Salvation of my 90-year old Mother -- A Testimony

This testimony is my attestation of Salvation of my 90-year old mother on

December 13, 2009.
This is aimed to touch the heart of every unsaved individual reading this blog.
May you be blessed by my mother’s Story of Salvation!

Passage of Scripture (KJV): Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Ephesians 2:9: “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Introduction

Not long after I got saved in 1996 (when my mother was only 77 years old), I started to pray that God would touch my mother’s heart so that she would come to trust Christ in her own free will and get saved by His precious blood. For many long years, I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed, asking God to save my mother before she dies. But because my mother lives in Murrieta, California (north of San Diego), while I live in Raleigh, North Carolina -- I must confess that there were only a few times that I witnessed to her, both in person and over the phone. The first time I witnessed to her in person was when my wife and I visited her a few years ago: we took her to a Bible-based church; I gave her my testimony on how I got saved and how I changed; and I walked her through the Bible for the first time explaining the Gospel of Christ and the importance of Salvation. I felt all my effort was useless as it was like penetrating a hard rock. The Catholic influence on her was so strong that she wouldn’t even consider seeing the truth from the Word of God. Instead, she kept looking at the Catholic tradition. Like my brothers and relatives, they were afraid of accepting the Biblical truth about Salvation as they thought that “born-again Christians,” which they mocked, is a completely different religion. To me, the results of all my effort in witnessing to her were both disappointing and scary: I was disappointed because at the end, she almost threw the Bible to my face saying, “We were born Catholic, we should die Catholic.” I was scared because all I could think of was that my mother was going to hell when she dies. Yes, I was frustrated but did not stop there. I continued to pray for her Salvation. Since I believe in the power of prayer, I also asked many of my born-again Christian friends and family to pray on her behalf.

A few years later after my first soul-winning encounter with her, I tried and tried again to evangelize her over the phone. Most times, I found myself spending anywhere from one to two hours talking to her on the phone (with tears on my eyes) about the goodness and righteousness of Christ and about Salvation. The results were all the same as before: her heart was as hard as a rock. She still embraced her Catholic religion, regardless of what the Bible says about Salvation.

I was wounded, but full of faith to the Living God: I stick to what the Bible says in Luke1:37: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”—thus, I continued to pray.

My Mother’s Final Wish

Then, in May 9, 2009 – my mother turned 90. As her health started to deteriorate, including her memory, she decided to go back to the Philippines for good. It was always the desire of her heart—as her final wish— to be buried in the Philippines (next to my father’s tomb) when she dies. After deliberating on her final wish, tough as it may seem, our family decided to grant her final wish. She returned to the Philippines, accompanied by other members of the family, on January 27, 2010. As I kept the burden of my family’s Salvation in my heart—most especially my mother’s Salvation— I decided to see her again in California (face-to-face) before she left for the Philippines, so I could lay out to her (for the very last time) the Gospel of Christ and the importance of Salvation, and win her soul. I might be persistent, but I knew it was in the deepest part of my heart that I didn’t want my mother go to hell when she dies. The Bible says in John 3: 3, “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Many days and nights, I prayed and cried out to God: “Please, God: Save my mother from the wages of her sin!” With that very strong burden in my heart, I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. I became excited for that very last chance to minister with her.

My Burden to Lead my own Mother to Christ

Finally, on December 12, 2009 (Saturday) – my 6-year old grandson and I flew to see my mother in California for a long weekend. I told my grandson (who himself is a saved and born-again Christian) that he and I would be missionaries that weekend, and that our special mission then was to present the Gospel to my mom (his great grandma) one last time that she may be saved and go to Heaven when she dies. We both asked God to help our mission come true. Non-stop, I continued to pray in our flight to California. I prayed that God would open up an opportunity and soften her heart that she may see the truth, which could set her free (John 8:32).

