Testimony Tuesday
I had a dear friend I hadn’t seen in over a year come stay with me this past weekend. We used to work together many years ago.
Whenever we get together we share what is going in our lives, and talk about the Lord working in our lives. It’s always the highlight of our visits.
She gave me a little green book she found at a local thrift store. It was an old devotional book from the late 1950’s.
She had me read the following testimony/devotional story….now I will forever be reminded that the Lord Knows.
—Paula
I had a dear friend I hadn’t seen in over a year come stay with me this past weekend. We used to work together many years ago.
Whenever we get together we share what is going in our lives, and talk about the Lord working in our lives. It’s always the highlight of our visits.
She gave me a little green book she found at a local thrift store. It was an old devotional book from the late 1950’s.
She had me read the following testimony/devotional story….now I will forever be reminded that the Lord Knows.
—Paula
❤7
The Lord Knows
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
—Job 23:10
Lord, thou knowest all things.—John 21:17
There are few of us who have not at one time or another been "tried," and often seemingly beyond our endurance. We moan, we cry, we fret under some strange hurting experience; we strive desperately to get out from under the chafing burden weighing so heavily upon us.
We fail to wait for the hand of the Lord to ease that burden and for the road to grow smooth before our troubled eyes. We do not take the long view and realize that often God tests us to try our mettle (stamina) and to strengthen our faith. Mettle is tested by fire, even as is the metal from the earth's mines; and faith grows stronger if we have the will and the courage to wait for the evidence of the Lord's steadying hand.
After the testing we can truly "come forth as gold," bright and shining from the crucible.
Then only can we see his purpose clearly, and we can praise him for the trials through which we have passed. We may be sure, and thus strengthened, that whatever befalls us, the Lord knows the why of it all; and as Peter of old on that spring morning on the shore of Galilee replied to the Lord's persistent questioning, we too can cry aloud, "Lord, thou knowest all things."
One noon a young man was walking slowly down a city street, his entire attitude one of defeat. Hands in pockets, feet dragging, despondency written clearly on his face, he turned a corner and came suddenly upon an old friend, a retired businessman, on his way to lunch.
"Hello, Timothy," the man accosted him.
"How are you? But say, what's the matter? You look as if the skies had fallen."
"They have," the youth replied. "They surely have."
"Come in here with me, and let's have lunch together. We can talk things over in a quiet corner."
"Now tell me," the friend said as they settled to their lunch.
"Well," Timothy exclaimed, "the Lord knows what I am going to do now! I'm through. The place where I have been working was too big for me, or I was too little for it-whichever way you care to put it. I was afraid of it from the first. The work wasn't what I had expected it to be, and I just couldn't make it. The manager found out about it, and, well, I'm finished, that's all. I really worked hard at the job, and I did my best, but my best wasn't good enough." His voice trailed off.
The elder man looked at him thoughtfully, giving him his undivided attention. Then he said,
"I like the way you began this talk, Timothy.
I noticed you said, 'The Lord knows.'"
The young man flushed. "That was just a figure of speech, I suppose. I ought not to have said it—I really did not mean it. I meant that I am down and out, and I have no idea what I am going to do now, and nobody knows how tough it is."
"Yes, somebody knows, Timothy; and why should you not say it and mean it? The Lord knows, for he does know. It is an unalterable fact that the Lord knows our every step. He does know what you are going to do. He sees the entire journey you are taking from birth to death.
He sees the end, and you only see the way.
Too often we go stumbling along in our own puny strength and with our faulty judgment, while all the time he is willing and ready to hold out a directing hand. We are both professing Christians, Timothy. We belong to the same church. We belong to One who knows our every need, our every desire, and our every purpose. Why should we not cling to the fact that we have a Lord who knows and who understands."
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
—Job 23:10
Lord, thou knowest all things.—John 21:17
There are few of us who have not at one time or another been "tried," and often seemingly beyond our endurance. We moan, we cry, we fret under some strange hurting experience; we strive desperately to get out from under the chafing burden weighing so heavily upon us.
