Praise Report from Los Angeles County Jail
Two weeks ago Gomez (Name changed for security purposes) came up after the worship service. “I get it, I understand! I’ve been thinking about it, and now I know why Jesus died on the cross. I get it. Today I get it.” He was full of joy. Later, he asked me to pray that God would help Him be right with his wife. I could sense his intensity while we prayed, and we both cried.
This Sunday, I was talking about how God changes our hearts and emotions. He frees us from anger and bitterness. He teaches us to bless instead of curse. We need a Savior to fix our messed up lives … and God gets the glory for doing it (Jesus’ name means “Savior” in Hebrew).
Gomez interrupted, and asked if he could share something.
He started slowly, “I’m a three striker. I’m looking at 57 years (in prison). When I first came to (dorm number), I was trying to think of how to hang myself. I was so sad. I kept trying to think of how to hang myself. I was trying to hang myself (he put his hand to his throat), and Sheriff kicked down the door and arrested me … violence and domestic violence. I was so depressed. I looked at the window and … I was so sad.”
He started talking excitedly, “God changed me! I told my public defender, I’m praying for you! She said, What are you praying for me for? I said, That God would bless you! She said, What @#&* happened to you?!?!???”
He was almost giddy with praise, “I know that I have to follow God and do it His way, if I am ever going to be good with my wife. I don’t expect her ever talk to me because I (beat her), but if I ever get to be with her again, I know I have to do it God’s way. If I ever going to be good with my kids, I have to do it God’s way. Now, when I look at the window, I thank God for another day! I’m not sad anymore. “
“God even changed the judge!”, he said with a stunned look on his face. “ The judge started talking rehab instead. I can’t believe it! “
He finished with, “I thank God for (an inmate in his dorm). He is telling me (about God)!”
… I was done, I didn’t want to say another word …
At least six guys in his dorm have completed the Fundamentals of the Faith workbook to earn a study Bible. After the service, I had the privilege of delivering another study Bible to a new believer in his dorm, who finished Fundamentals of the Faith. God is doing amazing things in a dorm full of violent gang members.
Ask God to help you recognize something fresh to praise Him for. God is awesome! Unfortunately, too often, I am looking the other way and miss it.