Satanist to...Salvation!
Saving a friend.
Larry. My friend. My Satanist friend, in fact. Or, at least he WAS.
I met Larry at a halfway-house here in Springfield (IL). Very likeable, friendly, and I knew he had a good heart. But…it wasn’t his heart I was worried about.
Larry and I become good friends during our stay together. Another man living there with us described him as “our house Satanist.” LOVELY. Every home should have one! Couldn’t WAIT to meet him…not. I was a bit uneasy about it. His very first interaction with me, however, was a sign of kindness. I knew then at that moment that he was a good man…at heart. I could work with that! After I left the halfway house I kept in touch with Larry. He moved to a different house, sharing space with people of questionable habits and character. Larry was unhappy. He was NOT giving in to their lifestyle. A good sign. A very good sign.
One day, I took Larry to breakfast. And, our conversation veered into one about faith. I had continually questioned him about his occultism prior to this and now brought up the subject. I was surprised when he told me he had turned away from it! Something had occurred that opened his eyes to the error of his ways. We talked for a while and were comfortable sharing our thoughts on faith and what we believed. I knew that Larry had taken an important step. I was soon to learn just how important it was.
A few days ago, I had talked with him on the phone. He had moved 30 miles away to Decatur (IL) to live with his wife. They were on their way out to look for jobs. I thought that all would work itself out. I was wrong. A couple days later, I received an ominous and heartbreaking text:
“Od on saterday and almost died still in hospital st johns springfield”
I was soon heading for the hospital.
As I was walking there, I had this feeling of being led. There was more to this meeting than I could understand at the time. And, conditions were PERFECT…I had a great night’s rest, the weather was awesome. I was ready for what was to come but I didn’t know it.
When I arrived, I found my friend looking very pale, thin, weak and tired. BUT ALIVE. He embraced me, for the first time, and held me for more than a moment. I could feel what strength he had left, holding me close, not letting go.
I was so happy to see my friend. And vice versa. We kidded around for a few minutes. Then, I began to talk about his experience. Larry shared that he had been despondent, moving under false pretenses…no job offer. His wife had lied to him. She is an addict. Enough said. This was NOT a healthy relationship for Larry.
He had taken 80 blood pressure pills at once. It wasn’t until 10 HOURS LATER, that someone became wise to this and called for an ambulance. Larry was in such bad shape that he was medivacked from Decatur to Springfield. He was on the precipice of death.
By all rights and purposes, Larry should have died. I told him this. But WHY did he not???? I explained that God had pulled him from death. At one point in his life, I told him he had “one foot in the grave and one in hell.” If he had NOT turned his back on his occultism and rebuked Satan, he would likely not be here today. Instead, his fate would have been sealed. He had turned his back on God, become a Satanist, and attempted suicide to boot. This was a Special Delivery tailored perfectly for a fast track to an eternity in hell!
Larry listened intently, with eyes that seemed to be seeing for the first time. He agreed to what I was saying. Had he NOT turned away from Satanism, he would now be burning in the fires of eternity. I would have known this and been devastated to realize that my friend was lost…forever and ever.
About at that moment, Larry started talking about becoming a Christian! Without thinking about it, I immediately extended my hand to him. This weak man was holding strong, looking intently into my eyes as I asked him this question:
“Larry, if I was to ask you if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior…what would you say?”
“Yes.”
And that was that. I didn’t expect this moment to present itself. I was struck by the weight of a life-changing event. Larry was holding back tears…and Larry is a TOUGH guy. I was doing the best I could, myself! I asked him if he realized what just happened. He stared in amazement…waiting for my answer. I took a step back and said,
“Larry…YOU’VE JUST BEEN SAVED!”
I have since been in touch with him, trying to give a helping hand. Larry doesn’t have much. I’m thankful, however, that God allowed ME to be the vessel carrying the invitation to him. I would NOT have ever thought I could have done this on my own. But it was God who saved him from death, that I’m sure. HOW could ANYONE swallow E-I-G-H-T-Y blood pressure pills and NOT die? After letting them course through his veins for 10 HOURS. His BP was 47!
Larry had proven to God that he turned away from his old self and wanted to follow a better path.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor - 5:17/NIV)”
And so…Larry is now eager to be baptized. I’m not really sure if he had been at birth or not. I was…but I was reborn on Sunday, June 18, 2023. I am eagerly awaiting Larry’s rebirth as a new Christian. I haven’t spoken to him in a few days and he now is wanting to move away from his situation in Decatur and find a place here in Springfield where I also live. I hope and pray I can help him on this new path and would appreciate any and all support through prayer. Larry may not have much BUT…
HE HAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING…A STRONG DESIRE TO BUILD HIS OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.
Praise the Lord! 🙌