Conversion en el "Club" - Albert Gutierrez testimony

[♪ Music ♪ Let's go to the last part of this personal testimony. I'm going to read a scripture, or perhaps several scriptures. But as I say, this is a personal testimony that I don't share often. Because sometimes you think, well, I don't have a testimony. But we all have a testimony. My name is Alberto Gutierrez. I'm from Lubbock, Texas. And I want to start by saying that when I was young, I'm grateful because my parents were good parents. My father was from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. And my mother's descendant was from Guanajuato. So I have roots in Mexico. And I'm grateful that my father, from a young age, my family, always, my father would take us to Mexico to meet the other family there, from Mexico. Of the nine in my father's family, he was the only one who came to the United States at the age of 19. And this is where he and my mother met. And then this is where I was born, here in Texas. And thank God I had some beautiful parents. Both of them are already in heaven. They are already running the golden streets. And I'm grateful for what my father and mother taught me when I was young. And for many years, I lived a life with a lot of control because my father, being from Mexico, he had this order in the house that only his bones would tremble, okay? So maybe you know, you can relate to that, with a father who was very, he was hard,

but at the same time, he was very affectionate. He taught us respect for the rights of others. And that's how I grew up. And at the age of 12, I would go out with my father and my father would hang out a lot with other men who liked to drink a lot. And I liked to hang out with my father because I always hung out with him. I followed him a lot. And in one of the drinks, one of the drunks that they had, one of their drunks, an uncle of mine, he was a guitarist, and I was there with them. And I would just tell them, bring me a beer, my son. Okay, daddy, I'll bring it to you, all right? Or to my uncle, or my aunt, or whoever was there. And then, in one of the drinks, my father told me, my son, you're going to learn to play the guitar. And I didn't say no, because I grew up in that time where you didn't say no to your parents, you just said, yes, sir, I'm going to do it. So my uncle, he was a professional guitarist. He took me under his arm and he started teaching me how to play the guitar at the age of 12. And he was strict. My uncle was strict. He was a good teacher, but at the same time, very disciplined, because that's what he was teaching me,

discipline. So I grew up learning to play the guitar, and I never stopped, until this year, until this day, I'm still a guitarist. And glory to the Lord for this talent, because now I know that it's a gift, it's a gift that the Lord has given me. At the age of 15, I started playing the trumpet too, with a cousin and other friends from school. And then one of them came up with the idea that we were going to start an orchestra. And at that time, there were a lot of orchestras here in Texas, Little Joe and the Family, Sun and the Sunliners, and many more, Joe Bravo, many orchestras, many musical groups. I was a trumpet player, and my cousin was... He was a saxophonist and the other a guitarist and a bassist, so we had a whole group and we learned to play the most popular music of those years. And we are talking about the 60s and a little bit of the 70s, but at the age of 15 to 20 I was in secular music, playing in dances and quinceañeras and that's what I was doing. I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed it. At that age, when I was young, I did enjoy it a lot because I was in that roll of music. And then at the age of 21, at that time in this country there was a law that at the age of 18 you had to register for the army. So soon after, a year after I left high school, I got drafted. So I enlisted in the army and I left Texas for four years serving the government of the United States in the Air Force. And I was in Europe for two years and then two years here in the United States. So I did serve, and it is a pleasure to serve this country, this government. Because for me it was a great experience and at the same time it was an honor to serve this country. So yes, I have a lot of respect for all the veterans and also for all the armies of the United States. Because they do take a big part and I am grateful for the freedom we have in this country, here in the United States.

Although we have a lot of problems, but which country doesn't have problems these days, right? There are problems everywhere. But now, let's go back, because this is a personal testimony that I don't share often. Because sometimes, as I said, sometimes it seems that I don't have a testimony compared to those with whom I join together from this Ministry of Freedom in Jesus. Because most of the volunteers of this ministry are ex-prisoners. They were imprisoned for a while, but I wasn't. Although I do have a story, I have 20 years of experience in alcohol and drugs. And yes, I took part in that part of the world where I was lost. That's what it was, I was lost. And I did get involved a lot, for 20 years, in drugs and alcohol and wandering aimlessly. But then, look at what happened in my family. And here I have some notes so I don't get lost, because this time we are going to... I am trying to share a long testimony in about 25 minutes. But here I grew up in Labak, and then at the age of 15 to 20, is when I had that opportunity to be a musician in an orchestra. And I did enjoy it, why would I lie to you? But my family was religious. And so, I had that problem at home when I was young, especially when I was young, that my family would go to church, and I didn't want to go, but they forced me to go to church. And as I told you, I didn't tell my parents no. That's why my ears are a little big, because they pull my ears, right? Let's go to church! So I grew up with that discipline at home. But when I retired from here at the age of 20, it was when I had that opportunity to get to know this country better, because I went to all of the United States, and then to Europe. And so I had that benefit, that opportunity to meet a lot of people, a lot of people from all of the states in this country, and at the same time, to meet people from other countries,

in Europe, in England, in France, in Spain, and then to the north of England. with the Army, and I'm grateful because it was of great benefit to me, because now I can say that I know how to survive, because it's something that the Army and the government taught me. It's like any veteran, and I greet all the veterans who are listening right now, because I know that there are some who are incarcerated, and at the same time, I greet all those who are active right now in the Army. It's thanks to them that we have freedom in this country. But let's continue with this story, and then, at the age of... I was already in my thirties, and my mom... And I like to talk about this because, glory to God, my family was religious, but then my mom and my sister, a sister who follows me, she no longer lives either, nor my mom, nor my grandmother, but the three of them began to have biblical studies in the house, and there was a brother, now he is my brother in Christ, but he was always earning souls, that was his work, to go to minister, and he came to my family's house and began to minister to my family, especially to my mom, and my sister, and my grandmother, and some aunts. And I tell you this because it's something... how God works, how God works in the lives of human beings, especially when the word of God makes it very clear to us now, in Psalm 139, how the Lord knows us all, right? And read it, read it, I encourage you to read it, so that you know that there is someone who knows you. And I tell you this because I've met a lot of people who tell me, Alberto, you don't know how I feel, you don't know what it's like to be in these shoes, and yes, I don't know, but I know someone called Jesus Christ, and He knows everything about you, He knows your past, He knew you when you were being formed in your mother's womb, and it's something that I totally understand now, how all of this happened, but in those times,

we're talking about the 80s, my mom was saved, and they got into Christianity, they got into... they were no longer religious, now they are alleluia, and when I realized that they were alleluia, I, more and more, I retired from my family, because I didn't want anything to do with the alleluia, I didn't want anything to do with them, because for me, this was too much for me, I was happy with a religion, that was convenient, that I could take, I could do my drugs, I could do all of this, and then confess to another man what I was doing, and then my sins, that was the belief, my sins are forgiven, but for me, that's a mistake, ok? Maybe many of you don't agree with me on this, but that's how I look at religion, made by men, now I understand all of this, but look at what happened in my life, at the age of 36 years, I was playing in a club, here near Lava, a club called La Pasadita, and that club, I was a guitarist, and in that club, that was where a lot of people got together, a lot of drugs, a lot of motorcycling, so it was an environment, a public that liked it a lot, naturally, we're talking about a bar, a club, there was a lot of drugs, a lot of alcohol, and I remember one night that I was there, I was 36 years old, and I remember that night that I was there playing the guitar with the group, and then, the rest of the group, there were 5 of us, and they were to my right, and I was here, and then suddenly, around 11 at night,

