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!