God Heard my Prayers

Lo and behold, God heard my prayers: On the morning of December 13^th (Sunday), while at my brother’s house in Murrieta, CA—as my grandson and I prepared ourselves to visit Calvary Baptist Church (an Independent Baptist Church in Temecula, California, which I found in the Internet), to attend the morning Service—God opened up an opportunity that I asked my mother to come with us to the church. Although she hesitated at first (knowing that it is not a Roman Catholic Church), I finally convinced her to come. Inch-by-inch, one step at a time, my grandson and I walked my mother very slowly, from the parking lot to the Church Auditorium. As the morning service went on, I noticed that she inter-acted very well to the flow of the Congregation—she sat down; she stood up; she shook people’s hands; she sung hymns from the Hymnal Book and read through the Scripture as I guided her with my finger through each stanza and verse. It was such a great feeling as I see her inter-acting with the Worship Service. The sermon at the time was focused on The Magi’s Visit to the Baby Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12. As I carefully observed her during the entire Worship Service hour, I noticed that she was listening to the Pastor (as he delivered the Message) intensely and patiently, and glancing to the Scripture once in a while. I held and kept the Bible open in front of her for her easy viewing. Although she did not respond to the Pastor’s invitation for Salvation, I was able to discern what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me: Not to worry, because He was in control. Then, while still inside the Church at the end of the Worship Service – all of a sudden the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart saying that I park the car on the side of the road, on the way out driving home, to lay out the Gospel to her one more time. This was entirely different from what I originally planned, that I would talk to her in private when we get back to my brother’s house. God made me realized that talking to her inside the car, on the side of the road, was the most private moment I could have to minister with her quietly and seriously.

How my 90-year old Mother got Saved

I did exactly what the Holy Spirit allowed me to think: I parked the car on the side of the road as we headed home. I was on the driver’s seat; my mother was at the front passenger’s seat; while my grandson was in the back seat of the car. Having two Bibles on my hand (one English/King James Version and one Tagalog version) – I started by telling my mother that I would like to spend a few minutes to explain to her one more time the importance of Salvation.

As she showed her interest in my request, I started by laying out to her the Five Steps to Heaven: (1) that she should acknowledge the fact that she has sinned, per Romans 3:10 and 3:23; (2) that she should realize that there is a penalty for her sin, per Romans 6:23a and Revelation 21:8; (3) that she should know that Christ paid the penalty of sin for her, per Romans 5:8; (4) that she should accept that Christ wants to give her the free gift of eternal life in heaven, per Romans 6:23b; and (5) that she should believe in Christ and ask Him to be her Savior, per Romans 10:9-10 and 13. I was reading through the Bibles (both King James and Tagalog versions) showing her slowly every verse mentioned above and making sure that she truly understood every single verse we read.

As I read carefully with her through the verses, she started getting convicted when I briefly explained the wages of our sin, which is death (Romans 6:23a) as this is the main reason why Jesus had to die on the Cross. She started crying, which became heavier and non-stop – a sign of true conviction.

In addition, I read and explained to her Luke 16:19-31 (the story of The Rich Man and the Beggar) —while reading in both King James and Tagalog versions—explaining to her the fact that Lazarus (the beggar) died and opened up his eyes in Heaven while the rich man died, but he opened up his eyes in Hell; and the fact that there was no purgatory being mentioned in the passage of the Scripture (contrary to the false doctrine of the Roman Catholic). I also explained to her the part when the rich man was begging Abraham that he would send Lazarus (the beggar) to his father’s house for he has five brothers, that Lazarus may testify unto them fearing that they (too) would also end up to the same place of torment, called Hell. Then, after my brief explanation of the passage, I asked her where did she want to open up her eyes – Heaven or Hell? She answered, “Heaven,” and she continued to cry.

Finally, I told her that she, and only she, could make a decision for her own Salvation. Not I, not any one else. She then decided to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior, and we did exactly what the Bible says in Romans 10:9. As we held hands together in the front seats of the car (both of us crying), I led her to Christ by leading her to a short prayer of Surrender confessing with her mouth the Lord Jesus, repenting her sins, believing in her heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and accepting Christ as her Lord and Savior. She repeated every single word I uttered during the prayer and I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.

