by John Wood, G-1 Chapter Sponsor

“Brothers I do not consider myselfto have yet taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which GOD has called me heavenward in CHRIST JESUS ” —Philippians 3:13-14

For many years, this has been my “life ” verse. It has challenged me in many ways as a follower of JESUS. Although I have walked with the LORD for many years, like Paul I do not consider myself to have arrived or “taken hold of it; ” with “it” being the eternal glory I will have with my LORD and SAVIOR someday.

Paul’s emphasis on forgetting what is behind is crucial for all of us to be able to move in the direction of GOD’s calling and to not allow ourselves to be crippled by our pasts. We must learn from our pasts so as to not make the same mistakes or commit the same sins again, but we can’t live in the past or we will never attain a full, personal relationship with the LORD. I was a competitive long-distance runner for many years, and so I understand what it means to “press on.” In all the races I ran in over nearly a 40 year career, I never started a race that I did not finish. There were many times I wanted to quit, but I managed to “press on ” toward the finish line. It is with that same determination (and even more) that I join the Apostle Paul in pressing on toward the goal of finishing life’s race and crossing the finish line in heaven.

I challenge all followers of JESUS who read this to “forget what is behind” and keep “pressing on.” Remembering that we are not running this race alone, that CHRIST is our strength, and that we are day-by-day achieving our eternal glory as we do not grow weary or give up!

by Michael Geiger

(Michael is a prisoner at the Dick Conner's Correctional Center in Hominy OK. This is a message he posted to the G-1 newsletter, an inside newsletter dedicated to the Christian movement, by the prisoners)

I don’t know how, but music can really open the heart of emotions. We see the devil at work every time we turn on the TV, in movies, and in games, yet, I see more movies about faith and JESUS than I ever have before. Then I see a new age of passion.

My hope is that those who have doubt and do not believe, now believe. JESUS told Thomas “Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

We all have a call from GOD. As Scripture says, we all have talents that GOD has blessed us with, but we need to take hold and accept those gifts and talents.

GOD can and will move in our lives if we will allow HIM to. JESUS said for us to take heart because HE has overcome the world (the devil).

Take heart in all we do and give glory to GOD in all things, whether good or bad. GOD is with us and has our best interest, at heart.

I pray the message of GOD will be spread by you as well. GOD bless.

Park Plaza Prison Ministry Report 06/15/16

Tulsa County Jail. On Pace to deliver 5,000 Classroom lessons this year into David L. Moss or Tulsa Co. Jail.  Jim Pinkston & Francisco Davila teach the men. Ron Babbet teaches with us men when his schedule allowes.  Four ladies go to the women’s pods every Friday for the last two and one half years, to teach.  Elaine Russell, Carol Siling, Teresa Hawkins and Alison Valentine. Jody Gilkey’s job has caused her to take a break from this ministry for a while.  We have just received permission to teach in the third POD #18 on Thursday afternoons. This will have us teaching in all the lady pods. Carl Moore and Zeth Parkhurst have finished the training and have received their badges. Zeph is teaching with Jim and the hearing impaired. On June 11, 2016 over 100 inmates were baptized at DLM. 79 were the students of the Park Plaza Prison Ministry. Bill Hamrick, Ron Hass and Ralph Hunter Church of Christ preachers also go into DLM between us all the men’s pods are visited each week. So far this year Park teachers have baptized 233 precious souls into Christ at the jail

 

Creek Co. Jail is a new work started by Terry. He takes Celebrate Recovery into the jail every Monday and on Friday afternoon New Life Behavior.  Due to this ministry going into Creek County, The inmates there studied salvation and 107 were baptized into Christ. Over 20 of these are Terry’s students.  The last time Creek held baptisms was 5 years prior to these. David Stikes now has his badge and is teaching there.

 

John H. Lilly Correctional Center.  Terry teaches New Life Behavior, Thinking for a change, and sponsors Celebrate Recovery. He is also the Assistant Chaplin. Roger Bentley has received his training and got his badge and has started helping Terry at John Lilly. Bryan Campbell is helping on Saturdays with CR. On Wednesday April 13, 2016 Terry baptized two men into Christ.

 

Dick Connors Correctional Center.  Jim has worked there since 1990. Elaine started a couple of years later. Jim teaches NLB Lessons and CASA.  He also teaches in the faith based unit and preaches there four evenings each month. Tuesday night Oct.20, 2015 one inmate was baptized during the service the Park Plaza Prison Ministry did. On November 4 another young man was baptized into Christ. Jim and Jody Carmichael, Elaine Russell help and Booker leads singing when he can. Jim’s wife Jean now has her badge and is going with the group to the services there. So far this year we have had four baptisms there.

Prison Apologetics:

Jim Carmichael is about to complete the first course in Christian Apologetic training at Dick Conners Correctional Center. This class will be continued, and we will be starting a new session very soon.

Correspondence. 35 packages of 6 to 7 lessons mailed to many prisons in Oklahoma.  Every two weeks = 228 lessons x 2 = 456 per month or 5,472 per year.  We have several helpers that show up every other Tuesday night to grade all of these and get them ready to mail. John Ulrich is helping with this work each week. Many of these are people we studied with at Tulsa and Creek County Jail and have gone on to prison. This is one way we keep up with them.

 

Re-entry program. (Hope City) It houses four men at this time.  Randy Milam is the onsite manager.  We have the space for five.  Two units are being remodeled to where it can handle seven.  We also have a RV that is being plumed at this time to where it can house one making the total eight.  One of these men (Bryan Campbell) is being trained to go into the prisons and be a full time minister like Jim Pinkston and Terry Finch.  He has a degree in bible and masters in drug & alcohol counseling.  Through the ministry he was funded for these while incarcerated.  He will receive his badge in January. In the last year and one half over twenty men have been helped and are closer to Jesus because of this great ministry. Two of these men have their own business today and employ several ex-offenders.

 

Advisory Board.  The board is made up of eight men.  James Ivy, Ken Williams, Steve Stade, Scott Blackwell, Gary Medley, Mark Clayton, Randy Milam and Kevin Neiman.  Jim & Terry are the recruiters for the applicants.  The board decides who is approved to enter the reentry program.  They go by a set of guidelines approved by the Elders. The board also oversees the operation of the program.

 

Future Plans. To continue with the programs that are now being successful and just see where God leads us in 2016.

 

Baptisms from this work

2010                            94

2011                            109

2012                            139

2013                            259

2014                            406

2015                            382

2016 Jan Tulsa County 56 March Tulsa County 85 As of April 1 2016 Dick Connors 6 John Lilley At Boley 7. = 154 plus 79 at DLM 6-11-16 = 233 So Far in 2016

Total                          1622 Since 2010 That we know of.

 

To put this in perspective, 1622 would more than fill first & second service at Park Central. 

Impossible without your support.

“Jesus did it!!!”

 

THOSE WHO GO FOR SERVICES

 AT THE DIFFERENT PLACES

Jim Pinkston

Terry Finch  

Elaine Russell

Booker Murphy

Jerona Robey

Jim & Jody Carmichael

Francisco Davila

Carol Siling

Teresa Hawkins

Alison Valentine

Jody Gilkey

 

 NEW WORKS FOR 2016

 

Tulsa County Jail

 

Carl Moore & Zeth Parkhurst  have finished their training and will soon receive their badges. They will be teaching the hearing impaired at Tulsa County Jail.

 

Lori Varnell & Jan Upton have finished their training and will soon receive their badges. They will be teaching the ladies with the other Park Plaza ladies at Tulsa County Jail.

 

Creek County Jail

 

David Stikes & Jody Gilkey will soon receive their training and receive their badges and start teaching at the Jail.

 

JOHN H. LILLY CORRECTIONAL CENTER

 

Roger Bentley, Brian Campbell and John Ulrich will receive their badges and start teaching at this prison with Terry.