I heard a voice in my ear, On my left, in my left ear, I heard a voice that told me that you don't have a business here. And so I turned to my left, but there was no one there, just the wall. And so we were on a platform, and then I thought, where did that voice come from? I heard it very clearly, telling me that I didn't have a business there. And so I started to look at the rest of the group, and can you imagine going to a canteen where there is a lot of noise, a lot of noise, a lot of drinking and a lot of shouting? And so I was looking at everyone, like, what's going on here? No one is talking to me. It's like I wasn't there, you know? Because no one was paying attention to me. I was looking at the rest of the group, and we had our list of songs that we were going to play, and I already knew all of my material. And so no one was paying attention to me. And so I was looking, and who told me that? That I don't have a business here. But there was no one there, I was alone here, alone. And then that stayed in my mind, in my brain. How did that happen? Because I know that I wasn't crazy, and I still am not crazy. But at that time, I thought, where did that voice come from? I heard it very clearly, telling me that I don't have a business here. But something mysterious happened that night, there in that canteen. Just look at it. My five senses kind of woke up. Suddenly, I began to see with my own eyes where I was, the environment where I was. I began to see the people there, the laughter, all of that. Everything was fake. In other words, I was looking at all these lost people. I didn't know what was going on, because I couldn't analyze what was going on at that moment. I just know that my five senses suddenly woke up, because I was seeing exactly where I was. And then I began to see all that joy that you see in a ball of drunk people.

Everything is fake, everything. Everything is fake. But we are musicians, we are playing cumbias, we are playing rock and roll, we are playing what they wanted, they are enjoying it. And we are playing because they are paying us. It was a job. But look, the five senses. I began to see where I was. And not only that, but I also began to hear where I was. And then, suddenly, my ears opened and I was listening to all the noise that was happening there. All the noise. And then, not only that, but then I began to smell where I was. At one time, I think many of you can relate to this, because at one time, especially if you come from the canteens of the clubs of the dances of the world, if you come from that wave, then you know that at one time you could enter all perfumed, with cologne, or the women smelling very soft with the perfume, and then you enter a place like this where there is pure smoke, there is pure alcohol, and then when you leave there, you smell like a cigarette. Or you smell pure alcohol. You already stink in other words. But at one time, I didn't pay attention to that, because I was part of that wave. But now that I heard that voice that tells me that I have a business there, and then my five senses woke up, and I began to see the environment where I was, and then I began to hear more clearly where I was. And then I began to smell everything, the plague, because it was what it was. Now I can no longer tolerate that. I don't like the smoke, I don't like the smell of beer, alcohol, drugs. I don't like any of that, because I'm not the same man I was before.

But notice that all the senses woke up, even the taste. The beer no longer had that taste. I have been walking for 20 years. That night I was really high on cocaine, because at the time, that's what I was looking for. At the time, we're talking about the 80s. I can say now that I felt like I was married to cocaine, because I was looking for it every day. That's all I cared about, that drug. And also marijuana and alcohol. And then I stopped drinking beer. Now I liked Pisto more, the Royal Crown. They call it the drink of a rich man, right? Although I didn't have any money, but I was playing that role of being rich, right? With drugs and alcohol and all that. But I was well defeated too. But that night, that voice that I heard, now I know what it was. Because, look, in those times, my family was already one by one. God was reaching out to us. And then, this was when I was 36, and it was 1986 when all of this happened. And then, that same night, look, that group of musicians, that band, that's what it was. It was more like a combo, what we called a combo in those times. I told them, at the end of that night, I told them that I didn't want anything to do with this anymore. Because that voice that I heard had an impact on my life, on my being. That I thought, this is not for me anymore. It's not for me anymore. So, that same night, I told them, this is the last time I come here. This is the last time I'm going to play with you. This is the last time. I'm going to stop. And, of course, they got mad at me, but I didn't care. Because I thought, this is not normal for me. Hearing a voice, and I know I'm not crazy.

