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Volume. XXIII, No. 51 Testimonies Part 1
Sister Shu Ai Cho’s Testimony
A very good morning to Pastor Ki, Pastor Weng, the Session and all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I would like to share my testimony about how God had drawn me to Him. I was born in a Christian home and went to church since I was little. Church to me was then about Sunday School, friends, Christmas caroling, Easter Celebration or fun activities. When I was older and could understand the Bible, my dad asked me if I would like to accept Jesus Christ as Lord who had died for my sins and washed my sins away. I remembered that I was doubtful, thinking to myself, yes, I believe, but why it was so simple! I know that God loves me, and He died for me on the Cross. However, I couldn’t comprehend the simplicity, thinking to myself, there is definitely something more to it that I need to do than just saying “I Believe”. After attending some baptism classes, I realized what God requires is just to believe and have faith. And, I was baptized when I was twelve in Agape Baptist Church, Kuching, Malaysia. After baptism, life went on and there were ups and downs in my walk with the Lord. During my teenage years, I attended a National Baptist Youth Camp for a few years. When I was 15, the theme of the youth Camp was called Life Game. This game was like a role play of a real life. There was a church, our friends and family, home, education, job, promotions, we may get sick, car accidents, get robbed by thief etc. In the limited time, we could build our career, study another degree, or may even end up in hospital because we broke a leg in an accident and so on. To win the game, the more we achieve, the more we gain status and privileges in the game. I was excited mapping out the life that I would like to live. The game went on for a few sessions. At the last session, I was 65 years old, I was still competitive, and wanting to achieve more in life. Suddenly, when everyone least expected, it was Judgment Day. Those whose name was written in the Book of Life went to Heaven while those who were not, were cast into Hell. I knew that it was too late for me, I knew I had thoughts that I wanted to attend church during the game, but I always said “Later, when I am more established. But for now, I am too busy”. I realized how sinful I was, and easily caught in the worldly things. I wished I could reverse the time, and start the game all over again. I didn’t want to miss out not going to Heaven. The memory verse for the camp from Matthew 16:24-26 struck me. “Then Jesus said unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” I committed my life to God again, asked for forgiveness, and on the final day of the youth camp, I prayed that I would take the lessons that I have learnt and not falling into the same mistake again. I wanted to surrender all to God because there was nothing in the world better than having Christ. Today, I can testify that God has been very gracious and merciful to me. Many times, I have sinned, and have fallen short. I have been disobedient, but regardless how bad I was, God is still faithful and keeping His promises that He will neither sleep nor slumber. He is always there, readily waiting for me to come back to Him. I feel ashamed, knowing that I do not deserve this kind of grace because of how disobedient I have been, but I am really thankful that God does not give up on me. In fact, He still continues to love me, draw me to Him and wants the best for me because I am His Child. I thank God for His guidance and protection throughout my life. He opens and closes doors in different areas of my life according to His will, and in which I am confident that it is the best too. God works in ways which are sometimes so much better, beyond what I expect, ask for or comprehend, and I pray that I will continue to learn how to trust Him more. Two and a half years ago, I came to Adelaide. I am grateful that God brought me to Hope Bible -Presbyterian Church, which is a church grounded in the Word of God. I have learnt a lot from the Bible, from the Pastors, the leaders, brothers and sisters in Christ. I am looking forward to be committed in the church and would like to be a member of Hope B-P Church. Thank you. Sister Lydia Fan’s Testimony Before I was a Christian: I was brought up in a Christian home. My parents brought me to church and taught me from the Bible at an early age. Biblical values such as obedience, patience, kindness, generosity and love were taught through family devotions and emphasised in day to day conversations. Every Sunday, I religiously attended church with my family. I thought I knew everything about God but ironically, I never did know him. On many occasions during my childhood, I would be filled with fear when others talked about the penalty for sin, which is eternal death in hell. I knew many verses about how to be saved and I remember praying or really, reciting the ‘sinner’s prayer’ whenever I felt afraid. Nevertheless, no matter what I did, that same fear remained. As an older child, I began questioning what I was taught. I was an angry person. I felt brain washed into Christianity by my parents and church. Was their reality true? I struggled with these questions for many years, not daring to confide in anyone about them. Deep down I was unhappy and bitter against God and others. However, God, in His mercy and grace, never left me but continued to guide me. My acceptance: The emptiness in my heart and the anger brought me to seek after things of the world which only provided temporary relief. In desperation, I began to plead with the Lord to show me truth, if He was indeed true. Little did I know that God was already at work even before I pleaded with Him. Not long later, I was invited to attend an evangelistic meeting in church. I was about 14 -15 years old. That evening, despite the seemingly ordinary worship, the message struck me deeply and a compelling power overwhelmed me about my need of salvation, my utter helplessness and of God’s love. God’s word spoken that night practically pierced my heart as Hebrews 4:12 put it. I prayed like I never prayed before, begging the Lord to forgive me, repenting of my sins. I claimed upon His promises and by simple faith, believing that he would cleanse and save me. I really meant what I prayed that night. Now I am born again, redeemed by my Saviour’s blood. I have found joy that I never knew of before, fullness in Christ and a new meaning in life. I want to thank my God and Master who sought me, worked in me and in His perfect time brought me to himself and gave me a life in Him. When I was faithless, He remained faithful. All praise and glory be to God. “Blessed in that man that maketh the Lord his trust..” Psalm 40:4 (Editor’s note: These sisters transferred their membership to Hope B-P Church on the Lord’s Day, 31 May 2009. More testimonies next week) |
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