Nov 17, 2021 An Eavesdropping Transformation
I’m not going to church! Stop trying to tell me what to do! yelled Junel as he slammed the door. Sadly, this was a common occurrence to his wife Leah and their children.
Although there was frequent conflict in their home, Junel had grown up reading the Bible. However, as he got older, this upbringing clashed with all the worldly things he loved, such as gambling, drinking, and smoking. Junel tried to improve his life by becoming a member of Kumander Lahi, a religious group promoting vegetarianism, and tried the Magtutuo faith, and even a Mortuary group. But even with these seeming improvements, his life was unchanged.
Honey, just letting you know we’ll be going the Barangay Hall across the street. There will be a Christian seminar… said Leah, but she was cut off.
Haven’t you learned to stop pushing me?! yelled Junel, and he stormed off in a huff.
Leah and the kids attended the prophecy seminar every evening. They were so excited to learn more about God and His salvation. The children really began to understand the Bible as a divinely inspired book.
Mommy, please, we want to be baptized and be part of God’s end-time church, said Jay, his younger brothers Jonash and Joshua nodded in agreement. Mom, we know Dad has struggles with God, but we can keep praying for a miracle. Leah was so inspired by the faith of her children that she decided to be baptized, too. They were so happy to become members of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Tugaya. Leah and her sons spent more time in prayer as the prophecy series continued.
But, unbeknownst to his family, Junel has been listening since the start of the meetings. Since their house was right across the street from the Barangay Hall, Junel could hear the speakers each night. Junel was moved by the Holy Spirit and had a strong desire to join in the next seminar. When he finally joined, his family was overjoyed!
Leah and their sons encouraged Junel in this positive choice, but they didn’t push. Junel had his own prayer struggles with God over his personal weaknesses. He didn’t want to be baptized immediately.
Lord, please give me victory over my addictions and worldliness! prayed Junel. He had tried for so long to fix his life his own way, but now he realized how powerless we really are without the power of the Holy Spirit.
With constant prayer, Junel experienced God answering his prayers. He chose to keep himself away from certain situations and many worldly acquaintances. Convicted, Junel was baptized and wholeheartedly accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. Praise God!
Hey, we heard you became a Sabadista! his friends at the mortuary group said. They wanted to remove Junel from their group because he became an Adventist. They argued that Seventh-day Adventists used a different Bible and believed in salvation by works.
Junel prayed silently, as he calmly replied. Well, in 1 John 2:4 it says, If anybody says I know God, but does not keep his commandments, he is a liar and the truth is not in him. They all frowned after the reading but could not respond. Certainly, it was the Holy Spirit working in Junel!
Praise God, for transforming Junel and uniting his family in faith! He shares that his decision to be baptized was the happiest moment of his life! He’s put off his old ways and put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Now Jesus is the center of their home.
His message of encouragement is that everyone should always seek and love God above everything else in life. God has loved us with an everlasting love, and His plan for your life will unfold as you surrender yourself to Him.
The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3