Battle for One Man’s Soul
My brother and best friend called me while eating dinner one evening to give me the disbelieving results of his MRI. Its cancer bro and they’ve given me 6-12 months to live.
I sat there so shocked I couldn’t even swallow my food. The tears came and it was all I could do to not completely break down. This could not be happening! He is too young and has only eaten food from a health food store most of his adult life! This happens to unhealthy people not my brother!
My heart was sick. Yes, about losing my brother but even more so in losing him for all eternity. I have been praying and trying to reach my brother with the Gospel and share the Good News of Jesus Christ for at least 30 years. He had been involved in a cult like religion for a long time.
The next day I got on my knees, sobbing from the depths of my soul and begged God to save him. I felt a strong drive afterwards to go immediately to him. I know he said 6-12 months but I felt God was telling me to go so I packed my bags and left the next day to Wisconsin.
During the time of Terry’s treatment he was always telling the doctors “I don’t want anything candy coated, tell it to me straight”. So one night I said “Ok, you like everything straight,” and he said in return “Yep”! So I told him “Ok, you want it straight, here is where you are going. I pulled out a book called “23 Minutes in Hell,”and started reading.
He didn’t say much after the first chapter except “Boy, that poor dude”. After the 2nd chapter he looked up at me with very serious eyes. After the third chapter I told him “Ok, now I have good news, and I read Isaiah 53 and John 3”. Then,I asked him if he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. And to my amazement he said yes! I had a hard time believing my ears! He repeated the sinner’s prayer after me and immediately said he felt such peace. He spent the next four weeks asking me to read the bible every day and talked incessantly about Jesus. He had the most continual, peaceful expression on his face I have ever seen.
Terry died one month to the day after we found out about his cancer. He didn’t make it the 6-12 months like they said. Terry did not die but rather is living in eternity with His Lord. They say it is like walking from one room to another. I asked Terry before he died that if he had a choice would he rather not have cancer and live like he was before or have cancer and know Jesus. He chose cancer.
The he said “I could have believed all this time! I wasted all those years!”
Wow, what a miracle! God often works in ways we don’t expect, doesn’t he?
Ted
56
Florida
Thanks for sharing. I am reminded – when it comes down to it, eternity is what it is all about.
Tearfully beautiful.
So powerful. Thank you for sharing.
Just Beautiful….thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Jesus. For giving your life that I might be saved. ~Franny
Wonderful story. My brother went home in 2010 at age 46 leaving a young wife and two boys. It was a shock since we never suspected of an illness leading to death, though we knew he had weak lungs. When I heard the news I asked the Lord why He didn’t tell me He’s going to take him home. The Lord’s answer came quickly and very strongly. He said, “It is because I didn’t want you to plead for his life anymore. I want to give him rest.”
Weeks and months later, and still today, my Mom could hardly get over her grief for losing her first born. Then I remembered in 2009, I had a very vivid dream of my Mom having a nervous breakdown. I interceded and asked the Lord to not let it happen. Knowing Mom to be a strong woman of faith, I wondered what could be causing such breakdown? Then the Lord spoke to me that my brother’s death could have caused her nervous breakdown had He not warned me and called me to intercede. So I understood. He warned me of Mom’s upcoming attack so it could be thwarted, but not of my brother’s death so I could not plead for him as it was His will for him to go home already.
Every time Mom tells me how she missed my brother, I would remind her that he isn’t dead, just moved up to the best place anyone could be. I remind her that he has not ceased to live; that he lives with Lord and with all the heavenly hosts and a few years isn’t too long before we see him again.
Blessings everyone,
Cynthia
Thank you for sharing this story Ted! I am sure that many people can relate to losing a loved one that they have been praying for. Thank God that you had the chance to spend such quality time with him and lead him to salvation!
Thanks for liking my post: “Following Jesus Means Taking Steps.” Prise The Lord for saving your brother! Thanks for sharing this inspiring account. I look forward to meeting up with you and your brother when the Lord calls us all home.