Philip Sng - Eternal Life Assembly

Another Chance to Live for Him – A journey of trust and surrender

Philip Sng — Sat, 30 May 2026 04:08:43 +0000

“You have cancer.”

Those were the only words that registered when the doctor called me in January 2026 with the final biopsy results. A large, bleeding polyp had been discovered during a colonoscopy—and it was cancerous. Just weeks earlier, on the last Sunday of 2025, I had experienced severe abdominal pain accompanied by a significant amount of blood in my stool. Two doctors initially diagnosed it as a colon infection, which subsided after a course of antibiotics and a pain injection. I thought the episode had passed. I did not expect it was only the beginning.

The news left me shell-shocked. My doctor explained that I would need surgery to remove about 20cm of my colon, or else the cancer could spread beyond control in 3 years as it would hit the lymph nodes and liver. For now, the cancer had already reached the deeper layers of the colon tissue. He reassured me that the cancer was in its early stage, and that the prognosis was good.

Yet, despite the hopeful outlook, the word ‘cancer’ felt like a death sentence and the three years, a timeline.

I struggled with the sudden news and tried to make sense of it all.

Cancer? Where did that come from? Why me? What happens next? Questions flooded my mind.

Would I face long-term treatment like my late father did with kidney failure? Would I even survive the surgery, or have the same outcome as my mother, who passed on the operating table during an angiogram? I was confronted with a future I was not ready for. What made it even harder to grasp was that I had already been dealing with autoimmune conditions—vitiligo (a chronic skin disease in which cells that make pigment are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milk-white color) and a dysfunctional thyroid. Since August last year I had been seeking medical treatment to manage and prevent further complications. And now cancer? Why another health battle?

I was not afraid of dying.

Really. I was anxious about what life would look like after the operation if I should survive the surgery. Honestly, I was a little disappointed at this setback. There was so much I was looking forward to in this new season. I had just completed my doctorate. I had just stepped into a new leadership role in the church. I was teaching at Bible Institutions. There was momentum, vision, excitement and suddenly, everything felt interrupted and put on hold. I just couldn’t process it.

I began making calls to close friends and colleagues, informing them of the diagnosis. I am deeply grateful for my brother, family, godfamily, mentors, ministry partners, colleagues, and church friends. Though they were equally taken aback by the news, they rose up in faith — praying and walking with me in the weeks leading up to surgery.

Community became a tangible expression of God’s assurance that I am never alone in my struggle.

I was scheduled to travel to Baguio, Philippines before my surgery, to speak at an international women’s conference. With my mentor’s prompting and reminder, I decided I would focus. I chose to do so through worship, prayer and the Word. I curated a Spotify playlist titled ‘Songs of Comfort’. It played constantly — throughout the day and even during my hospital stay. I held on to God’s word daily, especially Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” As I fixed my thoughts on Him daily, His peace guarded my heart. I prayed in the Spirit as often as I could because I just had no words to describe my pain, disappointment and confusion. Praying in the spirit strengthened me spiritually and it also prepared me for the days ahead. As my body was wasting away, God was giving me life through his Word.

During the final session of the women’s conference in Baguio, in a time of worship, I was overwhelmed by the presence of God. I found myself on my knees, face to the ground, weeping. In that sacred moment, the Lord quietened my fears and spoke gently to my heart:

This is a reset. A new season. You can trust Me.

The encounter was deeply personal—reminiscent of when I first received my calling. But this time, it was not a calling; it was a recommissioning and I had to come to a place of surrender. I had to surrender my confusion and the need for all answers. Surrender my plans, my future, my will and my entire life to Him. God was beginning to expand my faith, my perspective, and my vision. I still wrestled with my “whys”, “how comes” and “what ifs”. Surrendering was a daily exercise.

There were many moments of tears. But each time in my struggle, I sensed the Lord gently reminding me: Trust Me. Trust my plan.

