Last weekend, 19th April 2025, was the most life-changing event in my life. I never planned towards it, but the Lord directed me to take a massive step of faith. It was also Easter Weekend, when the whole world was celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I was brought up in a traditional Christian Home. We emphasized church attendance and the upbringing of the Christian faith. I also underwent infant baptism when I was a child, and it was full immersion. I am always grateful for the foundation I have received. Today, I was moved to share my salvation story with you.
I was 21 years old then. During my studies in Moscow, I came to know Jesus as my personal Savior. That was about 20 years ago. I just knew Christianity is beyond religion. It was the Life of God in us. I grew up learning the Lord, and things unfolded quickly after that. I received the gift of tongues. I was actively involved in ministry and became a cell leader. Soon after, I became a zone leader. I was very much involved in medical missions during that time. God told me to write a book. I needed a vision and divine visitation before I started.
God gave me the courage to publish my first book in 2014, and I was excited for the Lord. But at the same time, I battled a lot with my emotions and insecurity. Disappointments set in. I felt discouraged when I did not continue what the Lord told me to do. I struggled to continue doing what the Lord told me to do.
I didn’t know who would support me in this writing journey, and I felt inferior and intimidated. I was afraid. But one thing I did since then is that I never neglected to write notes on my website. I felt I was writing for the Lord, even if nobody read it. So, it kept me going.
Fast forward, it is already 2025 now. I decided to follow a strict 50-day Lent Season for the Easter Celebration. I also decided to become a vegetarian during the lent season. Besides that, I also decided to assign a certain time for worship and prayer. I will serve in my home church in the capacity I can. At the end of 50 days, I never expected to do something beyond my imagination.
A few days before the Lent Season ended, I attended a regular cell group meeting where the topic of discussion was water baptism. As the senior leader spoke clearly about the importance of baptism, I distinctly heard a voice within me say, “You should do it, RJ.”
I was arguing with my Spirit and Mind at first. I wondered why I should, since I have done an infant baptism. But the voice in me was so strong that I knew I had to obey it. My pastor at the church I am presently attending made us clearly understand the importance of public adult baptism. It is where we make the choice ourselves. Out of obedience, I decided to take the step of faith.
I signed up for the baptism class out of obedience. I managed to be baptized in a church I have been attending lately. It dawned on me,” You are baptizing into Christ and not baptized into the church.”Sometimes I realize I just complicate unnecessary matters.
When I went for baptism, I felt it was a different ballgame altogether. I felt like I attended a graduation ceremony. I felt a sense of freedom when I went under the water. I decided to leave my anxiety there. I also left my fear of man, doubt, anger, pride, bitterness, and past under the water. I made up my mind to leave it there.
When I rose back above the water, this verse came deep into my Spirit :
Acts chap 1: 8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
There was an unexplainable excitement within me. I believe it is the Joy of the Lord. I felt I had graduated into my next phase of my life.
I decided I must pen down this journey. One day in the future, I will look back. I will always be reminded of what took place in April 2025.
Jesus’ public ministry started after his baptism. I look forward to how God will use me in my work, ministry, and family. I told the Holy Spirit today, ”Use me for your Kingdom. I am sincerely fed up with the past. I have left my past under the water. You know me best. Lead me through.”
2nd Corinthians chap 5 :17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!
I thank God for this experience.I thank God for this supernatural reality. The Lord has taken me from the past. He is bringing me into the future.
Say this today: I thank God for this gift called LIFE- R.J. JOHN
Prayer for today: ”Abba,I thank you, Lord, for this gift called Life. I praise you, Lord, you have been very faithful in my life. I want to follow you, Jesus. Thank you for holding me tightly and leading me through my next season of life. Use me an ordinary simple girl for your Kingdom. Let me live to tell a story. In Jesus’ name.Amen
Partnership: If you have been blessed with this note, I encourage my readers to share it with their loved ones. Please subscribe and keep me in prayer as I continue writing for the Lord. It is my desire to fulfill God’s call in my life. It is a journey of a dream. A journey dependent unto the Lord alone. Please contact me if you want to partner with me in bringing these writings to translate, publish, or edit. If you have a testimony after reading the note, please feel free to email me at r.j.john25@gmail.com
If you have been moved to partner financially, feel free to invest in this journey of writing for the Kingdom. Not my writings.His writings. He is using me as a vessel to bring His writings to Judea, Samaria, and the earth’s ends.
I am a simple girl from a small town with simple faith, wanting to do big for the Lord. I know with God on my side, nothing is impossible. Allow me to move to my next level of faith. If you believe in this dream, I invite you to partner financially with me .Thank you. God bless you.
– R.J. John.
Bank: Maybank
Bank account number: 112054094018
Bank Payee Name: Rowena John
Overseas Transfer Swift Code: MBBEMYKL
Thank you, readers, and stay blessed.
Contact author today: r.j.john25@gmail.com
Joy of the Lord is my Strength Note Series 