July 2023

Celebrating Freedom! It is perpetual freedom for those of us who have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ – continuing forever. His hand is upon our lives, always moving and directing. We are not insignificant in His eyes, but rather highly esteemed, with a unique calling. Along with Jesus, we can proclaim:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” 1

A Pastor’s Response…

Pastor Brian wrote: “Thank you for your kind words, dear friend. I can’t wait to see you in heaven brother!”

“Your Christianity for Dummies is awesome! I just read that over 5 million Iranians have come to Christ over the past couple of years. I thought a sad thought – here we are in a country that allows the freest preaching in the world, and I would be surprised if 5 million have accepted Jesus in the same time.

“I only mention that because my guess is that you have led more people to genuine saving faith in Jesus than most pastors in America. I’m really proud of you, Charles. One way I can tell genuine believers in my church is that true converts don’t run from their past, even as they hate it. Fake converts always want to pretend they have lived perfectly good lives, which the Bible says no one has done of course.

“I pray for you often. It can’t be easy, and I’m sure there are depressing times. The enemy and his mouthpieces will try to keep you down. Jesus never will! And one day soon the roles will be reversed. Keep serving the Lord brother. Have a great rest of the year ministering, and we will talk soon. I love you, my friend. Brian, OH.”

Freedom to Proclaim the Good News…

Pastor Brian and I share the same vision to reach the lost. King Solomon wrote: “Where there is no vision [redemptive revelation of God], the people perish: but he that keepeth the law [the Word], happy is he.” 2

Whether in or out of prison, Jesus Christ provides limitless power to all who believe the Gospel. Jesus said: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me [Jesus] everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”3

After the apostle Paul set up the church at Corinth, he wrote back to the Corinthian believers, saying: “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” 4

Freedom to Carry Out Our Calling…

I cannot go on a missionary journey like the apostle Paul, nor pastor a church like brother Brian, But God has called me to a specific work according to His design. For you, it could be as simple as hearing the Word after coming to this site, and sharing with others what you have found. After Jesus healed the man born blind in the Gospel of John, chapter 9, the man was so excited that he shared his testimony with the Pharisees. The told the healed man, “God should get the glory for this [not realizing they were in the presence of God], because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” 5

Your testimony could be rejected like the man born blind, but that did not stop him, nor should it stop you. For me, I was so excited after receiving Christ, that I could not help but share my awesome experience with everyone I saw and wrote, and since, with the world. It all started with sending out a newsletter with the help of a friend, teaching a new Christian class, putting out a book and starting a ministry. You can hear my excitement on the podcast as a new believer in Ministry Training. I simply share the redemptive revelation of God through Jesus Christ, Who set us free to carry the Good News to the world. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” 6

Freedom to Reach Around the World…

God is reaching the world through His body – the Church. He is revealing the finished works of Jesus through the apostle Paul and others; prophets, evangelists, pastors like Brian and teachers filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We are all called out of the world to win souls for the Kingdom. “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” 7

This website outreach is only one of many ministries of the body of Christ going out into the world with the Good News of forgiveness and resurrected life. “There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” 8

Finally, I have been given an electronic tablet by the prison to stay better connected with family and friends. I can receive and respond to messages, which will greatly enhance the ministry as well. If you are interested, go to Contact Charles on the site for instructions on how to create an account. I also look forward to other features on the tablet, such as the Bible Gateway app and the dictionary. I am told this will expand my world; however, my sole desire is to fulfill the Great Commission during my remaining years. Jesus said, “…go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 9

A Prayer for You…

Jesus, I confess You are my Lord, Savior and Righteousness. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your word of reconciliation, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving my soul! Father, I recognize my need for Your power to live this new life. Please fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit. By faith, I receive Your power right now. Thank You for baptizing me. Holy Spirit, You are welcome in my life. Show me my identity, meaning and purpose in life. Amen!

Scripture References (NLT):

1) Luke 4:18,19
2) Pro. 29:18, KJV
3) Acts 1:8
4) 1 Cor. 1:26-29
5) John 9:24b,25
6) Pro. 11:30, NKJV
7) Col. 1:13,14
8) 1 Cor. 12:5,6
9) Matt. 28:19-20