love and companionship in our lives while we are physically alive then we will experience a second death.
How is it possible to die twice, you ask? Well, remember what Hebrews 9:27 said? "It is appointed for man to die once, but after this is the judgement". All people who ever lived on this earth in the past, in the present, and in the future will be judged for their works on earth after they die for the first time. Jesus said in John 11:25-26 that He is the resurrection and the life. He who believes (trusts) in Him will not die, but live! God is perfect and Heaven is real. However, God cannot allow sinful people into His perfect, sinless, Heaven. It would have the same effect as allowing a doctor who did not wash his hands and refuse to wear gloves into a sterile operating room to operate on a patient. It would kill the patient and infect everything in the room.
Jesus is the one who cleans and sterilizes our lives. Because EVERYONE is sinful and because we were born into the world that way. God requires a sacrifice of sinless blood for our sins. Jesus was sacrificed by God over 2,000 years ago so His blood could wash away our sins. If we confess to Him that we are sinners, ask Him to save us from sin and the second death, and turn from our sinful ways. God will never turn you away from salvation if you only humble yourself and accept what Jesus did for you at Calvary. He took the punishment you and I deserve for our sins - death AND eternal separation from God which is the second death.
Accept what Jesus has done for you. I ask you to read Revelation 20:11-15. Jesus wants to write your name down in the book of life. But, you have a free will. You can live again forever after you die, but only on His terms. Don;t decide to die twice by being cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Become a son or daughter of God. You can have what Revelation 21:1-8 says. Think about it!
Gene
Covenant in the Blood
1. Through the blood of Jesus I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil.
2. Through the blood of Jesus ALL my sins are forgiven.
3. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is cleansing me now from all sin.
4. Through the blood of Jesus, I am justified, made righteous, just as if I had never sinned.
5. Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart for God.
6. My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit – redeemed, cleansed, sanctified by the blood of Jesus.
7. The devil has no more place in me and no more power over me. I renounce him totally. I lift myself from him now and I command him to leave me in the name of JESUS.
“The A-B-C’s of SALVATION”
A = Acknowledge Self as a Sinner
B = Believe in Christ
C = Confess Christ as Savior
Action & Relationships
This column is written by Dennis in hope that you will take the necessary action to have a true relationship with
Friendships and why some people might come into your life for A reason!
What A wonderful feeling it is when you are able to experience a true and beautiful friendship with another person like the one between David and Jonathan as written in I Samuel 18:1-4; 20:1-42 and 23:16-18. Their friendship is one of the deepest and closest recorded in the bible because (1) They based their friendship on commitment to God not just each other; (2) Let nothing come between them not even career or family problems; (3) Drew closer together when their friendship was tested; (4) Were able to remain friends to the end.
Here's something that I read that I truly want to share with you. I believe it falls into the category of what a friendship relationship might be. Hopefully after reading it. It might give you a better understanding of friendship. Maybe there's a person in your life that falls into one of the categories that will be mentioned and you might want to copy it down and give it to that person.
People come into your life for a "Reason," A "Season" or a "Lifetime." When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. Now, when someone is in your life for a "Reason" it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, and to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a God sent and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die sometimes they walk away or sometimes they'll act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled and their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it's time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a "Season," Because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done before. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy, believe it, it's real; But only for a "Season."
In closing remember that there are people who need your friendship. Ask God to reveal them to you and then take on the challenge of being a true friend. Just maybe you'll become a "Reason", a "Season" or a lifetime."
Always remember that God and only God is the .... the final solution!!!
And finally, "Lifetime" relationships teach you lifetime lessons. Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being apart of my life. Whether you were a "Reason", a "Season" or a "Lifetime!" So there you have it. I truly hope you enjoyed what you have just read. Again there is someone in your life that you can share this with.
Dennis
Bitterness & Abuse
In Hebrews 12:15 it says “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled”.
Jesus was specific about forgiving those who hurt us. The reason? He never wants us to become ensnared by bitterness. Members of the early church knew the score when it came to abuse. Many suffered beatings, verbal attacks, and even death, all because they were followers of Jesus Christ.
At first, Jesus’ a
dmonishment may appear hard to swallow: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:43-45 nasb). In praying for those who hurt you, you are not saying you condone their actions, nor do you say you deserve their abuse. No one deserves mistreatment. You focus the attention of your heart on Christ because He is your source of inner healing and protection.
No matter how difficult your situation appears, Christ is in it with you; and He will make a way of escape. Even the most horrifying incident can become something for His glory when you turn to Him.
In Ps. 57:1 “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in you; And in the shadow of your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by”. No matter what you face, God has a plan for you. Ask Him to show you where to go from here.
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