It was a joyful and heartfelt experience for me, especially hearing my mother repeatedly saying “Thank you, God! Thank you, God!” (in Tagalog, “Salamat sa Diyos! Salamat sa Diyos!”) after we prayed, with tears in her eyes and conviction in her heart.

My 90-year old mother got saved and was born again on December 13, 2009, not based on the Roman Catholic’s false doctrine of Salvation, but based on the true doctrine from the Holy Bible. The Bible, indeed, is crystal clear – Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:,” while Ephesians 2:9 says, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

It was a Joyful Moment

Oh, what a great joy in my heart to see my own mother getting saved. Now I know for sure that my mother will see the Kingdom of God when she dies, per John 3:3. To me, it was, indeed, an answered prayer. God gave me the desire of my heart. The Bible says in Psalms 37:4: Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Even the angels in Heaven were rejoicing when my mother got saved. The Bible says in Luke 15:10: Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

After She Got Saved

Last time I visited with my mother in Murrieta, CA on January 16, 2010 – I saw her reading the Tagalog Version Bible, which I gave her. She indicated to me that she will be reading the Bible until she dies. This only means the Holy Spirit is starting to work in her heart. The Bible says in 1 John 4:15: “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Praise the LORD

“Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalms:106:1)

“Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?” (Psalms:106:2)

This testimony was written by Manny H. Moe - Founder of The Young Pigeons Ministry.

A Story of “Salvation - TOO LATE!”

Passage of Scripture (KJV): Luke 16:22-23

Luke 16:22: And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Luke 16:23: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

It was TOO LATE for a Soul to be SAVED!

It was December 14, 2006 (Thursday) when I visited my hometown Calamba (now a city), province of Laguna during my five-day stop over in the Philippines, on the way back to the USA from Seoul, South Korea on business trips. Early that morning, I took the public bus at Quezon City which arrived at Calamba City before eleven o’clock that same morning. At a bus stop in Barrio Real (where I was born), a young man named Manuel picked me up with his car. We then drove to his parents’ house, which is not far from my parents’ old house. As we got there, my childhood friend, who is a young Christian, was also there—he was excited to see me after many years. He lives about a block away from the house I was at. After a few handshakes with all the people in the house, I asked this young Christian how his father (whom I called Tio or Uncle Juan) was doing, as I knew he had been sick for a few years suffering from an acute lung disease. His reply was that, “he is at home, still sick, but quite okay”—as if not too big of a deal for him because his father is going to be a-okay.

I wanted to see Tio Juan real bad as I knew I had to minister to him with great sense of urgency in my heart, but it was already lunch time and the food, which the owner of the house prepared for me was already on the table warm and waiting for me to dive in. As much as I wanted to see the sick uncle right away, I had no choice but to let my fleshly appetite fall into the temptation of good-smelling aroma from the native Filipino food, which I had been craving for many years while in America. I munched like a hungry goat in the prairie and did not stop until I was bloated to my throat.

As soon as I finished munching, I slowly eased up to the front door intending to go and see my sick uncle in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, another delay came along the way: three mentally handicapped men in the Barrio heard of my coming and they came to give me a big welcome salute. Feeling like a celebrity in the house, I had no choice but to stay for a little bit longer to accept the honor of their hospitality – not to mention the fact that (like them) I was ecstatic and joyful to see all of them.