 

Dick Connors Correctional Center

 

Jim Pinkston has started teaching in the Faith Based Unit. This is a program where every inmate in the unit is a believer in God. The men stay in this unit for eighteen months and spend there time studying Gods word.

Jim’s wife Jean is getting her badge and will start going to Dick Connors with the group soon.

Jim Carmichael will start teaching Apologetics the first Monday of April. That is how to defend the Christian Faith.

New Classes will begin the first of July on Tuesdays.

 

 

 

by Gary J. D—  (inmate & “inside preacher”  in Oklahoma prison system)

GOD’s words given to Isaiah through the HOLY SPIRIT are rich in prophecy, particularly in warnings of the impending judgments to fall upon the nation of Israel. The book, written during the time of the divided kingdom, speaks of the coming MESSIAH, and although “the Church “is not mentioned in the writings, the implications are prominent, especially in chapter 7, verse 14. In that passage, we’re introduced to “EMMANUEL.”

In Isaiah’s words, we learn much about our HOLY GOD As HIS  attributes, expectations, and promises are made clear when HE deals through HIS prophet, with a rebellious, divided nation. Isaiah presents a Chrystal clear view of GOD’s grace, of the judgments to be unleashed upon the enemies of GOD’s people, and the blessings to be extended to the Gentiles through the MESSIAH.

GOD’s grace and HIS kindness as our loving FATHER are evident. The guilt of sin having been established (v.15, “your hands are full of blood”), the “white as snow” imagery of v.17 demonstrates the power of GOD’s grace to purify the greatest iniquity and remove the guilt of sin. Verse 19 stresses that forgiveness is the product of true repentance. GOD’s HOLINESS demands this cleansing and HIS GRACE provides forgiveness through obedience.

Our HOLY GOD requires praise and worship from us today, just as HE did in previous ages. Psalms 146-150, among others, begin with “Praise ye the LORD.” Chapter 25 in Isaiah is a song of praise, and it asks for GOD’s favor upon Israel. Within this chapter, GOD’s loving empathy is identified: “HE will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces” (v.8). We are to “exalt” GOD and Praise” (HIS) names (v.1).

Israel has been taken captive in exile and all is seemingly hopeless for this destitute people, chosen by GOD. Israel, imaged as a “barren woman,” is told to “fear not; for thou shall not be ashamed” (54:4) The “shame” and “reproach” of Israel’s sins was the catalyst for its captivity in Egypt, its exile in Babylon, and for its dispersion, at the time of Isaiah’s writing (712 B.C.); the future kingdom, prophesied here, will be a glorious time of redemption.

Galatians 4:28, “Now we, brethren, as Isaac, are the children of promise,” speaks to the promises of GOD to Christian believers because we, also, are “spiritual heirs” to the promises given to Abraham (3:29). We, New Testament Christians…the church…have “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in CHRIST” (Romans 8:16-17)

Through rebellion and captivity, GOD remembered HIS people, Israel, and HIS promises to them. Isaiah, often acknowledged as the chief prophet, created a prophetic portrait of redemption and an undeniable image of GOD’s unlimited grace and faithfulness.

As CHRISTIANS, GOD’s nature and attributes are made even more clear because we have the words, works, and promises of the CHRIST, “GOD with us,” as prophesied in Isiah. “Fear not,” for HE is the “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 21:6), the  “LORD of GLORY” (James 2:1) and the “LORD of all” (Acts 10:3, 6). Have you trusted HIM with your eternity?

“And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in HIS SON.” – 1 John 5:11

 

 

 

 

 

Tulsa County Jail.

On Pace to deliver 5,000 Classroom lessons this year into David L. Moss or Tulsa Co. Jail.

Jim Pinkston & Francisco Davila teach the men.

Ron Babbet teaches with us men when his schedule allows.

Four ladies go to the women’s pods every Friday for the last two and one half years, to teach.  Elaine Russell, Carol Siling, Teresa Hawkins and Alison Valentine. Two more ladies, Lori Varnell & Jan Upton, have taken the training and are waiting to get their badges.

