--To our incarcerated sisters and brothers in Christ, this
page is dedicated solely to you.
This page is dedicated to all that are incarcerated and have decided
to follow Christ (or are contemplating to do so).
Following Jesus on the inside is different than walking with Him
on the outside of the prison walls. However, both sides are faced with danger, fear, opposition and the like. My reason
for saying this is because I was formerly an inmate and the Lord Jesus Christ set me free from prison incarceration and also
mental incarceration. Sometimes people can be incarcerated by being bound in their mind. I was both physically and mentally
incarcerated.
We want you to know that JESUS loves you very much! It may seem as
though you have been forgotten by many. But God has not forgotten you. You are engraved in the palm of His hand. You
are made in His image and likeness. Before you were formed in your mother's womb, He knew you and called you by
your name. You are the apple of His eye. If God cares about the sparrow, He surely cares for you.
When you are feeling despair, remember that Jesus loves you. He knows
how you really feel inside, even when no one else knows. He understands. He is there for you. When I think about how Jesus
has turned my life around, I become excited and praise Him as though there is no tomorrow! I love Him that way. He has delivered
me from incarceration, saved my sin-sick soul, blessed me with a lovely wife and children, and called me to the ministry.
He has done many wonderful things for me that I honestly cannot tell it all, and the beauty of Him is that He has no respect
of persons. He did it for me. He can do it for you! I have witnessed the miraculous. No man helped me through this. Jesus
opened doors for me that man tried to keep shut in my face. He has given me favor. Do not underestimate His power, nor His
love for you.
When you have quiet moments, seek the face of the Lord. Seek Him
with your whole heart. Sometimes, you can be busy working with your hands and still have the Lord in your heart and mind.
Think of your favorite hymnal and hum it within your spirit.
You will feel His presence and a feeling of peace that surpasses all understanding. Remember
that Jesus loves you and so do we.
May the Lord bless and keep you and make His face to shine
upon you and give you peace. May each morning that He allows you to see be a reminder of His love and concern for you. As
you read this, let it also be a reminder that Jesus actually cares for you and has a remnant of people that are still concerned
about your well being. I love you in Christ. However, the love
that Jesus has for you supercedes all love that anyone could ever have or express to you.
Sr. Pastor J. Maximillian Thurmond
