Life After Death

My Testimony Of How I Came To Know The Lord

By Bro. Joseph Lee

Joseph Lera Lee (Filipino) was born April 18, 1963 in Quezon City, Philippines. He came to Sharjah May, 2003 to work as an ice skating coach and transferred to Dubai July 2006. He then came to Al Ain June of 2007 working at Al Ain Mall Skating Rink. This is his incredible story of God’s grace.

You know how amazing how the Lord calls each one of us. Everyone has his own story and testimony of how they came to know the Lord.

For me, this is my story…….. I have experienced LIFE AFTER DEATH!

Hello! My name is Bro Joseph. Some friends call me “ICEMAN.” I work as an Ice Skating Instructor at the Al Ain Mall ice skating rink.

Last August 26 to 28, 2008, I applied for sick leave because of my severe coughing. During my sick leave, I was alone in my room and couldn’t sleep. I was thinking of so many problems in my life like my financial problems, my problems at work, the people around me and worst of all my broken family.

My wife left me for another man in Sharjah. I was thinking also of what will happen to my children in the Philippines. Since the 27th and 28^th of August I was having difficulty in sleeping and eating. During those two days I don’t really remember whether I really slept or ate at all.

On August 29, 2008, Bro. Anthony invited me to go to Dubai to join “AIR SOFT”. It is a game of war wherein we dress up like real soldiers. We also carry automatic air rifles loaded with plastic bullets. We also wear protective gears like boots, helmets and goggles to protect us from any serious injury.

Although I was so tired because of lack of sleep and hunger, I decided to go along with him to Dubai to join the game so that I can forget my problems for a while.

So we played search and rescue operation. We started at 7:00 AM. After the 3^rd game at around 10:00 AM I sat down and I drank lots of cold water because I felt difficulty in breathing. I stood up and tried to walk just to relax but I felt dizzier and my sweat was cold; my left arm and my jaw were so painful so I started to lie down on the ground. Then somebody came to me and asked me if I were okay. I told him I need to see a medic. He left me and shouted for a medic. Since some of our members are nurses and some are medical professionals, they brought me in one room and performed first aid while waiting for the ambulance.

My arms, fingers, legs and feet were getting straight and rigid too. I asked them to keep massaging my hands. Almost 30 minutes had passed, but still no ambulance came, so they decided to carry me to one of their cars and brought me to Al Rashid hospital, Dubai. While in the emergency room I managed to ask Bro. Anthony to remove all my things in my pocket and asked him to call my wife in Sharjah.

At that moment I already decided to stop fighting for my life, I decided, “Okay, that’s it! I have enough of my life! I have to finish everything and I am tired of problems in my life, so that’s it!” I gave up living!

Then suddenly I saw a bright flashing light like lightning coming towards me. (I though to myself “Maybe I already passed away”). Suddenly I came to realized that I am in a place that I had never been before, all the places are bright white with no walls, no ceilings, no floors. About five meters away from me, I saw my mother, father, father in-law, elder sister and some relatives that were long dead. They were waiting and smiling at me. They were not wearing any clothes but they are covered with light! I cannot see their bodies because it was so bright but I can recognize their faces. My elder sister began pulling me towards a group of many people facing their backs at me. So I decided to go with her. After making 3 to 4 steps….. Suddenly, I heard the voice of my children calling me “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy”. So, at that moment I refused to go with my sister any more.

And on that same moment I heard many people around me, when I opened my eyes I saw doctors and nurses were around me. They almost use the defibrillator on me. The doctor told me that I passed away for almost 1 minute, the cardiac monitor is already flat line at that time they were trying to revive me while administering oxygen, they did everything they could, and he thanked God that I was back alive!

I heard that my wife came and the other doctors were asking her about a few details. I knew she came and I felt comforted. They transferred me to Coronary Care Unit (CCU for further observation. I was diagnosed with acute arterial wall myocardial infarction. Angioplasty was done to widen the narrowed or obstructed blood vessels. After a few days I was discharged from the hospital and I went back here in Al Ain.

After a week of resting in my house, Bro. Anthony and Bro. Melvin came for a visit and prayed for me. Bro. Melvin Laru-an also shared with me his testimony of how the Lord rescued him and his family in Kolambogan, Lanao Del Norte’s CROSS FIRE last August 18, 2008. I got encouraged and was so inspired by his testimony that I came to believe that there is a God that has the power to save!

On September 12, 2008 they invited me to attend a Friday service at Word International Ministries (WIN- Al Ain). There I learned that with God in my life, my life will be meaningful but without Him it is miserable.

