VL - Issue 18 - November 2015 by VICTORIOUS LIVING Magazine

REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE

Quarterly Publication | Issue 4 2015

A Publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries

Choose to Live

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I WAS IN

PRISON And You Visited Me.

Matthew 25:36

SEND VICTORIOUS LIVING TO A PRISON INMATE

PRISON CORRESPONDENCE OUTREACH Do you need encouragement? Our correspondence team is available to you, but our address has changed!

TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF YOUR LETTER, PLEASE DIRECT ALL FUTURE CORRESPONDENCE TO OUR NEW POST OFFICE BOX IN STARKE, FLORIDA. For a limited time, any letters sent to our previous addresses in Clermont or Keystone Heights will be forwarded to Starke, but that will lead to a delay in your letter being read and responded to. Thank you for your cooperation.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE: KOJ Ministries Prison Correspondence Outreach PO Box 328 Starke, FL 32091

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

An Invasion of Love Recently, I was riding in the car with our prison correspondence director, Linda Cubbedge. We were chatting away, like most women on a mission. In a rare moment of silence, I presented an unexpected question. “Linda, if you could describe our ministry in a couple of words, what would they be?” I waited a few seconds for a reply. I have to admit, I was surprised that a descriptive word or two didn’t just roll off the tip of her tongue. Linda has been working with KOJ Ministries for a while now. It was all I could do not to blurt out my own answer to the question. “Well,” she finally said, “you’ve caught me off guard.” Tears began to well up in her eyes. Now she had caught me off guard! I certainly hadn’t meant to make her cry. After a moment, she continued softly, “It’s an invasion of love. Our magazine, Victorious Living, our prison correspondence outreach, your personal visits to the inmates—they invade hearts and minds with God’s love. His love is healing the brokenhearted and setting the captives free. But what is even more amazing is how my heart, your heart, and the hearts of those on our correspondence team are being invaded by God’s love through those we minister to. God’s using the heartfelt testimonies of the inmates to transform our own hearts and minds! We are just as blessed, if not more, than those we minister to.” An invasion of love. Linda’s response couldn’t have been more perfect. Through this magazine, the prison correspondence outreach, speaking engagements, and our socialmedia outreach, God has created a pathway for His love. And it’s a two-way street! In August, I experienced such an invasion while ministering to a group of inmates at Avon Park Work Camp. When Calvin, an inmate there, invited me to their Bible study group, I went expecting only to encourage Calvin and the other brothers in Christ with the Word of God. I left, however, completely undone by the love of God shown to me by the inmates in attendance. Their genuine love strengthened my faith and energized me to keep pressing on. And according to Calvin, a fire was lit in the hearts of the inmates as a result of my visit that continues to burn strong to this day. God’s love is truly amazing. I was just asked in an interview how long I planned to minister. My reply? Until the day I die! Nothing compares to seeing God’s love invade the hearts of captives and set them free. Likewise, nothing compares to having my own heart invaded by God’s love through those our team ministers to, whether they’re in church pews, orphanages, prisons, or anywhere in between. Why would I ever

want to stop? God’s love—giving it and receiving it—is what makes life worth living. Have you been invaded by God’s love? Has it overwhelmed you to the point of tears? Has it rendered you speechless? If not, I pray that by the time you finish reading the testimonies shared in this issue of Victorious Living, you will be swept away and taken captive by God’s love. It’s a love that will never fail or abandon you. It will never criticize or reject you. And it will never lead you astray. It’s a love that will heal your broken heart and restore your shattered dreams. It will strengthen your weakened body, soften your hardened heart, and calm your fearful mind. It’s a love that will save and set you free. Open your heart today and be invaded by God’s life-giving, life-changing love. You don’t have to do anything to earn it. It’s a gift from above. You only need to receive it. (If you want to know how, check out page 5. And when you do, that gift of love is yours forever!) Romans 8:38–39 tells us that clearly: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A moment ago, I asked if you’ve been invaded by God’s love. Before I close, I’d like to ask one more personal question. In your daily life, are you being used as a means for God to invade the lives of others with His love? God’s love invasions can only happen when His people become willing vessels of His love. No matter your circumstances, God is ready to use you. There’s nothing greater than knowing your life is being used by the Creator of this universe to reach into the hearts of others and change lives. Are you looking for a way for God to use you? Consider joining our Victorious Living family as a story contributor, prayer partner, and/or financial supporter. God is moving mightily through this publication—literally saving lives through the love and truth contained on each page. With your support, more and more lives can be invaded with the amazing love of God. Thank you for your support,

Publisher/Editor Kristi Overton Johnson Editor Rachel F. Overton Contributors George Beasley Roy A. Borges Becky Coursen Corey C. Linda Cubbedge Kristi Dews Dale Aleshia Dye Bonnie Hagemann Todd Ingersoll Kristi Overton Johnson Calvin M. Jacob Miller Kayla Miller Nate Miller Carey Morford Kenny Munds Rick Renner Dan Stewart Jeremy W. Creative Director/Graphic Design Whispering Dog Design, Inc. Amy Zackowski amy@whisperingdog.com Partnership Support victoriousliving@kojministries.org Cover Photography Christy Prowant Photography Photography Christy Prowant Photography Additional Cover Story Photos Courtesy of Brush Arbor Rob Goldberg Jr. / PCC Media VICTORIOUS LIVING ADMINISTRATION/DONATIONS PO Box 120951 Clermont, FL 34712-0951 352.478.2098 • fax 888.837.9153 ALL INMATE CORRESPONDENCE Victorious Living Prison Outreach PO Box 328 Starke, FL 32091 Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Scripture marked niv is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, niv®, copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Scripture marked nkjv is taken from the New King James Version®, copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson. Scripture marked esv is taken from the English Standard Version, copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Scripture marked msg is taken from The Message, copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All scripture versions are used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Table of Contents Issue 4 2015

Are you experiencing victorious living? Is your life filled with

purpose, love, joy, and peace?

Do you have

hope for your future?

Forgiveness for your past? Strength for your tomorrow? Right now you might be thinking, “Are you kidding me? Joy, peace, purpose? Worth, strength, forgiveness? I’ll never have those things! Look at where I am! Look at what I’ve been through. Look at what I’ve done. Look at what has been done to me.” Friend, right now, no matter what your past

or present, all of these things can be yours. You can have peace that passes all understanding, joy in the

midst of hardship, love and acceptance despite your failures, forgiveness, and a fresh start. Your life can have purpose. It doesn’t matter if you are sitting in a mansion or in a jail cell or somewhere in between, a victorious life can be

yours TodaY!

How? Through a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you do not currently have a relationship with God, begin one right now. Romans 10:8–10 nkjv explains how: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” As you accept what Christ has done for you and put your faith in Him alone for salvation, you are then free to have a relationship with God and experience His peace, power, presence, and love. You don’t have to do anything to earn God’s love and forgiveness. It’s yours for the asking! After you’ve received this free gift of salvation, guess what? You are then able to step into the life of victory Christ died to give you—an abundant life of peace, joy, worth, love, and purpose. As you grow in your relationship with Him through studying and applying the Word of God and by trusting Him, these things are released in your daily life.

Will you pray with me right now and receive all that God intends for you?

Dear Lord, I confess that I am a sinner in need of salvation. I thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to save me from my sins. Thank You that He laid down His life for me so that I could have a new life in Him. I receive, by faith, this forgiveness of sin. I now give my life, my past, and my future to You. Guide my steps and speak to my heart, Lord. Amen

Share Your Story!

Do you have a story of victory? Share it with our readers! Your story has the power to transform lives and bring much needed hope. Here are the guidelines: • Submissions are not guaranteed to be included in the magazine. • Submission is acknowledgment of your granting KOJM and Victorious Living publication rights to produce your submission in this magazine and other ministry publications. • Photos submitted must have photographer’s and each photographed subjects’ consent of use. Photographer’s name must be included. Hard copies of photographs will not be returned. • Victorious Living does not pay for submissions. • Submissions should be a maximum of 800 words and are subject to editing. • Mail submissions to: Victorious Living, PO Box 120951, Clermont, FL 34712-0951; or submit online at kojministries.org. • Victorious Living is a free quarterly publication distributed to KOJ Ministries partners, at various distribution locations, and within the prison system.

Victorious Living

MISSION

The purpose of Victorious Living is to declare freedom for the captive through true testimonials of God’s grace, love, and power in the lives of everyday people. A captive is anyone enslaved to their circumstances, relationships, thought patterns, habits, or emotions. A captive can be incarcerated or living in a free society. They can be of any age,

gender, race, and socio-economic background.

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REFRESH YOUR SOUL

A Wardrobe Change by Kristi Overton Johnson

The Christian’s Wardrobe Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:12–16

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Recently, I was at a Christian conference in Orlando, trying to absorb the speakers’ messages, which I knew were wonderful. But I was having trouble concentrating. My shoes were killing my feet, and my strapless bra kept sliding down to my belly button. For hours I wrestled with that annoying, uncomfortable bra. The person behind me was probably silently pleading, “Please, make her stop!” On the way out that evening, I was overwhelmed with the uncomfortableness of those two items. Without thinking, I exclaimed aloud, “I am so tired of wearing things that don’t fit!” As soon as those words left my lips, the Lord, as He often does, brought a spiritual analogy to my heart. He reminded me of how uncomfortable my life used to be when I attempted to wear the “outfits” of the world. For years I’d tried to be someone the world wanted me to be. I’d spoken and acted in the way I thought would please the most people. I had sought after things I thought would bring happiness, satisfaction, fame, and pleasure. Yet, in the end, I always found myself in an internal wrestling match, ever striving to do something or be someone I wasn’t. I finally stepped out of the wrestling ring the day I made this declaration of surrender to the King: “God, I’m tired of trying to be somebody other than who You designed me to be. I’m weary of doing. I’m weary of forcing things to happen. Please, strip away anything that isn’t of You, so I can be free.” I wanted freedom, and I knew that my current path wasn’t ever going to lead me there. It was time for a change. It was time for my life to be transformed through the working of the Holy Spirit.

That transformation, however, didn’t happen overnight. In fact, I’m over a decade into it, and I’m still not completely free! But with each step in Christ, I’m discovering my true self, the person God created me to be. I’m becoming free of the pressures of people and the patterns of the world. I’m finding peace and joy as well as purpose and contentment. I’m also moving further away from the uncomfortable, exhausting, and frustrating life I used to live. I don’t know about you, but I want to be free. And I want to stay free! Freedom, however, doesn’t just happen. It takes more than a desire to change. There must be a decision to change, and then deliberate action. Although I declared my desire to change decades ago, taking off the world and putting on Christ is a daily decision that requires a constant surrender of my life to Christ. It requires me to draw close to the Lord by spending time in His Word and in prayer, to continually ask the Holy Spirit to expose any thoughts, habits, and patterns contrary to God’s will for my life. Then, with God’s help, I have to actually remove those things. If you’ve lived the Christian life for any length of time, you know that the world’s outfits (its actions and thought processes) have a way of trying to dress you themselves. But the closer you are to Christ, the more uncomfortable those outfits will be, and the quicker you will recognize them and be able to remove them. So, how about it? Do you feel like you’re in one big wrestling match? Are you tired and perhaps frustrated with the constant cycle of life? Maybe you, too, need a wardrobe change. V

HIT IT!

is a true, exciting, detailed story of the rise, fall, and resurrection of a real sports champion… Kristi Overton Johnson. Get ready to be challenged, encouraged, and motivated!

Purchase your copy at kojministries.org for $14.00 plus shipping and handling.

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UNIQUELY YOU by Rick Renner

I have struggled terribly with inferiority. Inadequacy, insufficiency, incompetence, and deficiency are just a few words to express the feelings that tried to master my self-image. I learned much from my experience with that struggle, as well as a great truth I found in my studies of 2 Corinthians 10:12 nkjv: “They, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” I believe the principle I discovered in this verse will help you if you’re facing a similar challenge and long to be free. When our teaching ministry was first getting started in the 1980s, I wondered who would ever want to have us minister in their church or conference. My wife, Denise, and I had been living in a small city and had very few contacts beyond our little circle, so it seemed like a logical question. On one hand, I knew God had called us to teach His Word across the earth—but on the other hand, I questioned how that call would work. No one knew who we were. No one had ever heard us teach the Bible. There was simply no logical reason why anyone would invite us to teach the Word in his or her church or conference. We began to schedule meetings in small churches all across the United States. We joyfully walked through every door and took every opportunity that opened for us, even accepting invitations to speak in home Bible studies. But frequently, the enemy would bombard my mind with tormenting thoughts that inflamed the old feelings of insecurity: “This is it for you! You’ll never do anything with your call on a large or significant scale. Your entire ministry will be to small groups of people!” When we would get into our car to leave those meetings, I’d share my struggles with Denise, and she’d try to encourage me. But the devil was hounding me with accusing thoughts of impending

IF YOU WILL SIMPLY QUIT COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS TODAY…YOU WILL OPEN THE DOOR TO FREEDOM FROM A SPIRIT OF INFERIORITY SO THAT YOUR UNIQUE GIFTS CAN BEGIN TO SHINE BRIGHTLY AS GOD INTENDED. failure, telling me that I would be insignificant for the rest of my life. I especially felt assaulted when we attended conferences or seminars to hear other speakers. Rather than being blessed by those meetings, I was busy trying to defend my mind against the barrage of negative thoughts that assailed me almost constantly. I vividly recall the devil telling me: “You don’t measure up to other speakers.” “Your style isn’t like theirs.” “You are nothing and you have nothing to offer in comparison to others.” “You’ll live and die a failure because you are too different from everyone else, and you’ll never be accepted.” I fell into the trap of measuring and comparing myself to others—and the end result was always feeling like I fell hopelessly short. The devil literally tried to devastate me with feelings of inadequacy, deficiency, and inferiority. The more I compared myself to others, the more I felt “less than”—that is, until God’s Spirit reached into my heart and set me free!

