GOD TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES
Fion Goh
My encounters with God were amazing. At 15, I got to know Christ through a church performance. I was moved and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart. However, at that age, I was playful and not faithful to God. I attended church simply because my friends were there and I just wanted to have an enjoyable time with them. After a few weekends, I began to feel that attending church was a chore, and a hassle to have to wake up so early just for the worship. I would rather sleep longer, or hang out with my friends elsewhere. I began to distance myself from God. I only remembered Him whenever I got myself into trouble at school. Back then, I frequently skipped lessons. Every time I did that, I would pray to God solely out of fear that my parents would cane me. God still answered my prayers. Either I managed to slip away without being caught, or when I was caught, I would get only detentions in school, or just scolding from my parents, which were really very light punishments. Although I thanked God for that I started to feel guilty about always asking God to protect me from punishments yet most of the time, I did not think of Him. By the time I was 18, I stopped praying completely and became a free thinker. Thank God, He did not forsake me because of that. He continued to work in my life.
In 2010, I met Ivan, Daniel and Yan Shan, whom I saw as devout Christians. We were colleagues at the beginning but soon become close friends. At lunch, they would talk about their experiences with God. I sat beside them and listened to their conversations. Slowly, I began to draw close to God. Knowing that God had already forgiven me, I started praying to Him and reading the Bible during my free time. My faith grew stronger. One day, I decided to be baptized and so approached Ivan and sought his advice. He told me I needed to start attending a church as water baptism is conducted through the church. I heeded his advice and started to visit different churches, hoping to find a suitable one for my son Izzac and myself. Eventually I came to Lifeline Family Church with Izzac and my younger sister, Shion.
I used to think: "being a Christian does not mean I have to attend church. It is enough as long as I read my Bible and pray to God. I can pray to Him anywhere; not necessary be inside a church.” Through Pastor’s preaching and going through The Survival Kit with Aunty Gate Ming, God began to change my view. I realized how important it is to attend church and to have fellowship, especially when I feel depressed or stressed. Lifeline Family Church is like a big family. They welcome anybody who wants to know God and they do not despise people who are different. They really care for the people around them.
I can be very ill-tempered and tend to worry easily. I was impatient and not easily contented. After accepting the Lord Jesus Christ, I witnessed certain changes in my life. I am able to manage my anger better and also find peace in Him. God also helped me overcome my financial difficulties. Every time I face financial difficulties, I will refer to Matthew 6:26--“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” I always find peace after reading this verse, knowing that God is there and that He will feed us and supply our needs. Now Eric and I are receiving higher incomes.
God also works in my marriage. Eric and I used to quarrel a lot. Because of stress at work and parenting issues, I picked on him a lot. And it jeopardized our relationship to the extent that I had thoughts of ending our marriage. By heeding Ivan’s advice, I turned all my worries and stress into prayers. And each time after praying, I felt relieved. The feelings of anger, stress and worries subsided immediately after my prayers. Now Eric and I seldom quarrel and I also learned to respect his feelings and know when to give in to him.
God is also working in Izzac’s life. From a boy who did not like to pray, he now enjoys praying every night before his bedtime. From a boy who was very dependent, he is now more independent and capable of achieving things on his own. From a boy who did not like to attend church, he now enjoys his moments in church.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pastor David and Pastor Winnie for showing their concern towards Izzac, Shion and myself. I thank Aunty Gate Ming for her guidance, Ivan for his listening ears, and Eric for his love and patience towards me.
Once again, I want to give all glory and praises to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the reason why we celebrate Christmas.
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Support During Exam Period
Jessica Tan
God was definitely with me throughout my exam from 9 August to 6 November 2012. It was not easy going through it as a private candidate. It was definitely by God’s grace that I completed my ‘O’ level! I also thank God for the support that my family and different people had given to me. They were there for me in so many ways. Such support does not go unappreciated.
I vividly remember when I had second thoughts about going into the exam hall for my Bible Knowledge Paper 2, Pa, you were there with me.
Pastor, thank you for praying with me. It meant a lot to me. And I remember what you said. You told me that I should not let the exam results bother me; the important thing is that I had put in my best.
Ma, thank you for being there for me throughout my English papers. You waited tirelessly for me under the hot sun. Without you I wouldn’t have known what to do.
Nat, thank you for being there for me, rushing down when you heard that I suffered another attack (illness).
Ivan, thank you for always being there praying with me and for your countless encouragements.
Pastor Winnie, thank you for coming to my home to prepare me for the BK exam even though time was limited.
During the exams, God provided me with kind and understanding CPEs and invigilators.
My results came in January. They are not fantastic but I take comfort in knowing God saw me through, kept me going, and kept me alive during that crucial period. The Apostle Paul’s words are especially true for me.