On the 15^th of September Bro Anthony and Bro. Melvin brought me to Ptr. Audie’s house where they were having their men’s ministry fellowship. There they asked me to give my testimony. So I did and I was able to share my problems too. All the men shared their past and present experiences, too. There again I learned that God is the only solution to our problems. At that moment I surrendered my life to Jesus, I repented of my sins and I accepted Christ to come into my life as Lord and Savior. At that moment I was born again!

After 4 days of being a believer, satan attacked me again by giving me a problem so that I will worry and be stressed out. The “Natur” (the one who represents the Landlord or owner to collect housing fees) came to collect late payment for my house. He wanted to evict me from my accommodation even though it was only days that I failed to pay due to my sick condition. I almost got into a heated argument with him. I did not have the money then so I prayed to God in the name of Jesus. God showed up and answered my prayer by touching people to help me. They paid for my late fees so I was able to stay. Glory to the Lord! I will not mention their names so that their reward will remain in heaven. God bless you mightily!

Now I feel that God and his angels are with me in my room. I am not alone anymore. I want to serve the Lord. I give glory to the Lord because in less than a month I was able to recover and I am back at work.

Please continue to pray for me. It is my desire to continue to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and my family will be whole again.

I don’t want my family to remain broken and I have already released forgiveness to my wife. It’s my prayer that she will be able to find a job here in Al Ain. Together with her, it is my desire to bring our children here, Lord willing.

All I want to say is:

“Thank You Lord! You took me from darkness and bring me to light. You took my sickness and healed my pain and disease. Thank You Lord! Glory to Your name!”

This is my testimony how the Lord has touched me. He allowed the problems, sickness and disease in order to get to know HIM. He even allowed me to experience life after death to remind me that my life here on earth is not yet over. Thank You Lord! I thank You Jesus!

I would also like to thank some brethren from the English and Filipino Evangelical Church and the parents of my students who visited me and prayed for me. Thank you so much and God blesses you all.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Thank you so much,

Joseph “ICEMAN” Lee

Teaching on Tithing by Pastor Angel Cano

1.0) Tithe is 10% of everything

“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” Lev. 27:30

2.0) The whole Tithe is to be given to the house of God

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10

3.0) The Principle of ‘First Fruits’ (from our Small Group Manual, excerpted from the book 'Money, Possession and Eternity' by Randy Alcorn)

THE FIRSTFRUITS

"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops" (Prov. 3:9). Three times a year the children of Israel were to bring the firstfruits offering before the Lord. God said, "No one is to appear before me empty handed" (Exodus 23:15). The firstfruits offering included the first production of a vineyard (Lev. 19:23-25) and the first of the annual production of grain, wine, olive oil, and sheared wool (Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Deut. 18:4). The first of any coarse meal (Num. 15:20-21), of honey, and of all the produce of the land (2 Chron. 31:5) belonged to the Lord and was therefore not to be kept by the individual or family. A significant portion of the firstfruits went to the religious leaders and their ministry (Num.18:12).

The concept and practice of firstfruits was an important statement made by the people of God. It was a way of saying, "We give of our first and best to you, our Lord, because we recognize all that is good comes from you."

The firstfruits and the tithes certainly overlapped, and it seems that generally they were the same thing. The term "tithe" stressed the exact amount, while "firstfruits" emphasized the nature and quality of the offering. In Israel's economy tangible goods were the natural way to express the tithe. Of course, the same principle extended to money as well. The first 10 percent of all income in whatever form was given to the Lord.

God is regarded as the giver of the harvest, and the offering of the firstfruits was a constant reminder to God's children of his ownership. Similarly, the rite of redemption of the firstborn of man and beast (Exodus 13:11-15) symbolized the coming redemption in Christ. Through the firstfruits and redemption symbols God was seen as the source of all life and blessing. By witnessing this regular systematic bringing forth of material before the Lord, parents hoped that their children would grow up understanding their debt to God.

The offering of the firstfruits was also a way of saying, "We trust you, God, to help us harvest and store and utilize the rest as well." To hold back any of the firstfruits, or to give anything less than the superior part of the crop in the firstfruits offering, was to incur the wrath of God. Hophni and Phinehas were two priests who determined they would take what they wanted and leave the residue for the Lord (1 Sam. 2:12-16). Scripture tells us, "Their sin was very great before the Lord." God sent fire from heaven to consume them for taking what rightfully belong to Him.

The nature of "firstfruits" requires that it be taken "off the top." It is both the best and the first, meaning that as soon as it is harvested or as soon as payment is received it is to be given to the Lord. It is not to be stored up, hidden, hoarded, or distributed in any other way, but is to be given to the Lord's work.

The story is told of a farmer who owned two calves, one brown and one white. He determined that he would give one of them to the Lord, but did not say which. When one of the calves was attacked and eaten by wolves, the farmer shook his head sadly and said, "Too bad the Lord's calf died."

This mentality of keeping the best and giving God the leftovers, if even that, brought God's judgment on Israel. The spiritual community's giving back to the Lord what was rightfully his was a consistent thermometer of their faith and trust in him. When they slid spiritually, they ceased to give as they should. And when they ceased to give as they should, they slid spiritually.

THE VOLUNTARY OFFERINGS

The tithe or firstfruits was recognized as belonging to God in the first place. Hence, one was not "giving" a tithe but simply "repaying" it to the one to whom it belonged all along. This is why the Old Testament often speaks of the tithes and firstfruits as "brought" and "taken" and "presented," or even "paid," rather than "given." They were no more optional than paying taxes today. An Israelite paid them out of obedience and duty, whether he wanted to or not.

However, the Old Testament also speaks of voluntary or "freewill offerings" (Lev. 22:18-23: Num. 15:3; Deut. 12:6,17). These were contributions beyond the tithe or firstfruits; they constituted true giving. In Ezra, when the temple needed to be rebuilt, the people were asked to provide freewill offering (Ezra 1:4,6; 3:5; 7:16; 8:28). While the technical term "freewill offering" had some specific connotations and requirements, which is why I prefer the term "voluntary offering," it was associated with a concept of "give as you wish" or "give as you are led.” As “everyone whose heart God had moved” went to build the temple in Jerusalem, so “their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings” (Ezra 1:5-6).

No one said “I feel led to tithe” or “I think I’ll give my firstfruits this month.” No one asked, “Would you like me to tithe, Lord?” The answer had already been given in God’s Word. So voluntary giving started after the tithe, after the firstfruits. The tithe was not a ceiling, it was merely a floor. It was a beginning point from which the follower of God might give much more as needs and opportunities arose.

The tithe was a test and demonstration of obedience, but the voluntary offerings were a test and demonstration of love, joy, and a heart of worship. In Exodus 35 and 36 we read of a tide of generosity among the people because they sensed the greatness of the cause of building the tabernacle. There was a contagious spirit of giving in which the people brought more than enough and literally had to be restrained from giving (Exodus 36:5-7). Keep in mind, once again, that they were not giving the tithe or the firstfruits; they were giving far beyond. This is what is really remarkable and demonstrates the moving of God’s Spirit in their lives. Consider too, given the historical context of Sinai, how the grace of giving temporarily transformed this pack of gripers and whiners into joyful worshipers.

The same sort of thing happened in the days that the temple was built. David said, “I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided” (1 Chron. 29:3). Then the family and tribal leaders “gave willingly” and generously (29:6-8). “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord” (29:9).

They gave with the acute awareness that all they had was God’s. David said to the Lord:

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand... It comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you... All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O Lord, God of our fathers... keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 1 Chron. 29:14, 16-18.

Notice that David measures their loyalty to God by their willingness to give.

Imagine a boy’s father who wants his son to take out his old friend’s daughter on a date. The boy agrees to do it because his father asks and expects it of him. But when the boy actually meets the girl he enjoys her company so much that he asks to take her out again-and again and again and again. At this point the boy is no longer acting under a sense of duty, but of his own free will. He does not have to take her out; he wants to.

So it is with giving. We tithe and offer the firstfruits because God tells us to. We give above and beyond in voluntary offerings because, having experienced the joys of giving, we want to give all the more.

4.0) As Pastors We Should Tithe

There is no support from the Scripture that indicates modern-day fulltime Pastors should not tithe just because the Levites of the Old Testament did not Tithe. Although there was not a record that Jesus and His disciples gave tithe,

There is no question that Jesus tithed. He was raised in a devout Jewish home, meaning that his parents were tithers and taught him to tithe. Tithing is clearly and repeatedly taught in the Old Testament, which was the only Bible Jesus knew. While Jesus was carefully scrutinized by his enemies and accused of every possible offense, including on a number of occasions breaking the Sabbath, never once was he accused of breaking the Law of the tithe. Furthermore, the Talmud specifically forbade the strict Law-keeper from sitting at the table with anyone who did not tithe. Yet on several occasions, the Pharisees ate at the same table with Jesus. Obviously, Christ tithed. (excerpted from the book 'Money, Possession and Eternity' by Randy Alcorn, p.215)

5.0) Our Tithe should all be placed in the local church where we belong.

The first Christians were Jews and it is safe to assume that when their Christian community was formed they started giving their tithes to their local assembly. I believe that when every believer understands the principle of firstfruits as outlined above, each one of us will give our tithes to the local church where we belong. After giving the tithe, we have every opportunity to give our love gift or offering (like giving our financial support to the church of our roots – in the Philippines or other places, or giving to other worthy causes).

The tithe should be given to the local church which is the tither’s primary spiritual community. The sad reality and practice today by Christians is the widespread sense of individuality in giving. “Because it is my money, I will do with it what I want. I will divide my tithes into several causes, some of it goes to my local church, some of it goes to a missionary of my choice, some to a charitable organization of my choice.” Not only that this principle not Scriptural, it deprives the local church leadership to distribute the resources according to the direction that God has for the community. Paul in 1^st Cor. 16 wrote to consolidate the believers giving through their local church not through individuals on their own. In Acts 4:34-35, the believers brought their resources at the Apostles’ feet to be distributed to those in need. We give our tithes to the local church and demand accountability to those who handle this finances. What accountability is there to be demanded if we do not give our tithes as God would have us be?

WOMEN OF FAITH AND PRAYER

Esther 5:1-5 (NKJV)

Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. ² So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. ³ And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you--up to half the kingdom!" ⁴ So Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him." ⁵ Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

My family and I would like to greet WIN – AL AIN Ladies Ministry a happy 13^th year anniversary. Congratulations to Sis. Jas Santos and the core leaders on this wonderful day of joy and celebration of God’s goodness through the years. May the Lord empower the women of this church to reach out and build the next generation church through their faithful service and prayers. May God bless you indeed!

Compared to men, women are often associated with prayer and devotion. Being the weaker vessel, they have to resort to a higher external power to get along in life. Such should be the attitude of every believer. Being weak means being able to obtain the power of God.(2 Cor 12:10).

Prayer is an admission of weakness. Unless you admit your weakness you will never pray. We need to humble ourselves before God and confess our utter dependence on Him. God help us if we feel adequate and thinks we can go through life without His help.

Prayer opens our heart to God and to His word. The Bible or the Gospel means little to those who do not pray. But if we do, God reveals the secrets of His kingdom to us. When we pray, even our family and loved ones will be opened to the Gospel message and be saved. We were all born sinners and incapable of understanding the Lord’s will and purpose in our lives. Prayer is the key to open the door of wisdom and knowledge that is severely lacking in our lives today.

When I say prayer, I do not mean “religious prayers” uttered mindlessly by billions of people worldwide. If they were really “praying”, then the world by now should have been saved thousands of years ago! The world as we know it still remains in darkness and separated from the life of God. We need to understand the real prayer that God wants us to have.

Prayer is communing with God the Father. It is a time of deep intimacy with His presence in our lives. It is more than words asking something from the Lord. It is presenting yourselves as someone who is deeply in love with Him. It is drawing near to Him in a way that touches His heart and thus moves Him to act on our behalf. Does our prayer reflect this attitude? If not, ask God to touch you mightily and personally. Forget about your wants and needs and think of ways to please His Majesty. Our words should be: "If it pleases the king…”

Prayer should please God more that it pleases us! God delights in His children when they draw near to please Him rather that themselves. Selfish prayer is not prayer at all! Esther was pleading with the king on behalf of her people who are about to die! She was praying for others.

Esther did not come barging in and demanding the king with so many requests. She put on her royal robes first. To us it means we should come into His presence with the garment praise and worship (Isaiah 61:3), and with thanksgiving in our hearts (Psalms 95:2). God is not moved with our emergencies! He is not moved with our pathetic cries for help! God is moved with our praise and worship!

May the Lord teach us to pray like Esther did, not only the ladies but all of us in His church! May the Lord raise us the spirit of Esther in our hearts today and forever more.

God bless you and your families!

From my family to yours,

Ptr. Edward Barcial

WIN – Al Ain

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Obituary

Word International Ministries Al-Ain would like to express their heartfelt condolences to the family of Bro. Fausto "Dodong " Dangin. His mother Felicidad Savilla Llamera Dangin passed away at the age of 94 due to natural causes last August 28, 2008 , Thursday at 7:30 pm (Philippine Time). Please pray for comfort and peace for Bro. Dodong's family during this time of grief.