Jody Gilkey has moved back to Tulsa and has started back at the jail with the ladies. We have just received permission to teach in the third POD #18 on Thursday afternoons. This will have us teaching in all the lady pods.

Carl Moore and Zeth Parkhurst have finished the training and have received their badges. They will be able to teach the hearing impaired.

On October 10, 2015 over 200 inmates were baptized at DLM. 105 were the students of the Park Plaza Prison Ministry.

Bill Hamrick, Ron Hass and Ralph Hunter Church of Christ preachers also go into DLM between us all the men’s pods are visited each week. In

December Park teachers baptized 64, and March 2016;  85 more.

 

Creek Co. Jail

is a new work started by Terry. He takes Celebrate Recovery into the jail every Monday and on Friday afternoon New Life Behavior.  Due to this ministry going into Creek County, The inmates there studied salvation and 107 were baptized into Christ. Over 20 of these are Terry’s students.  The last time Creek held baptisms was 5 years prior to these. David Stikes now has his badge and is teaching there.

 

John H. Lilly Correctional Center.

Terry teaches New Life Behavior, Thinking for a change, and sponsors Celebrate Recovery. He is also the Assistant Chaplin. Roger Bentley has received his training and got his badge and has started helping Terry at John Lilly. John Ulrich is helping on Saturdays with CR. On Wednesday April 13, 2016 Terry baptized two men into Christ.

 

Dick Connors Correctional Center.

Jim has worked there since 1990. Elaine started a couple of years later.

Jim teaches NLB Lessons and CASA.  He also teaches in the faith based unit and preaches there four evenings each month. Tuesday night Oct.20, 2015 one inmate was baptized during the service the Park Plaza Prison Ministry did.

On November 4 another young man was baptized into Christ.

Jim and Jody Carmichael, Elaine Russell help and Booker leads singing when he can.

Jim’s (Pinkston) wife Jean now has her badge and is going with the group to the services there. So far this year we have had four baptisms there.

Correspondence.

35 packages of 6 to 7 lessons mailed to many prisons in Oklahoma.  Every two weeks = 228 lessons x 2 = 456 per month or 5,472 per year.  We have several helpers that show up every other Tuesday night to grade all of these and get them ready to mail. Many of these are people we studied with at Tulsa and Creek County Jail and have gone on to prison. This is one way we keep up with them.

 

Re-entry program.

(Hope City) It houses four men at this time.  Randy Milam is the onsite manager.  We have the space for five.  Two units are being remodeled to where it can handle seven.  We also have a RV that is being plumed at this time to where it can house one making the total eight.

One of these men (Bryan Campbell) is being trained to go into the prisons and be a full time minister like Jim Pinkston and Terry Finch.  He has a degree in bible and masters in drug & alcohol counseling.

Through the ministry he was funded for these while incarcerated.  He will receive his badge in January. In the last year and one half over twenty men have been helped and are closer to Jesus because of this great ministry. Two of these men have their own business today and employ several ex-offenders.

 

Advisory Board. 

The board is made up of eight men.  James Ivy, Ken Williams, Steve Stade, Scott Blackwell, Gary Medley, Mark Clayton, Randy Milam and Kevin Neiman.  Jim & Terry are the recruiters for the applicants.  The board decides who is approved to enter the reentry program.  They go by a set of guidelines approved by the Elders. The board also oversees the operation of the program.

 

Future Plans.

To continue with the programs that are now being successful and just see where God leads us in 2016.

 

Baptisms from this work

2010                            94

2011                            109

2012                            139

2013                            259

2014                            406

2015                            382

2016 Jan Tulsa County 56 March Tulsa County 85 As of April 1 2016 Dick Connors 6 John Lilley At Boley 7. = 154 So Far in 2016

Total                          1543 Since 2010 That we know of.

 

To put this in perspective, 1543 would more than fill first & second service at Park Central. 

 

Impossible without your support.

“Jesus did it!!!”

 

 

 

 

THOSE WHO GO FOR SERVICES

 AT THE DIFFERENT PLACES

Jim Pinkston

Terry Finch  

Elaine Russell

Booker Murphy

Jerona Robey

Jim & Jody Carmichael

Francisco Davila

Carol Siling

Teresa Hawkins

Alison Valentine

Jody Gilkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW WORKS FOR 2016

 

Tulsa County Jail

 

Carl Moore & Zeth Parkhurst  have finished their training and will soon receive their badges. They will be teaching the hearing impaired at Tulsa County Jail.

 

Lori Varnell & Jan Upton have finished their training and will soon receive their badges. They will be teaching the ladies with the other Park Plaza ladies at Tulsa County Jail.

 

Creek County Jail

 

David Stikes & Jody Gilkey will soon receive their training and receive their badges and start teaching at the Jail.

 

JOHN H. LILLY CORRECTIONAL CENTER

 

Roger Bentley, Brian Campbell and John Ulrich will receive their badges and start teaching at this prison with Terry.

 

Dick Connors Correctional Center

 

Jim Pinkston has started teaching in the Faith Based Unit. This is a program where every inmate in the unit is a believer in God. The men stay in this unit for eighteen months and spend there time studying Gods word.

Jim’s wife Jean is getting her badge and will start going to Dick Connors with the group soon.

Jim Carmichael will start teaching Apologetics the first Monday of April. That is how to defend the Christian Faith.

 

The Unity of the SPIRIT

“…be filled with the knowledge of HIS will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding… “—Colossians 1:9

Saturdays have become spiritually special, a time of true Christian blessings. A dozen or so of us meet for about 90 minutes and discuss “The True Gospel of CHRIST versus the False Gospel of Carnal Christianity,” a book by J.R. Shelton. The text and its accompanying Study Guide are published by Mount Zion Bible Institute.

While we’re pleased that Chaplain Johnson provided such a pertinent study about this timely topic, what has been gained by the participants far exceeds topical knowledge. We have been drawn together by the HOLY SPIRIT in “one body, and one SPIRIT” to study and carry with unity the proclamation of “One LORD, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and FATHER of all…” (Ephesians 4:4, 5-6). As Paul put it, we are “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace” (v.3).

As CHRISTIANS, followers of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, we are commanded to adhere to the teachings of Scripture. They hold the power to lead us from sin to obedience as the authority of GOD’S WORD cleanses us from ALL sin and iniquity.

JESUS spoke these words in John 15:3: “Now ye are clean through the WORD which I have spoken unto you.”

Purification, the process of the “perfection of the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12), includes more than CHRISTIAN living. Purification demands that CHRISTIANS “come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD” (v.13) as the HOLY SPIRIT’s power grows in us.

This “unity” is what Shelton calls “the true Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, ” the truth that lies in the revealed verac­ity of CHRISTIAN teaching. Harmony among believers is the product of the HOLY SPIRIT’s leading into sound BIBLICAL doctrine. As Paul directed the elders of the CHRISTIAN church at Ephesus (Acts 20:32):

“I commend you to GOD, and to the WORD of HIS grace,
which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

Why these directives are imperative to “the unity of the faith” lies in the fact that GOD’s HOLY WORD directs us securely to the “Knowledge of the SON of GOD,” a profound understanding of CHRIST through continual, “fervent” prayer, committed study of HIS WORD, and living in obedience to HIS commands.

Paul wrote (II Corinthians 3:18) that we “are changed into the same image,” which is manifest in CHRISTLIKENESS. Through the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRISTIANS are progressively transformed, being perfected through CHRIST, as we grow in knowl­edge of HIM and in commitment to HIM.

