MY DESIRE TO SERVE GOD

Samuel Joseph

I grew up in a Christian family. This was God’s great blessing to me, although for many years I did not recognise it, and even resented it. From my childhood I heard the gospel and read the Bible, and even professed faith in Jesus, but I do not think I meant it. I say this because despite my knowledge of God’s Word I gave myself over to a life of sin. I knew it was sin—I knew I was in rebellion against God; on some deep level I knew it, but I refused to accept it. In time this voice of conscience faded, and I was lost. If not for God’s intervention I would have continued on to destruction: I had no hope of ever finding salvation on my own strength, and no desire for it either (Rom 3:10-11). What God did for me I can never forget, and it will never fail to move my heart to the deepest gratitude and joy.

It began in Christmas of 2012. I was in America visiting a friend (at this time I was studying in London), and we were due to return to England, but we ran into trouble because the weather had turned bad. The flights were being delayed, or cancelled. We were in the airport in Washington DC, and we had to get a connecting flight to Philadelphia, and go from there to London. To cut a long story short, we managed finally to get on a plane, but we were stuck on the runway. Now this was a problem because I had exams coming up, and a whole lot of studying to do. It seems like a small thing now, but at that time it distressed me greatly. And so, for some reason, I did something I had not done for years. I prayed. I don’t remember what exactly I said, but I do remember that not ten seconds after I had finished, the pilot announced over the intercom that he had received clearance to take off, and we were on our way; and we made it onto our connecting flight with minutes to spare.

I say all this because I want to try and convey just how profoundly moved I was—that after all these years of wandering from Him; after all these years of living in open rebellion to His commandments; after all these years of secretly despising my Christian upbringing: after all this God had heard my prayer, and answered me. I was brought to tears by the thought. Yet such is the wickedness and the foolishness of my human heart, that even this I soon forgot. I was caught up in exams, and then in the new university term, and I forgot what God had done for me. But God didn’t forget, and in His mercy He reminded me—this was in April of 2013; April 19^th: I know because I wrote it down. That day God brought me low, to the point of utter despair. I can’t explain it fully in words, and there was no earthly reason for it. I was suddenly visited with the certainty of the utter futility and despair and hopelessness of a life outside of Christ. I saw the horror of my sin. I saw that I had turned my back on the living God. That day I repented of my sins, and cried out to God for mercy. That day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

Since the time of God’s merciful intervention I have seen a marked change in my life (2 Cor 5:17). I have witnessed first-hand the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Sin is no longer a friend to me, but something abhorrent. The pleasures and entertainments of the world—though I must confess they still have their attractions for me —have lost the hold on me that they once had. I spend time in prayer and meditating on God’s Word, as I certainly never did before. Indeed I have come to rely on prayer, which is something unheard of to my former self. And one of the things I have been praying for is that God would reveal to me how He wants me to serve Him.

I don’t remember when exactly the desire to serve God full-time first came, but I remember it growing stronger. I desired more and more to study God’s Word, and God led me to three passages of Scripture, through the Sunset Gospel Hour, my own private quiet time, and the Young Adults Fellowship meeting of True Life B-P Church: Proverbs 10:5 (“He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame”); Deuteronomy 26 (which describes the command to the Israelites to consecrate to God the firstfruits of the land which He would give them); and Psalm 119:20 (“My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times”). Through these God impressed on my heart a desire to study and serve God with the best of my time and energy: with my firstfruits, as it were.

But still I was wary. I was concerned that I might be using this desire as an excuse to “escape” from a job that I didn’t really enjoy. How could I be sure that this desire really came from God? Was I really called? Could God really use me? And so I prayed every day for a sign. I realise now that I was praying wrongly. It was about this time that I went to see Dr Khoo, to ask his advice. And I remember the day after that, in the morning, as I knelt down to pray, for some reason instead of praying for a sign as I had been doing all along, I simply surrendered myself to God’s will. And suddenly I was sure. When I said that I had been praying wrongly, what I mean is this: I had in effect been telling God, “Lord, prove to me that you really want me to serve you full-time.” And while I had this mindset, I could not be sure. But once I surrendered to His will, God gave me peace and assurance.

