M
Y DAD IS not expected to live,”
Just
preparing a home for those who have
Bill told his pastor. “I’ve shared asked for forgiveness.” For a third time he
with him many times that he
Squeeze
said, “If you understand, just squeeze my
can simply ask Jesus to forgive hand.” Patiently he waited and then he felt
his sins and then he’ll know he’s going to it. This time it was not as strong as before.
heaven when he dies, but he hasn’t ever
My Hand
Sensing he must leave because Hank
asked. I’m so anxious for him to do this. was very tired, Pastor Johnson asked one
Please, Pastor Johnson, would you do me more question, the question he had come
a big favor and go talk to him?” to ask. “Would you like Jesus to forgive
The pastor went to Hank immediately, by Joanne Wright Schulte your sins and take you to heaven? If so,
but his eyes were closed and he seemed very just squeeze my hand.” Now the minutes
weak. Silently he prayed this dying man seemed like hours as he waited for the
would still be able to hear and communi- squeeze of his hand. Would it come? Had
cate with him. Leaning closely, Pastor John- Hank really heard and understood? There
son took his feeble hand and explained who was no response. He repeated his ques-
he was and why he had come. tion. “Would you like Jesus to forgive
Having received no acknowledgment your sins and take you to heaven? If so,
of his presence, the pastor wondered just squeeze my hand.”
what he could do. Finally he said, “If you And then he felt it.
can hear me, just squeeze my hand.” Three days later Jesus welcomed Hank
Time seemed to stand still as he waited to his new home in heaven.
for a response. Finally he felt it—gentle With His nail-pierced hands open
though it was. Ever so thankful for a wide, Jesus comes to each one of us ask-
response, the pastor proceeded with what ing those same three questions. “Do you
he wanted to say. would be waiting when he died. Once hear Me talking to you? Do you under-
He shared several verses from the Bible again Pastor Johnson said, “If you under- stand what you’ve heard? Would you like
that tell about Jesus, who willingly died stand, just squeeze my hand.” As before, Me to forgive your sins and take you to
on a cross for the forgiveness of every- the pastor waited for a response. It did not heaven when you die? If so, just squeeze
one’s sins and three days later rose from come right away, but once again he felt it. My hand.”
the dead. He said all anyone had to do The pastor went on to say, “Hank, Jesus
was sincerely believe this and ask Him to wants everyone to go to heaven to live Joanne Wright Schulte expresses her con-
forgive his sins. Then a home in heaven with Him. Right now He is in heaven cern for the lost from Santa Ana, California.
THE
Acknowledge you have sinned
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”
KEYS TO
(1 John 1:8).* “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
ETERNAL
Believe in Jesus
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). “For God so
LIFE
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
CHRIST PAID for our Confess and renounce your sin
salvation with His death
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that
on the cross, but for us
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). “If we confess
to accept this gift is as our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
simple as using these
unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
keys to unlock the door: *Scriptures are from the New International Version.
EVANGEL • DEC 2008 25
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