PRAISE THE LORD
Prison Mission Report
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
"Nothing will so arouse a self-sacrificing zeal and broaden and strengthen the character as to engage in work for others. Many professed Christians, in seeking church relationship, think only of themselves. They wish to enjoy church fellowship and pastoral care. They become members of large and prosperous churches, and are content to do little for others. In this way they are robbing themselves of the most precious blessings. Many would be greatly benefited by sacrificing their pleasant, ease-conducing associations. They need to go where their energies will be called out in Christian work and they can learn to bear responsibilities.
"Trees that are crowded closely together do not grow healthfully and sturdily. The gardener transplants them that they may have room to develop. A similar work would benefit many of the members of large churches. They need to be placed where their energies will be called forth in active Christian effort. They are losing their spiritual life, becoming dwarfed and inefficient, for want of self-sacrificing labor for others. Transplanted to some missionary field, they would grow strong and vigorous.
"But none need wait until called to some distant field before beginning to help others. Doors of service are open everywhere. All around us are those who need our help. The widow, the orphan, the sick and the dying, the heartsick, the discouraged, the ignorant, and the outcast are on every hand.
"We should feel it our special duty to work for those living in our neighborhood. Study how you can best help those who take no interest in religious things. As you visit your friends and neighbors, show an interest in their spiritual as well as in their temporal welfare. Speak to them of Christ as a sin-pardoning Saviour. Invite your neighbors to your home, and read with them from the precious Bible and from books that explain its truths. Invite them to unite with you in song and prayer. In these little gatherings, Christ Himself will be present, as He has promised, and hearts will be touched by His grace.
"Church members should educate themselves to do this work. This is just as essential as to save the benighted souls in foreign countries. While some feel the burden for souls afar off, let the many who are at home feel the burden of precious souls who are around them, and work just as diligently for their salvation.
"Many regret that they are living a narrow life. They themselves can make their life broad and influential if they will. Those who love Jesus with heart and mind and soul, and their neighbor as themselves, have a wide field in which to use their ability and influence. {MH 151-153}
Dear Brother Ronald John,
I am 23 years old and honestly, I am tired of always being locked up. Of course I know it really is my fault. I’ve always believed in Jesus. But now I want to get to know Him. I want to build that relationship with Him. I know He loves me and does not want me to turn my back on Him. I know that’s why He allows me to keep getting busted. I am totally new at this and the walk I want to take is going to be tough. But I’m ready. Please send me one of your "Change Your Life Biblically" books so I can get started. One of the brothers here showed it to me and I am very interested. Because truly I do want to change my life.
Rolando, CA
Dear Brother Ron,
I thank you for the church letter. Instead of writing the concepts down I just sent them the whole letter. I wrote a letter to lead up to it but you so eloquently discussed what I was trying to say to them that I decided to just send them the whole thing and let things lay where they lay. I thank you for that letter as well. I am beginning to finally start to understand the implications of grouping. We are brainwashed so much about how we humans are social animals, so we tend to group together. Being an individual is hard work. We are not being individuals to be "selfish and arrogant". We are becoming individuals for God and to be "among" those called of God. Another guy on the range I live on has started to join me during Sabbath recreation periods. I shared with him about the Sabbath and even showed him the letter I had from the pope. He told me that it makes sense to him. So I encouraged him to come join me with Jesus again. I told him to follow his Lord and listen to His Words. Hopefully he wants to meet with me again. The Sabbath before that I tried to have a study with another guy but he got upset and left. I have seen him again a few times in the cell house and have offered him my services. He kindly accepted. I even today encouraged him to lay down sin because the other day he told me he was struggling. So I spoke truth to him. I pray he sends for a book.
Preston, IN
Dear Brother John,
Thank you for the book. You are right about doing life in the installment plan. I am on page 24 and I am looking up all the verses as I go and I have come to the conclusion that Jesus is God and that He was always there. The applications that you sent me I gave them out. I thought they were flyers for the book. Could you please send me some more. I have given my life back to the Lord God Jesus Christ. There are some brothers in "B" that are very interested in your book and the topics. I’m putting together a study on the Seventh day Sabbath. It is a very touchy topic. The Lord has put that in my heart. I know I can only put this together with the Lord’s strength. Can you please send me some more applications?
James, CA
Hello Brother John,
I just started looking through your book, "Change Your Life Biblically". It got my full attention. A fellow brother let me look and read it from time to time. I would like to receive one for my own. That would be a real blessing. This is my first time for me in prison.
Steve, CA
Dear Brother Ronald John,
I received a newsletter from your ministry. I must say, "Amen" to what you have started. It sounds like you have made a huge impact in people’s lives and started something great. I’m eager, real eager for a book. But honestly, I’m an indigent inmate. Please, I would love to read your book. It sounds like something that I can actually get in to. I’m a new Christian and I want to read something that’s basic, the way you put it down.
Alexander, CA
Dear Mr. Ronald John,
At this present moment in time, I’m sitting in jail. Your book caught my attention, "Change Your Life Biblically". This guy points out all these scriptures that are needed in certain trials and tribulations during life’s scenarios. The way my life has been running for the past twenty years hasn’t been anything but heartache. I’ve had addictions to alcohol and that’s the main reason I can’t put this jail life style out of my system. I’ve tried AA programs and the system provides behavioral programs. But I’m led to believe that true change comes from inside and that’s caused by a spiritual enlightenment. I do believe in self-control. That’s something I lack and patience is a part of my character that needs work as well. I have been exposed to numerous remedies of self help. But I do believe I could learn something from your godly book.
Lee, CA
Dear Ron,
I was given a newsletter by a friend and I am doing everything possible to push through this. Please send me a "Change Your Life Biblically" workbook.
Vern, IN
Dear JCPM,
I received your address from my step-father. He apparently found it on the internet. I would like to enroll in your correspondence courses. In the five years I have been in prison, I have sought to become closer with the One who saved me by His grace. One way I have done this is to study His Word and spend time in prayer with Him. So please enroll me in your studies.
Matthew, IL
Dear Sir,
I am a new Christian and just starting out into study of the Word. Please allow me this workbook that you allow those indigent prisoners. I’ve read about this book and really must have it.
Robert, CA
Dear Pastor,
I am a new-born Christian and a brother told me about your ministry and how I could receive a book by the name of "Change Your Life Biblically". I am interested in this book and hope that your ministry could assist me with this blessing for I am ready to learn and change my life for Jesus Christ who I glorify with my whole heart. At this time though I do not have no funds in my account or any stamps of the sort. But when I do receive either one I would gladly send them to your ministry.
Daniel, CA
JCPM,
By the grace of God a copy of your book came into my hands. From the moment I picked it up your book has been a continual blessing. I have been given a new par of glasses. I had to give my friend’s copy of your book back to him. He was in the wrong place at the right time and once again, by the grace of our Lord Jesus he was able to make a difference in my life through you. Can I have a copy of your book for myself?
James, TX
Dear Ron,
I would simply like to thank you so much for your ministry, book and the truth that you teach through it. I would like to learn more about the Ottoman Empire and the early history of Western Europe. The way you present Daniel and Revelations really gave me a moment to stop and think. I usually don’t read those books but you broke them down in such a way that I really understood it. Thank you. Thank you for the letters, the book and the newsletters. The book was great. It enlightened me and changed my mind about many things regarding Christianity. I tried long time ago to walk in the sinless perfection I believed was taught in the Bible but I allowed myself to be "shamed" away from this supposedly self-righteous way of thinking by a pastor of "Set Free Church". What a fool I was. You clearly proved through your studies and words in your book that the Bible never abolished the Ten Commandments. Your book has strengthened me to gear back up to fight the good fight. I have completed the studies and am returning them. I thank you and bless you from the bottom of my soul. Know that I am trying to love Jesus and my neighbor more and more each day and walk the way God desires me too. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Martin, CA
JCPM,
I have heard about your book, "Change Your Life Biblically" and am very, very interested in receiving one copy from you if at all possible. I love the Lord and I love His Holy 7th day Sabbath and I agree 100% with His 10 Commandments. Plus to share with people only what Jesus taught and that is of course: Go and sin no more to the lady caught in adultery, Stop sinning, Be perfect as my Father in Heaven is perfect, if you love me you will keep my 10 Commandments. This is the foundation of Salvation. I am very interested and always open to learn about more truth from God’s Word. It truly seems that you have done some extensive encyclopedia research plus most importantly, I can see that the Holy Spirit has truly given you a wise and understanding heart from the Lord God. That you have thoroughly and completely search out all the scriptures many times and know exactly what you are saying and talking about. Just by briefly reading some of your book I have come to a much better understanding of God’s Word. I would truly like a book of my own of your "Change Your Life Biblically". I am in agreement 100% with the message and divine revelation that God has given you. This has been my trust and belief system since I was a young lad. I have been waiting for this book for years. Now I am so very excited that it has arrived through you.
