By Brother Li Rongzhong, Singapore Life Church Office Worker

I am 56 years old this year. Since young, I did not like to study. With an education level of primary four only, I kept thinking of making big money. When I grew older, I got to know people of bad influence and started to pick up vices such as drinking, gambling and so on.

I married at the age of 25. Two years later, I was addicted to drugs. That was the worst phase of my life and the tragedy of my family. It was only one year later when my drug supply ceased that I came to realize the dire consequences of addiction and decided to quit drugs. With the help of my family members and the government, I tried hard to quit drugs. I went in and out of the drug rehabilitation centre five times over ten years. Yet, I was unable to quit my addiction.

In 1981, I was arrested again. In the drug rehabilitation centre, I deeply pondered over life. Whatever goals, hope and values seemed meaningless to me. I lost my dignity and had to endure inhumane treatment. I was feeling very bitter and helpless. Am I really not able to overcome all this?

After one year, I had a chance to hear about the gospel. However, my real motive for attending service in the rehabilitation centre was to borrow cigarettes and to obtain latest news from friends.

Thank God that during that first time attending service, God touched me through the lyrics of “Dear Lord, Hold My Hand”. Subsequently, I started searching for the living God, hoping that He would hold my hand and lead me out of darkness. And so, I began attending service every week. At the end of 1982, I repented and accepted Jesus as my Saviour.

After one year, I left the rehabilitation centre. Three months later, my wife also accepted God. We invited a pastor to remove all the idols in our house. When my mother found out about it, she became very angry. However, she could not do anything since the whole family remained safe and sound. Later on, she even attended church with us.

Two years later, I started my own business, which failed after three years. Although I was under tremendous pressure, I did not dare to commit crimes. Instead, I began to indulge in alcohol to drown my sorrows. Under the counseling of the pastor, I willingly went to Breakthrough Missions to rely on God to change me.

After leaving Breakthrough Missions, I went to Philippines to work, trading in seafood products. Once again, I fell into the temptations of drinking and gambling. However, this time, I relied on God’s power to break free from the bondage. I gave up my job and returned to Singapore in 1999.

Throughout these years, I experienced God’s grace and mercy. He saved such a wretch like me. I experienced God’s words, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. “ (Romans 11:36). If I had not relied on God, I would not have resisted the temptations of drugs and would not be able to return to the Lord. Be all glory unto Him forevermore. Amen!

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31

“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” Job 26:7

“He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.” Isaiah 40: 22