I told the Lord that I would walk through this fiery trial, as long as I was assured of His presence. And He reminded me that my life was not my own. You see, when I was two years old, I had been miraculously revived from an epileptic episode that almost took my life away. My parents had prayed me back to life. For 50 years, God had held me in His hands. He would not fail me now.

I told God, “If I live, I will continue to live for You, for You are my strength and my victory each day. Because You live, I can face tomorrow, whatever the outcome. And if the surgery does not go well and I die, it is truly gain. I will be with you.”

In fact, in a conversation with Sister Diana, Pastor Gary’s wife, I told her that this was my stance – “for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Two days before the surgery, I attended my last onsite service. I remembered singing the song ‘Firm Foundation’ loudly.

I was declaring truth: My house is built on You. Christ is my firm foundation.

The announcement of my surgery was made to the church after the service. The congregation prayed earnestly. I felt an overwhelming sense of love, support, and, above all, the peace of God.

God has always been faithful to see me through every fiery furnace and deep waters. In this season, I sensed that the Lord was inviting me to live out the very message I have been preaching to the church for the year:

To trust the Master’s plan, to yield to the Potter’s hand and to allow Him to empower me for expansion even through this trial.

On 24 February 2026, I went into surgery with a deep sense of peace that Jesus was with me. When I woke up from surgery, there was a deep rejoicing in my spirit although I was in pain.

I was alive! There was no infection, no stay in the high-dependency ward, no blood transfusion, and no complications. The surgery was described as “uneventful”—the best possible outcome.

I had a good surgeon—and an even greater God who presided over it all. The first words I uttered to those waiting for me in the ward were: “I am alive!” I was so grateful for another chance to live for God!

During the eight days in hospital, I witnessed God’s healing hand at work – swift, steady and sure. Each day brought good progress and much encouragement. I cleared one milestone after milestone swiftly, much to the medical team’s delight and surprise. I received exceptional care from doctors and nurses, and was surrounded by the love of family and friends. Visits, prayers, and messages strengthened me. I rested well and soon had all four tubes removed from my body. After discharge, I continued my recovery at home.

I learnt to rest and be patient with my recovery. I chose to focus on thanksgiving and praise. I curated another Spotify song playlist and played it daily, giving thanks to God and strengthening my spirit because I knew if I didn’t, I would be consumed by what I couldn’t do, couldn’t eat and where I couldn’t go. It was a season of deep restoration—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I thank God for people who sent groceries, lunches and made healthy meals for me.

On 11 March 2026, the full pathology report was released. My surgeon called with the news:

All was well – I could now be considered cancer-free. No chemotherapy. No further treatment.

This is nothing short of the grace of God. My heart overflowed with gratitude. I stood in awe of God’s mercy and kindness. He is my Healer, Deliverer, Redeemer, and Restorer. I have been given another opportunity—to live for Him, to love deeply, and to embrace the relationships and calling He has entrusted to me.

I trust Him still to bring healing to every other area of my body.

I have learned that surrender is not a one-time moment, but a daily choosing – of laying down my plans, my questions, my need to understand. And a daily renewing of my trust in my Lord.

Today, I stand on the other side of what once felt impossible. Cancer is no longer my diagnosis. Christ is my everything and my all. I carry in my body the marks of surgery which are evidence of God’s mercy and grace. What could have taken me out became the very place where I encountered God more deeply than ever before. He did not just bring me through — He met me there, walked with me and worked in me there.

I was finally able to return to church for Good Friday service. My heart was filled with joy as I stood among my church family once again in worship. In that sacred moment, I was deeply reminded that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I am not only a cancer overcomer I am more than a conqueror.

My life is not my own. It never was. And now, more than ever, I live remembering that every breath is a gift, every day is grace, and every step forward is an opportunity to live fully for Him.

For me to live is indeed Christ and to die is gain – ultimate, full restoration and everlasting life with Jesus. But it is not the end until He says it is the end. I look forward with faith to the good things He has prepared for me in the days to come.

