Michael Ang's Testimony

"Let no man deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Or it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’, and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’" Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apolos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come..all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s." 1Cor 3:18

I have often asked God what the remnant is all about, and why particular people will be a part of the remnant. Sometimes I wondered whether it was my imagination or whether it was really the Spirit talking to me. Being a part of the remnant is certainly not easy because the elect seem to suffer more than other Christians do. I wish to share some of the experiences God has given me throughout these years, and how God showed me the way every time I became lost.

I was brought up in a place where almost everyone worshipped idols, and so did I. People there have been worshipping idols since they were very young. I had not heard of Jesus then, though I have always believed that there is only one God. Idol worshippers tend to worship several Gods at the same time. My elders have often encouraged me to worship idols. They are very superstitious, and some of these people perform stunts that normal men could not do. For example, sitting on sharp huge needles or walking through fire. It is certainly true that these people have supernatural powers, and this encourages many people to worship idols. That is how Satan has worked since the day he abandoned God. Satan is trying to divert as many men from God as possible. These diverted men are called unbelievers.

Jesus came into my life before I knew Him. Every time I worshipped idols, the voice of the Holy Spirit told me that this was not correct. I often thought that it was my own thoughts. I first heard of Jesus when my sister and brother became staunch Christians. I had not believed in Christianity because I thought it was another religion which had many Gods. I only believed in my own one God. I even blamed God for creating so many religions. I blamed God sometimes when things went wrong in my life. Yet, every time I wanted something badly, I would pray to God, my one God, and not Jesus. Sometimes what I wanted came to me, and sometimes it didn’t. When it didn’t, I blamed God again.

I needed more understanding. I needed truth. Before I was in my teens, one night I made a very long and strong prayer to God. I asked God to guide me. I begged God for truth throughout my prayer. The name Jesus came into my mind that night. I was feeling so desperate for the truth that I cried out Jesus’ name. I believe that the Holy Spirit had taught me about Jesus, but I just didn’t want to accept it when I prayed, but this time I opened my heart to Jesus. Since then, every time I have prayed, I have prayed to Jesus and God. I didn’t know that Jesus was God’s Son then, but I knew He belonged to God.

Throughout my teens, when I prayed for something, sometimes my prayers were answered. I didn’t understand why God did not answer all of my prayers. I would still blame God if I didn’t receive something that I desired a lot. It took many years and many experiences to make me understand why sometimes God didn’t answer my prayers. It was wrong to say that God hadn’t answered my prayers, He always did. It is just that I couldn’t take "no" for an answer. I was like a toddler crying for milk. God sometimes answered my prayers negatively, and at that time I didn’t understand why. A toddler wouldn’t know that drinking too much milk would be bad for his health. He would just keep crying for more milk.

In my late teens I came to know the Holy Spirit. I had heard of the Holy Spirit before but I hadn’t truly understood the significance of the Spirit. Like many Christians, I knew that the Holy Spirit was the great Teacher but I didn’t really understand it. I thought what I had learned throughout the years was all through my own efforts. I needed more answers from God.

I have never belonged to a church, although I have visited a lot of churches. I’ve heard a lot of different pastors preaching from various churches and different denominations. God made me understand that the Holy Spirit had been teaching me the truth all these years by sending me to various churches and sending different Christians to me. I tried to listen to many different pastors and Christians. I tried to seek truth from them because I assumed that God had brought them along the same way He had me. It wasn’t enough. Like always, I needed direct answers from God, and not from men. I made a leap of faith and surrendered myself to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and then sometimes I visited churches to worship and to observe.

My faith has often been shaken by Christians, and not by unbelievers, because of the various truths the Holy Spirit had taught me. God taught me how I can use His mighty strength every time my faith is shaken. His strength was enough for me to hold on to my faith and to the truth that he had shown me. I was struggling hard then to hold on. With many experiences God has taught me how to rest in Him and leave my burden with Him.

I am in my early twenties now. God has introduced to me people who share these truths. I wonder what God’s plans are for me now-Praise the Lord!!