Victor Chen Ministries

I graduated from medical school in 1994. I worked nearly two (2) years in the hospitals in Perth before returning to Malaysia.  I then joined the pharmaceutical industry in various positions.

I learned a lot about vitamins and supplements as the first company I worked for, Abbott Laboratories, had a range of supplements and OTC products.  We even had a Medical Nutrition unit where I got some training on Disease Specific Nutrition, as well as Paediatric Nutrition. I worked for few other MNCs and learnt a lot from them as well.

My first nutrition book

Reading makes a man broad but writing makes him precise. So before I ventured out to do consulting work for Direct Selling companies and supplement companies, I endeavored to write a book on Nutrition, Vitamins, Supplements and alternative medicine to educate myself.  It took me twelve (12) months to gather and read through whatever literature I can get my hands on; and six (6) months to write the book. I worked on it after work every night. The book was entitled “Staying Healthy, Staying Vital.” It had one hundred and sixty (160) pages.  The book was eventually launched and on the shelf for sale in 2004 under Oak Publication.

For every page I write, I have probably read five to ten pages. Each book I write, I educate myself in the process. This first book was to me akin to doing a masters degree in nutrition, vitamins & supplements. But it was all self-learnt.

I went on to write and publish other health books like Age Without Getting Old; Healing from the Beehive; Why Some People Don’t Get Sick; Secrets of the Rich & Famous – Live Cell Therapy; Battle Plan Against Cardiovascular Disease & Is Your Child A Fussy Eater?, etc….

Gospel Writing

In 2000 I joined Renewal Lutheran Church. For three (3) years I spent all my nights after work reading the Bible, Christian books or attending courses/seminars in the church. Phillip Yancey and Watchman Nee were my favourite authors. It was like Apostle Paul’s three (3) years in Arabia (Galatians 1:17). It was time of reflection, study, and preparation for future ministry, and to dwell deeper into the things of God.

I was also asked to be a writer to cover talks given by visiting speakers for the church magazine. From there, I developed a love and passion to write about God and His love. We took turn to write but eventually most of the write-ups were by me as many writers failed to deliver.

I went on to write two (2) Christian books with Senior Pastor Joshua Yee giving the foreword – A Little Deeper; and Refresh-Psalms for 21st Century Living.  I didn’t attend an official bible school, but I taught myself how to write gospel. Again it was self-learnt over many years.

Now I continue to write 2 more gospel books – 12 years in the prison and Refresh-Psalms for Business Victory. These two (2) books are my testimony and in the future when I get invited to speak in churches, I will bring them along and the sales proceeds will go to the church that I speak and share my testimony that day.

Earlier days my gospel writing was theoretical; while it is now more experiential. I have evolved.

Health Courses Training Manuals

I was out of the health industry for over ten (10) years, but end of 2022 I was asked to come out with courses for UTMSpace endorsed by MTPN, MPPN and World Consumers Association. It took me about three (3) to four (4) months to write Module (1) “Disease Specific Nutrition”, then another nine (9) months to write Module (2) “Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Therapy” which I think already needs a revised version given the rate of technological advancement in Longevity Sciences and Life Sciences and my continual learning.  

My Regenerative Medicine and Wellness is all self-learnt coupled with practical experience I am learning from various clinics and laboratories. Of course I am always learning and just ordered a book “Genomics, Proteomics, and Metabolomics: Stem Cells Monitoring in Regenerative Medicine” costing me RM1,171.40.

I have completed Module (3) “Understanding Nutrition & Supplements, and now researching on Module (4) “Aesthetics for layman.” To write Module (4) I am personally paying to try these treatments myself and collecting brochures and reading books on the topics. Nothing comes easy.

God has since open doors to be partner in a Regenerative medicine clinic, lecturing in UTMSpace and be a trainer for established stem cell companies. If I was not disciplined to sit down to write the Modules (while educating myself in the process), I would not be prepared for these openings. I looked back and feel a sense of vindication for obediently following all these small leads from the Lord.

God is my shepherd who leads me, guides me and trains me for what is ahead. I have never formally been to a Bible school or been a trained registrar for Regenerative Medicine in a hospital setting, but through Christ I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). All I need is to surrender to Him as He knows what is best for me. 

# posted by Eleventh Hour @ 9:17 PM 0 comments

After being home for over a month and being in New Zealand for 9 days, I need to return to Shanghai to work. Home sickness is already creeping into my soul. I do feel lonely in the hotel room there every night. By nature I am not outgoing and stay at home most of the time. At home I have my parents around and my friends nearby.

We are all a creature of habits and me in particular likes stability, familiarity, settlement and not a life of uncertainty. It takes a toll on my mental peace when I am not settled in my work or relationship. 

This time last year I was still dating someone and I had wanted to build  a life and the businesses together with her. I can’t do it alone, not emotionally. Yes I had dated before but it was the first time I truly loved someone, and to love God’s way. But it wasn’t meant to be as our times together were short-lived. When I bought a condominium unit in KL last year, I even told her we won’t live just in Malaysia, but also in China and other cities as we will buy our own residences. I always knew that God will enlarge my tent, and  extend my market reach globally. 

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18).  For now I just have to believe that the Lord will surely send someone who will be with me and whom I can love and be faithful to.  

Change always bring discomfort. But change is necessary if I want to be the man God wants me to be, and to reach the reach the full potential He has for me. Yet following His will does not mean I know where I will end up. It’s a walk of faith and knowing He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me.

I resonate with these words of Thomas Merton below. The predictable has temporarily been replaced with the uncertain. I’ve been forced out of my comfort zone in Malaysia into the groan zone where I am forced to figure out how to adapt and live in a new environment and work place.

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. 
I do not see the road ahead of me. 
I cannot know for certain where it will end. 
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am 
following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. 
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. 
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. 
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. 
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road 
though I know nothing about it. 
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem 
to be lost and in the shadow of death. 
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, 
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. 
— Thomas Merton (Thoughts in Solitude)

I cannot allow adversity to derail me from the purpose God has for me or distract me from helping the people He wants us to serve. Let’s grow through the struggle, the fears, the uncertainties, and not shrink back because of the struggle, the pain and the hurts. 

I am sure years later, I will look back at what I wrote today; when my life is settled, when my life is certain and with the love of my life. I will look back at my feelings today and be proud of my persistence and perseverance. God will see me through!

# posted by Eleventh Hour @ 10:14 PM 0 comments

This is my third year in a row at Ironman New Zealand.  In 2023, I registered for the full Ironman race. I had swam in races held in lakes before particularly the Putrajaya Lake multiple times. In 2023 we arrived in Taupo on March 1^st.  March 2^nd was the very first time I tried swimming in a cold lake. I could barely swim 300 meters in that freezing water.  March 3^rd morning I managed to swim about 800 meters. March 4^th was race day and the swim distance was 3.8km and from the top we can see the entire course. It was daunting.

The coldness of the water and plus the water was heavy and less buoyant compared to sea water. Swimming is my weakest discipline in triathlon, with cycling being my strongest.

First year

On the eve of the Ironman race, I was fearful of the lake swim. I couldn’t sleep. I was calling friends, family, my coach and my pastor to allay my fears. To me my fears were very real. I was contemplating not even starting the race.  I was in panic mode. My coach said just take one stroke at a time and I will be fine as I have done the training. Pastor Charles said that I can do it. 

By faith I dragged myself to the starting line and swam the 3.8km cold swim in 1 hour 49 mins (my slowest Ironman swim) and made the 2 hour 20 cut off.  I kept chanting in my head that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  

Fear paralyses us. It stops us from reaching our goals and destiny. Fear magnifies the size of our obstacles. As fear gets a firm grip on us, we become its victim. Fear has a way of overtaking us and making such an impact on our lives that we feel there’s nothing we can do anything about it. But God says I did not give you a spirit of fear, but of  power, love and self-control” (2 Timothy 2:17).  God says fear not for I am with you (Isaiah 41:10).

Often the obstacle causing the fear is magnified by our minds. It is how much you allow your mind to limit or amplify the cause of fear.  And often than not, our feeling paralyzed is not a result of any real, tangible danger but of our internal fears causing us mental and emotional pain and distress.

Second year

2024 we went back to Taupo. I signed up for the half Ironman. Feb 29 and March 1^st we tested the waters again. The water was very calm. Come race day on March 2^nd the water current were about 1 meter tall. It struck fear into all of us. The water was anything but calm.  I told myself I can do it as God is with me. I got through the 1.9km swim in 57 minutes and drank more water during the swim than I did on the bike. Some athletes didn’t even make it to the first turning buoy and were fished out by boats out of the water.  The water was really rough. 

Third year

I signed up for the half Ironman again. This year I had problems with my bike so the last minute I packed my spare bike. On the test swim on Feb 27 my goggles was leaking so I didn’t even swim 20 meters. Plus my wetsuit had tears and holes. So in the afternoon I went to the expo and bought new goggles and wetsuit. Feb 28 I tried the new goggles and swam 1km.  On race day March 1^st I got through the swim in 54 minutes. I have conquered my fear of swimming Lake Taupo. Whatever the conditions I know I can managed a swim here.

What I learnt

What I have learnt is that things in life never unfold the way you expect. There are often  unexpected twist and turns. We live in a world where things go wrong. The key is to stay calm and don’t panic. I now have learnt to not fear the unexpected as God has gone ahead of me to prepare the way – be it in a race, life or business.  

Fear paralyzes, but faith mobilizes. Fear loses its power when we actively trust God more than what we fear.

# posted by Eleventh Hour @ 5:29 PM 0 comments

There was a period when I was distanced from the world, friends and associates for many years. I asked the Lord how come what was prophesied to me not only didn’t come through but life took a turn for the worst.  Every aspect of my life fell apart – finances, relationship and career.  I felt lost. I felt isolated.

There comes a time when God sets you apart because your heart is pure. People pulled away from me. Likewise God pulled me away from the world. It is not because I did something wrong but because God is doing something right. In a world full of deceit, when your heart is pure and your intentions are clean you don’t blend in but stand out. Sometimes standing out means standing alone. There are times I feel abandoned, alone and lost. 

Isolation isn’t rejection. It is preparation. God had to pull me away to reposition me. Sometimes a person you love had to leave because not everyone can be part of the new life God is about to bring, and not everyone can handle the weight of your calling.  Those that pulled away doesn’t mean you lack value, it’s because God says your value is too great to be mishandled. 

Purity is your power. When your heart is pure, God will protect it, prepare and elevate it for something greater. I am set apart as I am destined for more. God doesn’t assess you the way the world does. God sees your heart, the purity of your intentions and the kindness behind your actions. A pure heart when set apart by God can be a powerful heart. Some says my weakness is that I am too pure, too sincere, too honest and too real. The world may try to convince you that  purity is a weakness and if you are kind you are a gullible prey for every confident trickster. Nothing is stronger than a pure heart despite the pain it endured. My heart is pure, my spirit remains strong as my future is in God’s hands. One that keeps walking in purity will keep walking into His promises.

It take strength to be genuine in the current world. It take strength to be honest when dishonesty seems to get people ahead. It takes faith to walk in integrity when you have been betrayed. God notices everything. He sees what others overlook. He saw when you gave with no expectations in return. When you prayed for the very person who hurt you, He saw. 

The world rewards manipulation but God rewards those with integrity. The world celebrates loudness but God honours purity and gentle strength. But a pure heart doesn’t mean an easy life. You become the devil's No 1 target as the devil know a pure heart is a powerful weapon in God’s hand. It can break barriers, inspire others, bring people closer to God and transform lives.  Darkness always react to light. 

