FAITH - What's that got to do with anything?
Well actually it's got a lot to do with everything! Whether we know it or not God is real and He knows you, even if you don't know Him. Jesus (God's only Son) spent time in prison, he received capital punishment and suffered at the hands of the authorities. Jesus knows exactly what you have been through and what it is like to be unbelieved.

Jesus was and is God's only Son who died for us and rose again on the third day so that whoever believes in Him can be free from the consequences of their mistakes and start a new life with God as their Father and Jesus as their saviour.

This may seem a bit 'sickly' for some who have had a hard life and had to make their own way in the world. The Truth is though, that we have all done wrong (sin) at some stage in our life and we all need forgiving for those things. Someone had to 'pay the price' for that sin ... which is exactly why God Himself came to earth in the form of man (Jesus), to suffer at the hands of those who didn't understand what they were doing; and be crucified on a tree (cross); to die for our sins (yet he did not sin himself, He was perfect in every way). The good news is that Jesus went 'straight to hell' and preached to the souls of those in the grave (and give them the same opportunity as you and me) that if they put their faith in Him, they could have ever lasting life in Heaven (versus eternity in Hell). Jesus then made a public spectacle of satan and his demons and took back the keys of death of Hades (that Adam and Eve gave away when they handed their management responsibility of earth to satan in the garden of Eden). Jesus then took those who wanted to be with Him back to heaven with Him and sat down at the right hand of the Father God. He is now our advocate in heaven interceding for us when we pray 'in Jesus name'.

This all seems great news (which it is) but we have to play our part. When someone opens the door and declares 'you are free to go' we have to 'get off our backside, stand up and take a step towards freedom'. Nothing happens in life without (a) a price and (b) some effort on our part.

(a) Good news - Jesus has paid the price for all our mistakes (sin) once for all sin in the past and any that might happen in the future.

(b) Our effort. Isn't it nice to be forgive for what we have done wrong? In order for you to start a new life, you have to forgive all those that have done wrong against you! No way, I hear you say; they don't deserve to be forgiven. Whilst that may be true, how can we expect God to forgive us and yet not forgive others? That isn't fair. We didn't deserve to be forgiven but we expected mercy from God, so shouldn't we extend the same grace to those that have hurt us? Do you realise that person that hurt you is still hurting you now? Through bitterness, resentment, anger, judgement ... it is like a cancer of the soul, eating away at your very being, nagging at your mind throughout day and night. There is a way to be really FREE and that is to forgive. Not because they deserve forgiving, but because it is God's way (maybe not man's way, but God's ONLY way to be truly free indeed) to be free in mind, body and soul. Try it. Many people have ulcers in their mouth and stomach and physicians tell us this is due to stress and worry. Well, if that mind related problem manifests itself in our physical body, do you think unforgiveness and anger has any effect on our physical body? It does, even if you aren't aware of it.

You can have true peace, not as the world can give, but the peace that passes human understanding. This is the peace that when all about you is going wrong, yet you have 'no worries' and no anxiety. To be there in the 'eye of the tornado' has a price - pt takes a thing that mankind think is valuable, it is called 'pride', the sin of mankind, the thing that separates man from God. It is a small thing, yet has a strong pull on us, but if we give it away and forgive; we get ALL the benefits that Adam and Eve used to enjoy in the Garden of Eden - peace, love, joy, protection, forgiveness, patience, long suffering, freedom! The team at exprisoners would like to encourage you to take a step, 'a step of faith', believing that it will be worth it. Many have taken this step before you, there is nothing to be scared of, a simple step towards God. The bible says 'draw close to me, and I will draw close to you', by saying a simple prayer of repentance, you can be truly free mentally, spiritually as well as physically (after we have served our time; for inmates). It is a simple 7 step process:

1) Dear Father in Heaven, I've really messed up, I know I don't deserve it, but please forgive me for all the things I have done wrong in my life.

2) I believe that someone had to pay the price for my wrong doings, and I acknowledge that Jesus paid the price for me and I accept Him as my Lord and Saviour.

3) I receive this forgiveness for myself and I ask that you help me let go of the bitterness in my heart towards those that have done me wrong.

4) I now say these words, but ask that each day they become a reality "I forgive those who have done me wrong", looking forward to the day that the weight of that unforgiveness, be completely lifted off my shoulders. Please forgive me for not forgiving them any earlier.

5) From this day forward I will follow God's plan for my life, whatever that means, whether for benefit, or whether it is making good some of my mistakes or suffering a bit of hardship for a season in order to change my attitude, I will follow your ways taught in your holy bible (read it each day starting at John). I now no longer live, but Jesus Christ lives in me, help me to live this new life to give honour and glory to Him.

6) If you have really meant the five steps above, then you need to make a 'public 'declaration' of this commitment. There is an old saying 'stand for something or fall for everything', if you cannot stand before man and say 'I am a new creation, no longer in condemnation. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me' then you didn't make a real commitment and need to speak to someone who has and ask them 'Is it worth it?' A 'public declaration', this is a spoken statement and also is paralleled by what Jesus said to His followers 'you must be Born Again', 'repent and be baptised' through full immersion in water by one of Jesus disciples. Did Jesus need to be baptised in water? Not really, because He was perfect, but He did it to 'lead the way' for us. At the earliest opportunity, ask one of God's ministers to baptise you through 'full immersion', keep asking until you find one that will do it (i.e. infant baptism was a dedication to God, now 'this is the real thing')..

7) Just after Jesus was baptised the bible says that the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove descending down from Heaven. Then, just before He was crucified, He said 'do not leave Jerusalem, until the Holy Spirit comes'. You need to ask God to send His Holy Spirit to guide you in 'His ways' on a daily basis. If you ask, you will receive. If you have been genuine up to this point, then God will take you at your word and send His Holy Spirit to live in you and direct your paths (mighty counsellor, Prince of Peace).

If you have just said this prayer, we would love to hear from you, please email us at free@exprisoners.co.uk we would like to send you a bible and some materials to help you 'work out your faith on a daily basis'. You may like to 'tell us your story', so be bold and drop us a line, all email will be kept in strict confidence and we will only publish your testimony with your permission. Congratulations you are spiritually free, physical freedom follows this decision.  This is the most exciting time of your life, not knowing what God has in store for you is a very exciting feeling.  He has a plan for you, not to harm you, but to bring you peace, prosperity (by His measure, not ours) and freedom and healing in body, mind and soul.