Kenny* looks like the demon of your nightmares. He has horns tattooed on his forehead , the faces of demons on his arms and a ghoulish thing on his neck. He looked at me with a sadistic sneer that said, “I’m going to make you entertain me.” As he showed me his fists, I read one letter off each finger to spell, F### You. As the heavy door slammed and automatically locked behind him, his gangster friends formed a semicircle around me. I looked at the thick concrete walls surrounding us. There was nowhere to run.
Light faced off with utter darkness, as I smiled, handed them Gideon New Testaments and said, “This is for you, glad you are here.” We were in “The Hole” of Supermax, a high security jail in Los Angeles. These guys had nothing to lose. They had already been sentenced for violent crimes, and they were resenting the day they would be chained up like dogs and hauled to prison. They were full of anger and rage. I was thrilled to be God’s tool in the fight.
We read about the fury of God’s wrath on those who oppose Jesus Christ. I shared God’s love and mercy for those who accept God’s grace and forgiveness. I told Kenny to repent, make Jesus the boss of his life and bring glory to God. I told him, “Satan may have written his name all over your body, but God still wants to write His name on your heart.” His attitude changed as the Word of God cut through his pride and pierced his soul.
He kept the Bible and began reading it on his own. A month later we met again, and he shared how he was praying, and God was changing him. He read to me from Psalm 19, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.“
Light and love can conquer the darkness … Kenny had been committed to serving Satan and wanted the world to know it. He had tattooed his vile ambitions all over his body. But, now, God is changing his heart. Kenny is being transformed, from a scoffer who despised the commands of God, into an obedient servant who treasures God’s Word.
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)
*Name changed for security purposes.
