Mars Hill and Thomas Manton

On Tuesday night, I was invited by Tony up to his Mars Hill Community Group at Colin and Lauren's house on Beacon Hill to pray and share the incredible work of Prisoners for Christ.

I was touched by their 75 minute prayer time. One of their members is heading back to North Carolina to receive healing from church bodies where he was serving in the past. Another member is heading to California to begin a fashion and design school. She needs a godly roommate and a safe place to live. That is what community groups and church is all about.

I emphasized that a missional people group is right under the visible surface in the youth and adult incarcerated. People who want to do real missions may reach out to city, county, state, and federal jails and prisons. There are opportunities to reach men, women, and youth.

On Sunday, I had the great joy of accompanying Annette, Angie, Sherry, Michelle, and Richard (not pictured) of His Harmony from our Faith Baptist Church in Kent to Twin Rivers Correctional Facility in Monroe for their concert. Their "Achy breaky heart" portion of their medley with choreography brought a smile to the appreciative listeners. They were the very real best I have ever heard them. We go back up to Monroe together on November 8.

I summarized the first three principles of Al-anon:

• I can't and surrender
• God in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit CAN
• I'll let Him

I preached from Matthew 25:34, "Then the King will say, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, receive the inheritance prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' " What an incredible passage about the greatness of God!

Puritan of 1660 Thomas Manton wrote:
(adapted only slightly for the Old English)

Walking by faith makes a man sincere, because he expects his reward from God only, though no man observe him, no man commend him: Mat. 6:6, ‘Thy Father which sees in secret shall reward thee openly.’ Yea, though all men hate him and condemn him: Mat 5:11-12, ‘Blessed are you when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name’s sake; rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.’ Now this is true sincerity, when we make God alone our paymaster, and count his rewards enough to repair our losses and repay our cost.