Kairos Prison Ministry - Montford Unit

Have you been cut to the heart?

In Acts 2:29-39 the Apostle Peter said: “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’
“Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

So, the question is. Have I been cut to the heart?
As Peter explained because of mankind’s sin nature we are all born in corruption which means that we will all see death. But Christ Jesus did not stay in the grave but was raised from the dead with an incorruptible body that will never die. 1 Corinthians 15:53-57 says: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, the question is do I want to live in sin and corruption or do I want to surrender my life to Christ accepting His sacrifice that brings Salvation that is incorruptible? In other words, have I been cut to the heart and have I faced the truth that I am a sinner in need of a Savior? That I am completely bankrupt in my sin and that I am unable to save myself? That in fact it is because of my Sin that Christ Jesus had to die on the cross because without His sacrifice I would have no hope of forgiveness or salvation from my sins of any kind?

Dear Lord, thank you for paying the price for my sins that I am unable to pay and for defeating death so that I can live with You in a personal relationship that will be incorruptible. Please forgive me of all my sins as I humbly submit and surrender my heart and life before You by faith believing that You are able and willing to forgive and take away the stain of sin that corrupts my life. Please fill me with the gift of the Holy Spirit and seal my heart in Yours in a loving eternal relationship as I willingly surrender before You.
In Christ Jesus Name I Pray Amen!

Is Christ Jesus always before your face?
Acts 2:22-28 says: 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover, my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

So, the question is, Is Christ Jesus always before my face?

The bible tells us that King David was a man after God’s own heart. I think that this verse clearly demonstrates why God felt this way about David. Which begs the question, am I living in such a way that Christ Jesus is always before my face? Is Christ Jesus at my right hand, that I may not be shaken and does my heart rejoice? Living as a follower of Christ is so more than just confessing Christ as Savior, attending church and being baptized. It is an act of complete surrender where in you willingly choose to live in obedience to Christ Jesus submitting to His authority and rule as King David did. It is trusting in and living in His presence seeking Christ Jesus daily in a personal relationship with Him through bible study and prayer no matter what happens each day either good or bad. It is resting in His hope and being fulfilled with the fullness of joy that is primarily found only in His presence. So, am I living a life that is Christ centered in all that I do? Am I desiring and allowing Christ Jesus to be always before my face? Or am I just too busy, tired or distracted with sin and the things of this world to allow or want Christ Jesus to make me full of joy in His presence?

Dear Lord, thank you for showing ne the importance of surrendering my whole life and heart before You as an act of obedient love just as King David did. Please forgive me for the times when I am just too busy, tired or distracted with sin and the things of this world to spend time in Your presence. Please strengthen me in the Holy Spirit and give me a heart like King David's so that I will continually seek and desire to have You always before my face.
In Christ Jesus Name I Pray Amen!

Have You actually called on the name of the Lord?

Acts 2: 14-21 says: But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and v***r of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

So, the question is, have I actually called on the name of the Lord?
So, have I called on the name of the Lord (unto salvation)? Has the Holy Spirit been poured out into my heart and life by the Lord so that I am now a changed person, a born-again new creature in Christ? Many people when asked if they are a Christ follower will immediately profess that they are Christians but the Christ Jesus that they name as their savior is just a historical figure to them and is not a Christ Jesus that they actually put their faith and trust in to save them. One person that I spoke with that had professed a belief in Christ, basing his salvation solely on the fact that he had attended a Baptist Church since he was a little child and admitted that he had never actually asked Christ Jesus to save him. Another person professed Christ as his savior but also wrongly believed that every other religion in the world also leads to salvation by God through their own religious beliefs. Some others said that they were Christians because they had recited a sinner’s prayer but they lacked even a rudimentary understanding of what the scriptures say in relation to being born again in Christ. Some were living in such a way as to be indistinguishable from that of the world. So, the question is am I living in such a way that Christ Jesus is plainly evident within me? Do I actually know Him and He knows me in a personal life changing relationship? Have I actually called on Christ Jesus to save me with both my mouth and my heart? Romans 10:9,10 says “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Or do I just know about Him superficially using his name like a piece of jewelry that I wear on special occasions?

