Issue 1| 2023

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STEPPING FORWARD YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO BACK BY DANNY R. COX I HAD JUST A FEW MONTHS LEFT ON MY ten-year prison sentence when a friend said to me, “I don’t know how you’ve been able to do these ten years, Danny.” Without thinking, I said, “One day at a time, John.” If you think about it, we’re all doing time somewhere. The question is, what are we doing, every day, with the time we’ve been given? There are two things we all do, no matter who we are. One, we live till we die, and two, every day we’re alive, we make decisions. Good decisions generally lead to good results, and bad decisions usually lead to bad ones. I’ll admit, I have made more than my share of bad decisions—but that doesn’t mean I have to continue making them. No way! It took serving time in 12 federal prisons and 5 county jails in 8 states for me to come to my senses, but I’ve now made it my aim to make the best decisions I can. I’m in my 70s, and I have been out of prison for 20 years now, clean and green. I guess you could say I’ve “learned a thing or two, about a thing or two.” Society has decided that incarceration is a form of punishment that will deter an individual from making If you think about it, we’re all doing time somewhere. The question is, what are we doing with each day, every day? the same bad decisions a second time. But does it? Recently, I asked the men at a Bible study I teach at a halfway house to raise their hands if they had done more than one bit. More than half of them raised their hands. One man had been down 11 times. But then he said, “This is the last time, because I’ve found Jesus.” Hold that thought! What is it about Jesus that can prevent someone from going back to prison? Shouldn’t the shame, guilt, and financial hardship we’ve placed on our families be enough? Or living miles away from everything we love? How about living in fear and constantly looking over our shoulders? For so many, none of those things prevent them from going back to their old ways and ultimately returning to prison. But Jesus can change things. Galatians 3:22 says, “we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ” (NLT). I got right with God during my first two weeks in jail by accepting Jesus into my life. In that moment, I knew that I was corrected. Sure, I still had to serve the rest of my time and work through some wrong thinking, but from that day until now, Jesus has been doing time with me. He’s helped me overcome every obstacle I’ve met. He’s given me His strength, wisdom, peace, and power to face each day. Is Jesus doing time with you, or are you still trying to do everything your way? Whatever trial you’re facing, are you doing it with Him or on your own? I’ve tried doing life my way. It didn’t work. But when I began doing things God’s way, everything changed. He is the reason I am an ex-con, an ex-drug dealer, an ex-drug addict, and an ex-alcoholic. I saw a poster once that said, “Never be a prisoner of your past. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence.” With Jesus, you can be free from your past, once and for all. His truth and Spirit can set you free (John 8:32; 2 Corinthians 3:17). Stop trying to do things your way. Let Jesus change your heart and mind so He can change your ways and future. You don’t have to go back to your dead-end ways; you don’t have to be a statistic. Life is about decisions, and the most important decision you can ever make is to ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Go ahead, make it today. When you do, Jesus will come into your life and serve your time with you. PHOTO BY GUNNAR RATHBUN DANNY R. COX was called by God to be an evangelist while serving time in prison. He is now a credentialed evangelist and correctional chaplain and serves on the board of KOJ Ministries. Danny shares his story in churches and prisons worldwide. His book, High on a Lie, may be purchased on Amazon in English and Spanish. He is the founder of Prison2Preacher Ministries. 32 Issue 01 / 2023 VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM
WANT TO KNOW JESUS? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28 NIV Jared Emerson, Artist, jaredemerson.com Do you need rest? Peace? Freedom? Forgiveness? Restoration? Call out to Jesus, accept Him as your Savior, and be made whole. Pray: “Jesus, I invite You into my life. I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Thank You for saving me from my sins and making me whole. Thank You for laying down Your life for me so that I can have a new life in You. I receive, by faith, this forgiveness of sin. Take my life—my past and my future. Guide my steps and speak to my heart, Lord. Use me, God. Amen.” Let us know of your decision so we can help you grow in your faith. Write to: VL Correspondence, PO Box 2751, Greenville, NC 27836. PERHAPS AFTER READING the stories in this magazine, you’ve surrendered your life to Jesus. Congratulations—it’s the most important decision you will ever make! But you might be wondering, now what? Here are five ways to ensure spiritual growth. Remember, the Christian life is a journey that brings lifelong transformation. 1. PRAY. Talk to God about everything and listen for His response. You don’t need fancy words, just a sincere heart. 2. STUDY THE BIBLE. God’s Word contains all the instructions we need for life. Get into a Bible study and discover new revelations daily. Free resources are on page 34. 3. GET BAPTIZED. Although baptism is not a requirement of salvation, the Bible clearly tells us that we are to be water baptized after salvation. Baptism symbolizes our dying to sin and being raised to a new life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:4). Prison restrictions may make immersion by water difficult, so get creative and let the Holy Spirit reveal how you can take this step of obedience until immersion is possible. 4. FIND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. Join a local congregation of Christ-followers. If incarceration makes attending church difficult, fellowship with other believers the best you can. They will help you stand strong and keep you accountable. 5. TELL SOMEONE. Share your decision to follow Christ and tell them what He has done for you. And then, tell us! We’d love to hear from you. WHAT NOW? I’ve Accepted God’s Salvation. Now What? VICTORIOUSLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM Issue 01 / 2023 33
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Page 11 and 12: My new look quickly attracted the w
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Page 17 and 18: while my children participated in a
Page 19 and 20: STEPPING FORWARD BENCHED BY GOD? US
Page 21 and 22: It was too much to bear, and I step
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Page 25 and 26: my father’s stepson; perhaps that
Page 27 and 28: Above: Ronnie had John 3:30 tattooe
Page 29 and 30: TRANSFORMED LIVES more of a champio
Page 31: STEPPING FORWARD Your Pain Has Purp

Issue 1| 2023

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