I came to accept Jesus as my Saviour when I was eight years old. Of course I was too young to understand what the Christian walk was really about. I just went to Sunday School every week and learned more about God. I knew many facts about Bible stories but I didn't think they were that important.

When I was twelve or thirteen I had to face many new "growing up" things like peer pressure and wanting to do things my own way. This was especially so since I had just entered secondary school. At first I was quite shocked at these sudden changes because I never really expected them to happen to me, so I was really unprepared. Of course this caused me to make many mistakes.

As I learned more (and I started going for YPG and Morning Service), I began to think more seriously about my faith and walk with the Lord. I decided that I should live for the Lord. That became my motivation for doing the things I knew that God wanted me to do. I wouldn't say that I am now a super Christian or that I am anywhere near there but that I am a Christian under construction. In Philippians 1:6, we read, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." I believe that God will continue to work in me until I am "complete."

I've never been involved in anything really bad like gang fights or smoking or drinking or persecuting Christians so there was never a really drastic change in my life. However, I can still see that God has done some work in my life, gradually. I used to be a very bad tempered and I would shout at other people if I was angry. I can get into a bad tantrum. My Mum and I realized that this was a problem in my life and we prayed about it. I thank God that He has worked in me and I no longer do such things. I'm still not good tempered as I would like to be, but at least I am better tempered.

Even as I look back now, I can see God's hand of provision in my life.

1.He has put me into a good Christian family so that I could come and know Him at a very young age and be brought up according to His Word. I don't face any disapproval from my parents about my faith. I am thankful that I could go to Church since I was born and for the lessons I learnt when I was younger because now I have some background knowledge and it's easier for me to understand certain teachings. Actually being born in a Christian family also shows me God's mercy towards me.

2.I have been blessed with a good Word-centred Church with pastors who always seek to preach nothing but what is in the Bible.

3. God has also kept me from mixing with bad company and getting influenced by them. Sometimes, I think He gave me a nerdy face so that they wouldn't really want me around to spoil their "cool" reputation.

4. God has also provided me with many other things that I need like clothes and food and a place to stay.

5. The most important thing He has given me is my salvation. Sometimes when I feel that it's too hard to do something for Him, I remember that what I do is nothing compared to what Christ did for me, to take away my sins. I mean, I have never even suffered any real physical pain or hardship for the sake of Christ. But He let Himself be tortured and mocked and treated in the most inhumane way because He loved me. And the most amazing thing is that He didn't even have to do it. Such love is difficult to fathom sometimes, and it causes me to want to give my life to the Lord. Many times, I don't walk as I should, but I will keep trying. I know that I could never repay His love for me but I should try to live in a way more pleasing to Him. I trust that the Lord would continue to guide me and mould me and provide for me.

PASTORAL RESPONSE

One does not need to come from a wicked background to appreciate and love the Lord Jesus Christ just as dearly. Ruth is an example of the fact that it is possible to have a steady and strong Christian faith even though there isn't a big story to tell.

It is God who begins the work of salvation in us. It is God again who will complete that which He has begun to work in our hearts. Ruth is correct and wise to hide God's Word in her life. May this good habit be further developed.

It is good to pick up this habit of "counting our blessings". It is through counting our blessings, that we find constant assurance and comfort in our faith in the Lord.

May the Lord give to all of us a grateful heart for all the things the Lord has blessed us with, especially if we have a strong Christian heritage.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie