Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. - Psalm 25:4-5 1984 NIV
Ok, lets get real here for a moment. Just because you have turned and are talking to God now, doesn't mean you are going to automatically get out of prison. You did not get put in prison over night, that happened in stages. You will not get out over night either. That will happen in stages too.
While God could let you out over night, you would not be ready for it, chances are you would end right back up in prison. God has to change you on the inside and He has to change people, places and things on the outside.
This is where surrender and trust comes in. The best thing you can do is get out of Gods way and let HIM have His way. Spend your time in there learning about God. Keep talking to Him about everything, pick up a bible and start reading it. Not only read it, but DO what it says. Start in the New Testament. Read it, study it, devour it, learn about Jesus and learn about your flesh. Learn what God expects out of you. Let the Word of God transform you, make you into a new person. Let it change your thinking and your actions. Prepare yourself for when you do get out.
You have HOPE now. Hope that one day you will be free. You need to be ready for it.
It took YEARS before God set me FREE. In fact, there were no shortcuts. I served the MAXIMUM sentence. Every day of it. However, I did not whine and complain about it. Instead, I prayed all the time, I read the bible from cover to cover, over and over and over again. I memorized bible verses. I learned about Jesus and what HE wanted me to do in this life. I fully immersed myself into God. I prepared myself. And I kept hope. I knew prison had an end.
By the time I got out, I was a changed person inside. I was equipped and ready to walk the rest of this life with God. The time passed by quickly too. From the time I accepted Jesus into my life till the time I got out, the years seemed to pass like days sometimes.
I kept focused. I took my eyes off this world and prison and kept them on God. God was preparing me to spend the rest of my life FREE in society. It wasn't going to be easy and I knew it, but it was so much better than wasting away in a prison. In fact, my worse day out here has been 10 times better than the best day I ever had in a prison.
Everything I thought I wanted, I was wrong about. God knew what I wanted, what I needed, and He took care of me every step of the way. I am happier today than I have ever been in my whole life. God literally restored back to me the years that the cankerworm hath eaten - Joel 2:25 and He is still restoring things back to me today!
However, I was ready. I was fully surrendered to God and His Will for me. I knew my God intimately, I was and still am ready to follow HIM blindly for the rest of my life.
So, don't get impatient. Wait your turn. It will come.
I will leave you with a promise from Isaiah 61:7 "Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of their disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs."
Imagine getting out of prison and getting back double what you lost. Double ! Double the friends, double the wealth, double the peace, double the joy! That my friends, is worth waiting and hoping for. And to think it all started with turning to a God that you never thought existed. And that's just the beginning. There is so much more. So much more!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Friday, April 8, 2016
#1 Start Talking
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Colossians 4:6 1984 NIV
If you are in prison, how is your anxiety level right now? You lost your freedom, they took away your name and gave you a number, you are forced to live with killers, robbers, drug dealers and rapists, you are isolated from your family, friends and your loved ones, you got time to do and there is no way of getting out of it. I am betting your anxiety level is pretty darn high right now.
With all this time on your hands, I am betting you are spending a lot of hours each day and night filled with thoughts of doom, gloom and helplessness.
If that is you, try this. Try simply talking to God about it. Don't worry about whether you believe HE exists or not. Don't worry about whether HE hears you or not. Don't worry about whether HE cares or not. Just simply start talking to God from your heart about what is bothering you.
For me, that was the start of my salvation and healing. I did not use set prayers, I did not get down on my knees or in a certain position, I simply started talking to what I thought at the time was thin air. Sometimes, I walked the track in the prison yard and talked to HIM. However, little by little, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year, I began to notice things were slowly changing for the better. Little things at first, like a frequent visit, less fights with other inmates, always having plenty of commissary, and the ability to sleep at night. And on top of all of that, this strange peace came over me, like everything was going to be ok now.
I stopped worrying about things. I just dumped them on God when I had them and left them in HIS capable hands. I also thanked God for every positive little thing that began to happen.
Eventually, I learned that God is real, HE does exist and HE cares about me. I learned HE created this universe (Gen 1:1) I learned that God created me (Psalm 139:13) That HE has a good plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) and that every hair on my head was numbered (Matthew 10:29-30) I learned all of this and so much more, but it started with talking to a God that I never even thought existed.
So talk to God and keep that line of communication open. Don't expect anything to happen, just talk to God and watch. For every little thing that is good, no matter how small, whether you mean it or not, thank HIM for it.
This also applies to someone getting out of prison. After years of being locked up, you are suddenly thrust back into this world where everything has changed. You are out, but you have no money, no job, no place to live, your old friends are tempting you to go back to your old ways, all kinds of things are happening. I know how it is. Instead of worrying about them and getting all anxious and frustrated, talk to God about them. Ask for guidance and even a few miracles. God is a miracle working God. Dump all your worries and cares upon HIM. What have you got to lose? Do you really want to get out and go back to your old ways and end up right back in the prison you left? I am betting not. Not unless you are insane or something.
Now I have told you what to do, the question is, will you do it?
If you are in prison, how is your anxiety level right now? You lost your freedom, they took away your name and gave you a number, you are forced to live with killers, robbers, drug dealers and rapists, you are isolated from your family, friends and your loved ones, you got time to do and there is no way of getting out of it. I am betting your anxiety level is pretty darn high right now.
With all this time on your hands, I am betting you are spending a lot of hours each day and night filled with thoughts of doom, gloom and helplessness.
If that is you, try this. Try simply talking to God about it. Don't worry about whether you believe HE exists or not. Don't worry about whether HE hears you or not. Don't worry about whether HE cares or not. Just simply start talking to God from your heart about what is bothering you.
For me, that was the start of my salvation and healing. I did not use set prayers, I did not get down on my knees or in a certain position, I simply started talking to what I thought at the time was thin air. Sometimes, I walked the track in the prison yard and talked to HIM. However, little by little, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year, I began to notice things were slowly changing for the better. Little things at first, like a frequent visit, less fights with other inmates, always having plenty of commissary, and the ability to sleep at night. And on top of all of that, this strange peace came over me, like everything was going to be ok now.
I stopped worrying about things. I just dumped them on God when I had them and left them in HIS capable hands. I also thanked God for every positive little thing that began to happen.
Eventually, I learned that God is real, HE does exist and HE cares about me. I learned HE created this universe (Gen 1:1) I learned that God created me (Psalm 139:13) That HE has a good plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11) and that every hair on my head was numbered (Matthew 10:29-30) I learned all of this and so much more, but it started with talking to a God that I never even thought existed.
So talk to God and keep that line of communication open. Don't expect anything to happen, just talk to God and watch. For every little thing that is good, no matter how small, whether you mean it or not, thank HIM for it.
This also applies to someone getting out of prison. After years of being locked up, you are suddenly thrust back into this world where everything has changed. You are out, but you have no money, no job, no place to live, your old friends are tempting you to go back to your old ways, all kinds of things are happening. I know how it is. Instead of worrying about them and getting all anxious and frustrated, talk to God about them. Ask for guidance and even a few miracles. God is a miracle working God. Dump all your worries and cares upon HIM. What have you got to lose? Do you really want to get out and go back to your old ways and end up right back in the prison you left? I am betting not. Not unless you are insane or something.
Now I have told you what to do, the question is, will you do it?
Introduction
Hi, my name is Woodman Savage. I spent 15 straight years of my life in 7 prisons. I got out and by the grace of God, I never went back. As of this post, I have been free in society for the past 17 years.
My testimony can be seen on youtube here: https://youtu.be/vOx2863ASvo
Not only did I get out and stay out, but God restored, rebuilt and gave my life purpose and meaning again. Today, I have peace, friends, a roof over my head, a girlfriend who loves me very much, and I am happier than I ever thought I could be.
