Finding Purpose Behind Bars: The Miracles and Transformation of RJ Johnson

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From contemplating suicide on train tracks to finding redemption in God's embrace, former inmate RJ Johnson's powerful journey of resilience and faith inspires hope and purpose amidst life's darkest struggles.

"In prison, I learned the importance of love and acceptance. We are all in this together, none greater or lesser than the other." - RJ Johnson

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

R.J. Johnson, also known by his pen name Luke Chance, is the author of God Doesn't Waste a Thing and the founder of Not My Will Ministries. His incredible journey serves as a testament to the power of faith and resilience. After serving seven years in prison out of a 20-year sentence, R.J. has dedicated his life to delivering hope to those behind bars and educating the community about the ongoing miracles performed by God. Through his ministry, he aims to challenge our perspectives and encourage us to see beyond the walls of prison, recognizing the hearts yearning for redemption and love. R.J.'s story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope and a purpose waiting to be discovered.

Reasons to Listen:

• Discover the power of redemption and transformation on your journey to a brighter future.
• Embrace the importance of love and acceptance as vital ingredients for personal growth and fulfillment.
• Overcome societal judgment and find the strength to reintegrate into a world that may have doubted you.
• Unlock the extraordinary power of faith and resilience to overcome life's challenges and thrive.
• Experience the unconditional love and support that can uplift and empower you on your journey towards hope and purpose.

Content Warning: This episode contains a candid conversation with an individual who has a criminal past and has served time in prison. While we delve into themes of redemption and transformation, we recognize that some discussions may be difficult for those who have been affected by similar crimes. Please exercise discretion when deciding to listen and take care of your well-being.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

• Check out RJ Johnson's book, God Doesn't Waste a Thing, available under the pen name Luke Chance, to read about his journey and the miracles he witnessed in prison.
• Explore Not My Will Ministries to support their mission of delivering hope to the church behind bars and educating the community about the miracles performed by God.

Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:

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• 🎙 Coaching with Tim: Elevate your leadership and align your work with your faith. Learn More
• 📚 "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined": A transformative read that will challenge your views on success. Grab Your Copy
• 📝 Faith Driven Leader Quiz: Discover how well you're aligning faith and work with our quick quiz. Take the Quiz

Key Lessons:

1. Transformation: RJ Johnson shares his personal journey of transformation in prison and finding his purpose through God. He emphasizes that no one is beyond redemption and speaks about the power of God's love and forgiveness.

2. Acceptance and support: RJ highlights the importance of love, acceptance, and support towards those in prison and individuals with a troubled past. He shares how a supportive friend and his father's unexpected support made a significant impact on his life.

3. Taking responsibility: RJ stresses the importance of taking responsibility and ownership for one's actions instead of playing the victim. He encourages listeners to confront their distortions, repent, and align their self-perception with God's truth.

4. God's Miracles: RJ shares numerous stories of the miracles performed by God in prison, emphasizing that God does not waste anything and is always at work. He encourages listeners to recognize and praise God's miracles, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

5. Making choices that honor God: The episode discusses the contrast between limited choices in prison and unlimited choices in the outside world. RJ and host Tim Winders highlight the importance of making choices that honor God and others, regardless of our circumstances.

6. Sharing and supporting prison outreach: The episode concludes with RJ highlighting his ministry, NotMyWill Ministries, which delivers hope to prisoners and educates the community about miracles performed by God. Listeners are encouraged to support prison outreach and visit RJ's ministry website.

Overall, the key lessons revolve around personal transformation, love, acceptance, taking responsibility, recognizing God's miracles, making honorable choices, and supporting prison outreach. The episode serves as a reminder that God's love and redemption are available to all, regardless of their past.

Episode Highlights:

00:00:00 - Taking Responsibility and Ownership

RJ emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility and ownership in order to deal with personal distortions and challenges, rather than playing the victim.

00:00:45 - God Doesn't Waste a Thing

RJ shares his experiences and miracles during his seven years in prison and how he believes that God works all things for good, even in difficult circumstances.

00:02:10 - Purpose and Paycheck

RJ discusses how he finds purpose in his work by connecting hearts in the community and the prison system, spreading love, and sharing the hope he received when he felt alone and undeserving.

00:05:02 - Redefining Success

RJ delves into the concept of redefining success and discusses how his life journey, including his past actions, has led him to redefine success through faith, redemption, and grace.

00:09:10 - Idols and Gods

RJ reflects on his past idols and gods, such as popularity and attention, and how they ultimately failed to fulfill his deep need for identity and purpose. He highlights the importance of firmly planting one's beliefs and finding fulfillment in a higher power.

00:16:05 - Dealing with Repentance and Taking Responsibility

RJ discusses the importance of taking responsibility and ownership of one's actions, instead of playing the victim. He talks about the process of repentance and aligning his choices with what God says about him.