It was during that joyful and meaningful event when Tio Juan’s younger daughter walked in with sorrowful facial expression and started crying while saying that her father has just passed away a couple of minutes ago. Oh, what a timing! It was like a huge brick that smacked my chest, in spite of my happy time full of joy and laughter with old friends and families. Immediately thereafter, we ran to the house (a block away) where the dead uncle was at. As I got in to his small shanty-looking house, I was brokenhearted (deep down inside) when I saw his dead body lying down on a piece of plywood right on a dirt floor, with a dirty pillow and a dirty blanket. As I reached down on my knees on his side, I touched his chest gently and checked his pulse and every thing. Surely, he was dead. Not much I could do at that point to share to him the Gospel of Christ, and to help him confess with his mouth the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, that he may believe in his heart that God has raised Him from the dead – for him to go to Heaven. It was too late! He died unsaved, and was already on his way to hell like the rich man in Luke 16:22-23.

How about you? If you die TODAY -- where are you going to spend your eternity – Heaven or Hell? Are you going to be like the beggar in our text (who went to Heaven), or like a rich man (who went to Hell)?

NOW is the time to CONFESS Jesus in your heart as the Bible teaches in Romans 10:9-10,13 and start having a PERSONAL relationship with HIM. Please find the page titled “Salvation 101 - Simple Prayer of Surrender” in this blogspot and recite the prayer with your mouth, and with sincerity in your heart. Otherwise, it will be TOO LATE!

If you get saved through this page, please let me know your testimony of Salvation so I can pray for you. You can email me at mhmoe@bellsouth.net.

A Testimony of SALVATION!

This is my daughter Jessica’s testimony about her friend (whose first name is Kajal) at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte, who got SAVED on
Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007.

This is aimed to touch the heart of every Christian believer and non-believer alike reading this blog.

May you be blessed by Kajal’s Story of Salvation!

Manny H Moe
Founder, The Young Pigeons Ministry

Passage of Scripture (KJV): Psalm 68:20; 2Corinthians 6:2

Psalm 68:20: “He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.”

2Corinthians 6:2: “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

Kajal’s Story of Salvation:

From: Jessica
Date: 2007/04/10 Tue AM 09:06:21 EDT
To: Dad
Subject: God is good!

Hi Dad,

I just wanted to spread some good news. I have an Indian friend from School, who left me a burden after I had a conversation with her about accepting Jesus Christ about a month ago. I had asked her if she were to die today where she thought she would go. She answered with, "I know that I would go straight to hell". When she said this, I began to cry and she didn't understand why. And I continued to tell her about the Bible and the Scriptures (particularly John 3) and about being saved. She said that she had witnessed too many things and done a lot in her life that made her sure that there would not be anything to look forward to after death. She truly believed that God would not forgive her sins. But I kept telling her He forgives all sins as long as you accept him into your heart. After that night, she didn't completely understand everything I said to her.

Anyways, I have been worrying about her ever since our conversation, and have been praying for her to find God. Last night, before we got ready to go out to dinner she said she had something to tell me. She had said she went to church on Easter Sunday and was really touched by the Pastor's message. She said at the end of service, they had invitations and for some reason that she could not understand she felt something in her heart. She said she felt "weird", something that she had never felt before. She told me that she began to walk forward but that it felt like something was pushing her to go. Something had guided her towards the front. As she got to the center of the church (half way to the front) she was about to stop but the feeling in her heart just got stronger. She continued forward. Finally she found herself at the altar, but she said she doesn't even know how she got there. On Easter Sunday, she accepted the Lord and became a member of that church!

As she told me this story I began to cry. I was so happy! And I saw such a difference in her personality yesterday. Before, she was always depressed about school, family issues, and just life in general. But she had also said that when she went home that night to her family, her and her dad got in some argument again and instead of yelling back like she used to do before, she felt extra calm and spoke gently to her father even if he used harsh words to her. She said she could not stop smiling after she got saved. And I noticed she seems so much happier and NEW!

God is good!

I just wanted to tell you this because I am so happy. Please pray for her (Kajal) as well, so that she can keep growing in her faith. I'll be going to church with her later tonight. Anyways, I hope you have a wonderful day Dad! I love you!

Jessica

A Little Boy BAPTIZED!

