Needing a New Heart

Create pure thoughts in me and make me faithful again.

Psalm 51:10 (CEV)

Nicky Cruz wanted to be bad. He thought if he was the meanest, scariest person, everyone would be afraid of him and then they wouldn’t hurt him. He was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City when he was 15. He joined a tough street gang. He often fought and hurt people.

One day, a pastor told Nicky about Jesus. Nicky didn’t understand. It scared him to think about God, so he beat up the man. But the pastor kept coming back.

When Nicky’s best friend died in a fight, Nicky knew he had to change. He needed new thoughts and a new heart. But how could someone like him ever be different?

Again, the pastor told him all about Jesus. If Nicky would ask for forgiveness and let Jesus control his life, God would give him a new heart.

Nicky prayed, and God changed everything. Nicky didn’t want to be bad anymore. God helped him love people and teach them about Jesus. And God can help you, too. He can give you a new heart filled with love for him and others!

HERO TRAINING

Draw a heart on a piece of paper and write your name in it. Pray to God asking him to help you love him and do good. Then decorate this heart and make it beautiful!

GOD'S WONDERFUL WORLD

An octopus has three hearts! (Go ahead and count them!)

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help expand your children's Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 51:1–2

Ezekiel 18:31–32

Matthew 16:24–25

Colossians 2:13–14