Monday, May 13, 2013

First Appearance

The young man who has been charged with murdering Mom and Dad will make his first appearance before the judge tomorrow.  It will be short.  The charges will be read and he will be assigned a public defender to represent him.  Then a preliminary hearing date will be set.

It is a formality really but it is the first step toward prosecution.  I feel that I should be there but it is silly to think of driving 5 hours each way for a 15 minute process.  Still, a part of me wants to meet this young man face to face.  I know that day will come but it will not be tomorrow.

I am praying that he will be ministered to while he is in jail there in Springfield.  If he could come to know Jesus as his personal Savior angels will rejoice!  I still pray that God will allow me the opportunity to offer forgiveness to him in person.  I know this is easier said than done but I keep claiming it.  If I say it enough perhaps I will actually be able to do it.

I was thinking about when Jesus chose the 12 disciples.  Did He know at the time He chose Judas that he would be the one to betray Him?  He spent 3 years in ministry with Judas.  He sent him out on missionary trips with the other disciples.  Did He know?  Scriptures tell us that He did know and I believe He loved Judas anyway.  I am sure He prayed for Judas' soul that whole time.

In much the same way (but of course, in a much shorter time frame) I feel that Mom and Dad prayed for Jose.  Even as he was attacking them I am sure they offered forgiveness and asked God to intervene in his life so he could come to Jesus.

John 6:61-65 (New Living Translation)

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?  Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?  The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)  Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

Lord, I pray that You would call Jose to You.  Send someone to minister to him in the power of Your Spirit so that he can experience Your love.  Lord, You knew from the beginning of his life that Jose would choose to follow the Evil One down this violent path.  Father, I pray You would give him over to Jesus.  Speak Your truth into him that he might be set free.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

2 comments:

  1. Donna I love to read your blog. You are such a beautiful person inside and out. You have taught me so much, ministering with you in the jail and in these blogs. You amaze me and I honor you and your perspective on life. Even on Jose you still want to show him the Love of the Lord. You are truly an angel.

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    1. Trust me, I'm no angel! I am just striving to be obedient to the Lord! Thank you for the encouraging words!!

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