Jason Mitchener's Blog

Devotional: Prison Ministry

Prison Ministry

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.
2 Timothy 1:16

Paul was in prison in Rome, his sole crime preaching about Jesus. Some had turned away from him, perhaps considering him a disgrace. After all, he was a common criminal, wasn't he?

While some forsook Paul, one man had mercy on him. Onesiphorus searched the city for Paul. Once he found him, he visited him regularly. Paul said Onesiphorus often refreshed him. Perhaps the company itself was refreshing. Or the encouraging words he shared. Or perhaps he brought some food for Paul. Most likely, all of the above.

Even though Paul was chained, Onesiphorus was not ashamed of him. He didn't consider Paul a disgrace. He saw him as a man in need of compassion.

Onesiphorus was a man to admire. I wonder what I would have done had I lived in Paul's time. Would I be showing compassion like Onesiphorus? Or would I shun Paul because he was in prison?

Of course, I didn't live in Paul's time. So, what would I do now? What would you do now?

Men and women sit alone in prison cells, needing to know the love of Jesus Christ.  Most aren't as innocent as Paul, but they all hunger for compassion. They all need to hear about God's mercy and grace. They all want someone like Onesiphorus to ignore the prison bars and refresh their spirits.

When I visited a juvenile detention facility a few years ago, I was surprised to see children as young as eight years old serving time. Many of these youths ended up in detention because they lacked direction. I visited during their chapel service when a chaplain was trying his best to help them find the right way. He, like Onesiphorus, looked beyond the prison uniforms and saw hearts that needed compassion.

Can we do the same?

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me" (Matthew 25:42-45).

Devotional: He Loves Me, Despite It All

He Loves Me, Despite It All

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

I sometimes read the Ten Commandments and look at them as a list of my own sins. Have I placed other gods before God? Yes, I've put things and people in a higher position than God. Have I made an idol? Every time I've said, "God should do it this way" I've made a god to suit myself. Taken God's name in vain? I've treated God's name more lightly than I should. Desecrated the Sabbath? Yes. Dishonored my parents? Yes. Ask my mom. Killed? With any thoughts of hatred, I've killed more than a few people in my mind. Committed adultery? Every time I've lusted after a woman, I've committed adultery with her in my heart. Stolen? Yes, I've done that too. Lied? I'd be lying if I said I hadn't. Coveted? Yes, it appears I've broken all Ten Commandments.

If you knew all my sins, you probably wouldn't love me very much. Indeed, you might wonder why you are even reading my devotionals. But, you see, God does know all my sins and yet He chose to love me. God knows every horrible act I've ever committed and still He loves me, despite it all. God loves me so much that His Son took the punishment for all my sins. God loves me so much that when I fall, He is there to pick me up. God loves me so much that He comforts me when I'm hurting and strengthens me when I'm weak.

And God loves you too. Despite all your sins, God chose to love you. Are you choosing to love Him?

Devotional: What We Deserve

What We Deserve

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luke 18:13

Remember the McDonald's slogan, "You deserve a break today"? I think this saying sums up the modern mindset. Just by the nature of being human, we feel we deserve certain things in life. People have different opinions on what we deserve. Some feel we deserve respect and love. Others believe we deserve a decent education and a well-paying job. People feel that just because they breathe, they have something coming to them.

Sadly, some people have this same mindset when they deal with God. They feel God owes them something. If we truly understand the Bible, we realize the only thing we deserve is hell. Every person in the world has shaken their fist in the face of the almighty God by sinning against Him. Our sins warrant eternal punishment. Yet God chooses to show mercy. For those who put their trust in Him, He does not give the punishment they deserve.

But God goes even further than this. Not only does God's mercy not give us the eternity in hell we deserve, but His grace gives us what we don't deserve. We don't deserve love, but He chooses to love us. We don't deserve a future, but God promises us a future with Him. We don't deserve an inheritance, but God has made us joint-heirs with Christ. We don't deserve anything, but God gives us everything.

With all God has done for us, He deserves our praise. Will you spend some time today worshiping our merciful and gracious Lord?

Devotional: To Be Content

To Be Content

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11

Paul rejoiced that the Philippians had provided for him. Yet he wanted to make sure that his fellow believers did not get the impression that he had been discontent before the provision. He had learned to be content in whatever state he was.

This is a strong statement for Paul to make. Throughout his ministry, he was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, forsaken. At one point he was even stoned and left for dead. Yet he says without wavering, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

Can you speak as Paul did? Are you content in whatever state you are? You may say that you're content because you have a wife, children, a good job, and a nice house. How could you not be content?

Job was content with these things, but they were all taken away from him. Still Job could say, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15).

