He holds my future

By Sola Lee

It has been one year 10 months now since I uprooted from Kuching, Sarawak, to Selangor with only a few hundred ringgit in my savings. From the moment I placed my foot here, I told God that He was in charge and fully responsible for my family me.

God has blessed me to this day. He provided me shelter in the houses of strangers, gave me a job I never applied for and gave me an apartment when I have no money for a down payment. The list goes on and on.

I promised myself I would be a good testimony. Honestly I don’t know where to begin. I guess I will share what I have learned instead.

I love to analyse things logically to find out why and how things happen. When God gave me an apartment, I learned that the unconditional love of God is beyond human reasoning; it will never make sense. If I tried to analyse and consider all the variables needed to take place for me to get that apartment, I would just get anxious.

I was raised to work hard in everything to earn my way up, to confess all my sins and stay in favor with God. But God provided for my every needs — from a parking space to my family problems and a complex office problem — even on my most “sinful” day. I learned that God loves me, not because of my good work but because of what Jesus has done for me and because He is love.

Like everyone, I have problems — I have job insecurity, I am not sure if I can finance my house loans, credit cards and family groceries. I do not know what will happen in 2012 and beyond. The Chinese horoscope says the water dragon year will be a good year for me. Others say 2012 brings in the apocalypse. There are so many uncertainties, variables and unanswered questions.

There is only one truth — Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little one to him belong, I am blessed for He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me: yes, Jesus loves me; yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

God’s love and grace alone is enough to sustain my family against all the odds in the world today.

We asked our campers: "What's so amazing about †NCC Youth Camp 2011?"

Experiencing His Presence

By Kim Chang

My mother, Janet, had late-stage cancer. She had a lump growing on the right of her neck since 2009. One day, my cousin Julia brought some friends from her church, tNCC, to pray for my mother. While they were praying, I felt the Lord’s presence. My father also saw my mother receiving the Lord's presence as well. So that day, Sept 25, my mother, my father (better known as Uncle Tony), and I accepted Jesus as our Saviour. 

Before this, my mother used to have to take a dose of 45ml of liquid pain killer on a daily basis. But that evening itself, her pain was gone the whole night, and she looked energetic. The pain of her cancerous lump had reduced from severe to minimal pain. During her last two months, she did not require any more daily pain killers!

In her last week, she had difficulty eating her porridge and drinking her milk. Her phlegm was getting thicker, and she had difficulty spitting it out. She had a few sleepless nights and nightmares of spirits disturbing her — I believe that these spirits were not happy that she had fully trusted in Jesus and renounced her previous religion.

Simon, Allan, Eng Sing and Andrew came to pray for her and to cleanse our house. After the prayer and house cleanising, my mother did not have any more nightmares and could sleep soundly. She could even go to the toilet without physical support from us. She told me that her heart was filled with Jesus!

After three days, my mother went home to be with Jesus. On the night she passed away, I could not sleep and cried in my prayer. Eventually, when I was able to sleep for a while, and I dreamed that my mother was embracing Jesus in heaven. The next day, I dreamed of my mother again, and we were having a good time eating at McDonald's. I was assured that my mother is happy now as she is with Jesus.

Jesus has strengthened me, especially through my mother’s passing. He helped me to let go of my hurts and grief. Although I still miss my mother, but Jesus is helping me to cope with much ease.

God has also been working in my father’s life. When Allan, Pastor Peter, Simon, Veron and Julia came to pray for my mother, they also prayed for my father's hearing as well. His right ear’s hearing was completely deaf, and he had to rely on his left hearing. Since then, his hearing has been improving. Now his left ear’s hearing is quite sharp and his right ear can hear a little!

Kim shared this at our Sunday celebration on Nov 27. 

We asked our youths: "What is your favourite worship song and why?

Darren:  

Stronger

Because it made my faith in Christ become stronger whenever I am happy, sad or bored =D

Jonathan: 

How He Loves

Because throughout life, even when it is messy and difficult, no matter what happens, this song reminds me every single time ... God loves us. :D

Joshua:

Healer

Because He's more than enough for me in every situation.

Taking the Plunge

He is Real!

By Steven Yeo

I’ve grown up in a family who have different beliefs and who are not entirely open to other faiths. But a couple of years ago, my grandma was diagnosed with cancer and, a year after that, a tumour in her brain. She used to be a thinking person who cared a lot about her family, but she was weakened by those illnesses. She survived both challenges, and my uncle was able to afford to pay all her medical expenses. But I started to question why all these happened to her since she’s such a blessing to the family. I began to doubt the existence of God. I turned very arrogant in thinking that I could determine my own destiny if I worked my way, and therefore, I did not need a God in my life.

For several years after that, I met friends who would tell me about the goodness of Jesus. However, I refused to believe and kept questioning what they said. Then in November 2010, I was preparing to re-sit for an exam that I found hard to pass. I was very confident initially, but then negative thoughts started kicking in as the exam date drew closer. I felt very troubled and found it harder to concentrate in studying. One night, while I was trying to comfort myself, I suddenly thought of a Bible that my friend gave me as a birthday present.

I picked up the Bible for the very first time and said, “God, if You are real, please help me go through this. Otherwise, I would be totally lost if I can’t make it this time.” I started to read a few verses and immediately felt very peaceful — it was a feeling that was hard to put into words, and I have never felt it before.

On the exam date, I was able to handle the exam confidently with a sense of peace in my heart, as though I were being watched over by “Someone”. My results were released in February 2011, and I actually passed the exam! All glory to God!

From that moment, I realised that God was real! That’s when I started to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I have been attending tNCC since Apri 2011. God has been very good to me to bring me into a wonderful church with great people and spiritual food. I’ve decided to be baptised as I feel deep in my heart that I want to do this to declare that Jesus is in my life and I am glad to know that every step I take, He is with me!

The Joy of the Lord

By Alvin Soo

When I was a kid, I just followed my mum to church. When I came to tNCC, I saw how everyone was full of love and happiness. I look at my friend, John, and he is so much happier than before, and I want that. I really want to be happy and not feel alone any more.

One day, we were in a coffee shop. Aunty Linda was telling me about Jesus, and I accepted Jesus into my life. Now, Jesus is real to me. He protects my family and brings me home safely every day. I feel more optimistic about life.

Not a Boring Testimony

By Abigail Hing

I am from a Christian family. I have been taught since young that Jesus loves me and had died for my sins. I always wanted to be baptised when I was young but I was not tall enough. So I made up my mind to be baptised when I was 12.

But when I saw that the baptism candidates had to give their testimony before being baptised, I was scared. Everyone had an amazing testimony, and I thought that mine was too normal and boring. I also felt that I was not ready for it.

However, after coming to tNCC, I realised that God has been helping me a lot. For example, He reminded me to bring my IC and PMR slip to school, which I totally forgot, and helped me in my exam, especially my worst subject, Sejarah. There were times we left our house keys in the lock, but robbers didn’t come in. Although those stuff didn’t seem big and special like the other miracles I had been hearing about, I knew God was still taking care of me. Even if other people say it is coincidence, I believe it is not ... after all, how can so many coincidences come together at the same time?

Last time, I would talk to Him only when I had problems, like when I'm sad or lonely. But now I talk to Him when I'm sad and happy — every time — which I really like, because I feel that He is really real to me.

I am happy that I have made this decision to be baptized. I want to show everyone that I am a true believer in Christ and also encourage others who may think like I did — don’t feel ashamed and afraid for He is real and He is working in everyone’s lives! Thank you.

A Love Relationship

By Sherina Faith Lim

I have known God for 14 years, but I never fully believed in His love for me because I figured he had too many children to look after and I was doing alright with my life. But in actual fact, I was extremely restless in my nomadic lifestyle, and as days and years passed, I began to search for real happiness and, indirectly, God.

And that’s when I found Him … at tNCC, after hearing the Gospel of Grace. One morning, I heard a soft voice calling and repeating inside my head, “Have you accepted Christ as your personal saviour?” I was woken by that strange half-dream, half-wake mode. I didn’t expect God to ask me such a question when I have already accepted Him 14 years ago and have even been baptised. But I could not say a full “yes” at all either! I realised that I was actually afraid of God! It was as if I could not say “yes” to His “proposal” because I was not sure of His love for me or whether I was willing to spend my whole life with Him or not.

 It took me two months before I finally accepted His “proposal” And that’s when I found myself completely resting in Christ and receiving His shalom. The enemy was not happy and tried to attack me, but Christ overcame it with His glorious victory and I am still alive today in His love for me.

