The Generosity of God
The Generosity of God
by Sharon Earles
How can one begin to describe and share with others the ‘indescribable gift’ of the ‘surpassing grace of God’ given to us? After almost thirty years of involvement with prison ministry, the reality of God’s generous love and the clarion call remains the same: ‘Whosoever will, let him come’…! As I have witnessed hearts respond to the Good News of the Gift of Jesus, I have been blessed to see hearts, lives and families healed and transformed by God’s abundant mercy and grace. I’ve watched as prisoners of the state of Arizona become ‘prisoners of the Lord’ and ‘oaks of righteousness’ in the midst of their very challenging and difficult surroundings and an unknown future.
Having come to Christ and surrendered to His Lordship, they begin to partake of Him, grow up into Him and drink freely from the water of life. Their hearts learn to trust and to surrender more fully to His Spirit and they desire to see His kingdom come, not just in their own lives, but in their world. As the Holy Spirit is given His place and the Bible becomes the ‘living word’, the testimony of Jesus, the Truth, they realize there is no limit to God’s love, even if it comes in the form of correction. Even for those few who find themselves back in prison, they understand that He has not changed; He is still holding forth to them the Word of Life and they know where to find hope and healing.
The changed lives of these ‘captives’ are signs to those around them. When they live in unity and love, they amaze others. When they forgive as God forgives, those around them know something is different. When they determine to follow God’s truth and ways despite the practices and beliefs of those around them, they are a testimony that there is a different way to live. Without even speaking a word, they are holding forth the Word of Life and extending the invitation to ‘whosoever will’.
It is pure joy to witness the growth of these believers as they understand and embrace the love and acceptance of God in truth, not just in doctrine. With heartfelt repentance, they begin to worship God in spirit and in truth. Their relationship with God through Christ, Christ as their new and true life, becomes personal — and it is transformative! They find freedom from addictions, attitudes and the lies they have believed. They begin to share with others what has become life IN them! Leaders begin to emerge as evidenced by their servant hearts and desire to share Christ’s love with others. They begin to care for those around them with the patience and care of Christ, knowing they have freely received forgiveness, mercy and grace, even as they themselves have struggled with surrendering fully to their heavenly Father. As they come to Him, to the throne of grace, there is an awareness of the depth of His love and mercy. The realization that they have access to the well of living waters that is in them is acted upon; they know all they have to do is ‘lower the bucket’ and drink freely from the water of life for themselves, and receive an abundant supply to offer to others; and this they do by manifesting Jesus’ love and kindness. They KNOW it’s ‘not I, but Christ’.
Over the years we have been blessed to baptize many of these women and the reality of the moment never, never fails to amaze and astound us! It is such a privilege to witness these hearts surrendering to the Lord in this way, trusting and publicly declaring that they are no longer their own, they have been bought with a price. Their hearts are truly overflowing with gratitude and hope as they look for the new Life to spring forth from the Seed of Christ. In their hearts there is a surrendering of their past, their present and their future. They are trusting in and surrendering to His Life in them and to God’s plans and purposes. There is a renewed trust in His provision and His power to accomplish all His good will.
Words fail to express the joy that continues when we’ve been blessed to stay in contact with these women and to see them grow and thrive in their respective communities. The faithfulness of God abounds in their lives as they enter the workforce, serve in churches and ministries, and become salt and light in their families and neighborhoods. Some have gone on to become mentors, others have become ministers in the prisons, and others were given the opportunity to advise leaders in government on ways to improve the prison’s rehabilitation efforts and the successful re-entry of those leaving confinement.
The reality of their changed lives is undeniable; because of the generous heart of God, there is a new Resident Boss, and His Name is Jesus. Deep in their hearts, the new heart freely given and received, there is the cry:
Worthy is Lamb to receive…
Having come to Christ and surrendered to His Lordship, they begin to partake of Him, grow up into Him and drink freely from the water of life. Their hearts learn to trust and to surrender more fully to His Spirit and they desire to see His kingdom come, not just in their own lives, but in their world. As the Holy Spirit is given His place and the Bible becomes the ‘living word’, the testimony of Jesus, the Truth, they realize there is no limit to God’s love, even if it comes in the form of correction. Even for those few who find themselves back in prison, they understand that He has not changed; He is still holding forth to them the Word of Life and they know where to find hope and healing.
The changed lives of these ‘captives’ are signs to those around them. When they live in unity and love, they amaze others. When they forgive as God forgives, those around them know something is different. When they determine to follow God’s truth and ways despite the practices and beliefs of those around them, they are a testimony that there is a different way to live. Without even speaking a word, they are holding forth the Word of Life and extending the invitation to ‘whosoever will’.
It is pure joy to witness the growth of these believers as they understand and embrace the love and acceptance of God in truth, not just in doctrine. With heartfelt repentance, they begin to worship God in spirit and in truth. Their relationship with God through Christ, Christ as their new and true life, becomes personal — and it is transformative! They find freedom from addictions, attitudes and the lies they have believed. They begin to share with others what has become life IN them! Leaders begin to emerge as evidenced by their servant hearts and desire to share Christ’s love with others. They begin to care for those around them with the patience and care of Christ, knowing they have freely received forgiveness, mercy and grace, even as they themselves have struggled with surrendering fully to their heavenly Father. As they come to Him, to the throne of grace, there is an awareness of the depth of His love and mercy. The realization that they have access to the well of living waters that is in them is acted upon; they know all they have to do is ‘lower the bucket’ and drink freely from the water of life for themselves, and receive an abundant supply to offer to others; and this they do by manifesting Jesus’ love and kindness. They KNOW it’s ‘not I, but Christ’.
Over the years we have been blessed to baptize many of these women and the reality of the moment never, never fails to amaze and astound us! It is such a privilege to witness these hearts surrendering to the Lord in this way, trusting and publicly declaring that they are no longer their own, they have been bought with a price. Their hearts are truly overflowing with gratitude and hope as they look for the new Life to spring forth from the Seed of Christ. In their hearts there is a surrendering of their past, their present and their future. They are trusting in and surrendering to His Life in them and to God’s plans and purposes. There is a renewed trust in His provision and His power to accomplish all His good will.
Words fail to express the joy that continues when we’ve been blessed to stay in contact with these women and to see them grow and thrive in their respective communities. The faithfulness of God abounds in their lives as they enter the workforce, serve in churches and ministries, and become salt and light in their families and neighborhoods. Some have gone on to become mentors, others have become ministers in the prisons, and others were given the opportunity to advise leaders in government on ways to improve the prison’s rehabilitation efforts and the successful re-entry of those leaving confinement.
The reality of their changed lives is undeniable; because of the generous heart of God, there is a new Resident Boss, and His Name is Jesus. Deep in their hearts, the new heart freely given and received, there is the cry:
Worthy is Lamb to receive…
Posted in VG Life