Bible studies

No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

LOOKING FURTHER: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 17: 1-8; Isaiah 62:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17

What does this Bible passage tell us?

Some years ago, I was at a meeting with someone from another country. At the end of the meeting, he suddenly realised he had been calling me by the wrong name. He was very upset and insisted on taking me and my colleague for a very expensive lunch as an apology.

In some cultures, names are carefully chosen for their meaning. Several times through the Bible we see God give someone a new name to show that He had a special plan for their lives.

God changed Abram's name. Abram means 'Exalted Father'; Abraham means 'Father of many.' Interestingly, the two names were similar. When Abram was born, God had made him to be a father figure. Later in his life, God called him to go further, to be the father of nations.

The Bible tells us (Genesis 1:27) that God created each one of us in His image. We are each the person who God made us to be. But God wants to do more. If we follow God's plan for our lives, He will take the person He has already created and shape us into the person He has called us to be.

Verse 7 talks about an 'everlasting covenant' - an agreement that cannot be broken. God isn't just interested in us here and now, though that is encouraging enough. He wants us to be part of His plan for eternity.

For us, that 'everlasting covenant' is fulfilled when we enter into a relationship with Jesus through His death for us on the cross. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, 'If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.' Like Abraham, we can receive a new identity in Jesus, and live out the life He wants us to have.

Reflections:

Reflect on the fact that God created everyone in His image; that includes you, your family members, your cell-mate and the prison officers. How might this help you to pray for them, giving thanks to God?
Read Isaiah 62:1-5 where Isaiah contrasts negative situations and feelings with the hope that God promises to those who trust Him. What words would you like God to apply to your life? Pray asking Him to make you a new creation and to speak a new 'name' into your heart.

Prayer, Romans 8

It encourages us to continue to pray and talk to God - even when we do not know how to pray or what to pray for.

The study >

REFERENCE ANO KEY VERSE(S): Romans 8:26-27

ln the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what

we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

LOOKING FURTHER: Matthew 6:5-13; James 5:13-18

What does this Bible passage tell us?

Do you ever feel that you do not know what to pray for in a particular situation or, indeed, that you do not know how to pray at all? You are not alone.

lf you do not know where to start with prayer, just talk to God. You could try to have periods of silence when He can talk to you - like you would talk and listen to a good friend. lf you are alone, you can do it out loud. lf not, think the words. Or, if the words will not come, think in pictures.

lf you know how to pray but do not know exactly what to pray for in a specific situation, again just explain all this to God. Tell Him what you are worried about, what you want to give thanks for or what you want to say sorry for. Tell God anything and everything. lt may feel strange at first but the more you practise, the easier it will become.

Why can we do this? Because the Holy Spirit will speak to God on our behalf. He knows all about each one of us and He turns our rambling thoughts, words and pictures into a prayer to which God can respond. The Holy Spirit is our advocate, our intermediary, our translator. He knows us and He knows the will of God. That is an awesome combination! Make use of it!

Reflections:

Do you find it difficult to pray to God? lf so, just imagine He is sitting beside you and talk to Him as you would talk to a good friend.
Do you find some situations so painful that you cannot find words to pray? God understands. Try sitting in silence and letting the thoughts flow freely. The Holy Spirit will be your advocate and will speak on your behalf.
Prayer is such a comfort. Try it, if you have not already.

Are you willing to listen?, Matthew 13

It explores one of Jesus' many parables and encourages us to live a life that plants good seeds because our actions have consequences.

The study >

REFERENCE ANO KEY VERSE(S): Matthew 13:24-26, 43

Jesus told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man who

sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed ears, then the weeds also appeared. (v24-26)

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.' (v43)

LOOKING FURTHER: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; Matthew 25:1-13; Psalm 25:4-5

What does this Bible passage tell us?

Jesus used stories from everyday life to help people understand His message. He often went on to give them an explanation. On this occasion, He was speaking about good and evil: good wheat, bad weeds. We can imagine how annoying it is to planta garden with good plants and then the weeds mess it up. That must be how God sees the world. What should be beautiful is spoiled with sin.

People often ask, 'Why is there evil, misery and suffering in the world?' and want to blame God for it. ln a sense, this is the answer to that question. God sows goodness and kindness, but people tend to listen to the wrong advice. Often it is our own fault when things go wrong; corruption, greed, jealousy and ego are the main reasons for the awful events we hear on the news. lt is not that God makes it happen at all. However, He is warning His people that their actions have consequences.

But God is compassionate towards us and has given us warnings - like this one - to make it clear that there is a day of reckoning to come. Then, all the weeds will be pulled out, leaving only the good plants, and there will bea good harvest. We are each responsible for ourselves, and how we live. lt is no good pointing to all the bad things and grumbling. The question should be, 'How am I living? Am I being a good plant, or am I starting to turn into a bit of a weed? Do I behave in a way that makes God pleased, or makes Him sad?'

Amazingly, unlike plants, we have the option of being changed. lf we do not like who we are and, more importantly, what our outcome will be, we can ask God to change us, and He will!

Reflections:

Ask God to show you something that needs to change, and then give thanks for that chance to change. Speak to a Chaplain if you need help.
See if you can find the hymn 'Come Ye Thankful People Come.' You too can pray 'Lord of harvest, grant that we, wholesome grain and pure may be.'
ln other Bible stories, God sometimes says 'be careful' or 'this could happen to you.' Look at a few other stories and see how God is giving us time to be ready for His harvest.

Better times are coming, 1 Peter 5: 10-11

It explores the closing remarks of Peter's letter which encourage its readers that even though they may be going through difficulties, there are better times ahead.

The study >

What does this Bible passage tell us?

When ending a talk, a letter or a book, it is often a good idea to reinforce the most important point you want to make. The speaker or writer may ask themselves, 'lf the reader only remembers one thing I have said, what do I want it to be?'

As Peter brings his letter to a close, he remembers that many of his readers are going through hard times and he wants to encourage and reassure them. He reminds them of the promises of God they can hold on to when times are hard. lt is not always easy to receive encouragement when we are feeling really down. We can wonder whether the person trying to encourage us has the faintest idea what we are going through. Peter reminds his readers that their fellow Christians around the world are having the same problems they are.

