God gave me an awesome privilege back in January to lead a man named Bill to faith in Christ.
I went to see Bill in the hospital at the request of his son. We hit it off right away and became good friends.
One day when I went to visit Bill we began to talk about spiritual things. Morally, he was a good man but he had never surrendered his life to Christ.
As I shared the gospel with him, he began to weep over his sin. I asked Bill if he would like to have forgiveness for his sins and ask Jesus to be his savior.
When he said "yes", I told Bill that he could pray on his own to do that.
Before I could finish speaking, this 76 year old man raises his hands in the air, tears are streaming down his face and he cries out "Dear Lord Jesus, I have let you down so many times. Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me? Please forgive me and please adopt me into your family. I want to be your child."
Bill got saved that day. 32 days later, he died---just one day after his 77th birthday.
I preached his funeral and was able to comfort the other believers with the news of Bill's salvation. That same news served as Bill's testimony and his witness to all of the unbelievers gathered that day.
Pray for the seeds of the gospel that were planted through the life, death and testimony of my friend Bill.
I only knew him for about 45 days here on earth---but we will have eternity to get to know each other!
1 comment:
I am Bill's son i want to thanl Ralph for being there for my father and comforting him and showing him his way in life . I would also like to thank Ralph foe being here for me then and now , I first met Ralph while i was at work one day a Durham County E M S where i work as a paramedic . Ralph was kind enough to volunteer his time to be our chaplain we are to say the least a very diverse group of people and Ralp has found a way to be there for each of us . I have talked to him several times and about several different things , he has helped me greatly through a very dark and trying time in my life. I remember one monday night i was with my father in the hospital and he was asking for Ralph he really needed to talk to Ralph , he hjad not known my father that long 2 weeks or so maybe but at 1000pm on monday night Ralph came to the hospital and talked with him for and hour or so. this touched me and showed me what a special caring man that Ralph is and its true my father thought the world of him i never saw my father take to someone like he did to Ralph .After that talk on that monday night i dont ever remember see my father more at peace with himself as he did after that talk .I asked Ralph to preach my fathers funeral i told him that my dad would not settle for anyone else and Ralph told me he would be honored to do that.I just wanted to share this and to say anyone who knows Ralph is honored to know such a caring and giving man i know I am honored to know him .
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