By John David Hicks
“Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
This last week at the Yamhill County Jail, Jeanne Wririch, Kevin Robertson, and I presented My Hope AMERICA with Billy Graham. Jeanne and Kevin have powerful testimonies that moved the prisoners. A good testimony tells who you were before you met Christ, how you met Christ and the difference Christ has made. From Monday to Wednesday from 7 to 8 and 8 to 9 we had two groups of inmates.
I gave the introduction to the video Defining Moments, saying that God is love and He wants a relationship with you. After the video, an invitation was given, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). Of the 64 that chose to attend, 63 made commitment to Christ. Forty-nine prayed for salvation and fourteen rededicated their lives to Christ.
In the last group on Wednesday, we had time for prayers for healing. One man had a headache that would not quit. We prayed and it was gone. Another man had had surgery and could not lift his arm without pain. When God healed him, he said with joy, “Wow! Thank you Jesus!” With another man, we broke off a suicide spirit and God filled him with peace. Four others wanted deliverance for alcohol and drugs.
When the guard came back to take them to their cells, he said he could see the difference in their faces. The other group told him they had received Christ and were filled with joy.
On Thursday, I did follow-up with the first group of men on Monday. They told me that they were reading Billy Graham’s follow-up book and having Bible studies together. At meal times they would get together with others that had received Christ. The one man that attended earlier in the week that did not give his life to Christ, did in this follow-up meeting. He said that the other men that had received Christ had made a great impression on him. Jeanne and Kevin are also doing follow-up.
I praise God with Jeanne and Kevin for all that the Lord has done.
If you would like to use My Hope AMERICA with Billy Graham material you can find it free at www.MyHopeWithBillyGraham.org
I had forgotten that we are involved in Spiritual Warfare. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Jesus declares that the devil’s tactics are to steal every blessing God has for you; to kill your body and destroy relationships in your life.
How is he going to do that? By condemnation. The name Satan means a prosecutor at law, an accuser or faultfinder. The prosecutor never talks about your good points. He will bring up all your faults, failures and sin and ruthlessly accuse you till you feel condemned. Condemnation robs you of the blessings and Joy of a clear conscience. Condemnation kills your body with stresses and fear of the future. Condemnation destroys relationships with fault finding and guilt. But Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). God’s gift of forgiveness and righteousness is what sets you free from the law of sin and death. The gift of Forgiveness is for all your sins and failures.
Satan knows that faultfinding destroys your relationship with others and God.