We fail to wait for the hand of the Lord to ease that burden and for the road to grow smooth before our troubled eyes. We do not take the long view and realize that often God tests us to try our mettle (stamina) and to strengthen our faith. Mettle is tested by fire, even as is the metal from the earth's mines; and faith grows stronger if we have the will and the courage to wait for the evidence of the Lord's steadying hand.
After the testing we can truly "come forth as gold," bright and shining from the crucible.
Then only can we see his purpose clearly, and we can praise him for the trials through which we have passed. We may be sure, and thus strengthened, that whatever befalls us, the Lord knows the why of it all; and as Peter of old on that spring morning on the shore of Galilee replied to the Lord's persistent questioning, we too can cry aloud, "Lord, thou knowest all things."
One noon a young man was walking slowly down a city street, his entire attitude one of defeat. Hands in pockets, feet dragging, despondency written clearly on his face, he turned a corner and came suddenly upon an old friend, a retired businessman, on his way to lunch.
"Hello, Timothy," the man accosted him.
"How are you? But say, what's the matter? You look as if the skies had fallen."
"They have," the youth replied. "They surely have."
"Come in here with me, and let's have lunch together. We can talk things over in a quiet corner."
"Now tell me," the friend said as they settled to their lunch.
"Well," Timothy exclaimed, "the Lord knows what I am going to do now! I'm through. The place where I have been working was too big for me, or I was too little for it-whichever way you care to put it. I was afraid of it from the first. The work wasn't what I had expected it to be, and I just couldn't make it. The manager found out about it, and, well, I'm finished, that's all. I really worked hard at the job, and I did my best, but my best wasn't good enough." His voice trailed off.
The elder man looked at him thoughtfully, giving him his undivided attention. Then he said,
"I like the way you began this talk, Timothy.
I noticed you said, 'The Lord knows.'"
The young man flushed. "That was just a figure of speech, I suppose. I ought not to have said it—I really did not mean it. I meant that I am down and out, and I have no idea what I am going to do now, and nobody knows how tough it is."
"Yes, somebody knows, Timothy; and why should you not say it and mean it? The Lord knows, for he does know. It is an unalterable fact that the Lord knows our every step. He does know what you are going to do. He sees the entire journey you are taking from birth to death.
He sees the end, and you only see the way.
Too often we go stumbling along in our own puny strength and with our faulty judgment, while all the time he is willing and ready to hold out a directing hand. We are both professing Christians, Timothy. We belong to the same church. We belong to One who knows our every need, our every desire, and our every purpose. Why should we not cling to the fact that we have a Lord who knows and who understands."
❤15
Part 2
He continued, "I know I am talking at length, but I want to say that His power is working in you and with you toward your destiny, which no doubt will be bright if you do your part. Perhaps the work you have been doing would not be for your ultimate good. Unquestionably he has something better awaiting you, and someday you will thank him for putting this seeming barrier in your way. Say it often, Timothy: The Lord knows.' It will be a comfort to you and strength for you as you go your way with God's help to find the right place for your particular talents. Those talents, I know, and better still God knows, are unusual. No matter what has happened today, this seeming calamity has not been purposeless. Bear that in mind."
"Go home, Timothy," his friend continued.
"You are tired. You probably have tried too hard to be a square peg in a round hole. Rest awhile. Pray for guidance, and you will get it. This is certain."
The lad sat still a moment, and then slowly
—in a half whisper-he repeated the words, savoring their vital meaning: "The Lord knows what I am going to do." The petulance was gone from his voice, his face took on a new light, and his shoulders squared visibly. "That's a mighty big thing to think about, isn't it?" he said. "If he knows, he understands; and in that case he would not keep a thing from me that I need so much-the right work, the advancement I so want. I just must have started out on the wrong foot."
"You are right, Timothy; God knows. He cares.
He knows what you are going to do, and he will help you with it. That should be encouragement enough for one day."
