VL - Issue 21 - August 2016

REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE

Quarterly Publication | Issue 3 2016

A Publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries

Take a Chance It’s

Not

Over

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I WAS IN

PRISON And You Visited Me.

Matthew 25:36

SEND VICTORIOUS LIVING TO A PRISON INMATE

Every day, inmates reach out to KOJM through letters asking for prayers and encouragement as well as discipleship opportunities to help them grow in their faith.

Every inmate who contacts KOJM receives in-depth monthly devotionals, personal letters from KOJM’s correspondence team, and a quarterly copy of Victorious Living.

BECOME A PART OF OUR VICTORIOUS LIVING FAMILY TODAY! WRITE TO:

VICTORIOUS LIVING PO BOX 120951 • CLERMONT, FL 34712-0951 VL_August2016rF2.indd 2

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Thank you to the following organizations who faithfully support Victorious Living.

When asked why they give, they respond,

“Because we care!”

Why I Care CAREY STALLINGS | KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL KOJ Ministries actively pursues the lost, the forgotten, and the despised in society. While others stand on the sidelines bemoaning the state of the world around us, KOJ Ministries is in the trenches, tending to men and women whose past decisions have left them alone with little hope and looming lifelong consequences.

But it’s only by God’s grace that we are not counted among the lost as well, and we must be about the Father’s business of nurturing and caring for those who are broken. I proudly support this ministry as it binds up the fallen and builds up the body of Christ.

Carey Stallings and American Solutions for Business

REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE ISSUE 3, AUGUST 2016 We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 Publisher & Executive Director | Kristi Overton Johnson f

Editor | Rachel F. Overton, Wordscapes Executive Assistant | Deena Mapple Accounting Manager | Gizzella Guba Director of Prison Correspondence | Linda Cubbedge Creative Director | Amy Zackowski, Whispering Dog Design Inc. Partnership Support | victoriousliving@kojministries.org f

Contributing Writers Lucy Adams, George Beasley, Erin Blair, Roy A. Borges, Becky Coursen, Devon N., Linda Cubbedge, Kristi Dews Dale, Jonathan H., Big James Henderson, Nate Miller, Jeannine Moffitt, Kenny Munds, Kristi Overton Johnson, Rachel F. Overton, Angel P., Chris Patton, Cherie Shaw, Deanna Whitehurst, Amy Zackowski f

Cover Photography | Merrett Fay Photography Bill Glass Behind the Walls, Merrett Fay, Mark Frazier, Kristine Freed Photography f

Faithful Distributors Special thanks to Bill Coleman and Tina Brown for distributing Victorious Living in local areas in Florida and North Carolina

Thank you to all who have supported this outreach!

We need more churches and individuals to help support KOJ Ministries and Victorious Living. For just $500, you or your church or organization can sponsor our ministry in a prison for one full year. So much can be done through your generous giving.

Will you help today?

American Solutions for Business cstallings@americanbus.com Captain’s Party Rentals captainspartyrentals.com Community Church of Keystone Heights ccokh.org Davis Gas davisgas.com Discount Inboard Marine skidim.com

First Baptist of Starke fbcstarke.org Greater Greenville Foundation Keystone Plumbing keystoneplumbinginc@ yahoo.com Nautique Boat Company nautique.com The Clipping Corner Melrose, FL The Trophy Shop thetrophyshop.com

f

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 KJV is taken from the King James Version of the Bible (public domain). Scripture marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All scripture versions are used by permission. All rights are reserved, worldwide.

HOW TO REACH VICTORIOUS LIVING Receive a Personal Copy • See this issue’s back cover • Visit kojministries.org • Call 352-478-2098 • Write to Victorious Living PO Box 120951 Clermont, FL 34712-0951 • Bulk copies available, call 352-478-2098.

Submissions • Submit at kojministries.org • Mail submissions to Victorious Living Submission, PO Box 120951 Clermont, FL 34712-0951 ALL Inmate Correspondence • Mail correspondence to Victorious Living Prison Outreach PO Box 328 Starke, FL 32091

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.

Captives can be of any age, gender, race, and socio-economic background.

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CONTENTS 7 A Better Dream

1 7 The Power of Choice Big James Henderson

An injured softball player learns that surrendering her dreams to God makes room for His perfect plan.

Deanna Whitehurst

1 9 Spring Cleaning Anytime Memories and mementos tying you to an unwanted past? Gather them up and dump them in the garbage. A good spring cleaning can bring freedom and light, any time of year.

Kenny Munds

8 Transformed

Addiction chokes out the light in a life until only darkness remains. But when God gets hold of that life, everything changes.

Erin Blair

2 0 An Elbow to the Head

1 0 Press On, Smiling

Nate Miller

Kristi Overton Johnson

2 1 The Unexpected Messenger

1 1 How to Bring About Change Linda Cubbedge

1 2 Grace over Revenge

16 Take a Chance

From football star to prison walls to world champion powerlifter…Big James had no idea how God would use his surrendered life to impact the world.

Big James Henderson

6 Publisher’s Note 27 From the Father’s Heart 28 Ministry Update 29 Reader Testimonies 30 Our Contributors

Moving beyond justice to mercy isn’t easy, but we’re called to mirror the grace God extends to us—whether it’s to the man who murdered your in-laws or that particular someone infinitely closer to your heart.

Amy Zackowski

1 3 Bumper Car Power

Do you fill your spiritual gas tank once a week or, like a bumper car, do you stay everconnected to the unfailing power source?

Chris Patton

1 4 Your Source of Life

Are you rejoicing in new life, or are you wandering around like a two-bit character in Night of the Living Dead? Jesus is waiting to do spiritual CPR on your zombie heart today.

Rachel F. Overton

1 5 When You Feel Alone

When loneliness or despair threatens to overwhelm you, cry out to Jesus. He is ready and able to fill your empty heart and rescue your weary soul.

George W. Beasley

When the busyness and pressures of life seem overwhelming, look for the little things that can draw your attention and heart back to what truly matters.

Cherie Shaw

2 2 The Clock Is Ticking

Life is short. Spend every minute wisely.

Roy A. Borges

2 3 Walking in Step with God How can we avoid the pitfalls of a worldly existence that cause us to be separated from God? Here is practical advice for living in Christ.

Kristi Dews Dale

2 4 Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place Kristi Overton Johnson

2 5 Don’t Wait Too Long

Express your appreciation and love for the people in your life now. You don’t know when your last chance to do so will come.

Lucy N. Adams

31 Goodbyes and Hellos

Life on earth is full of painful goodbyes, but we can confidently settle our hearts in the knowledge that real life is in heaven with its abundance of hellos.

Becky Coursen

2 6 The Art of Waiting

The harder the trial, the more difficult it can be to trust God’s will. Here are six keys to the art of waiting on the Lord.

Jeannine Moffitt

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

THE MASTER’S PIECE

WHEN WE GIVE GOD ACCESS TO OUR LIVES, HE BLESSES US WITH FREEDOM, PEACE, AND JOY. HE HEALS OUR BROKEN HEARTS AND MINDS, RESTORES RELATIONSHIPS, AND TEACHES US VALUABLE TRUTHS. INDEED, WE FIND THAT A LIFE IN THE HANDS OF GOD IS POWERFUL AND LIMITLESS!

This issue kicks off Victorious Living’s sixth year of publication. Wow, what a ride it’s been!

The idea of publishing a magazine for everyday people to share their stories of God’s faithfulness had swirled around my heart for years, but I hadn’t done anything but talk about it. And then, one day, a ministry team member challenged me to go into my office, close the door, and stay there until I had a magazine title and a plan to get started. I had talked about it long enough, he said. It was time to put feet to the vision.

I took Mr. Ron’s challenge that day, and after a couple of hours and a lot of prayer, I came out with the name Victorious Living and a plan to contact several people for their God stories. The rest is history—or more accurately, HIS-story!

It didn’t take long for God to reveal that His plan for this magazine was much larger than my own. Six years later, He continues to expand the territory of this publication far beyond anything I could have imagined, especially within the prison system. God has used it to open so many doors.

Every day, thousands of inmates are encouraged and equipped through this magazine and our prison correspondence outreach program. God reaches into the hearts of incarcerated men and women through the heartfelt words expressed on each page. What a privilege it is to be a part of touching these lives.

What an honor to partner with people in telling their stories.

The magazine you are holding is a project of God’s design. It’s only possible because of Him. I had to laugh recently when Big James Henderson, the focus of our current cover story, said, “Kristi, I want to thank you for writing my story. You took what I said and created a masterpiece!” Not quite, James. Your story is the Master’s piece—as are all the stories contained in this magazine.

God gives our writing and editorial team the creativity needed to arrange words and assemble stories. He gives our graphic design artist layout ideas. He provides through people like you the resources needed to print and distribute Victorious Living. And God infuses each written word with power to bring hope and healing in the darkest of places. It is all from Him. Yes, this is indeed the Master’s piece. I’m just blessed to be a part of it.

You’ll find a common theme as you read these articles; in fact, it’s a theme we’ve found repeated many times in the life of this magazine. When we give God access to our lives, He blesses us with freedom, peace, and joy. He heals our broken hearts and minds, restores relationships, and teaches us valuable truths. Indeed, we find that a life in the hands of God is powerful and limitless!

This issue is full of testimonies of God’s transforming power working in the lives of those who, as Big James says, “gave God a chance.”

I’m hoping that you, too, will find the strength and courage to give God a chance. What do you have to lose? V

Kristi Overton Johnson

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A Better Dream

by Deanna Whitehurst

Blend in. That was my goal as I started high school. I didn’t start out the most popular kid, and that didn’t make for an easy high school experience. I turned to softball to make a name for myself. Surely if I became an awesome softball player, my accomplishments would show all those naysayers that I was, indeed, someone special.

By my senior year, my dream was to play college ball. I was doing well, and I was looking to have my best season ever. But on the first day of tryouts, I broke my foot and was on the bench for six weeks. Suddenly, all my dreams were gone.

It was tough. By the time my foot healed, it was too late for me to get back on the field.

Someone else had taken my spot, and she was having an incredible season. There was no way the coach was going to bench her.

I found my faith shaken; I didn’t understand why God would allow this to happen. Sidelined, I began to reflect inwardly and discovered a spirit of pride lurking in me that I hadn’t even realized existed. God showed me that I had been using softball to impress people and to make me feel good about myself. Softball was my identity.

I had also been using it to elevate myself to a leadership position. I wanted to be the one on the field that everyone was watching and trying to be like. Eventually, I realized that true leadership comes from being willing to encourage others to success, even when your own dreams have gone awry. True leadership develops out of a heart of humility.

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From the dugout, I learned how to support my team from behind the scenes. It wasn’t easy, and it certainly wasn’t my plan, but it turned out to be the most important lesson of my life. You see, if I had achieved my dream of being a hotshot ballplayer, my life would have ended up differently. It would have been all about me—a journey of self-glorification.

Exodus 20:3 says we are to have no other gods before the one true God. Softball was my god. If I really get down to the truth, I was my own god. I was putting my own needs and my softball performance ahead of my relationship with God. I am so thankful that my plans changed so I could learn how to rely on God, to glorify Him, and to serve others. It’s a better way, a more fulfilling way. No longer do I find my acceptance or my identity in a sport or from the applause of people. I find it in Christ’s love, and His love never changes.

You, too, may have dreams and plans that have fallen apart. I want to encourage you to put those lost dreams and plans into God’s loving hands. He will redeem them and give you a dream greater than the one you lost.

Stop fighting God, and stop despairing over lost dreams. Those dreams may have been the very things keeping you from experiencing God’s better dream. The best dreams are fulfilled in God’s dream for you. V

“I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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Transformed I was twelve years old when I first smoked pot. Suddenly, I was free. Free from anxiety and depression. Free from pressure. Free from pain.