So Peter ends with a positive message that his readers can hold on to however bad things seem. He reminds us that God is 'the God of all grace,' and what God will do for us depends on His Iove and generosity, not what we deserve. Once we have chosen to trust Him, God calls us 'to his eternal glory in Christ.' God has invited us personally and by name to share in His blessings. Even if we are going through a hard time, it is temporary and God Himself will restare us - make things right again - to how He always wanted them tobe. lt does not depend on our knowledge or skill. lt is the work of God!

'May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.' (2 Thessalonians 2.16-17).

Reflection

Think of other promises in the Bible that have helped you; many Bibles, including those given out by Chaplaincy, have an index to help you find promises and encouragements for particular situations. Maybe you could start to collect a list of them in a notebook or prayer journal?
You are in a good place to understand the struggles others are going through. Who might you encourage this week?
lf you are suffering a hard time at the moment, ask someone to pray with you. This could bea Christian friend, a chaplain, or you could call a Prayer Line.

Follow me, Matthew9:9-13

The story of Jesus calling Matthew the tax collector reminds us that God will always meet us where we are. The question is will we follow when we hear God’s call?

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Paul's hardships, 2 Corinthians 6

It reminds us that God will always be with us when we go through the challenges of life. When difficulties arise, instead of asking for an easy life, we should ask for perseverance to get through them.

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Gods will keep us safe, Psalm 27: 1 & 4-5

Written by David at a time of great worry and hardship, this passage reminds us we are continually loved by God and that in His presence we can find a safe haven from earthly fears.

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Gods Grace, 1 Corinthians 1: 4-9

Reflecting on the early portion of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, this study is a reminder of just how transformative the Gospel of Jesus is.

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A bruised reed, Isaiah 42

While the image of a bruised reed is a less common for us in 21st century Europe, these verses continue to communicate Jesus' compassion and care for us.

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The birth of Jesus, Matthew: 1

It explores a lesser told part of the Christmas story - an angel visiting Joseph. Joseph shows incredible obedience to God's call and is a great role model to us as we seek to do likewise.

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An important question, Matthew: 11

In tells of John the Baptist's desire to learn if Jesus is the true Messiah and Jesus' answer. Despite being in prison, Jesus' answer brings reassurance to John and also to us.

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Mind your own business, Romans 14: 11-13

It helps us to explore how judging other people is not only unhelpful, but can also become an obstacle to them growing in their relationship with God.

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Lets sort this out, Isaiah 1:16-18

It reflects on the bad decisions the nation of Israel was making and the subsequent difficulties they caused. The passage serves as a reminder to draw close to God so that He can help direct us.

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Look in the mirror, 1 Timothy: 12-17

It invites us to look at ourselves, consider our actions and see where we need God's help in restoring broken relationships.

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Trust, Luke 16: 10-13

It invites us to reflect on the theme of trust and to examine our own behaviour. Does our behaviour foster trustworthiness in our lives?

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Praise God and be joyful, Psalm 146: 1-7

The verses show how the Psalms can give a voice to moments of our lives. And they reminds us of God's constant love, for which we should be joyful.

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Forgiving one another, Luke 17: 3-4

Jesus’ words and actions in this passage help us explore how we should respond when we have been hurt or upset by someone else’s behaviour.

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The years the locusts have eaten, Joel 2: 23-27

The story of Joel reminds us that although we can go through turbulent times, God’s promise is to restore and rebuild us - which can come in ways we could never have expected.

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The parable of the rich fool, Luke 12: 13-21

The study explores one of Jesus' parables and encourages us not to be greedy but to live generously with all God has blessed us with. As the study shares: "Life is so much more than possessions."

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Good gifts, Luke 11: 9-13

The study reminds us God’s nature is like that of a good father. We are encouraged to bring our requests to God because He wants to give us good gifts.

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Bad news / good news, Colossians 1: 21-23

The study explores a passage in Colossians 1 where Paul shares some bad news and good news. The bad news is that we were once seen as God's enemies, but the good news is that we are now reconciled through Jesus.

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Neighbour: helpful or harmful? Luke 10: 25-37

The study explores one of Jesus' most famous parables: The Good Samaritan. It's a story that should challenge us to expand our definition of 'neighbour' and encourage us to show Christ's love to those we might see as strangers or even enemies.

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Peace and respect, Luke 10: 1, 5-9

The study explores the instructions Jesus gives when sending out the seventy-two. Just as Jesus sends them with a word of peace, we are invited to take on that same task of bringing God's shalom-peace to the world.

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Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5

The study explores the promise made to us in Galatians 5. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we learn to respond to situations with love, peace and patience rather than anger and hate. We just need to keep in time with the flow of the Spirit.

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Faith, peach and hope, Romans 5: 1 to 5

The study explores Paul's encouragement to the Christian church in Rome reminding them of the peace we have through Jesus. He also reminds them that although they may go through suffering, that experience will eventually produce hope.

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Commandments and promises, John 14: 15 to 17

The study explores one command and one promise given to us by Jesus. If we do as Jesus asks us and love God and our neighbour, it shows we love Him. Then, He promises us the Holy Spirit to help us when we are in need.

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Love one another, John 13

The study focuses on the final command Jesus gave to His disciples - to love one another. As we show love to one another, we are expressing God's love for them as well.

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Peace through understanding, John 14

The study looks at two promises Jesus gives to His disciples just before He is arrested. Firstly, He promises the Holy Spirit to teach and remind them everything He had said. And secondly, He promises them peace – a peace that does not ignore difficulties, but remains within them.

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The Road to Damascus, Acts 9

The study reflects on the story of Saul's conversion on his journey to Damascus. It reminds us of how drastically God can turn someone's life around and encourages us to continually pray for God to break into the lives of those around us.

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On the road to Emmaus, Luke 24

The study looks into Jesus' appearance to two friends who do not recognise him until the end of their journey. We are encouraged to recognise the invitation of God here and now, instead of waiting until we have figured everything out ourselves.

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Thanksgiving and prayer, Ephesians 1: 15-23

The study looks at a letter written by a man in prison - Paul the Apostle! Despite being locked up, Paul wrote to the Ephesians to bring encouragement that the same power that raised Christ is at work in our lives!

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The Shepherd looks after His Sheep, John 10

The study looks at how God can be seen as a Shepherd to us - how He guards us, guides us on the right path, and feeds us through His Word. We just need to trust Him with our lives.

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OBJECT LESSON with bank note: You are valuable no matter what! Romans 5:8

Bring a bank note into prison (can use a copy). Show it to the participants & ask what they see:

Bank note of a certain value

Ask what they can do with it:

Buy things

Then do the follow with the note & each time ask if they would still like to have the note:

Crunch it up
Step on it
Rub it on the ground
Spit on it!

Just as the note retains its value, no matter what it goes through, so each of us here has also been through many experiences. No matter what these are, God has invested gifts and talents in each one of us and he still values us as his special child, ready to bring the best out in you

Lesson to demonstrate how much God values us!

TEACH:

In the beginning God created us in His Own image. Genesis 1:27 - "So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female." God created us... In His image... But... Sin (our disobedience, our not believing & trusting what God said and Who He is) caused us to become damaged and His image in us distorted. We became crumpled just like the money. We became dirty like the money you found.

Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And although sin made us no longer look like God, and it caused us to be separated from God because He is Holy, it never changed our worth and value to Him.

Romans 5:8 reminds us that "But God demonstrated His own love towards us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." God does not just throw us away because we are no longer perfect like Him. We matter so much to Him that Jesus came and died to provide a way back to God for us! He offers us the gift of His grace! The gift of His image in us again through Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 2:8-10 "For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them." So when Satan tries to tell you that you messed up too bad for God to every forgive you much less love you...remember the crumpled money. It never lost its value or worth and neither have you to God. He is our loving Father waiting with open arms for us to return to Him for forgiveness and to be made new!

OBJECT LESSON with sponge: Responding to troubles

Jesus often taught with parables. A Bible object lesson is similar in that it takes an earthly object like a sponge and uses it to teach a spiritual lesson like how we can respond to times of trials and tribulation in a way that will please and honor our Heavenly Father.

This Christian object lesson works well with all ages! I've used it with kids, youth and adult women! The women really were able to identify with being "squeezed"; it makes a great women's Bible devotional!

Bible Object Lesson: Responding to Trials & Tribulation

Lesson Title: When the squeeze is on!

Object: sponge

Primary Scriptures: John 16:33, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 15:13

Main Point: What comes out of us when the “squeeze” is on – clean, pure thoughts & actions that please God or something not so clean & pure?

Object Lesson:

Begin this Bible object lesson by giving each person a small piece of a clean, unused sponge. A regular size sponge can be cut into 10-12 nice size pieces and look like mini sponges for them to keep as a reminder of the lesson.

The "Squeeze" = Tribulations

A Bible Object Lesson

Ask what sponges are used for or what they do. Answers may include many things, but make sure it is mentioned that they soak up liquid and then release the liquid when squeezed. Another answer we received from our Awana kids that can be tied into this object lesson is sponges are used to clean, but if what is in them is dirty instead of clean, they can't do what they were created to do.

Ask – do we ever get “squeezed” in life? If so, how? Allow time for answers and thoughts; these will vary of course for different age groups, but may include - when others (friends, parents, children, teachers, spouse, etc.) pressure us to do something, when we let anger or frustration build up until we can’t hide it any longer, when we have too many obligations or responsibilities, when bad or unexpected things happen in our life, etc.

The Bible uses the term – “tribulation”, which comes from the idea of when grapes were squeezed under pressure to release the juice.

Jesus tells us that in this life we will have tribulation, but He also gives us hope:

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

So if we get “squeezed”, what comes out? What comes out of a sponge when it’s squeezed? Tie in answers to eventually conclude that whatever is in the sponge or in us, that which has been soaked up, will be what comes out.

If we have bad attitudes and negative thoughts, “the squeeze” will bring out angry and hateful words and actions that do not bring God glory or honor. However, if we spend time being filled with His goodness and grace, “the squeeze” will bring out good things like love, joy, peace, patience, and other fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

Squeeze the clean water from the sponge into the colored water and notice what happens. The clean water affects or dilutes the colored water. If we soak up the colored water and then squeeze into the clean water, it changes it. In the same way, whatever is being "squeezed" out of us whether good or bad, affects those around us. Think of some ways our actions & attitudes, good or bad, can affect those around us.

Examples: Our anger at someone can cause them to be angry or hurt. A younger sibling may be watching and copying what we do. Someone may see kindness and love in us and be drawn closer to God.

The “Soaking” or "Filling" = Bad vs. Good

A Bible Object Lesson

So what are some negative things we may be soaking up?

Ideas may include things like: negativity from others, anger or frustration, bad language, bad attitudes & ideas from TV, movies, music, etc.

Bible Object Lesson: [Place an empty sponge into a shallow amount of colored liquid such as grape juice, Koolaide, Coke, etc. and watch it disappear as the sponge soaks it up. Squeeze that back out and then place your sponge into clean water until it is full, next place it back in the shallow amount of colored liquid making note that this time it is not soaking up the colored liquid around it. ]

Point out that if a sponge is already filled with clean water, it won’t soak up other things. How can we soak up what is good and be so full that we won’t soak up what’s bad?

It begins and continues by trusting in God. Romans 15:13 has become one of my favorite verses about being "filled" :

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

Be filled with His Holy Spirit –

Ephesians 5:18

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

Be filled with God’s Word–

Psalm 119:11

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Be filled with God’s presence through prayer -

Luke 6:12

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

When we are filled with His goodness and grace, we can rejoice when the “squeeze” or tribulation comes. It will make us stronger in Christ!

Look at the key verses in Romans 5:1-5 from the New Living Translation:

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials (tribulations), for we know that they are good for us -- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Another Danger

This Bible object lesson can be used to point out one other danger … becoming dry, hard and empty.

It’s good if we are staying away from soaking up negative thoughts and bad things, but if we’re still not being filled with His goodness, there will be no joy or peace. We will not be usable just like it's harder to use a dry, hard sponge.

