Houston Devotional//A Three-point Sermon from a Living Bible

“Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” 
                                                                                       William J. Toms

The familiar quote serves as a powerful reminder of how our lives and actions impact others. This proved true in my personal life experiences in ministry and nursing, where faith and hope play a significant role. 

During my nursing career at a cancer hospital, the gratitude, unwavering faith, hope in Jesus Christ, and profound devotion to prayer shown by many patients and their families moved me deeply. One testimony, in particular, stands out. I cared for this man over twenty-five years ago. His three-point message about dependence on Jesus Christ in all circumstances encouraged me and continues to inspire me to this day, and I hope it encourages you. 

After knocking on the door, I entered the hospital room. An older man in the final stages of his battle with cancer looked at me as I slowly pushed the procedure cart into the room. I introduced myself. Moving closer to his bed, I explained I was the nurse assisting the doctor with his procedure. He looked at me, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He reached for my hand and said, “I’ve been waiting for you. Thank you.” 

His emaciated body lay relatively still as I prepared him for the procedure. He breathed heavily, and his face glistened with sweat from a long night filled with debilitating pain. I gently exchanged his gown for a fresh one and used a moist washcloth to wipe his face. I administered his pain medication before the doctor entered the room.

“Good morning, Mr. Smith. I’m Dr. Jones (not their real name). I’ll be placing a catheter to administer medication that will relieve your pain significantly. Do you have any questions?” Mr. Smith merely shook his head, and we positioned him on his side for the procedure. He grimaced and groaned as we slowly turned him, and again, he reached for my hand, holding on very tightly. 

Dr. Jones confidently began the skin prep, but suddenly Mr. Smith cried, “Oh Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus!” The doctor, visibly startled, asked if I had administered the pre-procedure pain medication. I nodded affirmatively. 

Dr. Jones painstakingly continued, but his attempt to insert the catheter failed. Mr. Smith’s cries of “Oh Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus!” persisted. Sweat formed on the doctor’s forehead, slowly trickling down his face. Mr. Smith’s cries continued unabated. “Give him more pain medication!” Dr. Jones shouted to me. Mr. Smith responded, “Doc, I don’t need any more pain medication. Oh, Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus.” 

The doctor, frustrated by his inability to perform a procedure he had done hundreds of times, looked at Mr. Smith and asked, “If you’re not in pain, why do you keep saying, ‘Oh Jesus’?”

“Doc, did you get the catheter in yet?” Mr. Smith replied.

The doctor sighed and furrowed his brow, disappointed. He softly said, “No, not yet.”

Mr. Smith responded, “Then I’ll keep calling Jesus because he hasn’t shown up yet. Oh, Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus!”

I could see the doctor pondering his next move through his facial expressions. I leaned over and whispered, “Let’s try repositioning him.” He agreed, and after repositioning Mr. Smith, the doctor attempted to insert the catheter again. Suddenly, the catheter slipped right into place.

The doctor exclaimed, “I got it in, Mr. Smith!” 

Mr. Smith paused momentarily, breathed, and cried, “Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!” 

Mr. Smith in no way minimized the experience and expertise of his doctor. He called on the only person he believed was in control and could help him. This dying man exhibited patience, trust, and steadfast faith while enduring pain and suffering.

He preached a three-point sermon from his hospital bed: (1) call on Jesus, (2) wait on Jesus, and (3) thank Jesus. In his feeble voice, he declared there is power in the name of Jesus. 

What story of faith and hope in Jesus Christ does your life convey? Does your life mirror the teachings of the Bible we study so diligently? Who in your life needs to witness gratitude and faith in action, regardless of the circumstances?

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
                                                                                                   Matthew 5:14–16, ESV

Talulah Ruger, RN, MSN (MACE, 2006), is a retired oncology nurse, Bible teacher, speaker, and writer. Talulah, the president and founder of Talulah Ruger Ministries, utilizes her extensive experience in vocational church ministry, combined with her teaching and speaking, to inspire and motivate others who are 50 and older to leverage their faith and life stories to mentor others for Christ. She teaches and trains women to use their gifts in ministry and develop meaningful relationships through spiritual mentoring. She also serves as an instructor at the Opened Bible Academy in Houston.