This is a grandfather’s testimony of his 6-year old grandson’s Baptism on

November 9, 2008.

Tyler was saved on April 16, 2007.

This is aimed to touch the heart of every Christian believer and non-believer alike

reading this blog.

May you be blessed by Tyler’s Story!

Passage of Scripture (KJV): Galatians 3:26-27

Galatians 3:26: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Tyler’s Story of Baptism:

It was a Sunday (October 26, 2008) – the Lord’s Day: Tyler (a little over 2 months before he turned 6 years old at the time), together with his mom and grandma had a late start from home coming to church, and not able to get to his regular Sunday School class -- grandpa was out of town on business and not in the church with them that day. Since they were late, Tyler decided not to join his class and stayed in the pew for the worship service instead. As a behaving young man, he listened with full attention as the Pastor delivered the Message on that day. During the invitation time, the Pastor gave the invitation not only to those who want to be saved, but also to those who want to be baptized, and to those who want to be members of the Church. It was that moment when Tyler quietly asked his mom that he wanted to come forward -- he wanted to be baptized. Surprised as she was, his mom took him forward (to the Pastor) in front of the stage where the pulpit is. Tyler asked the Pastor that he wanted to be baptized.

The following week he got sick again, but this time with pneumonia. He was in bed for a few days, with recurring fever of high temperature and annoying cough. It took him on this situation until almost the middle of the next week when the fever stopped.

Exactly 1 year, 6 months, and 3 weeks after Tyler was saved – he was baptized by Youth Pastor Jason Little at the Beacon Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC on November 9, 2008.

What a great joy seeing a very young and intelligent boy to realize the importance of Baptism in his Christian life. In his own mind, without being ashamed but with great courage, he made his own decision to come forward and ask to be baptized. Courage and obedience: these are two important elements for every Christian to keep in their person when walking by faith, with Christ.

If a young boy (like Tyler) could decide for his own in professing his courage and obedience to follow Christ, should it be difficult for an adult to do the same? After all, adults should be more intelligent than a 6-year old boy.

Jesus shows us a clear example of professing His courage and obedience to His Father in Heaven in Matthew 3:13-17, when he came forward to be baptized in the Jordan River. Tyler has followed the example that Jesus did. If God is well pleased during the Baptism of Christ, we can be sure that God is also pleased when Tyler was baptized.

This testimony was proudly written by Manny H. Moe (Tyler’s grandfather, and founder of The Young Pigeons Ministry).

A Testimony from my Daughter on Father’s Day 2006

Passage of Scripture (KJV): Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

This is my daughter’s testimony on Father’s Day / June 19, 2006.
This is aimed to touch the heart of every father reading this blog.
May you be blessed by Vanessa’s Testimony!
Learn for yourself first the Word of God -- then share it to your children.
Happy Father’s Day!

Father's Day Testimony from a Daughter

From: Vanessa
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 2:21 AM
To: Dad
Subject: Father’s Day

Hi Dad,

I went to church today but I went by myself -- my boyfriend had to work. They were talking about Deuteronomy 6:1-6 since it was Father's Day. It was talking about how a goof father should learn for himself the word of God and then spread it to his children. I just wanted to say thank you for introducing God to me. It is because of you that I am going to heaven and that I got saved. To see where my life was headed before and where it is now is so amazing and that is proof that there is a God. Really before I didn't think I had a purpose and now I am working, doing a good job at work actually making a difference. The pastor was also talking about how a good father always 24/7 talks to their children about God. Well there was a time before when I knew who God was and thought I knew him but then I knew the difference and felt the difference finally when I got saved. I am glad I got saved to and I want you to know that you are a big part of me getting saved. Because I always saw you and mom reading the bible and turning to God every time there was a problem and I started doing the same myself because you guys set an example.. (before I got saved)... and then one day I just realized what I was missing in my heart and that was surrendering my whole life to Jesus. I just want to tell you that before it may not seemed like I appreciated you when I was a teenager being bad and not listening. But now I am glad you never let me hang out with friends as much and always talked about God and made us go to church because now I realize that you did it all for the good reasons. And while you are still alive I want you to know that I appreciate you as a father and I thought about you all day today while they were describing what a good father is at church. I am lucky I have a family like ours. I mean I know we have our ups and downs with our family but 99.9% of it is good because we all have an unconditional love for each other like God has for his children. And I want you to know that I love you and am so very thankful that I have a dad like you. I always brag about my family to my friends and my boyfriend and I always tell them how loving our family is. I love you and mom very much and just to say again I appreciate everything you two did for me when I was a teenager and how you implemented God all through my life. I am so happy I have him in my heart and that I am saved. You and mom gave me a gift no one else could ever give me and I will keep that with me until I leave this earth. I love you dad and Happy Father's Day!

