Friday, January 29, 2016

Abe Story Part 2


Here is part 1

Around the same time as the Christmas Connections event, I was again in the East Unit at the Hutchinson Correction Facility with my colleague Daren Busenitz.  Each time I go into the prison to teach, I try to listen carefully to what the Spirit wants and usually do a teaching on prayer and our identity in Christ. This week, I felt clearly that I needed to teach on the healing power of God and give action steps for the guys to practice in the days following.  

Before entering the prison, I texted a team of intercessors to cover the evening in prayer. Every response was filled with expectant belief that God was going to respond and move. As Daren and I walked into the room, there was a tangible peace and presence. We opened with worship and then I taught for about 45 minute on God’s power and how he still wants to use us to heal just like his disciples did.  Following the teaching we gave space for the Lord to move and I showed how they can pray and lay hands on the sick.  
One brother needed prayer for his ankle, so I had several of them come up to lay hands on his ankle. After they prayed three different times this brother’s ankle was completely healed.  Praise God!!! 

I told them that Faith was lived out by RISK.  It takes some risk to step out and pray for healing and for people we do not know.  I released them in prayer and told them I would come back in a month to hear stories of what God would do through them.  The next night I received this story from Brother Abe. It is so powerful to hear how God moved in their midst as they took a risk. 

Just yesterday at our bible study with Bro. Matt, he challenged us to walk in our God given authority in Christ and in the Power of GOD. We had a wonderful night of prayer and healing. For the last 6 months it seems we have been talking about God's kingdom, setting our affections on things above and not on the things on this earth. We have been talking about the two Kingdoms: The KINGDOM of GOD and the kingdom of the devil. For so long we have been operating under the devils kingdom. We literally have given the wily one our keys. The Keys our LORD and Savior died for on our behalf. The keys He has handed over to us in Acts 1:8. I am talking about the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. We were challenged yesterday to be bold in Christ to be who God calls us to be; to pray for another and lay hands on another- believers and UNBELIEVERS.

Well today at work, Bro. Gentry step out on faith and took the RISK. I overheard a co-worker of ours say that his back was hurt. Take in mind he is not a believer. I talked to bro and told him, we are going to ask him if we can lay hands on him and pray for healing. You should of seen the look bro gave me. He was hesitating at first but willing at the same time. He was like if he agrees than okay. I talked to this individual and told him what I overheard him say, and asked if we could pray for him. He was like, man I accept all prayers. I may not believe in who you believe in, but i believe in the power of prayer.

The first time we laid hands on him just like Bro. Matt said, I felt some heat released through my hand while Gentry and I both prayed. Gent was fired up after that. About 30 mins to an hour later, I asked him if he noticed any difference. I let him know it is alright to say no if he didn't. He said no. I than told him about the bible study we had last night and how we were challenged to step out on faith and take a risk. I then told him that we will pray again but this time I would like for him to explain what happened. In the process of explaining what happened he told us that the pain moved from one area to another. Bro. Gent and I looked at each other. After a few more questions, we prayed again. This time for me, the heat not only was on my hand but I felt it through my arm. You want to talk about a wow experience. 

After this prayer, the guy walked off. Gent and I shared with each other what we experienced. So at our lunch break, the guy told me, man I feel better. I still have a dull pain but not so pinpoint and painful as it was. He was like man this is crazy. I told him we have one more prayer to go and I believe you will be healed from this. So the next time, I asked him another series of questions, not only did he feel better but the pain moved to another location of his body. Bro Gent and I went in again praying. This time I felt this heating sensation through my shoulder, flow through my arm to my hands. We will know tomorrow how he shall feel, pain or no pain. Regardless of pain or no pain. He asked me a question; He asked if God will honor our prayer even though he doesn't believe. He didn't even realize God had already did with the diminishing of his pain. In my last prayer, I told him face to face. That my prayer was that HE will come to know that GOD LOVES HIM JUST AS HE LOVES US. The first prayer was said in silence, the last two were out loud and it is the MIGHTY AND GREAT NAME OF JESUS WE PRAYED. What a day, I have to tell you. GOD is so, so, so, so good.

