I remember visiting my dad in the hospital as he was talking to one of his old drinking buddies. At first I was upset, until I heard my dad explain to Frankie that the power of Christ can help you break free from the bottle. Then my dad prayed for him, and Frankie left with a huge smile on his face as a big burden was lifted from him. I remember telling myself that I could not witness to Frankie like my father could. Here was I a young pastor, and I realized that God took a terrible situation and turned it around for His glory. My father was an alcoholic and God broke him free during the last years of his life. My father became a witness to the transforming power of our Almighty God.
While in the hospital, I was visited my many of our church members and fellow pastors. The one thing that I kept hearing from the nurses was “These people that keep coming to visit you really love the Lord”. I asked, “What do you mean?” They explained how our members are kind, how their face shines with love and peace. How they always pray with me, and how they love to sing for Jesus. I told myself- what a witness! They asked what church I was from. So I explained to many of the medical personnel that our church focuses on three main areas. The first is that we come to the foot of the cross daily and lay ourselves before Jesus. It is only through Him that we have salvation. Christ and Christ alone has saved us.
Second, I explained that as a Seventh-day Adventist it is important that we have an active prayer life. It is only by connecting with God daily, as Christ Himself did that we have power to overcome. It is by connecting daily that we listen to His voice, and are open to His direction for our lives.
Third, I mentioned that as Adventists we believe in the entire Bible. From Genesis to Revelation. Not just part of the Bible, but the whole Bible. We believe that the Bible is God’s inspired word and read the word daily for guidance and direction for our lives. That is why before we open our Bibles we pray that the Holy Ghost will inspire us to understand.
I was able to share our faith because of the testimony of our members. During one of the Sabbaths many of the members came and began to sing. The songs of praise rang through the hallways and into the other rooms. As of the nurses asked if they should talk to the members to lower the volume, the charge nurse declared, “What the patients need is what they have to offer. Leave them alone.”
Later the same charge nurse visited me, and we had a nice conversation. She mentioned that our room, 530, has been an inspiration to the staff. Also, she asked if I was a pastor. I told her I was. She mentioned that often the staff would leave the room blessed. After she left, tears came down my eyes. I was happy to be a witness for my Jesus.
Very often, we are a witness, whether we intend it or not. People see us; they see what kind of person we are. They see the love that we have toward one another. I was so proud of our church. Others saw the Jesus thru our members. Others saw Jesus by their singing. Others saw Jesus thru their prayers. What a witness.
In the book of Acts the religious leaders were confronting the disciples over the miracle of the man who was healed in the temple. Finally Peter answers the leaders. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:10-13
What a witness! The question that I have to ask is simple. What kind of witness are we sharing with others? It is my hope and prayer that we are like the disciples. That others may see that we have been with Jesus. Here are some words of insight.
“If every one who claims to be a child of God were filled with faith and light and life, what a wonderful witness would be given to those who come to hear the truth! And how many souls might be won to Christ!” Testimonies for the Church 6:64. “If we are continually drawing rays of divine light from glory, angels of God are around about us and there is an atmosphere that surrounds the human soul. Our very attitude, our very words, witness genuine conversion to all who come within the sphere of our influence.” Faith and Works p.65
May God bless you this Sabbath, as our lives become a witness for His Glory
Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor
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