Dear Lord, thank you for showing me the importance of calling on Your name Christ Jesus unto salvation and that it is an act of surrender and repentance before You by faith trusting in Your righteousness to save me instead of my own. Please forgive me for the times that I have lived superficially in my relationship with You. Please pour the out Your Holy Spirit on me and through me completely so that I will no longer live as I did before but will instead live for You as one who has truly called on the name of the Lord and has been saved. In Christ Jesus Name I Pray Amen!

What are people saying about you?

In Acts 2:1-13 says: When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

So, the question is what are people saying about me?

You might think that this is an odd question in light of the scripture that is talking about the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit, but if you stop and think about it what do people say about you? Did you notice in the scriptures that some were marveling and some were mocking the disciples and the work of the Holy Spirit that was being performed through them? So, am I filled with the Holy Spirit walking in obedience to God's word? Am I praying for people and seeking opportunities to share Christ with others as the Holy Spirit gives me utterance? Am I living in such a way that I stand out from the crowd so that I am defined by others not as one who is like everyone else but as someone who is different, a Christ Follower?

Dear Lord, thank you for showing me that obedience to Your will and word is not always easy or pleasant and that there will be times that I will face being mocked and persecuted for my faith in You. Please forgive me for the many times that I have not lived like one who is filled with the Holy Spirit, doing worldly sinful things that did not Glorify You. Please strengthen me in the Holy Spirit and help me to live each day as a committed Christ Follower in complete obedience to Your will and word. Please use me Lord God as You see fit to pray for others and to share the love of Christ with all those around me with great boldness and without fear as the Holy Spirit leads and guides.”
In Christ Jesus Name I Pray Amen!

Are you numbered with Christ and what kind of part are you taking in His ministry?

Acts 1:15-26 says:
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

So the question is, am I numbered with Christ and what kind of part am I taking in His ministry?

As noted within the scriptures Peter briefly references Judas’ betrayal of Christ Jesus and recounts his demise with references to Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8. As you should note from the scripture Peter identifies the need for someone else to be numbered as one of the Apostles in order to fulfil the part of the ministry that was vacated by Judas. Within the account we see two people that were both numbered and chosen to take part in this ministry. The first is Judas the betrayer and the second took his place in ministry. So the question is am I numbered with Christ and what kind of part do I have in His ministry? In other words, am I living more like Judas who was consumed with the things of this world or am I focused on Christ Jesus as one who is actively involved in His ministry? The name Matthais means “Gift of God” so am I being a gift of God by sharing and pouring out the Love of Christ to those that I come in contact with daily? Or am I living like Judas who was more concerned about himself and his personal desires than that of Christ Jesus? Although, we don’t know much about Matthais it is believed that he was likely one of the 72 that appointed and sent out to preach by Jesus in Luke 10:1 and that as an Apostle it is believed that he traveled to Turkey and possibly Ethiopia. It is also believed that he was martyred in some fashion just as all the others except John.

Dear Lord God, thank you for showing me the importance of focusing my heart and life on you and not on the things of this world. Please forgive me for the many times that I have allowed my focus to be on worldly things that are of little to no consequence to Your kingdom. Please fill and empower me with the Holy Spirit and help me to stay focused on You and your will for me. Please help me to love You and others in such a way that I will be a gift of God to others as the Holy Spirit leads and guides.
I Christ Jesus I Pray Amen!

Are you praying to God in one accord with supplication?

Acts 1:12-14 says: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

So the question is, am I praying to God in one accord with supplication?

In other words, am I praying for God’s will to be done in all things in alignment with the Word of God and am I praying for my daily needs with an expectation that my prayers will be heard and answered by God? As noted more than 60 times throughout the scriptures, Prayer and supplication are often referenced together and are closely related as they are both forms of reverence and invocation to God. So, am I praying in such a way that my prayers are in one accord with God’s will without vain murmurings and repetitions? And am I praying with supplication just like Jesus instructs us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, which is a prayer that humbly addresses my needs as well as my belief and trust that God will meet and fulfill them? Additionally, in Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells us not to give up praying for what we need. The book of James states that: on the one hand, I do not receive because I do not ask (James 4:2) which is not praying with supplication. And on the other hand, I ask and do not receive because I am thinking only of my fleshly desires (James 4:3) which is praying out of alignment with God’s will and word. So am I reverently bringing everything to God in prayer being careful to pray in one accord with His will and word or am I praying against the will of God by praying for things that go against what the scripture teaches? Or am I humbly coming before God with all my needs with a faith filled expectation and trust He will provide what I need?

Dear Lord God, thank you for showing me the importance of praying in one accord and supplication trusting You to guide me and meet my needs in accordance with your will and word. Please forgive me for the many times that I have failed to come to you in prayer or when I have prayed amiss by praying for things that were not aligned with Your word and will. Please strengthen and guide me through the Holy Spirit to bring everything to You in prayer, praying in one accord and with supplication, trusting in You to answer my prayers in accordance with Your will and Word.

In Christ Jesus Name I Pray Amen!

What are you looking at and what are you focused on?

Acts 1:9-11 says: Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

So, the question is what am I looking at and what am focused on?

In other words, am I only looking at my circumstances, problems or myself or am I focused on Christ Jesus and my relationship with Him and the things of the Kingdom of God? It is often very easy to look at my own current circumstances and problems wondering what I should do next just like the apostles were doing as they watched Christ Jesus ascend into Heaven. Am I focused on pouring out the Love of Christ Jesus to those around me as the Holy Spirit leads and guides? Or am I just living for myself by being consumed with the daily cares and passions of life, only looking upon Jesus from afar as one who is no longer focused on Christ and His will for me? Romans 12: 9-16 provides some areas to focus on in our relationship and service for Christ Jesus. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Dear Lord God, thank you for showing me the importance of being focused on You and your Kingdom instead of the things of this World. Please forgive me for the times that I treated you as one who was far from me, living for myself, being consumed in my own desires, pleasures, and circumstances instead of being in a close and focused relationship with You. Please strengthen me in the Holy Spirit and help me to seek after You and your will for me in a focused and intentional relationship that walks in Love and obedience to your will and word in all things as the Holy Spirit leads and guides.

In Christ Jesus I Pray Amen!

Are you baptized in the Holy Spirit?

Acts 1:1-8 says: The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

So, the question is, am I baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Did you notice that Christ Jesus identified that in the same way that people were baptized by John the Baptist so shall the Lord baptize in the Holy Spirit those that have repented and surrendered their lives to Christ Jesus? So, have I been baptized in the Holy Spirit? In other words, just as those that came to be baptized by John have, I repented and surrendered my life to Christ in willing obedience? Have I allowed God to baptize me in the Holy Spirit by submitting to His authority and will in my life? Am I allowing Christ Jesus to use me as a vessel that is fit for His kingdom by each day living for Him? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. So, am I listening and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit allowing Him to lead and guide me? Am I living in such a way that I am not quenching the work of the Holy Spirit in my life because I am engaged in willful sin and self-centered behaviors?

Dear Lord, thank you for imparting the gift of the Holy Spirit into the lives of all those who put their trust in and surrender their hearts to You as Savior and Lord. Please forgive me for the times that I have quenched the presence of the Holy Spirit through my sinful and selfish behavior. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me to guard my heart from evil by being careful about what I am watching, reading, and doing so that I will not engage in things that quench the work of the Holy Spirit or negatively impact my relationship with You. Please help me to be loving, patient and kind waiting on the Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me and help me to communicate and share the love of Christ to those around me as Holy Spirit directs?
In Christ Jesus Name I pray Amen!

Here is the Schedule for our next Kairos Inside Event

Reminder about the recruiting meeting for Kairos this Saturday, January 20th from 11-1 at Victory Life church 12401 slide Rd
Lubbock Tx 79424.
This is just a short instructional meeting for people that want more info about the ministry and may be interested in serving with us
Let us know if you’re able to make it so we have a head count for food. Hope to see you there!

On Monday Evenings our Montford Kairos Prison Ministry team facilitates Prayer and Share events at the Montford Unit. Thank you Bill Ketchem for your dedicated efforts in pouring out the Love of Christ Jesus to the Brothers in White.

The great Inmate Christmas Bag event last Saturday with Freedom In Jesus Ministries went fantastic, with 1900 Inmates blessed with Christmas bags that included a pair of socks, toothpaste, soap, goodies and gospel tracts. The Montford Unit as well as several county jails and correctional facilities throughout the west Texas region received these Christmas Care packages. It was such a blessing to be a part of this effort.

Good Morning everyone. This coming weekend Freedom in Jesus Ministries will be packaging and providing Christmas Bags to 1,900 inmates in prisons and jails across the west Texas region. The date and time for Christmas sacks. Setup 12/8 @ 5 p.m. Pack sacks 12/9 @ 9 a.m. all at Glad Tidings Church. We have been asked if we would be interested in participating by providing Kairos cookies for this effort. I spoke with Mike Fox to see if we could provide cookies and unfortunately the Kairos Ministry account is not able to assist with this effort. We can get 32 boxes with 60 each prepackaged cookies at Sam's Club for $486 which will provide 1900+ cookies. We can also provide a personalized Kairos Prison Ministry Gospel message Tract for all 1900 inmate produced for $267. So I am asking for your financial assistance with this. Anything that you can give would be helpful. We need to collect all the funds for this by this Thursday if possible so that I can go get the cookies purchased etc. Please mail a check To Kairos Prison Ministry PO Box 65822 4901 South Loop 289 Lubbock TX 79464 or call me at 806-471-2286 and I will meet with you to collect your money. Also if you are available to volunteer to pack and and or distribute the Christmas bags please join us. Thank you all for your invaluable assistance and support. God Bless You

Day 2 of Kairos Inside #46 requires an early start at 5:00am. We are very excited to see what God does in the lives of the brothers in White. Please pray for them and us.

Kairos Inside #46 is underway. Please pray for the Brothers in white who are attending and for our Kairos Prison Ministry team who are ministering to them. Here are some pictures of us getting ready to go into the prison.

Kairos Inside #46 is officially underway. The Kairos inside training and preparation meetings dates and times are as follows:
September 16 9am to 3:30 pm
September 30th 9am to 3:30 pm
October 14 9am to 3:30 pm
October 28 9am to 3:30 pm
We will meet at The Worship Center located at 12701 Indiana Ave Lubbock, TX 79423.
The Kairos inside event weekend at the Montford unit is scheduled for November 2-5.
If you are interested in participating on the inside or providing assistance from the outside for Kairos Inside #46 please feel free attend these meetings or reach out to Harry Wise at 806-471-2286 for more information. Men, women and families are all welcome to join us in pouring out the Love of Christ to the Brothers in White at the Montford Unit.
Also Kairos Prison Ministry has a new Post Office Box. If you would like to give financially to this ministry please mail your tax deductible donations to:
Kairos prison ministry
P.O. Box 65822
Lubbock Tx 79464

Our Kairos Inside #46 kickoff meeting was an amazing success and we had a great turn out. We will be posting the Kairos inside #46 training schedule and the Kairos inside event dates shortly. We welcome anyone would like to join us in ministering to the brothers in white at the Montford Unit. As you can see this is not just a men's only ministry we also need your wives and families to help us in pouring out the love of Christ to these inmates who so badly need Christ's love and His salvation poured out upon them. Please feel free to reach out and leave a message on this face book page if you would like to be involved or to donate to this ministry need. God Bless You and thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ to these men at the Montford Unit.

This is Tanner Smith and Kairos prison ministry is meeting on Upland at Trinity Fellowship for recruiting on August 11. It’s a Friday from 7pm to 9pm will be serving pulled pork sandwiches beans, potato salad and drinks. If you’re interested on being a part of this ministry or just joining with us please come! I am the next leader, and I am inviting anyone to come out and be a part of changing the lives of those that are inside the prison.if I would love for you to come out and be a part of this ministry. You can come hear some testimony. And enjoy the food.
God bless you. If would like to come please let me know so we know how much food to make .

We are looking for a strong unified team for our next Kairos event at the Montford Unit here in Lubbock. Please let Tanner know if you are interested. Trinity Fellowship Church is at 10326 Upland Ave. Tanner is praying for 30 to 40 of you to sign up. I promise you will be blessed! Please either message me on messenger or drop me a comment!