‘Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.’ (Philippians 2:4, New American Standard Bible)
Paul gripped the jail cell’s window bars and looked outside despairingly. He hadn’t meant to get caught selling cocaine. Now he was in prison for who knows how long. He had been studying to be a spiritual medium and figured he’d use the time in jail to learn more about psychic phenomena. The next time his mom called he’d ask her to bring his psychic materials.
Paul looked up and saw two inmates staring at him. One held out his hand. “We wanted to introduce ourselves,” he said. The men began talking to Paul. When they found out his interest in spiritualism, one said he’d once been interested in the same thing. “Then I met Jesus Christ,” he said. He told Paul about accepting Jesus Christ as his savior. Paul listened. He began meeting with the men at a Bible study led by a jail volunteer. While in jail, Paul became a Christian. After his release, Paul married, became a business owner, and a deacon at his church.
Paul’s friends in jail went out of their way to befriend him and lead him to Christ. They could have spent their time reading a Bible or praying. Instead, they put their own needs aside to help someone else.
**
This is a true story about a man I interviewed for a story in a jail chaplaincy newsletter. The name has been changed, but the miracle is true. Are you brave enough to tell others about God’s love? I have to pray for courage most of the time. Here’s what I say:
Prayer: Lord, I don’t know who or what you want me to minister to today, but I’m sure you will give me an opportunity to do so. Please help me to put aside my own plans and do and say exactly what You want. Amen
Let me know if your witnessing to others has brought them to Christ. I love these kinds of stories! God bless.
Writing of Kayleen Reusser 
Love this miracle!
Thanks Paula. I hope it blessed you. There are other devos at my blog w/ photos of flowers. You may want to check them out. Take care,
My dad is a pastor and did a whole series on Person of Interest. Your POI is the person in your life God is calling you to reach out to invite to church, share your story, and walk day by day with. He even included time in his sermons for people to share their experiences. It’s been amazing, listening to the progress made and sharing God’s personal involvement in my own POI. Even though that sermon series is over and has been for a while, the POI sharing continues. God is so good and never gives up on us and our POI.
Karen Mahara
Sent from my iPhone
So many of these POIs for me seem to be kids at school. Even though I feel depressed at how sad their stories are it still feels like a mission field he’s called me to.
Insightful as always. God is living and active, “roaring like a lion” (God’s Not Dead by Newsboys). When our eyes are focused on Him, it’s amazing how he reaches out to us. I see him everywhere and hear his voice in so many circumstances. It’s tragedy and sorrow or pain, where I feel His arms the most, holding me. Without those arms and His strength, life would not be bearable.
I heard this Newsboys song today! Great! I think we have to be looking for God to recognize him. Glad you’ve felt his comfort at trying times.