The Real Deal (Part 2)

 So what does Christianity look like? If you claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is there a masked difference in your daily actions then a non believer? How about we start with what a follower of Christ won't look like? Unforgiving, full of hate, and prideful are some of the traits that can be seen in a non believer. Psalms 130:3-4 (AMP) states "If You, Lord, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand [before You in judgment and claim innocence]? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared and worshiped [with submissive wonder]." You see, with forgiveness comes forgiveness. All because God Almighty saw fit to forgive us. So then why shouldn't we as measly humans forgive others who have hurt us and/or done us wrong? In Mathew 5:22 Jesus tells us, "But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, [Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell." Jesus goes on to say in verse 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in Heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good; and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Seems a bit harsh, right? NO! Our God is Holy and Just. His Word tells us (Proverbs 23 NASB) "For as he thinks within himself (his heart), so he is." Satan was thrown out of Heaven because of pride. Psalms 10:4 states "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are 'There is no God'" Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) "When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame, But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind." Beloved friends, as followers of Christ our walks in the day to day grind that is life should reflect our love of Christ. That is the key! What does Christianity look like: LOVE! Jesus said in John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another and I have loved you." He goes on to remind us in verse 16 that He chose us! We didn't chose Him! You've seen the bumper stickers! Christianity is not a religion it's a relationship! I never really understood that until a few years ago sitting in county jail studying the Word and praying. Since Jesus first loved us, the very people who's sins nailed Him to the cross, we in turn, love Him. Walk daily in the love! Let go of the unforgiveness, hatred, and pride. Let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you as you go about you lives. Christianity is all about love! May the Lord fill you with overflowing love and peace. May your hearts be softened to receive this  free gift of mercy from the One Who Calls you out of the pits of despair. In the Might Name of Jesus, Amen! 

4 

Just be Thankful!

 I am ashamed to admit it, but yesterday I was mad at God, and even worse, I complained out loud! Making matters worse, earlier that day our Case Manager, Mr. Manns, had given a Word on being ungrateful! As inmates we had been informed that we were eligible for stimulus $ from the CARES Act, and I was looking forward to it so I could pay off court cost and ease the burden of my family who send $ every month so I can live more comfortably. How many understand that when you have a loved one in prison, you're all in prison?! Some may say, "y'all deserve to suffer" " do the crime, do the time!". I say, "Yes & Yes!" However, being locked away from society & loved ones IS doing the time and punishment enough! Having a high metabolism like I do and living off the food we're served here s not conducive to staying healthy! Most stuff I can't get past the smell to TRY and eat! Let alone the look! I digress. I received a letter from the friendly IRS stating they were taking all the money and applying it towards my child support debt and boy did I react wrong! See, as a follower of Christ, I should know better! The Word says to" give thanks in ALL circumstances" 1 Thess. 5: 16-22. It's so easy to drop the ball, to lose sight of the prize. I've been struggling since Friday with a stomach bug and whooo boy is that rough in here ( our restrooms are closed at certain points, meaning no entry!) Yet all it took was a wise man named Pete to remind me, to point out the obvious good that I had missed! My son will have an extra Merry Christmas this year because of that! I immediately repented asking God to forgive me! Beloved friends, the will of God for His children is to be thankful! Is you or someone you love struggling financially? Has Covid touched your life intimately? Are you and your spouse not talking? " Be still and know that I Am God." That is what our Heavenly Father is saying today! He gave us His only Son. He loved us that much! Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things SHALL be added unto you! Glory to God!! Hallelujah! Praise You Father! Thank You Jesus! You are worthy Father!! Take time to thank the One Who saved you. Even in our darkest times, we can and should give thanks!

My Sentence

 What I wouldn't give just to hug my son! To see him laugh and smile. Just to sit and listen to him talk. But, because of my actions, the consequences are me being apart from Caleb. 11 years is a long time behind bars. I'll be honest, until a couple of weeks ago I thought I didn't deserve it, on the grounds that the mandatory part my time is based on falsehood. However, I deserve every day I got separated from society, family, and friends. After all, I DID break the law and I regret those actions severely. I'm sorry just ain't enough the way I figure. I believe that's why I talk about abuse and victimization, and most importantly, the freedoms that only Jesus Christ can give from all of that! You see, I've been there. Living my life as a victim. I didn't realize how damaged I was until it was too late. So deep into depravity, I saw no way out. I tried over and over to stop the thoughts of lust, to stop the actions that made me stink into a deeper pit. On that night I was "tricked" into going to the police station, well it was the night I was going to lay it all on the line and talk to the one I had abused. Now I pay the price for my actions and my inactions. By allowing myself to be in situations my way of thinking was twisted. However, God was still speaking. He was there calling my name. Thank God for His love and word! How I long for the ability to speak into my son's life, as do all inmates with children. We all make wrong choices. "For all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)  John said in  1John1:9  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Creator of the Universe says everyone who repents and accepts His Son, Jesus as Lord will be forgiven and made clean by the blood He shed on the cross! Please, give someone a second chance! Seek the face of God to soften your heart and teach you how to forgive. He forgave you. Will you too have forgiveness in you heart?