The idea of being content despite circumstances confuses many people. They say, "How could Paul like being beaten?" But contentment does not mean you like your circumstances. I'm sure Paul didn't enjoy being beaten, but he didn't grumble or complain. He didn't go around with the back of his hand on his forehead moaning, "Woe is me!"

I'm in a wheelchair due to a rare neuromuscular disease. Do I like being in a wheelchair? A thousand times no! Can I be content in my circumstances? Yes. Because I know God can show His glory through my disability.

Some say that God's glory could be shown more greatly if I was miraculously healed. Maybe. I don't know. But I'm learning to be content whether I stay in the wheelchair or run a marathon.

How was Paul able to be content? How are we? Paul gives us the answer: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

We don't have to bear our burdens alone. Christ is always there to strengthen us. Are you discontent? Call out to Christ. Cast all your cares upon Him.

Devotional: Fear vs. Faith

Fear vs. Faith

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

Jesus and His disciples start sailing across the Sea of Galilee. Sometime during the evening, a storm begins to brew. A great wind blows hard and waves beat at the ship. The deck begins to fill with water.

I can picture the disciples running around frantically, trying to decide what to do. This storm could mean their death!

Suddenly someone realizes that Jesus is nowhere in sight. Perhaps they feared that He had been thrown into the raging sea by the force of the waves. A disciple near the stern of the ship finally locates Jesus. There He is, in the midst of a storm, sound asleep!

The disciples wake Him, saying, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:38)

Jesus rises and does something they had never seen before. He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, "Peace, be still." In a moment, the wind ceases and a great calm descends. (Mark 4:39)

Jesus says to the disciples, "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40)

Amazed at what they just witnessed, the disciples ask, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41)

Have you had days when storms of trial rage around you? Seasons when waves of despair tossed you about? Did it seem like Jesus was nowhere in sight?

All along Jesus was with you in your trials, ready to help if you would only call on Him. How often do we live in a spirit of fear instead of faithfully calling on Him?

Faith and fear are complete opposites. They cannot reign in the same heart. While fear cowers, faith stands. While fear frets, faith prays. While fear looks within, faith looks to Jesus. While fear despairs, faith hopes.

Are you like the disciples who did not know what manner of man Jesus was? Do you know that He is Lord of all? Whatever trials assail you, Jesus can rebuke them and say, "Peace, be still." Call on Him in faith and He will answer.

Fear not, Christian!

Devotional: Moved with Compassion

Moved with Compassion

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 9:36

Open your eyes as you go about your business this week. Look at the multitudes of people around you. On the way to work or school, don't just see the cars you pass. Realize that in each of those cars is a flesh-and-blood human being.

In the car next to you at the intersection, there may be a young woman anxiously waiting to get to an abortion clinic. Inside her womb a small child peacefully rests, not knowing that his life will end before he even gets a chance to take a Saturday stroller ride in the park.

In the car behind you, a man tightly grips the steering wheel as if it is the only thing he has left to hold on to. Beads of sweat roll down his face. He glances at his watch, wondering if he will make it in time. As the traffic light changes, he turns right toward the hospital, where his wife lies in a hospital bed ready to pass into eternity at any moment.

To your left, a woman in her early twenties sits in her '72 Ford. Her waitress apron lies neatly folded on the seat next to her. The coffee shop pays her barely enough to make rent. Her three children would go hungry on her meager income. So three nights a week, she dances at a nightclub, taking off her clothes to satisfy the wicked lusts of men.

People all around us are hurting. Confused. Depressed. Seeing no hope on the horizon, they wander aimlessly through life, like sheep without a shepherd.

When we see the multitudes of hurting men and women around us, are we moved with compassion? Are we moved to open our homes to a teenager trying to get off drugs? Are we moved to spend a few days a month counseling women at a crisis pregnancy center? Are we moved to drive to a nursing home every Saturday to read the Bible to a seventy-five-year-old man who would normally only get visitors on Thanksgiving and Christmas?

"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38).

God sends all of His children to labor in His harvest. I pray that each of us would be willing to serve wherever He sends.

Devotional: Service

Service

After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:5

Two lumps of clay sat on a potter's shelf. They began to discuss with each other their hopes for the future.

The smaller of the two lumps said, "I wonder what the potter will make me. Perhaps I'll be a beautiful vase and be placed in the king's palace! People will come from near and far to admire me."

The larger lump laughed. "You're too small to be a vase for a king. I'll be the vase. And you ... you will be a doorstop."

Later that day, the potter picked up the larger lump of clay and placed it on the wheel. He began to mold and shape the clay. All during the shaping process, the lump of clay kept thinking, I know I'm going to be a work of beauty because I'm so great.

When the potter finished his work, the clay took a look at himself to see what the potter had created. He cried when he realized he was a simple washbasin.

For years, the washbasin sat on the floor near the door. Servants used him to wash the dusty feet of visitors whose open sandals provided little protection.

