Jeremy’s Story

Despite being locked in a cell, this prisoner has inspirational words of encouragement for us all

I am a Christian, and I believed in Jesus at a very young age. I was torn between two worlds, because my dad’s side of the family was Pentecostal and my mom’s side of the family were Jews who converted to 7th Day Adventist Christians. I would go to church on Saturday and Sunday because of this. Eventually I personally became 7th Day Adventist, baptized at 11 years old.

I have had my fair share of sufferings, struggles, and trials. I believed in Jesus without asking questions, and without asking why. Some people would call that blind faith; I disagree. Blessed are those who haven’t seen and believed without any doubt. All I have is faith, despite the fact something bad is always happening to me. But somehow, by the grace of God, through faith, I always bounce back stronger than ever.

As the years went by, I lost my car, my job, and my home. Yet I didn’t give up, despite the fact that all I knew was pain and suffering. I have seen what God can do, even if I don’t understand why all these things were happening. Maybe all these things were happening because I might have believed in God before this misery, but when I started to make too much money, I failed Him. I stopped attending church regularly, stopped praying as often, and money became my god.

I depended on my own work and my own money. Maybe that’s why I’m in jail right now: not for engaging in criminal activity, but because I became selfish and arrogant, and lacked humility. I became what I said I would never become: an idolater.

But now, thanks to Crossroads Prison Ministries, my pastor, my wife, my family members, and my friends, I am gaining spiritual insight. I’m slowly becoming the man I’m supposed to be — who God wants me to be.

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

If your faith is ever wavering, read Hebrews 11. Jeremiah 29:11 also keeps me going and gives me hope: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Don’t make the same mistake I did. The Lord is your refuge, your comforter, your strength, and your redeemer. When you need help or are in danger, call on the Lord and He will save you. He has saved me every single time. The Lord is my Rock, my Foundation, and my Salvation!

Jeremy’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. Feature photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash.

Originally posted on Crossroads Christian Ministry’s website: https://cpministries.ca/despite-being-locked-in-a-cell-this-prisoner-has-inspirational-words-of-encouragement-for-us-all/