August 9, 2020

Brief Testimony of My Calling

Written by:
Rev (Dr) Prabhudas Koshy

Written by Daniel Lim

I count myself not worthy to serve the Lord because of my sins and weaknesses. However, the Lord is gracious and merciful to strengthen me by His grace and power daily, especially through His Word and promises thus far. The Lord is good, who often, by His Word, encourage, renew and help me to persevere in His work though my human strength and wisdom are not equal to the task.

Thank the Lord for this sharing which serves as a reminder of how the Lord by His grace and mercy has called me to serve Him in Gethsemane Chinese Service on Sep 01, 2005 – to declare the Gospel of the Lord and to teach His Word, particularly to our Chinese-speaking brethren.

Firstly, let me highlight a couple of verses that the Lord has impressed upon my heart since I was a young Christian to serve the Lord, which often reminded me as I continue to serve the Lord in the Gospel work up till this day.

  • "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29).
  • "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).
  • "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16).
  • "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:17).

Initially as a young Christian, I often struggled with the old English word "suffer", which new converts would most likely find it hard to understand. I always wonder in my heart, why the Almighty God, who is eternal, all sufficient and does all things according to His decree and power, would call me (a mortal man, imperfect, insufficient in wisdom and strength, who needs to be forgiven of his sins), to suffer for His sake.

Thanks to God, eventually the Lord enabled me to correctly understand the meaning of the word "suffer", which is to serve, to witness, to walk with the Lord, to be a testimony of God’s grace and to do what He wants me to do. I thus resolved to always abide in the Word that the Lord impresses upon my heart. God’s Word commanding me not to love the world, often serves as a reminder and warning to me. I am convinced that to do the will of God is the primary purpose of my life as a Christian.

Since then, the Lord by His grace, has been helping me not only to be equipped in studying the Bible in the Chinese language, but also to preach, teach and even to interpret messages into Chinese when needed. The Lord has guided me to like-minded churches (local and overseas) to do His work of preaching and teaching. Initially it was difficult for me. To speak Mandarin in daily conversation is not so difficult, but to minister God’s Word in Mandarin – which requires me to preach, teach and relate well, using Bible language and terms, as well as to construct good sentences with appropriate words, so as to bring the message in a way others can understand and benefit spiritually from – is always a constant challenge. However, the Lord who calls me is faithful, He has enabled me to do what I have never thought I could do and He has always given me help. And I believe the Lord will continue to keep me in His grace and help me to be prayerful and faithful in serving Him.

During our present situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many things have changed during these four months. Though we are not allowed to have regular worship, Bible study, prayer meeting, and various fellowship meetings, we thank the Lord that we could continue such gatherings virtually through the streaming of the worship services and fellowship meetings through "Zoom" video-conferencing.

I thank the Lord also that although I am not able to visit Kemaman, I was able to do Bible study with the youth through Zoom virtual meetings. I pray that the brethren will appreciate this means of communication and pray that the Lord be gracious to remove this Covid-19 and to restore us to normal worship, fellowship and work in the Lord. Nevertheless, we thank God for the easing of restrictions whereby we are allowed to gather in smaller groups with some safety measures put in place. I thank the Lord for the prison ministry that is opening slowly, allowing the counsellors to revisit the prison and to minister God’s Word to the inmates in prison.

Undeniably, the present situation is affecting and causing inconvenience to the carrying out of spiritual activities and the Lord’s work. May the Lord preserve me to be watchful and prayerful, and grant me wisdom and opportunity to do what He wants me to. Thank the Lord for brethren in the Chinese service who come together to serve in the Sunday worship and participate in the Tuesday prayer meeting. As we continue being accountable to one another and walking close to the Lord, may the Lord make us profitable for His ministry and be encouragers to one another – and so keep us useful for His glory.

Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church adheres to the system of faith commonly known as the “Reformed Faith” as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
Our Worship Address
SingPost Centre
Level 5 Auditorium
10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600
(next to Paya Lebar MRT station)
Our mailing address
Gethsemane Media Centre
33 Ubi Crescent
Singapore 408584
crossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram