The Start of my Adventures Walking with the Holy Spirit

In May 2014, during my quiet time in the morning.

After a session of reading the bible, meditating on the verses for that day, and time in prayer. I stayed silent before the Lord, waiting if He had something to say, with His still quiet voice in me through the Holy Spirit. While on my knees, with my head on the floor, I went into a dream state.

In this dream, I retreated into a room for prayer. While praying, I found myself trembling, and the strong presence of God entered the room, and I felt a burning sensation on my hand. Still trembling, I heard the voice of the Lord said, “Look at your hands child, they are used for healing. Go and study the book of Mark.” I woke up from the dream after that, but my hands had the sensation of burning, pins and needles.

Was it just a dream?

After that morning, I started studying the healing verses in the bible, read through the book of Mark and read books from the great healing ministries in the 1920s of Smith Wiggleworths and John G. Lake. I compiled a little note book with all the healing verses that I could find in the bible, and sought to understand them based on the verses’  context in the chapters of the bible.

I slowed down on the reading after a few months, until August that year.

During that period, I was studying about the concept of the Holy Spirit and was intrigued about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was certain that despite having the Holy Spirit in me, at the point of accepting Jesus as my Saviour, I have not experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I prayed and asked the Lord if I could have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, right there that evening, at the bench next to the playground, where the boy was playing with his friends.

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Later that same week, my mom shared that she had to go for a short operation due to post menopausal issues and was fearful that it could be a malignant tumor. Immediately, I laid hands and I prayed for her for God’s healing.

That night, the boy experienced a bout of high fever. I prayed for the fever to leave him, and it did after a while. Later that night, I had a prompting from the Holy Spirit, “Now go and pray for your mom.” I took my bible, selected the verse that I wanted to read out to her and went into her room.

I told her, that I wanted to pray once more again for her for complete healing. So I knelt down next to her bed, laid my hands on her lower abdomen and prayed for her. As I prayed healing verses over her problem, I started trembling. I was shaking, trembling all over and my teeth started chattering. I knew it wasn’t some sort of fit, neither was it a muscle spasm, but it was involuntary and I could actually speak to my mom calmly despite the shaking and trembling. My mom was surprised to have witnessed it, but she agreed it was God at work.

Once the trembling stopped, I showed her what I wrote in my devotional notebook for May 15 2014, and the feeling of trembling in the dream was exactly how I experienced that night when I prayed for her. And shared about the prayer I made in that same week about having the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

She confirmed that I have indeed experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit from the Lord. And two weeks after, she was declared by the doctor having no problems with her health.

What changed after the Baptism?

Well, I can attest to the benefits of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit listed out here in this article, and there is one more marked difference, I have more boldness and courage when it comes to praying for others after this experience with the Lord.

So that’s how it begun.

Now whenever a door opens for me to pray for the sick or for prayer for anyone that needs the intervention of God in their situation, I will go wherever He leads me to.

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Hands can be for Healing

Last week was a difficult week. It was a mix of joy and heavy feelings of burden, with that, I found myself crying alot the whole week.

My other prayer partner from Indonesia, M shared with me that one of the older guys that we prayed for have recently passed away. I felt sad when I heard the news but I didn’t go to Lord to demand the reason. As He has already prepared me in advance why He allowed this guy to die.

Often there are reasons why people do not get healed, times when God allows the person to die, and times when He heals the person fully.

But I think the most important thing praying for others, is to focus on being that helping hand to bring full reconciliation between the person and God. Healing is not just to address physical ailments and diseases, but healing for a person includes the relationship he/she has with God and with others.

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M was back in Singapore again last weekend, and this time it was for her aged Dad, Papa G, whose recent biopsy tests showed that he had a malignant tumor in his body. Before meeting her, she told me that Papa G was ready to go, being close to 90 years old, and all she needed was my support to pray for comfort for him and her family for his remaining days.

This was the first time that I would be praying for comfort for someone who was ready to leave. I respected Papa G’s decision and what M’s family wanted for him, but something deep down reminded me that there was something else better. But I reserved my comment during our phone conversation.

I first met Papa G was in Jakarta when I visited M’s Ministry. He sat on his wheelchair and all I remember of him was the stoic expression on his face, the only words we exchanged were, “Hello Uncle, nice to meet you.” And he acknowledged my greeting sternly with a nod. He never spoke a word during those bible study and prayer meetings either.

As I walked into the ward, the first person I saw was M’s mom whose face lighted up when she saw me. Just last week, she has been declared cancer-free. Her doctors were flabbergasted by the results and had to do the test more than once to confirm, and when they couldn’t see any cancer-markers from the results of the test, they pronounced that it was indeed a miracle.

The first time M and I prayed for her healing, the biopsy tests showed that the tumor shrunk significantly, then after the second time we prayed for her in Nov 2014, she followed up with another test in late December and was told the good news of being free from Cancer.

