Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
All of us make conscious or unconscious decisions each day whether we will serve under the yoke of Jesus or the yoke of the devil. Most have chosen the yoke of this world. Jesus offers us a light yoke of obedience to His Ten Commandments. The world offers a very heavy yoke of obedience to fashion, money, power, ego, pride, things, and work. That is a very heavy yoke to bear.
When we take on the yoke of Jesus every morning, He will help us carry our heavy loads throughout the day. Every day here at the ministry, I experience that concept. At times I feel as if the load is way too heavy for me to carry. But then, I turn my eyes away from the heavy load and look to Jesus. He then puts His yoke on my shoulders and lifts me up so my feet barely touch the ground. For 27 years He has been carrying this ministry. My faith has grown so much during those years. But I do see where I must continue stretching my faith if I plan on making it through the time of trouble.
As bondservants of Jesus, let us look upon all around us with love as “worthy of all honor” as Jesus looked upon those around Him. Let the yoke of Jesus lift us above our petty problems and the troubles of the world. He will take care of them if we continue doing our duties and responsibilities for Him.
1 Timothy 6:1 to 1 Timothy 6:21
Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
The world is watching to see if we honor the name of Jesus. The honor of Jesus and the teachings we profess will be tested and tried. But we must never surrender to our base and earthly feelings. We must look to Jesus as our Helper. I must admit, in my past I did not bring honor to the name of Jesus. I am very ashamed of my sinful life.
We must bring honor to Jesus by living the righteous and holy life in our work? Do we treat the boss with honor? Do we give the boss the time he requires, or do we steal a minute here and there for our own selfishness? How about the things of the boss? Do we misuse them for our own selfishness? Let us bring honor to Jesus by living the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life in our work, home, school and play.
Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.
We must serve all, whether believers or nonbelievers, with the same love and service we would give Jesus. Jesus is watching to see if we carry His name with honor. Let us stand up in His power to live His perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life.
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, . . .
There are way too many different doctrines swirling around out there in the cesspool. Keep yourself pure by living, teaching and believing the teachings of Jesus to be perfect, stop sinning and keep the Ten Commandments to get your eternal life. If those who do not believe the teachings of Jesus, nor put them into their hearts,
. . . he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, . . .
There are a lot of controversies and quarrels taking place in our churches. Quarrels about words are ruining the lives of millions. The problem is, instead of doubling down on the truth as Jesus teaches, churches have put away the teachings of Jesus for the opinions of man in order to have “peace” in the church. It comes down to that word, “unhealthy”. We are not to crave controversies or quarrels; they will come if we stand firm for the truth. But we are not to go out looking to cause trouble with our own opinions. We are to teach truth with love in our hearts for all.
. . . and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
This is found in a lot of churches. They teach doctrine that is not of God as a means to gain wealth and power. People are deceived by these false teachings and they are constantly causing friction among the people of God. They have depraved minds because they do not have the truth of Jesus. And remember, “gain” doesn’t have to mean monetary gain. It could be the gain of power or other advantages to our lives.
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
Godliness! How few know what that is. It isn’t going to church or listening to sermons. Godliness is doing as God does. Working as God works. Living as God lives. Being content with what we have is “great gain”. Stop “needing” things you don’t need. Stop wanting what someone else has. Be content and use what you have to bless others.
But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
This concept is being impressed upon me more and more. I’m getting to the point where I hate spending money. Yet, money has to be spent to keep the ministry up and running. The printer needed a $700 fuser unit. There are four imaging drums that have to be replaced from time to time and they are about $300 a piece. Then, of course, there are the four color toner cartridges that need to be replaced every month or so at about $70 each. Then, there is paper, 112 sheets of paper for every book we print, along with cover paper, binding material, envelopes and postage. It doesn’t take long before money becomes an issue. Since purchasing the printer about four years ago, we have printed over 700,000 prints.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
I simply desire to have enough funding to meet your needs. I praise God for our 12 donors who sacrifice to keep this ministry up and running. All day long I am praying for God to prosper them and protect them.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Instead of craving or loving money, we should be craving and loving the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of wandering away, let us return to Jesus and crave the faith of Jesus. Let us practice the faith of Jesus in our own lives. Let us find our joy in living the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.
Flee and Pursue! Personally, I think we flee righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness way too much. Our priorities are truly mixed up in this world. We have become numb to the life God wants us to have.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
These “witnesses” are not just our friends, family and neighbors. There are angels who surround us, recording everything we say and do; and protecting us as we allow them. Then, there are the myriads of worlds filled with righteous people who are also watching. What “confession” are you making?
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, . . .
I’m trying to become more aware of that concept every day. Every breath I take is given by God. If He should stop giving it, I would cease to have life. This is not an automated process; this is a moment by moment deliberate act on the part of God on our behalf. What have we done to honor God?
. . and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach . . .
Do you keep the Ten Commandments “free from reproach”? Are you faithful in every detail of your life? Are you wasting God’s time sitting in church? What are you doing that gives a “good confession” before the world?
. . . until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Instead of running around claiming, “Jesus is coming”, we need to understand that He will be displayed at the proper time. When He is ready. Until then, what are you doing to prepare people for His appearing? Are you displaying the Ten Commandments in your life? Are you teaching them how to live the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life?
who alone has immortality, . . .
We do not have an immortal soul. Our soul dies eternally unless we develop a soul that lives the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life. Only God is immortal. When He comes, He will bestow immortality on every person who lives as He commands.
. . . who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Is Jesus “unapproachable”? No! The “light” is unapproachable. He has stepped out of that light many times. He stepped out when He talked with Abraham. He stepped out when He came to this earth as a baby in Bethlehem. He wants to step close to you.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
In a moment all can be gone. The financial market could collapse. Your health could collapse. A marriage can collapse. A child dies. Life is not certain. We must learn to enjoy every day what God provides, since we do not know how long we will have it.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, . . .
That is all that counts. What we do for others is what counts. In the end, it isn’t the amount of money you have stored up, or the things you have accumulated; but who you have helped and have been generous to.
. . . thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
God is going to take a look at that foundation. What is your foundation built upon? Will you “take hold of that which is truly life”?
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.
Each of us has been given the deposit of a measure of the Spirit of God. What we do with it will determine our future. Guard it well while you grow it.
Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
There is a lot of babbling and contradictions going on out there. It can be very addicting. We need to learn to turn it off and sit quietly at the feet of Jesus.
Inmate Letters
Hello,
I’m interested about what you guys are doing. I’m currently in prison since I was 18 years old. I have a parole date in 2030. I’m at a point in my life where I need God’s guidance in my life. I been going to church about 2 years now. I been growing each day. It’s amazing when we believe, have faith what God can do for us. So, I ask you guys please keep me in your guys’ prayers. I would love to hear back from you guys, if that is possible.
Kurt, AZ
Dear Ronald John,
I was so blessed to receive the study booklet. It is a true professional work of art. An excellent piece of publishing. The quality is top notch. I have been studying it and really enjoy the way you explain things to make them clear. You leave no room for doubt in the minds of the readers. What a blessing to know you sent one to my son. I’m truly hoping he will read it and correspond with you on the subject matter.
Carol, OH
To Jesus Christ Prison Ministry,
Received your Introductory Issue and still reading it. Interesting testimony. May God continue to bless you and those whom you serve. I would like a copy of this to be mailed to my son and for him to receive a copy of your book, “Change Your Life biblically”. Thank you. Enclosed you will find a $10 donation. Place my son and his family on your prayer list. He reads the Word of God and God is ministering to him.
Ceteria, Non-inmate
Hi,
I am 24 years old. I’ve been in prison for 3 years now and I have 2 more years to go. I am going through a journey of self-discovery. I’ve been working on my personal growth. So far, I feel like I am headed in the right direction. I read the Bible but I also read the Quran. I am a practicing Muslim and always have been all my life. However, the stories in the Bible always captivated me. A friend of mind referred this ministry to me. I read the book of Paul’s letter to the Philippians with my friend. It spoke about Paul and how we are the church and how we should live righteously and always prove ourselves to be worthy. It spoke of what was true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, and everything excellent and praiseworthy. I feel that’s exactly what I need in my life. Nothing gets me more excited than getting closer to God and really knowing my purpose. I no longer want to be a criminal. I want to change my life for the better. I want to have lived and known to do the right thing. I want to know God in a way I’ve never known before. I admit, I need help. This Bible study and career opportunity might be the help I’ve been looking for all my life.
Abdallah, OH
To the Ministry,
I received “Change Your Life Biblically” study. I am 31 years old and I’ve been going to church my whole life and just fell in with the wrong crowd. Now, I am seeking Christ for me, not just my mother and father’s Savior, but mine. I’ve been learning that a lot of these churches are wrong. They are not preaching the whole truth. Just picking and choosing what they want to preach. And they are still living in sin and thinking that it’s OK because Christ died on the cross for our sins. But no, that’s not enough. We still have to do our part. My Bible does not say anywhere that we can be in Christ and still live in sin. I see the brainwashing part and the “batter up” analogy for that shows us we need to start looking at the bigger picture for ourselves, not just listening to other people, but examining the Scriptures for ourselves.
Jonathan, TX
Dear Ron,
Your pamphlet couldn’t have come at a better time. I was utterly amazed! About a week prior to receiving it I prayed for God to come back in my life. I haven’t prayed in 16 years. I grew up in a religious home in Texas, but I have been astray. When I prayed, I didn’t kite the chaplain, I didn’t tell a living soul that I wanted God back in my life; no family or friend or C/O. So, to receive your pamphlet, I was shocked; goosebumps all over, hair sticking straight up! I’m going to get back into the Word of God and do your Bible study.