The reason I share this intimate struggle from my past is that I know there are many who compare themselves to others as I once did. In fact, this may be your struggle. If it is, I hope what I found in 2 Corinthians 10:12 will help set you free, just as it helped me find freedom from that terrible mental bondage that almost crippled me and my ministry. When the apostle Paul wrote his second epistle to the Corinthians, he told them that comparing themselves among themselves was not wise. The word wise in this verse was translated from the Greek word sophos, which means specially enlightened, wise, sharp, or bright. This verse could be interpreted: “Comparing yourselves among yourselves is not the wisest, sharpest, or brightest thing to do.” I can attest from personal experience that comparing yourself to others is not the brightest thing to do! It can be a fruitless endeavor that makes you feel worse and even more inferior and insecure than you ever felt before. The word comparing in 2 Corinthians 10:12 is the Greek word sunkrino, and it paints the picture of two or more people standing side by side to thoroughly examine themselves in comparison to one another—and then critically judging to see who is superior among the candidates. One group would be classified as superior, while the other group would be classified as inferior relative to that other group. The simple truth is that such comparing is a fleshly endeavor that produces no spiritual fruit! It puts one up, puts another down, and fails to recognize the manifold, diverse graces of God that exist in the Christian community. The Corinthian believers were fighting among themselves to prove who was the greatest among them. When Paul wrote this verse, he wrote it to continued on page 30

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Watermelon on the Rocks

by Kristi Overton Johnson

I noticed a strange plant growing around a fountain at my parents’ pool one summer. The plant seemed out of place, so I asked my dad about it. It turns out that the year before, we had spit our watermelon seeds into the rocks by the fountain, and some of those seeds had made their way between the rocks and down into the soil. The plant in question was a watermelon vine. For weeks, my kids and I enjoyed watching watermelons grow right before our eyes. As I looked at the vine and the watermelon attached to it, John 15:5 popped into my mind: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing.” Looking at that fruit, thriving despite all the rocks, I began to think about how we, as believers, can flourish and thrive even in the rocky places of our lives. Our victories and growth don’t have to be determined by our circumstances. We can produce healthy fruit in our lives, no matter where we are planted. What fruit can we produce? Galatians 5:22–23 tells us, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” According to these verses, when our lives are found in Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit will do a work in us, causing us to produce these fruits in our lives. He will enable us to love others with God’s unconditional love. He will produce joy and peace within us, even when our circumstances could tempt us to lose them. His Spirit can help us be patient and long-suffering so we can persevere when things get tough. His Spirit can help us be kind and gentle in our dealings with others. He can also help us be loyal and faithful to people and to the tasks before us. Finally, the Holy Spirit can help us have self-control so the world and our own flesh do not rule over us. Our fruit is very important. In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says that true followers of Christ are identified by the fruit displayed in their lives. The love we show, the peace maintained, the joy projected—as well as the

other fruit of the Spirit—are the very things that differentiate us from the world and prove the power of God working in our lives. They are what lead us to victory and bring glory to God. (See also John 15:7–8.) Unfortunately, Christians often fail to remain connected to Jesus, our Vine. We become like a watermelon that’s been disconnected from the vine. What if I had detached one of the developing watermelons from the vine and left it on the rocks? It would have stopped growing; inevitably, within days, the watermelon would have dried up and withered away. Here’s the thing: the vine isn’t an option for the watermelon. It’s a necessity. The watermelon needs the vine to live and be well nourished. It also needs the vine to become what it was designed to be—a sweet, enjoyable fruit! It’s the same for us. Jesus isn’t an option! If we want to live an abundant, victorious life, if we want to be who God designed us to be, and if we want to glorify our God, then we need our Vine. We need His strength, power, wisdom, and love to flow through our hearts and minds. Apart from God, according to Jesus, we can do nothing. Without the nourishment of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, we will surely shrivel up and live unproductive lives for eternity. The reason so many Christians lead defeated lives is because they are living apart from the Vine. I know, because I’ve tried it! I’ve allowed the busyness of life and the cares of the world to move me away from the Vine. I’ve run ahead of God in my own strength and reasoning. I’ve put my own desires ahead of God’s will for my life. I’ve allowed sin to clamp off the life-giving flow of the Holy Spirit. And I found myself devoid of love, peace, joy, self-control, and patience. Instead, I was operating in busyness, overcommitment, weariness, frustration, and fear. Like a detached watermelon, I began to wither away. But praise God! One day I realized my need for the Vine, and I drew close to Him, daily seeking His wisdom and strength, looking for His timing on matters. As I did, I sensed His fruit forming within me. Then I began to see it being produced outwardly. It’s been a wonderful process. Some fruit has taken longer to develop than others, but God

has patiently continued to work in me and through me, little by little bringing transformation of the heart and mind. There’s no way around it. Our fruit development is dependent upon our staying closely attached to the Vine. We can’t attach ourselves occasionally and expect God’s fruit to abound. You know—that occasional visit to church, prayer, or flip through the Bible. We can’t run through life at Mach speed, independent of God, and expect to have victory. Fruitfulness comes with a commitment to stay close to God, to stay in His Word, to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and to surround ourselves with other believers who can help us grow spiritually. Fruitfulness comes through praise and thanksgiving, even when our flesh wants to grumble and complain. Fruitfulness comes from trusting God, laying aside our worries and fears, and stepping out in obedience. As we do these things, fruit will develop! Think about it. The watermelon doesn’t force itself into existence. It grows naturally because of its relationship with the vine. Likewise, as we stay close to God, we automatically form His fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will become natural byproducts in our lives for all the world to see. It’s a promise from Jesus Himself. Let’s read John 15:5 again: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” This doesn’t say you might produce fruit or that you will bear great fruit only in certain seasons of your life. No! It says you will produce much fruit. Period! Just like those watermelons, you can bear fruit even in the rocky terrains of your life! Right now—no matter where you are, no matter what you are facing, no matter who is coming against you—you can bear much fruit. You can be victorious, and you can point the world to Christ through every season of your life. It’s true: apart from God we can do nothing. But with Him, we can do anything and bring great glory to Him. V

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He Hears

by Roy A. Borges

Need help in your life? Then pray. Some people wonder why we should pray. If God knows everything, they ask, doesn’t He already know what we need? God does know everything. And yes, He knows exactly what we need before we even ask for it (Matthew 6:8). But we have to remember: the purpose of prayer isn’t to inform God of what is going on in our lives or the world. Rather, it is a way to voluntarily communicate our hearts to Him, to open up and invite Him into our circumstances, and to show that we trust Him. Prayer is a voluntary act of worship that brings us closer to God. When we pray, God hears more than our words. He listens to our hearts. Prayer is not an event; it is a way of life that brings us into relationship with God. Through our honesty, openness, and sincerity, we build an intimate relationship with Him that is based on trust and patience. The psalmist encourages us to begin each day by lifting our voices to the Lord: “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3). In fact, we can fill our whole day with conversations with God, who will hear us anytime: “Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice” (Psalm 55:17). In the face of accusations and slander, we are to give ourselves totally to prayer. “I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!” (Psalm 109:4). David was attacked by evil people who slandered him. Through prayer, he was able to remain strong and encouraged and stay a friend to his enemies. Oswald Chambers said, “God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.” Make prayer a priority. It is life to us. “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). As the life of a deer depends on water, so our lives depend on God. We draw close to Him and are satisfied in Him through prayer. Let God know that He is who you seek. It is He that you desire to help you through your circumstances. Then let Him guide you. Don’t fall into the habit of making your plans and then asking God to bless them. Don’t pray only in moments of need. He is not LET GOD KNOW a genie in a bottle waiting to grant your every wish. For a long time, I prayed for God to open the prison doors and THAT HE IS WHO release me. I wanted God to change my circumstances, but He YOU SEEK. IT IS HE wanted to use my circumstances to change me and those around THAT YOU DESIRE. me. I realize the One who knows everything knows what is best for me. I trust Him even when I don’t understand why my prayers DON’T FALL INTO are delayed. I know God hears my prayers and He will work every THE HABIT OF situation in my life out for my good because He loves me. He has MAKING YOUR proven Himself time and time again. If you haven’t seen an answer to your prayer, be persistent. PLANS AND THEN Jesus told the story of a widow’s persistent request in Luke ASKING GOD TO 18. Her persistence caused her to receive her heart’s desire. BLESS THEM. Persistence isn’t endless repetition; it is being persistent in your faith. Don’t give up. Nothing can substitute for prayer, especially in DON’T PRAY circumstances that seem impossible. He hears us when our words ONLY IN MOMENTS are offered to Him with a sincere heart, and He will come to our OF NEED. HE IS aid in ways that we might not expect or ever have imagined. God may delay His answers, but it is always for our good. Our NOT A GENIE IN loving Father cares, and when we cry out to Him, He hears us. He A BOTTLE WAITING welcomes our prayers and encourages us to come to Him. TO GRANT YOUR Dear Lord, life can seem so hard sometimes. I must confess I don’t always understand Your purposes in my circumstances. Please help me EVERY WISH. to learn how to trust You and how to wait patiently for Your response. Amen. V

One Unanswered Prayer by Jeremy W.

What has life done to this man who once was strong, proud, and seemed to have a plan? This man thought he was happy, thought he had the world in his hands. But now he walks around as if he’s cursed or damned. His struggle has overcome him; he has nothing left to give. He’s not afraid to die; he’s becoming afraid to live. He has spurned good advice; his loved ones have tried. On the outside he is living; on the inside he has died. He put his trust in the world and the things therein. He loved first himself and fell deeper into sin. He’s so disgusted with himself, he won’t look at his own face. So hardened by this world, he won’t accept God’s grace. With all his heart, his pain, and unreserved emotion, he’s unable to care or have any devotion. He has no more effort; he’s given up trying. This poor man is not living; this man is dying. The fear of life continues on, eats away at him like cancer. He prays for his death, but his prayer goes unanswered. You see, the Lord has a plan that this man does not know. He’s being torn and broken down, so that his faith may grow. His weakness is his strength, his humbleness his guide. In dying to himself, the Lord made him alive. He’s now grateful and thankful and blessed beyond measure. In his heart is the Lord, and the Lord is his treasure. The Lord never gives up; He is always there. His love remains unfailing; He always cares. He’s constantly forgiving; He is just and fair.

This man is thankful for that one unanswered prayer. V

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Choose to Live I grew up in a Christian family. I went to church and youth group and did everything else expected of me. I learned a lot about God, but I was never certain if I knew Him. During my senior year in high school, I was accepted to attend Moody Bible Institute (MBI), but shortly thereafter, I realized I did not have a personal relationship with Christ. Instead of dealing with this, I chose to lie about it to my pastor, family, and friends…and then the downward spiral began. I went from questioning my faith to believing that I had committed the unpardonable sin and was now destined to go to hell. Countless sleepless nights and the beginning of severe depression followed. Because of pride and fear, I chose to isolate myself and not tell anyone what was going on inside of me. That isolation opened the door for the enemy to have a field day with me. Isolation is the enemy’s playground. I was bombarded with one lie after another, but I believed them because of how I was feeling. I continued in this downward spiral for the remainder of my senior year and the first semester of my freshman year in college. The lies and feelings increased in severity, and I became all the more confused. I was studying to be a pastor at MBI, but I knew my faith was invalid. I avoided the inner turmoil by remaining busy with school and basketball—which worked okay during the day, but then night would come, and I would be haunted with these condemning thoughts and hopeless feelings. I found myself, on a daily basis, looking out my nineteenth-floor dorm window, thinking about ending my life. I managed to survive that first semester by the grace of God and the help of a couple close friends, Jim and Mick. I then returned early to school after Christmas for a basketball tournament. My best friend

by Todd Ingersoll

had challenged me to read a book called Ordering Your Private World, by Gordon McDonald, and so I finally did on the last day before the rest of the students returned. God used that book to get hold of my heart and to speak truth into me. I got on my knees alongside my bed and cried out to Jesus. I was truly amazed that He heard me, and I was suddenly overwhelmed with feelings of peace and joy like I had never experienced before. On January 14, 1989, I became a son of God and started a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and was amazed at the changes that were taking place. This, however, is not the end of my story; it was just the beginning. I continued at MBI for another two years before I felt God calling me to go into business instead of the pastorate. I returned home and began working in contracting. Then I began telling parts of my story to family and friends. Instead of being received with open arms, I was met with many opposing—and confusing—points of view. Little by little, I opened the door again to the enemy’s lies. I chose again to isolate myself, and before I knew it, I was severely depressed and more confused than ever before. I sought counseling and help from doctors, but nothing seemed to help. Not the medicine, therapy, or countless counseling sessions. I used to drive aimlessly for hours, trying to clear my head and make sense of things. One day I made the snap decision to drive off the road in an attempt to end my life. But God had placed an off-duty EMT right behind me who watched me fly 180 feet through the air. Only by the grace of God and my guardian angels did I survive—and that with only minor injuries. This led to a new chapter in my life. I sought extensive counseling and inpatient care. I was surrounded by my family and girlfriend who loved and supported me. I learned a lot about myself during the weeks and months that followed, and eventually felt I had been set free from depression once and for all. My relationship with my girlfriend continued to develop, and Susan and I were married on January 23, 1993. Life was great. It was as though I’d been given a second chance—until the unexpected happened. On May 12, 1995, I watched our firstborn son die on the delivery table. I was strong at first as I tried to be there for my wife, but that only lasted so long. Six months later, I was driving to the office, thinking it was just going to be another day at work… when, without warning, I was overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. I reacted without even thinking about it.