00:19:22 - Dealing with Feelings vs. Truth

RJ explains the difference between feelings and truth. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's feelings with the truth found in the Bible and relying on God's love and protection.

00:20:37 - Choosing Transparency, Vulnerability, and Intentionality

RJ shares his decision to live a life of transparency, vulnerability, and intentionality. He discusses the importance of sharing one's truth and trusting the outcome, even if it means potential judgment or rejection.

00:24:34 - Finding Identity in Prison

RJ reflects on his time in prison and the leveling effect it had on everyone. He discusses the need for individuals to discover their true identity beyond material possessions and achievements. RJ also expresses gratitude for the fulfilling moments he experienced while working as a prison chaplain's assistant.

00:27:01 - Facing Challenges in Prison

RJ shares the challenges he faced in prison, including threats on his life. He highlights the irony of the hierarchical system that often leads to violence and explains how he chose to handle those situations by seeking help from authorities. RJ emphasizes that God can use even the most difficult circumstances for a greater purpose.

00:32:18 - Recognizing Perspective

RJ reflects on the mindset of prisoners and how they compare themselves to others in order to feel better about their own actions. He emphasizes the importance of unity and the realization that everyone is in this together.

00:33:44 - Simplicity Behind Bars

RJ discusses the simplicity of life in prison and the limited choices inmates have. He contrasts this with the unlimited choices and temptations that people face in the outside world, highlighting the challenges that former inmates may encounter when reintegrating into society.

00:34:37 - Making Honorable Choices

RJ shares his personal struggle with making honorable choices and avoiding sinful opportunities. He explains how his faith in God and the desire to honor and uplift others guided his decision-making process.

00:36:13 - Growth Process

RJ acknowledges that his transformation didn't happen overnight and describes it as a growth process. He shares how witnessing miracles, experiencing God's mercy and grace, and aligning his choices with love for God and others contributed to his personal growth.

00:37:33 - The Turning Point

RJ recounts the turning point in his journey when he encountered a chaplain who listened to him without judgment. This experience, along with reading the book of Job, helped him realize that it's not about him but about living how God calls us to live.

00:46:55 - Focusing on Others

RJ discusses the importance of turning focus on others instead of oneself, and credits Pastor Matt and chaplains for encouraging him to love others. He shares his friendship with Mike Freeman, a former inmate, and how making Jesus his Lord impacted his attitude towards others in prison.

00:48:24 - The Difference Between Savior and Lord

RJ recalls a conversation with Mike Freeman where he was asked if he had made Jesus his Lord. He learns that while claiming Jesus as Savior saves one person, making Him Lord impacts everyone around you. This realization shapes RJ's mission to love and support those around him.

00:52:29 - Writing the Book and Finding Purpose

RJ explains that he started writing the book after his release from prison. He reflects on the miracles and experiences that led him to understand that God doesn't waste anything. He seeks to encourage others who are going through difficult times to see that God can use their circumstances for good.

00:52:51 - Reassimilating into Society

RJ shares the challenges he faced upon reentering society, including the sudden shift in how he was perceived by others. He discusses the strange feeling of being deemed dangerous in prison but considered safe in society. RJ also mentions the struggle of readjusting to societal norms and interactions.

00:55:21 - Identity and Believing the Truth

RJ discusses how his identity remained strong throughout his time in prison due to immersing himself in the Bible and surrounding himself with other Christians and mentors that showed unconditional love.

01:02:42 - Feeling Alone and Hopeless

RJ shares his experience of feeling isolated and hopeless, leading him to contemplate suicide. He recounts how he lay on the train tracks, but thankfully ended up on the wrong track. His father's unexpected presence and unconditional love provide a powerful analogy for God's unwavering support in difficult times.

01:04:04 - A Father's Unconditional Love

RJ describes the emotional encounter with his father after his suicide call. Despite not having a plan, his father came to be there for him, fulfilling a promise to his mother and God. This story mirrors the biblical Prodigal Son, emphasizing God's love and forgiveness, no matter the circumstances.

01:05:14 - Finding God in the Midst of Pain

RJ highlights that when we are in the depths of our pain and sin, God is already waiting with open arms. He encourages listeners to reach out to God and experience His presence and love, even in the darkest moments.

01:05:54 - Sharing the Message and Supporting Others

RJ discusses his ministry's website, NotMyWillMinistries.com, where he shares his testimony, offers speaking engagements, and promotes his book, "God Doesn't Waste a Thing." He also invites people to support prison ministry, emphasizing the importance of showing love and support to those forgotten by society.

01:08:00 - Softening Our Hearts

Tim commends RJ for his vulnerability and emphasizes the importance of softening our hearts.

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