Articles

My Life Lesson on Learning to Lean on Jesus

26 January 2023

I was born into a Christian family, with my parents and even most of my direct relatives being Christians. I had considered myself to be a Christian since I was born into it and I made a decision to invite Jesus into my life when I was around 7 years old. Even then, my life didn't seem like it changed drastically.

At 17, I felt like lost direction in life and as with any post-schooling student, there came a pivotal point in life to pick a college/university and the undergraduate course that would "determine the my future". Of course, I stressed over moments like this - big decisions that could altar many things I may not see in the present. On another note, I was involved in a toxic relationship and had struggled with some "friendship issues" in school, which added to the pressure.

However, through conversation and sharing about my struggles, I realized that my peers in church were going through a similar problems as I am but not all were "pulled down by it" or ""struggling the same way I was" because of how close they stayed to God and clung unto Him through tough situations.

I realised the relationship I might have had with God was just not real. I finally turned back, ran towards God and recommitted my life to Jesus again, 10 years after I had first invited Him into my life.

It was then that I learned what it meant to "lean on God" and I could feel many of my burdens wearing off, to the point that I physically felt my body was lighter and not being weighed down. Now being in my final year in university, I praise God that I am still learning and leaning on Him to overcome tough obstacles of life, not by my own strength but God's.

I thank God for the experiences He has brought me through so that I can now share with my peers and others how to trust God even when there are periods of anxiety and stress. Jesus is our refuge and He is faithful!

A Front-liner's Reflection on the Pandemic

02 November 2021

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

(Psalm 62: 5-6,8)


“Matron, I have little baby, I can’t work in Covid ICU”
“Matron, I had Asthma, I can’t work in Covid ICU’’
“Matron, can I change ward because...”
“Matron Tan, we need to open Covid ICU.”
“Matron Tan, can you go and set up another Covid ward now?”
“Tan, you’re on call, right? Please go hospital now, need to discuss and set up another Covid ward and rearrange staffing” 

All these requests often spelled my late return home or my abrupt return to hospital on a Sunday morning. 

Never in my 30 years of service. as a nurse and superior in ICU, had I received so many panic messages and phone calls for a change of ward and even change of departments as I did in the last 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia. However, due to the high demand of ICU beds, I couldn’t grant every single request. Daily, I’d ask the Lord Jesus for wisdom and words of encouragement as I counsel my nurses. I prayed also for God protection over the healthcare workers in my workplace, my family and myself.

The uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, the absence of a definite treatment, lockdown, vaccinations, and church being unable to have physical gathering all caused me to get on my knees and plea with the Lord Jesus for mercy for our nation. In the midst of it all, I was also connected to a few prayer groups. Yet, the more we pray, the cases only increased further and the situation in our nation worsen. I started to lose focus on God as I looked at the situation of my surroundings. Fear creeped silently into my mind and caught me unguarded. But my God is a faithful God, even when I was faithless. 


One day as I was praying, a gentle voice whispered “I see, I hear, and I care. Turn your focus unto Me.”  

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (Isaiah 55:8)


Tears flowed down my cheek and joy entered my heart. Since then, my faith was strongly anchored on Jesus and continued to stand on the promises of God. I was reminded that He will never forsake me nor leave me. He promises His peace to be with me always. 

That passion for prayer sparked when I had returned from my trip to Sri Lanka in 2016. Since then, I desired also to see churches and God’s people come together and pray as one body in Christ. The problem was, I didn’t know people outside HighPointe LIFE. It seemed impossible for me to connect with churches from different denomination in Klang, what more other parts of the country coming together to pray! Little did I know that these verses would soon ring true.  

“He grants you your heart's desire and fulfil all your plans.” (Psalm 20:4)
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act” (Psalm 37:5)


One day, brother Anthony sent me a link to an AOG prayer group and in 2018 God led me to attended Women Prayer Conference in Sibu, Sarawak. Through the WPC group, I was connected to Malaysian United Prayer Wall and 24/7 Praise and Worship group. Praying for the nation WITH the nation was no longer impossible. God was sovereign, loving and all knowing. He is always there waiting for His children to come to Him. Ask, He will answer. 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)


As I look back, I thank our Lord Jesus for His protection and the power of His blood that has shielded me, my family and the nurses form Covid-19 viruses. Even though a few of them were infected by the virus all were healed without any complication. Praise be to our Lord Jesus, for answering many of our prayers. We saw many turned to the Lord. We witnessed seeds planted, churches united and lives transformed. 

“In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)


Experiencing The Miracle of Healing and Salvation

12 October 2021

I was born and raised in a Hindu family. I am the eldest of three brothers. I had a tough but good childhood, with loving parents who were always earnestly seeking God. This led me to my own journey and search for God. 

I searched for many years, seeking the truth through religion and different spiritual experiences. Every result of this journey led to more hurdles and left me without the peace and assurance I was looking for. I wanted to know God and ask Him many things. 