Cecil, WA
Hey,
I got your postcard and I am interested in the Bible study. It is something I have been thinking about for a long time. I would love to get involved in the Christian community. I had to realize I haven’t been living right and it is time to change my life. When I received your postcard it was like a sign from God.
Joseph, NV
Hello,
Some guy I was in treatment with gave me some info about this “Change Your Life Biblically” Bible study workbook. I am Roman Catholic, raised up in the church and educated in Catholic School. So, I thought it sounded like a good idea. I am a navy Gulf War Vet and I got wounded and got addicted to opiod pain meds. After several years of being on the pain meds, my life was out of control. I was also drinking a lot and I was turning into a real (mess). I have come to realize that the secular approach to treatment doesn’t work. I have been through half a dozen. I think I should go back to my roots and try it God’s way step by step. Please help me by sending me the “Change Your Life Biblically” workbook.
Randy, MN
JCPM,
I am interested in your Bible study and would like to get some material from you to study. Help me get closer to God and improve my relationship with Him. Give me a deeper perspective. I’ve been struggling with faith and understanding and would appreciate anything you could send me to help.
Zachary, ID
JCPM,
I came across your ministry information and I wanted to know if I may participate in the Bible study “Change Your Life Biblically”? Thank you.
Jason, OH
JCPM,
A brother in Christ gave me this information. I’ve recently been born again. I’ve prayed about it for months and then one day a brother gave me this, so I took it as a sign and God’s answer to my prayer. I want to thank you.
Stephen, VA
Dear Brother Ron,
I am 21 years old and a born again Christian. I am awaiting to be transferred to prison to do an 8 to 12-year term. I have always believed in the Lord, I just got caught up in a huge misunderstanding. I am currently reading your book called, “Change Your Life Biblically” that a friend of mine in here has and I think it is outstanding!! It has taught me quite a bit and showed me some things that I have been very curious about. I have 13 books in my cell with me right now on religion and so far, yours has had the biggest impact and given me the most insight. I feel like I’m becoming a brand new person and that everything is making much more sense. Even behind bars I enjoy this new life and the new me so much more than when I was out.
Forrest, ID
To Whom It May Concern,
To be totally honest, I found this piece of paper after asking God in my life. If possible, I would like to be given the course that I need to complete to receive a certificate. I know this will bring me even closer to God.
Quentin, OH
Hi Brother Ron,
I am writing you this letter and I want to thank you for sharing the Word of God with me and many other inmates. I love the way you mentioned about the history and the commandments of God, the representation of the Lamb of God. Also, about Israel and the Tabernacle and the final judgment and the anti-Christ.
Jorge, CA
Hello,
I got the newsletter, thank you. I also filled out for the Bible study. I am a new Christian, so trying to learn all I can about the Lord.
Jeff, TX
Testimony For God’s Children
My Dear Family in Christ,
Character development is truly lacking in those who call themselves Christian. I am working very hard to overcome character flaws in my life. I want to spend eternity with Jesus. This world has nothing for me. Yet, I do understand that I must beat this body into submission. The sinful habits I was raised with must go. Learning to accept the power of God into my life in order to change those habits is not an easy thing. None of us humans like to have our way of living “invaded” by outsiders. I think it comes down to a simple concept, the habits which have define us we are afraid that if we give them up, then, who are we?
I truly want to be like Jesus. I fall a lot. I skin my knees way too often. Something this illness has taught me, is, after falling, get up and keep going, no matter how much it hurts. As long as we are working to overcome sin in our lives, we are perfect in the sight of God. It is when we stop overcoming that perfection stops and we become lost sheep. Let us pray that God can find us before we fall off the cliff into a very deep chasm.
As I take a look at what is happening in the world today, I see the pieces being moved into place for the final push to bring the world under the control of Lucifer. If we have not changed our lives and set up perfect habits, we will not make it. Instead of looking at others and pointing fingers, we need to be looking deep into our own lives to make sure we are living the “Christ-like” life. Each individual must answer to God for what he or she has done. No one else can answer for us.
Criticizing Burden Bearers
The church is suffering for want of unselfish Christian workers. If all who are, as a rule, unable to resist temptation and are too weak to stand alone would remain away from —–, there would be a much purer spiritual atmosphere in that place. Those who live upon the husks of others’ failings and deficiencies, and who gather to themselves the unwholesome miasma of their neighbors’ neglects and shortcomings, making themselves church scavengers, are no advantage to the society of which they form a part, but are an actual burden to the community upon which they inflict themselves.
The church is in need, not of burdens, but of earnest workers; not of faultfinders, but of builders in Zion. Missionaries are really needed at the great heart of the work—men who will keep the fort, who will be true as steel to preserve the honor of those whom God has placed at the head of His work, and who will do their utmost to sustain the cause in all its departments, even at the sacrifice of their own interests and lives, if need be. But I was shown that there are but few who have the truth wrought into their very souls, who can bear the searching test of God. There are many who have taken hold of the truth, but the truth has not taken hold of them, to transform their hearts and cleanse them from all selfishness. There are those who come to —– to help in the work, as well as many of the old members, who have a fearful account to render to God for the hindrance they have been to the work through their self-love and unconsecrated lives.
Religion has no saving virtue if the characters of those professing it do not correspond with their profession. God has graciously given great light to His people in —–; but Satan has his work to accomplish, and he brings his power to bear most strongly at the great heart of the work. He seizes men and women who are selfish and unconsecrated, and makes of them sentinels to watch the faithful servants of God, to question their words, their actions, and their motives, and to find fault and murmur at their reproofs and warnings. Through them he creates suspicion and jealousy, and seeks to weaken the courage of the faithful, to please the unsanctified, and to bring to nought the labors of God’s servants.
Satan has had great power over the minds of parents through their undisciplined children. The sin of parental neglect stands marked against many Sabbathkeeping parents. The spirit of gossip and talebearing is one of Satan’s special agencies to sow discord and strife, to separate friends, and to undermine the faith of many in the truthfulness of our positions. Brethren and sisters are too ready to talk of the faults and errors that they think exist in others, and especially in those who have borne unflinchingly the messages of reproof and warning given them of God.
The children of these complainers listen with open ears and receive the poison of disaffection. Parents are thus blindly closing the avenues through which the hearts of the children might be reached. How many families season their daily meals with doubt and questionings. They dissect the characters of their friends, and serve them up as a dainty dessert. A precious bit of slander is passed around the board to be commented upon, not only by adults, but by children. In this God is dishonored. Jesus said: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Therefore Christ is slighted and abused by those who slander His servants.
The names of God’s chosen servants have been handled with disrespect, and in some cases with absolute contempt, by certain persons whose duty it is to uphold them. The children have not failed to hear the disrespectful remarks of their parents in reference to the solemn reproofs and warnings of God’s servants. They have understood the scornful jests and depreciatory speeches that from time to time have met their ears, and the tendency has been to bring sacred and eternal interests, in their minds, on a level with the common affairs of the world. What a work are these parents doing in making infidels of their children even in their childhood! This is the way that children are taught to be irreverent and to rebel against Heaven’s reproof of sin. Spiritual declension can but prevail where such evils exist. These very fathers and mothers, blinded by the enemy, marvel why their children are so inclined to unbelief and to doubt the truth of the Bible. They wonder that it is so difficult to reach them by moral and religious influences. Had they spiritual eyesight, they would at once discover that this deplorable condition of things is the result of their own home influence, the offspring of their jealousy and distrust. Thus many infidels are educated in the family circles of professed Christians.
There are many who find special enjoyment in discoursing and dwelling upon the defects, whether real or imaginary, of those who bear heavy responsibilities in connection with the institutions of God’s cause. They overlook the good that has been accomplished, the benefits that have resulted from arduous labor and unflinching devotion to the cause, and fasten their attention upon some apparent mistake, some matter that, after it has been done and the consequences have followed, they fancy could have been done in a better manner with fairer results, when the truth is, had they been left to do the work, they would either have refused to move at all under the attending discouragements of the case, or would have managed more indiscreetly than those who did do the work, following the opening of God’s providence.
But these unruly talkers will fasten upon the more disagreeable features of the work, even as the lichen clings to the roughness of the rock. These persons are spiritually dwarfed by continually dwelling upon the failings and faults of others. They are morally incapable of discerning good and noble actions, unselfish endeavors, true heroism, and self-sacrifice. They are not becoming nobler and loftier in their lives and hopes, more generous and broad in their ideas and plans. They are not cultivating that charity that should characterize the Christian’s life. They are degenerating every day and are becoming narrower in their prejudices and views. Littleness is their element, and the atmosphere that surrounds them is poisonous to peace and happiness.
The great sin of —– is a neglect to cherish the light which God has given them through His servants. Said Christ to His apostles: “He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me.” Here it is made plain that those who reject the messages of God’s servants reject not only the Son, but also the Father.
Again He says: “But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.”
How awfully solemn are these words! How important that we should not be found rejecting the warnings and admonitions that God delivers through His humble instruments; for in slighting the light brought by His messengers, we slight the Saviour of the world, the King of glory. Many are running this terrible risk and are thus bringing upon themselves the condemnation of God. The Almighty will not be trifled with, nor allow His voice to be disregarded with impunity. 4T 193-197