Keep the Target Steady

 Memories can be good, and bad. These days I am having a lot of great memories flood my brain. The fall leaves turning colors on the trees n the woods across the field are a great reminder to the good times of my past. I miss those times, and those people. Walkin through the woods with my friends and family. With Mandi, Brittany, and Amanda. My best friend Chett. Walking through the cornfield maze with my son and step daughters and Jerri. There wasn't always bad times wit her. I remember how she looked in her red coat. So beautiful and sophisticated I looked at her at that time and wondered why she chose me. So many good memories. Where does time go? ! I miss those people a whole lot dangit! I thank God that Jesus sent us The Comforter. With Him living inside me, it is more bearable to continue living in this world with the bad memories and the missed opportunities. The devil will try to keep us stuck in the past. All the things we've messed up, he will keep us there focused on those memories. Pretty soon they will consume our thoughts! That's why the name Target Jesus is so meaningful. We must stay focused on what is really important Our Lord and Savior, Jesus! He is what matters because it is by Him we will be judged, NOT the world, NOT Satan! Titus 2:14 talks of what God has done for those who call on Him. He has redeemed us from every lawless deed and purified us to be His possession! Glory to God! Thank you!!! Remember this ya'll, Jesus is there holding out His hand saying come to Me all who are heavy and I will give you rest.

The Real Deal (Part 1)

 If you were on trail for being a Christian, would there be a guilty verdict saying you were a follower of Christ? Does the prosecution have enough evidence to show without a doubt that you love Jesus? Sticking a Hot Wheels car in a garage doesn't make it a real car. Putting a shark costume on your cat doesn't make it a shark. The same can be said that parking your butt in a pew every week doesn't make you a Christian. Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) The Apostle Paul writes " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." How many of us need some of these fruits in our lives? How many of us just lied saying that we don't need any? Is your love showing? Ask a friend or loved one if you act with gentleness and patience. Those who follow Jesus have His Spirit living inside them! The same Spirit that rose Him from the grave is in us (Romans 8:11)! Maybe you're thinking "Nick, you are nuts! You can't look at a person and see if they follow Jesus." I say, why not? We as followers of Christ are called to be the salt and light throughout the Earth! Mathew 5:13-16  “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." If we, the Body of Christ, would submit ourselves fully to the Holy Spirit, then the world could not help but see the light whom is Jesus Christ! Folks, please allow the Spirit to mold your outer man into the likeness of Jesus. Then you will praise God when found guilty of following Christ! You'll be the real deal! The inner man will match the outer. In the next two weeks there will be a part 2 that will go over what this looks like. 

Fall the wonderful time of year!

 This time of year is hard for me and I bet a lot of inmates. For me it has been enhanced by the loss of 2 people I loved. Fall is, to me, the most beautiful time of year. Even though it is death, in essence, it is full of beauty. Watching the leaves change, feeling the cool fall breeze on my face, smelling the scent of decaying leaves, to me, that is what makes fall wonderful! It also brings back many good memories of times spent with my loved ones. Time where we would be laughing, and playing together, yes, even Aunt Frances. Shoot, there was a few times she was the start of water fights at our family reunions in KY!! In those dark times, Holy Spirit is there. See ya'll, He is living inside every single person who claims Christ as Lord and Savior. He is there reminding us of God's Word. Showing us the way we should go. Filling you with His joy and Love, and Peace. Before time began, before you were born, God chose you to be His child! He chose you to have eternal life via His Son, Jesus Christ! Ephesians 1:4b-6 Paul writes; "Because of His Love, god had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would bring us to Himself as His sons- this was His pleasure and purpose. Let us praise God for His glorious grace, for the free gift He gave us in His dear Son!" Beloved friends and family, remember to praise God! Even in times of deep despair. IN times of pure darkness where there seems to be no end in sight! God IS there! He is there holding your hand! Call out to Him! Praise Him THROUGH the storm! Praise Him with your whole being! He loves you and with that praise will come a change in your sight! Aim higher than your circumstances! Set your eyes on Jesus! He is the Author of your Hope through Jesus!

Fear is not here

 Matthew 10:28 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One Who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Being in prison, especially during this season with the virus, there is a spirit of fear throughout this place. On top of the fear of injury that is daily occurring behind bars, the beatings, the stabbings, the rapes. Some people feel at any time this could happen to them. They live their lives daily petrified with fear. Do you? Are you in fear for your life? Do you worry about tomorrow? What could happen going through your heads constantly? I'll te4ll you what, that used to be me. Frankly it SHOULD be me, because of the crime I'm convicted of, all those things are a very real daily possibility. Yet God says, Do Not Fear! We, as followers of Christ should not fear death. Why would we?! When we die we will be with Jesus i heaven! We will see Him, the One we love face to face! The glory of god will be our light FOREVER! I say to you in the Name of Jesus, do not fear ya'll! Hold each other up. Reach out to your loved ones and friends at least weekly to see how they are doing, to encourage them. That is what being a Christian is about! Show the Love! Spread the Love! 1 John 4:18a " There is no fear i love. But perfect love drives out fear..." Love one another. Keep your eyes on the prize that is our eternal hope Who is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!