So whether we are young or old, whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop, shall we not keep in mind the undeniable truth that God knows, he loves, he cares? Even though we are lost at times and bewildered in a maze of seemingly insurmountable dificulties, there is certainty somewhere; and it is not God's way to leave his children lost and distressed if they but come to him for help and guidance. His hand is there; reach for it. And say it often: "The Lord Knows."
Our Lord and our God, we are grateful beyond words for the assurance of thy loving care. Thou knowest the way that we take, and, dear Lord, may we, when we are tried, come forth as gold in thy sight.
Help us, when we grow discouraged, to turn to thee in trusting faith. Free us from useless worry, and make us conscious of thy love, knowing that it is ever working for us and for our good. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
He continued, "I know I am talking at length, but I want to say that His power is working in you and with you toward your destiny, which no doubt will be bright if you do your part. Perhaps the work you have been doing would not be for your ultimate good. Unquestionably he has something better awaiting you, and someday you will thank him for putting this seeming barrier in your way. Say it often, Timothy: The Lord knows.' It will be a comfort to you and strength for you as you go your way with God's help to find the right place for your particular talents. Those talents, I know, and better still God knows, are unusual. No matter what has happened today, this seeming calamity has not been purposeless. Bear that in mind."
"Go home, Timothy," his friend continued.
"You are tired. You probably have tried too hard to be a square peg in a round hole. Rest awhile. Pray for guidance, and you will get it. This is certain."
The lad sat still a moment, and then slowly
—in a half whisper-he repeated the words, savoring their vital meaning: "The Lord knows what I am going to do." The petulance was gone from his voice, his face took on a new light, and his shoulders squared visibly. "That's a mighty big thing to think about, isn't it?" he said. "If he knows, he understands; and in that case he would not keep a thing from me that I need so much-the right work, the advancement I so want. I just must have started out on the wrong foot."
"You are right, Timothy; God knows. He cares.
He knows what you are going to do, and he will help you with it. That should be encouragement enough for one day."
So whether we are young or old, whether we are in the valley or on the mountaintop, shall we not keep in mind the undeniable truth that God knows, he loves, he cares? Even though we are lost at times and bewildered in a maze of seemingly insurmountable dificulties, there is certainty somewhere; and it is not God's way to leave his children lost and distressed if they but come to him for help and guidance. His hand is there; reach for it. And say it often: "The Lord Knows."
Our Lord and our God, we are grateful beyond words for the assurance of thy loving care. Thou knowest the way that we take, and, dear Lord, may we, when we are tried, come forth as gold in thy sight.
Help us, when we grow discouraged, to turn to thee in trusting faith. Free us from useless worry, and make us conscious of thy love, knowing that it is ever working for us and for our good. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
❤7
Big snow storm at Big Bear! https://www.youtube.com/live/B4-L2nfGcuE?
YouTube
Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest - Cam 1
This live feed is owned and operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley, a 501c3 nonprofit. Any public use of the live video or screen captures, requires prior approval and credit to the organization. We do not allow re-streaming (creating a live copy on other…
❤6
https://youtu.be/NGLXA13k5Qk?
Not sure what happened to the other chick. I skimmed back to last night around 11:35ish and saw Jackie slap her wings violently to protect whatever threat she thought there was. Her back was to the camera, but you could not see the nest bowl where the chicks are. She was sure shook up about something though.
It was a big snowstorm...nature can be brutal sometimes. Let's hope and pray these two survive.
Not sure what happened to the other chick. I skimmed back to last night around 11:35ish and saw Jackie slap her wings violently to protect whatever threat she thought there was. Her back was to the camera, but you could not see the nest bowl where the chicks are. She was sure shook up about something though.
It was a big snowstorm...nature can be brutal sometimes. Let's hope and pray these two survive.
🙏6
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader, deeper, and more profound than anyone could have ever imagined!❤️
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore... So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca - age 8
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 8
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.' Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.'
Noelle - age 7
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine - age 5
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image!)
Karen - age 7
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross...' Mark - age 6
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
And the final one: The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry.'
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore... So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca - age 8
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 8
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen.'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.' Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.'
Noelle - age 7
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine - age 5
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'
Chris - age 7
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image!)
Karen - age 7
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross...' Mark - age 6
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
And the final one: The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry.'
❤27👍2
From: Friends of Big Bear Valley posted yesterday.
A sad update…
We are deeply saddened to report that one of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks did not make it through the winter storm that brought 2 feet of snow to the area. As snow melted, the shorter snow berm made that chick partially visible in the nest bowl.
The chick’s passing happened sometime after all three were observed together getting fed at 6 pm on 3/13. We have no way to know what happened or why the chick passed. We also do not know which chick it was because they were all very close in size.
We understand that this news is very hard to hear. Even when nature is difficult to watch, and sometimes even harder to understand, we must trust that it has its reasons. Please allow yourself to feel the sadness; please allow yourself to feel whatever you feel.
In the midst of the sadness, we want to honor the life of this chick for its courage in getting as far as it did and for the joy it brought to us in its short time here.
We are happy to report the other two chicks are doing well. Jackie fed them both early this morning. As they stood up and sometimes tripped over each other, they each got a few large bites. Jackie had trouble pulling the pieces apart small enough, but both chicks managed to get the giant bits into their tiny mouths.
The chicks got 9 feedings today as Jackie and Shadow continue to take great care of them. Shadow brought 3 fish and Jackie brought a coot to add to their dinner table. Jackie even left the chicks in the beautiful sun for a short time for them and the nest to dry out from the storm. Jackie and Shadow are always close by even when not on the nest.
Shadow also made a sweet visit at dusk to check on Jackie and the chicks before he headed off to roost.
The storm impacted our equipment as well. The microphone and IR light on the nest camera went out today. For now, we are feeding the sound from camera2 to the nest camera, and we plan to use the IR light on camera2 as a substitute light source. Please remember that the IR light on both cameras is completely invisible to both eagles and humans. Only the cameras can see it to create an image.
Thank you all for caring so much about Jackie and Shadow and their chicks.
Sandy
A sad update…
We are deeply saddened to report that one of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks did not make it through the winter storm that brought 2 feet of snow to the area. As snow melted, the shorter snow berm made that chick partially visible in the nest bowl.
The chick’s passing happened sometime after all three were observed together getting fed at 6 pm on 3/13. We have no way to know what happened or why the chick passed. We also do not know which chick it was because they were all very close in size.
We understand that this news is very hard to hear. Even when nature is difficult to watch, and sometimes even harder to understand, we must trust that it has its reasons. Please allow yourself to feel the sadness; please allow yourself to feel whatever you feel.
In the midst of the sadness, we want to honor the life of this chick for its courage in getting as far as it did and for the joy it brought to us in its short time here.
We are happy to report the other two chicks are doing well. Jackie fed them both early this morning. As they stood up and sometimes tripped over each other, they each got a few large bites. Jackie had trouble pulling the pieces apart small enough, but both chicks managed to get the giant bits into their tiny mouths.
The chicks got 9 feedings today as Jackie and Shadow continue to take great care of them. Shadow brought 3 fish and Jackie brought a coot to add to their dinner table. Jackie even left the chicks in the beautiful sun for a short time for them and the nest to dry out from the storm. Jackie and Shadow are always close by even when not on the nest.
Shadow also made a sweet visit at dusk to check on Jackie and the chicks before he headed off to roost.
The storm impacted our equipment as well. The microphone and IR light on the nest camera went out today. For now, we are feeding the sound from camera2 to the nest camera, and we plan to use the IR light on camera2 as a substitute light source. Please remember that the IR light on both cameras is completely invisible to both eagles and humans. Only the cameras can see it to create an image.
Thank you all for caring so much about Jackie and Shadow and their chicks.
Sandy
😢14👍3
Testimony Tuesday
Today I want to share a testimony that seems almost unbelievable.
God reminded me of this particular testimony after I saw a recent video of the infamous Tren de Aragua and MS 13 gang members boarding a plane under heavy security to take them to a maximum prison in El Salvador notoriously known for their harsh conditions. A result of the Trump administration to clean up and close our borders and oust illegal aliens (most of them criminals) from the United States.
