|
|
| Home > About us > Testimonies . 见证 |
|
 |
|
|
 | By Paul Chin
Testimonies
By Paul Chin
http://www.churchofpraise.org.my/sermon_video/Paul_Chin.wmv
|
|  | By Shien Yuin
Added: 05.10.2008
The world, indeed, was a fun playground. I learnt about it ever since
high school. I was a close-to perfect student. A leader of school’s
boards and societies, an avid music performer, a teacher’s pet, I got
the attention I wanted. I learnt how it was like to manipulate others,
to lie to cover up mistakes, and I was ready to do anything just to
preserve my attention and image in school, regardless of whether it
would cause harm to others or not. I didn’t care, as long as it didn’t
hurt me. I knew I was selfish, but sorry I had to be, and I enjoyed
what I did.
After graduated from high school, I was granted more freedom. Being
away from home, I was given a lot of opportunities to try out some “fun
activities”. To me, morality was but a term, there was no way I would
want to let it restrict my freedom. Morality? Who cares? “C’mmon, I am
still young, I have to enjoy my life the way I desire.” I told myself.
So I did. For those who came to my dorm and wanted to share the gospel
with me, I shut them outside. A bunch of annoying pests… I scorned.
But God worked in a mysterious way. In December 2003, I arrived at a
peaceful town called Bemidji to study. It was located at the up north
of Minnesota, the United States. A couple, who later on became so
important in my spiritual life, came and picked me up at the airport.
After helping me settled everything, the lady asked if I’d like to go
to church with them as there was an activity that evening. I had
nothing to do, so I went. That was the first time in my life being in a
church. I couldn’t quite understand them because of their accent, but I
could feel that I was in a place full of nice and gentle people. They
had the warmest welcome I had ever seen, and there was a kind of mutual
joy on their faces, they were just… different…
Steve and Bonnie Williams, the couple who picked me up at the airport,
invited me to church every Sunday. I would always go, because I decided
that I loved the place. The people there were so nice to me that I felt
I was accepted there. However, though I went to church every Sunday, I
still kept on with my old lifestyle. I kept that as a secret from the
church people, because I knew they wouldn’t accept what I was doing.
But I failed to do so. One day, Bonnie happened to find out something I
did. In order to make up for what I did, I called her up, trying to
explain to her. I still remember, at the other end of the phone, she
asked solemnly, “What would your parents think if they found out about
this?” I paused, and replied, “I don’t know…” she sighed, and said, “I
think you know the answer…” and… she started sobbing. I was so shocked.
All of a sudden it made me realize what I had been doing. It made me
realize how filthy my lifestyle actually was. I started to rethink if I
should keep on doing what I was doing. And for the first time, I turned
to the bible that was given by Bonnie. I didn’t know why, but all of a
sudden I wanted to know what was really in the bible. Well, perhaps I
could find something about life that I never knew.
I started to have bible studies with people from church. I liked the
Christian’s ideology about life, but I was still not willing to believe
that there was a God that would save. Till something heartbreaking
happened. I was so depressed that I didn’t know what to do. Out of an
awkward feeling, I decided to pray the first prayer ever in my life,
“If and only if there is a God, please take this away from me!”
Strangely enough, the next day, I felt all refreshed and renewed. But I
still refused to think that had anything to do with the divine power.
A few days later, I went on a week-long mission camp with the church
group. The first few days during the song services, I felt something
weird going on in me. I felt like the lyrics of the songs were sung to
me, but there was another voice that kept on saying, “No you can’t
surrender. Don’t be a loser!” I started to be afraid to go to the song
services, but I still went. On the 4th night, I couldn’t handle this
anymore. When I sang, “As we cry holy, holy, holy, is the lamb…” I
knelt down before God, and broke down completely before Him. I was so
disgusted at the life that I had lived in, I wanted to do something
about it. Many church group members cried that night, and they laid
hands on me and prayed. The next morning when I woke up, everything was
clear. There was nothing else I wanted but to have a new life. I was
baptized that day, August 4, 2004, by a missionary I met at the
cafeteria the day before.
God has been doing amazing things in my life, I would not be what I am
right now without the decision made that morning. I don’t have much
life experiences, but I would say that decision was the best decision I
have ever made in my life, and will always be. “Amazing grace, how
sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now
am found, was blind but now… I see…”
Shien Yuin
|
| | | By Patrick Hua
Added: 30.11.2007
First and foremost, I give thanks to Jesus for giving me the courage to
come out and share my testimony on discipleship, the third purpose of
our life as we participate in this Purpose Driven Life campaign in our
church.
I got to know Jesus since I was a young boy and was baptized about 15
years ago. Over the years, I have struggled with Christianity as I
pursued my own ambition to build a career, like many of us do. But God
never give up on me. I attended different churches on and off as I work
in different places at different times until I walked into Church of
Praise about 2 years ago. Soon after, I was encouraged to join a
support group. Initially it was a struggle to attend the meetings but
the group was very encouraging and as I began to attend more regularly,
I realize that there were so many things to learn about our Lord, Jesus.
I have also begun to discipline myself to try my best to spend time
with Jesus, even if it was just the Daily Bread. I have also begun to
read more Christian Books, listen to more Christian songs. I have
actually read the Purpose Driven Life Book sometime last year and best
remember this message about What would Jesus do if he faces a
particular situation?
Discipleship is a process of becoming Christlike. Most of the time when
I am faced with a situation/problem/dilemma and I am not sure what is
the best /right decision to make, this thought will come back to me.
“What will Jesus do?” I must confess that if I listen to the Holy
Spirit prompting attentively, I am sure I would have made the right
decision. Many a times, the decision I made may not have benefited me
personally but I believe and trust that it was the right decision
because there was a firm conviction that Jesus would have also made a
similar decision.
I am not saying that I have always made the right decision in all
circumstances. There are times where I still made the wrong decision,
sometimes impulsive, overcome by emotions, sometimes selfish decision,
for my own benefit but I am glad to say that as I got to know more
about Christ, I begun to make more right decisions in my life with the
help of the Holy Spirit gentle reminders. I have learnt that obedience
will unlock God’s power, meaning doing the right things in spite of my
fears and feelings.
I have learnt that God uses His Word(truth), people(support) and
circumstances(environment we need to practice Christlike) to mould us.
Character building is a slow process. Our life is a journey in
character development. Every time I choose to do the right thing, I am
growing in the character of Christ. I have also learnt that God’s
ultimate goal for our life on earth is not comfort but character
development. Character development always involves a choice and
temptation provides that opportunity. We can’t claim to be good if we
are never tempted to be bad. I have learnt to allow Christ to live
through me through the choices I made, to do the right things in
situations and trust God’s spirit to give me His power, love, faith and
wisdom to carry it out.
I have also learnt that it is a long, slow process of growth, even
then, it won’t be completed here on earth. But I am comforted by God’s
promise that “He who began a good work in me will carry it on to
completion” Philippians 1:6
Thank you once again for this opportunity to share with you and I hope
that my testimony today will be an encouragement to everyone one here
who may have gone through the same experience that I had.
Patrick Hua |
|
|
|
|
|
|