GOD is pleased when HE observes in us the attributes of JESUS, “the fullness of CHRIST” (Ephesians 4:13). We are called to “Let this mind be in you that was also in CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 2:5). The bench work for us is the spiritual integrity of JESUS which CHRIS­TIANS strive to obtain as we “study to shew (ourselves) approved unto GOD” (II Timothy 2:15). The Unity of the SPIRIT

As we study to be used in “the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12), we become, through the working of the HOLY SPIRIT in us, “one body, and one SPIRIT “

Paul prays (Ephesians 3:16) that we will be “strengthened with might by HIS SPIRIT in the inner man; that CHRIST may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Ephesians 3:16).

CHRIST is present with us at each study. HE blesses us with a nearness, a fellowship, and a joy beyond com­prehension.

HE is our great LORD, our loving SAVIOR, and HE spends time with us every Saturday morning as we are

“renewed in the SPIRIT of our minds,” and we “put on the new man, which after GOD is created in righteousness and true holi­ness” (Ephesians 4:23, 24).

We have added to the prison apologetics website the newsletter created by the inmates who are members of the Genesis One program, a program dedicated to breaking  the cycle of the repeat offenders

Prayer Request For:

Terrie & Davy D, for healing; Linda for healing (cancer); Charlene M (healing); Thomas W & Terry K (healing); offenders in the medical ward; Cleotis  R and his family; offenders seeking relief through the courts; the lost and broken-hearted. Pray for the peace and prosperity of this yard, for our families, children, and for each other. Pray that we all walk in wisdom to them who are without CHRIST, to be peacemakers, men of character, and that our joy will be full and JESUS CHRIST glorified in each and every one of us. AMEN!!!

You cannot read that prayer by the inmates and turn your back on these men who are desperately trying to turn their lives to Christ, and to help others do the same. Their goal is to leave this prison, and be good, God fearing, Evangelistic Christian citizens of our communities.

It is our goal to help them reach their goal, through teaching the scripture, teaching how to live by the scripture, and teaching them how to defend the scripture through Christian Apologetics.

Join us, and let’s take God’s word to these men and women, but let’s go beyond that, let’s find a way to start teaching school children the truth of our faith again, as we did in years past so they don’t have learn it in a penitentiary.

Join a prison ministry or start one in your congregation.

We share so many things on facebook, wouldn’t this be a great post to go “viral” ?  It’s up to you, such a simple thing, and who knows, you just might reach that one person who will become who will join in this ministry, and what a blessing that will be to you.

Thank You Jim Carmichael

Please visit our site at http://prisonapologetics.org

 

To break the cycle of the repeat offender.

With the G-I Program, G-1 members are encouraged to begin positive growth by organized involvement within the existing programs and opportunities offered from the DOC, the faith based community, and other support groups.

The very nature of the G-1 Chapter compels the G-1 members to take full advantage of the resources available while they are incarcerated and prepare themselves to become productive members of society when released.

Completion of the LITE PLAN as a G-1 member entitles them to the G-1 network of aftercare providers and all related resources available upon release.

Genesis One is a Christian, faith-based organization

whose Chapter membership is open to anyone regardless of race, age, gender, or religious preference. However, one must accept GOD into their life before they may continue with the Genesis One Program. We believe that without GOD, this program will be of no value to G-1 members.
Dick Conner Correctional Center

GENESIS-ONE Newsletter

Gary J. Doby, Editor-in-Chief
Fred Durbin, Graphics & Design / Editor
NOTE: All Scripture cited in these newsletters are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Leadership

John Wood, Sponsor
Thomas Ward, Chapter Coordinator Bruce Walker, Asst. Chapter Coordinator Juan Caballero, Chapter Prayer Warrior Fred Durbin, Interim Chapter Secretary

“G-1 Newsletter”

is published monthly at ! the Dick Conner Correctional Center. The i
i newsletter is intended to be a forum for : : Christian fellowship by providing a medium to share testimonies, artwork, poetry, and/or Bible exegesis submitted by
offenders, volunteers, and staff
Members of the Faith-based community on the yard are invited to submit their work. We prefer written work to be between 100-500 words. Artwork should be created in black pen or pencil. Please share your gifts: “Every good gift is from above, and cometh down from the FATHER…” —James I :17

The Day I Was Filled

On January 15, 2016, I laid on my bunk reading a copy of “The Baptist Mes­senger”  which I acquired from chapel the previous night. Three-quarters of the way through, I noticed a trend: acts of goodwill and people helping others. I continued to read.