I thought I’d found something that would make life better or at least easier; but instead, it enslaved me. It turned my life and my family’s life into a living hell.

Addiction doesn’t just happen. No, it slithers its way into your life and then slowly begins to choke out the light until all you can see is darkness. All your hopes, dreams, and aspirations fade away.

Life becomes an art of survival as you try to feed the darkness within.

Growing up, I knew I was loved. I had wonderful parents. But I had such emptiness inside, and I never knew how to express it. Drugs filled—or more like numbed—that emptiness in my heart and helped me function without all the pain.

Drugs gave me a means to live.

At the age of fifteen, I began dating a boy I knew my parents disapproved of. So I kept it a secret.

When he cheated on me, I was devastated. The pain in my heart was so great, I no longer wanted to live. I swallowed a bunch of pills and drank from my parents’ liquor cabinet.

A friend found me having a seizure on the kitchen floor. I was taken to the emergency room, where they pumped my stomach. My dad held my hand with tears rolling down his cheeks. I was so full of shame and embarrassment. When the doctors asked why I had taken so many pills, I responded, “I just wanted to sleep for a long time.”

They sent me to a mental institution, and that’s where the humiliation really began.

I was greeted by a boy my age who actually attended the same high school I did. “Who would have ever thought someone like you would end up in a place like this, with people like us?” His words still haunt me today.

by Erin Blair

To the outside world, I looked like I had it all together. I was the cheerleader, honor roll student, on the homecoming court, a member of the student council. But on the inside, I was falling apart. In the mental institution, I was diagnosed with depression and prescribed medication.

The meds made me so tired. I began skipping classes in my senior year so I could go back home and sleep. I had so many absences that the prospect of me not graduating became a scary reality. Fortunately, I did graduate and was accepted to the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. I planned to start in the fall.

A week before graduation, I took a trip with my parents to Minneapolis. I thought we were attending a convention for my dad’s business.

Instead, my parents were dropping me off at the Hazelden Rehab Center. Unbeknownst to me, I was about to attend a twenty-eight-day program and then live in a halfway house for a couple of months before I entered college. I was angry and devastated to say the least.

I rebelled as best I could, hoping that I would be kicked out of the program. After a week, I was. They took me to a Greyhound bus station, and from there I headed home to Greensboro, North Carolina.

With no license, no relationship with my family, and no friends (they were all leaving for college), my dark days became darker. I began experimenting with more drugs to numb my evergrowing pain. I also found myself in an abusive relationship. There seemed to be no way out.

That’s when I began to pray. “God,” I cried, “please show me a way out. I’m too weak to leave this relationship. I’m too weak to stop using the drugs. I need Your help!”

The boy I was seeing was sentenced to almost four years in prison. Visiting him opened my eyes

Addiction doesn’t just happen. No, it slithers its way into your life and then slowly begins to choke out the light until all you can see is darkness. All your hopes, dreams, and aspirations fade away. Life becomes an art of survival as you try to feed the darkness within.

Desperate for change, I took off my mask of toughness, laid down my way of living, and for the first time, submitted to authority.

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photo: Mark Frazier

Erin, Matt, and their four little world changers. Living proof that when God gets hold of a life, the possibilities are limitless.

God, who I am going into this place is not who I want to be when I leave!

to the hurt in other people’s lives. Until that point, life had always been about me. I rarely thought of others. I wished I could ease their pain, but being broken myself, I was in no place to help anyone. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any steps to find the healing I needed.

The next three years were a blur. Drugs, alcohol, and sex clouded my mind and led me to make terrible choices. The consequences were horrific.

I even lost a child due to cocaine use. After contemplating suicide every day for two years and being in constant trouble with the law, I entered a drug and alcohol rehab on February 21, 2002, with one plea: “God, who I am going into this place is not who I want to be when I leave!”

Desperate for change, I took off my mask of toughness, laid down my way of living, and for the first time, submitted to authority. While in rehab, I began to deal with emotions that I had stuffed inside of me for nine years. It took courage to face them, and it was painful. As I faced my past, I had nowhere to run…except to God. Turns out, He was exactly who I needed. He gave me the strength to work through my emotional issues and overcome the temptation of returning to my old ways. Layer after layer, God pulled away the darkness.

Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” Once I tasted how good God was, His power in me began to drive me. He was who I wanted, not a drug. His goodness enabled me to persevere through tough times.

A rabbi came to speak at our rehab center. During break, most of the patients went outside to smoke. I wanted to smoke too, but I couldn’t get out of the chair. It was as if God Himself had His hands on my shoulders.

The rabbi made a beeline to where I was sitting. He grabbed my hands and prayed. I’m not sure what he said, but when I went back to my room, I fell asleep in total peace. I woke up feeling comfortable in my own skin for the first time. At that moment, I knew that no matter what happened in my life, I would be okay. I had never had that assurance before.

That day I recommitted my life to God, and I determined in my heart to photography by Kristine Freed Photography

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know Him more every day. I also asked God to help me inspire people. I knew that would take a miracle. I was the girl too insecure to even raise her hand in class to ask a question.

When I came out of my room that evening, people said, “Erin, you look different. Your countenance has changed.” Sure enough, when I looked in the mirror, I no longer saw dark eyes. They were light and sparkly. There was no more darkness in or around me. There was only light.

That day began my journey of walking out of the pit of hell where I had been imprisoned for years. Jesus rescued me and took me to higher ground where every chain of bondage—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual— was broken. God healed me in a year from what would have taken most people their entire lives to find healing. I was free!

Now I was able to use my God-given passion and internal fire for an eternal purpose. I believe God gave me a wild, live-on-the-edge, dangerous side so that I would be courageous in my faith and further His kingdom. But the enemy had taken those attributes and, with my help, had used them to further his plan. Now, the passion that had once fueled my addiction began to fuel my faith. I moved from chasing the next high to chasing passionately after God. I was so hungry to know Him more. And God was faithful to teach me. I can’t say I did everything right, but I kept seeking after Jesus and the life I wanted. I never gave up.

My transformation process wasn’t easy, nor was it quick. It was also very lonely at times as I released my old way of life. I could no longer be around the same people if I wanted to stay clean. But God was faithful to send amazing people to help me in my transition from living for the world to living for God. People like Marty.

Marty opened up her heart and her home to me. She jumped right in the trenches with me, teaching and helping me become the woman God created me to be. She saw me as God sees me and reminded me constantly that I was worthy of His love.

Marty introduced me to Matt, a college ministry worship leader. I could listen to his voice for hours. Every time he sang, I was immediately brought to the feet of Jesus. I began to open up to Matt, and to my surprise, he didn’t run away! He extended nothing but grace and love. He inspired me to be a better person.

I had never met a guy who treated me with such gentleness. In fact, no guy had even opened a car door for me. One day I asked him, “What are you going to do next? Bring out a red carpet?” Sure enough, he did! The next time he picked me up, he laid out a red towel for me to walk on. Yes, he won my heart and my trust.

Although I was very interested in Matt, we didn’t start dating right away.

I had made a commitment not to date for the first year of my being clean.

I needed time to develop my relationship with Christ before I could have a healthy relationship with a man.

I was so happy when my one-year anniversary of being clean arrived. Matt and I officially began dating and within a year, we were married. We’ve been together now for twelve years and have four beautiful daughters we call our little world changers. Our family has lived a life of adventure in ministry.

If someone had told me all those years ago that I would be pastoring a church, running a nonprofit that ministers to women in strip clubs, and counseling people to overcome substance abuse, I would have fallen off my barstool laughing at them! But when God gets hold of a life, the possibilities are limitless.

I’m living proof! V kojministries.org Issue 3 2016 9

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Press on,

Smiling

by Kristi Overton Johnson

There’s always something to be thankful for, no matter Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to practice what I so often preach by putting my patience and perseverance into action. I was on my way to Camp Blanding, where I was scheduled to minister to nearly two hundred cadets. I was driving my husband’s truck, packed with luggage and water-ski equipment, and I was pulling a boat.

About an hour from my destination, the truck quit.

Fortunately, my husband, not too far away, was able to come to my rescue, but still…there I sat, with my plans set awry.

Sitting in that hot truck, I had a choice to make.

I could throw a fit and blame my husband for giving me his old truck to drive—or I could stay at peace by trusting the God of peace. I could remain patient, knowing that help was on the way; I could persevere with a heart of joy to the place God was sending me. Even if His time was not the same as my time.

Though tempted, I knew that being angry and frustrated wouldn’t solve my problem. So instead,

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where we are or what has happened.

I chose to look for the positives and be thankful for them. Was I thankful for a broken-down vehicle?

Well, not quite. But I was thankful that I was at a fast food restaurant when the truck died. (Hey, I had food and a bathroom—what more could a girl need?) I was thankful that I was in a safe location not too far from home. I was thankful for a few precious moments to just sit and rest; I’d been going nonstop for weeks. And finally, I was thankful for the homeless man who approached my vehicle and prayed for me.

There’s always something to be thankful for, no matter where we are or what has happened.

I learned this from my friend, Matt Manzari.

HIT IT!

Although severely electrocuted, Matt still finds things to praise God for every day; and in the midst of his praise, he finds the strength and joy to move on, even while experiencing great physical pain and loss. A grateful attitude helps us maintain our peace and patience and gives us the strength to persevere, whether we are broken down on the side of the road, recovering from a tragic accident, or reeling from a sudden change in circumstance or relationship.

While I was waiting in that broken-down truck, I texted Mrs. Linda, our prison correspondence director, to say I would be late arriving. She responded with a heartfelt, “I’m sorry you are dealing with this delay.”

I attempted to reply: “We press on. :-)” My phone, however, didn’t obey my verbal instruction to insert a smiley face icon; instead, it typed, “We press on smiling.” I got ready to correct the mistake, but then I realized that my phone had actually typed a better phrase. It had typed the secret to perseverance: We must press on, smiling.

It’s as simple as that.

We can persevere till we’re blue in the face, but if we have no joy in our hearts, our pressing on is in vain. It’s our joy, our laughter, our attitude of gratitude, and our level of peace and patience that attracts others to the God of hope who lives within us. Are you pressing on, smiling? It’s not easy, but with God, it can be done. V

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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How to Bring About Change Are you facing a situation completely out of your control? Are you perhaps watching your children go down a wayward path? I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelmingly painful it can be.

Years ago, one of my children was in the clutches of the enemy because of his own choosing. I found myself face down, crying out to God. My heart was so broken, yet the Lord gave me a tenacious desire to pray like I had never prayed before.

To the best of my ability, I was standing strong in my faith and waging war against the enemy, coming against everything that sought to destroy our family. That’s when I heard the Lord whisper to my heart, “Stop praying against and pray for.”

As I pondered those words, I realized I had become so focused on the thing that was shredding my heart to bits that I was missing out on calling forth my child’s destiny in Christ Jesus.

According to Romans 4:17 NIV, God is the One who “gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.”

God was asking me, as a parent, to do the same. Instead of spending so much time praying against the thing that seemed to have a hold on my child, I was to call forth God’s promises on his behalf. This took time, persistence, diligence, and faith. I had to be fully persuaded that God’s Word would accomplish what it said, no matter how impossible that seemed.

Can you imagine if every believer started praying for individuals and communities to come to Jesus Christ and to see the heart of God instead of praying against them?

by Linda Cubbedge

Our children are engaged in real spiritual battles against a real enemy called Satan, and there is a time to come against what comes against our loved ones in Jesus’ name. But there is also a time to speak life over their struggles.

God has given us His Word to reinforce the victory that Jesus purchased at the cross. It is the power of His spoken Word and our faith in it that brings victory, both for us and for our loved ones.

Our faith-filled prayers release the unseen power of God to apprehend our wayward children and bring them back to His throne of grace. We must remember that we are approaching God’s throne of grace and not His throne of judgment. Romans 2:4 says it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.

God’s Word is so powerful. The angels listen to the voice of God’s Word and bring to fruition what He promises (Psalm 103:20). God’s Word runs swiftly throughout the earth (Psalm 147:15).

It is not chained or imprisoned; it goes places we cannot go (2 Timothy 2:9).

What incredible encouragement! Distance is not an issue. Circumstances are not an issue.

Nothing can impede God’s Word. Praying it over the lives of our children is more powerful than we can comprehend. Want to give it a try? Here’s an example of such a declaration: Father God, I thank You that [my child] loves You with all his [her] heart, soul, mind, and strength. [My child] seeks first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness; he hates evil and loves that which is good. Like Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [my child] stands strong in his convictions. He purposes in his heart to not defile himself with the food of this world, but will feast only on the kingdom purposes of God. I thank You that [my child] loves Your Word and hides it in his heart like a treasure so that he will not sin against You. Start today declaring the precious promises of God’s Word over the lives of your children.

Believe that God’s Word will fight its own fight and His Word will win, every time! The key is to be consistent. Don’t let what you see cause you to waver. Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Be a life breather by speaking the Spirit-breathed Word of God.

Scriptures to pray over your children: Numbers 6:24–26 Psalm 1:1–3 Psalm 16:11 Psalm 86:11–13 Psalm 91:9–11 Psalm 91:14–16 Isaiah 44:3–4

Isaiah 54:13 Isaiah 54:17 Acts 3:19 Romans 12:2 Romans 15:13 Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 4:30–32

Colossians 1:9–13

Morning, noon, and night, proclaim God’s truth by faith over your children, regardless of their age and regardless of the circumstance. Find a place to declare their victory. You may have to hide out in the bathroom to speak life over your children. Hey, I’ve been there! Determine to make every day count and, I promise, you will see a turnaround sooner than you think in their lives—and in yours as well.

Our children’s destiny is important. It must be a priority. Here’s a tip: write your declaration on a notecard and keep it in a prominent place or put a reminder on your phone. If you need to, set a timer to remind yourself to stop and pray.

Get a prayer book. They contain specific prayers that are full of scriptures that target the many challenges our children face. Sometimes I hold a family picture that I keep in my Bible close to my heart, and I pray over each person, cherishing the lives that God has entrusted to me.

In addition to proclaiming scripture over your children, remember also to offer up praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for His amazing grace and love toward them. His wonderful love is irresistible. Your children will be drawn to it!

Recently the Lord showed me even more about praying for and not against, when He revealed that I was to instruct a friend to pray continued on page 24

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vo er Revenge

by Amy Zackowski

My husband, who doesn’t share much in the way of his feelings, occasionally musters the sentence, “I still struggle sometimes with you doing the Victorious Living thing.” I’m the graphic designer for this magazine, a position that takes a lot of time and effort when we’re putting an issue together. At times, my husband, with good reason, has a hard time understanding my passion for ministering to people who have hurt others.

I must confess—most of the time, I blow off his objections. I silently judge him, thinking, “He just doesn’t get it. After all, I’m called to this. Who am I to question the path God has directed for me? And who is he to question my following it?”

I’ll be honest—our marriage hasn’t been exactly perfect. We’ve had some great times, of course.

But like every marriage, we’ve had our share of difficult days, too.

And that was before the murders.

Rushed as usual, I was revving the engine of the car while I waited on him to finish feeding our horses so we could leave for church. When I looked up, I saw him on the phone and could tell by his face something was wrong. He wouldn’t normally have answered a call in the middle of the morning rush, but he’d recognized the number as his dad’s.

My husband’s relationship with his father had been strained for a long time. Years of prescription pill abuse had left his dad aloof, at best. No birthday calls or holiday wishes; months routinely passed without his returning our calls. Repeated no-shows hurt my husband deeply. His dad’s actions had hardened my heart. I could never understand why my husband continued to try to maintain that relationship. Nevertheless, if his dad called, he jumped at the chance to talk to him.

But this time it wasn’t his father’s voice on the line. A frantic stranger—a man my husband had met only once—was on the other end of the phone, screaming something about a murder. The caller had not heard from my father-in-law for a few days and had stopped by his house to check on him. There he’d discovered the bodies of my husband’s father and stepmother in their home.

It turns out my in-laws were robbed by someone they knew and then shot, skillfully and precisely, in the back of the head. The man who shot them continued on to hunt down and repeat the robbing and execution of another friend a day later. He was eventually captured a state away and confessed to the crimes.

The days between that call and his capture are a blur. Such chaos and insanity…there are no words to describe arriving on the scene of your in-laws’ murder to find strangers looting their home. Yet we felt peace. We were so covered by the prayers of our church family that we were supernaturally able to sail through the days that followed, seemingly unscathed.

It’s been two years since the murders. Pleas have been changed, and the justice system has dragged on for what seems like eternity. Instead of healing, time has revealed—and our brains have allowed—memories we suppressed from that experience to surface. Reality has hit. And though he never shows it outwardly, my husband mourns.

So he struggles with my role in an organization that ministers to people who have stolen other people’s parents.

Under that hard, cowboy shell, my husband is the kindest, most loving man you will ever meet.

But he would love to get even. And I have to admit, though we both know vengeance is not

ours, I would love to get even on his behalf.

During the design process of Issue 1 2016 of Victorious Living, the Lord convicted my heart about this desire while reading Rick Renner’s article, “Resisting the Urge to Get Even.” In light of our tragedy, Rick’s words were a hard pill to swallow.

As the graphic designer, I tried to make Rick’s article attractive so that it would grab the attention of our readers and minister to their hearts.

(Possibly even the heart of the man who killed my husband’s family, I thought.) But all the while, I struggled. Even though I knew Rick’s message was right on target and I believed it with all my heart, I still wrestled with laying my hurt aside.

Looking for help, I searched the scriptures.

There I found yet another pill to swallow, one even bigger than the last. Second Corinthians 2:7–11 tells me that, not only am I to resist the urge to get even, I am commanded to forgive and to bring comfort. This is what the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write: Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. …When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

That’s easy to say…hard to do.

I’m angry. I have no problem confessing that truth. We often find ourselves these days arguing or in some other stressful situation that jacks up our lives—and too many times, the anxiety behind the conflict can be traced back to that call on July 20.

Life was already hard, but now I am supposed to forgive this? Yes. I’m to comfort those who’ve caused this pain? Yes. And I’m supposed to show grace to my husband while he struggles with me doing a job that I love? Yes. I read it; I know. But I’m human, and as much as I desire to do the right thing, my flesh fails me.

Every time. It fails to forgive wrongdoings; it fails to show grace. To be honest, there are times I can barely forgive people for speaking a few hurtful words to me. Yet I judge others for not forgiving great wrongs?

Could it be that the man who took the lives of our family members was unable to forgive and resist his own urge to get even? It’s the same urge continued on page 15

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BUMPER CAR POWER For many years, my family has owned multiple car dealerships. As far back as I can remember, I’ve been in the car business. I guess you could say it’s in my blood. As a result, I love all kinds of cars, even those I can’t afford. But my favorite car is the bumper car. Imagine my excitement when I recently discovered that bumper cars are more spiritual than traditional cars.

Now obviously, one car cannot be more spiritual than another. In fact, cars aren’t spiritual at all. Yet if we compare the bumper car to the traditional gas-powered car, we discover an important principle.

For our purposes, I’m defining a traditional car as one that has an internal combustion engine and a gas tank. This car serves its function as long as gas is in its tank. Once the gas tank runs empty, the car will stop dead in its tracks. It will not move again until the tank is refilled with gas.

The bumper car is different. On a basic level, the bumper car relies on a continuous flow of electricity through its motor to keep it moving. It serves its function as long as it is in contact with a reliable source of electricity.

According to Wikipedia, “the oldest and most common method [to supply power to a bumper car] uses a conductive floor and ceiling, each with a separate power polarity. Contacts under the vehicle touch the floor, while a pole-mounted contact touches the ceiling, forming a complete circuit” (wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_cars). If the bumper car loses contact with the power, the circuit is broken, and the bumper car stops.

by Chris Patton

driving range would look like if we maintained constant contact with the One who gives us power. What would the resulting impact be?

Look at what Jesus said in John 15:4–5: Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, 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.

Designed for Constant Contact Friends, we are not designed to operate in our faith the way traditional cars run on fuel in a tank.

We are designed for full and constant contact with Jesus. We are designed to run on His power, not our own. When we break contact and try to operate on what we have stored in a tank, we are ineffective at best. At worst, we find frustration, depression, and even destruction.

I encourage you to convert your drivetrain!

Move away from the traditional Sunday-filled fuel tank. Choose instead a more efficient, more powerful, and much more effective, constant contact with the ultimate power source. Remain in Him, and you will produce much fruit. V

Christians Function the Same Way I believe this comparison is a great picture of today’s Christians. Many of us (including myself at times) attempt to operate in our faith like a traditional car. We go to church Sunday mornings to get our tanks filled, and we expect that tank to last until the next Sunday morning.

But too often, the moment we have to exercise our faith, we run out of fuel—usually midweek!

As a result, our faith stalls or fails. We begin to doubt or stress (or both). And we find ourselves on empty. Have you ever experienced that?

What If We Changed?

What if we converted our faith over to the bumper-car plan? What if we discarded our fuel tanks and instead relied on a constant contact with our source of power? Imagine what our

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Your Source of Life

by Rachel F. Overton

What’s your source of life? Where do you look for refreshment, for vitality, for…well…life?

The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. He created light over the earth and then separated the water from the earth and sky. It’s a familiar story. As we continue to read the account of creation in Genesis 1, we see that once God had created earth and water and sky, everything else was drawn from its source of life.

For instance, He drew the sun and moon from the light.

He commanded the water, and it brought forth life: sea creatures and everything that lives in the ocean. He commanded the earth, and it brought forth life: animals, plants, all living things on the earth. He commanded the air, and it, too, produced life: birds, insects, and all things that fly came into existence.

But when it came time to create man, God did something different. He physically picked up a handful of earth, and He formed it until it reflected His image. And then He blew His breath into man. Without that breath, man was not yet living.

Remove a fish from water. No matter how pretty the place you put it, if there’s no water, it will die. Drop a dog in the middle of an ocean with no dry land, and it will die. Remove a plant from the ground and put it solely in water or air. It won’t be long before it dies, too. Each created being needs its source of life to remain alive.

So what about man? When Adam and Eve sinned, mankind’s connection with holy God was severed.

Completely. By its nature, sin must divide us from all that is

holy. From God. Through that one initial act of disobedience, all mankind was removed from its source of life.

Without God, mankind is dead. Oh, we walk around. We look alive. But inside, without God, we are nothing more than B-rated zombies. But God knew this, and He made a way so that we can be reconciled with our source of life. What did He do? Look at Romans 5:18–19: Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

Jesus Christ died on the cross, taking the burden of sin—the very thing that separates us from God—so that we could live again.

Are you connected to your source of life? Are you rejoicing in new life, or are you still wandering around like some twobit character in Night of the Living Dead? Reconnection is a choice each of us must make individually. Jesus is waiting to do spiritual CPR—to breathe back into your body the breath of life. All you have to do is ask. He says so in John 1:12: “To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” Don’t wait any longer to receive life. Jesus is our breath, our living water, our source of life. Look to Him for refreshment. For vitality. For life. You can look, but you won’t find it anywhere else. V

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GRACE OVER REVENGE | from page 12

I struggle to resist toward him.

But how do I resist the anger and frustration that try to overtake me? How do I keep from wanting to get even? And how dare I judge my husband? How dare I show anything but grace to him who understandably struggles to forgive the one who fired two bullets? Yet still, I dare.