 I can never express in words how much I love Christ now. I believe that it is not my love but His love that He has given me. It is beyond my vocabulary to express His gifts of joy for me. I am totally Christ-crazy. I never thought I would have this kind of amazing walk in my life.

I’ve decided to be baptized once again with the right believing. I want to praise the Lord for breathing me new life in Christ. He is now my every breath and my only personal saviour. God’s grace and peace be with all. Amen! 

These brothers and sisters were some of those who were baptised on tNCC’s 2nd Anniversary, Oct 30, 2011.

In the Name of Jesus

By Sherina Faith Lim

Before I share my testimony, I wish to inform you that I am 100% sane. I am not diagnosed with any mental disorder, nor I have taken any drugs or medications that cause hallucinations. I am known by my families and friends as the most stubborn, most critical and most skeptical person. 

All I want to do today is to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Saviour. Only Jesus can save you regardless of what obstacles you face, today or in the future. I don't intend to force anyone to believe in what I am about to share because you need to witness Christ for yourself. But because of my shocking experience, I have to share the truths that I have discovered.  

I have been living my life normally but never fully — I was happy enough but never completely satisfied. I tried to search for true happiness in six different cities and countries throughout my life. But I can say that I have only finally found real happiness in my sixth destination — here in Kuala Lumpur. That's when I have truly accepted Christ as my personal saviour when I heard the gospel of grace. 

I wasn't born into a Christian family. I wasn't religious. I prayed and respected other religions with an open mind. I accepted Christ into my life 14 years ago, but he was not my only God then. For many years, I never really attended church (because the messages I often heard did not lift my heart nearer to Him) nor read the Bible (because I'm too logical and always think that it's written by man not by God). I thought that I didn't need all these because I didn't want to get involve into religious politics. Believe me, many people feel this way too — too much, not good; makes you go “Lady Gaga”. I used to justify myself as being better than others because I have always obeyed the moral laws of life (taught in the religions I have been exposed to) and didn’t actually fully acknowledge the real person who had paid for all my sins. Pride made me think that it was all because of my obedience and moral acts that made me good. 

Then one month ago, I learned of the gospel of grace (both from attending tNCC in Kuala Lumpur and listening to Pastor Joseph Prince's sermons). This really moved and lifted my heart closer to God than ever before. I started to feel closer to the Lord. 

I could witness God's grace by the new changes in my life — I feel happier, and each day I felt even greater happiness without any reasons. (This is even though I had to turn down a great career opportunity in Singapore — a proof that real happiness is gained not through what is offered by this world but directly from the Lord). I used to try to achieve this happiness and peace through all sorts of meditations, chants and  offerings, but with Christ, I just let Him flow into my life and take me completely in His hands. Without forcing myself to follow a set of do's and don'ts in order to be good, I began to see my bad habits and other bad traits in me gradually go away. I found myself having no interest in the things that I had been struggling on and off with for many years — I was released! It’s amazing, I tell you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight."

Set Free!

Despite knowing Christ for 14 years, I only accepted Him as my personal saviour about three weeks ago. This time, I wanted to be a real faithful believer. Previously I went to famous temples and asked for answers to prayers and meditated to get myself more "spiritually heightened" — it was foolish especially when I have my own great Lord. So I decided to cut ties to my false beliefs and stopped worshiping other gods ... all except one Chinese deity. I felt she was my heavenly counselor all these years. I didn't know then that I was being possessed by several demonic spirits.

One day, I borrowed Jackie Pullinger's book, "Chasing the Dragon". It was an inspiring missionary story. I was so overwhelmed with the book, and every sentence I read seemed to be speaking to me directly. I was filled with unexplainable happiness, utmost joy and a sense of calling on my life.

But suddenly, on the third day of reading the book, I felt an evil presence trying to stop my from reading the book further. I started attacking the book, I criticized and doubted in everything the writer said. At the back of my head I knew the demons were coming in troops. I knew I was getting myself into something very big, and trouble was near. (I had been warned and prepared by God during the past weeks with scriptures and sermons that I have read or heard. I was constantly being reminded of my faith in God and that I should not be afraid of the things that are about to happen as the battle is the Lord's.) 

