SOCPM Newsletter | May 8, 2021

Greetings,

This morning (Friday), I went to Panera to get a breakfast sandwich and coffee. Something I've been doing most Fridays for several weeks. I noticed the temp was 46, too chilly for just my t-shirt, but too warm for my leather. So, I hauled another lighter jacket out of the closet, went to Panera, came home, and sat down to write the newsletter and then my study of Revelation.

However, first icommittopray.com, and read the story of a lady who received a Bible from VOM workers. Her comments were 'Can I really have my own Bible?" She had never had a personal copy of God's Word. "I just want to be sure this Bible is mine," she said. "I always prayed that I would have my own Bible. I'm happy that God heard my prayer." Her words caused me to pause. I counted 10 Bibles in my office and at least ten more at my church office (Yes, I give some away to SOCPM students). 

Her happiness and thankfulness to God for one Bible I shamefully confess surpassed my happiness and thankfulness for the many Bibles I have. I may try, but I don't come close to knowing how blessed I am. James writes, 'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change' James 1:17 (ESV). Everything in my life comes from God! Beyond a simple thank you, God, it strengthens my desire to use SOCPM as a means to glorify Him. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

 As for this week's Weekly Note, it was on Psalm 4:4-5. 

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your, own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5 Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord.[1]

The keyword was anger. An emotion all have experienced many times. Many think of anger as sinful, but the first two words of Psalm 4:4 are 'Be angry' but are followed by 'and do not sin.' I'm an emotional person, and anger is an emotion I experience a lot. Especially when I read the news or browse posts on Facebook, it can easily lead me to sinful anger, so I avoid them these days, particularly the latter.

Anger is high on my list of topics I give attention to in SOCPM classes. The emotion of anger that results in sinful actions is why a sizable number of men are incarcerated.

Charles Spurgeon's commentary, as usual, was one I gave more significant pause in heart-searching. He writes. 'Rash sinners, do not take the last step, go to your bed and think about your ways. Ask counsel of your pillow. Let the quietness of night instruct you!' [2] It is a practice I try to do nightly and frequently share with the SOCPM students consistently.

I will say something like, 'At night when the lights have gone out reflect on your day. Ask God to point out your sins you committed that day, not just those that stand out but those you didn't even recognize as sin when you acted it out. Ask God how you may have demonstrated the character of Christ, especially when your response was sinful anger. Writing the Weekly Notes can be a challenge condensing all the commentary into one page and was more so this week. I shared in my greeting that after the study of Psalm 4, in place of starting on Psalm 5, I will send some articles on anger from a biblical perspective for a few weeks.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29 (ESV).

On the personal prayer front, things were calm regarding my son Cameron until this Friday. Too long to get into but he is once again all stressed out. Some of the stress he brings on himself by not listening to good ole dad and to document passwords. Please pray he'd start listening and doing instead of saying, 'yeah, i know.' Continue prayers for his salvation, sobriety, godly counsel, dealing with stress, etc., are always needed and appreciated. Praise God, my wife, Michelle's blood work didn't show any cancer indications, and her liver MRI did not raise any concerns with the doctor. My post-surgery consequences continue to improve, but I covet you to continue in prayer. With the return of prison visitations, the return of volunteers may be on the horizon. When I return, there will likely be new policies that may result in how SOCPM conducts teaching. Pray that those changes will not have a lot of negative impact on all SOCPM does each week. Finally, pray God's wisdom on those first few classes. It's a different world since our last classes (March 11 & 13). I feel led by God to spend a couple of weeks having class discussions on all that has happened. However, many topics will be sensitive. Please pray God gives me biblical wisdom in those discussions.

To Him be the glory in ALL things and to Him alone!

Scott Kalas
Soldiers of Christ Prison Ministries

Week 60 of the lockdown 😞.  

COVID-19 cases as of day, 05/07/21; Dixon: staff confirmed 312, staff recovered staff 304, staff current 8, staff tests 11,297; offender confirmed 592, offenders recovered 590, offender current 2, offenders tests 43,341 | Sheridan: staff confirmed 149, staff recovered 149; staff current 0, staff tests 11,290, offenders confirmed 464, offenders recovered 464, offenders current 0, offender tests 26,632 | IDOC: staff confirmed 4,512 , staff recovered 4,421, staff current 91, staff tests 2224,333; offenders confirmed 10,887, offenders recovered 10,872, offenders current 15, offender tests 566,115. [3]

With the resumption of visitations, the numbers are still improving. Praise God! Please continue to be in prayer for continued improvement and for volunteers to return soon.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 4:4-5

[2] C. H. Spurgeon,. The Treasury of David: Spurgeon's Great Commentary on Psalms, Clarke, Roy H, editor, 3rd ed., vol. 1, T. Nelson Publishers , 1997, 20.
[3] “COVID-19 Response.” Illinois.gov, 30 Apr. 2021, www2.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/Covid19Response.aspx.

CHS - Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations from Clarke, Roy H, editor. The Treasury of David: Spurgeon's Great Commentary on Psalms, by C. H. Spurgeon, 3rd ed., vol. 1, T. Nelson Publishers , 1997 are from the New Geneva Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., using the New King James Version of the Bible, ©1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

FDK - Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations from Derek Kidner, Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 15, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

JMB - Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture from James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005) is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.TM

WAV - Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture from VanGemeren, Willem A. “Book 1 Psalms 1 - 41.” The Expositor's Bible Commentary Psalms, by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, Revised ed., vol. 5, Zondervan, 2008 is taken from is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

WSP - Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture from “Psalm 1.” Psalms: A Critical and Expository Commentary with Doctrinal and Practical Remarks, by William S. Plumer, Banner of Truth Trust, 1975 is taken from the Holy Bible King James Version.

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