IN CHRIST,
Abe

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Abe Story Part 1




  
For the first time, my parents have finally gotten a glimpse of the man I am through the eyes of you guys and that means so much to me. You have no idea- oh they know that I changed, that I talk different, act different. But somewhere in there was a seed of doubt, but i believe GOD has erased all doubts yesterday.

I received this email from my good friend Brother Abe from the Hutchinson Correction Facility.  Over the last two years, Abe and I have developed a friendship and recently I was able to meet his family and hear more of his story.  We are the same age and would have graduated high school in the same year.  He has been taking TUMI the past 3 years and the Lord is using him in a powerful way.

In December we hosted an event called Christmas connections at Morning Star Ranch. Our desire was to connect with the families of the TUMI students from Hutchinson Correction Facility.  Abe’s family was one of the families that came, and throughout the weekend I was able to hear from his parents their side of Abe’s story.    

Abe’s father shared with me how in 1993, his other son, Abe’s brother, was shot and killed. This devastated the family and left Abe angry and bitter.  A couple of weeks after his brother’s death, Abe was involved with the crime that imprisoned him. There were two others involved who were tried as juveniles and released by age 21; however, Abe, only age 17 at the time, was charged as an adult and given a longer sentence. I will never forget Abe’s dad expressing with a heavy heart how he lacked the money for a good lawyer, and how in that one month, he lost two sons.

For the first years in prison, Abe was angry and bitter and rejected anything to do with God. However, God pursued him and Abe finally reached his breaking point and surrendered his life to Jesus. By God’s grace, Abe was able to receive complete forgiveness and also forgive those who had hurt him throughout his life. He has continued in discipleship for many years throughout his prison sentence, and now after taking TUMI classes and being trained as a pastor he has as clear call to pastor and minister.

That night after listening to Abe’s dad share his story, I was able to tell his parents about the potential we see in Abe. I shared how we see him growing to be an amazing man of God who will be a part of His Kingdom growing in the city. We also shared more vision about World Impact, and TUMI and how Abe is a part of what God is doing all over our country. He is just 1 of 1400 inmates taking TUMI classes and studying to be a leader. 

The following morning I received the e-mail from Abe and just wept as I read it. The healing that is happening is wonderful! 

Bro, they had a marvelous time. Normally when I call home. I talk maybe about 15-20 minutes. You know the phones are expensive. This time however my mom had a lot to talk about, how comfortable she felt. How lovely it was and she was so glad that they went. Man it is truly awesome for real. That is the best visit I had since I have been down and no one came to see me. I told my mother don't worry about coming to see me I rather for them to go there.
My dad for the first time that I can ever remember told me that he was proud of me. I never heard those words cross his lips. Not that I can remember. Heck we talked for about 20-30 mins alone on the phone which hardly ever happens. Our communication is through my mother. We have always had the relationship that if we don't talk in person we don't really talk only send messages through my mother. He comes to see me, so we talk a lot then. But for the first time, they have finally gotten a glimpse of the man I am through the eyes of you guys and that means so much to me. You have no idea, oh they know that I changed, that I talk different, act different. But in somewhere there was a seed of doubt but i believe GOD has erased all doubts yesterday. Thank you Jesus. They already know I am going to Wichita once released; God through you made it an easier transition for them. I am so elated for real, you have no idea brother. My dad kept saying, they have a lot of love for you. They think extremely highly of you, he was like I was really taking in and what they were saying. For the first time I was listening. To hear and see your belief in me sparked something in him. He was talking about going to the man's retreat. My mom mentioned about going to the women's one but she go to the one next week. She is coming though.  I've said a great deal; send my love to all the family, thank you all.
Love,
Abe

Abe’s story is one of many across our country where God is bringing reconciliation among inmates and their families.  Continue to pray for our inmates and their families, that as these men grow in their walks with Jesus the gospel would reach their families and bring deep healing in their relationships.  Tomorrow, I will share with you more on how God used Abe recently as he prayed for healing for a fellow inmate.