This blog is mainly for prisoners, ex prisoners, and people in jail. I have a soft spot in my heart for them because I used to be one of them.
Over the years, I have witnessed people go in and out of prison like it is some kind of revolving door. I have often asked myself why? Prison is not fun. I hated every second of it. It's a cold, brutal, lonely, violent world in there. So, why would anyone want to get out of there and commit another crime and go right back in? To me, that is the true definition of insanity.
The answer whether they want to believe it or not, or whether they will accept it or not, is they need Jesus. Not the twisted, feel good Jesus this society preaches and teaches. They need the one true Jesus. The creator of the universe. The only begotten son of the Father. The Savior of the world. They need this Jesus. Nothing else will last, nobody else will do.
Through this blog, I am going to show you how to find Him and how to live in Him. If you truly want to be FREE and STAY FREE apply the posts on this blog to your life. If not, then keep doing what you always did and getting what you always got...another prison sentence.
I'm not some weak, timid, artificial, namby pamby, holy roller type of Christian. I am a real, practical, down to earth one. I am also not much of a writer. I don't have pretty, feel good words to use. I am more of a tell it like it is person. So, if something I write offends you, I am sorry, it is not intentional. Either over look it, take it as a conviction from the Holy Spirit, or simply stop reading this blog. Christ is serious business to me and I tend to post with passion. Also bear in mind that truth hurts sometimes.
I am not worried about whether this blog will be popular, or even effective. God will bring the people HE wants to see this blog. I am just HIS messenger.
Prisoner, you do not have get out and go back in over and over and over. I am here to show you that there is a better way. So, if you are tired of being tired, tired of existing, tired of life being the same ole thing, different day, tired of not having hope, tired of life having no purpose or meaning, then read on and check back often.
God bless you!
My testimony can be seen on youtube here: https://youtu.be/vOx2863ASvo
Not only did I get out and stay out, but God restored, rebuilt and gave my life purpose and meaning again. Today, I have peace, friends, a roof over my head, a girlfriend who loves me very much, and I am happier than I ever thought I could be.
This blog is mainly for prisoners, ex prisoners, and people in jail. I have a soft spot in my heart for them because I used to be one of them.
Over the years, I have witnessed people go in and out of prison like it is some kind of revolving door. I have often asked myself why? Prison is not fun. I hated every second of it. It's a cold, brutal, lonely, violent world in there. So, why would anyone want to get out of there and commit another crime and go right back in? To me, that is the true definition of insanity.
The answer whether they want to believe it or not, or whether they will accept it or not, is they need Jesus. Not the twisted, feel good Jesus this society preaches and teaches. They need the one true Jesus. The creator of the universe. The only begotten son of the Father. The Savior of the world. They need this Jesus. Nothing else will last, nobody else will do.
Through this blog, I am going to show you how to find Him and how to live in Him. If you truly want to be FREE and STAY FREE apply the posts on this blog to your life. If not, then keep doing what you always did and getting what you always got...another prison sentence.
I'm not some weak, timid, artificial, namby pamby, holy roller type of Christian. I am a real, practical, down to earth one. I am also not much of a writer. I don't have pretty, feel good words to use. I am more of a tell it like it is person. So, if something I write offends you, I am sorry, it is not intentional. Either over look it, take it as a conviction from the Holy Spirit, or simply stop reading this blog. Christ is serious business to me and I tend to post with passion. Also bear in mind that truth hurts sometimes.
I am not worried about whether this blog will be popular, or even effective. God will bring the people HE wants to see this blog. I am just HIS messenger.
Prisoner, you do not have get out and go back in over and over and over. I am here to show you that there is a better way. So, if you are tired of being tired, tired of existing, tired of life being the same ole thing, different day, tired of not having hope, tired of life having no purpose or meaning, then read on and check back often.
God bless you!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)