Chad, OR
Dear JCPM,
I am facing 2 life prison terms. I’ve taken the stance of prison monk in order to not go insane. My wife passed away leaving me and my three young children. I was picked up with my children all watching me go to jail. The children are with other relatives of their mom’s.
Zane, CA
Dear JCPM,
I was handed down a flyer of your highly recommended workbook, "Change Your Life Biblically". I am interested in learning more about prophecies and literature that is for self-edification. I find myself unable to send an offering due to my housing in "SHU". If possible can you please keep me in mind for when there is a chance to send a book.
Israel, SC
Dear Ronald John,
I am 100% indigent. I have been dying for your workbook, "Change Your Life Biblically". I’m sorry I don’t have the stamps to send you but the world has forgotten me in prison. I am currently in lock-down and I’m going a little crazy and would be so very thankful if you could send me a copy of your workbook. Please don’t forget me.
John, FL
Brother Ronald John,
Thank you. I appreciate your letter I got. Your letter said the ministry has an opening. Brother please I need & want this more than anything. I am 23 and I have nothing out there. I am a 4 termer. All my charges are weed, theft, nothing weird. All my family has left me. They are sick and tired of me doing time. I can’t go back to the same place. I’ll fall into the same old stuff. I have wrote to several places asking for help and your the only one that has wrote back. I don’t have much time. As of right now when I get out I will be homeless. I pray I hear from you again. Bother, like I said, I have nobody. So I am totally indigent. I will ask around but please see if there is any way to help me out with this. Please write me back about the opening in the ministry. I am ready to work for Jesus.
Chris, CA
Hi,
I really would like the workbook, "Change Your Life Biblically". I’ve been waiting to get this workbook. Now I have the stamps to get it. Thank you so much. I really would love to get to know God and work on myself.
Fatima, CA
Dear JCPM,
By the Lord’s gracious will I was able to borrow a copy of your publication, "Change Your Life Biblically" briefly and share some of its contents with my fellow brothers in Christ. Unfortunately the copy we had been able to view briefly had been passed down from cellie to cellie to cellie and the workbook portions had all been filled out and had been found to be missing a great deal of pages. I represent a small group of Christians who are in the process of gaining the wisdom and knowledge to change our lives, walk properly in the ways of the Lord and bring as many people to Christ as we can. On that note if it is at all possible, Lord willing, we would all like to request a copy of your book. Do to not knowing how long we will be together we would each like our own copies. However, if that is not the Lord’s will I’m sure we can make due with whatever you may be able to provide. Including anything else you may feel necessary for our growth. I will be including our names and booking # at the end of this letter. Anything you may be able to provide would be a blessing and greatly appreciated. Thank you for publishing such a helpful tool of understanding and thank you in advance.
Thomas, CA (He sent 11 names)
Dear Brother Ronald,
Wow, its already been over a month since I last wrote you. I guess when we stay busy time flies. The other day I asked God to use me and bring more people in my life that desire to learn His Word. Then BAM! My next door neighbor showed great desire to learn the Word so I started to minister to him. I’ve recommended your book but he only has 50 more days so I’m not sure what you can do with that. I was thinking if push comes to shove, I can give him my copy and you can always send me another copy. Let me know what you think. So, I was sharing the Word with this guy every day and amazingly another one of my neighbors came up to me and said that he was tired of his life and needed to change. Apparently he overheard me talking to the other inmate about the Word and the Spirit convicted him to change. I was blown away and couldn’t help but to praise God. I’ve also recommended CYLB to him. Both of them have no idea who God is but desire to find Him. Please keep them in your prayers. As for the Bible study, it’s going great. We’ve been studying CYLB together and we’re at the "new Covenant" chapter. These brothers are great students and it’s such a blessing being able to share with them and help them. Oh, it was so funny what happened when we started to do CYLB as a group. This one guy had apparently read your book long time ago at a different prison and I guess he disagreed with your view. So behind my back, he started to tell the brothers that it was a bad book and that they needed to throw it away. My brothers may be young in the Word but they’re not so stupid enough to listen to some hypocritical confused person. In fact, when he saw that they didn’t throw the book away he came to our study in the middle of it and started to bash it. So I told him this is neither time or place for arguments. But if you’d like we can talk about this another time. Thank you for your concern. And kept studying with the brothers from CYLB. He hasn’t come to talk to me or bother the brothers since then. God sure is good. I see that there are many others that don’t like the book either but none of them dare come at me. Maybe it’s because they love to live in their sins and they know that God’s Word shows that or . . . Well, I just know that God is Good. I thank you for all your advice and help.
Timmy, CA
Dear JCPM,
I was in Chino State Prison when I ran into an inmate who shared the love of Jesus Christ with me. He also told me that your ministry has a free workbook that tells me more about the Bible. Can you please send me a free workbook so I can understand the Bible better? Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Guillermo, CA
Hello,
Unfortunately I am indigent. But I truly would love to learn more about my Creator. I do a lot of Bible studies and try to do my very best on all of them. I also find a lot of peace in doing this. Plus I share everything I learn with all who desire to listen. A friend of mine gave me your information. I truly am trying to change my life. So if you would be so kind as to send me your work book I would study it diligently and use it as my guide to learn all I can about the words of God.
Kevin, IN
Dear Ron,
My journey began about 6 months ago when I was taken into custody for the first time in my life. I have a great family waiting for me and helping me through this. Currently I have no money and no stamps or commissary. I was learning with brother Preston here. He showed me your book and he has let me borrow some past newsletters. Since I have been down, I have slowly tried to find God. Most recently however I have turned my life and my problems to Him. I would sincerely appreciate a copy of "Change Your Life Biblically" to help me grow and understand God’s Awesome power and love. I apologize for not being able to help with postage. Maybe someday I will be able to help.
Karl, IN
Dear Brother in Christ,
I’m sorry that I filled my last slip out the way I did. I hope this one helps. I must say, I’m real anxious to read your book. I overheard people talking about it and it perked my interest. I find inspiration in it and I do believe as a New Christian this is the thing for me. I promise to send the $ I said and I’m sure you can understand the value of a buck now a days. I will pass out all those other pamphlets to other inmates. It’s all a part of advertisement and getting the Word out. I tip my hat off to you brother Ron and I commend you. I would definitely like to work as a missionary for you.
Alexander, CA
Hello,
I received a formal letter from you regarding the workbook, "Change Your Life Biblically". I’m 22 years old and I want to learn the truth as you say this workbook teaches. But the only problem I have is that I’m totally indigent as of now. I have no one to look out for me. My wife left because she couldn’t wait 2 more years till I came home. I was thinking that you can send me the workbook and in a few weeks I’ll most likely have the 10 stamps hustled up for you.
Larry, CA
Dear Ron,
I talked to you a few days ago on the phone. I had met Jackie (my sister) and talked to here at the jail when I had something notarized for my son who was incarcerated there. I would so appreciate it if you would write to him.
