A Science Professor Met Jesus| Salvation Testimony| God Changed my Life| PhD Graduate Encounters God
Channel: Jomar Aban
Date: 23/10/2020

Last June 4, 2017, I have finally satisfied all the requirements for the title that I longingly desired, a PhD. Being so self-fulfilled, ON THAT VERY DAY, AN UNBELIEVABLE INCIDENT HAPPENED. Whatever you’re doing, please stop for a while, and reflect on this testimony.
It was supposed to be a regular Sunday. And, as usual, I was late during our service. I really didn’t care much about Sunday Services and Bible Studies, because I thought, these were unimportant. (My long-term immersion in science as my specialization has crushed my faith because there are times that I question God's existence. I was a skeptic, an agnostic, an unbeliever.) My priorities and life goals were focused on having a successful career, be promoted, get the highest possible degree, earn more, invest more, and be well-known. I was seated at the back of the Church, my mind was unfocused, I was sleepy, and distracted as I silently uttered, “In a few days, I will have my PhD.” 
I began to reminisce, "at the age of 30 I was able to do it all!": completed Elementary Education as Salutatorian; completed High School as Valedictorian; completed BS Bio at UP as an SK Scholar; completed my Masteral degree as Magna Cum Laude; completed my Doctorate degree as Magna Cum Laude; presented papers and have won best paper awards in national and international arena; published several manuscripts (~10) in international and national journals; recently published my dissertation studies to 5 international journals; and brought home other awards and recognition. I felt so accomplished, like the story of the rich fool man in the Bible in Luke Chapter 12.
My heart was filled with pride. 
Halfway through Sunday Morning Service, everyone's asked to kneel down and pray (We call it “Altar Call”). I also bent my knees to thank Him. (PS. I don't often do this because I feel ashamed) My prayer was superficial. Partly, I believed He helped me, (or maybe He didn't because He's unreal) but mostly, I knew I’m just pretty good hence, I was finally graduating.
The Altar Call was about to end since majority were done praying. Sis Janine, who was one of the few left, started to call people back to pray. I challenged God, “If You can hear me, I want her (sis Janine) to speak a different language, and then, I will believe.” It took less than a minute for God to answer my call as Janine started to speak in a foreign tongue (Korean). It’s more marvelous, and supernatural because I can understand what she’s saying even if I didn’t learn the language! 
It’s even more jaw dropping because my mind was hearing a Man’s voice! His approach being Gentle, Loving, but full of Authority, made me realize, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE IS HERE, TALKING TO ME! HE IS 100% ALIVE! 
What He said knocked me so hard!
“What other proofs do you need to believe that I AM alive.”
“I know you. I know the things you do.”
“Everything you are doing is meaningless, useless, vanity, without Me.”
“Draw near the person speaking in tongues.”
I trembled! I feared the Lord! For the first time, I cried fervently in prayer! And for the first time, I realized there is indeed a living God! 
I knelt down with my face covered, I was so ashamed to even look up. Conviction kicked in! On my mind, a huge screen appeared as my sins were flashed. God knew everything I did; my pride, lustful eyes, pornography, deceit, greed, lies, and all my sins right there in front of me! No, I CANNOT HIDE ANYTHING, NOT IN GOD’S EYES!
I prayed for repentance, with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. I felt so ashamed! I prayed for an hour or may be more. More unusual things happened! The area where I knelt was translated to a spectacularly pure white place. I cannot feel my breathing and my heart beat. I thought, “This is not possible! Am I dead?” As I was trying to decipher what’s happening, I felt a burning sensation in my heart. As if it was completely changed brand new!
As the moment ended, everything seemed so light. I felt Jesus Christ's forgiveness! All the loads of sin that I carried for 30 years were gone! As I stood up, I have found the true meaning of what we call "life".
All my perspectives changed. I realized many things:
(1) GOD IS REAL, HE IS ALIVE! 
(2) Things of this world are temporal. They are meaningless without Him; 
(3) I was sinful and I cannot hide anything from Him; 
(4) No matter how dead my spiritual life was, He brought it back to life.
(5) My soul was hell-bound and deserved judgement because of sin, but God made a way to save me.
(6) Spiritual birth is more important than physical birth.
AND, (7) ABOVE ALL, ASKING FOR REPENTANCE, FORSAKING SIN AND ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST AS MY PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR IS THE BEST, (AND WILL FOREVER BE THE BEST) DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE!

Please share this testimony to your family and friends. Many people are still lost. There is no way to escape eternal hell except Jesus Christ.
Repent, forsake sin and accept Jesus Christ while the doors are still open. God loves you and me!