Meeting the King

Imagine yourself walking by this magnificent castle. To see all it's splendor inside, you have to walk through the door. There is only one door you can enter-And only one requirement and key to get in: To put all your trust in One Person. But once you were given permission to enter, you were guaranteed access to this castle (or kingdom) for eternity-Never to be turned away. Forever you would dwell in the splendor and wonders of this peaceful and safe place.

So you go to the King standing at the door (who, by the way, is The Door), and you ask him, "Your Majesty, what must I do to get in?"

"Oh," says the King, "This is the place of grace and of mercy-unmerited favor. There is nothing you can do to earn or buy your way into My Father's castle (or kingdom); nor could you ever be good enough. For it's a holy place, and no sin can enter. That's why I am standing here at the door."

"I'm not a perfect man," said the visitor. "In fact, I sin every day even when I don't want to." And he bowed his head and began to slowly walk away.

"Wait! Don't go!" Said the King (or the Father's Son). "I already took care of all that for you! What my Father wants is for you to believe in Me, His Son, and I can let you in and help you! If you receive Me and believe in who I am, I can let you into My castle!"

So the King and the visitor sat down on the steps of the castle. The King (or Son) told the visitor who He was and showed him the marks on his hands, feet and side. Then the Son told the visitor the story of the Cross, how He died for the sins of the world, was buried, and rose again from the dead three days later.

When they finished talking, the visitor said to the King, "I do believe in you and who you say you are-The Son of God! I ask you to forgive me of my sins and receive from you all that you did for me on the cross!" Said the visitor.

The Son received the visitor's response and gave him the Father's Spirit to dwell within him so he could see and understand the things of God. They then entered the castle (God's Kingdom) together. When it was time for the visitor to leave, the King turned to him and said, "Remember, I gave you the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide you for what I send you back to do. And because I gave you Mine and My Father's Spirit, I know who you are. My seal of Salvation and mark of ownership is now inside you. And when it's time, one day you will return and live here forever with Me and My Father because you believe in Me. But until your time to leave your world comes, tell others about Me (Jesus Christ) and this place (Heaven) so they can come here too. And be sure to let them know many things must happen first. And then I will return to earth. Tell them I AM coming soon!"

The visitor did just that, and began to urgently tell others about the Father's free plan to gather hearts for His Kingdom. And when his day came for him to die, he left this world and joined the Son and the Father forevermore. And all those who the visitor had time to share his story with also came to live there when their time on earth was up. And the people they shared their story with, and who received the Son, also later joined them at the castle...And so on...And so on...

Adrian's Story

A witness to God's grace and mercy during a loved one's last days

On September 22, 2004, I lost my best friend and brother of 49 years to respiratory difficulties due to HIV. My brother was a homosexual, and lived the life style most of his life. Living in Las Vegas before he was admitted into the hospital, his original plan was to die and later have his roommates break the news to his mother and eleven other siblings living in the Midwest. However, as Adrian's condition worsened, a roommate finally called a family member and was encouraged to admit him into a Las Vegas hospital.

Adrian was visited by family members during the next few months. He was quite scared during his earlier stay at the hospital, and looked very thin and much older than his age. But he was always well mannered with hospital staff, and alert enough at times to participate in much testing and medical evaluations. Through the days, family members prayed and nurtured over him with much love and care, as his condition went up and down.

Adrian was a loving brother who always worried about others, and was straight about giving his opinion in hopes of helping someone's life to be better than his own. We all had our problems; and through them, some family members had given their lives to Jesus Christ. But Adrian still seemed angry with God and took a rebellious stand against him whenever given the chance. However, now, loved ones around him were watching the change in Adrian take place. He didn't seem so afraid anymore, and his heart was becoming more peaceful and childlike as time went on. One morning, he woke up with a smile on his face and told my sister he just had a dream of his 6-year-old birthday party (which he mentioned was his best party ever).

While family members stayed with my brother at the hospital, they said that Adrian listened to ministers on the television and mentioned of angels standing by his side. He prayed with anyone who offered to pray with him; and wanted to know where "those people" were that visited and prayed with him the day before (we had contacted an area church to make frequent visits and pray with Adrian and family members at the hospital) (See the CBN Church Finder under Ministries). Then one morning, I received a call from the pastor of this church. He just wanted to let me know he felt Adrian was ready to go home to be with the Lord. And a few days later, Adrian died.

Adrian, in his prayers and heart, asked for forgiveness of his sins and confessed with his mouth his personal belief in Jesus Christ. And if he did this like he always did everything else-I know he said that prayer with all his heart and meant it! And though our brother still died, we know in our hearts he now will live forever in Heaven. As our Shepherd, Jesus Christ took it upon himself (and the people he used) to see that one of his lost sheep were found and safely brought home! The angels (Adrian spoke of often) were even sent to get him prepared for the event! (Even his roommates later noted how he died in peace.)

The bible says one must enter the Kingdom of God as a child. It also talks of  angels who are sent to earth to prepare and escort someone dying into the gates of Heaven. And the bible talks much about the power prayer and faith can have to involve God in our lives while still down here on earth. This story of my brother is short, and doesn't include all the pain and suffering he (and those around him) went through. But it does share the freedom and salvation he finally found in Jesus Christ! It is my hope Adrian's Story will be an encouragement to all to reach out to the grace and love of God alone, and receive the free gift of salvation God offers to all who wish to receive it! For as long as you're still alive, you have time to do what Adrian did-CALL ON JESUS' NAME FOR SALVATION!

I never made it in time to Las Vegas to see my brother before he died. But I was able to say good-bye to him in a dream. In this dream, my brother was walking down a road. He was smiling, looked happy and healthy, at peace, and had a wholesomeness about him he did not have while down here on earth. He turned to look at me and told me he loved me, and we hugged and talked for awhile. When it was time for him to go, I asked him how he is and where he is. His last words to me were, "BECAUSE HE LIVES, I LIVE!"

I know the "HE" Adrian was talking about was Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the "Dear God" letter above. Jesus' arms are still opened wide to receive all who choose to come to Him in faith. In fact, in my dream with Adrain, he asked me to go tell others about Jesus-especially his friends. He said, "You will know who they are! Just look for the broken-hearted!"

I miss my brother, but know one day I will see him again. Until then, I will share his story to encourage others (and his friends) to call upon the name of Jesus Christ for salvation today-And receive eternal life in Heaven like Adrian did!