I was also coming to question a lot about the meaning and purpose of life as we were from a poor family and have always wondered why I was where I am and why others seem to have such a different life from me. I never really received any guidance about life's challenges and purposes. Being the 2nd youngest in the family and growing up in a big family with 6 other older siblings meant I rarely had my parent's attention. Being educated in an English missionary school also meant there was a language barrier when it came to communicating with my parents. But now thinking back I realize that even as a non-believer I believe GOD protected me and my family as most of my siblings are now Christians. I also thank GOD for shielding me from many of the worldly things that could have resulted in me ending in a worse situation in life than I had as was the case with some of my childhood friends and classmates.
My life as a Christian actually began when I was in my teenage years. 2 English ladies who were missionaries from the Salvation Army came to my house and invited us to join them in their youth meetings.My life as a Christian actually began when I was in my teenage years. 2 English ladies who were missionaries from the Salvation Army came to my house and invited us to join them in their youth meetings.
I was quite inspired by the songs they sang and was also was quite taken aback with the love that was shown by many elderly men and others to the youngsters who attended the service. I was also curious about the songs they sang because they seemed so inspiring and purposeful and directed to a being that I never realized was GOD. I was born into a Chinese family but my parents merely followed customary Taoist and Buddhist rituals which were really habits out fear rather than a real spiritual experience.
I was also coming to question a lot about the meaning and purpose of life as we were from a poor family and have always wondered why I was where I am and why others seem to have such a different life from me. I never really received any guidance about life's challenges and purposes. Being the 2nd youngest in the family and growing up in a big family with 6 other older siblings meant I rarely had my parent's attention. Being educated in an English missionary school also meant there was a language barrier when it came to communicating with my parents. But now thinking back I realize that even as a non-believer I believe GOD protected me and my family as most of my siblings are now Christians. I also thank GOD for shielding me from many of the worldly things that could have resulted in me ending in a worse situation in life than I had as was the case with some of my childhood friends and classmates.
As I attended some of these youth meetings, I felt there was something about these Christians that gave them a sense of purpose in life and they had so much joy and peace in their lives. I also realized the emptiness in me which I later found out was because Jesus was not in my heart. All non-believers have this emptiness in their spirit that can only be satisfied by a personal relationship with GOD through his son Jesus Christ.
During the mid 1970's GTPJ started an outreach in Taman OUG in Old Klang Road called Full Gospel Tabernacle and Pastor Tony Phuah pastored the church while he was still a student in the then BIM (Bible Institute of Malaya.)
In one of the sermons, the Holy Spirit ministered to me and that was when I realized that there is a GOD and that to reach him I had to receive his son Jesus Christ into my heart. I realized then how empty my life was and that my spirit has all the while been yearning for fellowship with the Spirit of GOD. At that meeting, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and it was a really emotional experience for me. I remember when I received Jesus I was standing and began acknowledging and worshipping him with tears that kept flowing endlessly and did not even realize that everyone had sat down and was waiting for the sermon to start. But the Holy Spirit was ministering to my spirit so greatly that I kept on standing, worshipping and crying even when the sermon was preached for about 10 minutes. I later realized that everyone was looking at me and wondering why I was not seated. I did not even realize what was happening around me until a Christian sister gently nudged me on the shoulder. Only then did I realize everyone had sat down and that the formal worship time was over.
After my conversion, I could sense that a spiritual battle had started in my life and that night when I slept I felt the some spiritual force was trying to put fear into my heart and I could sense the enemy physically oppressing me when I was sleeping. However, by calling on the name of Jesus, this oppression left me and I had the peace and joy that only comes from GOD and after that I did not have any oppression when I slept.
After finding Jesus, my life began to change and many bad habits and personal traits began to be washed by the blood and shaped by the Holy Spirit. I also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the power to witness for Jesus. As a Christian, my perspective on life is so different now and although we are still beset by our human failings, I am so relieved that GOD had a plan for my life all along and really praise GOD for sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins and allow us to be able to come back to GOD our Father.
Praise the Lord Jesus for what he has done and what he is continuing to do in my life.
All Praises to Him forever more.
(May 29th 2006)
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