God Is Always Working Behind The Scenes - Cesar "Tio" Ochoa

Tio or Cesar Ochoa had a story to tell, and he did. From his story, we learned who he was. He was raised in Arizona. He was a loner and a victim of his own criticism. His father Rodolfo Ochoa was an angry person who argued continually with his mother. At age eight he thought it was his fault they argued so much. Thus, Tio reminded us that your ministry begins at home.

When Tio was in the fifth grade, his parents divorced. His father never attended any of his ball games or boxing matches, nor did he remember Rodolfo saying,”I love you.” Tio grew up building a wall around himself to protect himself from being hurt. “I did not trust anyone not even God,” Tio stated. “To me God was like Rodolfo.” This same impression often happens in church that God is too busy for people. ”I was driven to gain acceptance and love from others, including God. It was a performance task, to be accepted.” So Tio served as an altar boy.

His experience as a son affected Tio’s treatment of his sons. He had trouble showing affection to his sons when they were young. In U.S. society fathers are usually not home. However, God instituted the family to be one male as the father and one female as the mother to raise the children. Fathers need to stay home to be the father the children need. He cited the study from Psychology Today.

“In early childhood, studies show that school-aged children with

good relationships with their fathers were less likely to experience

depression, to exhibit disruptive behavior, or to lie. Overall, they

were far more likely to exhibit pro-social behavior.”

Yeshua can make the difference in how you parent and who you are. “God is always working behind the scenes!”

Tio emphasized the importance of giving “your kid focused attention.” Yes, you may have to turn off the game. Yes, you might need to be interrupted, but that attention you give will make a difference in that child’s life. “You are setting the standard for your children,” Tio stated.

However, when he was younger, “It was all about me,” Tio declared. What that means was “I am not interested in you” which is sad.

Finally, when Tio was in his thirties, Rodolfo and he were talking. He said to Rodlofo,”I’m thirty- four, and I have never heard you say,’I love you.’”

Rodolfo said,”I do not want to talk about it.”

“Why not,” he questioned. When Rodolfo left, Cesar hit the steering wheel repeatedly in frustration and screamed out loud,” Why? Why? Why?”

“My story gets better. I serve a faithful God,” declared Tio. God is always working behind the scenes. "God is faithful.” Yeshua sent George Elias to call Cesar often and to ask him to go to church. Finally, to get George off his back, Tio said that he would go. They went. The evangelist invited people to the altar. Tio wanted to go, but he refused. Finally, as people were slain in the Spirit, Tio went up to see if it was real.

The evangelist prophetically asked,”Why are you so hurt? Is it your son?” Tio and Gloria’s first son had a speech impediment that hindered him from speaking. “You will not see the healing until you come to faith,” the evangelist continued.

A few weeks later, George called and asked if he could go over to their house later. Cesar said,”No.”

George replied,”Ok, I will be over in five minutes.” That response frustrated Tio because he was preparing for a party.

The man was on a mission from God. When he arrived, we sat down, and George told me about God’s love. George refused a drink of whiskey or beer. He just calmly kept on telling about God’s love. Tio ridiculed, interrupted, and even blew smoke in George’s face, but George persisted in declaring God’s amazing love. “It took one man,” Tio proclaimed. He asked us, ”Are you that man or woman? God wants to do that with you.”

Gloria came home, and she sat down to listen to George tell of God’s love. Soon she fell to her knees and accepted the Lord as her Savior. George asked Cesar if he wanted to accept the Lord. Tio responded that he did not want to give up smoking or drinking. George replied,”You don’t have to. Just come to Him.” That night Cesar gave his life to Yeshua.

One day Cesar came home from work, and Gloria came to the door with a strange look on her face. Adam came running out and shouted,”Look, I can talk.” The evangelist’s prophecy came true.

Another significant moment was when George stated,”You’re my brother in Jesus. He’s your dad.” That is true. However, the important conversation was with his mother. She told Tio that Armando was his father.

So Cesar called Armando who declared,”I am your father. Son, I have always loved you.” The need to hear “I love you” was filled. The Lord knows our needs and wants to bless you.

God is faithful, and He is always working behind the scenes. May we know those facts in our hearts, minds, and souls. May we be salt and light in this troubled world.

Please consider praying about these points from Sunday night’s prayer meeting:

*That FC would bring glory to the Lord in all we do. Hebrews 13:21

*That the leadership and staff know His will for FC and bear much fruit in the fulfilling it.

Col 1:9-10

*That FCLA and Faith Academy would have a great impact in transforming lives in the next generation. Prov 22:5

*That the Easter service would be a great testimony of our risen Savior. Acts 4:33

*That America would turn back to God. Lam 5:21

Calendar:

4/11 LB potluck, worship and Meet to Swap with the proceeds supporting the FC Youth!

By Larry and Annette Linthicum