Again, I have to look to Paul’s example. Paul was a cowboy of sorts. He was hard and rough, and faced trial after trial. And yet, through the Holy Spirit, he was able to resist the urge to get even. He learned the power behind confessing sin and admitting that he struggled with emotions like anger and hate (Acts 3:19–20).

And he shows me that I am not alone in my struggles (1 Corinthians 10:13). Through the act of confessing and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul was able to forgive and be used mightily.

So I have something to aim for. We all do.

I do have joy. And I have forgiven, but I would be lying if I said I have forgotten. Honestly, sometimes…somehow…the thought of extending grace to a remote, unknown prisoner feels easier than the thought of extending that same grace to someone I love. Yet I know I can’t afford to look at you or my husband or the man who murdered my family members with any degree of self-righteousness. Outside of Christ, I have no righteousness to claim. I must show grace to my husband just as I must show it to the prisoner.

The offense isn’t important. Murder, abuse, lying, stealing, unforgiveness, selfrighteousness, gossip, covetousness, idol worship, hurtful words—they’re really all the same. I am no better than you. You are no better than me. We can’t hand out grace judgmentally. Grace has no sliding scale. It’s either there or it isn’t.

Dealing with all this and acknowledging my failure toward my husband has made me realize that, as Christians, we do this all the time. We judge each other and don’t realize it.

We offer grace to sinners…and judgment to those we deem otherwise righteous. Choosing grace over revenge isn’t easy. It’s a difficult, daily choice, and sometimes I don’t make it like I should. But God does. Every time.

How thankful I am for a God who is full of mercy and grace—a God who loves me even when I come to Him honestly confessing that sometimes it is hard to show that mercy and grace to others. V

When You Feel Alone

by George W. Beasley

Life was once full of gloom. There was no hope and no promise of tomorrow, nothing but darkness. It was a very sad time, and I felt all by myself. There have been many of these seasons in my life. I have often asked God, why?

The darkness has been so great at times that life itself seemed to have no value, and to be completely honest, I didn’t want to go on. I had many friends around me, yet it seemed they were silent, even as they spoke. Their words, although rich in understanding and wisdom, couldn’t penetrate my lonely heart. Their hugs, tender in touch, couldn’t awaken my soul. Even the voice of my loving wife couldn’t soothe the emptiness inside. I felt alone.

I can’t explain these dark seasons other than to say that they are paralyzing. I have asked God numerous times to take my life, but He hasn’t.

And I’m thankful.

During every dark season, I wonder if I will ever return to a place of joy and a sound mind.

Life seems hopeless, and I cry out to God as the psalmist David did during his times of loneliness: “Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!”

(Psalm 25:16–17).

Perhaps you’ve been in this place I am describing. It’s real. Too many people know it, and many lose their lives there. In fact, I lost a dear friend there last summer. He could not overcome the voices and the screams of death and destruction, and in the end, he took his own life and that of his wife.

Even if you haven’t reached this low of a point in your life, everyone has, at one

time or another, felt completely alone. Most of us work hard to mask our loneliness. Some cover it with activities, relationships, attitudes, fashion, beauty, or perhaps even religion.

Others numb it with substances, food, or sex… to no avail.

What can we do when seasons of loneliness and despair come? How can we find relief from such pain?

Cry out!

Cry out to the One who truly understands the depth of your pain. Cry out to the One who is able to penetrate the barrier of your loneliness, fill your empty heart, and rescue your weary soul. Cry out to Jesus.

When you do, God Himself thunders down from Heaven, bringing with Him light, hope, and life. In His great mercy and grace, He will rescue you from the pit of depression and bring life to your weary soul. He did it for me. His voice broke through my fear; it unyoked me from my guilt and shame. He did it for David (read Psalm 18:4–19). And He will do the same for you!

Friend, God doesn’t have favorites. What He does for one of His children, He will do for another. Don’t give up on life, no matter how alone you feel. Cry out to God. He will answer you and come to your rescue. Give Him your loneliness and darkness. He will take it and make a beautiful exchange. “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!” (Psalm 30:11–12). V

Psalm 18:4–19 The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.

The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.

But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help.

He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to Him reached his ears.…

The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals.…

He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me.

He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.

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Take a Chance

by Big James Henderson

“James, keep your room straight!”

“Clean up the kitchen.”

“Do it again, and do it right!”

My mom was strict. She barked out orders like a drill sergeant in an attempt to keep her three sons in line. She took the tough approach… there would be no deadbeat sons in her home.

We were to be responsible men who made a difference in this world, good fathers who treated their wives with respect. She was determined that none of us would turn out to be like our father.

Looking back now, I understand that she was trying to protect us. My mother had firsthand experience with evil in this world. She also saw it played out every day at the hospital and sheriff’s office where she worked. I get it now. But at the time, I didn’t understand her tough love. All I knew was Mama was always yelling at me.

To a young child, it was confusing. Nothing I did ever seemed to satisfy her. Nothing was ever good enough. I lived in a constant state of fear of failure as she pushed me to be the best of the best. My best always seemed to come up short.

High school was like a coming of age for me. I was determined not to fail at any level— academically, athletically, or on the job. I sought to do everything with excellence. I was determined not to be a woulda-coulda-shoulda story.

Desperate to get out from under my mama’s authority, I sought ways to get a college scholarship. I was certain college would be my ticket to success. I went to the coach at my high 16 kojministries.org Issue 3 2016

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school. “Coach,” I said, “I can’t be a deadbeat in my mom’s home. Help me find something that I can excel in, something that will cause colleges to take notice of me.”

I put irons in every fire—football, weight lifting, track, and wrestling. I also carried a full-time job.

Whatever it took to set me apart, I did it. I made it to the state finals in wrestling, and I became a state champion in weight lifting. But my football abilities caught the eye of college coaches.

I was a big guy with a knack for falling on people at the right time. Big schools, small schools, schools from every direction…they started calling me. Florida State University and the University of Miami offered me positions on their teams. In the end, I chose a position at Albany State in Georgia. I hoped that at a smaller school, I’d receive more playing time that would, in turn, open doors for me to play in the NFL. Albany State’s location also put much desired distance between Mama and me.

When people go through tough times as youngsters, they often create fantasy worlds where they can hide from all the pain in their lives. Some people use clothes, cars, jewelry, and fancy hairdos to create an image that makes them feel good about themselves and lets them look good in the eyes of others. Others use substances to numb their pain. In college, I created my own façade to mask my pain— my sense of failure—through achievements, performance, and people pleasing. In the world

I created for myself, I became the big man on campus. They called me Hollywood.

Everybody loved Hollywood—the coaches, the teachers, and the students—and that was fine by me. All I ever wanted in life was to be liked and accepted; but in my quest for acceptance, I became trapped in a cycle of performance. I had so many things on the table that I got distracted.

I became so busy reaching for the applause of people that I got lost myself.

My fantasy world came tumbling down one day at football practice. I remember it like it was yesterday. The team was preparing for the homecoming game. I was on the line. The ball was hiked to the quarterback, but it came loose.

Doing my job, I jumped on the ball…but then the whole team jumped on me! And just like that, my NFL dreams were gone. The ligaments in my leg were torn.

With a bum leg and shattered dreams, one might think I would have reached out for God, but I didn’t. No, I got up out of that hospital bed and jumped right back on the performance cycle, working harder than ever to please people and be a success. As I did, I moved further and further from the man God had designed me to be and the man Mama had raised me to be.

One night I was out having a good time with some friends. The police pulled us over, searched our car, and arrested us for possession of drugs. We were all taken to jail. Being politically connected, the other two guys received light photography by Merrett Fay

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sentences—one year of probation. I, on the other hand, received a fifty-year sentence. Fifty years on my first offense!

I was taken to the prison diagnosis center in Jackson, Georgia, where I was assigned the job of serving the men on death row, as well as the general population. How in the world did I end up here?!

One day, I got into an altercation in the cafeteria. I was disciplined and locked in “the hole,” or solitary confinement. It was in the hole that I finally looked up and looked in.

For years I had been running, trying to escape the emptiness that overwhelmed me. I had worked with all my might to be somebody I thought the world (and Mama) would be proud of—to no avail. In the hole, my running came to an end. There was no more fooling myself or anyone else that I was all right. There was no place for fancy words or impressive skills to hide the man I really was. It was time for a change…a real change of the heart.

Sitting there in the hole, I saw my grandmother’s face and heard her familiar words: “James, if you keep trying to be slick, you’re going to end up either in jail or in hell.” And I finally asked myself, “What is there in hell that I would really want?” continued on page 18

I created my own façade to mask my pain— my sense of failure— through achievements, performance, and people pleasing.

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The Power Of Choice

by Big James Henderson

Everyone has choices in life. Sure, circumstances can be tough and even unfair at times, but every one of us still has the freedom to choose how we will respond to situations and people. We can choose whether or not we will live a life of integrity.

There’s power in the choices we make; each choice leads to either life or death. I don’t know about you, but I want life!

I want to be blessed by God. Here’s how you can have God’s blessings. Check out Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

1. Seek godly counsel.

Blessed is the one who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. Those who do not have a heart for God cannot advise you in the will of God. They can only give counsel out of their own situation and experience; out of their own fear, doubt, and pride. You don’t want that kind of counsel. It will lead to regret.

Godly counsel will lead you down the right path. The blessed path.

2. Discern and avoid.

Blessed is the one who stands not in the path of sinners.

Like a wise serpent, you must discern potential traps and avoid people and places that could lead you down a path of destruction. Keep your eyes and ears open. If you discern evil or even the possibility of it, go the other way. If you hang around sin, you’ll find yourself trapped in it.

3. Avoid critical people.

Blessed is the one who doesn’t sit in the seat of the scornful, or of those who mock. Don’t keep company with those who mock God or criticize His people. As Christians, we should bring restoration, not destruction.

4. Saturate yourself with God’s Word.

Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on it day and night. If you immerse yourself in God’s Word, it will become a part of you. And when the Word is a part of you, you will be blessed! You will become productive and successful in every season of life, no matter what your circumstances may be. V

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TAKE A CHANCE | from page 17

My answer was nothing. There was nothing in hell worth my soul, worth my integrity, or worth my life. The minute I got out of the hole, I went straight to the prison chaplain. Maybe religion would help me get my life on track.

The chaplain told me something I’ll never forget. “James, you don’t want religion. Religion is merely man’s best effort to work his way to God. It will do nothing more than lead you straight to hell.

What you need is a relationship with Jesus.”

He then told me how I could have a relationship with God, the Creator of this world, through His Son, Jesus. If I would accept Jesus as my Savior, all my sin, all my failures would be wiped away— all of them! He also told me the good news that Jesus accepted me, just as I was, flaws and all.

Through Jesus’ death, I could have a new life and real purpose. I could be saved from this pitiful life.

So I gave Jesus a chance…just in case. Just in case He was the Savior. Just in case He could change my life. What did I have to lose?

I began to read the Bible. Several stories caught my attention. The first was the account of the two prisoners hanging on either side of Jesus at His crucifixion. I could identify with them. One prisoner laughed at Jesus and rejected Him. The other believed and asked Jesus to remember Him. He decided to give Jesus a chance. To that prisoner Jesus said, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” I was in awe that Jesus would remember a prisoner and reward him in such a way.

The blessing of family is most precious to Big James. The Henderson family is dedicated to serving God and others with excellence.

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God began bringing honor and opportunities into my life. Every place my foot stepped, I became blessed.

I also read about Joseph—a man God promoted from the pit of an Egyptian prison to the highest position in the land. What a story! I studied his life and began to follow in his footsteps, trusting that what God had done for Joseph, He’d do for me.

I began to serve those in authority with excellence and to treat my fellow men with respect. Committed now to living a life without compromise, I got serious about knowing God and honoring Him with my life choices. I didn’t just read God’s Word, I applied it. Through my obedience to it and a daily decision to align my thoughts with God’s thoughts, I became a new man. A healed man. A whole man.

