In prison?
Are you praying for what you need?
Are you listening to the voice of God and getting what He has for you?
God always keeps His promises. Our Creator sees everything, knows us completely, and refreshes us with exactly what is needed to live one day at a time. Total self-reliance or human interdependence isn’t enough. We need Jesus because humanity inherited corruption at the fall. We share this life imperfectly, under the forgiveness of our Savior who has made us His own. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit works faith into all who receive the Gospel and Sacraments to make us holy by the blood of Christ who is our only and certain hope. Unified in the faith, we are free to confess our sins. Though we don’t deserve mercy, as God’s Word is spoken, taken in and digested, we receive the richness of forgiveness.
“What has God done? He has become man of the Virgin. What has He done it for? Simple. For us.” —Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray Read More
Faith humbles the soul needing rescue from corruption and gives strength to cling to the Lord.
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4
The Creator sacrificed Himself to be our Redeemer. Nothing we do creates faith for salvation; it is by the work of Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit to help us trust our Heavenly Father. The God of all seasons will never leave or abandon us during our most difficult times. He keeps us calm and patient during the waiting. He walks us through hardships. Faith supplies repentance for the love of Truth, as well as confidence that our own darkness, and that of others, can be safely brought to Light. Blessed to be drawn near God, encouraged, equipped and empowered by Him, in the Name of Christ we love and comfort others, just as we long to be treated by them. We gladly receive compassion and joy as our focus is set on the life of Jesus for us to live freely, endure sad times, and celebrate together as the Church.
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” Hebrews 13:1-3
When fooled to reject God’s love and forgiveness, then selfish motives lead to apathetic tendencies of recklessly harsh use of power and manipulation to control others. Even so, no one’s misbehavior usurps the Almighty Father’s plan of
grace and mercy. Because of sin, Christ
died for you, me and everyone in the process of living eternally. Upon passing through death into
the resurrected life, all people will continue in one of two
destinations.
- In God’s mercy—those having repentant faith, consoled in Christ’s cross for forgiveness (through meditating on the Word, hearing it preached, in Holy Baptism, in the Lord’s Supper), will be gathered together to praise God in everlasting harmonious perfection with memory erased of former sin, schism, abuse, anxiety, regret, chaos, pain, sorrow and death.
- In God’s wrath—those rejecting the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith in Christ will be separated from God in a miserable eternity horribly suffering with Satan.
Jesus fixed what humans break.
The preserved Church gathers to honor Christ who died, rose from the dead, and helps us even when we don’t know what to do, or pray. As we pray for entangled, estranged, damaged, or broken relationships, He reads the motivation of our hearts. Faith assures us that the Lord hears us, answers, and from Him all blessings flow! Please, pray for hurting people in the Church and thank the Lord for those who pray for you.
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:5
Acts 12:7
 |
| And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. Acts 12:7 ESV |
Angels serve God by rescuing people from persecution and also by proclaiming the message of salvation.
Divine reality is that angels minister with rest and refuge from harmful captivity. The all-powerful, all-knowing, faithful Creator incredibly and mercifully answers prayers of exhausted, confused people whom He deeply loves, fully forgives, and blesses with freedom. Thankfully, God has pity on us. Because He completely understands our suffering, He cares and involves Himself in unexpected ways or by a series of intricate processes over time. He determines what is best for those joined to Him by baptism into His death. Our loving Father’s purpose is designed to redeem people and is perfectly composed within an unimaginable larger picture. He supplies contentment so we need not understand more than He gives us to know. We needn’t hide from God, nor be afraid to share His love with others willing to listen. The faith holds us firm in His grace for ability to continually repent of weaknesses, failures and struggles amidst chaos all around us. A rigid answer to every question isn’t necessary as we’re moved to conform to the Gospel, praying His will be done and trusting it is so. Our plans may not match His plan for us and others. His will, not the same as our will, may play out differently than what we want or predict because God allows all things, including things we see as bad, to happen for a greater good.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
The faith sustains our hope in Christ for us. In unexpected, purposeful ways which are higher than ours, Jesus goes through everything with us. Receiving our Savior’s mercy and comfort brings peace of conscience in midst of trials, ill-treatment, troubles and in the face death. The Kingdom of Christ is His slow-to-anger compassion. Jesus relieves us of our hunger to always be right, forgives our wrongs, heals our wounds, fills us with Truth and prepares us with grace as He fights battles of each day for us. The blood and righteousness of Jesus is available for the safety of all people. Those who receive the Spirit of Truth have wisdom for sharing life. In loving perfect timing, God releases oppressed prisoners who trust Him to help, uplift and carry them in His gentle, powerful, everlasting arms.
What a privilege it is to give God the glory for guarding, protecting and saving us!
We’re so thankful! While we wait and grow together, we want everyone to
receive the Good News of our risen King Jesus before the harvest!
“and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 50:15
