Probation to Honor Roll
This Week's Theme: Transformed Life
Julian O. Toriz
Thursday, January 11, 2001
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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). 1 of 1
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Jesus, I praise you for loving me—please make me a new person in the image of You.
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