VL - Issue 42 - January 2022

“I have set before you life and
death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you
and your children may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV
some dope.” But then I heard
the whisper of the Holy Spirit,
telling me to pick up the phone
and call the church I had contacted
before my release.
I was at a spiritual crossroads.
Thankfully, God’s Word
was written on my heart, and
I remembered Deuteronomy
I need friends to help me now more than 30:19: “I have set before you life and death,
ever!” Had He forgotten about my needs? blessings and curses. Now choose life, so
Of course not. Instead, He had put me in that you and your children may live” (NIV).
that spiritually barren place because those I chose life.
women did not know the hope of Jesus. I picked up the phone and called the
He wanted to use me to bring healing to church. Members there gave me the help
women who were as desperate and broken and support I needed to keep moving in the
as I so recently had been.
right direction—toward God and the plan
I decided to start a Bible study. I made He had for my life. God also presented opportunities
for me to share the Gospel with
rounds through the dorms in the mornings
and yelled, “Bible study!” At first, the response
was less than welcoming. You just They could see the change in me, and it
people I used to run with on the streets.
don’t wake people up in prison that way. gave them hope that what God had done
I could tell by their looks that most of the for me, He could do for them.
women thought I was crazy.
Ten months later, I met my current husband,
Michael. His father was a recently
I am sure some of them wanted to ask,
“Just who do you think you are, Miss Goody retired captain of the California Highway
Two-Shoes Christian?” But I didn’t give Patrol, and his brother was a CHP sergeant.
up, and soon a group of ladies assembled. Cops! God indeed has a sense of humor.
In our time together, I shared the scriptures
that had brought me so much hope that he would bring someone like me
Initially, Michael’s family was shocked
and healing. I continued to lead the study home, but over the years, God changed
until I was released, and they continued their hearts about “those people.” Michael
it for many years after I left. Praise God! and I have been married now for 30 years.
Being released from prison presented
immediate opportunities to return to we’ve had opportunities to reach people
We love helping others come to faith, and
the land that the locusts had destroyed. on both sides of prison walls.
I was given $200 and sent to Santa Cruz, I returned to school and graduated with
California, where I had lived before my honors as a registered nurse in 1998. I also
incar ceration. I was afraid—I knew how started teaching Bible studies for women.
dangerous and unhealthy it would be for I leaned on the Lord, His truth, and my
me to return, as the only people I knew experience in learning and teaching the
there were drug addicts and prostitutes. Bible in prison. Since I couldn’t find any
Once again, I questioned God’s ways. material that the diverse group of ladies
“How could You send me back to a town who attended the study could relate to, I
where all I know are drugs and the street started writing my own Bible studies. My
life?!” Not only would it be difficult to book, Be Transformed by the Spirit of the Living
God, was birthed from this class. I have
stand firm in my faith, but I had such a
poor reputation in that area. How would I since written two more books that are used
ever overcome it?
all over the world to help people understand
the Bible and apply it to their lives.
I got off the bus and stopped by a pay
phone. I could hear the devil whispering to It’s been over 30 years since Jesus saved
me, “Go to your old neighborhood and get my life. And just like He promised in Joel
2:25, He has restored all that the locusts
had eaten. I am forever grateful.
Have those locusts ravaged your life too,
leaving it desolate and bare? Do you feel
alone or like your life is a waste? Friend,
there is hope. God loves you, and He still
has a purpose for your life.
Surrender your heart to Him. Ask Him to
forgive you for your rebellion, doubt, fear,
pride, hatred, and confusion. And then accept
His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). He wants
to make you new. He wants to restore all
that has been taken from you. It’s not too
late to have the abundant life God intended
for you (John 10:10). There is no life too
broken for Jesus to mend.
I hope you’ll accept God’s gift of forgiveness
and salvation like I did by inviting
Jesus into your heart today. Please don’t
wait. Your eternal security depends on it,
as well as your ability to live a life of peace
and purpose on earth now.
If you are ready to surrender your life to
Jesus, offer the Lord your heart with this
prayer:
Jesus, I’ve been searching for
peace and happiness my whole
life. I’ve tried everything to fill the
emptiness in my heart but haven’t
found anything that works. I realize
now that it’s because I’ve never
confessed my sins to You and received
forgiveness for my selfish
ways.
I’ve done a poor job of running
my life on my own. I’ve done so
many things against You, myself,
and others. Please forgive me.
I want to start a new life with
You, one filled with contentment
and purpose. I want to live for
something greater than myself.
I want to commit my life to You
right now. Thank You, Lord. In
Jesus’s name, amen.
SHARON DUTRA is cofounder of Be Transformed
Ministries and the author of three books that have
been translated into four languages. Over 25,000 of
her books have been sent out to prisons around the
world. To contact her ministry, write to PO Box 597,
Grover Beach, CA 93433, or email betransformed@
betransformedministries.com.
14 Issue 01 / 2022 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM