Our Purpose

Matthew 1:23, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Christmas is not the story of a helpless baby; it is the story of a loving God who chose to dwell among us.

Jesus was born approximately 2000 years ago.  The people of Israel knew that God had promised to send the Messiah.  Therefore, they were longing for the appearance of the Messiah, a certain kind of Messiah which they had created in their own minds. 

They were looking for a Messiah who would create a strong military and a political leader to again make Israel a powerful and respected nation.  They were looking for the Messiah who would help them accomplish their personal and selfish goals.

They were looking for a scintillating power, yet the birth of Jesus occurred in a lowly manger; and, the Messiah was “meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).  Luke 2:7, And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Jesus did not come to help the Israelites save their nation.  Instead, He sent a baby to a lowly couple in the small village of Bethlehem.  God was interested in saving individual souls. 

Here at OJPM, we are helping our Chaplains and volunteers so they can continue to serve God.  While we know that we are to pray for our nation and its leaders (I Timothy 2:1-2), we also know that the answers are not found in a strong and powerful nation.  Increased political power has never been the answer.  The best hope we have for this nation is to spread the Gospel.  We need to be empowered by Emmanuel, God is with us.  Telling people about Jesus is the heart of our Christian faith.

During this fun and festive season, many of us are joyfully able to celebrate the holidays by spending time with family.   After all, through Jesus Christ, God has adopted us into His family (Ephesians 1:5).  God gave us the Greatest Gift when He gave us Jesus.  Luke 2:11, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  During this Christmas season, enjoy the blessings of decorating, shopping, baking and giving gifts.  Also enjoy the blessings of prayer and the blessing in continuing to share the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please be reminded to pray for those behind bars.  These are some of the most difficult times for the incarcerated population.  Not being able to spend time with family and friends during the holidays creates a whole other level of suffering.  There are also some who have been unfairly incarcerated for the faith.  Some of God’s finest servants who have been wrongfully incarcerated need our prayers especially during the Christmas season.  Acts 6:4, But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

The gift of prayer may be the most important gift you give during this season. 

Thanksgiving

Psalms 100:3-5.  Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves, we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

America began “in The Name of God, Amen.”  These opening words of our nations’ first self-governing document, the Mayflower Compact, is the cornerstone of our present Constitution and of our republic.  The Pilgrims stated they came to the New World to glorify God and to advance the Christian faith.  The Pilgrims took their name from the “pilgrims” of I Peter 2.

In September 1620, one hundred and two passengers braved the Atlantic Ocean for the purpose of freely practicing their faith in Almighty God.  After a sixty-six-day crossing, they reached land.  Unfortunately, due to the bitter winter that followed only half of the original passengers and crew survived to see their first spring. 

It was that spring that God’s providential hand led Squanto to aid the weary settlers and teach them to effectively live off the New England land.  It was after

the settler’s first successful corn harvest in 1621, that Governor William Bradford declared a feast to praise God for the harvest. History shows us that on the first Thanksgiving Day both Pilgrims and Indians praised God for His great goodness towards them.   In 1820, antiquarian Alexander Young noted that “this 1621 feast was the first Thanksgiving, the harvest festival of New England.”

The general story of the first Thanksgiving is well-known all over America.  But the story does not end there.  In 1789, Congress approved the Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution.  Congress then “recommended a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” to thank God for blessing America.  President Washington declared November 26, 1789, as the first national day of Prayer and thanksgiving to the Lord.   Although the first national Thanksgiving was proclaimed in 1777, it was not established as a national Holiday until 1863 by President Lincoln.  Every President continued to do the same until 1941 when Congress officially made

Thanksgiving a national holiday.

Interestingly, the famous imagery of the Pilgrims and Indians eating together did not become commonplace until the latter half of the 19th century, after the publishing of Longfellow’s famous poem, The Courtship of Miles

Standish and the finding of Governor Bradford’s original manuscript titled Of Plymouth Plantation.  By the beginning of the 20th century, the Pilgrims and their first Thanksgiving was a common teaching tool.  It was around this time that the idea that the Pilgrims ate turkey grew in popularity, creating this popular Thanksgiving tradition.  Edward Winslow’s account of the 1621 feast noted that the governor sent four men “fowling” and that the natives brought deer.

What the commercialization of the holiday fails to tell you, however, is the deep faith in God these early Pilgrims held.  The Pilgrims and natives gathered around their tables on that cold day in 1621 for one purpose – to praise the Lord God Jehovah for His protection and blessings.    Let us never forget to lift our voices and praise God for His blessings on our lives as well.

Reflection

John 12:23-26, the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be:  If any man serve me, him will my Father honor.

Psalms 90:12, so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.  Two things are eternal:  God’s word and the souls of man

We recently honored our volunteers at our Oklahoma Jail and Prison Ministry 31st Annual Banquet.  OJPM volunteers are honoring our Lord and Saviour by heeding to the Great Commission and continuing to share the good news with the incarcerated.  We give God all the praise, glory and honor for providing faithful volunteers who persist in sharing the Gospel to those behind bars.  God has a wonderful and eternal purpose for restoring, caring for, and guiding His sheep…to glorify His name.  OJPM chaplains use God’s word to point the inmate to the true, wise and loving God.  It is all about Christ and His glory.  We have seen God’s purpose in the life of OJPM volunteers.  Matthew 16:24, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  We must follow God and live for His purpose.  We must walk in His path for His name’s sake.  Psalms 106:8, Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

Proverbs 3:12, For whom the Lord loveth he corrected; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.  God uses hardships in our lives to draw us to Him.  For some it may be a loss of health, loss of a loved one or some other form of trial.  While these are not always the results of the chastening of God, sometimes because of our bad choices they may be.  A wise sheep will learn from the loving discipline of the Shepherd so that he does not have to repeat the same hardships again and again.  God’s plan is always carried out with great care and love, and it always reflects the absolute best.  We see that in Christopher Hendrix’s testimony, on how one of the volunteers pointed him to Jesus.  Christopher encouraged the volunteer chaplains to keep witnessing to those behind bars.  He thanked all the volunteer chaplains who discipled and invested time in him while he was incarcerated.  John 10:28, 29, And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My father, which gave them me, is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

For I am His and He is mine!  The security of this relationship brings true peace to the heart of man.  This unconditional love and acceptance is truly the innermost longing of our hearts.  With grateful admiration we honor our volunteers for continuing to point men and women to Christ.  Knowing Jesus Christ—knowing that you belong to Him—truly does bring deep contentment, strength, and peace to the heart!

OJPM Volunteers

Luke 10:1, 2 After these things the lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore, said he unto them, the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

During the past thirty years, the LORD has sent forth laborers into his harvest, the Oklahoma Jail & Prison Ministry.  God’s favor towards OJPM is evident through all the volunteer chaplains he has provided to minister to the poor, the brokenhearted, the blind, the bruised, the broken, and the bound.  Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.  We are so thankful for the faithfulness of our volunteer chaplains.  We know God will continue to bless their service to Him.

Our prayer is for God to continue to send laborers into the jails and prisons.  Though we may not know all of the trials and situations which have resulted in these men and women being placed behind bars; we do know that someday the Lord will take everything He has allowed in each of our lives and work it all together for good (Romans 8:28).  God has a plan.  How great and good our God is to have a purpose in everything.

Is God speaking to you and do you desire to do His will?  Was it the Father’s will for Christ to come to minister?  Certainly so!!!  In every town and city across the State there are jails and prisons where you will have a “captive audience” which you can reach by ministering with the only message that can free them from sin and unbelief.  Matthew 25;34-40, ‘…I was in prison, and ye came unto me…

Solomon wrote in Proverbs of those who are generous.  Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.  Because of what Jesus has done for us, may God give us grace to make a generous difference in others’ lives.  Provers 11:25, The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watered  shall be watered also himself.  Thank you, Lord for seeing my needs and sending your Son.  Please help me to act on Your Love by ministering to others.

Testimony: 20 year OJPM Volunteer Chaplain

I have the privilege to visit with approximately six hundred inmates per year.  I volunteer twice a week, ministering approximately six hours each day, sharing and listening to these men at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.  It is my personal opinion, that after a person has been locked up and given the time for the drugs and alcohol to leave their system…this allows them clarity and time to think.  Many will listen to the message of Christ and accept the opportunity to trust Him and be saved.  What a blessing it has been to have the opportunity to follow up with those who have recently been saved.  It is an awesome opportunity to teach them and see them grow in the Lord.  You may or may not be able to spend this much time, but you can still volunteer for whatever time your schedule allows.  You can be a faithful part of the ministry of reaching this very neglected segment of society.

Bill R. Smith