Without premeditation, I pulled my truck into a storage bay and again tried to end my life. This attack came on so fast, with no warning, and I reacted as though it were out of my control—but God clearly reminded me once again that He is in total control! By the grace of God, I was rescued from a burning building with only minor injuries. I went on to pursue several months of extensive counseling and therapy and began rebuilding my life again. By the amazing grace of God and the love and support of my faithful wife, family, and friends, God restored my life. My wife and I are blessed with three healthy boys, a successful business, and many opportunities to share our story to help others. The enemy has tried more than once in the twenty years since then to take me down. Through the truth of God’s Word, however, and the power of prayer, support from my wife, family, and friends, and choosing to live in community when I was struggling instead of isolating, I have weathered those storms. My heart truly breaks each time I hear that someone has taken their own life. I was there more than once—I understand the struggle. I don’t understand why God protected me and not some others, but He has reminded me time and time again that it is not for me to ask. It is for me to trust that God is in total control and that He “causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). He has also taught me that true freedom only comes through believing and claiming His truth, regardless of my feelings. God has opened many doors for me to help those who are battling depression or who have a loved one that is. First Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour— this applies to Christians just as much as it does to non-Christians. But Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has good plans for us, not bad ones; plans for the future and hope. We must learn to claim these truths for our lives. God doesn’t guarantee that times will always be easy and trouble free, but He does promise to be with us and to work everything in accordance to His plan and purpose. Can true believers of Jesus Christ try to take their own lives? Yes—I did. But Jesus Christ came so that we can have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). If you or a loved one is struggling, I encourage you with the following verse. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God; listen to His voice and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20 niv). V

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Switch That Label! Crackhead. Slut. Liar. Unbeliever. Thief. Cheat. Worthless. Fat. Ugly. Stupid. Poor. Every day, people try to attach names to us, many of which aren’t even true. They make rash assumptions or judgments and run with them. The most recent name applied to me was noncompassionate Christian. As I heard those words, my heart filled with many emotions. First, I was angry. Who did this guy think he was, judging me like that? He was the noncompassionate Christian! I was also hurt. His comment made me feel like I was failing at being who Christ wants me to be; the person I so desperately want to be. I had to step back and get God’s take on the situation. I have to admit—it was all I could do not to react in self-defense. As I sought God’s perspective, however, He gently instructed me to show this person His love, to treat him like he had never said anything hurtful to me, and to pray for him. God also reminded me to let Him handle the situation, that He would defend my reputation and show others, including the person who had hurt me, that these words were untrue. And then He reminded me of something else.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8–9

by Aleshia Dye

Proverbs 18:21 nkjv says that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” It’s a warning to us to be wise in what we say—to others, but also to ourselves. Negative self-talk can be just as damaging as someone else’s gossip. So no matter what label someone has tried to attach to you, speak truth—God’s truth—to yourself. Instead of agreeing with the world’s labels, declare aloud the virtues that God says are in you until they become a reality in your life. Instead of saying, “I am so stupid,” you could say, “I am so smart. God has given me wisdom. I have the mind of Christ.” Rather than saying, “I’m worthless,” say, “I’m God’s treasured possession. I am worth the very life of His Son!” Satan uses negative words to distract us from taking hold of God’s promises for our lives. They rob us of time and energy. They cause us to think differently about ourselves than God thinks of us. But consider this: people don’t talk about ordinary people. They talk about people who are different. Be different for Jesus and let them talk. So what is your label? Does it match any of the ones God would put on you? Loved. Forgiven. Gifted. Strong. Courageous. Beautiful. Treasured. Wise. If not, then it’s time to switch your label. It doesn’t matter what people call you. Christ knows your heart. Don’t allow what others have said or how you feel about yourself to keep you from seeing yourself as God sees you. Speak God’s truth about your life. Believe what He says, and watch your life begin to change. Be filled with His love and live every day to please Him. When you do, His love will shine through you. The labels you’re used to wearing will begin to change. And if you have a negative label because of your past or current situation, ask Christ to save you. When you do, your negative labels will be washed away. It’s time to pull off those ugly, worn-out, old tags and let Jesus put His label on your heart and life. V

Beautiful You!

I love you, My child. Did you know, I think you’re beautiful? You are. Come to Me, right now, just as you are. You are perfectly designed for an incredible purpose. Don’t compare yourself with others. Don’t wish you were someone else or that you were somewhere else.

Be the you I created you to be, right where you are.

Know that even now, even in this season, your life has great value and purpose. My child, quit striving to be someone else. If you are trying to be someone else, you can’t be who I created you to be. There is no other you! You are enough.

Quit striving to do more. It’s not about how much you can do for Me; it’s about trusting Me. Just rest in Me. Receive the love I am lavishing upon you. Then love me back and love those I place in your path. It’s that simple.

Quit striving to be somewhere else. You can’t bloom where you are at this moment if you are always trying to get somewhere else. Take a deep breath. Rest in the plan I have for you. It’s good. You may not be able to see it, but I do. I see it all. I see how I will take your past and your present and weave them into the most incredible future. Trust Me. I’ve got you. Quit worrying. Quit doubting. Quit regretting. And quit being afraid. It’s not necessary, nor is it helpful. It

only wears you out and steals your joy, peace, opportunities, gifts, and time.

I love you, My child. I love you just as you are; I love you right where you are. Don’t listen to the lies that torment your mind. You are not a failure, devoid of hope, ugly, worthless, or beyond repair. You don’t need to clean up to come to Me. You don’t need to perform to please Me. I am already pleased with you. And I cannot possibly love you any more than I do right now.

Receive My love. Receive My Truth. And find the freedom to be you… beautiful you. www.kojministries.org 11

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The Train Ticket By middle June, my husband and I knew there was a problem, but we didn’t yet know the extent of the threat. I listened to Gary’s account of the alarming doctor’s visit, but I didn’t join in his panic. Gary always seemed to expect the most disastrous outcome of any threat, and after twenty-five years of marriage, I was really good at resisting worry. He did enough of that for both of us. My more southern, laid-back nature meant I took one day at a time and assumed that nothing would be as disastrous as predicted. So if Gary was panicked when we went for the biopsy, I was not. I was caring and concerned, but felt it was just something more he and I had to handle that day. I didn’t think it would prove to be much. Until that point in life, this state of mind had served me very well. But by July third, such naïveté had left me. And without my papier-mâché security, I was the closest I had ever been to what I imagined as hell. Gary and I sat on the front porch that evening, and he tortured me with a long, tedious list of instructions of what to do after he was gone. We’d only heard his sentence that afternoon—I was in no shape to hear about how to sell a house or to whom I should give his kayak, but he heartlessly went on and on. My sister Cindy interrupted by phoning in response to my text. Cindy is a nurse and the best for relaying information to my family. I wept and told her what we knew: the pain in Gary’s forehead was a malicious, cancerous tumor, and the constant drippy nose he’d dealt with for so long was not mucous, but spinal fluid from the brain, leaking from a hole the tumor had created. Gary talked to her, and he said, “I’m amazingly okay with it all—I’m ready to die and have a strange

Winter

by Becky Coursen

peace with it.” She later told me his words, as well as his recitation of orders for me, were classic shock symptoms. That night, I simply didn’t know what to do with all my arms and legs. I went outside for a bit and worked off my agony by spreading mulch on my flowerbeds and shedding my tears on the hostas.

WHEN YOU GO THROUGH DEEP WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU. WHEN YOU GO THROUGH RIVERS OF DIFFICULTY, YOU WILL NOT DROWN. WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE OF OPPRESSION,YOU WILL NOT BE BURNED UP; THE FLAMES WILL NOT CONSUME YOU. ISAIAH 43:2

The night air was wickedly steamy, and the mulch was hot and foul smelling. I went back inside and aimlessly paced the house. We had no air conditioner, so the windows were open. I knew Gary was back in our room, probably not sleeping, but he was stone silent. Everything was hellishly silent, and the hot, fetid air suffocating. I was experiencing an overwhelming combination of heartache, panic,

fear, loneliness…and the stink of that hot mulch coming through the window physically gagged me. It was a taste and even smell of hell—and I believe it truly was—because faith was absent. I know now why I was there in that earthly hell. I was taking all of the pain, sleeplessness, fear, confusion, sorrow—everything I feared I’d be facing in the next however many months—and I was trying to carry it all in that one moment. I begged for God’s help all through the night, wondering why He didn’t comfort me or raise me out of my hellish hole. All night long, I recited this phrase in an eerie, breathy chant: I can’t do this. I’m not able. And on July 3, 2013, I wasn’t able to do it. And my Father didn’t raise me out of my hellish hole because, quite honestly, I wasn’t in it yet—I was only anticipating it.

by Becky Coursen

It is dark and it is cold today, and spring seems so eternally far away. It is silent and tasteless, soggy and pasty. Someone has opened a spigot somewhere and drained every drop of color away that used to decorate my life. It might as well have been my blood. I don’t intend nor do I want the shell of a heart left in my chest, but it’s all I have holding me to the earth. All the good stuff that used to be in it has fled like the warm sunshine and everything else, abandoning me and leaving me in a frantic search to find some kind of path in life. And just where does one walk who has been rudely shoved off the path of hope and joy? I’ve never done this before, and I’m not good at it. What in the world will I do to keep my feet moving for the next fifty years? Oh, God, help me somehow to keep buying groceries, cleaning my house, eating, bathing. Lord, give me strength to hold down the lid atop my tears when a

cashier pleasantly asks me if I have my card. Pull the corners of my mouth up into something that resembles an average smile when that little girl says something cute and everyone laughs. It’s so hard to smile when laughter seems ghastly. The problem is that he was just here. I saw him and touched him. He was just here, and I don’t know where he went. The Bible assures me he went to be with the Lord, but where is that? I don’t know. I sometimes hear his big awkward slippers clumping through the house, and I turn with a lightning flash of hope— that fades just as quickly because he’s not there. There really was no clumping— just some weird echo from last year. I simply don’t know where he is—and yet I’m so aware he is not gone. Not gone at all. Just not here. He was my husband and my constant companion, but a cancer came crawling out of a dark nowhere, reached its wicked fingers around my lover’s throat, and choked the blush right out of his cheeks. It broke him, and he fled his broken case

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It took time and experience for me to learn that God doesn’t work like we often think he should. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” But I wanted, on July 3, to see it all— not to hope for it or accept its inevitability without it being in my hand. Had I really walked in faith that day, I’d not have had to endure the stinky, deathly breath of hell blowing in my face. I will never leave you nor forsake you—I’d memorized those words from childhood, but I guess that night, I didn’t believe them. I had to learn through a hard road what little Corrie ten Boom’s papa taught her in only one day. He explained God’s provision of strength this way: He told her God didn’t give Corrie her train ticket until she was stepping on the train. I didn’t have my ticket on July 3, because I hadn’t stepped on the train yet. I didn’t yet have God’s strength to sit through Gary’s first night with a feeding tube newly inserted and causing him great pain. But when Gary’s first night with that feeding tube really did come, I found I had Herculean strength. I didn’t have courage to navigate downtown city traffic and all those hospital halls on July 3, but on Gary’s appointment days, I found peace and found every road. I didn’t have the intelligence on July 3 to coordinate the doses of a million pills and patches and lotions, but by October 30, no one was more capable than I. And on July 3, I could not carry the pain of losing my dear husband,

but by the time the snow was flying, I held his hand and, with something oddly close to joy, watched him fly to heaven. For the last two years, I have avoided my home during July because the memory of that night is more frightening to me than that day in December when I watched Gary slip out of his body and step into glory. I experience the most post-traumatic responses on July 3, because on that day a few years ago, I hadn’t learned to free fall and trust that God gives daily strength. I hadn’t learned that He doesn’t give advances—He only offers the assurance that He will meet our needs at each moment, and our only gift for handling the future while in the present is faith—faith that He’s got our train ticket and will hand it to us as we step on the train. Retrospectively, I look at what He has enabled me to do by giving me wisdom, peace, strength, and best of all, help from my Christian family—and I shake my head in awe. Sitting on this end of such a memorable time, I cannot help but compare the hell of July’s panic with the amazingly peaceful path that was laid down day by day by a Father who cared. I see the moments when I wobbled in my faith, and I see how God never frowned at me for that. Instead, He quickly brought me aid in the form of a Christian brother or sister. I plummeted the night before Gary died, and, from across the country, my friends Tom and Jenny stayed on the phone with me, assuring me that God loved me. My trust in God wavered again the day after Gary’s death, and God sent my pastor to my door with such healing words that I’ll never be the same. And I know I’m not done. I still have nights when I cry for hours because I’m so lonely. It’s a lot. But now I know a little better to leave the future to my Father and not carry a whole year’s burden in one night. And I also know an hour’s worth of tears aren’t really anything to fear.

and went somewhere. And I don’t know where that is, and it bothers me to not know. And yet I faintly hear my Father say, “Woman, why are you crying?” If I’m honest—which at the moment isn’t what I want to be—I have to admit that my Father God has shown me more than once the fading of life as winter descends upon the blushing dahlias. I have seen their beauty choked away. If I admit it, He has been teaching me since I was tiny. Year after circling year, I have watched. And if I’m honest—which at the moment still isn’t what I want to be—I have to admit that my Father has also told me in His Word that flowers are here today and gone tomorrow, and a man’s shell is nothing more. I fuss because it’s so hard to believe in spring when it’s winter. After the color has faded and the dress the little marigold wore has wilted to dust—I don’t know

When grief overtakes you, does God understand? Can you be honest with Him and express the pain and confusion that fills your heart? Or does He expect you to be stoic and strong, calm and collected, quietly accepting the tragic circumstance you face? Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Our Father God has experienced the loss of a loved one. He watched as Jesus went to the cross for you. He watched the betrayal, the beatings. He watched Jesus walk up that hill… and He watched Him die. But He knew—just as we can know—that there is hope. There is life in Jesus Christ, and when your hope is in Him, you can find peace even in the midst of unimaginable sorrow. Your heavenly Father understands. He knows your pain. You can be honest with Him. Turn and look into His eyes. His arms are open wide… for you.