A few minutes later, I noticed I was silently weeping. I then noticed a slight tugging feeling in my chest, a “pulling at my heart strings,” if you will. I put the “Messenger” on my chest. I spoke out loud, “Ok! I’m listening, GOD!” The next instant it was as if a dam broke and the flood gates were opened to full! I began to weep uncontrollably! This was the point at which I said, “Alright LORD, I’ll do it your way!”

I got on my knees at the side of my bed. I opened my heart. “GOD,” I said, “I give up! No more me, me, me, or I, I, I. From here on, it’s all YOU, YOU YOU! I give my life to YOU. Make me YOUR tool, please! Use me!” In that moment, I felt like Atlas having the world removed from his shoulders.

I felt all of my life’s “garbage” taken from me! Since that day, I have felt such joy and happiness!

Each time I let myself slip into an old “fleshly” act, the SPIRIT of GOD convicts me into correction. It’s won­derful being born again and filled with the HOLY SPIRIT!

I urge you brothers, give your life to GOD through JESUS CHRIST!

Surrender your all, and HE will show you HIS glory daily. I love you all. GOD bless!

Breaking Bread

(NOTICE: AS REQUESTED BY THE AUTHOR,
THIS ARTICLE WAS NOT EDITED.)Approximately one month ago, I had the privilege of attending the evening service and listen to the instruc­tions of Don Coleman, pastor of Highland Baptist as­sembly, give a sermon over 2 Timothy chapter 1. Re­garding our responsibility as believers to “stir up, speak up, and stand up.” in accordance with our gifts. He taught us the Greek word for gift. Which is trans­lated charisma in the Strong’s concordance #5486. It means a spiritual endowment.
Sha’ul was admonishing Timothy his spiritual son, to exhibit his gift with character as the leader of the Ephesians assembly, during the reign of the roman emperor Nero, approximately 54 to 68 A.D. Consider­ing the inflictions that Sha’ul, and Timothy would have undergone as the fathers of this congregations in this period of time. I pondered as Don Coleman elaborated on the future Oppression, we as believers may have to encounter for the sake of the gospel.

I began to envision, and ponder in my heart, beginning with Yahshua himself being crucified, Stephen being stoned approximately 35 A.D. (Acts7:1-60). Ya’acob (Jacob) the son of Zebedee was beheaded by Herod Agrippa the 2nd. Kepha (Peter) was crucified A.D. 67, Sha’ul beging beheaded in A.D. 68, Ya’acob brother of Yahshua was slain near the temple in Jerusalem, and Yohanan (John) was exiled to the islands of Patmos in A.D. 100, as well as all of the old testament Nebi’im (prophets) that were martyred before them. Then my thoughts began to drift to all the people, around the world today being persecuted, because of their faith, in the messiah. Considering this, I reflected on it, and briefly cringed at the thought of having to endure such pain; but the Holy Spirit within me shouted with every fiber of my being. “I will not deny my Messiah”! I will be steadfast in heart with the character needed to overcome pressure, to represent his kingdom in adver­sity. While walking back from the unit from service, these thoughts consumed my mind. “I will not deny the gospel”! In connection with this I asked someone what he thought about Don Coleman’s exhortation. I stated sincerely to him that I was sold out for the edifi‑

cation of the Good News. To support this, I began paraphrasing John 6:48-69, but I couldn’t remember it word for word, and I didn’t have time to look it up before lock down to share it. When I entered into my cell and turned on my television to channel 26, the Church station; at that exact moment at 9:02 pm Rabbi Schneider was speaking on the exact passage and verses, I couldn’t locate while outside. Was it coincidental? Perhaps?! However, as he conveyed the scriptures, I listened intently. I’m not sure if it was due to the recent incidents in Paris, but I had never heard him preach the word with such ardor. I was attentive to his every remark as he spoke to the desires of my heart. After the program ended, I reread chapter 6 of Yohanan’s gospel.