Precedent

When you have a calling in your life, your heart is pure and the purpose is great, He will set you apart. It’s not a punishment but preparation. It’s to protect you.

Moses received his calling not in the palace but in the wilderness. Jesus too was led into the wilderness. David wasn’t anointed in the palace but while he was tending sheep alone in the fields. Isolation is where God does His deepest work.

It is when He removes the noise of the world, the distractions, the counsel of well-meaning close ones (though well-meaning but doesn’t know God’s plan for your life), so you can hear His voice more clearly to ascertain the mission He has placed in your heart. What He wants you to do requires a different level of focus.

Isolation doesn’t feel good. It hurts and questions your worth, wondering why certain people pulled away and why certain doors are closed. God sees your pure heart and He knows my next level couldn’t involve everyone. Some people cannot handle your elevation, some may dilute my calling and some no matter how much I love them are not equipped to walk with me into the places God is leading me. 

A seed

Think of a seed. It grows when it is buried in the dark soil, hidden from the world. It is in the hidden place that the root grows deep, that the foundation becomes strong and the process of transformation begins. I was not buried, I was merely being planted. My dreams weren’t buried but being planted. When the roots are strong enough, you will breakthrough the soil and rise because of God’s preparation in you. 

The setbacks, afflictions and attacks confirms the anointing of God on me. The attacks aren’t serendipitous or random. The devil doesn’t waste time on people who aren’t a threat. He doesn’t attack empty vassals. He goes after the one that carries something powerful, who remains pure even when the world gives them a reason to be otherwise. The enemy sees your anointing even when others don’t recognise the favour of God on your life.

David was attacked (by Saul) even when he hasn’t been crowned King, but coz of where he is going. It is not what David, me and you have at this moment but the destiny we are attached to that scares the enemy. I may not have stepped into my full purpose but the devil sees God’s hand on my life and the doors He is about to open, the lives I am about to inspire and impact.

Every hurt, pain and betrayal is preparation. It sharpens our spirit and strengthens our faith. Elevation from God is not the way you expect. It  doesn’t come wrapped in applause and public accolades. Often the elevation begins in the most unexpected places, in my struggles, in the silence, in the season I was overlooked. God works privately; on our hearts, character and our faith. It is because He knows the weight of the blessing requires a solid foundation. He is not just preparing the opportunity but preparing you for the opportunities. When the times comes, everything will shift.

Stay ready always

God does not elevate the unprepared. Meanwhile He is watching you. Stay faithful and prayerful, keep working on your gifts even when no one is clapping. God blesses those who kept their hearts pure, their faith strong and kept moving even when the path wasn’t clear. I have always moved on despite the pain and the hurt.

When God elevates you it is not about me, me and me. It is not about yourself, your own benefits or status. It is about the impact. When God elevates you it’s so you can pull others up, so you can be a light in dark places, a voice to the voiceless and a vassal for His glory.  Your elevation isn’t about you but the purpose tied to your name. Without battles there can be no victory. Without a fight there is no VICTOR. May I inspire others to fight on even when the cards are down.

God rewards the pure in heart. Having a pure heart doesn’t means you are perfect. It means I am authentic, and that my intentions are aligned with God’s will. My actions are not driven by greed, jealousy, bitterness or pride; but by love, humility and faith.

Purity of heart is tested in seasons of pain. It is easy to be kind when people are kind to you. It is easy to keep a soft stance when life is treating you well. But the real test comes when you have been wronged, betrayed and when the love you gave wasn’t returned. 

Those who keep their hearts pure will not only see God, receive from Him but be overflowing in all areas of their lives. Meanwhile endure as God is not blind to your pain, nor is He deaf to your prayers. Your elevation is unavoidable. It is on the way.

Amen.

# posted by Eleventh Hour @ 7:42 PM 0 comments