INTRODUCTION
 and Initial Comments

 —Captain Kindness River

GREETINGS IN THE POWERFUL NAME of Jesus Christ. We here at ACMTC are starting a monthly newsletter directed to those incarcerated or “doing time” in jails across the land. Our aim is to give hope and encouragement and to answer questions that you may have regarding your walk in the faith of our Lord Jesus.

    We know and believe that God is on the move and especially so in jails and prisons. The Holy Spirit is reaching out to one and all, especially to those who are convinced that God has forsaken them because of past crimes and mistakes. God has sent His only begotten Son to redeem mankind: for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-13.

    Our battle, day to day, is to hold fast to those promises that God has given to us. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

    Regardless of what man may say, the Lord is our final authority. No church or religion can save you. Only Jesus Christ can do that through His sacrifice. Even though all of us are born in sin, the good news is that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” I Timothy 1:15.

    We may fight and contend with God over His dealings in our life, but God’s nature is goodness, and when we are chastised (punished), it is a blessed thing if we can see it in the right way. Remember, all the chastening in the world without divine teaching will never make a man or woman blessed. God knows every hair on our head and His ultimate goal for us is to be accepted of Him in His holy sight. If God, by the affliction that is upon thee, shall teach you how to hate sin more and reject the world more and how to walk closer to God, then our afflictions are in love.

    We must do away with thoughts that God owes us anything. It is we who are indebted to Jesus Christ. We owe Him our love, devotion and obedience to His will. Remember, dear ones, even if we are facing many years of being locked up, we already have received the sentence of death within ourselves based on our own worth before the Supreme Judge. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be set free. John 8:36 and II Corinthians 5:17.

    Our fight is not with flesh and blood but is in the spirit. God is not your enemy; but we must learn that we are God’s enemies until we surrender our lives and wills to our true master. There are only two masters and we will serve one or the other. Jesus came to expose the works of the devil.

    Repent! and join the Lord’s side. If you would like free material on how to fight the good fight of faith, please write to us and we will send literature at no cost. You can learn God’s perfect will for your life and no longer be a dupe for the devil.

    Christians in this war in the spirit need to remember not to let battle wounds become infected. Satan throws many darts to infect God’s people and take them out of the race. Rather give thanks and praise, then God will strengthen, settle, and ground you in His mercy and Word. Troop up yourselves to go onward and to go forward. Cry out to God for His Spirit to fill you and be renewed, not giving heed to the moaning and groanings of the flesh.

    Remember, the plots of the wicked shall not overtake you if you meditate on God and His goodness. Mercy and goodness shall come to you. Meditate on God’s hope. He has not called us to be discouraged in the days of darkness but to keep hope in this sin-cursed world. Don’t face your day with dread and unbelief but trust in God and His goodness towards you.

    When you stand for God, He will stand for you. When you continue to thank Him, you will see that all things do work together for the good. Sadly, many are led aside because they have stopped obeying God and then are filled up with the world and are empty once again. If you are willing to lose your reputation for the sake of Christ, then you will gain more of God’s Spirit. Don’t worry about what men shall say against you because it doesn’t matter. All that matters is what God thinks of you.

    Keep your heart on Jesus and nothing shall shake you. When the devil strikes you with fear and anxiousness, don’t yield or give ground to him. We are in a time when men’s hearts are failing for fear. Let God’s Spirit do a deep work in your heart; then when the time of testing comes, you won’t betray the Lord.

    As we release the rights to ourselves, God can begin to shape us as it pleases Him. Take the time to wait upon His Spirit and let Him fill you with His presence. Do not walk as others do in darkness but trust that He will direct your path. Simply believe and trust that He has your best interest in mind. Look to Jesus continually and do not build on any other foundation; otherwise, you will be sadly disappointed in the end.

    Even though the enemy would try vicious assaults, he will not overcome you. Stop and consider how many times he has assaulted you and God has kept you. Serve God in gratitude or you will be drained of His life. Consider the sentence of death that awaits men. This is not Hell “here on earth” as many believe. There is a far greater torment for the unredeemed and unsaved. There are many ambitions in men but they will end in death.

    Channel yourselves into God and know His way is perfect for your life. Do not be ashamed to stand for the truth and don’t let circumstances of life crush you down. Many in all walks of life are swayed by feelings and ruled by emotions. Operate according to the principles of God’s Kingdom and God will keep you. God is our instructor and our guide. He will direct you into life and freedom.

    Do not dishonor God by keeping company with mockers and those who are perverse. Make no compromises with those who run down your faith. Cast not your pearls before swine. Amen.

[Study material for this article was adapted from its original sources.]

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