My Story 2

I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord on 26 Oct 1978. A few weeks later after the A level exams, I attended a youth cell group of a church. Among these were some of my schoolmates. We sang some worship songs and went into a time of free worship and praise.  All of us could feel the Lord's presence in the room.

As I bowed my head in worship, my lips started to feel a tingling sensation as if words were trying to be formed and to be released out of my mouth. I started to speak (though it sounded at the time like babbling) a language I could not understand. This continued for at least 10 minutes or so. No one stopped me or questioned what I was saying. Everyone in the room was caught up in worship of the Lord Jesus.

Later that week, I realised through my cell members that what I experienced was termed the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had sovereignly chosen to baptise me with the Holy Spirit like He promised. This experience has made me desire a deeper and closer walk with God.

The language I had spoken which I did not understand was a spiritual language and the experience is often referred to as "speaking in tongues".

I learnt that as I daily speak in this language, I will edify my spirit man hence making me more sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. 

Over the years, I have used this spiritual language mainly in personal communion with the Lord but on occasions He has also led me to speak forth in a congregational setting and allowed me to interpret what I said in tongues or what others spoke in tongues for the edification of the church. 

Learning to speak in tongues also help to tune my spirit to God's Spirit so that He could use me to speak forth prophetic words of encouragement and edification in various church settings.

Another benefit of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the desire to read and act upon God's written word - the Bible. I have read through the Bible many times (even once reading the whole Bible over a 6 month period). The love for God's Word has not abated over the years. 

Dear brethren in the faith, I adjure you to seek this gift of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. You will be so enriched and empowered to walk closer to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

My Story 1

Let me begin my life story... All of us have encountered crossroads in our lives which require us to make decisions that will affect us one way or another.
I was at such a crossroad more than 30 years ago. A few weeks before my 'A' levels, I was very stressed because of the upcoming exams. I knew I had to do well but I also knew that I was not very prepared. I was popular in school and had many CCAs that took my time. One of them that took much of my time was being the chief editor of my school magazine.
Everything on the outside seem OK - "cool, collected me" but inside I knew it was not true. I had no peace. I was distracted in many ways. I could not concentrate.
I had a group of classmates which I knew since Sec 1. One of them, out of the blue, lend me a cassette tape which he said would encourage and help me understand what life is about. I knew he was a Christian and years before, I had read the Bible and knew something about what it meant to be one. Over my adolescent years, I had forgotten most of what I read.
I took the cassette home and listened to it. It was a simple Gospel message by a preacher called TL Osborn who also practiced miracle healing at his rally. Somehow, God spoke to me (not audibly) but to my heart through the message - "Jesus Christ is the answer to all your needs. He, the Son of God, died on the Cross to pay the penalty required for our sins. He rose again and overcame the power of sin and death. When I surrender my life to Jesus and acknowledge Him as my Lord and Saviour, I will have eternal life that starts now."
Incredible claims but somehow it rang true because I have read through much of the world's religions and philosophies - all of them required me to do much in order to gain merit and eternal life. But here in the Christian faith, the simplicity of just praying and trusting the Divine Man who already died for me and now lives to give me life - that night on 26 October, I surrendered my life to Him.
What a change! Peace that surpasses understanding and description flooded my soul. Joy unspeakable despite life's challenges and stress. Love amazing that allowed me to open up myself to others.
Looking back over these decades, I am grateful that God led me to that place of surrender to Him. It was truly a start of a new and meaningful life which will continue for eternity.
How about you, dear reader? Have you entrusted your life to Jesus Christ? You will NEVER regret it.
(In the next blog, I will talk about another wonderful experience of walking with our Creator)

25 years of educating...

This year marks 25 years of my journey as a Polytechnic educator. Wow!
The Lord has helped me to remain as passionate today about teaching as I was 25 years ago. Some things do change like energy levels but experience gained makes up the difference.
More than training students in engineering and IT skills and knowledge, I hope I have imparted the heart of God to have all come to Him and learn from Him who is wisdom, truth, way and life.

Courageous Fathering

This is the season to step up and make a stand for all who are fatherless. Fathers, take up the mantle of priesthood and offer daily incense of prayer for your family. Take up the mantle of protector knight and stand in the gap invoking God's protection over your family. Take up the mantle of provider king and declare health, freedom and peace over your family. Wives, support your husbands in their fathering. Your enemy is not each other but the evil one who seeks to kill, steal and destroy. Children obey your parents and emulate your father as he emulates God.

Hurriedness - the bane of joyful living

Living a life of hurriedness robs us of our joy. Jesus was never in a hurry for He knew all things are in God's timing and plan. So let us walk patiently, listen carefully and move in step (however slow it may seem) to the Spirit's leading each day.

Loving the unlovely

What if God the Father decided that we are so unlovely or not worthy to be loved that He did not send Jesus His Son to come to earth to save us?
What if Jesus decided that we are so unlovely or not worthy to be loved that He did not come to die for our sins?
What if the Holy Spirit decided that we are so unlovely or not worthy to be loved that He did not come to earth after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, to dwell in us and transform us?
Where would we be?
Yes, we are unworthy BUT YET He came.

The Year of Shaking Loose

This year will see much of the world's systems shaken so that what remains should honour God. His Kingdom is advancing in greater measure than before; not by human effort or plans but by His sovereign will. Hallelujah!
How then should we live?
1. Circumspectly with our eyes and ears open to the Spirit.
2. Compassionately with our hearts and lives open to the Body of Christ.
3. Confidently with our mouths declaring the praises of God and confessing His authority and will be done on earth as it is in heaven; completely defeating the enemy of our souls with His Word.