As time went on, the washbasin grew accustomed to his use as a servant's tool.

One day, the washbasin saw someone coming toward him. He realized the man was Jesus.

Jesus picked up the washbasin, filled it with water, and began to wash His disciples' feet.

Later, when the washbasin sat on the floor alone, he thought to himself, I wanted to be a beautiful vase used by a king. Instead I became a simple washbasin used by servants. Little did I know that the King of kings would come as a servant and use me for His glory.

Do you desire to be great and admired by men? Or do you desire to be used by God and blessed by Him?

Allow the Great Potter to mold you for His glory.

Devotional: Share What You've Found

Share What You've Found

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Corinthians 9:16

Recently, I tried a different type of salad dressing. I had never even heard of raspberry vinaigrette, but that's what came on my dinner tray. When my aide put the fork with lettuce and raspberry vinaigrette in my mouth, my taste buds rejoiced in their newfound favorite dressing. For the next week, I kept asking people if they had ever tried raspberry vinaigrette. I had tasted something I considered wonderful and excitedly wanted to share this experience with others.

Years ago, I found something even more wonderful than raspberry vinaigrette. I found the truth that God loved me and sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins. I found out that if I turned away from the death of sin and to the living God that I would spend eternity with Him. I found that Jesus Christ filled a void in my life that nothing else seemed to fill. I found that when I fell, God was there to pick me up. I found that God didn't judge me by the strength of my body, but by the attitude of my heart. I found that the Creator of the universe wanted to have a relationship with this mere human in a wheelchair.

Why should I ever have to be convinced to tell others about what I've found? Why should I have to read books and hear tapes about the necessity of sharing the gospel? I've heard the greatest story ever told and yet I sometimes keep it to myself. My heart aches that I haven't told more people about the one thing that makes my life worth living.

Has Jesus Christ changed your life? Have you been brought from the horrid darkness into the glorious light? Has God given you the greatest gift you will ever receive? Then share the good news with people around you. Don't keep it to yourself. Tell them what you found in Jesus Christ and how they can find Him too. Isn't He worth it?

Devotional: Protected

Protected

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2

When I was growing up, my family spent most of our vacations at my grandparents' cabin in Prescott, Arizona. Right behind the cabin was national forest land with lots of pine forest to explore. We especially liked to hike down to a small stream nearby. Normally, we always hiked to the stream as a family. But one day my brother and I decided to go alone.

I was about fourteen at the time and David was seven. We must have been quite a sight:  a little boy and a skinny teenager on crutches walking through the woods.

On our way back to the cabin, pea-sized hailstones began to fall from the sky. We ran for shelter under the nearest tree, but the hailstones pummeled us through the branches. I bent over my little brother so he would be sheltered under my body. The hailstones hit me, but he was protected.

In our Christian walk, we may feel like we are being pummeled with hailstones. Pea-sized hailstones of trouble may bounce off our heads. But then we find ourselves dodging golf-ball-sized hailstones of suffering.

If we place ourselves under the shadow of the Almighty, He will be a refuge for us. We need to trust in God when those hailstones come.

Now, imagine if my brother had decided to leave the shelter of my body and stand out in the hailstorm by himself. Crazy, huh? Yet that's exactly what we do when we don't trust in God. We walk out from under His shadow, totally unprotected.

Trust in God. Then you will be protected!

Devotional: Wipe Away Our Tears

Wipe Away Our Tears

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Fighting back tears, a young girl mourns the loss of her mother. The pain is too much for her to bear.

Sorrow is often too much for anyone to bear. After the loss of a loved one, the nights seem endless. Tears stain the pillowcase. Pain rips our heart. Friends try their best to comfort us, but their words do little to ease the pain. Others don't say anything, offering a shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold. This comforts us some, but it doesn't fill the hole in our heart.

Someone once said that time heals all wounds. Time may lessen the pain, but I don't believe it heals.

Even years after a miscarriage, a mother may grieve over the death of a baby she never got to hold in her arms. She is comforted by the knowledge that God is taking care of her baby, but she still yearns to kiss her little precious one. Sitting in a rocking chair, she imagines her baby falling asleep in her arms as she softly sings a lullaby. She wonders what her child would have looked like, whether she had Mommy's eyes or Daddy's smile. As time passes her pain may lessen, but it will never completely disappear.  Even if she gives birth to another child, she will always grieve for the one she lost.

Is there anything that can totally take away our pain?

In Revelation 12:4, we are given a tremendous promise: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Someday God will wipe away the tears that stain our pillows. Death will be no more. No more sorrow. No more crying. No more pain.

Time may not heal all wounds, but God will. He promises us this.

Will you take hold of that promise? Will you rest in the arms of your Savior and be comforted by His love?