ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

Tan Sok Sin

One thing special about my father—Mr Tan Cheng Hock—was that he was seldom ill. In fact, I don’t remember him ever missing work because he was ill. Thus, it was a shock to the whole family when we found out that he had colon cancer about ten years ago. We were very worried, and my father was very afraid, too. To many people, falling sick is a misfortune or even bad luck. But, God – the Creator of the whole universe, the One who sits upon the Throne in heaven, loves my father very much; even before the foundation of the world, He has elected my father and has willed that these “bad luck” shall be turned into blessings instead.

I remember I was very worried about my father’s cancer because he was an unbeliever then. Should he die of cancer, he would end up suffering in the lake of fire forever. Burdened by this thought, I requested Pastor Rev Timothy Tow to visit my father and pray for his recovery and salvation. Despite being very elderly and weak himself and had difficulty walking, Rev Tow came to my house the next day to share the gospel with my father and pray for him. I could see that my father was afraid that he might die of cancer and so after his full recovery, he felt grateful to Rev Tow and he acknowledged that Jesus had healed him. Thus, he did not reject me when I invited him to church. From henceforth, my father started attending church every Sunday. Over time, my father understood the gospel and also admitted that he was a sinner, yet, he did not receive Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.

Then three years ago, my father had another bout of illness. For two weeks he was too ill to go to church. Although not a very severe illness, yet, my father was worried about it. Perhaps, he was already in his 80’s and he thought he might not have much time left. On the second Sunday when he missed Church, sister Bee Bee came to visit him. She prayed for my father and also encouraged him to ask Jesus to save him. It was that afternoon, with teary eyes, my father prayed the sinner’s prayer. Not long after, on Easter Sunday, he was baptised. Since then, my father stopped worshipping idols and even my deceased grandmother.

Even though my father had been faithful in attending church every Sunday, I felt that he was not growing spiritually. So, whenever possible, my father and I would read the Bible and pray together at home. What worried me most was that my father did not know how to pray. Could a child of God not know how to pray? I doubted if my father was truly saved.

Not long ago, my father was admitted to hospital for pneumonia. It was a very severe infection. My siblings and I encouraged our father to pray; if it was God’s will, to ask God to heal him. A couple of days after admission, my father’s condition turned for the worse and he had to be intubated under sedation. He could not talk and was drowsy all the time. In spite of that, we continued to encourage him to pray for Jesus to save and heal him. Three days later, my father was extubated. When he came to, he exclaimed, “Jesus has saved me! Jesus has saved me!” I was very grateful for God’s grace. Besides his confession of faith, my father had also learnt how to pray. When he was in pain or in any discomfort, he would fold his hands, close his eyes and pray. Whenever we read the Bible to him, or sang spiritual songs or prayed, he would say, “Amen, Amen”. His third illness had taught my father to pray and drawn him closer to the Lord.

Falling sick is not something good; it is bad luck or a misfortune. But, Jesus has the power and authority to turn misfortunes and bad luck into blessings, as stated in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Jesus had used my father’s illnesses, these three times, to save him and even to draw him nearer to the Lord. This is God’s blessing indeed. Are you experiencing some ‘bad luck’ or misfortune in your life? Turn to Jesus; He can save you and can turn them into blessings instead.

In his later years, my father had mild dementia. There were many names he could not remember. Yet, he could memorise Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him”. Do you want God to be pleased with you? You must have faith in Jesus Christ and only then, God will be pleased with you. My father had believed in Jesus and he is now safely in the arms of Christ. One day, I shall be with Jesus also and be reunited with my father. This hope had comforted my father and it is also my hope and comfort.

LIVING FOR JESUS

Lio Jen Yun

I thank God for all His mercies and His many blessings He has showered upon me. He knows exactly what I needed and never fails to provide.

I thank God for the decision to go for church camp this year. Having had a few considerations, I was torn at first. Having undergone surgery at the start of the year and being relatively new to True Life BP Church, I was not sure if going for church camp was a decision I would like to make. After some contemplation and encouragement from likeminded brethren, who were looking forward to church camp eagerly, some of whom have described church camp as a foretaste of heaven, I decided that going for church camp was something I would not want to miss. I was curious to find out for myself how it feels like to be feasting on God’s words and experiencing a heaven on earth experience. At the same time, I knew my dire need to draw closer to God and be more fervent in studying God’s words.

I thank God for His protection and guidance during the camp. All the worries that I had prior to the camp were unnecessary. In fact, I was well taken care of throughout the camp. I was unwell and thankfully Ming Wei had medication that worked well for me. I give thanks for my dearest sisters in Christ, especially Eunice, Kee Sing, Qihui and Katherine Go, who were not just my travel companions, but were sisters who never failed to look out for me and keep me company, something they had repeatedly reassured me of prior to the camp. I found comfort in our sweet fellowship as well as the fellowship that I had with many others in church.

To be able to hear and learn God’s words with fellow brethren is indeed a privilege I hold dear to me. What moved me deeply during the messages was my sweet salvation before Jesus comes again. It is my duty as a servant of my Lord to be living for Him while waiting for His coming. The need for faith, hope and love to keep me going in my everyday life is real. 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” As a Christian, it frightens me to question, “What have I done for my Lord? Will I be meeting my Lord empty handed? How am I living for Jesus?” I am so undeserving of God’s love and yet He was always there to protect me. It is my prayer to be a good servant for my Lord, to stand testimony for Him and to live my life purposefully for Jesus. As I labour for my Lord, I find great comfort in knowing that my Lord will be there for me for He will not forsake His children. I pray for the salvation of my loved ones that they too will one day come to know of my personal Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I am looking forward to the next church camp. This time round, no need for further contemplation and persuasion, I will make it a point to go for church camp because it is always be a true blessing to be feasting on God’s words and to have fellowship with God’s children.