God’s amazing power to redeem and restore was evident in 2017 among a number of celebrities. Following are just 3 of many.
1) Pop star Justin Bieber is unashamed of Jesus. “Let the devil know NOT TODAY!” Bieber said, quoting Hillsong United’s song “Not Today” in an Instagram post to his 89.5 million followers. “The devil has no power when you know the LIVING God! His name is JESUS!! Why worry when you can worship,” he also wrote. In past years, Bieber has gotten himself into trouble for his behavior – vandalism, drag racing, and smoking marijuana to name a few of his acts. But his change in word and deed, and his openness about sharing his faith, is welcomed by many.
2) Actress and popstar Selena Gomez opened up recently about her lifelong journey with God at this year’s Hillsong Conference in Los Angeles. Gomez admitted life in Hollywood was confusing and painful, until she realized how much God loves her. Gomez said her faith and her fame grew until finally, she had a real encounter with Jesus. “On my 23rd birthday, Jesus became real to me,” the Texas native testified. Gomez’s testimony ends with a bold declaration of her faith in Christ “Selena, you are enough! Not because you’ve tried hard, not because you have loved hard or put on your best face. Not because you have been given a large platform and not because others tell you ‘you are enough,'” she declared. “You are enough because you are a child of God who has been pursued from the very beginning. You are enough because His grace has saved you and covered you.”
3) Iconic musician Little Richard renounced his past rock-and-roll lifestyle of sexual immorality, saying he has repented and turned to Jesus Christ for salvation. In previous interviews, the famous singer referred to himself as “omnisexual,” revealing in an interview with GQ five years ago that he lived a life of perversion, including orgies with men and women. But in an extensive interview Little Richard says you can’t live that way and go to heaven, referring to “unnatural affections” that include same-sex relationships.I don’t want to sing rock and roll no more. …I want to be holy like Jesus,” he said. “Give everything you’ve got to Jesus, and oh, you’ll feel so much better.” “I want to show the world that I know a man that created everything. I know a man that gave his life that I might have a right to the tree of life.”