The post Another Chance to Live for Him – A journey of trust and surrender first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

When Faith Was Blurry – a 2,800 degree prayer

Philip Sng — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:55:00 +0000

The Early Years

At three years old, Naomi’s parents took her for an eye check-up and discovered that she was severely myopic as a toddler, with 1,500 degrees of short-sightedness in each eye!

Her parents then realised why she often avoided bright, moving images, and she would always walk away from these light sources. She also showed no interest in watching television.

From that time on, after the eye check-up, Naomi wore thick, heavy glasses that became a defining part of her early life.

Naomi’s childhood was different from other children’s. She dreaded the yearly eye check-ups, with the painful eye drops and intimidating bright lights.

At ten, when her classmates enjoyed swimming lessons, she could not join them because she was too young to wear contact lenses at the time.

During physical education lessons in school, she would avoid ball games and often ran far away from any ball, constantly fearing that the ball would shatter her thick glasses.

Academically, Naomi’s parents lowered their expectations, hoping she could pass every subject without further straining her eyes, including passing over the opportunity to study Higher Chinese.

At twelve years old, Naomi’s eye retina had become overly stretched, and she underwent freeze-treatment surgery to prevent tear and detachment, spending a month after her Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) to recover from surgery.

Around that time, she learned about lens implant, a reversible procedure that could drastically improve vision. However, the high cost of the implant, at S$20,000, was far beyond her family’s means, and the idea was shelved indefinitely.

In Naomi’s growing-up years, she accepted that possessing blurred, imperfect vision was her reality.

She thanked God daily that she could still see and function, despite this eyesight limitation.

A Prayer

During a routine eye check-up in October 2022, Naomi’s doctor gave her the sobering news that her retina is weakening and she may lose her vision over time.

That day, Naomi was gripped with fear after receiving this sad piece of news. She chose to persevere in her faith in God and shared the doctor’s diagnosis with a few close friends. One of them, Si Qin, sent her this message:

“Just leave it to God. Pray for Him to restore and renew your retina, that He will give you a new pair of eyes when you wake up.”

Naomi thankfully responded with “Amen,” but silently wondered in her heart, “Is that even possible?”

The Decline

In the early part of 2024, Naomi’s vision began to worsen rapidly. She did not tell anyone. The prospect of losing her sight began to change everything for her.

Having experienced miraculous healings from God in the past, she believed God would heal her eyes. She prayed fervently, in her room, at the church altar, asking God to restore her sight so she could continue serving effectively in church ministry.

Instead of improving, her vision continued to deteriorate.

In June 2025, Naomi travelled alone to the United States for the first time. She could barely read the information signs at customs check counters and prayed her way through the process, leaning on God’s grace.

Two months later, she travelled to China on another work trip. Again, she could not see the information on customs check counters, but God provided a staff escort who accompanied her from the airport to the hotel.

During a meeting with a client in a brightly lit room, she was almost blinded by her eye floaters and blurred vision. Naomi was overwhelmed, physically and emotionally.

By September 2025, her eyes could no longer function normally. With much apprehension, she went to see her optometrist. After a lengthy thirty-minute check, she looked at Naomi tearfully and said,

“Your eye myopia is now 2,800 degrees. I can’t help you anymore. You need to consult your doctor immediately.”

Naomi broke down and cried.

Her optometrist said to her, “We will pray. Let’s believe in God’s miracle.”

Naomi’s doctor appointment was six days away. It was the longest six days of her life.

The fear of losing her vision completely terrified her, and every night, she was kept awake. She prayed fervently and sought out her close friends and churchmates to pray for her.

She prepared herself mentally and emotionally for the eventual outcome of the doctor’s visit.

The Turnaround

With bad news from her optometrist, Naomi was uncertain about what to expect from the doctor’s visit.