Each time (Jesus) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weakness, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Fion Goh
My encounters with God were amazing. At 15, I got to know Christ through a church performance. I was moved and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart. However, at that age, I was playful and not faithful to God. I attended church simply because my friends were there and I just wanted to have an enjoyable time with them. After a few weekends, I began to feel that attending church was a chore, and a hassle to have to wake up so early just for the worship. I would rather sleep longer, or hang out with my friends elsewhere. I began to distance myself from God. I only remembered Him whenever I got myself into trouble at school. Back then, I frequently skipped lessons. Every time I did that, I would pray to God solely out of fear that my parents would cane me. God still answered my prayers. Either I managed to slip away without being caught, or when I was caught, I would get only detentions in school, or just scolding from my parents, which were really very light punishments. Although I thanked God for that I started to feel guilty about always asking God to protect me from punishments yet most of the time, I did not think of Him. By the time I was 18, I stopped praying completely and became a free thinker. Thank God, He did not forsake me because of that. He continued to work in my life.
In 2010, I met Ivan, Daniel and Yan Shan, whom I saw as devout Christians. We were colleagues at the beginning but soon become close friends. At lunch, they would talk about their experiences with God. I sat beside them and listened to their conversations. Slowly, I began to draw close to God. Knowing that God had already forgiven me, I started praying to Him and reading the Bible during my free time. My faith grew stronger. One day, I decided to be baptized and so approached Ivan and sought his advice. He told me I needed to start attending a church as water baptism is conducted through the church. I heeded his advice and started to visit different churches, hoping to find a suitable one for my son Izzac and myself. Eventually I came to Lifeline Family Church with Izzac and my younger sister, Shion.
I used to think: "being a Christian does not mean I have to attend church. It is enough as long as I read my Bible and pray to God. I can pray to Him anywhere; not necessary be inside a church.” Through Pastor’s preaching and going through The Survival Kit with Aunty Gate Ming, God began to change my view. I realized how important it is to attend church and to have fellowship, especially when I feel depressed or stressed. Lifeline Family Church is like a big family. They welcome anybody who wants to know God and they do not despise people who are different. They really care for the people around them.
I can be very ill-tempered and tend to worry easily. I was impatient and not easily contented. After accepting the Lord Jesus Christ, I witnessed certain changes in my life. I am able to manage my anger better and also find peace in Him. God also helped me overcome my financial difficulties. Every time I face financial difficulties, I will refer to Matthew 6:26--“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” I always find peace after reading this verse, knowing that God is there and that He will feed us and supply our needs. Now Eric and I are receiving higher incomes.
God also works in my marriage. Eric and I used to quarrel a lot. Because of stress at work and parenting issues, I picked on him a lot. And it jeopardized our relationship to the extent that I had thoughts of ending our marriage. By heeding Ivan’s advice, I turned all my worries and stress into prayers. And each time after praying, I felt relieved. The feelings of anger, stress and worries subsided immediately after my prayers. Now Eric and I seldom quarrel and I also learned to respect his feelings and know when to give in to him.
God is also working in Izzac’s life. From a boy who did not like to pray, he now enjoys praying every night before his bedtime. From a boy who was very dependent, he is now more independent and capable of achieving things on his own. From a boy who did not like to attend church, he now enjoys his moments in church.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pastor David and Pastor Winnie for showing their concern towards Izzac, Shion and myself. I thank Aunty Gate Ming for her guidance, Ivan for his listening ears, and Eric for his love and patience towards me.
Once again, I want to give all glory and praises to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the reason why we celebrate Christmas.
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Support During Exam Period
Jessica Tan
God was definitely with me throughout my exam from 9 August to 6 November 2012. It was not easy going through it as a private candidate. It was definitely by God’s grace that I completed my ‘O’ level! I also thank God for the support that my family and different people had given to me. They were there for me in so many ways. Such support does not go unappreciated.
I vividly remember when I had second thoughts about going into the exam hall for my Bible Knowledge Paper 2, Pa, you were there with me.
Pastor, thank you for praying with me. It meant a lot to me. And I remember what you said. You told me that I should not let the exam results bother me; the important thing is that I had put in my best.
Ma, thank you for being there for me throughout my English papers. You waited tirelessly for me under the hot sun. Without you I wouldn’t have known what to do.
Nat, thank you for being there for me, rushing down when you heard that I suffered another attack (illness).
Ivan, thank you for always being there praying with me and for your countless encouragements.
Pastor Winnie, thank you for coming to my home to prepare me for the BK exam even though time was limited.
During the exams, God provided me with kind and understanding CPEs and invigilators.
My results came in January. They are not fantastic but I take comfort in knowing God saw me through, kept me going, and kept me alive during that crucial period. The Apostle Paul’s words are especially true for me.
Each time (Jesus) said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weakness, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
