Youth detention center
I was up at 6:15 this morning to go to a youth detention center in Mobile. I was asked to share a message with the young men aged 13-18 who were incarcerated. It was very sad to see boys this young walk in with shackles on their ankles.
I "preached" from John 21 where Peter has his encounter with Jesus. He has denied Christ three times earlier in the book of John and has never really gotten things cleared up between himself and the Lord. He is out fishing and catches nothing, Jesus tells him to fish on the other side of the boat and he catches many fish. Once Peter recognizes that it is Jesus who instructs him about where to fish Peter jumps in the water and swims to shore. Why? I believe he wanted to make things right with Christ right away. He couldn't wait any longer. The story goes on to share that Jesus met him on the shore and had a "fish BBQ" which revealed Christ's heart of forgiveness.
My message was simple, "Jesus knows all about you, both good and bad; Jesus wants you to make things right with Him; and Jesus is waiting to show you His forgiveness".
Another gentleman who works with the boys on a regular basis then shared something personal with them and gave the teens an opportunity to receive Christs forgiveness. Four teens came forward in front of their mocking peers to accept Christ. One boy was 15 years old and walked forward in shackles. His physical chains may not have fallen off, but praise God his spiritual shackles came off.
One of the other teens who came forward was Chris. He was 17. When I shared with him he began to cry and he asked me to pray for his brother Josh who is autistic. I could see the pain in his eyes and face. Please pray for Chris. He will be in the detention center until after Christmas. I am planning to keep in contact with Chris via mail.
Thanks to all who continue to pray. You are such a blessing to me.
I "preached" from John 21 where Peter has his encounter with Jesus. He has denied Christ three times earlier in the book of John and has never really gotten things cleared up between himself and the Lord. He is out fishing and catches nothing, Jesus tells him to fish on the other side of the boat and he catches many fish. Once Peter recognizes that it is Jesus who instructs him about where to fish Peter jumps in the water and swims to shore. Why? I believe he wanted to make things right with Christ right away. He couldn't wait any longer. The story goes on to share that Jesus met him on the shore and had a "fish BBQ" which revealed Christ's heart of forgiveness.
My message was simple, "Jesus knows all about you, both good and bad; Jesus wants you to make things right with Him; and Jesus is waiting to show you His forgiveness".
Another gentleman who works with the boys on a regular basis then shared something personal with them and gave the teens an opportunity to receive Christs forgiveness. Four teens came forward in front of their mocking peers to accept Christ. One boy was 15 years old and walked forward in shackles. His physical chains may not have fallen off, but praise God his spiritual shackles came off.
One of the other teens who came forward was Chris. He was 17. When I shared with him he began to cry and he asked me to pray for his brother Josh who is autistic. I could see the pain in his eyes and face. Please pray for Chris. He will be in the detention center until after Christmas. I am planning to keep in contact with Chris via mail.
Thanks to all who continue to pray. You are such a blessing to me.
posted by s.d.w. at 6:01 PM
2 Comments:
Love it.
Praise the Lord, Scott!! Our prayer group prayed for you and the team specificately at 9:45-10:15 on Sunday A.M. Keep on sharing Christ!
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