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So after hearing that good news, going into that hospital ward to pray for someone’s comfort before he is to die didn’t seem to be something the Lord wanted me to do.

Nevertheless, after M played a worship song on her iPad, I started with a short prayer for Papa G and her family. It was a prayed for comfort, rather than healing, so I kept it really short, then M read out some verses from the book of Psalms and asked me if I had any specific verses to share. I answered No.

When she finished reading the verses from Psalms, I pulled her to the side and said, “Somehow, turning through the pages of the Bible today, I am seeing healing verses one after another. I don’t think it is God’s will for Papa G to leave sick and in pain, I think I should pray for healing for him.” She looked at me smiled and replied, “I had the same thought since last night, but I wasn’t sure about it. But I think what you have shared confirmed what we need to do for Papa G.”

I knelt down next to Papa G’s right side, held on his hearing aid and told him that I am going to pray for healing for him, so even if he wants to leave, he will be happy, healthy and comfortable for his remaining days and months ahead. As I laid my hands on his head, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and compassion for him.

Why would I be feeling like that for someone I hardly knew?

I knew that feeling that flowed through me to him was from God. The feeling was of immense love and compassion for Papa G, and a desire for him to be healed. At this time, I was totally oblivious to everyone else apart from the person on the hospital bed.

I felt God’s peace and presence in the room, which was extremely comforting and reassuring, that whatever fear and negativity that was initially there, could not exist in that same space. I asked him, “Papa G, do you feel the love of Jesus?” He nodded, smiled and had tears in his eyes. I then prayed for healing and reconciliation over Papa G.

When we finished praying for Papa G, M remarked, “I could feel a strong breeze blowing from your direction when you were praying.” and M’s sister exclaimed, “Thank you for praying for Papa G, it was really beautiful.”

Warm hugs were shared with M and her sisters after our prayer for Papa G and I made sure I gave a big long hug to M’s mother, and I whispered to her, “See, I told you that you are going to be strong and healthy.”

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Later that same week, I visited NUH Oncology ward again with Pauline, to pray for a friend’s teenage child who is undergoing chemotherapy for a rare cancer.

In the same children’s ward, I saw 2 bald children seated forlonly on their beds, and next to my friend’s child, a 9 year old, who was just diagnosed with cancer early that week. His grandmother smiled sadly at me when I entered the ward.

On the drive back home, my eyes were stinging badly.

So many thoughts were running through my mind. How I wanted to be able to pray for these other children, but I couldn’t. Which mother or parent would allow some strangers to lay hands to pray for their child for healing?

God, send this hope to others for their child to be healed by You and be able to experience Your immense love for them! Please Lord, send out more Christians who will do this too, so that they can be that extension of your hand of healing and your love!

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The need is great, but the laborers are few.

This scene of seeing these other children in the hospital word replayed in my mind countless times the next few days after that, and I found myself crying each time I went to the Lord in prayer.

This burden I have to pray for the sick has been given to me by God.

Again I reiterate, it is not me who can heal, I am just an ordinary woman. But it is God who works through a surrendered vessel. All is takes is someone who has willingly surrender their lives at His feet, persevere to continue seeking His face every day of their lives, abide in His will and He can use the prayers of that person to bring His healing to whoever He wills.

This burden hasn’t ceased in my heart and will continue to get heavier, as He opens more doors for us to pray, in the days ahead.

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If you have a sick child, or someone u know that has a sick child or a loved one, do drop either Pauline or me a private message in FB and we will pray for you or for your friend. We will gladly visit and pray for the person in the hospital, if needed. 

OR, if you feel a tugging on your heart to be part of a ‘Prayer and Healing’ group, do drop me a mail and I will be glad to be able to help you along this journey, that God has called for you to be in. 

Curious how this Prayer Ministry started? Read this post on what happened last year. 

Go here for more posts on Faith.

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15 Things I will Do Differently in 2015

I don’t do resolutions.

I haven’t been much of a resolution setter or keeper the last 5 years, so this post is not so much of setting resolutions. Rather, it is to re-align the changes to reflect the values that matter most to me for my life. My attitude towards these changes that I am planning to take is not about doing things to justify my self-worth, to give myself significance or create a sense of security.

Instead, these changes that I am planning to make revolves around two keywords that God have highlighted to me for 2015.

LoveRTT

These two keywords of Love and Redeem the Time will be the ‘fuel’ for the things that I am planning to do differently this year:

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1. Meet an old or new friend at least once a month.

These old or new friends will not include those that I meet weekly.