Vanessa

A Little Boy SAVED!

This is a grandfather’s testimony of his grandson’s Salvation on April 16, 2007.
His name is Tyler, who turned 5 in December 31, 2007.
This is aimed to touch the heart of every unsaved individual reading this blog.
May you be blessed by Tyler’s Story!

Passage of Scripture (KJV): 2 Timothy 3:15

2 Timothy 3:15: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Tyler’s Story of Salvation:

It was the evening of April 16, 2007 (Monday) when Tyler accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in his heart—he was 4 years and 4 months old at the time. This is the true story of his Salvation:

Tyler became sick with a stomach virus around the middle of the previous week. He was continuously throwing up through out the weekend. It was a rough weekend, indeed. When Monday came, April 16th, I—his Lolo (grandpa) Manny—decided not to work simply to watch and spend time with him, and make sure he was okay. Through out the day, his tired, sick body visibly showed a lack of enthusiasm in his toys. It was unusual that he was not even interested in his trains, which are his favorites. After spending the day in constant prayer, he started feeling better that Monday afternoon.

Around six o’clock that Monday evening, he was silently watching television upstairs in the master bedroom of the house. As I interrupted his television time, I approached Tyler for a prayer and Bible study. I asked him to turn the TV off, which he politely obeyed. I sat down on the side of the bed, while he was leaning his back against layers of pillows. As we studied the Bible together, I decided to run him through the Gospel of Christ. I explained to him very slowly, and in a most basic way I could think of, the reason why Jesus died on the Cross, and how He died. He listened very carefully and attentively as I explained the Gospel to him. To average boys of his age, comprehension may be a little problem, but Tyler was so intelligent that he was interacting with me real well, as he asked questions from time to time. He was like a young adult listening as I explained to him very slowly the Story of Christ, and the 5-steps to go to Heaven. I read to him the relevant Scriptures including Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23a; Romans 5:28; Romans 6:23b; Romans 10:9-10; and Romans 10:13. I gave him basic examples that he could understand as I explained the Scriptures. After I explained to him the death of Christ, and how people can be saved and go to Heaven—he asked me a question, “Lolo, can I be saved and go to Heaven?” Then, I said, “Yes, of course! But you need to pray and confess to Jesus as it is written in the Bible (then I read to him Romans 10:9 again).” He followed up saying, “Lolo, I want to be saved now so I can go to Heaven when I die…can you please help me pray to Jesus?” I saw seriousness in his heart, so I asked him to kneel down with me on the side of the bed, and we prayed together for his Salvation. He repeated the prayer after me, with our heads bowed and eyes closed, as we asked Jesus for his Salvation.

When we finished praying, I explained to him that he has been born again and saved by the blood of Christ, and that he has become a true child of God. I made sure he understood that he has now a place in Heaven. Tyler was born again on April 16, 2007.

One year later from the time he was saved, Tyler has been growing in Spirit and becoming very blessed, week after week. April 16, 2008 was his first year of rebirth. Tyler has been enjoying his weekly Sunday School and Kids Worship Service at the Beacon Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, where he is getting truly blessed with good character, good heart, thankful and prayerful habits, desire to memorize Bible verses, desire to pray for the Salvation of others, and desire to study the Bible with the family members.

Tyler is becoming a true picture of a born-again Christian boy, who is also gifted of many things, including talents in music. He started playing piano (with good, pleasant rhythm) at the age of 4, without any formal training. Now that he is 5, he can play the piano much better. He is truly amazing, that even experienced pianists are impressed of his talent. They thought Tyler is truly gifted. As grandparents, we are very proud of him! No doubt, God will use him in the future.

Absolutely, Tyler is a fruit of the seed his grandfather planted in 1996, when he accepted Christ in his heart. God is amazingly good, all the time!

If a little boy (like Tyler) could easily understand the Gospel of Christ, and did not hesitate to accept Christ in his heart – how easy should it be for an adult, who is much more mature mentally, to understand the reality of Christ. Thus, if you are an adult who hasn’t been saved by the blood of Christ by accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour, perhaps you may want to be like Tyler. Be a child! Accept Christ now, and let Him drive your life!

Remember what the Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:15: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

This testimony was written by Manny H. Moe (Tyler’s grandfather, and founder of The Young Pigeons Ministry).

Challenge #7 – Understand the Teaching of the LORD’s Prayer!

Passage of Scripture (KJV): Matthew 6:5-13

Matthew 6:5: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:7: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Matthew 6:8: Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:9: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:11: Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Challenge:

Many Christians (nominal or real) have misunderstood the true meaning of PRAYER. Some thought that prayer is merely talking to God, or merely asking God about something. The Catholics thought that prayer is reciting the Rosary, which is not only useless, but also against the Biblical Doctrine. Matthew 6:7 says, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Rosary is very CLEARLY “vain repetitions.” One man thought that as long as you have a good intent on what you ask God for, it is prayer. Wrong! People are being misled by their wrong understanding of the Biblical Doctrine. This challenge not only intends to correct this misunderstanding, but also hope to give a clear direction on “how to pray” straight from the Bible.

In any circumstance, the main foundation of our prayer must be based on what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:5-13: the Lord’s Prayer.

The book titled “Answers” by Keith Piper defines “prayer” as follows:

• Prayer is asking specific things from God and receiving them.
• Prayer is worship addressed to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Prayer is having two-way fellowship with God.
• Prayer is NOT just talking TO God, but WITH God.

In order for us to understand the true foundation of PRAYER, as it was taught by the Lord Jesus Christ – I have broken down the Lord’s Prayer for easy understanding.

PART I.

Our Father which art in heaven,

• The very key in any prayer is SALVATION, as prayer is ALWAYS toward OUR FATHER. We cannot call Him FATHER unless we are His Child.
• Salvation gives us genuine BELIEF that OUR FATHER is in primarily in HEAVEN, where we will spend eternity when we die.
• Even CHRIST (the SON of GOD) called onto HIS FATHER, as HE said, “ABBA, FATHER” while praying at the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested. (Mark 14:36)
• No one has the right to call Him FATHER unless he was a Child of God. The Bible says in Galatians 3:26: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Only when you accept Christ that you will be a Child of God, then you can earn the right to call OUR FATHER in HEAVEN.

Hallowed be thy name.

• “Hallowed” (adjective) means “Holy,” “Consecrated,” “Sacred,” “Revered” – it points toward GOD’s Name. Holy is HIS NAME! Whether it points to JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, ELOHIM, etc. – HIS NAME is indeed HOLY!
• This is a phrase of EXALTATION of God.
• Lifting up the NAME of OUR FATHER is indeed an important element of every prayer because HE is HOLY!

Thy kingdom come.

• Again, this line also relates to SALVATION. The New Testament has mentioned several times that being SAVED (being BORN AGAIN) through the GRACE of GOD by FAITH of accepting CHRIST is our ONLY WAY to the KINGDOM of GOD, which is in HEAVEN.
• John 3:3 says: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
• Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
• To me, Matthew 6:33 is very clearly saying that ALL the things we ask for will not be given to us if we don’t seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness FIRST.

