| Volume 9 Number 3 | March, 2002 |
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Work as unto the Lord; whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (Col. 3:23 and 1 Cor. 10:31) There are times when the work of the Lord seems to be very wearying, and we have tendencies to give up in what God has told us to do. It has been said, "God did not call us to success; He called us to faithfulness." I want to exhort you co-laborers in Christ not to grow weary in doing well and whatever we do, do to the glory of God! The promise is the harvest!
Beloved in Christ,
S.O.S. Ministries has been going into Brazos Valley minimum security jails since 1994 on Wednesday nights to "proclaim freedom to the captives." There were many times when I was questioning whether we were impacting inmates. The assurance we do have is that God's word never returns to Him void. Esther 4:14 says "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
I want to tell a true story of a young man named Jamie Boilkaman. Jamie was 18 years old when he was put in jail for aggravated robbery. He was a young man with no direction, no hope, no future. One Wednesday night, Jamie decided to go to church where he heard the message that Jesus saves, heals, and delivers, the message that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He was so moved by the power of God's Spirit that he surrendered his life to Jesus that night. As soon as he went back to his cell that evening, his friends and fellow inmates began immediately to see the change that Jesus had made in his life. His whole countenance changed. Knowing how he used to be and how he was now, revival broke out in the jails. Jamie and the other inmates began to have daily Bible studies and their own worship services. Jamie ended up getting 10 years for his crime. God began to give him favor, even in the penitentiary. Out of over 100,000 inmates in the state of Texas, Jamie was one of 11 inmates that got to go around the state doing school assemblies and speaking to kids. Little to our knowledge, these things were taking place in Jamie's life.
Then one morning, I got a phone call (at a time when I was weary, disappointed, discouraged, and spiritually drained) from a young man named Jamie. He said that he had waited six and a half years to come see me. I gave him directions to the S.O.S. Ministries office, and we had a wonderful reunion. He said He couldn't wait to come tell me "thank you" for bringing him the message of the love of Jesus Christ in the minimum security jail six and a half years before. He also remembered several quotes that I said that touched his life. Jamie has received a call to ministry and has a heart to minister to young people. This young man has a true calling on his life. All glory goes to our Lord Jesus Christ, who was faithful even unto death. Glory to God, the author and finisher of our faith. So let us not faint or grow weary, because in due season we will reap a harvest. You never know when your "such a time as this" is; only the Father knows.
Soldier of Souls
In His name,
J. J. Ramirez
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Prayer Requests/Needs
Men's Home
Bible studies
Office
Basketball Outreach Thank you for your prayers! |
Last month I had two weeks that I believe were the worst I've personally experienced since I've been born again. An I praised God for those two weeks! Not because I read in the Bible to praise God at all times nor because that's what I have been taught, but I did it because I learned things during this time that I will never forget. I did it because my Father in heaven taught them to me. Now I need to do that which I've learned. There is where my job is. And only by having a relationship with our Lord will I, or anybody, be able to do this. I've learned that God allows things, good and bad, to happen for His purpose and not for ours. God has a purpose for this world and for each one of our lives. When we know, not think or just hear, but know that God loves us and wants better for us than we want for ourselves, it makes it easier to praise Him in bad times and situations. Being committed to do His will for His kingdom instead of our will for our kingdom also helps. Ask yourself, "Whose kingdom am I building; His or mine?" Then decide which it will be for your live. It's your choice. Another lesson I have decided for myself which wasn't easy. From the beginning of my Christian life, I have turned my life over to Him to do with it as He wills. There is nothing for myself I'd rather do or that I love to do more than preach. But just because this is my greatest desire doesn't necessarily mean it's what God wants me to do. So on Friday night praise and worship, I once again have given to God my trying to be a preacher. I need to pray more, read God's word more, be a better husband and father. I need to lay down my life for my brothers and sisters in Christ, to bless God with my thoughts, actions, and words. And I need to be a blessing to everyone around me, starting at my home. I need to be the king and priest of my castle, which God has ordained and commanded me to be. And the greatest kings are the greatest servants. To serve others above yourself is what makes great kings, rulers, and leaders. After all, isn't this a perfect description of Jesus? God bless each one of you. I pray either saved or not that God draws you all and all your family closer to Jesus. Only God can do that. He is the One who sent Him. Even if you are born again by accepting Jesus and by believing that He is who He says He is, you need always to be closer. Amen.
Your friend and brother, |
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Upcoming Events
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Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." What greater privilege can a Christian have than to serve God by serving others in whatever capacity He leads? Jesus Christ showed us the ultimate example for servanthood, and I am challenged each new day. Work on the library/study is coming along very nicely; we have painted and begun to put up shelving for the many Christian books we have accumulated. We are hoping to soon be able to kick off our leather tooling project and beaded necklaces that many of the guys have taken an interest in. We have gone from a house full to currently a couple of guys within the last month and a half. I wish I could say that success is 100% with each person becoming a man of God and a productive member of society, but that's just not the way it is. As far as success goes, I believe that when the truth of the Word is spoken in an uncompromising manner, then it will not return void. Almost every one of the guys, with the exception of a few, that have come into this house have read parts of the Bible and heard some kind of sermon in their lifetime. I think there are just as many churches as beer joints. The truth is that until these guys (or anyone else, for that matter) sees themselves for who they really are - a sinner in need of a Savior - no true change will take place on the inside, which is what really counts. This is a battle field that we face each day, and it is going to take the true church to step out of its comfort zone, crossing over cultural and status boundaries in order to reflect the love of Christ in such a way that lives are transformed and strongholds are broken. "The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name." Exodus 15:3 I pray for an involvement of the church with this ministry and specifically the men's home. These guys need to spend time with godly men from the church who can show them a genuine faith. Please continue to pray for the guys: that God would open up their eyes to the truth and that they would desire godly change. Pray for the leaders: that they would be open to the wisdom to run the home the way God wants it to be run.
Thank you, Praise God that everything went well at the basketball outreach tournament. There were 30 decisions made for Christ. Look for more information in the next newsletter.
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Save Our Streets Ministries P.O. Box 2866 Bryan, TX 77805 (979) 775-5357 E-mail: sosministries |
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