And that’s how Big James moved from Hollywood to Hallelujah!

God began bringing honor and opportunities into my life. Every place my foot stepped, I became blessed. The prison guards started bragging on me. They scratched their heads and wondered, “What in the world is Big James doing in here?”

One day a huge fight broke out in the prison.

You should have seen it—fighting was everywhere.

Left and right, guys were jumping into the action, even attacking the guards. When the guys in my dorm began to rise up, I told them to sit down.

They did. “You are not to fight the officers,” I told them. And they didn’t.

The next day the warden came to our dorm and asked the inmates, “Why didn’t this dorm riot like the others?” One by one they replied, “Because Big James told us to sit down.”

The warden reported the testimony of the inmates to the governor, which led to an automatic review of my case. Next thing I knew, eighteen months into my fifty-year sentence, I was heading to a transition center. Soon came a full

pardon and the words, “James, you are no longer a liability to society, but an asset.” Those words were music to my ears.

I completed my time at the transition center and began my studies at Mercer University, working to get a degree in theology and psychology. One day while I was in the gym working out, a man approached and asked, “James, how would you like to be on the United States powerlifting team?”

I accepted his offer and watched in amazement as God began to open doors all over the world for His glory. First in Finland, then the Czech Republic; next came Amsterdam, Germany, and Canada. I approached each trip like it was my last—I gave it my all; I worked unto the Lord and not unto man (Colossians 3:23). As a result, I became a five-time world champion, five-time national champion, and the first man in history to lift over 700 pounds without the use of drugs or fancy equipment.

God continued to expand my territory by giving me an international platform to impact lives. I was given a place on the Power Team, a ministry of John Jacobs. As a member of the Power Team, I performed in thousands of schools and churches, demonstrating great feats of strength while introducing people to the greatest power source of all…God. I performed on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and was even given special appearances on the television show, Walker, Texas Ranger. Then, God provided opportunities for me to return to prison through organizations such as HeartBound Ministries, Bill Glass Behind the Walls, and Inmate Encounter. I’ve spoken in hundreds of prisons, telling inmates about the choice I made that changed my life forever—the choice that brought me from a prison to the palace!

One thing I know, there is no limit to what God can do with a life that is committed to Him. photography courtesy of Bill Glass Behind The Walls

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When I chose to submit to God and give Him a chance, He lifted me out of my pit and gave me an enormous platform, so far beyond anything I hoped for or imagined.

He moved me past being a football star, past prison walls, past being a world champion powerlifter…and He shaped my life into something that would impact the whole world.

My life became powerful the day I put myself in God’s hands. It also became blessed. God healed my relationship with Mama, and He blessed me with a beautiful wife of over twenty years, and together we have three incredible children.

Let me tell you something. What God did for that prisoner hanging on the cross, what He did for Joseph, and what He did for Big James—He will do for you. God isn’t a respecter of persons. All you have to do is choose to give Jesus a chance.

Take a chance on Jesus. He’s willing to take a chance on you. V

Religion is merely man’s best effort to work his way to God. It will do nothing more than lead you straight to hell.

What you need is a relationship with Jesus.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Spring Cleaning Anytime

by Kenny Munds Recently I was looking for some very important papers I’ve somehow misplaced. I searched through my storage shed, my office, and every drawer in my house, but I have yet to come across them. Interestingly though, I accomplished a lot of other things during that search. I don’t know if you’re like me, but I can turn one task into several. In other words, while my main goal was to find those papers, I ended up doing a bit of spring cleaning. Hoping to gain some storage space, I set a huge trash bag near the storage shed and began to fill it up with things I no longer needed.

I didn’t realize it was going to be so hard to do.

I came across some letters and pictures I’d been holding onto for several years, not wanting to let go of the memories they carried. These particular keepsakes represented people who had once cared for me but are now out of my life, mainly due to mistakes I’ve made. I suppose I kept them so I could relive the good memories…but in doing so, I had to relive the bad ones too.

Now, holding those mementos over the trash bag, I wondered where those people were and what was going on in their

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lives. I wondered if they ever thought of me.

I dropped the items into the trash, and as I did so, I actually began to feel better. It was time to let go of what might have been and move on.

God does a similar thing. In His wisdom, He doesn’t hoard our sins.

He drowns them in the sea of forgetfulness. Thank goodness! Can you imagine the hurt He would have to endure if He didn’t forget them? Our sins hurt God. But He tells us to confess them and ask His forgiveness, so He can let them go and forget them. When we do, we discover that we can also be free from the affects they have on us. Holding on to things that cause you pain is a cruel thing to do to yourself.

Are you ready to be free? Then it’s time to cast your cares—the things you are holding onto—upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7).

And then, look ahead; follow the Apostle Paul’s example in Philippians 3:13–14: I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

If you are clinging to souvenirs that continually remind you of your mistakes and failures, it’s time to do some spring cleaning. Dump those old things and give God that space in your heart and soul. He will fill it with good things that will release you from your past and move you into the incredible plans He has for you.

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An Elbow to the Head

by Nate Miller

IT

seems that every year at the start of our ministry season, our team encounters a great amount of opposition. This year has been no exception. With three teams on the road, every team member has faced enough challenges to cause us all to want to park our motor homes and boats and return home.

I really thought it would be impossible to top the challenges we faced last year. Boy, was I wrong. After experiencing an amazing kick off to our “A Day to Remember” tour in April and May, a tsunami-sized wave of attacks engulfed us.

From inclement weather to equipment failure to family emergencies, we have been bombarded with trials.

One night while feeling low, I asked myself what more could possibly go wrong. The next day, I received an answer. A new attack, different from the others, came from within our own organization. It required a total restructuring of our third team, a team that was supposed to add support to our existing ministry teams and to enhance the impact of our ministry across the United States.

I’m so thankful for God’s faithfulness to encourage my heart in these times of distress.

When I seek His face, He never fails to put a

reassuring and relevant word directly in my path at just the right moment to lift my spirits and give me direction. Such was the case when that internal attack came.

I was listening to a message on 1 Thessalonians 2:17–20. In this passage, Paul was trying to reach a group of people with the gospel. He worked hard and tried time and time again to move forward to where God was sending him. But he couldn’t get there. He was under attack, hindered by an enemy who had one purpose: to keep Paul from reaching his destination.

The word hindered in the Greek is egkopto. It can be used to describe a deteriorated, brokenup, impassable road. We’ve seen a few of those!

It can also describe someone who cuts in on a runner who is running his race, someone who throws an elbow to the runner’s face and knocks him completely off course. And that’s exactly how I feel at times. It’s like someone comes out of nowhere and elbows me right in the head!

Like He did with Paul, God has put my family and me on a course with In His Wakes. Through this ministry, we strive to introduce people to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ through water sports. We have destinations to reach, so we work hard while relying on the strength of the Lord.

But challenges come. Circumstances and people come in and try to knock us out of the race. Roads become impassable (literally) with weather and equipment failure. But God is faithful, and in the end, He gets us right to where we need to be. Every time!

Satan will pull out his full arsenal of attacks to keep you and me from reaching people with the love and hope of Christ. But remember this: the devil cannot stop what God has put in motion!

That’s true in this ministry, and it’s true in your life, too.

With God’s help, we can keep going. An obstacle can become the very thing that strengthens your faith and makes you more powerful in God’s hands. Stay the course. Don’t give up, no matter how big the obstacle may seem. God will get you to your destination. Great joy awaits you there! Take it from me—when you arrive, you’ll forget all about the painful elbows and rough roads, and you’ll be better for the journey. V

EVIL D E TH HAT W P STO AS PUT H GOD OTION! IN M

T O N CAN

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When I choose to rely on God’s strength, I can experience blessings that might have gone unrecognized if I were relying on my own strength.

THE

D E T C E P X UNE

Some days my calendar keeps me focused and saves me from imminent derailment. It’s a lifesaver!

But other days, it is a merciless taskmaster, always demanding more. Too often, just when I think I’ve mastered the art of managing my schedule, I find I’ve forgotten to enter an important event.

Other times, I realize I’ve scheduled two significant obligations for the same time. Often I find I’ve simply scheduled too much, and I cannot meet all my obligations.

I might be tempted to think that my schedule and my lack of successful calendar planning has created this chaos in my life. I might even believe that the best solution would be to empty my schedule—but experience reveals that even in the quiet times, I can feel worn out. It’s not just the outside noise that depletes me; the inward unrest does so as well.

God often reminds me in these worn-out moments of a beautiful verse: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

I’ve found that, when I choose to rely on God’s strength, I can experience blessings that might have gone unrecognized if I were relying on my own strength. This lesson was reinforced in my life recently through an unexpected messenger.

My juggling skills were heavily taxed one Saturday in April. I had morning work hours to satisfy, two family commitments to attend that afternoon, and an evening full of Easter preparations to complete. My weekend downtime quickly evolved into a frantic get-me-off-this-crazy

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MESSENGER

ride rush. I knew I could accomplish everything I needed to because I am quite tenacious, but this time as I completed my mile-long list, I experienced joy and peace along the way. I really cannot take the credit though. I owe any success I experienced that day to God’s whisper, carried to me in a soapy bubble.

I had completed my time at work. I was a bit scattered and running late, but I hopped in the car and raced toward the first family gathering. As I approached my destination, I started rehearsing my mental checklist. It went like this: present in hand, check; purse on my shoulder, check; hair not too crazy, check; oh my, is my lipstick on straight? Phew, check!

Cars for the gathering lined the road, and I had to walk a short distance to get to the house. To successfully maneuver through this day required skill and planning, so as I walked, I calculated my timing for the event. How long could I stay here and still make it to the next event? How long could I stay at the next event and still allow some time to prepare for Easter?

My calculations made no room for fun or enjoyment. No, this was all about completing my mission with precision. I continued down the sidewalk, distractedly juggling the mental math until—until a bubble floated by.

If I would have been listening instead of juggling, I would have heard the laughter; I would have felt the excitement. You see, this family event was a birthday party for an adorable two-year-old.

Her mind was too new to be filled with schedules

by Cherie Shaw

and distractions. She was too busy dancing with the bubbles that filled the backyard.

And there it was—a beautiful, perfectly round, iridescent, silent bubble that floated by my nose and pulled me back to the present. In its simplistic, silent way, it reprimanded me for detaching myself from the moment and relying on my own strength. Its gentle wind-dance invited me back to the present.

As it brushed by my ear, I heard the message it carried. It was an invitation to give my worries, tasks, and fears to God in exchange for rest—soul rest. I ceased my mental juggling, inhaled deeply, and relaxed into the day.

Isn’t it remarkable how God often uses the simplest things to communicate His love and care to our hearts?

Because a little bubble escaped a backyard celebration and traveled to the front yard sidewalk with an invitation for me from God, I was pulled from my preoccupation with tasks and schedules.

As the message of “Come to me, and I will give you rest” was displayed in a delicate, floating orb, I chose to return to the moment my body was occupying. I listened to others; I laughed a lot; I took it all in.

No matter where we are or what we are doing, God desires to give us rest. It is often difficult to explain how God can call to us in simplistic, brief encounters, but for me, a soap bubble will forever serve as a reminder that my schedule is just a schedule, and the ability to enjoy life doesn’t fit into a box on my calendar. V kojministries.org Issue 3 2016 21

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The Clock Is Ticking

by Roy A. Borges

Time is rapidly passing away, and every second counts. Like David who wrote about the brevity of life, I pray: “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is” (Psalm 39:4).

In Noah’s days, the world was full of evil, and the sin of the people grieved God. Noah, however, pleased God, although he was far from perfect. Our sin grieves God, too. But we can follow Noah’s example and find grace in the eyes of the Lord despite the sin that surrounds us.

