NON-CONCEALED CARRY

November 17 

Preach the Word; be ready in season and out-of-season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching.​​​​ 2 Timothy 4:2

​I was in the hospital to visit, and as I went to leave, some construction work made me have to go down by a different elevator than the one that I came up on originally. It brought me out near the I.C.U. where a young couple sat waiting. Seeing my Bible, the woman said, “Sir, are you a pastor?” I said yes, introduced myself, and asked how I could help. “My father is in the I.C.U. dying from black lung disease, and is not expected to live through the night. Would you share the Gospel with him so that maybe he will be saved?” 

​That is the kind of request Grace Brethren preachers dream about! I asked his name and went into the I.C.U. He was hooked up to a half-dozen hoses and just as many machines. He could not talk because of the respirator, but was awake, and nodded as I met him. I drew close and shared the Gospel of Jesus, then asked if I could pray with him to receive Jesus. He nodded, and as I prayed I became concerned that his tears might short out the equipment. A smile formed on his mouth around the plastic hoses, and he held out his hand for a “thank you” handshake. I told him “good bye for now”, and went out and shared the good news with his family who gave me his address. 

​Following up that week, I found not a widow, but a joyful couple! My friend was in an oxygen tent, but back at home! His wife said that he had begun to watch every religious program with her that they could find. Later, she told me that it had been the happiest six months of their married life. Since then, I always carry a Bible in the hospital. 

​Thank You, Lord, that You had me “in season” at the same time that the fruit was! 

Davy L. Troxel