The Old Has Gone the New Has Come!

I have started a Bible Study for new believers in our church. Each Tuesday night we go through a workbook that leads through the basic foundations of the Christian faith. It is a blessing from God that we are able to offer this study as we indeed have new believers in our church! Thank you Lord!

Yesterday was the 2nd time we have done the study. At one point I looked around the table and realized who was sitting there studying the Bible with me. On my right, a young man of 26 or so who gave his life to the Lord about a month ago. He was the leader of a small gang who were involved in petty crime as well as much drinking and drug abuse. In fact he is right now struggling to overcome his addictions and "dry out". Next to him a friend of a year and a half who also has come out of a life of drug abuse and even living on the streets. He is maturing in his faith and beginning to lead others in the ways of the Lord!
Next to him sat a new friend of a few months. He is close to 50 and he as well has come out of a life of drug abuse and trouble with the law. He gave his life to God about 2 months ago and is truly becoming a new creation in Christ! He is eager to read his Bible and recently told me, "I have read the Bible before but I never remembered what I read and it didn't really make sense to me. Now I am begining to understand it and I never I thought I would enjoy going to church but I really do enjoy it now!"
Then between he and I sat another new friend. He made a commitment to Christ a year ago or so but I have only got to know him in the last 3 weeks. He is still a babe in Christ as we would say, having very little to no knowledge of the Bible. He too has come out of a life of drug abuse and trouble with the law. He is currently waiting for a kidney transplant as his kidneys have shut down completely even though he is only 25 years old! Please pray for a donor! It is wonderful to see the light go on in him when I explain spiritual truths to him!

All but one of these men have spent much time in prison. They know who they were, and now they are begining to see who they are becoming and who they really are in Jesus. We read a page full of "who you are in Christ" descriptions with bible verses listed. It was such a blessing to hear them each pick out one or two of the descriptions of who they are in Jesus and explain why it was important to them.

Jesus is truly transforming these men! All glory be to Him! And I get to be a part of it! What a blessing!

Please pray for these 4 men. They still have their struggles and temptations are around every corner here. They need your prayers! Thank you for partnering with us!

Lane