I hope this encourages you, dear brothers and sisters. I had a friend tell me recently as she recounted a particular worry, “I try to think of the worst thing that could happen to me. And then I think, ‘Could I handle that?’” I told her, “No, you might as well accept right now that you’ll not be able to handle it. You’ll fail. You can’t handle anything, but here’s the thing: God can, and He will. Your trust needs to be in Him.” But you can’t have the ticket till your feet step on the train. V

where the flower goes. Where does it dance on a bleak winter’s day? It was just here. I saw one and touched it. The lilac was just here, too, but I don’t know where it went. I swear at times that I can smell it, but then I turn with hope and find it was only my imagination. There is no sweet blossom—no real perfume. I am only responding to the image it etched in my brain one sweet summer’s day. But my Father gently persists. “Weeping might endure for tonight, but joy is coming in the morning. You know that…I’ve taught you that every year. Every April I renew your lesson with a crocus pushing out of an old, peeled, broken case. Every April, Becky.” I know, Father, I really do. But it’s so hard to believe in spring when it’s winter. I don’t doubt that April will come, but right at this moment, I don’t know where You’ve taken my flowers, my colors, my joy…my husband. Where does he dance on this bleak winter’s day? V

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FAST AND FURIOUS

by Linda Cubbedge

Tornado. The chilling thought went through my mind as I stared out the front window of my home on a rainy, dreary afternoon this past September. I’d been inside relaxing, when the darkness of the sky caught my attention. I was shocked to see my neighbor’s oak trees twisting and turning wildly in the wind. I knelt down on my couch to get a better look. Then I heard it—that deep, unmistakable roar. I knew what that sound meant. Tornado! I jumped up from the couch and ran to the bathroom. “In the name of Jesus; I plead the blood of Jesus!” I yelled as I jumped into the bathtub. I prayed fervently for myself and my neighbors. Incredibly, I became calm in the midst of the storm. Prayers flowed powerfully and confidently from my mouth. The Holy Spirit covered me with His peace and calmed my spirit, even as He gave me words to pray over my neighbors and our homes. It was just God and me there in that tub. I sensed the presence of nothing else. While I prayed, I did not hear the destruction taking place outside. I didn’t hear when my large, screened-in patio was ripped off the back of my home; I didn’t know the patio roof had landed several hundred yards away on my neighbor’s property; nor did I hear the large oak limbs break as they were twisted and thrown around like twigs. The storm passed, and soon it was safe to come out. I stepped into a very quiet hallway. An unusual stream of light shone through the French doors. That’s when I realized the patio roof was completely gone. I could see pieces of its twisted, aluminum frame strewn through the yard. That tornado was fast and furious. It did its damage in thirty, maybe forty-five seconds. Praise God, the destruction it left behind was minimal. Properties were damaged, but not one person in our neighborhood was hurt. We all counted our blessings, thankful that God had kept us safe in that unexpected storm. When I reflect on that brief tornado encounter, I get emotional. God’s protective hand graciously covered us that day. I am so grateful. Oh, the power that is in the name of Jesus and in His precious blood! At the moment of my crisis, His name and His blood covered me. I’ve been studying the power that is in the name and blood of Jesus. The Lord has reminded me how important His name is. Philippians 2:9–11 tells us it’s the name above all names; the name at which every knee will bow as every tongue confesses

Jesus is Lord. It’s the name above tornadoes, above sickness, above death and broken hearts—you name it. Jesus is Lord. Here is some of what I have learned: At the name of Jesus, demons must flee. When a believer declares Jesus’s name in faith, demons cannot stay. Jesus’s disciples marveled at this truth in Luke 10:17. “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” There is healing power in the name of Jesus. When Peter and John encountered a lame man begging for alms, Peter said to him, “‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk.’ Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began…walking and jumping and praising God” (Acts 3:6–8). His name brings answers to prayers. When we pray in accordance to His will and seek to glorify His name, Jesus tells us, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13). His name saves. It actually changes our eternal destination to Heaven. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). His name ushers in the Holy Spirit. When we claim the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit becomes our source of power, wisdom, direction, and protection. “Repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The blood of Jesus has power. We overcome the devil “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of [our] testimony” (Revelation 12:11 niv). Proclaiming Jesus’s name and His blood disarms the powers of darkness that scheme to bring disaster or tragedy against us and our loved ones. We do not overcome Satan by our tenacity, our good works, or by our goodness. We do not overcome him by our own righteousness or holiness. We overcome him by the blood of Jesus Christ and the word of our testimonies. We overcome him by speaking the name of Jesus in faith. We overcome him by proclaiming God’s Word and through the power of the Holy Spirit who is our counselor and our wisdom. We overcome him by lifting our voices

in praise and thanksgiving, worshipping the King of kings and Lord of lords! God has given believers so many weapons to destroy the plans of the devil. What are we doing with them? It’s time we rise up and be His warriors. The body of Christ has been passive long enough! So many of our circumstances would change if we would stand confidently and boldly in our faith in Christ, His promises, and in the power of His great name. We would find peace, joy, wisdom, and love that the world cannot know. Our battles in this life are not with flesh and blood. They’re not with family members or the judge or our attorney. They’re not with our neighbor or boss. Our battles are against the evil rulers and authorities of this dark world (Ephesians 6:12). Entities who have one goal: to kill, steal, and destroy our lives. But we have been given weapons to defeat this enemy. Every day, I plead the blood of Jesus over my family members, the people on my prayer list (including the inmates we minister to through KOJM), and over myself. I remind Satan and his demons that they are defeated foes. I call him out for who he is—a liar, a deceiver, an impostor. Jesus—who lives in me and you—is greater than the spirit who lives in the world (1 John 4:4). I encourage you to study scriptures on the blood and name of Jesus. They will amaze you. If you don’t have access to a word study, write to us and ask for a list of these scriptures. We will gladly send it to you. We want to help build your faith in God and His promises. I’ve written this declaration in my journal: “There is power in the blood of Jesus to set everything right. Satan, I declare to you that the atoning blood of Jesus works now to minister defeat to every evil work of yours and to bring it down to nothing.”

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This Is Only a Test God has been dealing with me about my love walk. You might be wondering what I mean by a love walk. Well, if we’re followers of Jesus, we’re commanded to walk in love. “I am giving you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34). But there was this one woman. She’d taken a stance both legally and personally against someone in my family, and she was absolutely on a warpath. Well, when there’s trouble in my family, we unite! Our motto has been, “just tell me who we’re against.” So when she began this conflict, we united as a family. We pooled our resources and went to battle legally. We were aggressive on the legal side but much less so on the personal side. Most of us are followers of the Jesus way, and so we prayed a lot. However, this woman was also a follower, and she was praying too. She felt justified in coming against us, and we felt justified in defending ourselves. I try to be very in tune with God so that I can know when I’m out of line. I never felt we were out of line defending ourselves legally. Unfortunately, however, I didn’t stop there. When the doors closed and it was just family, I vented about this woman. I felt justified in doing so. But every time I said something about her that was less than loving, I felt God’s eyes gazing heavily upon me. Remember back to when you were a kid and you knew you had been caught in the wrong? That was me. Every time I said something about her that wasn’t loving, I knew immediately I had crossed a line. God wanted me to keep my mouth shut. I wasn’t supposed to talk about her. She was a sister in the family of God, and He let me know in no uncertain terms that He was her judge, not me.

She would answer to Him— as would I. Well, instead of listening to God’s warning, I kept going. Finally, one day in prayer, God showed me that my response to her actions had been a test of my love walk…and I had failed the test. This is not the first spiritual test I’ve failed, and it probably won’t be the last, but I felt really bad. Tests are a part of God’s way. We’re all tested regularly. We’re tested on love, faithfulness, how we deal with our money, and many other things. If you’ll start paying attention, you will see the tests God is allowing in your life. For example, if He asks you to give and you don’t, then you’ve failed the money test. If He asks you to help someone who has fallen into shame and you don’t, you might be failing the faithfulness test. He was asking me to walk in love, and I was failing the love test. When we fail, the test is guaranteed to come back around. We can’t move to a new level with God until we pass the current test, just like in school. Not long after this, God spoke to my heart in prayer time. He said another love test was coming, and that He wanted me to pass this time. He promised to help me. “Great!” I thought. “Surely passing a test with God’s help will be easy.” But it wasn’t. It was long and hard. I received a call from a relative. I loved her, but things had become tense between us. I didn’t know what I’d done to hurt her, but I was clearly not living up to her expectations. Every time we talked, she nipped at me with cutting remarks. But I kept my mouth shut. I wanted to be close to her, and I didn’t want to mess up our relationship. Through our conversations, the attacks grew more aggressive. She really let me have it. She

by Bonnie Hagemann

brought up things that had happened ten years earlier and threw them in my face. I didn’t respond. I don’t think I could have. I just stood there with my mouth open, amazed at the depth of her anger toward me. And then a funny thing happened. I had the phone up to one ear, but in the other ear I heard a noise that sounded just like the National Weather Service warning: Errr errr errr…this is a test…this is only a test. I knew God was helping me, reminding me to stay strong and stay silent. The test continued, growing more hurtful and difficult with every encounter. Surely it would be over soon; but it wasn’t. It lasted over two years. I felt pain every time she attacked me, but I did not respond—though more than once I wanted to unleash my pent-up anger and self-righteous justification. And then the remarks and insults stopped. We never talked about it. I didn’t feel it necessary. Love covers all wrong. We’re close again. God put His special healing salve on my wounds. But He did let me know that I could have avoided this test. If I’d passed the love test with the first woman—my sister in the family of God who came against our family—I would have never had to walk through the love test with my family. It was a painful lesson. How are your tests going? The only way to keep growing and moving forward with God is to learn your lessons and pass the tests. With His help, you can do it! V

FAST AND FURIOUS | from page 14___________________________________________ Now don’t get me wrong: I’m not devil focused. I don’t spend my prayer time chasing devils or focusing on them. I do, however, let Satan know, quick and clear, that he has no hold over me. I belong to Christ, and in Him, I already have the victory. No weapon formed against me or my loved ones will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Regardless of what the devil is trying to steal, kill, or destroy for you or your loved ones, begin to declare God’s promises. Never give up. Plead the

name and blood of Jesus over your circumstances and watch as the Holy Spirit strengthens you and gives you courage to stand in the midst of the most fast and furious storm. Will you pray this with me? Heavenly Father, I bow my heart and life in complete surrender to You. Lord, life can be so unpredictable and challenging and overwhelming. I need You, Jesus, to continually teach me and fill me afresh with the power of the Holy Spirit so I can be

the mighty warrior You desire. I truly want to make a difference for Your kingdom as I live out my life on this earth. Help me to seek You above all, spending time in Your presence and enjoying Your great love. And Father, when the enemy comes in like a flood, defend me! Deal with the powers of darkness fast and furiously. Destroy every wicked scheme in the name of Jesus and by the power of His precious blood. Amen. V

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A WORK IN PROGRESS

by Kenny Munds

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise.

