7 Divine Deliverance
When we pray, we take on a powerful
role in the work of God’s hands.
We become instruments of divine
deliverance.
Linda Cubbedge
11 Put on Your
Listening Ears
Anthony Rodriguez
13 God Speaks
Through You
Have you ever felt the urge to speak
to a stranger, to encourage or pray
with them? Don’t be afraid. God
wants to use you to bring hope and
encouragement to others.
Tracy Morrisey
14 Peace for the
Troubled Mind
God has a specific, individual plan
for each of us; He is our source of
strength; He will provide our needs.
Let that knowledge bring you peace.
Renee Davis
15 How to Rejoice in
Suffering
Circumstances got you paralyzed in
fear? Rest in the knowledge that no
matter what happens, no one can
take away the promise of eternity
God gives to every one who
believes in Him.
Erin Warren
16 You Have Worth
Do you carry Jesus’ name? Then
you are blessed. Chosen. Blameless.
Free. And loved.
Stacey Thacker
17 The Man in the Mirror
Coming face-to-face with who you
really are can be life shattering…
or life changing. God offers no
condemnation, just restoration.
Dwain Ross
18 A Bright Future
After All
For many of us, the past taunts us daily,
threatening to pull us under or back
into its clutches. But the child of God is
a new creation. We no longer live in our
own strength, but in God’s.
Jake Hayes
19 Arrested by Jesus
When you surrender to Christ
and He takes your heart captive,
you find freedom.
Avier Johnson
32 Unicorns and Sprinkles
Things won’t always be unicorns and
sprinkles, but praise God, He is always
good. Live like you believe it.
Tina Brown
33 Finding Truth
in Hardship
When life makes no sense and
questions threaten your peace of
mind, rest assured that God has
everything under control.
Sarah Beckman
34 Taking God at His Word
We can’t always see God’s hand in a
situation, but that doesn’t mean He
isn’t there or that He isn’t working
on our behalf.
Michael Clark
35 Lost Pennies
God cares about even the tiniest
details…and when we look through
His eyes, we will too.
Becky Coursen
36 Stay Put in Your Faith
Chris Whaley
Opposite Page
When Anthony went to prison,
Jenny and their son were also
given a time-out. Jenny learned
many lessons as she turned to the
Lord as her strength and provider.
REAL PEOPLE | REAL STORIES | REAL HOPE A Publication of Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries
ISSUE 1, FEBRUARY 2018
May I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems
me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
Psalm 103:2–4
Publisher & Executive Director | Kristi Overton Johnson
Editor | Rachel F. Overton, Wordscapes
Chief Photographer | Tim Smith
Creative Director | Amy Zackowski, Whispering Dog Design Inc.
Social Media | Sarah Ristorcelli, Orlando Content Marketing
Director of Prison Correspondence | Linda Cubbedge
Accounting Manager | Gizzella Guba
Partnership Support | info@kojministries.org
Contributing Writers
Carole Engle Avriett, Sarah Beckman, Dana M. Brown, Jennifer Camp,
Michael Clark, Becky Coursen, Linda Cubbedge, Renee Davis, Rivaldo
Ferreira, Jack Hayes, Avier Johnson, Kristi Overton Johnson, Tracy
Morrissey, Taze Reedy, Anthony Rodriguez, Jenny Rodriguez, Dwain
Ross, Stacey Thacker, Erin Warren, Chris Whaley.
Cover Photography | Timothy Smith of Honor Photography
Photography
Montana Burkett Photography, Spencer Shultz, Manuel Auset
Artwork
Bret A. Melvin
Faithful Distributors
Special thanks to Bill Coleman and Tina Brown for distributing
Victorious Living in local areas in Florida and North Carolina
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Scripture marked
ESV is taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016).
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Scripture
marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, copyright ©1973,
1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the New King James Version®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All scripture is used by permission. All rights reserved.
6 PUBLISHER’S NOTE
You Are a Champion
12 HELP ME UNDERSTAND
How to Know God’s Will
26 MINISTRY NEWS
27 FROM OUR READERS
38 OUR CONTRIBUTORS
IN EVERY ISSUE
30 LETTERS OF HOPE | Crashing into Hope
USAF Colonel Jerry Curtis was held as a POW in North Vietnam for almost eight
years. His wisdom and insight will encourage you to overcome even the most dire
circumstances. Carole Engle Avriett
37 KEYS TO VICTORIOUS LIVING | Ask for Help
Addictions, sinful thoughts and actions, relational issues, even physical challenges…
they can make us feel alone. Don’t let Satan’s lies isolate you from the help that is
available. Tell God about your problems, then talk to someone you trust. Help is there.
Kristi Overton Johnson
39 FROM THE FATHER’S HEART | So Much More
A fresh perspective on God’s thoughts toward you. Jennifer Camp
kojministries.org Issue 1 2018 5
/kojministries.org
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