I was a reckless, pot-smoking teenager before I came to prison.  I never had any goals to achieve in life.  My only ambition was to smoke weed.  At the age of 19 I was arrested for second-degree murder.  I wouldn’t have been involved with these people if I hadn’t been using drugs.  My whole life changed overnight when I was facing murder charges.  My life seems hopeless.  I had nowhere to turn.  Someone suggested that I read the book of Psalms.  I had never read the Bible before.  In addition, I came across some books about convicts that gave their lives to the Lord in prison.  One was “Twice        Pardoned”; the other was “Where Flies Don’t Land”.  Upon reading these, I gave my life to Jesus.  My growth was slow at that time because I had no opportunity to go to church service.  I had no fellowship with other believers, so there was no one to disciple me.  When it came time for me to go to trial, I was expecting a miracle in my case.  I experienced the presence of the Lord Jesus very powerfully in the courtroom.  It was like nothing I had ever experienced before.  However, I was given more time than I believed my crime called for.  I became bitter towards God.  In the following months, as I went off to prison to begin serving my sentence, I fell away from God.  I backslid into smoking weed again, and drinking pruno every chance I had.

Then the Lord sent a beautiful woman into my life!  A strong, Christian woman to encourage me and she became my best friend.  Her words of God’s love and plan for my life would stick with me.  At the close of 1994, the Lord spoke to me and said that if I continued smoking pot and drinking (the things that brought me to prison), I would never get out. I rededicated my life to Him.  A month later, I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, receiving the gift of speaking in tongues . I   instantly understood the Word of God like I never had before.  I instantly knew scripture without even trying to memorize it.  He gave me a gift to teach the Word and minister to others here in prison. I pray in tongues every day.  I read & study the Word and teach several Bible studies a week.  I have never had another desire to smoke pot or drink since I gave the addictions to Jesus.  I married the Christian woman who is still my dear friend.  The Lord has performed many miracles in our lives.  We are awaiting my release and He has shown that nothing is impossible for Him.  Everyday I must surrender to Jesus and put on the whole Armour of God to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Everyday it is our decision to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.”  I am an enlisted man, a soldier for Jesus Christ and I will keep waging a good warfare . Mel gave us all here God’s powerful Arsenal Prayer.

Today I have difficulties, but the Lord always makes me sufficient in His sufficiency.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.I rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the hour for the Body of Christ to rise up in unity, in the power of god, and reach this fallen world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what Mel Novak does. Amen & Amen.     

Brother Lee Staben