The following is a story from my time as a Bible study facilitator for our county juvenile facility:
An incarcerated teen was eager to surrender his life to Jesus. Once he did, he began to change. He shared that he felt “peace” and just a good feeling about his future. I noticed he quickly cleaned up his language and began sharing his new faith with the other guys. A few months later he was released.
Now, a year later, he again shows up in my Bible study! I was disappointed. I told him I never expected to see him return. He explained that he was only back for a short time because of a minor infraction that occurred during his incarceration a year ago.
Then with a strong voice, he shared with the boys in the group, how God had changed him. He said, “You all should receive Jesus! He is real and He has changed my life! After I was released I never went back to drugs, never went back to METH. I’ve been going to Bible study and to church. I have new friends who also love God and I’m doing really good in school. God has changed me so much!”
His story gave such hope to the other minors, that at the end of our time, ALL of them wanted Jesus too! What a night!
I later told him that perhaps he was called back so he could share his story. He agreed.
Then he said, “By the way, I had my first birthday last month—I became one-year-old as a Christian.” He had remembered the date when we had prayed together that Jesus would come into his life.
- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
- SONG: SEVEN TIMES A DAY – Click to listen:
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[This life is temporary. This life is short. When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever. Where will the “real you” live? Will you live for all eternity separated from God? Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Learn more so you can make your most important decision: http://www.godlife.com/gospel/ and http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity
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Thank you! I agree. Where there is breath, there is hope.