Gloria, CA (non-inmate)
Dear Pastor,
I thank you so very much for the workbook I received from you "Change Your Life Biblically". This is a great and wonderful book. So very enlightening and so plan and understanding too. I love reading and studying it. My eyes, heart and mind have been opened up so much clearer to the teachings of Christ. So many things I never knew, or had I a clue of. When I read it, it opened up a whole new understanding concerning the Bible and Christ’s teachings and meanings. Based on this I would like to use this avenue to request for more of your books to enhance my understanding. Thank you so much.
Brother ISAAC.
"Exercise in the open air should be prescribed as a life-giving necessity. And for such exercises there is nothing better than the cultivation of the soil. Let patients have flower beds to care for, or work to do in the orchard or vegetable garden. As they are encouraged to leave their rooms and spend time in the open air, cultivating flowers or doing some other light, pleasant work, their attention will be diverted from themselves and their sufferings.
"The more the patient can be kept out of doors, the less care will he require. The more cheerful his surroundings, the more helpful will he be. Shut up in the house, be it ever so elegantly furnished, he will grow fretful and gloomy. Surround him with the beautiful things of nature; place him where he can see the flowers growing and hear the birds singing, and his heart will break into song in harmony with the songs of the birds. Relief will come to body and mind. The intellect will be awakened, the imagination quickened, and the mind prepared to appreciate the beauty of God’s word.
"In nature may always be found something to divert the attention of the sick from themselves and direct their thoughts to God. Surrounded by His wonderful works, their minds are uplifted from the things that are seen to the things that are unseen. The beauty of nature leads them to think of the heavenly home, where there will be nothing to mar the loveliness, nothing to taint or destroy, nothing to cause disease or death.
"Let physicians and nurses draw from the things of nature, lessons teaching of God. Let them point the patients to Him whose hand has made the lofty trees, the grass, and the flowers, encouraging them to see in every bud and flower an expression of His love for His children. He who cares for the birds and the flowers will care for the beings formed in His own image.
"Out of doors, amid the things that God has made, breathing the fresh, health-giving air, the sick can best be told of the new life in Christ. Here God’s word can be read. Here the light of Christ’s righteousness can shine into hearts darkened by sin. MH 265-267
I want to thank each of you for your continued support of this, God’s little ministry. Each month we hang on the precipice and pray that hearts will continue to be touched to keep us from falling off the edge.
The number of requests for books have more than doubled since the beginning of the year. We pray that donations will increase as well so we will be able to meet all the requests. Prisons are no different than foreign missions. It sometimes feels good to give to exotic missions in foreign lands but prisons are no different. They are dark, sinful, pagan mission fields that need the Light of Jesus.
The wonderful thing about prisons is they house souls who recognize their need of a change of life. Souls who are no longer awash with the entertainment and confusion of the world. As Jesus said, lift up your eyes and behold, the field is ripe and ready for harvesting.
"Men are tempted to use their means in self-indulgence, in the gratification of appetite, in personal adornment, or in the embellishment of their homes. For these objects many church members do not hesitate to spend freely and even extravagantly. But when asked to give to the Lord’s treasury, to carry forward His work in the earth, they demur. Perhaps, feeling that they cannot well do otherwise, they dole out a sum far smaller than they often spend for needless indulgence. They manifest no real love for Christ’s service, no earnest interest in the salvation of souls. What marvel that the Christian life of such ones is but a dwarfed, sickly existence!
"He whose heart is aglow with the love of Christ will regard it as not only a duty, but a pleasure, to aid in the advancement of the highest, holiest work committed to man--the work of presenting to the world the riches of goodness, mercy, and truth." {AA 338-39}
This ministry needs $25,000. Who is willing to take out a home loan for Jesus? If 4 people took out personal or home loans of $5,000 each, what a blessing to God’s work. Who will step up and be counted? The harvesting equipment needs repairing and replacing. The field need fertilizing and watering. So much is needed but the results are awesome. Much fruit is being gathered. Thank you.
Love in Christ,
Ron
The Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11