And then, telling me this voice, that I have a business here. It has an impact on my life. Now, my five senses have more clarity of what I'm doing. That I'm well lost. So, that same night, I grabbed all my tools. My guitars, my amplifiers, all that. I threw it in my truck. And on the avenue to my house, the law stopped me. And the highway patrol, Texas Highway Patrol, stopped me. And, well, I brought the drugs with me. But that officer, that police officer, didn't find them. So, that night, I was thinking, well, what's going on? I hear a voice, and then I go to jail. Because I have all this cocaine, marijuana. I had it in my vehicle, in my truck. And then, so that he wouldn't hear it. For me, it was something that was happening here. Many questions in my head. But, look, I ran at him. I didn't know what was happening in my life. But I kept running at the Lord. I already know, in these days, that that was it. And as I wanted, I kept running. And then, from my family, I moved away more and more. Because I didn't want my mom to preach to me. To tell me things. Because whenever I went to my family's house, they always told me, when are you going to change your life? And then, what happened was that one night, my mom spoke to me. And she, with a cry in her voice,

told me that if I don't change my life, that if I don't give my life to the Lord Jesus, that I'm going straight to hell. And, look, I was already forced to have people tell me, hey, you're going to hell. Okay, well, I'm going to hell, and I'll look at you too. But when your mom, or a loved one, tells you that you're going to hell, hey, those are hard words. They come from a loved one, especially a mom. And I had respect and love for my mom, because she was a good mom to me. But, look, in the end, I told her what was happening to me, what had happened to me that night at that club, when I heard that voice that told me that I didn't have a business. I told her what had happened to me, and then she said, Glory to the Lord. And I was telling my mom, Mom, I'm serious. I'm telling you something that happened to me. You're here with your hallelujah and all that. And then she said to me, Look, I know exactly what's going on in your life. And what's going on, son, is that we're praying for you. And I told the Lord, my mom, those are her words. She says, I told the Lord, Alberto is yours. Wherever he goes, the Lord will reach him. And then punish him with a double portion of the love of Christ. Look at that prayer. She tells the Lord, punish him with a double portion of the love of Christ. And now I totally understand all that. Now I understand.

And that's why this testimony serves to remind you who are parents, to you who have loved ones who are lost, who are on drugs, who are on fornication, who are on things of the world. Don't lose hope. Keep praying for them. And keep praying that the Lord will reach them. And take that authority that the Lord has given you. Especially if you are a believer in the things of God. Use it. Use that authority that you have as a believer, as a servant of the Lord. Use it with authority. And you will see that there will be changes in your life. And look, I know that that pulled in my life. That worked in my life. Because, can you imagine? A mother who is praying for you. And then a sister who is praying. And also a grandmother. And then the three, full of the Holy Spirit. Don't tell me that the Lord is not going to move. Especially when you are full of the Holy Spirit. Things are going to happen in those prayers. And I tell you, because that worked in my life. And you can also work in your life with loved ones. And now, I am a volunteer in this ministry of Freedom in Jesus. Because in 2009, I was invited to come to the prisons. In 2009. And I didn't want to do that. And I was already at the age of 38.

It was when I accepted the Lord Jesus. Because I was already tired. I was tired of so many failures in my life. So much evil. So much in what I was involved in. In drugs. And a life that if I had died in those days. If I had died in those days. I know that I would have gone straight to hell. But God had a plan. And I can tell you that at the age of 38. At the age of 38, I gave my life to the Lord Jesus. And then everything changed. Because I was ready. I was ready. Because I was already burned. I was already tired of the life that I was living. And then that day came. The Mexican always says that everything ends, right? Well, that's true. Because those days of drinking. Those days of drugs. Those days of being a womanizer. Those days of being a vagabond. Of being lost. They end. They end. That's what happened in my life. And now I can tell you that if you are a believer. And you are already disciplined.

And you already. When you gave your life. You gave your life to the Lord Jesus. And then you tell him. Use me as you want. Lord, use me as you want. He will listen to your prayer. And notice that he will do what you are asking him to do. And in 2009. That was when I was invited to go to prison. And as I said a little while ago. I didn't want to. Because I told the Lord. What am I going to do in prison? I don't know how these people who are in prison feel. I don't know. Because I have never been there. And then I made the mistake of telling the Lord. I told him. Those who are in prison. They deserve to be in prison. Because they broke the law. to the law, so that's why they're there. And then the Lord says to me, He says, oh, wait, Alberto, do you want to remember where I got you from? And when the Lord said that to me, I thought, no, no, no, I don't want you to remember me. Where did you get me from? Because you got me out of the socket, you know?

