This morning, I asked chatgpt- who is someone that did horrible things, is in jail and has turned his life around to the Lord…..David Berkowitz
I google his name to find out more about him and came across his website.
Reading his story touched my heart. David’s Broken Life – AriseandShine.org
David Berkowitz was 24 years old when to custody.
Sentenced to six consecutive life terms in prison for his crimes.
He was convicted of killing six people and wounding seven others during his crime spree
in New York City in 1976-1977
At the age of 34, he had a spiritual awakening and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Today, he is 71 years and continues to live out his faith in prison. He is a part of the prison ministry, sharing his testimony with other inmates and encouraging them to seek forgiveness and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.
King Manasseh
2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33
Shares the story of the most wicked king that Judah ever had. He worshipped idols and the stars, sacrificed his own children, practiced sorcery, sought omens, engaged in witchcraft, and consulted with mediums and spirits.
Manasseh was raised with knowledge of the Lord, as his father, King Hezekiah, was a faithful and righteous king who made significant efforts to lead Judah in worshiping God.
At the age of 12, becoming king, he likely lacked the maturity and wisdom needed to govern a kingdom and make wise decisions.
Departing from the Lord’s ways also involved personal choice.
He was warned to turn from these wicked ways.
After many years of rebellion, Manasseh faced severe consequences, provoking the Lord in anger,
The Lord allowed the Assyrian army to capture Manasseh. They put a hook in his nose, binding him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.
In distress, he cried out to the Lord and for prayed for forgiveness and humbled himself greatly before the Lord. God heard his plea and restored him to his kingdom in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 33: 13
Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God
After his return, he showed genuine repentance by removing foreign gods and idols, restoring the altar of the Lord, and sacrificing peace and thanksgiving offerings.
Manasseh’s life teaches us that no matter how far we stray, no matter how grave our sins,
God’s mercy is always available if we sincerely repent.
David Berkowitz’s transformation from a life of crime to one devoted to God,
King Manasseh, despite his upbringing, chose a path of rebellion but ultimately found salvation through repentance and God’s mercy.
These stories encourage us to examine our own hearts and reflect on how our personal choices shape our life’s direction
These stories challenge us to reflect on our own paths and to think deeply about the consequences of our choices.
No one is too far gone for God’s love and forgiveness.
In the ultimate act of love and sacrifice, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, laid down His life on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, He offers forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
No matter our past mistakes or current struggles, Jesus invites us to come to Him just as we are,
knowing that His grace cleanses and transforms us and nothing can separate us from His love.
Let us accept His invitation, knowing with confidence that in Him, we will find forgiveness, healing, and everlasting hope.
May we find inspiration in the hope that even our darkest paths can lead to light and he is never beyond our reach. He accepts us with open arms, regardless of our past.
Come As You Are
“God doesn’t expect you to clean up your life before you come to Him, just as you don’t clean up before you take a shower. Come as you are and let His grace cleanse and transform you.”
All He desires is for you to take that first step, and everything else will fall into place in due time.
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Join me on my journey paved by God’s guidance – I invite you to join me and find inspiration in the remarkable ways God moves in our lives (echosofmyfootsteps.com)