Psalm 51:17 NIV

A good horse trainer will tell you that it’s not necessary to fully break a horse. You need only to break it enough to be able to train it. For me to be able to learn the ways of God, I had to become broken enough for Him to mold me and train me. I wasn’t wild like a mustang: I was stubborn like a mule. I started off on the right track. As a child, Mom often took me to church where I learned the great stories of the Bible. I especially loved the stories of David. Not only was he a great king, but he was also a musician—and music had always fascinated me. My father was an alcoholic and didn’t possess the abilities to be a role-model dad. He was miserable and angry most of the time, and when he drank, he could be mean. I loved him, but didn’t like him when he was drunk. At the same time, he worked hard to raise us six kids. And I know he loved us. So I was pretty much a mama’s boy. Besides taking me to church, she tried to keep me away from Dad’s drinking as much as she could…which gave me lots of freedom to stay away from home. By the time I was ten, I could play several songs on the guitar, and I loved to sing. Singing just came natural. It became my refuge of sorts. When lonely or upset, I would pick up my guitar. It was my emotional outlet. I got lost in my music, and I got a lot of attention, especially in church. I loved the spotlight and thrived in it. Later, music would become my mode of survival and eventually…the gateway to my addictions. After graduating from high school in 1966, I left home to attend college in California. I wanted to be an evangelist like those preachers who brought tent revivals 16 www.kojministries.org

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into our little town—traveling and singing, saving souls. Those were my intentions, and they were good. My life was full of dreams and visions of what I wanted me to be. Little did I know that I’d be wandering further away from reality… but I had good, good intentions. (From the song “Good Intentions” by Kenny Munds.) I wasn’t ready for California. I was as naïve and green as you could be—a country hick to the max. But people warmed up to me for some reason. I suppose they liked my country-boy innocence. I found a church with a strong music program, and I was in awe of the music and youth pastor. He took me under his wing and groomed me into a professional song leader and singer—had my hair styled and dressed me in fancy suits. I felt grown up. Finally! The role model I had been looking for! But he had a hidden role. He was a master manipulator with a weakness for women. But because I idolized him, I was easily drawn into his lifestyle. One night in a fancy restaurant, high above the streets of Los Angeles, he introduced me to alcohol and cigarettes. I was hooked after my first drink. Like a slowmoving tsunami, a wave of relaxing warmth rolled through my body and out the tips of my toes. I was swept away into another world where deception and illusions rule. Now I don’t blame my choices on anyone but myself, but because of this experience, I did more than stumble a little. I became a double-minded man, unstable in all my ways. My drinking career had begun. My goals were stifled; my good intentions interrupted. It wasn’t long before he and his church sent me packing. After a few months of wandering around, confused and disillusioned, I enrolled in a Christian college where I started a bluegrass band: Kentucky

Faith. I made it through a couple years at that college before my drinking was discovered. I left school to join a country band that worked in a bar. No one cared if I drank there. They all drank too! Then, in 1972, I received a call from the head of a well-known bluegrass Christian band who wanted to hire the bass player I’d had in Kentucky Faith. Then he said, “Kenny, why don’t you come along, too, and we’ll see what happens.” Well, what happened was the band, Brush Arbor. We signed with Capitol Records and took home two Academy of Country Music Awards in 1973, including Vocal Group of the Year. We opened shows for Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and many other big-time country music stars. We played the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and worked in the Las Vegas Golden Nugget Casino. It all happened so fast, and it was wonderful. I was the lead singer and wrote most of the songs. Being in Brush Arbor kept me straight for a while, but soon I started drinking again, and then I added drugs. Mainly marijuana. Suddenly in 1975, I was voted out. Brush Arbor went on to grow in fame and popularity until they finally retired the group in 1999. I tried to make it on my own for several frustrating years, but no record label would have me. Word gets around in the music industry. I got married to a wonderful lady with three kids. In 1976 our son, Faron, was born. But like my own father, I lacked the skills and maturity to be a rolemodel dad and selfishly abandoned him and my new family to pursue my illusive dreams. Once again, the drugs and booze were in control. A turning point came many years later in 1990. I had just been fired from yet another job. When I reached my car, severance check in hand, I was at an all-time low. The twelve-pack of beer on the front seat immediately lifted my spirits. I popped open a

can, lit a cigarette, and pulled out onto Interstate 10, heading toward Los Angeles. As I drove, I tried to snort some cocaine up my nose. But because the power windows in my old car were broken and wouldn’t roll up, the warm southern California wind blew most of it into my mustache and face. I had no clue where I was going or what I would do next. As I veered north onto the Golden State Freeway, I glanced in the rearview mirror. My cocainepowdered face was streaked with tears. Those tears soon turned into heaving sobs that forced me to take the next off-ramp and pull into a 7-Eleven parking lot. I sat there for several minutes, unable to hold back the tears. From deep inside of me, I heard a scream fighting to come out. When it reached my mouth, I cried: “God! Please help me!” I wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but I knew it had to be something good. As the sobs continued on page 18

Christy Prowant Photography

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Hebrews 13:3 NIV

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A WORK IN PROGRESS | from page 17_______________________________________

He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

ceased and the tears began to dry, I felt refreshed, and for the first time in a long time, my mind was clear. I thought, God must have shown up, all right! I knew exactly where I needed to go. I left that parking lot and headed straight to the home of a Christian friend who directed one of the largest rehabilitation centers in Los Angeles County. Normally I would’ve had to wait months to get in, but three days later, I walked into a new life. Unlike so many who think that thirty days will cure your habit, I stayed in rehab for two and a half years. God used many loving new friends and Twelve Steps to heal me of my addictions. Getting rid of the booze and drugs, however, was just the beginning. Now that the symptoms were controlled, I had to identify what triggered them. There were a number of things that could have set them off. Shame…a lack of self-worth…a huge need for people’s acceptance and approval…just to name a few. But far deeper than the psychological reasons, there existed a great spiritual vacuum—an emptiness that only God could fill. I needed to be filled with His Spirit. I was trying to stop my flesh with the flesh itself, and what I lacked was divine power. It wouldn’t be easy, but I needed to surrender every area of my life to God. All my junk was gone And I was on my own, Lookin’ for a place to be… The local rehab said They would give me a stab To get back to reality. (From the song “Detox Blues” by Kenny Munds.) And so there I was, a person clean and sober with scars left by my addictions and failed marriages… one who had turned and run from God.

How could He still love me? How could He ever use me? In 1998, I was invited to sing at a prison. Reluctantly, I agreed to go. I knew from the moment I saw the faces of those prisoners that this was my calling. This is what God would use me for—to share my experience with people just like me. Men and women who struggle with loving and forgiving themselves, who are tormented by their past and desperately need hope.

And by bringing God’s love and forgiveness to them, I might learn to receive it myself. It hasn’t been an easy journey. I’m constantly striving to look at myself through the eyes of God, the One who loves me unconditionally and who has not only forgiven my sins but forgotten them as well! His greatest commands are to love Him with all our heart and mind and to love others as ourselves (Luke 10:27). I’m learning it’s impossible to fully love God and properly love people unless we love ourselves. And in order to love and forgive ourselves, we must accept God’s love and forgiveness. And that’s been hard for me. I grasp it intellectually, but I’ve had a hard time transferring that head knowledge to my heart.

Satan, the accuser, constantly reminds me of my past… and my natural reaction is to start beating myself up all over again. I’m definitely a work in progress. But though I continue to struggle with insecurities, doubts, and fears, I rely on the promise in Philippians 1:6 that says, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (nkjv). And by the grace of God and through His strength, I’m making progress. I’m a work in progress, all the plans are made. I’m a work in progress, the foundation’s laid. I’m a work in progress, can’t you see? He’ll be faithful to complete His work in me. (From the song “Work in Progress” by Kenny Munds.) A few years ago, I was ordained as a staff pastor by a church in Phoenix, Arizona. The pastor there decided to ordain me for my volunteer work with his jail and prison ministry. I marveled at what he had

to endure as a pastor and didn’t exactly consider being ordained as one a reward. But I was confident I would never be a real pastor anyway. Well, God must have a sense of humor. To my surprise, He led a friend of mine to offer me a pastoral position in a quaint and beautiful little town in north Florida called Honey Lake. No one had to tell me I wasn’t qualified. I could provide a whole list of why my being a pastor was not a good idea. But as the saying goes, God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. It’s definitely stressful at times, but God is training me. He has His stubborn mule corralled again, but there’s still more of my pride left to break. It’s hard to make amends to those I’ve wounded— namely, my son. I’ve found that forgiveness from

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OPENING FOR GOD Kenny Munds

I was lead vocalist for Brush Arbor when Johnny Cash invited us to open his shows on a five-day tour through California. I’ll never forget that week and the moments behind stage when the man himself and his wife, June Carter, sat and chatted with us. Just being around this legend was a fascinating experience. Because of that week, I often hear people say, “So, you knew Johnny Cash?” And I look ’em right in the eye and reply, “I didn’t even know his dog’s name.” Yes. I met Johnny Cash, but I never got to know him. He was just an acquaintance. After our tour, I never saw him again in person. Similarly, throughout much of my troubled life, Jesus was just an acquaintance. I knew of Him. I met Him once at the altar, spoke to Him on occasion—usually to ask for something—but I never took the time to get to know Him in an intimate, personal way. The world is good at luring us away from God and into its pleasures. I took its bait. All those years, I imagine God was patiently standing by, just waiting for me to invite Him into my life. Unfortunately, it took hitting rock bottom before I allowed God access to my heart and mind. But when I did—wow! God showed up in amazing ways, revealing His heart to me and teaching me so much about Himself. God is no longer merely my acquaintance. We’re friends…and we’re close. I even know His dog’s name. It’s Savvy. God gave me Savvy years ago to be my little companion, my blessing! Being around a country music legend like Johnny Cash was a great experience. But being with the Creator of the universe is more than an experience; it’s beyond comprehension! And to think, I get to open for Him… I am in awe. V

A WORK IN PROGRESS | from page 18_______________________________________ friends and family is not as easy to obtain as God’s forgiveness. They may forgive, but unlike God, they don’t forget. Still, I will continue to be as loving as I can and keep trying. And you know what? That’s all God is looking for—a heart that’s willing to keep loving and trying. As I keep doing these two things, I know God will take this work in progress and change me into the very image of Himself, one step at a time. And He’ll do the same for you. V

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BURYING THE FOX by George Beasely

MY ATTITUDE TOWARD THE COURSE SET BEFORE ME IS WHAT DETERMINES MY LEVEL OF VICTORY.

Words Unspoken

I love to water-ski. For years, my training partner, John, and I have been trying to master the slalom course. We’ve created many memories along the way, and I want to share with you one of my favorites. You may have never water-skied, but if you’ve played any sport, you’ll identify with this story. Water-skiers are good at finding reasons for why they skied poorly. Many times, we start conjuring excuses for our about-to-be poor performance before we even climb into the boat. We aren’t even in the water yet, and the excuses are flying! I am especially guilty. I’ve got a long list of excuses in my arsenal—everything from wind to waves, cold weather to slippery gloves, and poor boat drivers to faulty skis. And of course, there’s always the old body excuse. Countless body parts can be blamed at any time for any reason. But one day, John, at the end of his turn, issued the most incredible excuse I’ve ever heard. It was so good, it should be nominated for induction into the Excuse Hall of Fame. John actually blamed his poor performance on a fox. And a dead fox, to boot! It seems John had discovered a dead fox near his house that day. Not really knowing what to do with it, he’d grabbed a shovel and dug a hole. He’d even dug little holes for the fox’s legs. I laughed as I imagined this dead fox standing upright in a hole, its little legs securely set into the dirt as John covered its body. I laughed even more as he proceeded to blame the poor thing for his poor ski run. According to John, digging the hole had tired him out, and that led to his early fatigue in the course. I could only shake my head in amazement. I had officially heard it all! But I couldn’t help wonder how many times God has shaken His head in amused disbelief over my excuses for not stepping out with Him in obedience. I’ve used so many excuses in my Christian walk. I’ve blamed conditions, equipment, weaknesses, and even other people, just like I’ve done in skiing.

I’d bet you have excuses, too. But don’t feel bad. Even Moses had them. When God called Moses to go before Pharaoh and to lead God’s people out of Egypt, Moses gave numerous reasons why he should stay put. (See Exodus 3 and 4.) Before he took even one step, Moses gave reasons as to why God’s plan was doomed to failure. “Who am I, Lord, to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead these people? Lord, I’m not good with words. I get tongue-tied.” I love how God responded to Moses’s list. “I’ll be with you, Moses,” He promised. “I’ll move in people’s hearts. I’ll prepare the way for you.” There was no excuse that could match the truth: Moses was with God, and with God, all things are possible. When I think about my skiing, I realize I often doom myself to failure before I even take to the course. It’s usually not the weather, the boat driver, or my equipment that leads to poor performance. It’s my mindset. My attitude toward the course set before me is what determines my level of victory. Excuses are very powerful. They can prevent our victory before we take even one step toward our destiny. Excuses are not the same as mistakes. We make excuses to avoid mistakes. But you know what? It’s better to try and to make mistakes than to make excuses and never take a step. We can learn from mistakes. In fact, mistakes can help mold us into the very image of God! Whether on the water or running God’s course, conditions are not going to be perfect; nor will we ever fully know what lies ahead. I am convinced that God shows us only small parts of His course for a reason. He knows that if we see too much, we will become overwhelmed and start making excuses. He shows us all we need to know to take a step forward, all the while reminding us, as He did Moses, “I will be with you!” It’s time to stop blaming the fox for our failures. It’s time to bury the fox and move on. Excuses are invalid when God is on our side. V

by Dan Stewart

Sometimes I find myself rehearsing a potential conversation in my head, preparing to straighten out someone who is obviously out of touch or who has offended me in some way. As I dwell on the situation, remembering the bitter argument or hurtful actions, I often find unwise

words forming—words that want to fly out of my mouth before I have time to gain perspective. In times like these, remembering the advice of a wise friend often brings me to the proper course of action: “You will never need to apologize for words not spoken.” V

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The Perfect Fit The perfect fit! Whoa, this is how Cinderella must have felt when she slid that glass slipper on and looked up into the eyes of the one who loved her just the way she was. No memory of the hurt, no mark of the wrong done to her in the past. Only delight and hope for what lay ahead. I slid the smooth, white, bamboo ring over my wedding finger, and I smiled. No way could I have imagined the events that had led to this moment. The day had begun very early—3:00 a.m., to be exact. I was in Mozambique, Africa, and living in a house with a group of women I now called my sisters. Five of us were up, all getting ready for a surprise birthday party for one of our African house sisters. Eagerly we woke up the birthday girl and, all in the spirit of fun, blindfolded her, put her in our truck, and took off toward the beach. The timing was perfect. We arrived, set everything up, and took off her blindfold. The sun broke free of the horizon and washed our faces in glorious light. We danced and laughed together as we watched what must have been the most magnificent sunrise our Creator had ever made on the Indian Ocean.

BEING A CHRISTIAN IN NO WAY MEANS WE ARE PERFECT.

But the surprise was far from over. I waded out into the clear, warm ocean, the sand squishing between my toes. I hung onto every moment, not wanting to miss a single feeling or sound. Our lovely house mama had asked earlier that morning if anyone wanted to be baptized. I found myself thinking long and hard about her question. I was baptized when I was a little girl. I knew I was a Christian, and I loved the Lord, but her question seemed to be eating at my soul. Being a Christian in no way means we are perfect. Throughout our lives, we are constantly

Be Available Sometimes being kind to others can seem impossible. God has taught me some undeniable truths about kindness from the most unlikely place: behind prison fences. I’d like to share a simple act of kindness that I once witnessed. I was lying on my bunk in the dormitory reading the Bible when I heard Ryan ask Robert if he could help him write a letter to his mother. “How long has it been since you wrote your mother, Ryan?” Robert asked. “A couple of months,” Ryan said, “I don’t know what to write. Would you help me?” “Sure, I’ll help you.” “One other thing…Do you think you could help me with a stamp?” “It doesn’t make much sense to help you write a letter to your mother and not put a stamp on it,” Robert said with a smile. Robert’s kindness toward Ryan reflected the heart of God, and I shall never forget it. Robert gave of himself. It was a simple act. It was a simple thing—a stamp. Yet the act and the gift had great value to Ryan. And witnessing that kindness had great value to me; it encouraged me.

by Kayla Miller faced with choices, and in my life, I hadn’t always chosen correctly. At times I’d failed to honor others and myself, and I’d chosen to love things over the one love that would never leave me hurt, neglected, or feeling worthless. Wading deeper into the water, I could hear that still, soft voice in my heart whispering, “Today, let Me be your first love. Let go of the burden of the past. I no longer see it. I see only you and all the beauty I made you to be. My love for you is relentless. Be My bride!” In agreement, I plunged under the water, and as I emerged to catch my breath, I was made whole. I felt it. No longer did I carry the guilt and shame from my past. I could now look freely at my first love with nothing but hope for our future. Six hours later, the day came full circle when I found a simple, beautiful, bamboo ring. I slid it on my wedding finger and vowed that, from that moment on, God would be my first love. I could rest in His love because I knew that, like Cinderella, I was cherished and valued and found to be the perfect fit. V

by Roy A. Borges

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be self ish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:1–4

God calls us all to be kind. “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). It pleases God when we are kind. “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God” (Hebrews 13:16). But kindness isn’t always easy. It’s like a construction project; it takes work. It doesn’t just

happen. Opportunities to express kindness are easily missed. We are so busy with ourselves that we often forget to help someone else. Helping others requires us to sacrifice our time, to give up some activity to make room for them. I wonder what I would have told Ryan if he would’ve asked me for help. Would I have made up an excuse? Would I have justified putting him off by saying I had to read my Bible or do something else spiritual? Sometimes I can get so caught up in my own activities—good activities—that I don’t take the time to express the heart of God through kindness. Situations often challenge us to put aside our interests to help others. In my own strength, I cannot accomplish it. But when I let the Spirit guide me, He gives me a tender heart that is willing to put another’s interest before my own. We need to make room to be available whenever others call on us for help, focusing not on what we can gain from it, but on what we can give. A small thing like a stamp could mean a lot to someone who doesn’t have one. A small thing like a stamp may the very thing that softens someone’s heart to personally experience the love of God.V

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Under the Hat It wasn’t the first time that hat had caused unwanted attention. Six months earlier, I’d worn the hat into a local Goodwill store. (My mistake wasn’t just wearing the hat; I’d paired it with soccer shorts and bright purple running shoes.) I entered the store, and a man saw me and nudged his wife. “Look at this joker!” He laughed. That should’ve been the last time I wore it. Indeed, I actually threw it into the back of the closet for a while, but I have an unending love for funky hats and clothes. I dug it back out. It’s a fashion style that betrays its followers into situations much like one I now found myself in, as I sat next to a dirty, old, homeless man in the Chicago subway. He crowded in next to me and proceeded to make fun of my Russian fur hat. “Whoo-haa! That’s a furry li’l hat!” The man’s voice carried well above the noise of the tracks, and everyone turned to look at me, the man with the furry hat. I was glad I wasn’t wearing my purple shoes. The homeless man scooted in closer, his gaze glued to the hat. “Where’d you get it?” he asked. Normally, I would have ignored his inquiries and pretended to be grossly involved in something important on my phone. This is a common strategy used by Chicagoans to avoid embarrassing conversations with the homeless. I know I shouldn’t stoop to such behavior, but I admit that, like many who are self-conscious or simply uninterested in such conversation, I do resort to such tactics at times. I was raised in a Christian home, even attended a Bible college in Chicago. I know I’m to reach into the lives of people and share God’s love. Unfortunately, I often leave the whole “love thy neighbor” thing at the turnstile when boarding the subway. I always pick it back up once I safely exit. That’s good enough, isn’t it? The homeless man continued to stare at my hat, waiting for my answer. I looked down at my phone but then stopped. A crazy idea popped into my head. I’ve always been terrible with accents; the last time I tried to copy a British accent, I ended up sounding something like Louis Armstrong! But this time, I went ahead and pursed my lips together, pushed my tongue to the roof of my mouth, and hoped it would produce the desired accent. “It’za from Russia,” I told him in my fake Russian accent. A girl across the aisle burst out laughing but quickly muffled it so as not to wreck the next scene. “Really?! No way, man! That’s awesome,” he exclaimed, slapping his knees with both hands in excitement. “Where can I get one of those?”

by Jacob Miller

he slurred. Eyes all around the train watched me intently, waiting for my response. I pulled myself back into character. “Youz can’t; onlyz in Russia,” I told him, pointing to the fur hat. “Diz fur, youz no find in Chicaga.” People around the train chuckled. “Ahh, man! I knew it!” The homeless man wailed. He kicked the seat in front of him, causing more heads to turn. Folding his arms, he positioned himself into a pout and didn’t say another word. I just smiled and felt proud that I had put an end to his banter. Others around the car seemed relieved that he had stopped his incessant chatter. We all rode on in silence. Mission accomplished. As I reflected on this scene later, however, I realized an ugly truth. What I had done to that homeless man was perhaps more unkind than simply ignoring him. I had played him for a fool. My fur hat had become a tool for a cruel joke that mocked the disillusionment of this man. That’s right––a man. A man created and loved by God. A man who needed, not my mocking, but my compassion. I realized that this man was wearing a hat he didn’t want to wear. He couldn’t pretend to be someone else. He was trapped with the hat he had come to know in life. And there I was, a man trying to escape his own identity under the guise of Russian fur. Could it be that my love for hats was really a desire for new identity? With each hat, I could be anyone I wanted in public—while avoiding who I actually was in private. A man unsettled. A man afraid. A man unsure. And that was it, wasn’t it? The identities I’d been taking on stemmed from my insecurity in who I truly was. Nobody goes around proclaiming their insecurities to the world, and I had no intention of strolling through the streets of Chicago sharing Jesus because, oddly enough, my greatest insecurity was in my own relationship with Him.

Hat Check!

by Jacob Miller and Kristi Overton Johnson God didn’t intend for His beautifully created people to hide under hats––to go about life hiding from the world and from Him. When we make mistakes, God never says, “Hey! Go put on a hat! I can’t bear to look at you.” No, that’s not our Father. Our Father says, “Come to Me, child. It’s okay. Come out from wherever you’re hiding and tell Me what’s on your heart. Tell Me what you’ve done. Tell Me about your struggles and fears. Tell Me about your dreams or disappointments.” He doesn’t push us away or demand we become someone other than who we truly are. Instead, our heavenly Father invites us to come now, simply as we are. To come to Him with all of our fears, mistakes, and insecurities, so He can love us and make us whole. God wants you to come––yes, you!––to come just as you are. In all your dirtiness, with all your mistakes, in the midst of your confusion. God’s love for you isn’t dependent upon your past. It doesn’t depend on your current abilities or situation. It’s based on one fact, and one fact alone: You are His child. And He’s waiting with arms wide open for you to come home to Him. It’s there that you’ll find your true identity. It’s there you will discover you are infinitely loved, no matter what. V

continued on page 23

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e c  Is a n e i t Pa  VIRTUE

by Kristi Dews Dale

On Saturday mornings, I like to listen to the birds sing and watch the sun peek around the edges of the curtains. And even though the sun has barely revealed itself, my husband and I start to hear the patter of tiny feet, softly moving toward our bedroom. One by one, they climb into our bed and find a suitable snuggling spot. Their warm heads smell sweet, like a mixture of grass, lavender, and baby soap. They wrap their tiny limbs around us and nudge their heads to get as close as possible to momma and daddy. Little girl giggles fill our space as we share the funny things we dreamt of the night before and they begin planning how to fill up the day with games of Monopoly, spa treatments for their dolls, and baking cookies. I soak in this special time because I know it will not last forever. And by forever, I mean, less than ten minutes. Inevitably, someone gets kicked and that special moment in time unravels into something more resembling a pro wrestling match. The day begins, and I quickly realize it will not go as planned. The bathroom is flooded as my children treat their dolls to a spa day. My two oldest argue about who won Monopoly and toss thousands of Monopoly dollars on the floor. Halfway through baking cookies, everyone loses interest, leaving me with a messy kitchen and slightly burned cookies. It is at this moment that I conclude that my cup of patience has developed a leak. Thankfully God has provided a way to repair that leak, and I know I have a decision to make—to turn to God or to let selfishness take over. My sin nature wants to be mad and stomp around the house leaving burnt cookies in my wake, but I can’t show Christ to my children while stuffing their Monopoly money

in the garbage disposal. It is easy to be patient and loving when everything is going just the way I want, but God challenges Christians to a narrow road of love and patience. Colossians 3:12–14 says, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” This passage speaks to my heart, but I struggle to put it into practice. Daily life is filled with unmet expectations, frustrating situations, and a sinful desire to lose my patience with the world. So each day, I make a commitment to combat new frustrations that creep under my skin. Here’s my three-step plan of attack. Step 1: Be humble. Mark 10:45 says that “Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.” Jesus paved a pathway and showed a servant’s heart. I am called to mirror that attitude. Step 2: Make Allowances for Others. Children are supposed to be messy and argue on occasion. Ephesians 4:32 says for us to be “tenderhearted and forgiving” to one another. With my kids and people in general, I need to take a deep breath and give them grace. Step 3: Clothe Myself Properly. Romans 13:14 instructs me to, “clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I need to be in God’s Word daily, seeking His wisdom and guidance. Sometimes, in an outward action of enveloping myself in His Word, I take scripture and put it in my pocket

THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE AND POWERFUL. IT IS SHARPER THAN THE SHARPEST TWO-EDGED SWORD, CUTTING BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT, BETWEEN JOINT AND MARROW. IT EXPOSES OUR INNERMOST THOUGHTS AND DESIRES. HEBREWS 4:12 as a reminder of God’s love and expectations for me. No one is perfect, and despite my plan of attack, I still fail. Thankfully, God’s grace is sufficient, despite our failures. He is glorified when we continually seek Him and look to His Word for solutions to our everyday problems. I encourage each of you to develop your own personal plan of attack to combat selfish attitudes. Use the Bible as your first line of defense. V

UNDER THE HAT | from page 22

Shame and guilt had caused me to hide under those hats. They were just a way to conceal the inner disappointment I felt for not being “good enough.” I had made mistakes, had often failed to do as Christ would have done. Like Adam and Eve, I’d decided to hide rather than expose myself to Him. Why would God want someone like me on display for the world to see? Wasn’t I doing God a service by hiding? But then I felt the Lord inviting me to take off my hats, to lay them aside. To quit hiding and to reveal my true self to Him and to the world. How else could

I ever feel the sun shining down on my head? How else could His rain wash away what was hidden underneath and make me totally whole? How else could I ever truly touch the world around me? That homeless man in the Chicago subway didn’t need a hat. He didn’t need my jokes, either. What he did need was real, authentic love from the person beside him. Love that I can only give when I’ve surrendered my whole self––fears, weaknesses, doubts, and all––to the One who is Love, once and for all. V

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Unbroken Donkey

don’t know anything about animals. The only pet we’ve had at our house for more than a week was a praying mantis. So when I read that the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem had never been ridden, I didn’t think much of it. But then I read that Jesus riding an unbroken donkey was a demonstration of what happens when God’s kingdom comes to earth. I decided I needed some more information, so I called my friend, Jeremy Zackowski. (Our son calls him Cowboy.) I figured Cowboy would know what

it would be like to ride a donkey that has never been ridden. Cowboy told me that Jesus doing this was certainly a miracle. Cowboy has ridden animals that have never been ridden before, and he says they either get stubborn and won’t budge, or they buck and cause a ruckus. In Matthew’s telling of the story (Matthew 21:1– 11), we learn that the donkey’s mother was there, too. I asked Cowboy if that would make the story any less significant or miraculous. He explained that if the colt was still with its mother, then it probably had not been weaned yet. That means the mother would have been the one causing a ruckus. I started to think. When we become followers of Jesus—when we are willing to go where He goes and do what He asks—we are like the unbroken donkey. We’re scared; we shake; we have no idea what is ahead of us. We aren’t sure about this person who’s leading us. Some of us are tempted to buck and cause a ruckus, and others decide to be stubborn and not move—it just depends on the donkey, as Cowboy would say. I often hesitate in following God’s lead as I become aware of all of my imperfections and weaknesses. Yet the more I rest in Christ and trust His lead, I find that

by Carey Morford

He actually uses my imperfections and weaknesses for His glory. There is no condemnation in Him (Romans 8:1). Donald Miller, in his book, Scary Close, says it like this: “God is going to reveal me as a flawed human being as fast as He can, and He’s going to enjoy it, because it will force me to grapple with real intimacy.” Dr. Brené Brown, who researches the impact of shame and vulnerability on our lives, says, “There’s nothing more daring than showing up, putting ourselves out there, and letting ourselves be seen.” I think we do ourselves and the church a disservice when we pretend that—well, when we pretend anything, really. But I especially think it’s a disservice when we pretend that following Jesus and having faith is easy. It’s not. It takes laying our fears and insecurities and weaknesses aside every day. Like the donkey, we must be willing to surrender to the One who leads us and encourages us to put ourselves out there. We must be willing to give up what we think for what God thinks and to go where He desires us to go. We must be willing to open our eyes to God’s new thing for our life, to what Jesus is offering to us. It might not be what we want, but it is always what we need. V

So I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 msg

CORRESPONDENT TESTIMONY About a year and a half ago, my heart was opened to a new kind of ministry when I joined the KOJ Ministries’ prison correspondence team. This team consists of ladies who read letters sent to KOJM from male and female inmates. The team then prays over each letter and responds with a handwritten card filled with encouraging words, scriptures, and prayers. The mission of this outreach is to encourage the hearts of inmates by showing them God’s love, explaining His plan of salvation and redemption, and giving them a family to which they can belong. 24

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When I started, I thought I would be writing to encourage the inmates, but I find I’m often the one who’s encouraged! Their stories are so powerful: they build my faith. Many of these people praise the Lord for their being in prison. They share how their experience behind bars has brought them to a place of surrender where they discovered a new life filled with the love of Jesus. He has transformed them into godly men and women. They now want to devote their lives to sharing their testimonies and telling others how to be saved. Many who write are heartbroken about their lives. These men and women need to be reassured that they have not been forgotten. I am able to

remind them that God sees them and He cares about their souls and desires to have a relationship with them. I encourage them to keep Jesus up front, to have daily prayer and Bible reading, and to believe that Jesus can change their lives. Nothing is too hard for Him. When I read their letters, I am sometimes filled with joy. Other times I cry as my heart breaks. I pray for the Lord to work in their lives and their families’ lives. God loves them all. My heart has been touched through this prison correspondence outreach. It is my desire to continue sharing Christ with this team to as many people as the Lord allows. ~Mrs. Carolyn www.kojministries.org

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Share Your Story! Do you have a story of victory? Share it with our readers!

Your story has the power to transform lives and bring much needed hope. See page 5 for the guidelines and mail your submissions to: Victorious Living, PO Box 120951, Clermont, FL 34712-0951; or submit online at kojministries.org.

GEORGE BEASLEY

BONNIE HAGEMANN

NATE MILLER

THANK YOU!

George and his wife, Lisa, are certified marriage mentors in North Carolina. They work with couples to prepare, repair, and maintain marriages according to God’s Word. George is the author of The Invisible Soul.

Bonnie is a member of KOJ Ministries’ board of directors. She is also the CEO of Executive Development Associates, an internationally known boutique consulting firm that specializes in executive development, executive coaching, and high-potential development. To date, Bonnie is the author of eleven published works.

Nate is the president/director of In His Wakes. He lives in Oregon, with his wife, Ivy. If you are interested in learning more about In His Wakes, contact Nate at nate@inhiswakes. com.

A special thank-you to this month’s inmate correspondents: Corey C., Calvin M., and Jeremy W.

ROY A. BORGES Roy writes about his life experiences from a prison cell in Florida. His stories have appeared in many Christian publications. Roy has won AMY Foundation awards in 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2007. BECKY COURSEN Becky is an artist and a high-school English teacher in Ohio. She hears God best when she is outside working in her flower beds or spending time with her dog, Buddy, and her brand new beehives. LINDA CUBBEDGE Linda is the director of KOJM’s Prison Correspondence Outreach. She is passionate about the Lord and leading others to Him. Linda has four children, nine grandchildren, and one greatgrandson. KRISTI DEWS DALE Kristi is a wife and the mother of three amazing daughters. She holds a master’s degree in public health and is an adjunct business instructor at a local college in North Carolina. Kristi is passionate about encouraging others with Christ’s love. ALESHIA DYE Aleshia lives in Florida and is an administrative assistant for a government agency. She has a heart to teach and help others, especially children. Aleshia volunteers with many organizations, including In His Wakes.

TODD INGERSOLL Todd is president and founder of Ingersoll & Company and Ingersoll Lighting, in Wisconsin. He strives to live in such a way that God’s light shines through everything he does as husband, father, business owner, basketball coach, and ministry partner, with the ultimate goal of drawing others to Christ. KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON Kristi is the founder of In His Wakes and KOJ Ministries. She currently resides in Florida with her husband, Tim, and their three children. JACOB MILLER Jake is part of the traveling team with In His Wakes ministry. He is pursuing a masters of fine arts degree in creative writing and attending Bethel School of Ministry. Jake loves traveling the world and is always in search of the next great adventure. Follow Jake at wakeboardjake.wordpress.com. KAYLA MILLER Kayla has been trained through YWAM, has served with Heidi Baker’s ministry in Mozambique, and is a part of the traveling In His Wakes ministry team. Kayla is currently deepening her knowledge of the Lord at Bethel School of Ministry.

CAREY MORFORD Carey is married to her best friend, Isaac, and they have four children. She is an elementary school media specialist and the president of Seeds of Grace, Inc., an organization that provides educational opportunities and life-enriching skills for at-risk children and impoverished families. KENNY MUNDS For the past sixteen years, using Hebrews 13:3 as his guide, Kenny has taken the good news of God’s love and forgiveness into prisons all across America. To find out more about his ministry, go to kennymundsministry.org. RICK RENNER Rick is the author of more than thirty books, including his topselling classics Sparkling Gems from the Greek and Dressed to Kill, which have sold more than a million copies combined. A highly respected leader, teacher, and author within the Christian community, both in the United States and abroad, Rick and his wife, Denise, have traveled the earth for three decades, teaching the Word of God. They reside in Moscow, Russia, along with their three sons and their families. DAN STEWART Dan is a former professional waterskier with Sea World. Today, he is the director of human resources and safety for World Entertainment Services. He lives in Florida with Tracy, his wife of twenty-six years.

BACK ON TRACK by Corey C.

Trapped and alone in this cold, dark cell, Imprisoned by my own choice of free will. I was runnin’ from God, lost and deceived, Trapped by the thoughts of my very own greed. But then one day lyin’ flat on my back, I discovered the way to get my life on track. My Lord and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ And God the Creator, who gave me life. With love and forgiveness He took my hand, My rock and fortress in whom I stand. Back on solid ground, alive and free, I was lost but now found, Was blind but now see. Trapped and alone inside that cell, I found the way home to heaven, from hell.

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UPDATE FROM KOJ MINISTRIES FOUNDER, KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON At Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries, (KOJM), we are constantly amazed at how God is opening doors to reach more lives for His kingdom. Here are some highlights:

Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries seeks to love people to the Life-Giver, Jesus Christ, through its various publications, teaching and singing ministry, as well as prison and orphan outreaches. KOJM equips minds and encourages hearts with the Living Water of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word.

x 10 =

Each copy of Victorious Living distributed in a prison system has a readership of at least ten inmates.

This means that each quarterly issue has an impact on the lives of more than

100,000 inmates.

72,000

Scan the QR code to Like Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries Facebook page and receive inspirational devotions.

MINISTRY NEWS

magazines printed so far in 2015.

It only takes

$400

8,000

to impact lives! Your $400 donation will help us send VL into a new prison for one year.

Will you sponsor a prison in your city or state? SHARING WITH SANTA Prison Correspondence Outreach (PCO) Director, Linda Cubbedge, and Kristi Overton Johnson share Victorious Living with Santa at the Down East Holiday Show in Greenville, NC. While there, contacts were made to expand VL into selected North Carolina prisons.

Our PCO team currently consists of writers from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In November, Kristi and Linda shared Victorious Living and our Prison Correspondence Outreach with women from eastern North Carolina at an annual Holiday Show. We are believing that God will bring us a full team of local correspondents there as we begin distributing Victorious Living in the North Carolina prison system.

583

352-478-2098 www.kojministries.org

WANT TO HELP? PRAY for our ministry BECOME a correspondence team member SHARE Victorious Living with others INVITE Kristi to your church or organization to share what God is doing at KOJM

As of November, inmates are consistently encouraged by our Prison Correspondence Outreach team and equipped spiritually through our monthly Bible studies.

37%

This is a increase from last quarter. This number increases daily.

SUPPORT our publication and outreaches financially 26 www.kojministries.org VL_Nov_r12.indd 26

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Scan the QR code to Like Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries Facebook page and receive inspirational devotions.

te?

RUSSIA UPDATE

1,000

Approximately pieces of jewelry were distributed to Russian orphanage workers and orphaned girls.

Jewelry for Jesus by Kristi Overton Johnson

My daughter, Ivy, and I would like to thank those who supported our “Jewelry for Jesus” outreach to Russia. Years ago, the Lord put on my heart an ongoing desire to return to the town of Glazov, Russia, the birthplace of my two youngest children. I want to share the love of Christ through tangible gifts for those who helped raise my children in the orphanage there. It is amazing how gifts like scarves and jewelry, coupled with our visits to this distant region, touch hearts and open doors to share Christ with so many precious Russian people. This year, instead of taking scarves as we’d done in the past, we took jewelry. The idea came about while I was sorting through my jewelry box and discovered pieces that I had spontaneously purchased and never worn. As I set them aside as gifts for my hosts, an idea hit me—“I bet many of my friends have beautiful jewelry abandoned in their boxes too!” So I put out a simple plea through text and Facebook, and within days, jewelry was flooding our ministry’s postal box. The response was incredible. People I didn’t even know generously gave the most beautiful pieces of jewelry. Talk about an exercise in integrity! I came upon so many pieces I wanted for myself. But they weren’t for me. They were for those beautiful women waiting on the other side of the world. On July 14, Ivy and I rolled seventy-two pounds of costume jewelry onto a plane headed for Moscow. Then we transferred it to a train where we rode in a cramped cabin for seventeen hours. But you should have seen our hosts’ reaction when we pulled out this beautiful jewelry. They were like kids in a candy store! We estimate a thousand pieces of jewelry were dispersed to teenage Russian orphans and to the women who care for them. My testimony of faith and various Christian books donated by Rick Renner Ministries were distributed there as well. While I am only able to communicate verbally there through a translator, I know I can depend on the international language of love to invade hearts — mine and theirs! This was so evident during my visit with the foster grandmother of one of my daughter’s siblings.

This kind, hard-working babushka (Russian for grandmother) was sorting and cleaning freshly picked mushrooms in a wooden shed where she works (and often sleeps) during the summer. She was working diligently when I approached her humble abode. She motioned for me to enter and then pulled out a chair for me. We smiled a mutually affectionate smile, both secretly wishing we could ask each other a million questions. She rose, put on the teakettle, and then pushed some delicious Russian chocolates my way. When she returned to her stool to resume her work, I gave her gifts of jewelry, handmade soap, and candy. I had chosen a simple necklace for her that once belonged to my grandmother. She nodded in appreciation and turned back to her work. Then I handed her my translated testimony. She wiped her dirt-covered hands and settled in to read the four-page letter. I waited in silence, wondering how this precious woman would receive the message of God’s love and the invitation to welcome Jesus into her heart. I didn’t have long to wait. Tears welled up in her eyes as she read the heartfelt letter. When finished, she gently folded the note and put it in her pocket then rose from her chair. She came over and gave me a huge hug as she whispered over and over one of the few Russian words I know—spasibo, which means thank you. I would have flown to Russia for that one moment alone. Looking at the strand of simulated pearls neatly placed on the mushroomcovered table, I couldn’t help but smile. It was obvious that God’s gift of Jesus was way more precious to her than the jewelry, chocolates, and fancy soap. Her reaction made that crystal clear. Yet I know that every time she dons her pearls or lathers up in the soap, she will no doubt think of the love that accompanied these gifts. Watching the Holy Spirit at work in that shed was amazing. I didn’t have to say one word. I only needed to be where God had sent me, and I only needed to pen the words He had placed on my heart. He took care of the rest, speaking volumes to the heart of that babushka while my mouth remained shut. God is the One who draws all men to Himself, not us. We are just His messengers of love in various ways. I thank you again for making this outreach possible. We hope to return with more gifts next year, Lord willing, so that God can invade more hearts with His love. If you have gently used jewelry that you’d like to donate to this unique outreach, please send it to: KOJ Ministries, PO Box 120951, Clermont, FL 34712. Please clean the jewelry and separate it into small plastic bags. V

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MINISTRY NEWS UPDATE FROM IN HIS WAKES DIRECTOR, NATE MILLER IHW concluded our seven-month, national A Day to Remember tour with successful events at Camp Blanding, where we ministered to cadets from the Florida Youth Challenge through watersports activities, with 75 youth responding to the gospel.

