Insights from the Inside: a Convict Looks at James

By Vern Presswood

Written without benefit of a college education, readers will find this study to be relatable and easy to understand. This was written by someone in prison for those in prison. This project started as a newsletter mailed to five people, but it grew.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664299511

Vern Presswood

The grandson of a pastor accepts Christ at the age of seven, only to struggle with, and fall into, intense temptation. He graduated from a Christian school after studying every Bible course offered, only to walk away from God. Years of pretending, being a youth pastor, and filling pulpits in the midwest were for nought. Incarceration brought him back to God.

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 Vern Presswood.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system

without the written permission of the author except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of

the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of

people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,

and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9950-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9952-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9951-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023908558

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/20/2023

Acknowledgements

I owe a vast debt of gratitude to the many people who encouraged me in the completion of this project. Pastor Brenda and Sister Shirley led the Bible study at Dodge Correctional where Bill, Ken, Paul, and Don encouraged me to begin writing a newsletter that I would later call the Prodigal Post. My mother, Sue Weindorf, encouraged me and processed the hard copies for the inmates across the USA. The members of Men’s Deeper Truth who held me accountable for progress in the compilation and editing. My employer let me know how important it was to finally fulfil a dream and, hopefully, further the cause of Christ. Also a big thank you for all those who wrote offering support and encouragement while I struggled with the thought that the work was futile and ineffective. My wife was an endless source of strength and patience, and supported me in this project, too.

Introduction

This is a compilation of personal devotions that I wrote while in prison. One of the most difficult things with which to deal while in prison is loneliness. I have lived it for several years. Another thing is the feeling of shame and worthlessness. I battled this for quite a while as well. The truth is that God has a plan for every life. Jesus Christ died for the sins of each of us, every sin. None of us are beyond redemption, if lost, or reconciliation and restoration, if born again.

Scripture is full of the Lord using imperfect people to accomplish His will. Jacob was a schemer, yet he is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Moses was a murderer. David, a man after God’s own heart, committed adultery and murder. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth was a Gentile widow, which would make her nearly an outcast at her young age. Matthew was a tax collector. God used them all, and He can use you and I also.

Whether your prison is literal or made up of a long series of poor choices, God can open prison doors and loose whatever has you bound. Though written for those incarcerated, the truth contained in Scripture applies to everyone. I consider myself to be an average guy. I am not an authority on Scripture. The pages contain the insights that I had, personally, while studying the book of James.

My goal is simply this: to give people an opportunity to hear the truth and to encourage all Christians to study the Bible for themselves. Only by opening the Scriptures can we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into a greater understanding and insight. God’s Word will prepare us for anything God wants us to do (II Timothy 3:16-17). We are told to try the spirits in I John 4:1. II Timothy 2:15 tells us to study in order to improve ourselves.

Please take some time to evaluate your relationship with Christ. Ask Him to create within you an earnest desire for His Word and renew your commitment to study the Bible.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

28295.png

Why? That is a question that Christians and children find irresistible. We are to be joyful when confronted by sinful thoughts or desires. There is no simple answer, although by reading the Scriptures, we can find some answers. James gives us the first reason in v3. …the trying (testing) of your faith worketh patience… We learn to be patient with ourselves because we are human, and with others because we are no better than them.

Romans 5:3-4 says And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Here, Paul tells us that tribulations are the beginning of a process by which we gain. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 we read Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. Yet, patience is the result of trials and tribulations.

The second reason for joy is the confirmation that we are doing right. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the whole armor of God to oppose the devil and his tricks. If you are not in the army, you have no fear of the battlefield. Satan uses his wiles on those who are committed to living right and fighting him. Job was a righteous man, and that is the reason he was selected for his tribulations. We have all heard and experienced spiritual warfare, though many may be unaware of it.

When you look at Brother Bob’s new car and ‘know’ that he bought it to show off – that is spiritual warfare. When you give in to the temptation to believe evil of someone, you only reveal your own weakness. When you see Sister Betty organizing all the potlucks or extra functions in the church and walk away because ‘she has to be in the middle of everything’ – that is spiritual warfare.

Spiritual warfare is more than praying for society or the government to improve, more than the ‘holy wars’ in which religion uses a god as an excuse to eliminate the opposition. It can be a very personal war waged deep within your soul for control of your body and mind. (Romans 7:15-25, 8:1-10)

Paul outlines the problem in Romans chapter 7 then reveals the answer in chapter 8. The problem is conflict between the desire of the heart to pursue spiritual things and the desire of the flesh to pursue sensual things. Christ is the answer. By the death on the cross, Christ set us free from slavery to sin.