Neither Yahshua nor any of his twelve Talmudim (disciples) was Levites or descendants of the Aaronic priesthood, but they all were familiar with that liturgy. hi the Holy Place towards the left stood a golden menorah weighing 107 Ibs, with seven branches on it. On the right across from it was a 3 ft long, 2Y2 ft high, and 1Y2 wide table of showbread with twelve loaves upon it; accompanied with a vessel of wine. The twelve loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and the wine, the blood, and life of the persons being offered to Yahweh, which in this case was the twelve tribes of Israel (Leviticus 17:11). When the Cohen (Priest) would perform this ceremony, by eating the loaves every Sabbath, and pour­ing out the wine (Leviticus 10:9) they were symbolically feeding on and receiving in themselves the life of Yahweh. Cohen were responsible for the holiness of the community, since the peoples offerings were only acceptable to Yahweh through them, but only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement first for himself, and then for the nation (Exodus 25-37).

According to the gospel of Mattithyahu 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20. When Yahshua took matstsah (unleavened bread) blessed, and broke it, then gave it to his Talmudim, he said “take eat, this is my body, then he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, drink from it, all of you, For this is my blood of the Brit Hadasha (new covenant) which is shed for the remission of sins”. To improve my interpretation of what he was saying to his taught ones that night, I borrowed a concordance, and per­formed a Greek word study on 7 themes of Yahshua ritual. 1). #740 Bread (Artos) (4), “metaphorically of Christ as the bread of life.” 2). #4165 Feed (Pioman) means “overseer” 3). #4983 Body, (soma) (11a) means “reference to the church.” 4). #2806 Break (klao)

(4) “of the lords act in giving evidence of his resurrection. 5). #4221 Cup (Poterion) (2b1), “of the sufferings of Christ.” 6). #4095 Drink (Pino) “of drinking of the blood of Christ, in the sense of receiving eternal life, through his death.” 7). #2222 Life (Zoe) (1a1), “which he gave to the incarnate son to have in himself.”

After the completion of this research, I compared, and contrasted the rites of Yahshua to that of the sacrificial system ordained by Yahweh in the Old Testament through the priesthood. How they had to offer themselves to make atone­ment on the behalf of the community to appease the wrath of Yahveh. Once I was able to translate it; this is the under­standing I gained concerning this custom. “I am life (Artos) and by this doctrine (Klao), pastor, oversee (Pioman), those who believe in me (Soma). By doing this, you will subject yourself to the sufferings I have now, and will inflict (Poterion) The father has given me life in myself, since the life is in the blood, by accepting it, in you by faith (Pino), you will inherit eternal grace, through me is the promise (Zoe). (Mk 10:38-39); (In 5:26).

This is what Yohanan meant in 6:48-69 of his gospel when Yahshua said they would have to eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood. This is why many of his Talmudim went back, and walked with him no more. When Yahshua explained to them that they would have to apply his apostolic doctrine to their lives, and suffer for his names sake “therefore they said who can understand this”? In other words who could enter into a blood covenant with this? They wanted the re­wards of being associated with his kingdom, but were unwilling to suffer persecution for it. This is the reason Yahshua states in verse 65. No man can come to him unless it is granted to him by his father, because their hearts have to be purified through faith.

After I received this revelation, I had to reexamine my own heart to see if I was ready to partake in the memorial meal, with the messiah, and the conclusion of this matter is; “brothers, I do not count myself to have laid hold of it yet, but only this; forgetting what is behind, and reaching out for what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Yahveh in Yahshua Messiah. (Philippians 3:14-15) Not only that, I also have come to believe, and know that he is the Messiah, the son of the living Yah! He has the words of eternal life.

(Bible verses in this article are from “The Scriptures Version.”)