Sin, Disease, And A Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On

According to the prophet Micah (6:13), sickness and disease are a direct result of the fall and sin coming in to the world.  This whole world has been disrupted from the way God intended it to be, so, it should be no surprise that additional disruption is taking place in our world, due to our sin problem.  Our sin in America and around the world, has not only escalated to heights that one could only imagine, but we’ve literally taken sin and thrown in right in God’s face!

Not only is slave trading taking place, but now it is sex slaves, or sex trafficking.  Wasn’t there a move to abolish all of this in 1863 called the Emancipation Proclamation?  We have literally thrown abomination in God’s face, redefining a holy sacrament and celebrating it by lighting up the White House with the rainbow flag!  Do you think we crossed a line on that one?  How about the latest total of abortion on unborn children?  63+ million abortions total to date.  And, haven’t we gone one step further, aborting a baby right before birth, after a full-term pregnancy.  Doctors in many states have been given the right to leave a baby, born alive, without medical care while it screams in anguish and fights to stay alive!  We used to call that infanticide. 

Hebrews 12:25-29;  “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ 27 The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’”

This pandemic could very well be the start of something God is doing.  Can we agree there is a whole lot of shaking going on?  In Hebrews 12:25, “ See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven”!  Can I suggest that God is speaking and we better not ignore Him, or “ …much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven”!

A quote I heard just recently, in my opinion, confirms Hebrews 12:25-29: 

“A Recipe For True Awakening Is Upon Us; One of the greatest gods in America is being shut down – Sports and Entertainment!  Schools are being closed which is forcing needed relational proximity for marriages and families.  Large church and conference events are being canceled allowing house to house gatherings to explode like the book of Acts.  The stock market is plummeting exposing the greed and fear of lost humanity.  Prayer and a recognized need for God and His healing and protection has never been greater.  Has anyone else been on their knees full of joy, thanksgiving, and faith just marveling at our Father?  So many of us have been crying out for revival and awakening – let’s not miss this season of true visitation!”

So, for those of us who are the Spirit of Christ and part of His unshakable kingdom, allow this time to be an opportunity to serve as we are instructed in verse 28, to introduce Him to those who don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior – whose kingdom cannot be shaken!

Prayerful and thankful,

Steve Malek

The Power of the Gospel

First Corinthians 6:9-11, NKJV, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God…” So, what is God’s response to these sins? Judgment!  We will all be judged if we practice any of these things. To claim anything else is to compromise the truth of God’s Word, which clearly states, none of them “…will inherit the kingdom of God.” This is very serious, and should not be taken lightly!
 
As I conduct services and engage in one-on-one ministry at Macomb County Jail, I hear all too often of a man living with a woman to whom he is not married. Each will claim to be Christian, and even believe he or she will go to heaven. Then when I reveal First Corinthians 6:9-10, I’m in no way attempting to bring damnation to the person, but rather loving conviction – so that person can turn away from and repent of their sin, and embrace the only hope of salvation that is available to all of us sinners. That hope is, of course, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’ own words in Luke 13:3, “I tell you no; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” He reiterates two verses later, in verse five, “I tell you no; but unless you repent…”
 
First Corinthians is clear about the eternal consequences for those who practice fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and the like. But – there is good news! No matter what the sin is, God has provided forgiveness, salvation and hope of eternal life to those who repent, who embrace the Gospel of grace.  Right after Paul identified those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, he said, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:11, NKJV
 
So – what should our response be to the fornicator, homosexual, adulterer, thief, or drunkard, etcetera? Our response should always be the Gospel. We should be equipped to confront him or her with the truth of the scriptures that condemns the behavior as sinful, yet points the sinner to the only hope of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ – leaving the results to Him!
 
Staying true to His Word,
Chaplain Steve Malek

Prayer And The Word

“ …but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ~Acts 6:4

At the Macomb County Jail and Gateway To Glory aftercare program, we find ourselves involved in various forms of ministry from Angel Tree, book cart, one on one, Christmas and Easter Bags for the inmates and staff, etc.  But, we know what has to be central - without wavering and without compromise - that we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of God’s word.
 
This ministry was birthed out of prayer.   One amazing thing that comes to mind that shows the accuracy of that statement is the time my wife, Robin, was looking through some of the old Macomb County Jail Ministry Board meeting minutes. She discovered that the Board had been praying for an aftercare program and, lo and behold, 15 years later the Gateway To Glory aftercare program took on all the responsibilities of the Macomb County Jail Ministry!  Every second Monday of the month at 6:30pm, the Chaplain’s office holds a prayer meeting in the Training Room at the Macomb County Jail.  The focus is to bathe the jail, inmates, inmates’ families, staff and volunteers of the jail in prayer.
 
Regarding the “ministry of the word”, we believe the word of God to be more than just a text, it is truly a living document.  The Bible is the written, spoken and living word of God.  We know that our God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent and so is His word.  The Holy Spirit says he will bring all things [His word] to our remembrance, because He is not only multi-dimensional, but He transcends time.  He also literally implants His word in us.  James 1:21 says, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”  We know the Word (Jesus) is the only one that can pierce and change hearts and lives, and we see this first hand at the Macomb County Jail through the tears of repentance and changed countenances of those ministered to.  

The aftercare residents were treated to a New Year’s Eve party by one of the Board of Directors.  This was a fun filled, safe alternative to what is “traditionally” a well-known drinking or partying night.  It was a great night, with great food and fantastic fellowship…not to mention good natured football rivalry!
 
The Jail Ministry continues to preach and teach the word of God to those who are hurting in the jail.  The administrative staff at the jail is also ministering to the families of those incarcerated through the phone calls we receive.  There is liberty in the name of Jesus and as we continue to boldly proclaim His name, souls are set free to worship Him, the Prince of Peace!
 
To all our residents, supporters, donors, volunteers, prayer warriors, Board of Directors and all who are a part of this organization called Gateway To Glory, we vow to give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.  Why?  Because it’s the only thing on planet Earth that literally transforms hearts, minds and lives. 
 
Glory be to God!
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek