Home > Men > Connect with God > Believe & repent
Men of Integrity, Jan/Feb 2001
Probation to Honor Roll
This Week's Theme: Transformed Life
Thursday, January 11
Key Bible Verse: See, I am doing a new thing! (Isaiah 43:19a).
Bonus Reading: Isaiah 43:18-21
I had no dad around when I was young, but the local gang looked like family. By age 12 I was skipping school, selling drugs and getting into fights. By age 14, the Los Angeles County Probation Department declared me "incorrigible."
One day a group of us headed out of town and stopped for gas. A friend exchanged words with a local. The local left, but came back with a small army. The fight was on. Standing behind one of our cars, I saw a rival run up and shoot the driver, my friend. Unconscious for 26 days, he lost an eye but lived.
In the hospital a relative of his led him to Jesus Christ. One Sunday evening his brother gave him a ride to church. Bored, I tagged along. When the preacher asked who wanted prayer, my hand shot up. I asked Jesus into my life.
Within six months, I was on the principal's honor role and tutoring other kids. I helped my church in bus ministry. Soon the bus was picking up children of "gangbangers." By age 19 I was in ministry, teaching and full-time counseling. Now Christ has given me my own ministry to inner-city children.
—Julian O. Toriz in Decision
Respond:
God wants to speak to you today. Pray and ask Him to show you what He desires for you. He will lead you.
Thought to Apply:
In the natural world it is impossible to be made all over again, but in the spiritual world it is exactly what Jesus Christ makes possible.
—Oswald Chambers (British teacher and Chaplain, early 20th century)
As told to Ed Donnally, Decision (Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc., 6/00).
s
 |
Prayer for the Week |
 |
Jesus, I praise you for loving me—please make me a new person in the image of You.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