You might wonder why this is a big deal for me. Many friends noticed that I retreated into my ‘cave’ for the whole of 2014, and wondered what happened to me. Well, I am back! But it’s not the same Rachel anymore. This Rachel is back with renewed vigor, enthusiasm and hope. If you feeling down in the dumps and need a boost, you know who to call to meet 😛

 

2. Make a point to talk to my parents on regular basis, to continue to show them respect and care.

I stay with my mom on the weekdays, so its easy to sit down to have a chat with her. However, with my dad, (whom I am not living with), I have to make that call regularly to meet for a meal or for coffee, just to find out how are things with him. The first half of 2013, I did not call him or speak to him for 6 months, so this has to change!

 

3. Message hb more regularly

Having a spouse that works overseas is not the easiest for me to maintain regular contact with. I don’t like to do Skype or talk on the phone (see point 2). So using phone chat apps are the best thing to have to maintain communication. This might come natural to others, but I do need to make a mental note to message or communicate with hb daily. Weird I know, but I have always been very independent, and before I got married, rather introverted. Probably would have remained an ‘old maid’ if I didn’t get stuck with him in my late teens.

 

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The Christian life is ever changing. A Christian has to be ever willing to make improvements in their character and attitudes, but never compromise their convictions or character.

4. Be a good example.

Live a life like a true Christian and not like a hypocrite, to always practice what I preach.

 

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One of the best paths to making changes in life, I believe, is to focus on self. Don’t focus on thinking that I can change my parents, my friend who is full of trouble or even my hb. How about the naysayers who gossip about me or have nothing good to say? Forget about changing what people think of me. I will just focus on becoming a better person.

5. Lay aside all malice, hypocrisy, envy and gossip.

Watch what comes out from my mouth. I can make the choice to say encouraging things to build up, or condemning words to tear down. Only speak about others with truth and love. I can be a very straight-forward person and I am aware that truth can sometimes hurt, so I need to be gentler and more cautious with the words I use.

 

6. Don’t crave for what others have or own, either through experience or through possessions.

 

7. Be friendly and smile more!

I used to have this frown in my face as I am deep in thought most of the time, but have started making this effort to smile or have this somewhat ‘gentler’ expression. So if eye contact is made, with a stranger, more than 80% of the time, I get a smile back, while 20% of the time I get a quizzical expression 😛

 

8. Be Giving.  

Not just with money or things, but give my time to anyone who needs a listening ear, some advice or just be a friend.

 

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9. Write More!

My focus this year is to write more, starting with this blog. Less haphazardly, but with more focused topics that are in line with the mission statement of this blog; ‘Living Life with Meaning and Inspiration.’

 

10. Craft More!

The second half of 2014, I started crafting again, from where I left off a few years ago. This year I will have more reasons to craft 😉 It will not just be sewing craft, but fuse beads and paper craft .

 

11. Draw and paint

I took up some lessons on watercolor painting last year and stopped after 10 lessons, due to the lack of time. I don’t plan to continue the lessons but I will spend some time experimenting on my own. Been longingly looking at the jar of watercolor brushes on my desk the last 8 months, and even went to Artfriend last week to buy some new brushes.  So it is time that I do something about it.

 

12. Write some more!

Not just through emails, FB messages or the phone. I will be spending more time writing to friends through snail mail, but not in the penpal sort of way. Maybe the hb will also get some snail mail coming his way 😛 I will be sharing more on #InHisLoveMail initiative on this blog soon.

 

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13. To be more consistent, especially when it comes to guiding the little boy with his schoolwork

I was not the most effective mom last year when it comes to guiding K in his studies. By December, his assessment books were barely 1/4 completed, and he only managed to complete another 1/4 of the assessment books during the school holidays, and the books ended up being thrown down the rubbish chute.

 

14. To be more disciplined to continue my sessions with K for the Ancient History curriculum, and also start on Creative Writing with him at home.

 

15.  To finally update this blog with more of the Home-Learning articles that was written in 2011-2013 from the old Home-Learning website.

Myplayschool.net, which is now defunct, is a trove of Home-Learning articles accumulated from the 3 years of maintaining the site. There was so much time spent writing these timeless tutorials and ideas, which I believe will be very beneficial for moms who are looking out for Home-Learning ideas to coach their preschoolers.

 

It’s a good thing I place a cap on the number of things that I want to do differently this year, if not, I think I could probably squeeze in at least 10 more! There is so much to do this year, albeit differently from last year. So here’s to a productive, meaningful and inspirational 2015 ahead!

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Next on the ’15 Things I will Do Differently in 2015′ Blog Train will be Irene of Singapore Mom Blogs

IreneSMBA former Flight Attendant who swapped wings for kids. This skinny mom of 3 proudly declares her addiction for food and refuses rehabilitation. She loves taking photos of food and believes that good food are meant to be shared. Even with her wings clipped, and kids in tow, she travels and writes about her family travel adventures. Irene is a professionally trained make up and nail artist who loves sharing tips on how to be a sassy mom.

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