So I pray that God will continue to lead me and guide me, by His perfect word, perfectly inspired and perfectly preserved, and by the work of His Spirit, in humble service to my Lord and my Saviour, and my soon-coming King.

KEMAMAN VBS

Report by Jason Lim

From 26 to 28 November 2014, six members of True Life BPC had the privilege of joining the team from Tabernacle BPC led by Elder John Leong to conduct the Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Kemaman Life BPC and we would like to thank God for the manifold blessings received during this trip. We also thank God for journey mercies and we were all kept safe.

The team numbered 21 people in total. The VBS was conducted at the home of Dr and Mrs Wee Tiong Soon and we thank God for the faithfulness and kindness shown by them in opening up their home for the VBS and meeting every need of all the children and youths who came for the VBS, as well as the needs of the members of the entire team. Other members of Kemaman Life BPC helped tirelessly to prepare all the meals during the VBS.

The theme of the VBS was “The Life of David” (1 Sam 13:14). About 60 young preschoolers and teenagers in secondary school attended the meetings. There were four lessons taught over three days. They were: (1) David the Shepherd, (2) David the Soldier, (3) David the Runaway and King, and (4) David the Sinner. Art and craft sessions and other activities were used to reinforce the lessons taught. The gospel was preached.

On Thursday night, there was a barbeque and parents of the children were invited to attend. Bro Yahui, an FEBC student preached the gospel to those who came. On Friday night, the team attended the Kemaman worship service and had the opportunity to serve in various ways. The VBS children and team presented two song items.

We thank God for His leading and guidance throughout this trip and we pray that the seed sown will bear fruit for His kingdom in due time. Here are some testimonies of those who served in the VBS:

“Through the time spent in Kemaman, I was very much instructed by how Dr and Mrs Wee labour tirelessly to give the Kemaman children opportunities to learn God’s Word even though many of the children who come week after week, year after year, take their hospitality for granted. I learned what it means to sow the gospel seed, knowing that salvation is of the Lord, and simply trusting that the Holy Spirit will convict and convert in accordance to God’s will and time.” Joycelyn Chng

“I have learnt a lot through this trip. I have witnessed the dedicated service of God’s people for the spreading of the Gospel. Dr and Mrs Wee were driving the vans to various places to fetch the children and did not mind how many trips they needed to make. Thank God for the gracious hospitality of Dr and Mrs Wee too, and of course, for everyone who has been tirelessly preparing our meals throughout the week. I am very encouraged by Elder John, for his faith and love for the Lord, and also for the entire team, for the zeal in wanting to share God’s Word and for the Christian love shared among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I was constantly reminded to trust in the Lord always and pray without ceasing, just as David did, for “…blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” (Ps 84:12).” Eunice Foo

“During the three days, I went around to the various classes to observe how the teachers taught, to learn from them, and also to learn of how the children interacted with them. I spent more time with the lower primary children, and had several instances where I had to speak to them in Mandarin in a one-to-one setting. I thank God also for the opportunity to evangelise to one girl, and pray that the Lord will continue to work in her heart, as well as the hearts of all who came (Isa 55:11).” Charmian Loei

“I thank God for the wisdom and strength that He had granted me. It was the first time for me to teach and to pray with the children in Chinese. With much prayer, I learnt to rely on God totally for help in the preparation of the lessons. Doing everything with the fear of the Lord had taught me humility. It is really comforting to know that the Lord will fulfill His will despite my weaknesses (1 Cor 1:27-31).” Ong Qiao Yan

“Thank the Lord for using Dr and Mrs Wee in the most wonderful way in reaching out to not only the children but also the parents of these children. I believe so much effort has been put in by Dr and Mrs Wee, together with Elder John and his VBS team, in order that things could run so smoothly. I believe that it was the singular guiding hand of the Holy Spirit in all the preparations that enable the stories to be told so simply and yet effectively in Mandarin, the crafts to be made and songs to be taught to the children. We know that the Word of God will accomplish the work of comfort in the hearts of the believers and conviction in the hearts of those who are still outside his kingdom.” Jenny Kan