No Matter What the Circumstances
"For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed
all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of
God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." - Acts 28:30-31
Myrtie Howell was a devoted Christian woman who lived a hard life. Her family
was very poor. When she was 10, she quit school and went to work in a steel mill
for 10 cents a day. She married at age 17. But in early 1940, her husband was
killed in an accident. And when that happened, she lost her home. And she had to
go back to work to support herself and her three kids. Years later, her
declining health forced her to move into an old, high rise nursing home. A few
weeks later, her youngest son died. Then she fell into a depression.
She said, "Lord, what more can I do for you? I've lost everything that ever
meant something to me. And now I'm stuck in this dark, dreary room. I have
nothing left to live for! I want to die! I've had enough of this prison. Take me
home."
But then God spoke to her as clear as possible. He said, "I'm not through with
you yet, Myrtie. Write to prisoners."
So she wrote a letter and sent it to the Atlanta Penitentiary. And this is what
the letter said: "Dear inmate. I am a grandmother who loves and cares for you. I
am willing to be a friend. If you'd like to hear from me, write me. I will
answer every letter you write. A Christian friend, Grandmother Howell."
The letter was given to the prison chaplain. And he gave her the names of eight
prisoners she could write to. Prison Fellowship gave her some more names. Soon,
she was corresponding with up to 40 inmates a day. She became a one woman
ministry reaching into prisons all over America.
She said, "I thought my life was over. But these past few years have been the
most fulfilling years of my life! I thank Prison Fellowship! And most of all, I
thank Jesus!" Myrtie Howell became a great missionary for God. Out of a one room
apartment.
No matter what circumstances you find yourself, the Lord can use you for His
glory. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that as long as you are on the earth, He
can use you for His glory.
"No matter where you live. Or what your situation is like. God can still do
wonderful things through your life. As long as your heart is still beating. And
your blood is still pumping, Jesus Christ is not through with you." - Marc
Axelrod
God's Word: "Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the
righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me." - Psalm 142:7
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2005, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN ACTS
pkennedy6@yahoo.com