As I watched the prisoners whose feet were bound in chains and led bent over and not being allowed to stand while walking towards their final destination, I remember thinking to myself, These men were all once children. They were innocent, they were somebody’s child, and something happened in their lives that caused them to turn to a life of crime and gangs.
In a moment my heart had soften for them. God loves these men. He died for them too. I was broken for them.
I just prayed for all of them at that moment. Praying for their salvation. But it made me think of God’s grace in a different way. From what I know about these gang members they committed some of the worst crimes against humanity.
God’s grace is forever reaching, it’s always searching, and looking for that next person to come under it. It shows no partiality, it’s available to anyone who wants it. Though none of us deserve it, It’s really God’s deep, deep love. We just have to accept His invitation.
If you haven’t heard the story of Nicky Cruz…well, this is where grace sought Nicky out and he decided to accept the invitation and it changed him forever.
👇
Today I want to share a testimony that seems almost unbelievable.
God reminded me of this particular testimony after I saw a recent video of the infamous Tren de Aragua and MS 13 gang members boarding a plane under heavy security to take them to a maximum prison in El Salvador notoriously known for their harsh conditions. A result of the Trump administration to clean up and close our borders and oust illegal aliens (most of them criminals) from the United States.
As I watched the prisoners whose feet were bound in chains and led bent over and not being allowed to stand while walking towards their final destination, I remember thinking to myself, These men were all once children. They were innocent, they were somebody’s child, and something happened in their lives that caused them to turn to a life of crime and gangs.
In a moment my heart had soften for them. God loves these men. He died for them too. I was broken for them.
I just prayed for all of them at that moment. Praying for their salvation. But it made me think of God’s grace in a different way. From what I know about these gang members they committed some of the worst crimes against humanity.
God’s grace is forever reaching, it’s always searching, and looking for that next person to come under it. It shows no partiality, it’s available to anyone who wants it. Though none of us deserve it, It’s really God’s deep, deep love. We just have to accept His invitation.
If you haven’t heard the story of Nicky Cruz…well, this is where grace sought Nicky out and he decided to accept the invitation and it changed him forever.
👇
In 1938, Nicky Cruz was born in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, to a couple who had 19 children.
His parents practiced Brujeria—his father was a satanic priest, and his mother was a witch.
From a young age, Nicky endured brutal beatings from his parents, who often called him the "Son of Satan.
They often locked him in a dark shed, where aggressive birds pecked at him relentlessly.
Surrounded by pain and rejection, he grew up feeling unloved.
"I was raised to be a murderer.
My heart was so filled with hate that it bled onto everyone I met. I was like a caged animal throwing myself against the bars of my anger, frustration, and rage."
At 16, Nicky ran away from home to the streets of New York City. There, he joined the notorious Brooklyn gang, the Mau Maus.
Through a combination of fearlessness and brutality, he quickly rose through the ranks to become their warlord.
During his time in the gang, he was arrested 16 times for ruthless violence.
Eventually, a judge ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment.
The psychiatrist who evaluated him said, "Nicky, there is no hope for you.
You are so consumed by hatred, unlike other boys. You have no love in your heart. You're on a one-way path to the electric chair and hell."
In 1958, Nicky came across David Wilkerson, who began preaching in his neighborhood. When he told Nicky that Jesus loved him, Nicky pressed a knife against his chest and warned him to not come any closer.
Wilkerson then said, "You could kill me Nicky and cut me into a thousand pieces and throw them out on the street, and every one of them would be saying Jesus loves you."
Despite being beaten, spat on, and threatened, Wilkerson continued to reach out to Nicky with unconditional love.
Due to Wilkerson's relentless pursuit, Nicky and his gang members ultimately attended one of the crusades he organized.
While listening to the sermon, Nicky was deeply moved by the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
It gave him hope that he could leave his past behind and start anew. In that moment, he prayed, "Dear God, I'm the dirtiest sinner in New York, and I don't think you want me. But if you do, you can have me. As bad as I was before, I want to be that good for You."