God showed His great patience toward the people of Noah’s day. It took Noah 120 years to build the ark, and during that time, Noah faithfully warned the people that the flood was coming. They had the opportunity to get their lives right with God. Likewise, God gives us time to quit living our way and to begin living His way. His Word tells us how to live our lives. It is interesting that the length of Noah’s obedience was greater than the life span of people today.

One hundred and twenty years seems like a long time, but eventually time ran out. As promised, the floodwaters swept across the earth, and those who had rebelled against God were swept away, too. Have you ever considered that your time may be running out? How long will the clock tick for you? We cannot see God’s stopwatch of patience. He has His own timetable.

In prison, time is a commodity that many of us take for granted.

The days, often slow moving, seem so long. Realizing the brevity of life has helped me to use the little time I have left on this earth more wisely.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NIV).

Take time to number your days. Ask yourself, what do I want to see happen with my life before I die?

What small steps can I take toward that purpose today? What will people say of me when I am only a memory? Was I a display of love to others?

Was I Jesus to the least of these? Am I living like Christ lived? Does everything I say and do point others to God? Life is short, no matter how long we live. We must make every second count, whether we are in prison or in the free world. If we have something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day.

If you knew you had only six months left to live, what would you do or say? How about six weeks?

Would you tell someone that you love them? Would you ask for forgiveness or perhaps extend forgiveness to another? Would you deal with an undisciplined area of your life? Would you be bolder in your faith?

We should not neglect what is truly important. Life is too short. We are not guaranteed tomorrow.

The clock is ticking. I don’t want to waste any more time. Let’s determine to make every second count for God in every season of our life. As we do, we will prove the realness of God to a doubting world. V

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WALKING IN STEP WITH GOD

by Kristi Dews Dale

Thud! The sound filled the quiet Saturday afternoon air. Thud, thump, bump, bump!

All of this was followed by a loud cry. I ran toward the scene of disaster. I recognized the cry as my daughter’s and knew that she had fallen down the steps in our home. The whole family converged at the bottom of the stairs to comfort her and see if she was okay.

Thankfully, she was fine except for a couple of bruises and a lot of spilled tears.

Not long after, my husband and I sat her down and talked to her about the importance of watching her steps, carefully holding the rails, and asking for help when coming down the stairs. We practiced walking down the stairs carefully, and my husband and I were sure that she understood.

A week later, she slipped and fell again.

Thankfully, she was not injured, but I have to admit, I was a little frustrated. Why had she not asked for my help?

Then it occurred to me that this was a lot like my walk with God. Just like my daughter, I forget God’s precious instructions time and time again. It is so easy to overlook God’s guidelines for our lives.

What can we do to avoid the pitfalls of a worldly existence that cause us to be separated from God? Just like the instructions we gave our daughter, God has laid out practical advice for living in Christ.

Watch Your Step First, we must watch our steps carefully.

Proverbs 4:26 says, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways” (NIV). Also, Ephesians 5:17 implores us to “be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (NASB). God tells us to ponder our steps carefully. Our emotions often want to lead our feet into

unsafe territory, and that causes us to slip into sin.

Hang On Next, we must firmly hold the rails. Just like stair rails can hold my daughter steady, a sure faith in God can steady our journey of faith. The Bible is full of examples of people who held on tightly to God. Second Kings 18:6 speaks of King Hezekiah, who “clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments” (NASB).

When I am facing a hard trial, I have an ongoing and honest conversation with God about it. We stop and start the conversation throughout the day, and He blesses me with reminders of comforting scriptures. The trial may not miraculously disappear, but I am aware of God’s presence. He does not depart from me. I can cling to Him who will hold me steady in His infinite wisdom and strength.

I AM WITH YOU AND WILL WATCH OVER YOU WHEREVER YOU GO… I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU UNTIL I HAVE DONE WHAT I HAVE PROMISED YOU. GENESIS 28:15 NIV

Ask For Help Finally, we should boldly ask for help from God. I am ashamed to admit that so often when faced with a trial, I call a friend or family member for help instead of speaking to God first. But God reminds us in Isaiah 41:13, “I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you’” (NIV).

The Creator of the universe is offering us His right hand. What a privilege to have access to His help! When you are facing a trial, go to God first in prayer and seek His wisdom and peace.

It is a certainty that I will slip and fall in my faith again, but the next time that happens, I hope I will remember to watch my steps carefully, to hold firmly to the rails, and to boldly ask for help from the Great I AM. V

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 subject’s 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 must not exceed 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.

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STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE Have you ever felt like you were stuck between a rock and a hard place? Like there’s no way out?

Often when we find ourselves in a situation like this, our first thought is, “I must be out of God’s will. Why else would I be facing such a trial?”

What if I told you that you might be exactly where God wants you to be? It’s true! Remember the story of the Israelites being led out of Egypt

by Moses in Exodus chapters 13 and 14? God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to release His people, and when he refused, all sorts of unpleasant things happened to the Egyptians. But finally, Pharaoh agreed, and the Israelites began their trek out of Egypt to the Promised Land. And then it happened. Pharaoh changed his mind and rallied his armies to chase after them. Let’s read Exodus 14:1–4: Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses: “Order the Israelites to turn back and camp…between Migdol and the sea.

Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon. Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army.”

So there they were, over a million Israelites, camped on the edge of the Red Sea with the

entire Egyptian army bounding toward them.

Surely they were about to die.

But guess what. They were exactly where God wanted them to be.

That sounds harsh at first, doesn’t it? God had led them right to this place—a place with no way out, where life appeared to be coming to an abrupt end. Why? Why would a loving God put them in such a hard, uncomfortable place; a place that would surely test their faith?

I’ll tell you why. Because God knew that in that place, He would be glorified and His people would be saved. In that seemingly impossible place, God was about to bring complete deliverance from an enemy who was oppressing His people.

by Kristi Overton Johnson

What happened next is awesome. As the Israelites stilled their hearts and trusted God for their deliverance, God went to battle on their behalf. (See Exodus 14:13–14.) He shielded them from the enemy with a cloud, and He sent a wind to split the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk across on dry land. And then, He threw the whole Egyptian army into confusion. He even twisted the wheels of their chariots so they were difficult to drive. In the end, the Israelites emerged victorious, and every remnant of the enemy’s army was destroyed—chariots and all.

Friend, maybe right now you are in a place that is hard and seems hopeless. Don’t despair.

God knows exactly what He is doing. Be still.

Trust God. In this hard place, you are about to be delivered from an oppressive enemy who has ruled over you for far too long. Like the Israelites, you are about to see the glory of God revealed in your life. God has your back, and the Lord Himself is fighting for you! V

HOW TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE | from page 11

for the salvation and deliverance of a person who was having a destructive influence in her child’s life.

She was to pray specifically, by name, for that person to come out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light. She was to pray for the Lord to open up the heavens and pour out blessings over that person so that he, too, would see the goodness of the Lord and be drawn to Him.

Can you imagine if every believer started praying for individuals and communities to come to Jesus Christ and to see the heart of God instead of praying against them? This world would be forever changed!

Don’t lose hope, my friend. Pray! There is nothing to fear.

One last thing—be quick to forgive your children for their offenses. Love them to Christ. Love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8), and our love leads people to God’s amazing love. God knows your children. He has them in His hand. Never forget it: He loves them more than you do. And He has you. Rise up in confidence and thank God for His faithfulness to bring your children home, free from every destructive scheme of the enemy and ready to live out their God-given destinies!

Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children (Lamentations 2:19 NIV). V

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Sunday mornings at our house are usually full of joy as we prepare to attend church. But there’s one difficult Sunday that I will never forget. I found myself awake, hours before my normal time, and unable to go back to sleep. My spirit was restless; I felt anguish within. I couldn’t identify any reason I should be filled with such anxiety and concern, yet there I was. Later, I found out why.

The phone rang, and a dear friend said, “John died a few hours ago.”

My tearful response, “Oh no! I waited too long,” was full of sorrow and regret. I knew my friend had been battling cancer for years, but I had not known the end was so near. I’d wanted to thank him for leading Monday morning prayer at our retirement village. I’d also wanted to share with him that I had discovered this magazine, Victorious Living. John would have felt so blessed to know about this magazine’s involvement with prison ministry. But now it was too late.

Victorious Living came into my life because Roy Borges, an inmate I correspond with, had sent one to me. His story had been published, and he wanted to share it with me. Even at first glance, I was blown away. What a fantastic publication filled with so many gospel messages of love and growth in the faith! I just knew that John, a chaplain for many years at a Tennessee prison, would be blessed to learn about this ministry.

I was especially excited to share the most recent issue (Issue 2 2016) with him, since it included a story I had submitted. I wanted to tell him how God, through this magazine, had enabled me to reach thousands of inmates through my writing.

I’ve corresponded with inmates for years, but as I’m advancing in age, I’ve been struggling to keep up. I’d been fervently praying for God to help me continue to minister to inmates’ hearts. I may be aging, but I want my life to impact God’s people until the day I go home to be with my Father in heaven. Now God had answered my prayers… but I was sad that I would not be able to share this good news with John.

Later, John’s daughter shared with me some valuable material she’d found on her dad’s computer. He had titled the opening pages, “My Spiritual Journey.” The first sentence reveals the basis for his life: I’ll say at the outset that I love Jesus, and I know Jesus loves me. I have a personal, passionate relationship with Him. Karl Barth, the great Swiss Reformed theologian, was once asked

to put his theology into one sentence. He said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Well, the Bible does tell me so, but Jesus tells me so even more.

John had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and had seen the glorious working of his heavenly Father in his life. As a prison chaplain, John had shared God’s love with many inmates.

He was dedicated to the service of others, a father figure to many. Inmates admired his gift of listening.

Oh, how I will miss John, as will many others.

I regret that I waited to thank him, but I rejoice knowing that he is in heaven. I celebrate the legacy he left behind.

As for me, I’ve learned from my mistake. It may be too late to tell John, but it’s not too late to share words of thankfulness with his loving family.

Nor is it too late to tell others about him and the legacy he left behind. Through this writing, I seek to honor his memory and encourage others to live similar lives of service and love. I also commit to share this magazine—one that John would have treasured—with others and to further its mission to invade hearts with God’s love. I look for such opportunities everywhere I go.

I ask you, what are you waiting for? Is there something on your heart that you need to share with someone? Is there forgiveness you need to ask of someone…or forgiveness you need to extend? Are you grateful and thankful? Then tell someone! Don’t wait like I did. You may not have another chance. V

Is there something on your heart that you need to share with someone? Is there forgiveness you need to ask of someone… or forgiveness you need to extend? Are you grateful and thankful? Then tell someone!

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The Art of Waiting Steadfast. That’s the word the Lord gave me at the beginning of the year. What an odd word, I thought. I couldn’t help but wonder if something was about to shake my world or test me in my faith that would require me to be steadfast. It was a bit unnerving.

My suspicions were right. Not long after receiving my word, I was diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The diagnosis came as quite a shock, especially since I live a holistic, healthy lifestyle, and cancer doesn’t run in my family. Cancer is definitely no respecter of persons. It can hit anyone.

The Lord knew I would need a steadfast heart to endure the challenges of chemotherapy and its side effects. Each day, I’ve had to cling resolutely to what I know to be true in my heart despite what I feel in my body. And this is what I know to be true: God loves me, and His love for me is unchangeable. I know that regardless of what I may suffer, God is for me, and not against me. I am not alone in my trial.

God is with me. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my provider. He meets my every need as I walk this difficult path. He is Jehovah Rophe, the Lord my healer. By the stripes upon His back, I am healed! He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord my peace and wholeness. And He is Jehovah Nissi, my banner of victory.

Perhaps like me, you are walking an unexpected, painful road. Take comfort in the fact that your situation comes as no surprise to the Lord. He knows your situation intimately, and He knows exactly what you need to emerge from your trial victoriously. No matter what you feel, know that you are not alone. God is with you. He is your provider, healer, peace, wholeness, and victory, and He walks every step with you. You can trust His love and His plan.

