We receive righteousness through faith-Romans3:22

We are justified through faith- Romans 3:30, Galatians 2:16

We stand fast through faith- Romans 11.20

We are sons of God through faith- Galatians 3:26

We are indwelled by Christ through faith- Ephesians 3:17

We are raised with Christ through faith- Colossians 2:12

We inherit the promises through faith- Hebrews 6:12

We conquer kingdoms enforce justice and stomp the mouths of lions through faith- Hebrews 11:33

We are guarded through faith- 1 Peter 1:5

We live through faith and we die through faith.

Love the sheep
Rebuke the goat
Shoot the wolf

I took a walk the other day into a small slum near to where we live. I was greeted with such a sincere welcome, kids running around, being invited to people’s homes for food and people just wanting to know me. These people know community. In the last 3 places I have lived I haven’t even known my neighbours names, they are strangers just living life next to me.

Africa is such a place of beauty, a strange love/hate relationship exists, where for 5 minutes you are astounded by the most unique people, scenery and situations. Then before you know it the place has almost taken on a different face and you can’t recognise it!

I walked into a young offenders institution today…not your typical Thursday afternoon, expecting to see some kids who’ve been up to no good serving a sentence that’s just. What I walked into was a place filled with young men, crammed 52 into a room, 4 to a bunk bed. Living together, some who’ve committed murder, some theft and lots of other minor offences.

A lot of these lads shouldn’t even be in there, they just can’t afford the petrol money to get to the court, and even if they do sometimes the judge doesn’t show, sending them back to the prison.

However, something occurred to me chatting with these lads…

These are young barbarians…

These young men are hungry for Jesus…

They listen to a preacher, most of them don’t understand the dialect of Ugandan he’s speaking but can understand words. Then they formulate the preach together in their minds.

Imagine owning a bible but not being able to read it? Having the hunger for Jesus without being able to read who He was, what He taught and what He did.

They sat attentively listening, and as they pieced together a preach on how it’s never too late to start making the right decision, and how there is ALWAYS grace, you could see this is what they needed. And, as it drew to a close, The preacher asked if there was anyone who wanted to access this grace and accept Jesus into their lives for the first time…

7 men walked out of slavery into freedom,

Out of death into life,

Out of a juvenile prison, they stepped into the Kingdom of God. Never to be the same again.

Ephesians 2:8 It is by grace you have been saved, through faith.

Your best days are ahead of you!

That is all.