Journal: August 5, 2010

We held a yard service this evening headed by brothers Danny and Terry. It was a wonderful time of praise. At least forty attended. Many are lost but in some sense seeking the Lord, though the Scripture says there are none who seek God (Romans 3). Perhaps God is drawing them. The prison has canceled all evening chapel services and Bible classes so we must meet outside. We prayed for our families and trust God will provide for them, protect them and comfort them.

Journal: August 4, 2010

Brother Seth brought a fine message on the necessity of teaching sound doctrine by which we were all edified. There is much poor doctrine preached here by untaught and unstable people who twist the Scriptures (II Peter 3:16).

Journal: August 3, 2010

After spending a rich time with the Lord this morning, I felt led to write another devotional base don Hebrews 12:3, “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” After several hours of work, it was completed. The next day I was able to show it to two brothers, one especially undergoing intense persecution by so-called “brothers” in the faith, and he was greatly encouraged in spirit.

Journal: July 28-August 2

Friends,

The days mentioned above have been quiet spiritually since our activities (Bible studies, chapel, and yard devotions) have been curtailed due to shortage of staff. This stops the feeding of the Flock to some extent. It would be sad if this continues, not to mention restrictiveness and discomfort of being locked down so much. Please pray the prison system and state is relieved of its budget problems.

I received a refreshing letter from sister Simone in Germany, reporting on how the Lord is working there. Despite persecution by the Catholic Church, Pastor Goetzen’s church received 30 sign-ups for their summer children’s camp. This is the largest number for them and all because the Lord used the newspaper and persecution to bring this true church to people’s notice. Pray many would come to Christ through this ministry.

Yesterday (Sunday) we were locked down all day and evening. I was able to spend about five hours in the Word preparing a one-page devotion on an aspect of suffering which I shall include in my book. It was on the trial of abandonment and being forsaken. The text was from Psalm 31:11 and I included 13 more Scripture references. It takes a lot of labor to prepare one devotional. First the Lord seems to bring the text to mind as I read. Then, I pray asking Him for insight on its meaning and how to bring out its message. I try to empathize with one who might be going through this type of trial (which is not too difficult since having lost my family, freedom, job, possessions and more). Then I include comfort, Bible illustrations, and encouragement. Hopefully all this will comfort a downtrodden saint and help them place their thoughts and perspective on the Lord and off their circumstances.

Today we were allowed outside and I was able to practice the violin for several hours. The Lord continues to work with me in many areas and I am grateful. By areas I mean: patience and contentment in whatever He allows to happen that day; thankfulness, even for the small trials of disappointment and discouragement; and in being satisfied in Him alone, His presence and fellowship, and not in accomplishing tasks and being busy throughout the day. As the Psalmist said, “And besides You, I desire nothing on earth” (Ps 73:25).

Lord willing, I will be able to preach in three chapels this month. There are several unbelievers the Lord has brought to my acquaintance and I want to share the Gospel with them. Please pray for Hong and his friend, George, and several others.

The Lord has been faithful in every way in my prison trial. Though there have been many hardships, He has always provided and protected. His grace has always been sufficient. He has always been near, real, comforting, patient and most kind. May He be praised!

May the Lord richly bless you, dear friends.

Journal: July 27, 2010

Today we are allowed outside and I am so grateful the Lord heard my prayers. I even received a shower. Spent much time on Greek this evening. Every day demands my total dependence on the Lord. I have no control and must rest in His providential plans. These are difficult lessons to learn, but are required if I want to learn contentment. It would be torture to be discontent in prison. It helps to know many are praying for me. May God bless you all.

Journal: July 26, 2010

We are also locked down all day. I became very discouraged for I had hoped to get out for some walking and fresh air and succeed in going to the store. My prayers reflected this discouragement but about 1PM, I was informed I would be let out for the store only. I quickly confessed my poor attitude. The Lord was gracious to me today. I received two letters from dear saints with 60 stamps enclosed! I had needed stamps and the Lord provided beforehand without me asking these folks.

Journal: July 25, 2010

We are locked down all day. I spent the day with the Lord, in the Word, and prayer. I am greatly inspirited by George Muller’s autobiography.

Journal: July 23, 2010

Because of the shortage of staff (of officers), they are limiting our activity outside our cells. We experience long days of lock-down which eliminates our chapel services, yard Bible studies, exercise, violin practice, everything. Please pray the state adopts a budget and we return to normal. It is very difficult for me to be locked up all day/night.

Journal: July 22, 2010

After standing for hours in the hot sun, I was not able to go to the prison store due to too many of us in line. We are allowed to fill out a sheet and submit it once a month to buy some food items. It is like only being able to go to Food4Less once a month but having to stay outside while someone fills your order. I am very grateful whenever I do get in.

Journal: July 21, 2010

Our yard devotional service in the evening is growing. The goal is to “feed the sheep” in an atmosphere of love and fellowship. The men are attending and I believe they are being fed. There is usually from 15 to 20, and most are truly born-again. I selected 10 different men to rotate as speakers. This is giving them opportunity to speak before others. My only desire is that they bring “solid food.” Seth and Tom are among them. They themselves are growing in their own faith as they rise to the task. The Lord is blessing us in so many ways.

Journal: July 20, 2010

We are locked down today so I constructed a new daily schedule so I will use my time better. Pray I stick to the schedule because I know God will be more pleased with it.

I was able to see the eye doctor and my eyes are fine, for which I am thankful to the Lord.