Encourage each person to take their sponge with them and place it somewhere they will see it so that it will remind them of this Bible object lesson.

Prayer:

Take time to pray Paul’s prayer he prayed over the Philippians in Philippians 1:9-11:

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.”

Anger - the fence story

Anger leaves its mark on our lives and the lives of others. Learning to control anger is an essential tool to teach our children along with Bible verses on anger.

The Fence story - Author Unknown

There once was a young boy with a very bad temper. The boy's father wanted to teach him a lesson, so he gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper he must hammer a nail into their wooden fence.

On the first day of this lesson, the little boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. He was really mad!

Over the course of the next few weeks, the little boy began to control his anger, so the number of nails that were hammered into the fence dramatically decreased.

It wasn't long before the little boy discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Then, the day finally came when the little boy didn't lose his temper even once, and he became so proud of himself, he couldn't wait to tell his father.

Pleased, his father suggested that he now pull out one nail for each day that he could hold his temper.

Several weeks went by and the day finally came when the young boy was able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

Very gently, the father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

"You have done very well, my son," he smiled, "but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same."

The little boy listened carefully as his father continued to speak.

"When you say things in anger, they leave permanent scars just like these. And no matter how many times you say you're sorry, the wounds will still be there."

A few object lessons on controlling temper...

Bible Verses on Anger

Use these verses along with the fence story to teach a wonderful lesson on the importance of controlling our anger and God's truth.

James 1:19-20 can be summed up in three words for quick recall - "Quick, Slow, Slow."

"This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

Proverbs 16:32 -

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city."

Ephesians 4:6-10 -

"BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity."

You Have a Very Specific Purpose

Every aspect of this ultra-performance F1 racing machine, has been designed for a very specific purpose—speed! The weight, the aerodynamic sculpture, the precision engineering, it is all highly thought out and intentional.

Likewise, even with its seemingly simple design, building a guitar can take months. Different types of wood are chosen for the top, back, sides, neck, and fret board so it will produce the best sound and be strong enough to withstand the tension of the strings. Before assembly, the builder will tune the guitar by tapping and expertly listening to certain points, and skilfully carve where necessary to achieve a specific tone. Attaching the neck to the body must be done to exact specifications so strings are at the proper height for playing. Each step is intentional and specific.

All God’s children have the assurance (whether we know it or not) that no less intention and care has been taken with the design of our very own being and person hood—even details such as our eye colour.

As a little girl, Amy Carmichael prayed for blue eyes instead of brown. But her eyes were that colour for a specific reason. Amy served as a missionary in Japan and later in India. In India, to honour the culture and be inconspicuous in her work helping girls and women escape from abusive situations, Amy dressed in Indian clothes and dyed her skin with coffee. With brown eyes and dress, she could travel long distances and rescue children in great need and show them God’s love.

We are wonderfully made for a purpose, and this is worth pondering. God made you on purpose. You are an original, limited edition, completely created by the Creator of the universe. There will only ever be one of you.

I don’t believe we are a combination of time + matter + chance. To believe that takes a lot of faith too, as my palaeontology lecturer admitted in a candid moment in my graduate days. All fair-minded analysis of evidence points, at the very least, to the sheer unique miracle that is our life.

Like the central character in Jan Martel’s beautiful book The Life of Pi (and with much evidence to justify such a position) I also prefer a narrative of wonderful purpose because it makes a fundamental difference to my worldview, of myself, and others.

David understood this well: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:13-17, NIV).

Even as we work together in our shared mission, God has given you a specific role to play in it—and one that only you are equipped to do.

Let’s also acknowledge the uniqueness and fearful wonderful that is our co-workers, friends and, family. They are uniquely created, too.

Ref: By Andrew D. Corley, CEO and President of Prison Fellowship International

Put on Truth

Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth. Ephesians 6: -14

While a belt doesn't seem like “armour”, it was put on because it would hold the other parts of the armour together. The soldier hung his sword on his belt. The belt also held the soldier's tunic together so that it wouldn't get in his way when he moved.

Paul tells us that truth is like that belt. When we know the truth, we can feel secure when the devil lies to us. The Bible says that Satan "was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him ... for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). When Satan says to us, “You're worthless. After all, you're just a criminal," we can respond with the truth: "God says that He has 'called me by name; I am His ... I am precious to Him'” (Isaiah 43:1-4, paraphrase).

When the devil whispers, "No one cares about you. You're alone in the world," we can shout the truth: “God so loved me that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, paraphrase). Take that.

Or when the devil taunts us, "You'll never amount to anything," we can stand our ground, look him in the eye and say, “Jesus said that the truth is, anyone who believes in Him will do the same works He has done, and even greater works" (see John 14:12, paraphrase).

Stand up to the devil. Beat him back with the truth.

Making it personal: What lies has the devil been telling you? What truth can you fire back at him?

Prayer: Lord, that murderous devil has been telling me lies. Remind me of the truth so that I can stand firm against him. Amen.

Read John 14:6 to remember the source of all truth.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Jesus Understands Our Temptations

Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18

When we first landed in our cells, some of us felt alone, even helpless. What would it be like? How would we survive? Sometimes, we looked to older prisoners, who had spent more time behind bars, hoping they'd help us adjust. They knew the score and they understood what our lives would be like because they'd lived it.

We can take great comfort in the realisation that Jesus understands what it's like to be tempted. His Father didn't spare Him that experience. Because Jesus went through the agony of temptation, He can be an understanding friend in our agony too.

The story of Jesus' temptation in Luke 4 tells us that Jesus had been fasting when Satan came to Him. Christ had had no food for forty days. Knowing that Jesus was very hungry, Satan tempted Him at His point of vulnerability. "If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread.' But Jesus told him, 'No! The Scriptures say, "People need more than bread for their life"" (Luke 4:3-4).

On the surface the devil's request seems reasonable. After all, Jesus could have changed the stones into bread. But Jesus saw beneath Satan's challenge. He saw that the devil really wanted Him to obey him, to do his bidding. But Jesus refused the temptation to be conned by Satan. Jesus passed the test.

Remember that Jesus knows the score. He faced temptation, and He promises to help us face it too. We can trust that God knows our situation and is concerned about our welfare. That is the concrete slab under our lives. It's the firm foundation on which all other defences against temptation are built.

Making it personal: Where is Satan testing you? Where are you the most vulnerable? What steps will you take to resist?

Prayer: Jesus, I'm so glad that You know what it's like to be tempted. Help me to pass the test in my own temptations. Amen.

Read Hebrews 2:16-18 to learn about the God who promises to be our help in temptation.

Put on Your Armour

Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12

If we're sure something's going to happen, we prepare for it. We get ready. If we knew we were going to be clumped during our first ninety days in prison, we'd seek alliances, hit the free weights and be on guard every day. We prepare for the assault. When it comes to temptation, it's not a question of if. It's a question of when.

God knows we will face temptation. He also knows that the Tempter is strong and has strategies and tricks. God wants us to be prepared, to know what defensive and offensive weapons are available to us to win over temptation.

God never leaves us alone to fight the devil and the mighty powers of darkness. He has given us what today's verses call "armour". Writing from a prison cell, the apostle Paul gives us a detailed and helpful lesson in how to fight the devil. Using the picture of a soldier and his armour, he tells us how to prepare for battle. We'll look closely at the armour in the next few meditations.

But knowing about the armour is not enough. We have a choice. We need to put on the armour. It's not enough for us to know it's there. We must make the choice to put it on. In the same way that it would be foolish for a soldier to go into battle without his or her weapons, we cannot expect to win the test of temptation if we do not prepare and arm ourselves.

Making it personal: How will you arm yourself for battle with the devil? Prepare to fight.

Prayer: God, some days my temptations are so strong that I can't seem to resist. Teach me how I can fight against temptation. Amen.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20 for the apostle Paul's teaching about fighting temptation.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Put on Peace

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15

In our culture, we don't think of shoes as a part of armour. But in many cultures, people didn't normally wear shoes. So, if a person without shoes was attacked and had to fight back, needing to run over rocks or run far, his feet might easily get cut, slowing him down or causing him to stumble. Shoes gave the soldier protection, support and agility. Shoes were a defensive weapon. If the soldier was to be prepared, he kept his battle shoes on.

The apostle Paul says that the peace that comes from the Good News – the gospel - is like a pair of protective battle shoes. How is peace like a defensive weapon?

When we are at peace with God - when we have accepted His grace and forgiveness - we can be at rest. Our hearts are not troubled. That peace is a powerful defence. When Satan tries to tempt us – test us - we can stand firm. We are not vulnerable. We are not distracted. We can call on the inner peace and confidence we have because Christ has paid the price for our sin. We're covered. The apostle Paul reminds us, "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1).

But it's not enough for us to have peace with God. We need to be at peace with each other. When we have peaceful relationships with our cellmates or our family members, Satan has very little room to attack us. Peace is a defensive weapon. It protects us and helps us not to stumble.

Making it personal: What does it mean to be at peace with God? Are you at peace with God and others?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the peace that your sacrificial death brings to my life. It fills me up and protects me so that the devil has no chance of getting at my heart. Amen.

Read 2 Peter 3:14, the apostle Peter's wise words about peace.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Afraid and Ashamed

Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12b

Does sin make a difference? Does it really matter? Is it that much of a big deal?

We who have committed adultery know the relationships with our spouses changed afterward. They may not have known about our unfaithfulness, but we brought the guilt of our actions home. Our sinful activities killed our peace of mind and self-respect. The shame made us irritable and angry. We were bad-tempered towards our families. They had no clue, but in our hearts, we knew. We knew!

The same thing happened to Adam and Eve after they sinned against God. God looked for Adam and Eve in the Garden but couldn't find them. They were hiding, afraid and ashamed - feeling guilty. They were afraid because they knew they had disobeyed, and they were ashamed because they knew they were naked. They were busted and couldn't face God. Before they sinned, Adam and Eve and God were mates. They knew each other face to face. They had no reason to hide from Him or to be afraid. The Garden was the ultimate safe place.

The serpent told Adam and Eve that if they ate the fruit from the tree, they would know good and evil. And, he was right. Suddenly Adam and Eve knew things they hadn't known before. For the first time they knew fear. They knew guilt and shame. Suddenly, they needed to cover their nakedness.

We're all sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. Things haven't changed. We're born into a world that knows fear and guilt and shame. When we sin, we work hard to cover up. We don't dare look God in the face. We know we've chosen to go our own way instead of trusting God to know what's best for us.

Making it personal: Do you feel you need to hide? What sin are you covering up?

Prayer: God, I'm just like Adam and Eve. You come looking for me, but I hide from You. I'm too afraid to look You in the face. Help me. Amen.

Read Matthew 26:69-75 for the story of how Peter was ashamed after he denied knowing Jesus.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Put on Righteousness

Stand firm then, with ... the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14, NIV

If you imagine a suit of armour, picture the breastplate as the piece of thick metal that covers the soldier's chest - his heart, one of the most important parts of the body to protect. Today's verse tells us that if we are to stand firm against the devil, we must protect our hearts with the armour of righteousness. What does that mean?

We don't use the words righteousness or righteous much these days. We might hear someone say that another person is “a righteous dude”, meaning he is a good person. But in the Bible, if someone is righteous, that person is morally good, pure, holy, free from guilt or sin. Well, that eliminates us. Only Christ is righteous.

But before we get too discouraged, remember that Jesus gives us His righteousness. The apostle Paul tells us that "Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them life" (Romans 5:18). Because of Jesus' death, when God looks at us, He doesn't see our sin. He sees the righteousness of His Son instead. If we confess our sin and accept Christ's death on our behalf, we are protected.

What does that mean for fighting the devil's attacks? When we feel attacks coming, we can protect our hearts by claiming the righteousness of Jesus. We can raise our hands in the air (literally) and speak the name of Jesus out loud. With the name of Jesus, we can declare victory over anger. With the name of Jesus, we can claim triumph over lust. We can rebuke the devil and cast him out of our house by saying, "Christ is my righteousness. In the name of Jesus, I rebuke you, Satan." Evil flees at the mention of Jesus' name. As the bright light of Jesus' name shines into the darkness, wickedness scatters like cockroaches in a filthy kitchen.

Making it personal: Where is your heart unprotected? What steps will you take to protect it? Who will you ask to help you?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving me Your righteousness. I claim it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Read Romans 4:22-24 and Philippians 3:8-10 to learn more about our righteousness.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

The Beginning of Sin

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Romans 5:12a

Are we all sinful when we are born? Yes.

Did God create sin? No,

He gave mankind a choice. God isn't a bully.

He doesn't force us to love Him. God knows that forced affection, like coerced confession, is worthless.

God created a perfect, sinless world. Adam and Eve were created perfectly to interact with God on a personal level. God gave them the ability and freedom to choose to obey or disobey His commands (see Genesis 2:16-17). God is not the author of sin, but He did allow the possibility of sin.

Before God created Adam and Eve, He offered His angels the same freedom to choose. Satan, also known as Lucifer, was originally one of God's most powerful angels. But Satan wanted to be God. He rebelled against God and was thrown out of heaven with many other angels [demons] who supported the rebellion (see Isaiah 14:12 and Revelation 12:7-9).

Adam and Eve chose to listen to Satan instead of God. They ate the fruit of the tree that was forbidden (see Genesis 3:1-7). God did not tempt them; Satan did (see James 1:13-14). God allowed the possibility of evil. God gave Adam and Eve free will and, with that, the right to decide. They chose to be disobedient to His command. Because of their decision, sin polluted God's perfect world.

As a result of the choices Adam and Eve made, we are sinful from the day we are conceived in our mother's womb (see Psalm 51:5). Watching a two-year-old grab a toy from another kid and yell “mine!" is all the proof we need. Selfishness and greed come quite naturally to us humans.

We are sinners, and only when we admit that and look for a solution will we find hope. Our hope is in God's grace and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Making it personal: Look at the choices you have made over the years. What power have your sins had in your life? What will you do about it?

Prayer: Father God, reveal my sin to me in the light of Your forgiveness. Amen.

Read Genesis 2 and 3 to see how sin came into the world.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Knowing Our Sin

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8, NIV

Sin is real. Anyone who truly believes that sin does not exist has not been paying attention! In prison, we look anywhere and see the evidence of sin. We see fighting and anger. We see prisoners being beaten-up.

But do we know anything about sin? Sin is as common to human beings as sliminess is to a worm. Yet, how many of us understand sin? Why is it important for us to know about sin?

If we choose to ignore our sin and its seriousness, our sinful hearts see it as normal behaviour. Sinful deeds will no longer seem wrong to us. We disconnect our behaviour from God and live as if our sin does not matter. It's like when we were kids and started stealing. If we didn't get caught, we didn't think it was wrong. But, if we got a whipping, if people found out, we took it much more seriously.

Without knowing our sin, we can never fully know ourselves and the debt of sin we have racked up. Suppose a vulnerable prisoner indulges in some heroin a drug dealer offers him and is unaware of the debt he is accumulating. If an old lag pays it off for him without his knowledge, the young prisoner has absolutely no thought of the price that was laid out on his behalf. The naïve prisoner understands his situation only when he learns of the enormity of the gift to him.

When we understand the enormity of the debt that Jesus paid for our sin, we can begin to appreciate God's love for us. Our gratitude breaks down our pride, and we grasp that we have been saved from a terrible fate. This pushes us towards thanksgiving to God. Thanksgiving paves the way to humility. In humility, we can begin to walk with God in a new purpose for our lives.

Making it personal: Be honest with yourself, and take an inventory of your sin. List your most persistent sins.

Prayer: Lord God, grant me insight and courage to face my sins. Amen.

Read Psalm 51:3-4 about acknowledging sin

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

The Blame Game

The Lord God asked, "Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?" "Yes," Adam admitted, “but it was the woman you gave me who brought me the fruit, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:11-12

It's convenient to have somebody to blame when trouble comes. The joke that nobody in prison admits they're guilty would be funny if it weren't so sad. We blame others when we are busted after doing something wrong: “My girlfriend tempted me.” “Drugs got me into trouble." "My parents neglected me." "I'm from a poor home.”

Adam would not take responsibility for his disobedience either. When God asked him if he had eaten the forbidden fruit, Adam pointed the finger away from himself. He admitted that he had eaten the fruit, but he wasn't going to take the fall. Rather than making a choice to avoid sin, Adam surrendered to it and then blamed Eve. Adam also blamed God. He accused God of giving him an imperfect woman, falsely thinking that if God knew that Eve was going to tempt him, He should have prevented it. Then Eve blamed the serpent (see Genesis 3:13). Adam and Eve both played the original blame game.

Things haven't changed much. We disobey God's commands. And when God busts us, we make excuses. Sometimes we think as Adam did, saying to ourselves, “If God had wanted me to be a different person, He shouldn't have placed me in the the worst part of town where I grew up."

But in the end, God will not be persuaded by such counterfeit arguments. We have choices, and we are responsible for them. Temptation is part of life in a sinful world, but the outcome is not always sin and disobedience. We think the natural result of being tempted is to give in to it. That's not true. We have the power, through the Holy Spirit, not to be persuaded by temptation. The fact that evil exists is no excuse or reason for choosing it.

Making it personal: How will you face your own disobedience?

Prayer: God, I confess that I often blame others for things that I have done. Help me to take responsibility. Amen.

Read Romans 14:12 for God's view on personal responsibility.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

The Power of Sin

I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to, but I can't. When I want to do good, don't. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway... Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Romans 7:18-19, 24

A foundational principle about sin is its power. Sin is a strong, dominant force working against our good intentions. Sometimes the driving urge for the gambling table, drugs or bashing pulls on us like a powerful riptide sucking us out to sea. We struggle in our minds and wrestle with the urges, but we are pulled under by the sheer force of sin.

Afterwards, when we are down the block, in shame and despair, we cry out to God, saying what the apostle Paul said in the verses above, feeling helpless and in despair over his sin.

Paul understood the power of sin. He was a well-educated man, yet his education did not free him from sin. Paul discovered that trying to battle sin with his own strength did not work.

That lesson speaks to us today. If we attempt to overcome sin through willpower alone, we will fail. If we try not to sin by believing we can do what is right in our own power, we will fail. Only the power of the risen Christ has the power to declare victory over sin (see Ephesians 2:4-5). The English hymn writer Charles Wesley summarised it best in his hymn "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing":

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

Making it personal: Where does the power of sin grip your life? What will it take for you to confess it to God, surrender it to His power and be set free?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your power over sin. Come alongside me as I do battle with sin in my life. Amen.

Read Romans 7 to learn about the apostle Paul's struggle with sin.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Beating the Rap of Sin

The verdict on [Adam's] sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence. If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life- gift ... that the one man Jesus Christ provides? Romans 5:16-17, THE MESSAGE

God demands payment for sin, but He balances His justice with mercy to ensure that Adam and Eve - and you and I - wouldn't be separated from Him forever. A little story will help explain, keeping in mind that God is fully aware of Jesus' sacrifice.

When we were arrested, we hired a solicitor. We needed the legal expertise to guide us through the maze of legal rulings and filings. We required a helper - an advocate - who was familiar with the system.

Jesus is our advocate before God the Father. He represents us in God's courtroom, where God demands justice for sin. Jesus comes before God with our rap sheets listing the sins we've committed. He states that we're guilty of the sins recorded in our files. But that's not the end of our Advocate's speech.

Jesus reminds the Judge that He Himself has already paid for our sins through His death on the cross. Jesus already bore our death sentence for all our sins - current and future. Jesus reminds the Judge that it isn't fair to punish us for sins that He's already paid for. God accepts Jesus' death on our behalf, and He declares us "not guilty". When He looks at us and our sin, He sees His sinless Son and His sacrifice.

Because Jesus paid the debt for our sin, God pardons us. He sees us as righteous, blameless, honourable and upright. We can do nothing to earn this pardon. It's grace, a free gift Jesus gives us to pardon us from the death sentence brought on by our sin.

Making it personal: Think about Jesus' sacrifice for your sin. Share with a friend the full meaning of this sacrifice.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for taking the rap for my sin. Help me to fully understand what that means for my life. Amen.

Memorise the promises in Matthew 20:28 and Ephesians 1:7.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Jesus Is the Way

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

An English writer Helen Wodehouse said, “We think we must climb to a certain height of goodness before we can reach God. But He does not say, 'At the end of the way you may find me'; He says, 'I am the Way; I am the road under your feet, the road that begins just as low down as you happen to be.' If we are in a hole, the Way begins in the hole. The moment we set our face in the same direction as His, we are walking with God."

Many of us wake up each morning feeling that God could never love us. People we trusted sometimes sexually abused us as children and then afterwards angrily told us we were worthless. As adults, we may have stayed in abusive relationships, hopelessly searching for love. We misguidedly thought that if we treated our abusers better, we could earn their love.

Many of us view a relationship with a loving God in the same twisted way. We mistakenly feel we must be good” to earn His love. Nothing is further from the truth!

God does not care where we have been; it does not matter to Him if we've grassed someone or even murdered someone. He is concerned only about where we are going. He searches for us and meets us where we are. God comes alongside us at the most depressing moment of our lives and whispers that He loves us, forgives us and believes in us (see John 3:16; Jeremiah 29:11). We can trust those words!

We can experience God's redeeming love. We can own up to the sin in our lives and turn away (repent) from it (see 1 John 1:9). When we confess and change direction, we will be on the right road. His genuine, authentic love will flood our hearts as we walk in His direction.

Making it personal: What would your life be like if you asked God to rescue you from darkness and bring you redemption and forgiveness?

Prayer: Lord, You are the way. I want to walk with You. Do Your work in me. Amen.

Read Ephesians 1:7-8 to learn what God in His kindness has done for you.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Come Near to God's Love

Submit yourselves, then, to God ... Come near to God and he will come near to you ... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10, NIV

Many of us in prison hate ourselves and what we have done. That way of thinking reveals itself in our feelings of unworthiness. Or we conceal our self-loathing by acting out in rebellious ways. Those actions are just ways of hiding the shame and guilt. The bottom line is: We doubt God could love us.

But the gospel message is just the opposite. No matter how defiant, rebellious, angry or worthless we feel, when we move towards God, we find that He has already moved towards us. He has already declared His love for us. He is seeking a change of heart. He requests a new way of thinking.

When we submit to God, our hearts seek and yearn for His peace. St Augustine said, “You made us for Yourself, and our hearts find no peace until they rest in You." We find that rest when we draw near to God. That is a message of hope.

With God there is always hope. We must never indulge the notion that we have gone too far, that we have sinned too much and that God could never love us. The Bible tells us otherwise. The beauty of God's message to us through Jesus Christ is that He loves us, unconditionally and fully. He loves us, renews us and restores us. That is the amazing power of Christianity. No other religion offers the hope of transformation, renewal and restoration that God offers through the blood of His Son. When we humble ourselves before this loving God, He lifts us up to new life. We can accept His love and live purposeful and useful lives.

Making it personal: What steps will you take to move towards God's love? How will your life change when you accept and embrace His hope for your life? move closer to You. Come into my heart, and work Your transforming

Prayer: Lord, help me get over my sense of unworthiness. I want to changes today. Amen.

Read Psalm 36:5-9 for a message of love and hope.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Doing HIS Time

So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days. Ephesians 5:15-16

Doing HIS Time. What does that mean? Time moves slowly in prison. One day seems pretty much like the last one. We may not think our future looks all that promising if we are looking at an indeterminate sentence, but every dawn is another chapter of our future. We have choices about how we do our time.

Are we doing our time, or are we doing HIS time - God's time? Are we wasting our time, or are we investing it? Are we making the most of every opportunity - "redeeming the time” as the King James Version translates the same words? Our answers to these questions give us insight as to how we are preparing for the future.