That day, I felt a strange breeze blowing into my room with such eeriness that I could not possibly explain. I began to keep all the idols I had inside a drawer. I could feel a rush of fear, and then a voice came out from my mouth — an extremely harsh, evil screechy sound. I fell into mild depression for the next two days — I wasn't able to focus on my work, and my colleagues and students could feel the uncomfortable presence surrounding me. I was very tired. I felt even worst on Day 3. The depression was eating me from inside, making me think that I was crazy. I refused to want to know more about God, totally submitting myself into blankness. Suddenly all the peace thathas been filling me the past weeks were all gone, and I was left with confusion and a critical mind. I asked God, “What have you done to me?”

On the fourth day, I tried to pray and take the the Holy Communion myself, but my teeth clenched tightly and refused to say the prayers. I began talking the whole night in different voices ((a child, a woman and a man’s voice). I had no idea what I was saying. I tried to read a book, but I could not even force myself to open my mouth and read in English. The force was so strong that it shocked me. This has never happened to me in my life. 

I spoke this way until 3am. One troop (yes, I would say that it is a troop because there were many of them I felt) was babbling for help, and then evil voices screamed in pain. Apparently my landlord told me later that the neighbours could hear the screams but they dared not break into my room as they were afraid of the sounds. (They still look at me uneasily today; LOL!)

The next day I woke up, feeling a little fresher and cheerful. I was able to teach well. I thought the whole episode was over. But on my walk home, I started babbling uncontrollably again. My family friends came to pick me up. The moment I walked into their car, I said, “Hi guys, I’m so tired …” and then as soon as I sat down and closed the car door, my whole body started trembling, and I started babbling and crying like a baby. 

The scene in the car was getting intense (I’m glad that God and his angels were protecting my friends and me; the car could have gotten into an accident). Melvin made a call to one of the church leaders, Simon. He passed the phone to me, and I could feel anger build within me. I started screaming into the phone with a very high range screechy sound and speaking in strong language that no one understood. I was not myself anymore. I could feel me but was not able to control what was happening to my vocal chords. My body felt like a jellyfish.

As we drove back to my family friends’ house, I suddenly went mute — I could not even say any word — and I felt like puking. When I opened my mouth to say something, "they" would shut me, but when "they" wanted to say something, only a crazy buzzing sound came out. In the meantime,  my friends tried to make me partake the Holy Communion. As they prayed, I could feel my face begin to twist into evil grins. The moment I tried to force my hand to put the bread into my mouth, I screamed so loud and long. I was unable to lift up the cup of wine as I continued screaming even louder and crying.

My friends gathered around me and started praying in tongues. I could feel that the demons were scared. I tried to calm myself down inside my mind and tell myself that everything is going to be alright. Melvin began to ask the demon its name, and it replied with some weird long name — it was just like a scene from a movie! Then came one screachy scream after another. My friends poured some anointing oil onto my head, and I screamed more and more.

There were a lot of voices running in my head at that time, but I felt God's angels helping me to focus on the Lord and to discern which voice was whose. I felt the angels were so protective of me, telling me to stand in God’s name. Every time I followed those instructions, the demons left me one after another. And every time I focused on the Lord, I could speak in English (phrases such as “Jesus save me!" or "Save me Father!")

After Melvin, Joanne, Winnie and Karen cast out few of them, I felt a strong demon come to the forefront, the "big leader". I heard myself telling myself to save up energy for this final big one (I was already very out of breath by then). I quickly wrote on a piece of paper for my friends to pray for more energy for me. When Simon and other church members arrived, this "big leader" fully manifested itself with much rage, weird sounds and screaming that shocked them. 

I quickly wrote on the paper the word "name" . The church members then asked the spirit its name. Then a scary harsh voice spoke through me, “I am Satan” about three times and refused to get out. Inside of me, I felt a voice telling me to join them in prayer and call out to Jesus. The voice said, "Get up my dear child, gather all your strength and stand up, you have to join in their prayers with your faith and cast it away in Jesus name”. 

And so I tried to push myself up with whatever little energy I had. (I saw several bright white dots while I was struggling to stand ). And the moment I stood up, I shouted out loud in my own voice, “Jesus save me!” And then with my last breath of energy, I said, “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour”. The moment I was pushing out these words from my mouth, the demon suddenly just went away!