Journal: July 19, 2010

Friends, the Lord blessed me with two days of violin practice because the Rabbi assigned to our yard graciously allowed me to practice in the Chapel when he comes. I am preparing for a concert, possibly in August called “Bach to Beatles,” including other classical composers. Of course, you know what Beethoven is doing now….he’s “decomposing.” :-)

You may think it a small thing to play an instrument, but to do so in prison ins a major blessing from the Lord because it is uncommon (except for guitars). When I relate to you the things I get to do (visits, violin, preach the Word, etc.) I am really trying to give glory to God for His grace and blessing and mercy to me, so…to God be the glory!!

This evening, I received a nice letter from Germany, from Angela, a faithful former student who reminds me of Ruth in the Bible. She is very grown in the Lord and is concerned with bringing the Gospel to young people in different places in Europe. May the Lord bless you, Angela. She sent me some photos of a town I used to live in when my dad was stationed in Germany. Her family is also faithful to pray for my prison ministry. Pray for her family’s ministry in Oelde.

Journal: July 17, 2010

Today is Saturday and the Lord blessed me with a visit from my faithful and very kind brothers Ed, Komy, and Stephen (who had to wait in the car because of a mix-up). These men sacrificed their entire day, leaving their wives and children and responsibilities to come and spend time with me. This is truly sacrificial love the Lord spoke about in John 13:35. I remember the verse where our Lord said, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Thank you, dear friends, for your encouraging visit. Your fellowship breathes life into me and spurs me on to minister to the men here in prison. You are, as Paul said, fellow laborers with me here at Corcoran.

Journal: July 13, 2010

Dear Friends,

It has been a wonderful day in the Lord! I was able to go to the yard this morning and enjoy a nice morning before the heat came. It was 97 today and will be 106 in a few days. This goes on through August. I am grateful for the swamp cooling and my fan.

I spent the late morning preparing for my sermon I was able to give in the afternoon. I spent quite ea bit of prayer on it both praying God would direct me in preparing it and that He would touch the hearts of the men who would hear it. It was based on 2 Cor. 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you.” But the sermon was on how we can hinder this all-sufficient grace by having three wrong attitudes (sins):
1) an unthankful heart (not thanking God for this trial);
2) a complaining spirit; and
3) not being prayerfully dependent on the Lord.

The Lord blessed the sermon from what the men said and I am grateful.

Then this evening, one of the brothers who was to give the devotion on the yard, could not, so I substituted for him bringing a message on how to deal with anger. This of course, has been an area I have needed to grow in, but the Lord gave me wisdom through His word.

This morning, at 4:30am, brother Tim was taken away and it was a sad time. He will go to another prison and we will not likely see him ever again until heaven. He has been a bright spot on this yard for nearly 5 years.

Last evening, we all gathered on the yard to pray. There were about 17 of us and we prayed for our families (mine included) and for many other things. Some of the men are going through such tragedies, but their spirits are still very sweet in the Lord. I am thankful God placed me around such wonderful brothers in the Lord. Though I long to be free and with my family, I am grateful to the Lord for all He is doing in here., in my own heart, and on this yard for His glory.

Journal: July 9, 2010

Dear Friends,

It is very hot today but the Lord brought a nice breeze so the morning yard time was pleasant. Yesterday there was such blessing from the Lord. He allowed me to instruct some brothers in eschatology, and they were very much encouraged. In the evening, I was able to preach to a filled chapel a sermon I had spent hours preparing on the Gospel. It contained 3 points: The disease-sin; the cure—Jesus Christ; and the action—repent and believe. I interwove my own testimony with the sermon as an illustration. The room was filled with unbelievers as well as believers so this was sort of a “crusade” service. It was well-received even though I spent much time on sin contrasted with the holiness of God. The Lord blessed the evening and I pray will use it to convict many and turn to Christ. I practiced pitching today in preparation for our game on Sunday. Sad news: brother Tim P. is leaving for another prison Tuesday. I may never see him again until Heaven. Such is prison and this trial of my refinement. -- DG

Facebook Group

Dear Friends of David,

I'm not sure if you all are aware, but there is a Facebook group called Friends and Supporters of David G. Gray If you're on Facebook, please join us!

And pass the word, invite your friends! :-)

(I've also added a link on the bar to the right for future reference.)

Thanks!

Journal: July 5, 2010

This was a very blessed day. The Lord opened our doors to the yard and I was able to go to the chapel and practice the violin all day while the Rabbi was meeting with his men. I met with a Christian brother, David S., and we had great fellowship over the Word. We gave thanks to God for how He is using the affliction of prison in both of our lives to help us grow into a deeper relationship with the Lord and to learn lessons we never could have. Later this evening, he gave an excellent devotion on the yard to about 17 hungry believers.

This evening I have prepared a Bible study I shall give tomorrow morning, Lord willing, to several men greatly desirous to learn more about eschatology and our Lord’s return. I am also scheduled to preach tomorrow in chapel. I will preach on 2 Cor. 12:9 and what the condition of the heart must be in order to receive God’s all sufficient grace in trials. I will also have to prepare Thursday’s message for the night chapel which is filled with unbelievers who are searching for truth. I will preach the Gospel and include my own testimony. It is such an honor for me to be able to be used of the Lord. I pray I would be faithful to the task. I was also blessed today with a package fro my faithful and loving brother, Don.

We also, this evening, prayed for some sisters in Christ who are in a Tijuana jail. We are sending them stationary (from Deanna and Charlene) and some stamps. These sisters have far less than we do in our U.S. prison. Please pray for them. The Lord bless you.