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Key Bible Verse: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Bonus Reading:2 Corinthians 5:15-6:2

Basilio Clark, the Olongapo, Philippines, pastor who plays his guitar and sings so beautifully, once terrorized the same city. His father was an American sailor at nearby Subic Bay; his mother, a Filipino. But Basilio's father was killed in an automobile accident. Lacking food at home, the boy began to run the streets, stealing to survive. As a teen, Basilio led a gang that robbed and murdered.

One night police surrounded Basilio's hideout as the gang slept, taking them captive. The judge sentenced all nine to the electric chair. Preferring death at their own hands, they mixed insecticide—smuggled into prison—with stolen paint thinner, and drank the potion. Only Basilio survived; he was blind.

Awaiting the electric chair, Basilio began listening to a little radio—tuned to play only the Christian station—that Olga Robertson, a prison worker, had given the prisoners. God began to speak to his heart. Kneeling beside his bunk, Basilio was converted.

Learning the Word of God from "Mommie" Olga, Basilio went from cell block to cell block, telling other prisoners that God had forgiven him, that he'd repented of his sins. The once tough youth was an obviously changed man and, eventually, the Philippine president issued him a pardon.

—Harold J. Sala in Heroes

No one is too bad for Jesus. Let Him have what you're ashamed of—and He will give you His total acceptance.

God is a Specialist at making something useful and beautiful out of something broken and confused.

—Charles R. Swindoll (author and seminary president) Adapted from Heroes (Promise, 1998).

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Prayer for the Week

Jesus, I praise you for loving me—please make me a new person in the image of You.

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