Prison Ministry Support Group, a group I belong to on LinkedIn recently posted the following;
“What do you believe is the most important thing for a person in prison to do while they are inside name Five (5) important things.
A number of things came to mind but prioritizing tehm was a bit of a challenge but after some thought I responded with these five things.
- A minimum of 1 hour a day in Bible study (reading primary and x-ref scripture from a Bible study devotion, meditation, memorizing and prayer). Ideally do both an hour in both in the morning and the evening. Challenge yourself to read, read, read and then read something more on anything and everything that that you can get your hands on that is Biblically sound & Christian based.
- Partake in weekly worship and or group Bible study that will include topics related to all aspects of family life (parenting, marriage, leadership), employment, accountability and responsibility towards others. If not already able to do so, learn how to truthfully share your hurts, your fears, your desires and then do it.
- Partake in a cognitive thinking program ideally Christian based. Do self-examination of soul, spirit, hear and mind. Come to know your emotional wounds. Forgive those who hurt you, repent from bad behavior, poor choices, and blame and seek healing from all from God through Jesus Christ. Seek forgiveness from God for your wrongs and those you hurt if safe and possible.
- Seek God’s purpose for your life; take self-assessment test, spiritual gift test, counsel with others who can and honestly assess your positives and negatives. Seek how you can utilize these gifts for God’s glory.
- From day 1 of incarceration start developing a strategy plan for reentry. What MUST you do during 90 days prior to my release and up to the day of your release, the first 24-hours, 72-hours, a week, month, minimum to of 1-year. Have a minimum of 3 alternative plans for areas like housing (If all possible enter a Christian based reentry program for a minimum of 6 months), potential churches, and employment resources.
Discover areas of interests and read and learn and enjoy. Whether it be history, biographies, how to or how does, trains, planes automobiles, cooking, photography, quilting. Treat yourself to a vastness of knowledge of persons, places and things that excite you. Know that man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him.
Each could be expounded upon, clarified and debated for that matter as there is one an do or not do while incarcerated.
First and foremost everything should be done on the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 14:1 tells us
The fool says in his heart “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
A fool does not believe in God because he has put his trust in himself. Thus he fails, he hurts, he cries out for God but there is no response of love, compassion or words of wisdom because being the fool, he does not know the gospel or if he does know the gospel, he chooses not to believe the gospel but even if he knows and believes the gospel, he does not put his trust in the gospel because he is a fool. Notitia, Assensus, Fiducia - Know, Believe, Trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Do not spend those days of incarceration being a fool.
2 comments:
As I look back over your top 6 Scotty you have some really great stuff there and as I said on Facebook, if a man do those he should do well. I will not put “my” top 5 or 6 as that would be one-upmanship and we are on the same team lol. So, I think I will just comment on the ones you have and applaud you for them.
1. You are so right, this is the time for a man who has been born again and is a new creation to sink roots in Christ, the Word of God and build a firm foundation. I was so blessed with all available resources when I was in prison in Texas. For sake of being brief I would add: be real. I saw so many men get high minded in Christ and have unreal expectation on God. Men, prepare yourself for reality. Being a Christ-follower does not mean you won’t face many trials upon release. God is not letting you down; as a matter of fact He uses these things in our life to produce things that come no other way in us. Romans 5:3-5
2. I like what you said here and it is pertinent but I think it could have been added into #1
3. All I would add to three is take advantage of everything you can while on the inside: get your GED, get an associates degree, keep busy and positive. I have heard the old saying: “I’ll do it when I get out…” NO, if you don’t take advantage of what is available to you inside, you won’t do it on the outside where there will be demands on your time and resources. I see so many men get caught in the trap of hanging with, running with their piers and wasting opportunities. Fellowship is very important but choose your posse wisely: Ps. 101:3-7; Prov. 12:26; 1Cor.5:33 Pick friends who are also following Christ and only seek your best: Ecc. 4:10.
4. I like this one. I think it is so important to know that God has gifted you and has a calling on your life. It is vital to get plugged into a bible teaching church that is mission and community minded. Do not try and be a lone ranger Christian, that is a myth and there is no such thing. We depend on one another so get involved in the life of the Church inside and continue from day one on the outside.
5. I love your #5!!! I think you must be where you are and do not do your time with your head in the free world, but that being said you must have a plan of action. I would say, if you are short don’t talk about it in the inside. The men that are going to be there for a while do not want to hear it. I would only share it with very close brothers and even then, respect the fact that they are going to remain in there and while they may genuinely be happy for you, at the same time, it will be hard on them to see you go. Have short term goals. These help, as you chip away and mark them off your list, to encourage you on toward your long term goals. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If you don’t aim at something you are sure to hit your mark!
Again, great job Scotty, God has the right man for the job and I encourage you dear brother! You probably have no idea, this side of eternity, how many men you bless. Take it from one who was so blessed and came to know Jesus by one like yourself and was so blessed to be equipped by many others just like you!
Testing testing....What I said yesterday that *poofed* is that the best thing anyone can do, whether behind bars or out, is to figure out how to love God and allow Him to fully love you. All the exercises and practices won't get us far until we've been given new hearts, had our wounds healed, and we're set free...
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