GOD IS WORKING IN MY LIFE

Gaby Buijs

Last year I increasingly had the feeling that my faith had become lukewarm.

The fire I once had and that really began about seven years ago was fading….

I was afraid to have become what Jesus Christ called the church in Laodicea “lukewarm” … “neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:16).

I prayed daily to God to work in me through the Holy Ghost so that I may enjoy the nearness of God again.

I had the feeling that nothing happened.

Last year in September when we were in Holland, just two days before we were leaving for Singapore, my husband noticed blood in his urine.

It was a blow in our face. We remembered what happened seven years ago when the same symptoms presented themselves and which led to the removal of one kidney, chemo treatments and five years of regular check-ups. What would happen if the source would come from the only remaining kidney he had?

We called the urologist in Singapore and he arranged for us to come to his clinic right after our return to Singapore. A CT scan taken did not show anything out of the ordinary. However, a urine test indicated there were atypical cells present.

The urologist decided to check the bladder on the inside and found tumors that turned out to be “low grade”. He was not able to remove these tumors at that time as my husband was not prepared for such a procedure. He had to come back two days later and as far as possible, all tumors were removed then.

The lab test pointed out it was not low grade but high grade but that there was no evidence of invasion into the bladder wall. To ensure that nothing was left in the bladder, 6 chemo treatments were ordered. Then, after six weeks, the urologist would have another look inside the bladder.

This check-up took place on Monday, 11 January 2016. My husband felt healthy, no weight loss so he was quite confident that everything would be alright.

I was waiting in front of the OR for the urologist to let me know the outcome. It took longer than I expected and I got really worried.

Then finally the doctor came out and told me he was not happy with what he had seen. My heart sank!

This is a doctor with 41 years of experience. (He was once a professor at NUH). If he says he is not happy, there must be something really wrong.

He took two biopsies.

I asked him “what should we do now?” He answered me “we can only pray and trust the Lord”.

The following four days, pending the outcome, for us was a very black period in our life. It was full of anxiety but also a time of continuous prayers.

From a booklet I found written by Andrew Murray “In the prayer school of Jesus Christ”, I learnt that our prayers should not be focused on us or our loved ones being the beneficiary but it should be God. If we pray it is very important that in the end whatever we ask for should be for the glory of God.

I asked God to give me a sign of His nearness, then I would be sure everything would be fine, whatever the outcome of the lab-test, but I could not feel anything different.

Then we got an email from our nephew in Holland and he related to us how the old church father, Augustine, heard a child singing “Take and read”. Augustine at that time was unsure of his spiritual life and he took the words “take and read” as coming from God. He went into the house, took the Bible, opened it and right away his eyes were drawn to Romans 13:13-14, “let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof”.

A second item he mentioned is about an early Dutch/German church father, Kohlbrugge, on whose life Romans 7:14, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” has made a tremendous impact as he could not accept that he could still sin although he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

That same night, my husband and I were listening over the internet to a sermon held on Wednesday, 13 January 2016 by the Rev. D. Breure of the Reformed Church in Waarder, which church we attend when we are in Holland.

I was startled when we heard that his sermon was about the book of Romans and the Rev. Breure, in his sermon, mentioned exactly Augustine and Romans 13:13-14 as well as Kohlbrugge and Romans 7:14.

Could this be a coincidence? We did not think so. We took it as a sign from God that he was definitely with us in these anxious times.

That night I slept peacefully, despite the knowledge that the next day we would get to hear the result of the lab-test.

The name “Immanuel” also kept coming into my mind “God with us”.

I woke up and was very much at peace. I knew that whatever it would be, God is with us.

At TLBPC (my Singapore church) the Rev. Jeffrey Khoo is preaching about the book of Mark and he told us to read the whole chapter carefully which I did. It came to my mind that God has power to reverse health conditions if He so pleases. I prayed to God that I knew that he could heal my husband if it would please Him to do so and if he would, it would be to His Glory!

“And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Ps 50:15).

At 3.30 p.m. we got a call from the urologist that the tumors removed were not malignant. In his 41 years of experience and having given the same treatment to many patients, he had not seen a condition like my husband’s. This urologist is a Christian and whenever we come to his clinic he will pray with us. Also before administering the chemo and before operating on my husband, he would pray first and ask for God’s blessings. It is a great blessing and direction orchestrated by our Lord to lead us to this Christian doctor seven years ago!

Hearing the outcome of the lab-test was a sweet experience. We know that God is with us and that we should surrender to and trust Him fully.

SOLI DEO GLORIA. ALL GLORY TO GOD.

THANKSGIVING

Dear Dr Jeffrey Khoo (Pastor) Dn. Charles (Treasurer) and Session of True Life BPC Singapore,

Greetings in the blessed Name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Once again I am truly thankful to the Lord for the support from True Life BPC Singapore throughout 2015.

By God’s grace my DBS statement records a Quick Cheque Deposit for $1,500.00 on 21st December 2015.

Likewise praise the Lord for the quarterly support of S$4,890 for Jan-Mar 2016 from True Life BPC Singapore having been deposited into my DBS account.

Deacon Charles also mentioned of a designated love gift for Faith Presbyterian Church- Perth being a Demand Draft equivalent to S$800 from True Life BPC, of which S$100 was received from Truth BPC. This was received on Friday and will be acknowledged by our treasurer as soon as possible.

May the Lord continue to strengthen and sustain the brethren and ministries at True Life Bible Presbyterian Church Singapore for His glory.

Your continued support has been invaluable to myself, as it has been to many missionaries and FEBC.

May the Lord continue to strengthen you as you support those reaching out to the lost with the faithful saving and sanctifying “Word” which is Inspired, Inerrant, Infallible and unchangeable, having being perfectly preserved for us.

In His Service,

Rev. Errol D Stone

7 Feb 2016

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” (1 Chron. 16:34).

Dear Deacon Charles,

Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,

The demand draft for $787.40. Au, being Love Gifts forwarded from Truth BPC & True Life offering bag was passed on by Rev. Stone to myself as Treasurer, yesterday (07.02.2015) and received with grateful thanks. This will be duly credited to the Faith PC account this week.

Praise God for His Goodness and provision in all things, that the work of the church may continue as He ordains.

May True Life BPC continue to be blessed by our Almighty God both in Singapore and in the many places where the Lord leads you to reach out and to support the faithful preaching of His Holy Inerrant and infallible Word of Truth.

Please pass on our greetings to Rev Dr. Jeffrey Khoo, Session and all at True Life church, we continue to uphold you all in prayer.

God willing, we look forward to joining you in Bali in June for the Church Camp. Jude 3.

In Christ,

Georgina

Treasurer for Faith Presbyterian Church-Perth

 

8 Feb 2016

Dear Brother Charles Kan and all the members of the True Life BP Church Session

Thank you all for the love gift to help of the cost of my wife’s surgery.

The surgery was performed on the Wednesday the 3rd of Feb. The surgery took five hours. It is to replace two main heart valves. It is big operation. My wife is doing well. We ask our great Physician the Lord Jesus Christ to complete her healing.

We will soon send you receipt. Thank you very much. God bless.

Yours in the Lord’s Service

Rev George Awad

 

5 Feb 2016

[A total of US$10,000 was sent: $4940 advancement of Rev Danny Awad’s support for this year and a love gift of $5060.]

 

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thess 5:1-3). Be ready for the Lord’s return. Sign up for camp today!