In His Wakes introduces people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ through water sports.

Although founded by Kristi Overton Johnson, In His Wakes is independent of KOJM. If you desire to make a donation to IHW, please go online at inhiswakes.com or send donations to: PO Box 120987 • Clermont, FL 34712-0987 Nate Miller • 352-745-0283 www.inhiswakes.com

WANT TO HELP? PURCHASE Bibles, dog tags, medals,

200

With God all things are possible! We are grateful for the favor that God often gives IHW to minister to youth in secular settings. He opens doors that blow even our minds! For example, IHW held our first public school event in Texas in connection with the National Day of Prayer. Over the course of two days, we shared the gospel four times in various places and formats. The Lord moved powerfully, and a flood of young people responded to His message of hope, purpose, and victory.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP! You help us fulfill the Great Commission as we go throughout the country proclaiming the

GOOD NEWS!

and other resources to be used in our “A Day to Remember” program.

BECOME a monthly supporter. We need 100 people to commit to $50 a month.

SPONSOR a child to attend an event. (Cost is $100 per child.)

In Loving Memory of Ron Curll Ron was a true inspiration to each of us on the In His Wakes team and the many whose lives he touched, as he faithfully served alongside us at every Greenville event.

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1,300 0 23,00

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Plans are underway for the most impactful year ever in 2016!

Please keep IHW in your prayers. We have been presented with incredible opportunities to dramatically increase our impact.

No Rope-a-Dopes! I’m a good sleeper. I fall asleep fast and sleep straight through the night, unless a strange noise or the Lord stirs me before the alarm sounds a new day. Not too long ago, I woke at 2:00 a.m. Since there hadn’t been an unfamiliar noise, I knew the Lord must have awakened me. My wife and I were dealing with some challenges and difficulties, both in our personal lives and in our watersports ministry, In His Wakes. It wasn’t anything new. Attacks come, usually in waves, and they were mounting at the time. In fact, I’d been tempted to hunker down and withdraw from the world until life improved. I lay there that morning talking with God about the trials facing us, and suddenly, the words “don’t be a rope-a-dope Christian” popped into my head. I had never thought of this phrase before, and I was somewhat proud of the clever analogy I’d just come up with. I knew where the phrase had come from—in the early ’70s, Muhammad Ali used a boxing technique he called the “rope-a-dope.” Basically, he would lean against the boxing ring ropes, cover his head with his gloves, and use his arms to protect the vital areas of his body. His strategy was to wear out the opponent by allowing them to repeatedly punch his body, even while he protected important areas. Ali’s success in using this technique was mixed at best. All I remember is watching round after boring round of one man throwing all the punches while Ali rested against the ropes. I began to think about people who are living what could be called a ropea-dope Christian life. When Satan comes at them with various trials, they curl up in a corner, cover up, and hope that eventually he’ll wear out and stop his relentless attacks. I’ve been in that position myself. The problem is that in the ring of life, our adversary is very determined, and he doesn’t tire easily. In fact, Satan will continue his attacks until the Lord puts a permanent end to his reign on earth. Through this illustration, the Lord reminded me of the power and authority He has given me as a believer to stand against anything and everything that comes against me. I don’t have to hunker down while the devil puts a pounding on me. Neither do you. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome. James 4:7 says when we resist the devil—when we don’t give in to him—he will flee. Sometimes giving up looks easier than standing firm. I know; it’s hard to move forward. Too often I feel like Paul who said in 1 Thessalonians 2:18, “We wanted very much to come to you…but Satan prevented us.” There have been many times for my wife and I when Satan has buffeted us and hindered our route. But when we claimed the promises of God and stood strong in His power and authority against the enemy, victory came.

by Nate Miller

We don’t have to succumb to the trials of life or the attacks of our enemy. Through the power of God within us, we can overcome. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us and enables us to be victorious. Therefore, we can “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). We don’t have to be afraid, for “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power” (2 Timothy 1:7). These and many verses remind us that, with God on our side, victory is always ours. Satan is an already defeated foe. Christ defeated him on the cross of Calvary over two thousand years ago. Don’t let the challenges and difficulties of life get the best of you. With Christ and the power of His Spirit, you can get up, stand strong, and move forward at all times. Life doesn’t have to be wearisome and cause you to long for better days in eternity. I think of an old hymn so many Christians sing: “Just a few more weary days, and then I’ll fly away.” The Lord actually promises us an abundant, victorious life full of joy and peace here on earth, right now. But you won’t discover that life if you’re leaning against the ropes. At every event, our ministry team teaches the In His Wakes participants that victory—whether on the water or in life—only comes when we get off the dock. I guess it could also be said that victory only comes when we get off the ropes. V

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God Made a Way by Calvin M.

Greetings to you in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I and the brothers here at Avon Park Work Camp are doing great. The fire is still burning! Oh, what a glorious time we had during your visit. Kristi, it puts a big smile on my face to hear people say on the yard or in the dining hall, “God really blessed my soul through Kristi Overton Johnson. Brother Calvin, can you please ask her to come back?” That is what ministry is all about—changing lives. The love and the compassion you have for people is overwhelming. As I write this letter, I’m crying, because the scripture says “when I was in prison, you visited me.” Not only did you visit me, you visited my brothers in the fight also. Oh, how blessed we are to have a servant of the Most High to visit us. Kristi, I love you like my natural sister. It’s like we came out of the same womb. You can tell

GOD ALSO OPENED MY SPIRITUAL EYES AND SHOWED ME THAT I COULD READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES, TOO.

your husband, Tim, that he has a black brotherin-law. Ha ha. All jokes aside, I really love you like that. I tell my Christian brothers that you are my biological sister. Some ask how, and I just say we have different mothers, but the same daddy. God. As soon as I finish writing you, I will be writing my spiritual mama, Mrs. Linda. She always has the right words at the right time for me.

Kristi, Jesus asked Peter three times in John 21:15–17, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter’s response was, “You know I love you.” The Lord then said, “Then feed my sheep.” Kristi, your ministry is feeding God’s sheep in so many ways. I thank God for you and your team. Before I go, let me tell you a little bit more about myself. I couldn’t read or write, but I got my GED while in prison. It took me three times to pass the test. I went through a lot of heartache and pain getting my GED. Many people told me that I was dumb and said I’d never pass that test. The only hope I had was a God who was willing to help me if I was willing to help myself. Not only did I pass my GED, but God also opened my spiritual eyes and showed me that I could read and understand the scriptures, too. I started reading the Bible and am reading it to this day—the King James Version even! It was really hard to read at first because it uses old-fashioned English and says things like thee and thou and other challenging words. But I look at it this way—if God can make a donkey speak, He can surely help me read and write! It’s still a challenge at times, but I’m determined to learn every day. I love your motto, “Hit It!” I’m waking up every day and saying “hit it” to God. Well, I’m ending this letter in the care of Jesus. Please tell your family hello. And please come back soon to visit us, as well as visit the brothers at the main unit. They need the gospel too. Yours in Christ, Brother Calvin PS. Kristi, we have a team of men here praying and fasting all of the time. And we are praying for KOJ Ministries!

UNIQUELY YOU | from page 7 rebuke them for making such comparisons. They didn’t have a problem with feelings of inferiority, as I struggled with earlier in life. Instead, they had an issue with feelings of superiority and were in fierce competition with each other to prove who was the best of the best among them. Paul wrote this verse to rebuke the Corinthian believers for making comparisons, exhorting them to stop their infighting as they tried to prove who was the most spiritual among them. However, there is a principle in this verse that the Holy Spirit used to help set me free from the spirit of inferiority that tried to plague me as I stepped out to obey God’s call on my life. And it is exactly the point I want to get across to you today. God intentionally made you different from others. You are actually a result of His divine design. Your mannerisms, insights, and style that are different from others may be the very qualities that make you uniquely positioned to fulfill a specific need. Of course, we all have areas in our lives that need to be changed, and God will show those areas one at a time. But if you will simply quit comparing yourself to others today— if you will stop disparaging the very qualities that cause you to stand out from those around you—you will open the door to freedom from a spirit of inferiority so that your unique gifts can begin to shine brightly as God intended. In my own case, what I thought was something negative—having a different teaching style than others— was the very thing that made me uniquely qualified to fulfill my call. When I finally understood that God was the one who made me different, I began to see that I could shine His light in ways that others could not. What I thought would hold me back was actually what gave me my place in His plan! When I began to accept who God made me to be, I was freed from the devil’s mental assault and began to step out of the shadows so God could use me in greater ways. I was finally able to embrace the uniqueness that made me shine differently from others. That can be your story too! You can make the decision today that you won’t go down that bumpy, twisted road of comparing yourself to others and always coming up short, ever again. Today you’re going to start celebrating the differences that make you uniquely you! • Have you ever struggled with being different from others? In what ways do you think you are different from other people? • After reading this, can you see how being unique puts you in a category of your own? Why not take a few minutes to write down the ways that being unique is a positive factor in your life. • How can you maximize your uniqueness? Every product is known because it has something to offer that other products don’t offer. What do you have to offer that distinguishes you from other people? If you don’t know or you aren’t sure, ask God to show you. Perhaps you could ask others who know you—I believe they could share some positive insights that will help you on your journey to freedom. V

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Thank you to the following organizations who faithfully support Victorious Living with annual gifts in excess of $500.

When asked why they give, they respond, “Because we care!” They care about people, and they desire to help many discover true victory.

WHY

I CARE

As a pastor, I am encouraged by the kingdom impact Victorious Living has on so many lives. Matthew 25:34– 46 clearly instructs us to come to those in prison. While not every church member can physically enter a prison to share the love, grace, and forgiveness of God, we know that the gospel is making its way in through this publication. First Baptist Starke is honored to support this outreach financially and by praying for and writing letters of encouragement to the inmates. We praise the Lord for the lives that have been changed for His glory. I encourage other churches to follow Jesus’s teachings and join us in ministering to “the least of these” by supporting Victorious Living. Scott A. Crook First Baptist Church Starke, FL

There is room for your name on this list! Thank you, as well, to the individuals and foundations who have supported this outreach.

American Solutions for Business cstallings@americanbus.com Captain’s Party Rentals captainspartyrentals.com Community Church of Keystone Heights communitychurchofkeystoneheights.org Davis Gas davisgas.com Discount Inboard Marine skidim.com First Baptist of Starke fbcstarke.org Greater Greenville Foundation Keystone Plumbing keystoneplumbinginc@yahoo.com Loving Hands Pet Sitting lovinghandspets.com Nautique Boat Company nautique.com Saturday Night Wonders ephesians-4-prayer-fellowship.com The Clipping Corner Melrose, FL The Trophy Shop thetrophyshop.com

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GIVE FREEDOM GET FREEDOM

Victorious Living PO Box 120951 Clermont, FL 34712-0951

Non Profit Org US Postage

PAID

Permit No. 610 Jacksonville, FL

People everywhere desperately need to know about God’s power, love, and grace. With your help and God’s Truth, Victorious Living can set captives free!

YES! I Want to Be a Part!

r I’d like to support Victorious Living and share freedom with others ($25 Suggested Donation). With your donation, you will receive Victorious Living for one year, and we will also send an inmate on our prison correspondence list a personal copy for one year (unless you provide a specific inmate’s contact information as a recipient).

__________________________________________________ Name #1

__________________________________________________ Address #1

__________________________________________________ City | State | Zip #1

__________________________________________________

r Send an additional gift subscription of Victorious Living to the recipient listed below ($25 Suggested Donation).

Email #1

______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone #1

__________________________________________________ Name #2

r I’d like to sponsor ____ prison facilities to receive a case of each Victorious Living issue for one year ($400 per prison).

Become a Part of the Victorious Living Family Today! • Go

online at kojministries.org

• Call 352-478-2098 to place order • Return this order form in the envelope provided in this magazine

__________________________________________________ Address #2

__________________________________________________ City | State | Zip #2

__________________________________________________ Email #2

Telephone #2

A card will be sent to recipients on your behalf to inform them of your gift! If you would like to send more than one gift, please list names on a separate piece of paper.

r Check attached (make payable to Victorious Living) r Debit (include voided check) r Mastercard r VISA r Please automatically renew my partnership! Donation Amount _______________________________________________ Cardholder Name (please print) ____________________________________ Card Number __________________________________________________ Expiration Date ________________________________________________ Credit Card Billing Address (required)________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________________ If you have any questions, please call 352-478-2098. Mail completed forms and Victorious Living Support to: Victorious Living • PO BOX 120951 • Clermont, FL 34712-0951 or fax to 1-888-837-9153 Send all inmate correspondence to Starke, FL address on page 4.

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