On the day of her medical appointment, her doctor said, “Miss Ng, you have mature eye cataracts and will require surgery as soon as possible to implant new lenses.”

Naomi was stunned. “Cataracts at thirty-eight years old?”

The doctor continued, “After surgery, you will be able to see clearly again—without glasses or contact lenses.”

She was unsure if she had heard the doctor correctly. “Did he say that she wasn’t going blind but she would be able to see clearly again?”

Naomi left the clinic overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. God has heard and answered her prayers, not in her timing, but in His.

God’s delay is not his denial. While she thought He was silent, He was preparing a healing experience beyond what she could fathom, not just to restore her eyesight, but to provide for the costs of the procedure completely.

What was considered out of reach when she was a child, is now covered under Medisave and company insurance.

When Naomi shared the good news with her close friend Si Qin, she reminded her of what she told her in 2022: “God will give you a new pair of eyes.”

Indeed, He did.

The Second Miracle

As part of pre-surgery checks, Naomi needed to undergo a retina scan, which revealed two blood clots. Due to early detection, these clots were treated in time. Indeed, God is all-knowing, abounding in His mercy and grace towards her.

Due to Naomi’s extremely high eye myopia and irregular retinal shape, her cataract surgery carried a higher risk.

Her doctor assured her, “Trust in His sovereignty. We live by faith, not by sight. Worrying is not of God—it’s a sin. Let’s pray.” These God-moments continually assured her of God’s abiding presence.

Naomi’s surgery was a success.

A New Vision

Today, every morning when Naomi opens her eyes, she can see her world vividly – sharper colours, clearer details. She no longer needed to depend on spectacle glasses or contact lenses. It is an experience that she has never savoured before.

To her, life has become cheerful and bright. Although she still needs to use reading glasses and can see floaters in her vision, she is deeply grateful to God for healing her blurred vision and giving her a new set of eyes to see His creation in all its beauty.

Naomi can now truly say: “I once was blind, but now I see.”

God has given her not just physical sight, but a new vision and zest for life.

Reflections:

What is an impossible 2,800 degree fear that stands before you today?

Impossibility vs Provision: : “God’s delay is not His denial” What does this mean for you today?
Faith in doubt: Faith isn’t the absence of doubt, but trusting God right in the middle of it.
A New Vision for Life: Do you need new eyes to see today what God sees for your life today? Ask Him to show you.

The post When Faith Was Blurry – a 2,800 degree prayer first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

Full-Time Ministry Is a Privilege, Never a Sacrifice.

Philip Sng — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 04:12:52 +0000

The Fearful Boy Who Found a Real God

Pastor Robert Lum, affectionately known as Pastor Bob, was like any other boy, active and curious. But at age ten, he witnessed a neighbor fall to her death.

From that day, fear gripped him. He turned to religious idols, hoping for peace and protection from ghosts.

One day, his elder brother invited him to Sunday school in a small church beneath their apartment.

There, Robert encountered a power greater than the fear of ghosts. He discovered Jesus and gave his life to Christ.

That night, for the first time since the tragedy, he slept peacefully. To Robert, God wasn’t a concept. He was real. And that reality has shaped every day of his life since.

Called by God

At 17 years old, God spoke to Robert during his devotion time through the hymn “I’ll go where you want me to go”.

The call to full-time ministry was clear. He was prepared to take a leap of faith and enter ministry after completing National Service, even if it meant disappointing his parents who had high hopes for his future.

After seeking counsel from Pastor Winnie Ong, Robert sensed God’s leading to further prepare himself.

At that time, Assemblies of God (AG) pastors were often looked down upon for lacking academic qualifications, and Robert felt the need to be both called and equipped.

He then pursued a degree in Business Administration, believing that the knowledge gained would one day be useful in missions.

For five years, he worked diligently in banking, holding God’s call close to his heart. Finally, in 1985, he made the leap, resigned and enrolled in Bible school, which heralded the beginning of his full-time Christian work.

Ministry and Faith Lessons

In 1988, Robert joined Eternal Life Assembly (EL) as a staff under Pastor John Lee’s leadership.

Then in 1992, after just four years, Pastor Lee asked Robert to take over as Senior Pastor – a weighty responsibility upon his shoulders.

Things became even harder when, in 1994, unexpected leadership changes left him without key staff. The burden nearly led to Robert falling into depression.

But God provided. Pastors Peter, Alvin, and Annie stepped in as faithful co-laborers, and they remain as pillars in the church till today.

In 1995, EL had to move out of their church premise at Pasir Panjang when the ‘change of use’ could not be renewed.

Robert spearheaded the five-year journey for a permanent church site that culminated in securing EL’s current premise at Bukit Timah Conference Centre, with the property fully paid up. The nomadic season was over. A new chapter had begun for EL!

Missions was always central to Robert’s heart. He led EL in establishing a ministry in Cambodia, starting from scratch to raise funds and build infrastructure.

“EL didn’t have the money,” Robert recalls. “But when God gives a vision, He also gives the provision.”

Indeed, God provided almost double what was needed. Today, EL Cambodia is an established growing church that is a light to the community and a school that provides certified education to children aged 5 to 18 years old.

During the 2020 pandemic, despite budgets cuts happening globally, Robert witnessed God’s abundant provision.

EL was not only able to provide for its own staff, but the church’s financial resources experienced surpluses which were channeled to bless itinerant and retired ministers who had lost their income during the challenging period. Heaven provided and the church became a channel of hope.

Experiencing God’s Miracles for the Family

In 1999, Robert’s father, who had earlier accepted Christ, suffered a stroke and fell into a coma.

Robert asked the church to pray as he and his wife rushed to the hospital, fearing the worst. But when they arrived, they saw his father awake, alert and able to talk as before! God had healed him, and this miracle was witnessed by his family.

“God never forgets the prayers of His children,” Robert reflects.

For years, Robert had prayed for his mother’s salvation. In 2003, those prayers were answered. She accepted Christ and was baptized!

When God Answers Differently

In 2016, Robert faced one of the hardest seasons in his life. His first granddaughter was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart defect whilst still in her mother’s womb.

The family rallied in fasting and prayer. But the healing they hoped for didn’t come. She was born with the defect, endured a major surgery at five weeks old, and another at age two, both followed by long ICU stays.

Notwithstanding these perilous episodes, God has watched over Robert’s granddaughter. Today, she is an active and cheerful 9-year-old!

“Sometimes God doesn’t answer the way we expect,” Robert says. “But He remains sovereign and faithful no matter how hard it gets.”

A Life Still Advancing: Parting Reflections

Ask anyone who knows Pastor Robert, and you’ll hear: Kind. Gentle. Accommodating.

From playing the accordion in Sunday School to writing musical scripts, preaching the Gospel, and mentoring pastors, Robert believes there’s room for every person to grow – spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.

He never saw full-time ministry as a sacrifice. To him, it has always been a privilege, a sacred call filled with joy, surrounded by grace, and a front seat to seeing lives transformed for the glory of God. Though retired as Senior Pastor, he steps into a new season.

“God is not done with us, and He’s not done with me,” he says. “We must leave the past behind and boldly advance to take hold of what Christ took hold of us for.”

And if you ask him what he’s learned after 40 years of ministry?

“Were there sacrifices? Yes. But God has never short-changed me. Not once.”

Let’s celebrate Pastor Robert Lum! A life well-lived, and a legacy still unfolding.

Ask: Is God’s calling you to full-time service?
Consider: What is God asking you to surrender—not as a sacrifice, but as a privilege?
Be Grateful: Where have you seen God provide, even when the odds were against you?

The post Full-Time Ministry Is a Privilege, Never a Sacrifice. first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.