We know that what we did when we were kids has had a big impact on our lives today. But our lives are not over. What we do today will influence our future - and everyone around us - either for good or for evil. Our future depends on the choices we make on how we spend our lives today.

British author Charles Reade wrote these profound words:

Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

What thoughts are we sowing? What are we doing today to reap a habit? We can "cash in" the time and make it work for us. We don't have to give up our future to drugged-out time. No matter how much time we have to do, let's do HIS time.

Making it personal: What action will you take today to redeem the time, to make a positive impact on people around you?

Prayer: Lord, I want to make every minute count for you. Show me how. Amen.

Read Psalm 31:14-16 to see how our time, our future, is in God's hands; then say the words back to God as a prayer.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Gods love

Discuss together:

Many of you have been close to dying because of other circumstances. What or who saved you from dying? Do you think God is offering you a second chance? God's unconditional love means you don't have to clean up before He loves you. Talk about coming to God just as you are to accept His love. How might this change your life?
Before prison, what actions did you take to gain approval, recognition and love? Share your view of those things now in light of God's unconditional love. How does unconditional love give you value, peace and hope?
Is God's free gift (grace) "too easy" or "too hard"? Discuss how pride and rebelliousness play a role in deciding. Do you ever hide behind your crime as an excuse not to accept God's grace? What events in your life hinder your trusting God's love?
What kind of "time" are you doing? What does it mean to you to do HIS time?

Explore God's Word together:

Isaiah 38:17 speaks of bitterness (anguish) and the power of forgiveness. What good came out of Isaiah's bitterness? Are you bitter? What caused your bitterness? The prophet speaks of forgiveness and rescue. Can you remain bitter after such forgiving love?
1 Kings 17:8-24 teaches about trust and deliverance. Do you have trust issues in your life? Share some of those. What things hinder you from totally surrendering to God in faith?

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

God Has a Plan for You

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God has an individual, specific plan for each one of us. From before we were born, God knew who we were going to be and what His plan was for our lives. He made each of us perfectly different for exactly the role He has in mind for us to play. He also gave us the ability to decide for ourselves what is right. Many of us ignored God's plan and made decisions without consulting His manual - the Bible. We went our own way.

Now we are in Prison! Our version of our plan for our lives ran ourselves into the ditch. We are away from our family and friends. We are missing so much! That's definitely not God's plan for our lives.

God gives us a set of guidelines to make our lives richer and safer. The Ten Commandments are not God's way to restrict our happiness. They are part of His plan, and they outline the ways we can live safe, abundant lives.

God's plan for our lives involves not only a full life here and now, but also true freedom for eternity. God loves us so much that He wants us to live with Him forever. And to make that happen for us, God was willing to sacrifice His only Son to pay the debt for our sin.

God's love is so deep that He offers this gift to us - free. When we believe in Him and accept His gift of salvation, He makes a reservation for us to live with Him forever.

Making it personal: What would it feel like to believe that God loves you enough to rescue you?

Prayer: Father God, take the blindness from my eyes, and let me really see and know Your plans for me. Amen.

Read Jeremiah 29:11-13 to learn more about God's good plan for you.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Home away from home

I am visiting you here in prison. I can hardly imagine how it feels to be so isolated from family and friends for days, weeks, months and years. You must long for the place you once called home. Maybe you are even building an imagination of home that is greater than it ever was!

Moses wrote a song of praise to God. Psalm 90 starts like this: “God, you have been our dwelling place [literally, our home!] from generation to generation.”

This quote might be specially encouraging for you, because Moses wrote this song of praise when he was Israel’s leader during the forty years they wandered as nomads in the desert. They had no permanent home and were in constant danger! And yet he begins this song of worship by saying, God YOU are our home.

Even though you are also wandering in the wilderness called prison, you might also gain this deep sense that you have a home in God. No matter what today holds, or what tomorrow will bring. You can find safety, security, peace and love in God. Now that is an invitation for a true homecoming!

Try inviting Jesus into your life and see what happens. I think you will be surprised by the homecoming you experience!

Adapted from a reflection given by: Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen

Never Separated from God's Love

Does it mean [Christ] no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? ... I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away ... Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

We read about God's love, but sometimes it's hard to feel it. Bad stuff happens. Families fall apart. We get so overwhelmed by fear and pain, plus the difficulty of our own situation, that we begin to doubt that God's love exists. We ask: Where is God? Has He abandoned us like so many others have in our lives? Does it mean He no longer loves us when tough things happen?

Remember the night we got busted and the feeling of being locked up for the first time? How often have we felt so ashamed, angry or abandoned that we did more drugs to take the pain away. Do these things make it impossible for God to love us? The apostle Paul asked that same question. We should memorise his response because Paul declares that nothing can separate us from God's love. Nothing. Our crimes can't. Our past can't. Our incarceration can't. Our estranged relationships can't. Our cellmates can't. Being on the block can't. Nothing can separate us from God's love.

Think about it. Jesus went so far as to suffer and die for us. Why would He abandon us now? Jesus' love is solid. We can count on it.

Making it personal: Where do you feel separated from God's love? Picture His love as so powerful that it floods that very place right now.

Prayer: Lord, Your love for me is so great that it's hard for me to get my head around it. Thank You, for loving me that much. Amen.

Memorise today's passage, repeating it every morning as a reminder of God's love for you.

Ref: Doing His Time, Meditations & Prayers for Men & Women in Prison, James C. Vogelzang with Lynn Vanderzalm, 2016

Meaning of Christmas

Christmas for me is about hope

And to me there is no better symbol of hope than a baby

Unfortunately though, every other baby that grows up, will ultimately be a disappointment in one way or another

But the hope baby Jesus started with, remained

Even as I sit here today, Jesus gives me a fresh start and fresh hope every single day.

Weihnachten für mich bedeutet Hoffnung

Und für mich gibt es kein besseres Symbol der Hoffnung als ein Baby

Leider wird jedes Baby, das erwachsen wird, letztendlich auf irgendeine Art und Weise auch enttäuschen.

Aber die Hoffnung, mit der Jesus angefangen hat, ist geblieben

So wie ich heute hier sitze, gibt Jesus mir jeden Tag einen neuen Anfang und neue Hoffnung.

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