Of all the trials I’ve encountered in the past few months, waiting for my desired outcome (to regain

by Jeannine Moffitt

my health) has been most difficult. I’ve had to set my own desires and plans aside, and I’ve had to trust the Lord while I wait for this season to pass.

That doesn’t mean, however, that I am just lying around doing nothing. I may not be physically active right now, but spiritually and emotionally, I’m very active. I’m actively waiting, that is.

I’ve learned there is an art to waiting, and I want to share this art with you in hopes that it will benefit you as you wait on the Lord.

Wait Expectantly Learning to wait expectantly is crucial. This means you wait with confidence, expecting that the Lord is going to move on your behalf. Refuse to allow what you see and feel to dictate what you expect.

Reading God’s Word is the best way to build your faith. Search for God’s promises of provision in the Word as you wait, and then speak these truths daily over your situation. Put them on notecards or sticky notes to remind yourself of God’s truths (Psalm 5:3; Micah 7:7).

Wait Thankfully Choose to give thanks for what God has done in your life already. There is always something you can find to be thankful for. Thank Him, too, for what He promises to do now and in the future.

Be proactive in your faith by praying and applying God’s Word to your circumstances, whatever they may be (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6).

Wait Steadfastly Don’t lose heart. Determine in your spirit today that you will not give up, no matter what. The only

God loves me, and His love for me is unchangeable.

I know that, regardless of what I may suffer, God is for me, and not against me.

I am not alone in my trial. way to do this is to keep your eyes on Christ and to rely on His strength. Remind yourself daily that you are not alone in the fire. Another stands with you, and His name is Jesus. In His power, you can endure and overcome (1 Corinthians 15:58; James 1:12; Psalm 57:7).

Wait Gracefully Enter your season of trial with a humble, teachable heart. The goal shouldn’t be to just get through the trial, but to be changed into the very image of God as a result of it. Ask the Lord to not only refine you by the fire, but to help you radiate the glory of His grace and mercy. Ask Him to reveal and burn off that which is not pleasing to Him, so that He alone can be seen. Our trials are never in vain when we emerge, reflecting the image of our Maker. Only then is God revealed and people drawn to His saving grace. Come out shining! (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:10).

Wait Prayerfully Surround yourself with prayer warriors who will hold you up in your time of weakness. There is tremendous power in prayer. You can trust that the Lord hears your prayers. You can know that He will answer them (Matthew 18:19; 1 John 5:14).

Wait Knowingly As you encounter your trial, remind yourself who you are. You are a child of the Living God, and He is fighting for you. He is working behind the scenes of your life for your good. Also remember that your trial is preparing for you a great reward (Genesis 50:20; 2 Corinthians 4:17). V

26 kojministries.org Issue 3 2016

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FROM THE FATHER’S HEART

It’s

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

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Not

Over

Child, you are precious to Me. Do you know that?

You are so precious that I gave My life for you. Why? So that you can have life. You might feel invisible, but you’re not. I see you. I know you, and I love you. You are not a number.

I know that, right now, you feel like your life is over, that you have hit a dead end. I want you to know this: What you see with your natural eyes is not the end.

It’s not over. Did you hear that? It’s not over! Life is not over. Your future is not over. You are not over!

Don’t give up.

Child, I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future. Put your life in My hands, and I will give you the life you’ve been searching for. I will give you the love and acceptance you’ve desired since your youth. You’ll have purpose and joy; provision and protection.

You know that empty space in your heart? I want to fill it. That pain? I want to heal it. Come to Me, and I will make you whole. All those disappointments? I see those, too. I am about to turn your ashes into beauty.

Your mourning into joy.

Did you know that you are an overcomer? A conqueror? Yes—in Me, you are victorious. Nothing in this world can keep you from moving forward. In Me, there is victory despite all the trials. How? Because I am Victory. I am the Victorious One. Through the cross, I defeated every demonic force, every scheme of man, every sickness, every curse of this world. So take heart. Lift your gaze from your situation and put it on Me. I am your victory. Nothing is too hard for Me. And in Me, nothing is too hard for you. You can endure and overcome every situation in life because I will give you My perfect strength. Stay close to Me, and together we will get through this.

I know you are tired. Come to Me, and I will give you rest. I will take the load off your shoulders. All you have to do is give Me your burden. You weren’t meant to carry it. It’s too much for you. Give Me every concern, every fear, every doubt, every worry. Give Me your regrets, your guilt, your shame. My shoulders are big, and My arms are strong. I will take your burden off of your neck, so that you can run the race I have set before you. I will set you free! V

I am your victory! kojministries.org Issue 3 2016 27

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MINISTRY NEWS UPDATE FROM KOJM PRISON CORRESPONDENCE DIRECTOR, LINDA CUBBEDGE

REACHING BEYOND THE WALLS “Thank you all for reaching beyond the walls of our past to open the doors to our future in Christ.”

This powerful statement from an inmate sums up the heart of KOJ Ministries’ prison correspondence outreach. From the very beginning, our mission has been to evangelize the gospel, encourage hearts, and equip the minds of men and women living behind prison walls with the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

New letters arrive daily from inmates requesting to be placed on our mailing list so that they can receive our in-depth monthly devotionals and this encouraging quarterly publication, Victorious Living. They are especially excited to receive personal handwritten cards from members of our writing team.

It is such a privilege to be a part of these inmates’ lives. We have the opportunity to pray for each person and to respond with words of life from the Word of God. We are blessed to help men and women grow in their faith. This year alone, several thousand letters have been received and answered.

With the demand for correspondence increasing daily, I had been praying for an assistant who could provide much needed help with the letters and my administrative work. But I didn’t just want anyone. I specifically asked the Lord to provide someone who had His heart for our prison ministry and who would be a joy to work alongside. The Lord blessed me with the help of a young lady named Tori, who had recently attended our Thursday morning prayer time. While there, she felt the Lord leading her to volunteer with KOJ Ministries. Tori responded to that leading with these humble words: “I’m here to help you, Mrs. Linda, in any way I can.” Praise God! Tori was a Mary Kay director, very successful with her business, when she sensed the Lord asking her to step down from her full-time position to join our ministry team. And she was already driving a pink Cadillac! In the natural, most people would think: “Are you kidding me? You want to step down from a successful business to become a part of a prison ministry?” It didn’t make any sense. But Tori never questioned it, and already she has provided excellent support for our ever-increasing prison outreach.

One day, I looked at our basket full of letters waiting to be read and responded to, and for a moment, it was as if the letters changed into people. They were men and women, standing calmly and quietly, waiting to be picked up and responded to with a word of encouragement. No one was pushing or shoving. I thanked God for those who had written and for those who would soon respond to them.

This ministry has such a deep impact on our own hearts and lives as we reach out to others.

We continue to invite others like you to bring healing to the brokenhearted.

If you have a heart of encouragement, love for the Lord, and unconditional love for His people, email us at info@kojministries.org. We could use your help.

Men and women are waiting. Will you help us answer them with the love of God? V 28 kojministries.org Issue 3 2016

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Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Hebrews 13:3

38

OUTREACH CORRESPONDENTS FROM

6 STATES

1,100+ DEVOTIONS MAILED OUT THIS MONTH TO INMATES IN 10 STATES 70+ PRISON FACILITIES RECEIVING

MY CHIL D I gav e

life f up M o you h r you. a the o d bee nly p e on th is ea rs rth, I wou ld My li have co m fe fo r you ARE .W P the o RECIOUS bject T WOR of M T y My li H EVERY l fe.

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VICTORIOUS LIVING

500 NEW

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INMATES ADDED TO OUR MAILING LIST THIS YEAR

65,000 COPIES

OF VICTORIOUS LIVING DISTRIBUTED SO FAR IN 2016

10 READERS PER COPY IN PRISON

WANT TO HELP? PRAY for our ministry BECOME a correspondence team member

NO

SHARE Victorious Living with others

SPONSOR an inmate or prison INVITE Kristi or Linda to Book

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your church or organization to share what God is doing through KOJM

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SUPPORT our publication and outreaches financially

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8/18/16 11:50 AM

INMATE TESTIMONIES

MY CHIL D I gav e up ,

Dear Mrs. Johnso n, Thank you. Your monthly devotio ns have made 20 best years in priso 16 one of my n. What you are do ing is no small th a world changer. ing. You are Your prayers and generous devotio difference. Know ns make a real that God is usin g your ministry those in need. Co mightily to help ntinue to be faith fu l to Him, stay enco let’s reach height uraged, and s once thought un imaginable.

Remember, if G od is for us, who can be against us promise, a truth for us from scrip ? This is a ture. Therefore, it can stand on; it’s is something we a firm foundatio n for our lives; it trust our Father. is the reason to The God who formed you in your mother’s w beginning or en omb has no d. He is for yo u whether at yo marriage, with yo ur job, in your ur children, in yo ur finances—whe alone or surroun ther you are ded by others. N o circumstance, urgent problem no difficulty, no is too much for H im. He is fighting you, working on every battle for your behalf. I sa y again: The King Savior of the wor of Kings, the ld is for you, so w ho can be agains Take heart. He w t you? ill not let you be overcome. He is He is worthy of w for you, and orship.

Sincerely, Devon N.

My life f o you h r you. If a the o d been n on th ly person is wou earth, I ld ha still ve My li fe fo come a n r ARE PREC you. Why d lay dow ? Bec IOUS the o n a b T WOR ject of M O ME. Yo use YOU T y u My li H EVERY love. YO are fe.

UA SoTHING TO M REmy child, I am Wh wi , euveha with en I lookth you. In Me,Eyo n ve all you jo eda.tI kn ow your fears, you your y. I sene e dnyo doubts, I past. an a m o t ur fiellthe HAVE thpa Rath in.

Giv e e d m all to Me, ailur anedr, res I SEt.EBe fan are g FOR YOU s oov xioeus T H f er nothing, R ood!

E P AN for FYO UTUUAR RE.EANOLT You S I E. I wa AL lk nd th ON amo ’ve beenbefore you an d leaedythe wa unt y… old W ME FOtLLO to neve r ma anan ythdinup you’ll. Inwalk beside you you’r ke it g,ho veth thldtyouewi r My righteou e . Yoht s u’vha ,ake you’l disap a mista rig ingl you stable been ep k , a e nd p d mo you’r ointmen ean t f vin o a g yo ld il ure, u forward. Hold t. ne e alo Y o a on u , ndMe ver ne a ’velet ut, I a . I will ne bego sa n enof ver let told EARF y differe dgowofithyo ouu. I’ll ne ver leave you U nt! I or sak SAYe yot u.hope.

ADE. LLY AND for YOU I AR n ha created WIOwa NDlkEbehin RFUL dEyou. I’VE GOT YOUR nds y u so BA LYdon’t unfo , I brea oCK withyou have to look rmed theck! ba M d liFea E MIS b fe rinnoyt. MOVE FORWAR TAKE odyI. A D, am t nd,pro tectinog you, fig en I c S. I D hting your ON’T re battles. Yo u don’t have ou. I ated the to seek w o ge. I’ve s rev le w go ore o aw every hen rld, t your back and I’ll ne ma d ke o wh ll de of them ay orig f yht our at is wrong. sired caFO RG m ET TH et E PAST AND to cr AT T FOCUS e, ON ea YO o bFU H or I E VERY wi te yUR u. I TURE — IT IS GOOD! It saw llOnotoalw what TH UGH ays be easy; but, in Me. T Me, yo youu will be I sa could victorious. I will place w theyo give gifutthe d ength to take s anstr every step tentia withinan d d ov y erc ou th ome every l trial. I’ll give kingd to chayo ngue theat wisdom o to make eve the ot w m! decision ry . I’ll provide for hat y your every come ou’vne e ded also give you on. eI’ll the f , r desires een. o of, your heart It m m and help you nor fulfill you attethe rs ncal h ot l on your life. I WILL NEVE not old inFA R IL YO U. your what p Lis OR Y OU, n eopleten not to the voices the of o thingworld or the am f voices in your o ad. Focus no us! N r youhe . In t on the dif O PO circ ficult WERumstances and ME battles ahead.

OF M Ra AN,ther, listen only to STAK Me , to My truth. The tru E th is, I love yo N eve E FO CAan u with rlasting love.

R YO The truth is, U . u are yo forgiven. The tru th is, I have great pla ns for you. The truth is, nothing is im possible!

GRAB HOLD OF MY TRUT GRAB HOLD H. OF MY HAND 12/1 MO , AND 5/14 VE FORWARD 5:41 WITH ME. YO PM WILL U NE VER BE DISAP POINTED!

rkr2.indd 2

RISE UP

Every day, our correspondence team receives letters from inmates who love the Lord and who desire to encourage us in our faith journey. These letters lift our spirits, strengthen our faith, and spur us on to continue the work the Lord has put before us. We hope the letters below will encourage your heart as well.

couragement Dear Kristi, u profound en yo e iv g to e u e. ntin ork to be don May the Lord co is yet much w e ut, when er o th d r n fo a s, n g w tle bit do and blessin lit a g in el fe e a copy of was nd handed m ught me Last week, I a p fla y m bro opened st tell you, it the mailman lication. I mu b u publication, p r l u a n yo t tio u p ugh abo o your exce en y sa ’t n ble it to the joy! I ca used to assem ened the l unspeakable ria te a m y I op h qualit d within. When t took me from the hig re a sh s rie o st iring isemen warm and insp to on the Nautique advert o h p s. Thank you. e n o th ss st ski le first page, fir y ot m d n a d o t God does n ildho e learned tha back to my ch I’v . e. h g m u o to rc is ve o e , lif s we As an inmate gives us life a e H rly u e; o lif h , g ily in a rcom ugh d give us an ove of overcoming comes thro by et cr e maintained b se ly e n th For me, this can o t e a H th h d ic h fin I w . h d Go roug fellowship with feeding upon the Word, th and secret prayer g soul. cy. lf to my waitin s lessons of His sufficien se im H reveals u rio rain or ing me glo o feeling of st n ith God is teach w rd a to m carried forw s me each and every day Dear KOJ Ministry Team, Each day I a en th se. He streng the Lord! fear of collap my trust is in Thank you for writing me back. I received my introductory ll A . need ey rn u jo another erywhere. We re ke ev ta ed er d d n ee u n is letter and first devotion this week. I want you to know that the leadership calls there a Wise, strong ceive the daily n co t bookmark you sent led me to give my life to Christ. Today I o ith the n n ca in dealing w ct grace. You ta ch r u fo m , ce was reading Ezekiel 2:1, where the Lord said, “Son of man, mong so r forbearan gs that rise a in d n r patience, fo a st fo er d n rd will stand on your feet, and I will speak to you” (NKJV). At that es and misu t. I pray the Lo nd en m a er many difficulti p m te a precise moment, I stood up, and your bookmark fell out of s of different t, the wisdom many person ear judgmen cl the e , th se o e, rp ey u p e th my Bible. It flipped to the back where it says, “So rise up my wavering n u e ever give me th t, iri ie effic nt e patient sp child; I am with you.” As I began to read the bookmark again, eeded for the n ve lo gentleness, th ke tli sk ris , and the Ch thers. I also a I cried out to Christ to save me. unshaken faith uties—the duty of serving o pers for the hel yd The Lord used what you sent—a simple but compelling execution of m fficient means and suitable d. su us mence bookmark—to lead me to Christ today, May 22, 2016. Thank Him to send yet barely com s a ve a organize, h e w at ommunicate, C e. n great work th o you so much for loving me enough to share God’s Word and d e b work to halting in the There is much d reach out. There is no His message. I look forward to writing your correspondence n called. t, expand, an istries has bee in ec n M n J O co K h ic h team and being a part of your ministry by helping others His power m to w Lord of all, in eer evangelis is n o io h p w e n O come to know Christ through the materials you send. save, nor with the that it cannot ed must be done en It rt o sh t ord will With love in Christ Jesus, is arm is no unchanging W eek is H r. and might. H ea h t o n l it. “S Jonathan H. that it can and He will fil e, id His ear heavy w th u o d all these pen your m teousness, an h rig is direct you. O H d n a om of God 6:33). first the kingd u” (Matthew Prison Correspondence Process yo to ed r wonderful d d a e g me with you in ss things shall b le b r fo in continue ce aga in it. May God Are you an inmate in need of encouragement? ith w I thank you on n tio ira sp His shining d all the in , for you are o d Our Prison Correspondence Team is here for you. u publication an yo t a th e await the you in all for us all as w y a to empower Here’s what you can expect: Pr . n tio a and motiv ! light of hope • Welcome letter from founder, Kristi Overton Johnson s’ name, amen r Lord. In Jesu u o f o g in m co • Timely, handwritten response from our correspondence team Sincerely, • Monthly devotionals from Kristi Overton Johnson Angel P. • Personal subscription to Victorious Living magazine • Prayer support from our correspondence team

Please note: Due to the volume of inmate correspondence, we are unable to assign specific writers to individual inmates. Nor can we guarantee continued correspondence with one writer. What we can guarantee, however, is an opportunity for you to correspond with a team of writers who love the Lord and who are committed to encouraging you in your life journey. We are also unable to handle legal cases, contact people on your behalf, or disperse items such as money or stamps. Thank you for understanding.

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS Your story has the power to transform lives and bring much needed hope. See page 23 for the guidelines and mail your submissions to: Victorious Living, PO Box 120951, Clermont, FL 34712-0951; or submit online at kojministries.org.

LUCY N. ADAMS

BIG JAMES HENDERSON

RACHEL F. OVERTON

Lucy is the author of 52 Hymn Story Devotions (www.52hymns.com). She lives in Tennessee and has a prison ministry. Sharing the gospel with inmates is as important as the song stories she writes for newspapers. She and her husband of sixty years have ministered in churches in Tennessee and have been missionaries in Korea.

Big James Henderson holds bench-press records in every national and international powerlifting federation, and is a five-time world champion.

He has a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in theology and sociology from Mercer University. He serves as a consultant and a powerful motivational speaker in prisons, schools, churches, and other venues across the world. For booking information, visit bigjameshenderson.com.

Rachel is a freelance editor who counts herself blessed to be involved with Victorious Living and KOJ Ministries. She lives in Northeast Ohio along with her husband and daughter, but it wouldn’t take much to get her to move South.

GEORGE BEASLEY

George Beasley 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.

ERIN BLAIR

Erin Blair’s radical transformation has led her to help others discover peace and find freedom, especially from a life of addiction. Her ministry, Five14 Revolution, raises awareness on human trafficking by reaching out to the women in strip clubs. Visit 514revolution.org for more information.

She and her husband, Matt, are the founders and pastors of Limitless Church in Tampa, Florida.

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 Northeast 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 two great-grandsons.

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.

CHRIS PATTON

Nate is the president/director of In His Wakes.

When Nate is not on the road conducting In His Wakes events, he and his wife, Ivy, live in Bend, Oregon. Nate and Ivy are committed to helping people discover hope, purpose, and victory! Contact Nate at nate@inhiswakes.com to learn more about In His Wakes.

Chris Patton is the President and CEO of his family’s business at the Mike Patton Auto Family. His blog, Christian Faith at Work (christianfaithatwork.com), is directed to business owners and leaders who wish to integrate their Christian faith into their businesses. Using practical resources and real-life examples from his many years of experience, Chris teaches readers how to run a business from an eternal perspective. He and his wife live in LaGrange, Georgia, with their three children.

JEANNIE MOFFIT

CHERIE SHAW

Jeannine has been encouraging, empowering, ministering to, and leading women to a deeper relationship with Christ for thirty years. She has spoken internationally, appeared on national Christian television, and served as keynote speaker at various conferences here in the States. She and her husband pastor a church in Clearwater, Florida, and have two grown children and four grandchildren.

Cherie owns Breathe Esthetics, an award-winning day spa in Concord, New Hampshire. She is earning a master’s degree in practical theology from Oral Roberts University. Her passion to help others discover and apply God’s truths in meaningful ways has inspired her to launch a blog called Living a Life That Matters Right where You Are, which can be found at cherieshaw.com.

NATE MILLER

KENNY MUNDS

Since January 1998, 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.

KRISTI OVERTON JOHNSON

A world champion water-skier, Kristi is the founder of In His Wakes and KOJ Ministries.

She encourages and equips people for victory through her writings and speaking engagements.

Kristi is the publisher of Victorious Living and a published author. She resides in Central Florida with her husband, Tim, and their three children. Visit kristiovertonjohnson.com for more information.

DEANNA WHITEHURST

Deanna Whitehurst lives in eastern North Carolina and works at a local community college. Her passions are to help people discover their identity in Christ and to serve in her local church.

AMY ZACKOWSKI

Amy is the owner of Whispering Dog Design, Inc., (whisperingdog.com) and the Creative Director at Victorious Living. She thinks Jesus is the coolest thing that ever happened to this universe and strives daily to reach for the hem of His garment.

She lives in North Central Florida with her precious husband and son.

Is God working in your life?

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

30 kojministries.org Issue 3 2016

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Goodbyes

and Hellos “Goodbye” belongs to hell.

I thought this as I watched my daughter’s car roll down the drive and disappear into the fog this morning. I thought it as I endured actual pain while the cord stretched and strained between my heart and my girl.

I suppose she was about twenty miles out onto the turnpike before the cord just outright snapped in resignation. I released a sigh of relief and turned my mind to things nearer for a moment. But my heart was still heavy.

Goodbyes are horrible. They hurt. If hello travels eastward; goodbye surely flies west. And this life on earth seems to me to be teeming with nothing but goodbyes.

A favorite doll packed away into tissue paper and placed in the cedar chest.

The last day of the school year with its empty, lifeless chairs and desks.

The cold brick cell of a college dorm room, stripped bare.

A neatly packed suitcase waiting by the front door.

The parking spot left empty by a new retiree.

A drifting, dried-out maple leaf.

A coffin.

But then there’s Christ… and I turn around at His whisper.

An empty tomb.

A spring bud unfurling for the sun.

A newborn opening his eyes toward the future.

An unpacked suitcase and shoes tossed by the door.

A furnished dorm room ready for growth and learning.

The first day of school with sharp, new crayons and white paste.

And a sparkly, bright red ribbon taken off the newly opened present of life.

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by Becky Coursen

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2 NIV

If the earth teems with goodbyes—which it does—heaven most certainly abounds with hellos.

Because of Christ.

I can choose the direction I look and the place where my mind settles.

The Bible provides kind guidance in this matter as the Spirit, through the Word, admonishes us to look up and to look ahead. We are advised to avoid looking back. There’s no need to dwell on our goodbyes, because they belong to this earth, which is passing away. They are not worthy of our attention.

Surely the reason the Lord felt a need to address this matter is because He understands that we walk this earth with all its goodbyes. He knows the fleshly temptation to let our minds remain on our sorrows. But the truth is that our real life is in heaven with its abundance of hellos, and we can settle our hearts there. We don’t need to grieve or look back.

We are encouraged to remember this. Encouraged to dip in and borrow for today some of the joy that He knows is coming quickly and surely into our future—joy we can experience through faith now, but will enjoy in reality there, when we see Him face to face.

David cried out, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalm 121:1 KJV). He had learned the futility and even foolishness of looking behind into the shadows at all the goodbyes. He had learned to look up and to look ahead to the abundant hellos waiting to greet him. It just might be a good idea for us to do so too. V

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