I eventually got married and had kids, but the questions kept troubling me: What did all the years of seeking sum up to? Did I want my kids to face the same experience - without assurances and without a clue of where to find God? 

In November 2020, I believe God encountered me and answered so many of the questions I had been asking for years. It all happened through a simple divine appointment with my neighbour, Pastor Daniel. We were just catching up, talking about work and life at the local "mamak" (Malaysian cafe). 

In our conversation, I brought up how I had a bad knee injury that had been troubling me for almost 18 years. (As a former national athlete, I had been tormented by this injury. I was unable to play the sport I loved, and it affected me very badly. I had put on a lot of weight and with the injury, lost my vibrance and my sense of peace). Pastor Daniel, then, offered to pray for me and I experienced God's healing power on my knee almost immediately.

In all my years of seeking treatment and alternative remedies, this had never happened. This was a miracle! I was able to walk without limping. I asked myself how this "God" could be so simple, yet so magnificent. I was taken back by this instant relief. 

Pastor Daniel then shared about God's love and how I was healed in the name of Jesus. He shared how God had died for my sins to save me. My heart just knew that this was the answer I had been searching for all my life. I surrendered my life to Jesus on that day, and a huge weight was lifted off my heart. I felt new, and I felt blessed. 

Since then, I've gone through a time of deliverance where Jesus set me free from many demons and strongholds from my old life. I have also received the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The transformation I've been feeling in my life as I continue to encounter God through his work, power and love is truly amazing. 

God is still teaching me so many things about Himself and my new faith. I truly thank God for this new faith I have found in Jesus and for saving me and showing me His love. I pray that each of you will encounter God's love in the way I have and that God will use you to share his love with the many in need around you.


Being A Retiree From My Father's View

20 June 2021

My father, commonly known as “Uncle Eng Boon”, embraced retirement life sometime around mid-2019. 

We both entered a new phase of life at the same time. For me, it was leaving the shores of student life and wading into the deeper waters of adulthood. For my dad it was clocking out of his 9-to-5 job of forty-something years and waking up in the morning as a retiree. 

Now it is close to two years since his official retirement. Yet, more than half of it was spent in lockdown. Here’s a little of this retiree’s perspective as he looks back at this season so far: 


Q1: How had you envisioned retirement?

EB: Since working from 9 to 5 would not be my priority anymore, I was going to be able to focus more on my family and serving the church.


Q2. How have you been spending your retirement? 

EB: More on a slower pace as I look upon what things I’d want to do during leisure time. Though, it is mostly spending a lot more quality time cooking for my family and getting involve in some church activities. (Not to mention a long watchlist of various YouTube videos! Maybe a story for another time.)


Q3. How will you want to spend it differently post-pandemic? 

EB: I will want to travel more often to Penang to visit my siblings, nieces and nephews at any given opportunity.


Q4. How did you feel / what were your thoughts when you first heard about the virus/lockdown? 

EB: The situation and having to stay at home 24/7 in quarantine, it is all so surreal. But I thank God that I can testify that peace always prevails when I’m able to stay at home with my wife, daughter and my mum-in-law.


Q5. What has been difficult transitioning into this new phase of retirement (esp. in a pandemic)? What helped you cope with it? 

EB: Not much difficulty in transitioning into retirement. I’m always occupied with things that I’ve now re-prioritise such as family & church which I truly enjoy.


Q6. What do you recommend to those (retiree or would-be retiree alike) who may feel stuck at home to invest in and pass the time? 

EB: Look out for things that you can do in a small way. Little things that bring great joy when you share your care and put time into it. In coping with the pandemic, I try to stay focus on what I have to do day-to-day with the peace of God in me - a peace that transcends all understanding.


Q7. Finally, what has been your greatest joy or highlight over this season? 

EB: Being able to connect with some friends to have lunch and bible study together weekly.


I’ve often labelled my father’s retirement as “The Life of a Househusband” because truly, he is exceptional in caring for the home and making sure my mum and I are fed (and fat) through the meals he lovingly and ambitiously prepares. He is a family man beyond my mum and I. Evident from the way he obediently and diligently prepares for bible study and fumbles through the complex science of Zoom and online meetings. 

At this point you’re probably wondering, “Is this a Father’s Day article?”. Well, it’s not (supposed) to be. But, when you witness the love of an earthly father for his heavenly one, it is only natural to share it and rejoice! 

In This Unprecedented Season

16 June 2021

18th March 2020 will forever be etched in my mind as the the day that Malaysia and the WORLD went into a lockdown just because of a minute virus. The whole world was turned topsy turvy. This was the first time in my life experiencing a pandemic!! Our emotions ran high; fear, uncertainty, anxiety and impatience, frustration etc.

Conversations have centered around these topics; numbers, masks, temperature, social distance, sanitiser, online shopping , zoom, roadblocks, vaccine and working from home.

15 months have just flown by and are things very much different now? 

Not really, but I suppose we’ve adjusted pretty well (some better than others) and are coping a little better than last year, having “accepted” this as the norm for now at least, not knowing how long this will last. We know this WILL come to pass, for all of us...soon we hope. We so long for normalcy again. 

One of the most challenging things that I experienced was the inability to meet physically . It was terribly strange to me because I’m a very people person. I just love meeting up with people, I love having people around, I love catching up with my old friends, visiting people who are shut-ins, the sick , ministering to ladies on a one to one at a kopitiam (not always the best choice though), doing  bible study in a small group. I just love PEOPLE. 

It was so wonderful to be able to host the Lifezone (cell group) meetings at our home each Friday and subsequently on Sundays for about 3 months! 

All these came to an abrupt halt when the pandemic struck and there were times that I’ve felt like I was living in a cave or an island except with connectivity.

Now, the I.T dinosaur like yours truly have had to learn to use Zoom, video call, Messenger call and Google Meet so that I can be connected with PEOPLE. I would grab every opportunity to have these meet ups when the restrictions are lifted!

As I look back at the past 15 months, I choose to thank God for these very good things; our family altar that I so treasure, precious family bonding time, the opportunity to be part of a Singaporean and Malaysian intercessory group specifically covering the COVID 19  situation in Asia, the multiplication of the LifeZones (cell groups) in our church from 3 to 9 groups, the unity of all the Malaysian churches standing so united in prayer combating the pandemic together and personal urgency to share the gospel to my neighbors by first sharing my testimony.

Amidst the gloom and uncertainty, I choose to see the GOOD that has come out of this crazy and unprecedented season and I echo the lyrics of the songwriter, Don Moen: "God Is good all the time!"

Infected with Covid-19, Contagious for Jesus

22 March 2021

I'm up to "trend" for once, at least. Not because I know the latest pop songs or because I am familiar with the latest fashion. I'm up to trend because I contracted COVID 19.

People often talk about the physical effects and symptoms of the virus but hardly anyone ever tells you of the effects it has on you mentally. The moment I received confirmation from the hospital that my Covid-19 test result was positive, I had flashes of images in my mind:  who I had seen or met recently, as well as my family members who stay under the same roof as me. The feeling of guilt was so overwhelming that it covered up any worry I had over my own health and how the virus might affect me.

Ultimately, I thank God for this episode. It was another turning point in my spiritual life. It gave me time where I could really sit down, quit the "I'm busy" mentality and just meditate on God's Word. I thank God for the constant support from the church whom I call family. They were upholding me in prayer daily, sent messages of concern and even volunteered to provide me with three meals a day. I acknowledge that it is all by the grace of God that I'm able to digest the situation with peace in my heart.

I thank God that after days of quarantine at home, I was brought to a quarantine centre at Serdang, where almost 1000 patients gathered in a hall. I was grateful for the opportunity to encourage and pray for patients while I was there. It reminds me that even in places of difficulty, God can use us as vessels to speak to the needs and into the lives of people around us. I'm amazed with how things and plans come together in God's hand and that He can use us in whatever situation we are in.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4

Xuan Devo

Confessions of a Tween in Progress

22 February 2021

From January to February of 2021, I attended the Tween Tower Discipleship Program organised by Scripture Union Malaysia. The three-week program was open for 13 and 14-year-olds (tweens) and took place online in the midst of MCO (Movement Control Order). We had over 30 participants from all over the country. We had a lot of fun, games and activities but a lot of learning too.

Here is what I experienced:

The first week was themed "Our Faith." The plenary talk speaker shared with the reason Jesus had to come and dies for us, why we can live our best lives if we give our lives to Him. We were also taught that just because someone is born or grew up in a Christian family, does not automatically make us a Christian. Then we were allowed to choose one of two workshops. I attended the workshop on "Cultivating Spiritual Habits."

In the second week, themed "Our Community." The speaker, Tony, who spoke from Australia, talked to us on the importance on building and having a godly community around us. He shared how church and even Christian friends in school can keep us accountable and help us in our walk with. Then, I attended the workshop on "Building Godly Friendships," where I learned practical steps of choosing friends and being a good friend to others, in the hope of influencing them know Jesus.

Finally, the third week explored who we are in Jesus. The theme was "Our Identity." The plenary talk affirmed that we we made in God's image and who He calls us to be if we give our lives to Him. This session definitely stood out to me the most. It made me realise that there was no need to be so self-conscious and overthink my life choices because God has a plan for me. The workshops this time was continuing in the same topic but divided between genders. In the breakout session with the girls, our speaker shared how we can find our identity and our place in life as a Christian tween from God's Word, as we adapt to secondary school life. It really taught me that when I am secure in my identity I will that I don't need be afraid and and step out of my comfort zone to reach out to people.

Overall, this program answered a few lingering questions about God, faith and my life that I had in my mind before. Although I have a lot to learn and a lot to grow, I hope it will help strengthened my relationship and trust in God, as well as make me see things in ways I never thought I could.