A lady came to Honey Lake Church Sunday and she sought me out to tell me that this was her first visit to Honey Lake. She looked around and said in a rather haughty tone, “Well it certainly looks like crime does pay after all”; this was an obvious reference to my early life. I just smiled at her and thought, “If you only knew how hard I’ve worked since coming to Christ . . .”
She’d read my book and I suppose that she resented the fact that God had blessed me a common criminal and scumbag. Oddly we’d just discussed this attitude in Bible study. Grace does defy human logic. I don’t understand it and can’t say I ever will. In our class we talked about the parable in which Jesus told of a man who hired people to work in his fields beginning early in the day. He kept hiring throughout the day right up until the end. When they were finished, he paid them all the exact same wages.
Now some of them were very indignant and stated that it wasn’t fair for him to pay those who only worked for a short time the same amount that he’d paid to those who had been there working all day. The Master stated that he’d paid them all the amount that he promised and what was it to them if he wanted to pay someone else the same thing or for that matter even more.
It reminds me of the criminal on the cross who received eternal salvation while still on the cross after his deathbed confession, calling on the name of the Lord, and his anguished plea for mercy. He received his reward because Jesus had mercy on him; not because he did anything good. Doing good deeds doesn’t get you into heaven. That achievement comes through the mercy and compassion of Christ through His sacrifice on the cross.
I decided to follow Christ instead of the world. That is what pays big dividends in life and not crime. God does however use bad things to accomplish good things. After speaking to the girls living at Mercy Ministries in Nashville the other day, the founder Nancy Alcorn sent me a ton of comments, some of which are listed below from “her girls”.
- Wow, he was so inspiring. He was scooped out of the gutter and put his faith in God, and ended up in the Kingdom of God. I really was drawn to his humor. Perfect day!
- I loved that his solution to everything is reading the Bible! That is something that more people need to really take to heart. I know it sounds so cliché to say ‘go read the Bible’, but that is what we need to do! I am so glad that he stressed the importance of reading the Bible.
- Bob Williamson’s testimony was so touching and inspiring. It’s definitely helped me see some things differently about myself and my life. It was helpful to have a real person in front of me who has been to hell and back and is now a changed a successful person, because of having faith in God. It shows me I can do that too, if I just trust in Him and surrender control. I liked how he defines success: not by power or wealth, but by having peace, love, and joy. We can only find that success through Jesus. I also liked his analogy with the car mirrors; that looking in the small rear-view mirror, is like looking in the past and looking through the windshield, is like looking to the future. It’s bigger, brighter, and welcoming. Another thing I learned, was that God sees you as what you’ll become, not what you are now. That really spoke to me. I had never thought of it like that before. My favorite part was when he said that we have to put on the armor of God when temptations arise, which includes prayer, daily Bible readings and fellowship with other Christians. Overall, it was an amazing talk and it has really made me rethink things and really want to change.
- One thing that really amazed me was how he said 82% of people have no hope at all. I just saw how truly blessed I am to have this hope of recovery and now life given to me. It really shocked me because so many people proclaim to be Christians yet still live hopeless lives. It breaks my heart and makes me want to be a vessel to share the hope of Christ.
- His story was deep. It spoke to me a lot. I wouldn’t even believe that he experienced so much.
- It encouraged me so much because no matter what you’ve done God will forgive you. It also made me realize you can be successful no matter what.
- His testimony was the true result of Jeremiah 29:11, (For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope). Something that I’ve always wanted to do is prison ministry. He’s a good man.
- He truly has the peace of the Lord and it is an encouragement. He seems to have lots of wisdom. I love that even though his life hasn’t been great, he is a strong Christian. It makes me feel like there’s still hope.
- The main thing I got from the speaker is undeserved grace. It may sound rude, but in our human minds, he doesn’t deserve the prosperity he’s been given. Like the criminal next to Jesus on the cross, but God had grace on him and restored him twenty or a thousand fold. So yeah, I guess from this, I just saw a clear image of grace. I was humbled to think of the Roman soldiers gambling over Jesus’ clothes. Literally anything He was leaving the earth with. He has a very powerful story.
- He had a really powerful story and I’m glad I was able to hear this today. I feel blessed when we get to have speakers come to share their stories with us.
- It was such an encouragement. My story isn’t nearly as intense, so it makes me so happy to know God will bless me. He looks away from the past. I also loved how he always brought it back to God.
- Bob Williamson has made me think about how my life isn’t as screwed up as I think it is and how anybody can be turned around. It is never too late. There is nothing that you can do to have success. The only way you can attain success is though Jesus Christ. As bad as our story is, there is always someone worse off than you.
- I loved him! I really liked when he told about the guy who was saved the day before he was sentenced to death. That was a very beautiful story and it touched my heart. Also, I liked how he was sharing how story and just completely himself. I really want to read a Miracle on Luckie Street.
- I liked how he was completely honest about what he’s been through and did.
- His story is so powerful and really brought a new way for me to look at the gospel. He was amazing and I can’t wait to read his book and give it to my brother.
- His testimony is nothing short of inspirational and extremely encouraging. I just love hearing about rock bottoms and how different people get through it by choosing Christ. My favorite thing he said was, “You can build your empire here on earth or you can build your empire in heaven.” I loved that because so many times we get pulled into materialistic highs that in no way will benefit us in real life God has for us after this one. If it weren’t for people brave enough to share their stories like Bob Williamson, we’d lack the great amount of hope we have now. I really appreciated his story.
- I really enjoyed hearing about His troubles as a teen. I like hearing people’s stories and realizing that I didn’t have it as bad as I thought. It gave me hope that if he can walk free, so can I.
- It gave me more hope and it just really encouraged me.
- At first he scared me with his story but as he opened up, his heart started to resemble my grandfather. My whole life my grandfather has been my role model. So, being able to hear Bob’s story was encouraging and peaceful because it put me in an open, comfortable place.
- I really loved listening to Bob’s story. I am amazed by how God can change people’s lives. I mean if he can change Bob’s life, then I believe he can change mine. I really hope I get to read his book.
- I really liked his statement about not getting stuck looking in the rearview mirror but looking through the front windshield where you have a lot more to look forward to. I also love how he gives God all the credit for the success he has in his life.
- I loved that he was so raw with telling his story. He didn’t sugarcoat it and try to make us think that just because we have Jesus Christ in our lives things will always be easy. He was real about it and expressed it is still hard at times, but way better than it was without God.
- His testimony smacked me in the face. It really challenged my perspective. I just need to suck it up, quit whining, and follow the Lord and work on changing with my all because it is what I want, and also turn to the word. Honestly, I want the word to be my best friend just like he said the Bible is his best friend.
- His sharing mean a lot to me. I really liked when he said, “Don’t look at the past, look at the future.
Crime does not pay, but following Christ does and this sampling of letters demonstrates the best day’s wages one could ever want. The Kingdom of God begins here and now and continues throughout eternity. Its rewards are immeasurable.
This week I will visit not one but two prison events whereby I will be afforded the opportunity to share my testimony with men and women who have lost all hope. God willing some of them will open their ears, eyes, and hearts and see God. It will enable them to understand that we can indeed do all things through Christ who strengthens us provided we will follow Him and not the world.
Matt. 20:9
So the last shall be first, and the first last.”
May 27, 2014 – Click here to listen