The third cause for joy in temptation is that we do not have to fail. We have a choice (Romans 12:1-2). 1 Corinthians 10:13 says There hath no temptation taken you but such is as common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God always provides a way out. Psalm 119:11 reads Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Proverbs 1:10 states My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Just say no, and if that doesn’t work, go to the Scriptures. Jesus knows what we are going through every day (Hebrews 4:14-15). Hebrews 2:18 says For that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

God provides a way for us to escape temptation, offers us aid while in temptation, and knows how to deliver us from temptation (2 Peter 2:9). Therefore, rejoice with me. Temptation is the first step to better things – if we resist it. It confirms we are doing something right for God. Temptation is not sin. We can refuse it, escape it, overcome it with the Word of God, or call upon the Lord to deliver us from it. These are all reasons for joy. Plus, we get the added benefits of patience and spiritual growth. Isn’t God good?

Patience is the direct result of trials, temptations, and testing. Patience is an attribute of the fruitful (Luke 8:15) and is another confirmation that we are living ‘in Christ’. Patience begets experience, which gives birth to hope, and it is a process. The process which James tells is leads us to be …perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

By rejoicing through the temptations and exercising victory over sin, we develop patience. When we follow the process begun in battle, we become spiritually mature. Remember that it is a process, not instantaneous. As we grow and mature, we are accepting of God working in our lives to make us complete. Philippians 1:6 reads Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

We take joy in temptation, find peace in patience, and eventually become all that we can be. More and more, I find the greatest reward of having a relationship with Christ is having a relationship with Christ.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. James 1:5-7

28289.png

The very first phrase of this passage tells us that we must examine ourselves and come to a conclusion. James is asking us to search our hearts. We must recognize a lack within ourselves and a need for God’s wisdom. We must look within, not without.

Many people tend to equate position or age with wisdom. Job 32:9 states Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. This passage reveals that this is not always accurate. Look around the world today for examples of ‘great’ men. Then note the (sometimes profound) lack of wisdom. People earn respect and renown for talents, money, philanthropy, political accomplishment, and athletic prowess. How many of these can truly be considered wise?

Age is not an accurate indication of wisdom, either. People are living longer now, and it seems to never change anything. Young people make wise or foolish choices. This sets a pattern that they tend to follow their entire lives, one direction or the other. There is a minority who learn from experience, though many are content to drift through life without the benefit of wisdom. We cannot recognize the need to ask for wisdom if we do not see a lack in our lives. God wants us to use discernment in our own lives and hearts.

Why wisdom instead of faith, strength, or knowledge? Proverbs 4:7 iterates Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Wisdom is the highest priority of things which to seek. Proverbs 9:10 says The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Fear of the Lord is where we begin our relationship with Him. If we never recognize that He is a just and holy God, then we see no need to receive Him as a loving and forgiving God. This is why wisdom is so important. There are many passages that refer to the value, benefit, and meaning of wisdom. Proverbs 3:13 & 35, 16:16, 19:8, Ecclesiastes 9:16

Why not faith? Because God has given a different process by which we increase faith. Why not strength? God has set a method for that as well. Isaiah 40:31 reads But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; for they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Daniel 11:32 says And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. God strengthens those who wait on (serve) Him and those who know him. The word ‘know’ is the same word used in Genesis when Adam ‘knew’ Eve and refers to an intimate and profound experience. We learn where strength originates, and how it does so in Isaiah 41:10 and Ephesians 3:16, Why not knowledge? Because God wrote it all down for us. John 8:31-32 reads Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. God has established ways of gaining all of these that we can undertake ourselves.

We must discern our need for wisdom. We must decide to follow through. We must ask God. God is the source of wisdom. (Colossians 2:2-3) We must go to the source. God gives liberally and without reservation. (Romans 11:33) Not only is God the source of wisdom and liberal in granting our prayers, but He does not chide or condemn us for our lack.

We must discern our need. We must determine a course of action. We must declare our request in faith. We cannot doubt or vacillate. Our life is like a boat with wisdom our rudder. Without a rudder, we have no control over our journey and are at the mercy of those situations that surround us. God will not grant us anything if we lack faith.

We must discern. We must determine.