From the lowest. That's what the Lord got me out of. But now, that invitation in 2009, when I finally accepted that invitation, after about two months, the Lord was always reminding me, He was reminding me, Alberto, you told me to use you where I want, and now I want to use you, but you have all these excuses that don't work for me. That's what the Lord Jesus is telling me, the Holy Spirit. And then, in the end, I got tired of, Lord, I want to talk about other things with you, but you're here reminding me that I was invited to enter the Ministry of Prisons, and I don't want to, Lord, because I don't feel, I don't have the confidence, I don't have the, I don't think I'm effective in any prison, but the Lord, look, He uses the most despicable things in this world, and He uses anyone He wants, amen? And I'm grateful because, look, I finally surrendered to the Lord, and I said, okay, use me where you want. That's been going on for almost 17 years, that I started in this work of going to the Ministry of Prisons,

and look, I don't know, like I told you, I've never been imprisoned, but I do have a family that was imprisoned, so I know how a father feels, I know how a grandfather feels about having a loved one imprisoned, not just in prison, but in prison, I know how it feels being here, it's an ugly feeling to have a family member imprisoned, and I can only tell you that I know, I can tell you that you're listening to me, I know how your parents feel, I know how your family feels, that they love you, and at the same time, you have someone praying for you in this second, someone is praying for you, because they already have a relationship with our Creator, right? So they also want the same thing for you, that you give your life to the Lord, and leave it to Him to do what He wants, look, I think I'm going to finish with this, but in the book of Ephesians, chapter two, starting with verse one, and I encourage you to read it and study it, and get into the word of God, in another time, this is the word, this is what the scripture says, in another time you were dead

in your transgressions and sins, in which you walked according to the powers of this world, you walk according to the one who governs the darkness, and we know who that is, right? The one who governs the darkness is Satan, it's the devil, according to the spirit that now exerts its power in those who live in disobedience. In that time, we all lived with them, driven by our sinful desires, following our own will and our purposes, like the others, we were by nature the object of the wrath of God, how ugly, right? To fall into the hands of a God whose wrath, the wrath of God is something terrible, but God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love for us, gave us life with Christ, even when we were dead in sin, by grace you have been saved, and in union with Christ Jesus, God resurrected us and made us sit with Him in the heavenly regions to show in the coming times the incomparable richness of His grace, that by His goodness, poured over us in Christ Jesus, because by grace you have been saved by faith. This does not come from you, but is the gift of God,

not by works, so that no one may be deceived, because we are made of God, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God arranged in advance, so that we may put them into practice. So read this scripture, read all this chapter here that I read to you, and remember that God has a purpose for you. God wants to use you, God already has works, He already has them planned for you. All you have to do is surrender yourself to the Lord and leave it to Him. Tell Him, tell the Lord, use me, use me as you want, because I will remind you that the Bible tells us that one day you will be in front of the court of Christ Jesus, and on that day, He will tell you, you are welcome to my heaven, there is your mansion, or He will tell you, I do not know you, so He will send you here, far from Him, and I know that place is hell. So you make a decision today, who are you going to follow? Are you going to follow the Lord Jesus, or are you going to follow Satan? There is a difference here, my friend, my friend, you, you who are listening, make a decision, today, on this day, today is the day of salvation, accept Jesus, where are you? Just tell Him, Jesus, Jesus, I believe in you, save me, I know that I need a Savior, I know that I am a sinner, clean me, Holy Father, use me, Holy Father, I confess Jesus as King and Savior of my life. Some things, some simple words, but that is what He wants, simplicity. So I encourage you, in the name of Jesus, that you continue reading your Bible, get into the work of the Lord, and you will see how the Lord will open, He will open the windows of heaven, and will bless you and your family,

because there is a lot to learn, my friend, my friend, there is a lot to learn here, so use that brain, and let Him work in your life, let the Holy Spirit work in your life, so in the name of Jesus, may God bless you, Amen.