God’s Custom-Designed Blueprint of My Life

 

Growing up in a family with wrong religious beliefs have both positive and negative influence on me. Although I know well that there is one true God and that disobeying Him is considered sin, I also believe that I have to do good things all the time to please Him and to receive answers to prayers that are solely focused on my desires and my needs.  I am self-centered instead of God-centered.

 

 

When I was 12 years old, my mother died due to eclampsia.  We were not prepared to lose her.  I questioned God why He has to take her and deprive the eight young children of a mother's nurturing care and affection.  How could a loving God allow this to happen?  What will be our future?

 

In year 1988, I had the opportunity to travel with my aunt to Manila and there I met Gemma.  She is my born-again Christian roommate who invited me to her church – Christian Life Fellowship.  For the first time, I heard the pastor preached about God Who loves us (John 3:16) and provided a way for me to be forgiven of all the wrong things I have done, He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  He took the punishment that I deserve, paid the penalty for my sins, and gave me an eternal life.  I didn't have to "do anything" to earn his forgiveness (Romans 6:23).  I realized then that I am a sinner, and that I needed Jesus to save me.

 

On summer of 1990, I asked God to forgive me of my sins and I accepted Jesus as my Savior.  When I die, I am guaranteed a place in eternity with Him.  Now I don’t have to question God anymore if He loves me or if He ever cares for my future because I know He does.  It's a wonderful thing to trust God that He is at work and in control of whatever happens.

 

I have been a believer of the Lord Jesus for 26 years now but my desire to really get to know Him only began when I got married to an unbeliever turned Christian in 1997.  My husband received the Lord Jesus as his Savior, too!  He committed his life to God to His calling as a Pastor in the church here in Dubai.

 

To gain more understanding and wisdom in support to my husband's work for the Lord, he ministered to me first.  While our marriage is not perfect for we have had our trials and ups and downs, by the grace of our Lord, it is truly blessed.  Being married to a man who has a heart for God and is a true servant of God and a son who tests my faith daily, give me more reasons to depend on God.  Now, I'm trying my best to perform my roles to my husband and his ministry and to my son in ways that are pleasing to God.  I can see God’s immeasurable amount of love and Divine providence for me.  I praise and thank Him for that love.  All glory, all praises and all honor be unto Him.

 

Sis. Lilibeth Concepcion