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  • PhilipZ

Day 163

Thursday, May 16, 2019 -


Yesterday, there was much rejoicing among the brethren here in our unit. For “E,” the only one I really consider my “spiritual son,” went to his scheduled “team meeting,” and completely unexpectedly was told they were sending him on home confinement. I was so excited for him, I felt like jumping up and down for joy. When I found out, from my cellmate, I immediately went to find him and told him how excited I was for him. I told him, “I feel like giving you a big hug,” not knowing if this is proper etiquette in prison. “E” held out his arms and I gave him a big hug.

“E” had desperately tried everything legally to get released from prison, spending long hours working on legal briefs and appeals in the law library. At each dead end, he’d come to me, and I’d explain that we need to utilize this time here to grow in the knowledge and strength of the Lord and to remain faithful and just keep trusting regardless.

And each time, “E” would leave my cell encouraged and rejoicing in the Lord, giving it to God. I would pray with him and over him.

“E,” even though he’s been locked up for two years, has been here six months. This was his six-month team meeting. Mine is coming up in about 5 weeks. So this is an encouragement.

When I first came to Ashland, “E” would talk with me for long hours about his search for truth, and how he’d gone from religion to religion to learn and study and evaluate what was the truth. A big turning point was when we both encountered “B,” who is a Muslim, claiming that Jesus never said He was the Son of God. I knew this not to be the truth, so I went and searched the gospel and epistles and wrote down every Scripture reference I could find to repudiate “B’s” claim. A day or two later, I went and read all of them to “E,” and he was very excited about this, asking to keep what I’d written. I told him that I wanted to give them to “B,” so I agreed to make him another copy. That took me some time. But I would find “E” reviewing those Scriptures and looking them up over and over again.

When I went to share them with “B,” he got angry and retorted, “I’m not going to look at that s—t,” and flicked his finger at the paper. This friendly man, who was one of the first to introduce himself upon my arrival, has refused to speak a word to me since that day. I pray for him every day.

“B’s” attitude, when I’d told “E” what he’d said and done, may have been the clincher. A also gave “E” a copy of the book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, which he read earnestly. After a few weeks coming to Bible study, “E” finally told us that he had given his life to Christ, confessed his sin and made Him Lord. I’ve watched him grow since, and I ask that you please pray for him. Also pray for “B,” who I pray for regularly, that Jesus would be revealed to him.

This, however, is not what I intended to write about today, but it is an amazing miracle of God’s faithfulness and mercy! All I can do is shout, praise the Lord!

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