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Full Pardon - Issue 10 - April 2010
"This is Love: Not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). I can now tell you that no one can love us the way Jesus does. His love letter to us was written in His own blood. Jesus offers to be with us, guiding us, loving us, and supporting us. Jesus asks us to come away with Him too, so we can live in heaven with Him forever and ever. There is more than enough of His love to satisfy every person on earth. He never forgets about us when
He pays attention to others. His love will never grow cold, no matter what we do. He keeps on loving us even when everyone else gives up on us. God is Love and if we have Him in us we are going to have His love. God's love answers for all who seek Him in this world. Even our parents, who really love us, realize the best human love is imperfect. All of us need the deep love of Jesus to penetrate the places of hurt, brokenness, and loneliness where human love cannot reach. So now I ask you, will His love letter to you go unanswered? Don't be one who sings "Nobody Loves Me" songs! Take time to fall in love with Jesus, and then let that love overflow to those around you! "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you" (John 15:9).
On September 2, 2009 God was gracious enough to bring me to the Lake County Jail-again! This time however I decided going to church services and reading my Bible may be something I needed. I was baptized as a teenager but since then I went so far in the opposite direction I wasn't sure I could get back. I began reading my Bible and The Unseen Essential by James P. Gills-a Christian book available from the Chaplain's Office. [The second book in this two book series is Tender Journey.] It really touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I again accepted Jesus and through Him I have written three poems for Full Pardon-"Children of Yesterday" in January, "Written For Us Sinners" in February, and "At Calvary" in March. I realized I needed Jesus and with tears in my eyes and Jesus in my heart He gave me the words. So Jesus has a message for us all in those words.
I went to court yesterday. I wanted to go home like most of you but God isn't finished with me yet. I got 18 months in prison; God has blessed me with more months to learn more about Him and His love for me. I think the reason for the tears when I talk or think about how much He cares is that I know I have done so many things for which He SHOULD NOT LOVE ME but He does! Without a second thought He took me back. He doesn't care about the stealing, drugs, and lies. God forgave me when I admitted Jesus died for me and now my sins are forgiven. I try not to talk too much to others about my past. I want to forget it. I'm trying to think before I speak. I have written letters to family and told them I will be joining them in heaven. God is giving me more time to grow stronger before He turns me loose. I'm going to take advantage of this time. I am going to be baptized again when I get out because now I can truthfully say, "Jesus I am yours!" When I got sentenced I felt a great weight lifted off my shoulders. I gave the decision to God and I fully accept His decision. I pray that you will also take this golden opportunity to come to know my God. Hey, (smile), Jesus loves you!
Have you ever had someone tell you that all you need to do is just look to Jesus when you have a problem and that will solve it? I remember the first time someone told me that. I was having a problem so I tried to conjure up a mental image of Jesus in my mind picturing my favorite painting of Him. I just kept thinking of this picture. You know that didn't seem to help at all. I decided right then that there must be something else I was to focus on about Jesus. I'm glad that situation happened to me because it forced me to think through what I should look at when I focus on Jesus.
First, I must see that God loves me unconditionally. Second, I must believe that God's forgiveness of my sins cover all of them-past, present, and future-and He is not holding any of them against me. Third, I must realize that God has a plan for my life and He will take everything that happens to me-whether good or evil-and work it all together for my good (Romans 8:28). And last, I must see that God is faithful and able to keep every promise He has made to me in the Bible. When you know and count on these facts then you can properly relate to the trials that God permits to come into your life. You can see that they are all planned as a means of blessing, not cursing, in your life. So when a trial hits you can say, "I know that God loves me so much that He will not allow one thing to touch my life that is not consistent with His great love."
Because you have come to know that God judged Christ for all your sins you know that this testing is not to get even with you for some secret sin or punish you. God has already punished Christ for all your sins. Remember this when a trial or real tragedy enters your life. If you know that God has an overall plan for you and is fitting this situation into a pattern of good for you, you can praise Him for the trial. You may not see an ounce of good in the difficulty itself (and there may not be any) but God has unalterably committed Himself to work it into the greatest possible blessing in your life. But had this not happened you would have been cheated out of the rare privilege of receiving God's love and blessing.
When I look at my life I think of sailing a ship. As I look to the stern of my ship (past life) I can see the wake I've left behind. Some waves were small ripples that touched people's lives in a loving motion that was easy and acceptable. Yet some of the wake created by my "ship" caused damage. It eroded the shoreline, capsized other ships, and disturbed the tranquil still waters of many lives around me. But now I have a new Captain at the helm of my ship. He is licensed to handle any size ship on the sea. His record is spotless. His command is firm yet gentle. He is ever conscious of the lives entrusted to His care. His wake is gentle, yet moving. Jesus is my Captain. With Him at the helm of my "ship" the future is brighter and safer-steady ahead. All is well with my soul! Praise is to Christ and Christ alone. I am just a seaman 1st class, one of the crew under His command of the good ship "Hope." Amen!
Yes, there is much work to be done on my "ship" but Christ is able. He has already repaired my framework, my structural integrity is solid. But there are still some dents, dings, and rust spots. Hours and hours of patient hand sanding must be made after each of the many coats of primer-filler. It is in this phase that you uncover and correct all the small waves and ripples (imperfections) that will stand out like a sore thumb in the finishing coat of paint. We see our defects when we put on the "finish" of Christ and come under the "Light of His Word." It will take years to complete our restoration but when the clear coat is laid down by the Master Painter at His coming all you will see is the reflection of the Master, no flaws! Amen. I'm not where I want to be but I am definitely not where I used to be. Praise God!
A number of times I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane (Isaiah 26:3).
There were times when I thought I could go on no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving (Genesis 28:15).
I've wanted to lash out at those I felt had done me wrong,
But the HOLY SPIRIT kept my mouth shut (Ephesians 4:29).
Sometimes, I thought there wouldn't be enough money,
But GOD helped me pay for rent and food (Matthew 6:25-34).
When I thought I would fall,
JESUS kept me up (Matthew 11:28-30).
When I thought I was weak,
CHRIST kept me strong (Philippians 4:13).
I could go on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm BLESSED to be "kept."
I'm "Kept" by the LOVE and GRACE of GOD
Thanks for your testimonies. We hope more of you will write for the next issue. Send them to Chaplain Pete and keep it to 200-250 words. Share Full Pardon with those on the outside: www.trinityfree.com/fullpardon on the Internet. Remember, Jesus Christ died for you!
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