“In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

I was sitting in the chaplain’s office of one of the local hospitals. We had several members hospitalized and was looking up their room numbers. Though it happened long ago, I can remember it like it was yesterday.

It was a full afternoon back at the church. I wasn’t sure that time would permit, but I wanted to check to see if there was anyone who lived in our community or nearby that was unaffiliated with any church. Sure enough, there was a man who lived one street over from our local church. Following the calls on my members, I prayed that the Lord would go before me and stopped by the man’s room.

It was “perfect” timing as the man had no visitors and really seemed to appreciate my visit. He was not open to me sharing the gospel with him, but did allow me to pray with him before I left.

“May I stop by tomorrow and visit you once again?” I asked him before I left his bedside. “I’ll be here. You can come,” the man replied.

That night in prayer meeting I shared my concern for the man and asked the church to be praying. They prayed earnestly. The next day I returned, and once again the man was alone. Calling the man by name, I sat beside his bed and quietly spoke to him and said, “I want you to be certain that you know how to have a personal relationship with the Lord and live forever with Him. May I share this with you?”

The response was wonderful! “I’ve been waiting since yesterday. Tell me now!” the patient replied. That day he asked Jesus to be his Savior. He placed his faith in what Christ accomplished for us in His death and resurrection. The joy of this man was amazing once he knew the Lord in a personal, saving way. “I’ve known something was missing in my life for years!” he said through his tears. “Now I know what it was” he said with excitement.

Two days later that same patient suddenly died. He went Home to be with the Lord. In tears I shared his testimony at his funeral service. You see friends, it is not a religion that I’m talking about. It is a relationship with the Lord Jesus. Do you have this? If not, would you please click the banner “Heaven!” and you will read how you can know the Lord Jesus.