INTRODUCTION
This is a book for those doing time in jail or prison--
whether short or lengthy sentences, life without parole, or
on death row. It is for inmates, with portions written by and
about inmates--people just like you, some of whom have
previously been where you are, and others who are
presently incarcerated as you are right now.
This book does not address legal matters. It is not a secular
guide for prison life that deals with prison gangs, jail-house
slang, or prison survival techniques.
This book is based on God's Word, the Holy Bible. Its
purpose is to give you a new beginning and a new spiritual
destiny. If you truly want to change your life, this book--
which is based on God's book--will show you how to do it.
There are many good rehabilitation programs--and you
should certainly avail yourself of those offered by your
institution. But the plan of God is the only one that
guarantees success. When you follow the guidelines of the
Holy Bible, God promises that you will be successful:
This book of the law shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do according to all
that is written in it; for then you will make your way
prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!
Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.
(Joshua 1:8-9, NIV)
The Word of God declares that if you abide by its precepts,
5
,you will be successful. No matter what your past may be
like. No matter how many times you have been in and out
of prison. No matter how often you may have tried to
change and failed.
True change does not result from education, legislation, or
determination. True change comes from the inside and is
manifested in outward, observable behavior. Only the
Word of God can change you from the inside out. God's
Word was not written to entertain you, rather its purpose is
to transform you. It is not just a good book with comforting
verses. It is the record of God's thoughts and words,
inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). It was written
so that you could come to know God and live your life as
He intended.
Actually--in a way--we are sorry that you are reading this
book, for it probably means you are incarcerated and have
lost your freedom. But at the same time, we are happy that
this book has come into your hands. The reason? Because
no matter what brought you to where you are today--
whether you are innocent or guilty, whether you will be
incarcerated for a lengthy or short time--this book brings a
message of hope that will change your life, your future, and
your eternal destiny.
You are incarcerated. That is your reality for the time, a
fact that you cannot change. But you can experience a new
life with true purpose and meaning. You can't change
where you are or what has happened to you, but YOU can
change. When you can't go back, you have no direction to
go but forward!
The good news is, you are not alone in this difficult time in
your life. God's Word says: "Where can I go from Your
Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I
6
,ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell,
behold, You are there" (Psalm 139:7-8, NKJV).
Right now, you may feel like you have made your bed in
hell, but you are not alone. God has not abandoned you.
His supernatural presence is right there with you. Jesus
understands your situation because He, too, was arrested
and was an innocent prisoner facing execution (Matthew
27).
The title of this book, "Prisoner Of The Lord", is taken
from the words of the Apostle Paul in the Holy Bible. Paul
was a great man of God who was wrongfully incarcerated
for his faith several times during the course of his lifetime.
Paul did not view himself as a prisoner of the government,
however. Repeatedly he referred to himself as "the prisoner
of Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:1); "an ambassador in chains"
(Ephesians 6:20); and as "the prisoner of the Lord"
(Ephesians 4:1). He saw his incarceration as having divine
purpose:
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has
happened to me has really served to advance the
gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout
the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I
am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most
of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to
speak the word of God more courageously and
fearlessly. (Philippians 1:12-14, NIV)
Paul willingly served as a prisoner of the Lord, a captive
for Christ, strategically placed to advance the Gospel of the
Kingdom of God. Despite his incarceration, Paul fulfilled
his divine destiny. He knew God was in control of his
circumstances and he used them purposefully instead of
7
, allowing negative circumstances to control him. He learned
an important lesson that you must learn: How to be content
in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11).
Whether you are innocent or guilty of the offense that
resulted in your incarceration, you have a choice. Do you
want to be just another inmate doing time, or do you want
to be a prisoner of the Lord who is experiencing
supernatural change and fulfilling divine purpose in your
life?
Ask God to open your heart to the message of this book
which is drawn from His book, the Holy Bible. This
revelation will supernaturally free you from the chains of
your past, change your future, and redefine your destiny.
Receive The Revelation
Accepting constructive criticism
opens your heart to the path of life,
making you right at home among the wise.
Refusing constructive criticism shows
you have no interest in improving your life,
for revelation-insight only comes
as you accept correction
and the wisdom that it brings.
The source of revelation-knowledge is found
as you fall down in surrender before the Lord.
(Proverbs 15:31-33, TPT)
8
This is a book for those doing time in jail or prison--
whether short or lengthy sentences, life without parole, or
on death row. It is for inmates, with portions written by and
about inmates--people just like you, some of whom have
previously been where you are, and others who are
presently incarcerated as you are right now.
This book does not address legal matters. It is not a secular
guide for prison life that deals with prison gangs, jail-house
slang, or prison survival techniques.
This book is based on God's Word, the Holy Bible. Its
purpose is to give you a new beginning and a new spiritual
destiny. If you truly want to change your life, this book--
which is based on God's book--will show you how to do it.
There are many good rehabilitation programs--and you
should certainly avail yourself of those offered by your
institution. But the plan of God is the only one that
guarantees success. When you follow the guidelines of the
Holy Bible, God promises that you will be successful:
This book of the law shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do according to all
that is written in it; for then you will make your way
prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!
Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.
(Joshua 1:8-9, NIV)
The Word of God declares that if you abide by its precepts,
5
,you will be successful. No matter what your past may be
like. No matter how many times you have been in and out
of prison. No matter how often you may have tried to
change and failed.
True change does not result from education, legislation, or
determination. True change comes from the inside and is
manifested in outward, observable behavior. Only the
Word of God can change you from the inside out. God's
Word was not written to entertain you, rather its purpose is
to transform you. It is not just a good book with comforting
verses. It is the record of God's thoughts and words,
inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). It was written
so that you could come to know God and live your life as
He intended.
Actually--in a way--we are sorry that you are reading this
book, for it probably means you are incarcerated and have
lost your freedom. But at the same time, we are happy that
this book has come into your hands. The reason? Because
no matter what brought you to where you are today--
whether you are innocent or guilty, whether you will be
incarcerated for a lengthy or short time--this book brings a
message of hope that will change your life, your future, and
your eternal destiny.
You are incarcerated. That is your reality for the time, a
fact that you cannot change. But you can experience a new
life with true purpose and meaning. You can't change
where you are or what has happened to you, but YOU can
change. When you can't go back, you have no direction to
go but forward!
The good news is, you are not alone in this difficult time in
your life. God's Word says: "Where can I go from Your
Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I
6
,ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell,
behold, You are there" (Psalm 139:7-8, NKJV).
Right now, you may feel like you have made your bed in
hell, but you are not alone. God has not abandoned you.
His supernatural presence is right there with you. Jesus
understands your situation because He, too, was arrested
and was an innocent prisoner facing execution (Matthew
27).
The title of this book, "Prisoner Of The Lord", is taken
from the words of the Apostle Paul in the Holy Bible. Paul
was a great man of God who was wrongfully incarcerated
for his faith several times during the course of his lifetime.
Paul did not view himself as a prisoner of the government,
however. Repeatedly he referred to himself as "the prisoner
of Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:1); "an ambassador in chains"
(Ephesians 6:20); and as "the prisoner of the Lord"
(Ephesians 4:1). He saw his incarceration as having divine
purpose:
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has
happened to me has really served to advance the
gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout
the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I
am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most
of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to
speak the word of God more courageously and
fearlessly. (Philippians 1:12-14, NIV)
Paul willingly served as a prisoner of the Lord, a captive
for Christ, strategically placed to advance the Gospel of the
Kingdom of God. Despite his incarceration, Paul fulfilled
his divine destiny. He knew God was in control of his
circumstances and he used them purposefully instead of
7
, allowing negative circumstances to control him. He learned
an important lesson that you must learn: How to be content
in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11).
Whether you are innocent or guilty of the offense that
resulted in your incarceration, you have a choice. Do you
want to be just another inmate doing time, or do you want
to be a prisoner of the Lord who is experiencing
supernatural change and fulfilling divine purpose in your
life?
Ask God to open your heart to the message of this book
which is drawn from His book, the Holy Bible. This
revelation will supernaturally free you from the chains of
your past, change your future, and redefine your destiny.
Receive The Revelation
Accepting constructive criticism
opens your heart to the path of life,
making you right at home among the wise.
Refusing constructive criticism shows
you have no interest in improving your life,
for revelation-insight only comes
as you accept correction
and the wisdom that it brings.
The source of revelation-knowledge is found
as you fall down in surrender before the Lord.
(Proverbs 15:31-33, TPT)
8