I stood there, declaring Jesus as my Lord and Saviour for quite a few time. My church members, however, were still unaware and praying out loud. So I grabbed Stephanie’s hand kept repeating the words over and over again in Jesus' name. After "big brother" went out, there were series of small little spirits that were cast out one by one, including one that called itself the Chinese deity I had still held on to. 

I was exhausted but unharmed. I did feel at times that they wanted me to hurt myself and others around me, but they failed. I think the worst I did was pulling Simon’s T-shirt! I believed that it was because I am God's child, that’s why the demons could not do me much harm.

This was quite a traumatising experience, and I have not fully recovered yet. But I’m glad that my body was used as a medium to prove the truth that Satan is a humiliated loser while Jesus Christ is the Champion and the only living great power above Heaven and Earth. Strangely, I was not afraid or frightened during the intercession — I was very calm inside me and felt a certain assurance that everything will be fine. I think it's because God had prepared me for the battle and built my faith for the past weeks.

I believe the demons wanted to attack me because they knew I was holding on to the greatest truth beyond man’s sight and it is afraid that I will expose the truth to the world. These spirits do not want me to be saved but want me to be their slave. But Jesus Christ loves me, and yes, He wants to save all of us. Yes, my God is mighty, and trust me, Jesus Christ is the only One who can save you from everything!

After this experience, I am no longer afraid of anything in this world anymore because I know that I can now conquer everything in Jesus Christ's name. I have witnessed myself His greatness. He is the real victory, and He is the only true living God. With Him, all things are possible! 

Sherina shared this at our Sunday celebration on Oct 23.

A New Heart

By Lilian Lam

I used to feel easily tired, and if I didn’t have enough sleep, I would feel faint. Whenever I felt faint, I would have to rest by lying down a lot during the day. My hands and my head would grow cold, my vision would be blurred and I would have mini blackouts. I didn’t understand why I was like that, so I attributed it to “maybe I need more rest than normal people”, and I didn’t dare exert myself.

In 2001, I did an executive health screening, and an ECG was done on my heart. The doctor then diagnosed me with “sinus bradycardia”. This meant that my heart beats very, very slowly, and if it beats any slower, I would faint and may even drop dead. In fact, my heart beats so slowly that when I exercise, it does not catch up fast enough and I will be out of breath very fast.

So the doctor advised me to never exert myself, to be real slow in getting out of bed and never have a sudden active movement. He told me that there was nothing that could help me medically; I could only pray that it does not get any worse.

So I took care of myself and rested more than normal people would. I could not even travel too long, else I would feel faint and nauseated. I was surrendered to that fate. At the same time, I also went through a phase where I was emotionally hurt and deeply wounded as well.

In Nov 2009, I came across the teaching of grace and Holy Communion, of how it’s a reminder of what Christ has done on the cross for me — His body broken for my wholeness and healing. I began to partake of the Holy Communion twice a day for about two weeks. I would cry real deep whenever I took the Holy Communion and began to experience healing in my emotions. After a while, I didn’t cry as much anymore because I believe healing was taking place and I felt liberated in my emotions.

At that time, I also felt pain and numbness on the left side of my body and a slow throbbing pain on my chest. I did not do any check-up but just went for prayer. However, one day, about four months ago, I felt faint and ill, so Sis Shiu Feng advised me to go for a check up at IJN. So I went, and an ECG was done on me. I feared the worst, but to my surprise, the ECG showed my heart to be normal with “normal sinus rhythm”! The doctor even commented, “This is the best ECG I have seen so far”. My heart is healed!.

However, the numbness on my left side of the body was still there. In fact, it grew worse. I had to self massage my arm each time, and I could not sleep on the left side of my body. I asked Bro Simon to pray for me one Sunday. He prayed for me and anointed me with oil. The numbness felt less but still persisted. So the next week, I asked Bro Simon to pray for me again, but he told me that there was no need for him to pray over me as Jesus had already purchased my healing on the cross. Hence, I could declare healing on myself. He then handed the bottle of anointing oil to me. I took the oil and put on my head and prayed in faith, believing that I am healed.

From then on, I experienced gradual healing. Today, I am totally healed. I do not have numbness on my left side anymore, and my heart has no more throbbing pain. At my recent holiday in Perth, I went hiking up a hill. Praise God I finished the 5.5km hike up and down without any ill effects; in fact, I feel very normal! The name of Jesus be glorified!

Lilian shared this at our Sunday celebration on September 18, 2011.