Date: Tuesday, March 3
Scripture: Colossians 1: 21-22
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
by Destiny Brown, Total Deliverence Ministries
Looking towards the season of Lent, my heart remembers a dear lesson learned from a group I facilitated. The program gave inmates a day of reflection. A day to look inward and take responsibility for their actions. A day to ask God, along with their family members, to forgive them.
One particular inmate stood out in the group. He began to weep and weep. Then, he stated, “I’ve been incarcerated for 15 years and I’ve never admitted to the crime which I’ve committed. Not knowing that Jesus died on the cross for my sins…”
He said his mother was by his side the entire time and had asked him on several occasions if he had committed the crime for which he was charged. He said he would always say no. That day, he realized he no longer had to lie or carry guilt because Jesus carried it all to the cross. He now knows that God is a forgiver of all. He is reconciled back to the Father with his sins forgiven. He knows that he is loved and was able to forgive himself as well.
Prayer: Jesus, teach us to forgive so we can be forgiven. Teach us to forget sorrow and pain,. Teach us not to hold onto what you have died for. Father forgive us, for we know not why we hold onto what we cannot change. Amen.
Criminal Justice Fact: 2,314 prisoners were being held in solitary confinement in PA as of Feb 2019, according to the PA Department of Corrections.
Action: Attend or set up a screening of the film True Justice, which tells the story of Human Rights Activist Bryan Stevenson. PA Council of Churches will be hosting a screening at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral today at 6:30 PM! For more info visit the FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/638769953524589/. To set up a screening of your own visit: https://eji.org/projects/true-justice/
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