Thy will be done in earth,

• “Believing completely (totally)” is the key phrase here. Logically speaking, acceptance of Christ in Salvation proves our total belief in GOD (OUR FATHER) as our SALVATION is from HIM through CHRIST.
• Believing in OUR FATHER’s will and believing His GODness make us believe that HIS WILL be done in earth where we’re at. OUR FATHER is a POWERFUL God. HE can do everything HE wishes, even the most impossible things all combined.
• As we pray, we always need to keep in mind that it must be HIS WILL and not OURS that we must respect. We must keep our FAITH that HE knows BEST. No matter what, HE is GOD!

as it is in heaven.

• If we totally believe the WILL of OUR FATHER in earth, we must also believe that HIS WILL in earth is exactly the same as IN HEAVEN.
• Again, this line also relates to SALVATION. Only when we are SAVED that we will believe in HEAVEN.
• This also means that we should RELY to the WILL of OUR FATHER, as His WILL here in earth is the same as in HEAVEN.

PART II.

Give us this day our daily bread.

• Prayer is a DAILY chore, as a minimum.
• Daily bread is not just food that we eat. It includes ALL our needs (materials and spiritual). Specifying our need when we pray is an important teaching of our Lord, although OUR FATHER knows what things we have need of before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8).
• Asking OUR FATHER what we need on a daily basis is what Christ expects us to do.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

• Forgiving: How forgiving are you?
• Before you ask for forgiveness from God, make sure you have forgiven others, even those who had done wrong to you. No matter how serious it is.
• Think about this and ask your own self this question: How could God forgive me, if I myself could not forgive others?

And lead us not into temptation,

• CHRIST knows what we are made of. We are made of flesh. We can always be tempted. This is why we must always ask God to keep us away from any temptation.
• Temptation leads to sin.
• We should strive to remain holy, as God is Holy.

but deliver us from evil:

• CHRIST knows the works of the devil: to kill, to steal; and to destroy.
• This is also why the Bible teaches us the whole Armour of God: The Bible says in Ephesians 6:13: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

PART III.

For thine is the kingdom,

• This part should always remind us that God owns the Kingdom, the Heaven, which we all have to have the desire of going when we leave the world we now live in (that is, when we die).
• The question we should ask ourselves is, “Where shall we go when we die?” There are only two possible places where our soul could go when we die: Heaven or Hell
• John 3:3 very clearly indicates that our only way to go to Heaven is Salvation to Christ. We need to be born again to go to Heaven. Otherwise, Hell is the only alternative…not Purgatory that many Catholics claim. Purgatory is not in the Bible.
• Catholics defend purgatory by quoting 2 Maccabees 12:40-45 (an Apocrypha book from the Douay-Rheims Bible, which is the Catholic Bible) where a “sin offering” is offering for dead soldiers who had committed the sin of idolatry. This not only contradicts the Bible, but also contradicts the Catholic teaching, because idolatry is a mortal sin that would confine a person to hell. The Book of Maccabees has never been regarded as inspired by Jews or Christians.

and the power,

• Psalms 147:5: Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

and the glory,

• Psalms 24:10: Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

for ever.

• Eternity – John 3:16 – relates (again) to Salvation first, then everlasting life. Very clearly, it says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

PART IV.

Amen.

• Affirmation of the truth of statement
• Confirmation of belief
• How could one affirm the truth if he has not accepted Christ. The Bible says in John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
• To affirm the truth requires believing in Christ through Salvation Only, and not believing through religion and tradition. To be saved, one must follow Roman 10:9, which says “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
• Be saved now: ADMIT your sins; CONFESS your sins with your mouth to Christ; BELIEVE and ACCEPT CHRIST in your heart as your Saviour and Lord; and then say -- “Amen.”