The stone walls around Nicky's heart finally crumbled.
In his words, it was as if he had been admitted to a Holy Ghost hospital and rose from that encounter as a brand-new creation.
The very next morning, Nicky and his gang members marched into the police station, carrying their weapons—guns, bricks, and baseball bats—and turned them all in.
The police officers could hardly believe their eyes as one of the city's most feared gangs surrendered their weapons.
From that moment on, Nicky Cruz has been preaching the Gospel around the world, and he continues to do so to this day.
Nicky Cruz (1938-Present):
We are never closer to the heart of God than when we are forgiving someone. And we are never farther from it than when we are holding a grudge.
Jesus is the only way to a new life.
You don’t have to be in the streets, you don’t have to be in sin. Jesus is the way out.
The same Jesus who changed my life can change yours. His love is for everyone, no matter where you come from or what you’ve done.
When you are born again, your past is gone. It's washed away.
You become a new creation in Christ.
Jesus' love is so powerful that it can change the hardest heart and transform a life of violence into a life of peace.
There is no place so deep that God's love cannot reach.
His parents practiced Brujeria—his father was a satanic priest, and his mother was a witch.
From a young age, Nicky endured brutal beatings from his parents, who often called him the "Son of Satan.
They often locked him in a dark shed, where aggressive birds pecked at him relentlessly.
Surrounded by pain and rejection, he grew up feeling unloved.
"I was raised to be a murderer.
My heart was so filled with hate that it bled onto everyone I met. I was like a caged animal throwing myself against the bars of my anger, frustration, and rage."
At 16, Nicky ran away from home to the streets of New York City. There, he joined the notorious Brooklyn gang, the Mau Maus.
Through a combination of fearlessness and brutality, he quickly rose through the ranks to become their warlord.
During his time in the gang, he was arrested 16 times for ruthless violence.
Eventually, a judge ordered him to undergo psychiatric treatment.
The psychiatrist who evaluated him said, "Nicky, there is no hope for you.
You are so consumed by hatred, unlike other boys. You have no love in your heart. You're on a one-way path to the electric chair and hell."
In 1958, Nicky came across David Wilkerson, who began preaching in his neighborhood. When he told Nicky that Jesus loved him, Nicky pressed a knife against his chest and warned him to not come any closer.
Wilkerson then said, "You could kill me Nicky and cut me into a thousand pieces and throw them out on the street, and every one of them would be saying Jesus loves you."
Despite being beaten, spat on, and threatened, Wilkerson continued to reach out to Nicky with unconditional love.
Due to Wilkerson's relentless pursuit, Nicky and his gang members ultimately attended one of the crusades he organized.
While listening to the sermon, Nicky was deeply moved by the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
It gave him hope that he could leave his past behind and start anew. In that moment, he prayed, "Dear God, I'm the dirtiest sinner in New York, and I don't think you want me. But if you do, you can have me. As bad as I was before, I want to be that good for You."
The stone walls around Nicky's heart finally crumbled.
In his words, it was as if he had been admitted to a Holy Ghost hospital and rose from that encounter as a brand-new creation.
The very next morning, Nicky and his gang members marched into the police station, carrying their weapons—guns, bricks, and baseball bats—and turned them all in.
The police officers could hardly believe their eyes as one of the city's most feared gangs surrendered their weapons.
From that moment on, Nicky Cruz has been preaching the Gospel around the world, and he continues to do so to this day.
Nicky Cruz (1938-Present):
We are never closer to the heart of God than when we are forgiving someone. And we are never farther from it than when we are holding a grudge.
Jesus is the only way to a new life.
You don’t have to be in the streets, you don’t have to be in sin. Jesus is the way out.
The same Jesus who changed my life can change yours. His love is for everyone, no matter where you come from or what you’ve done.
When you are born again, your past is gone. It's washed away.
You become a new creation in Christ.
Jesus' love is so powerful that it can change the hardest heart and transform a life of violence into a life of peace.
There is no place so deep that God's love cannot reach.
❤21🔥2