GOOD FRIDAY TESTIMONIES

My Heart Was Drawn to Jesus

Chia Bee Geok

When I was a child, I went to Fairfield Methodist Girls’ School. Every Friday was chapel day where we went for worship. From there, I learned that Jesus was born in a manger with the cattle, his mother is virgin Mary, he is the Son of God, he died on the cross and he rose again on the third day to go to heaven. He performed miracles too. He made the lame to walk, blind to see and the dumb to speak. The school gave me a Bible. But later my younger sister took my Bible and it was lost and never returned to me. I dropped out of school later and did not have a chance to hear about the Bible anymore.

When I got married, my husband’s family were Taoist. I had to prepare offerings to pray to the ancestors which was something I did not like to do. Then my eldest daughter became a Christian. Sometimes she invited my family to church, but it was hard to attend church because my husband would make life difficult for me. But we did attend gospel meetings a few times. Later my younger son and his wife became Christians too. I was very glad for them. My heart was drawn to Jesus because I remembered some of the teachings from the Bible but I did not know how to become a Christian.

In 2014, my daughter brought her friend Jenny Kan to visit me at home. She shared with me that all of us are sinners who would go to hell one day when we die. We cannot save ourselves. God loves us so much that He sent his Son Jesus to be born into this world. He lived a righteous life without sins, and he died on the cross and shed his blood to pay the penalty for our sins. But he is God himself, so He rose from the dead to go to heaven and those who would believe in Him can go to heaven too. I believe in my heart that I am a sinner and I want to trust in Jesus to save me. So I said the sinner’s prayer with Jenny. I was very happy because I am now God’s child. God loves me and will protect me.

I am now quite weak and my legs wobbly. Sometimes, I would nearly fall but did not. It was as if there is someone holding me up and preventing the fall. I believe it is God who is protecting and caring for me. When I heard that Bee Heng’s parents also believed in Jesus and were baptised, my heart was glad and encouraged. Bee Heng and Yee Fong visited me after Chinese New Year and they shared with my husband and I how his parents were saved. I am certain that Jesus loves me. I want to be baptised too because I believe Jesus saves me from my sins.

The Lord Knows My Heart’s Desire

Petronela Kahi Mina

I was born into a Catholic family. I used to pray to Mary and admire her greatly because she was the mother of God and without her, Jesus would not be born. I always thought that Catholic was the best religion. There were times I felt so happy whenever someone from another religion converted to Catholicism. Basically, I did not know the truth in the Bible.

I came to work in Singapore. Last year I transferred to my current employer. I get a day off every Sunday. One day, I met a friend whom I never knew before. She invited me to church, and with this verse, “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Heb 3:15). I followed her to Cornerstone Church at Katong Shopping Centre. There I first heard about “Salvation” and “Born Again”, that salvation is by grace through faith and not by good works (Eph 2:8-9).

After that day, my heart desired to know more about God’s Word. I phoned that friend who invited me to church. I asked her if there was a Bible study or other church activities that could help me grow in the Lord. She suggested that I joined the “Baptism Class” where I could grow spiritually.

I went to Cornerstone Church a few times and attended the class only once. I was not satisfied because the teachings focused more on the water baptism by immersion and not the Word. And sometimes when I asked questions, I did not get the clear answer/explanation. In fact, I was told not to ask questions.

I just prayed to the Lord that He would open the way for me to know where I should go to study His Word. Not long after that, I received a message (chain letter) from a friend. The message was quite long. Inside there was one or two Bible verses and also “The Lord’s Prayer”. I still remember the first line which says, “I am God who wrote this”, and the last line says, “If you love God, please forward this message to many others. If you don’t forward, you are the follower of the devil and something bad will happen to you.”

I forwarded it to sister Margaretha. She did not reply until a few days later. She replied and said, “Sister, I don’t believe such a thing, it is confusing…”, and she explained the reasons. And because of that message, I started to share my feelings—how I desire to know God’s Word more. She then invited me, and said, “If you want, there’s an Indonesian Bible Study in my church.” Praise the Lord!

The following Sunday, on the 28th June 2015, I came to True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church. By His grace, since that day, I never missed any Sunday to come to church. The Lord knew my heart’s desire. He heard and answered my prayers. I really thank God for leading me to TLBPC where I can learn more of the truth of His Word. Here I am really satisfied. The more I discover the truth of God’s Word, the more I am encouraged to study the Bible and know God better.

I now know that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and He is the only Mediator between God and men. 1 Timothy 2:5-6a says: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.” All praise and glory be to God alone!

I Want to Learn the Doctrine

Lio Jen Yun

I have been seeking to know my Christian faith for more than a year. Previously, I attended a charismatic church. I did not feel right while I was attending that church. At the same time I did not know where I should be attending church as there was no particular compelling reason why I should leave my previous church. This was until I started attending True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church on Sunday mornings. I was introduced to this church by my big boss who attends Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church as he saw that I was struggling and seeking out my faith.

When I was in my previous church, I was not attending service faithfully and wholeheartedly. I did not join their cell groups because I did not feel that I was making productive use of my time. I had many doubts about what I was doing there.

After attending service and fellowship at True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, I came to know more about the Lord. As I gradually came to hear and know the truth better, I eventually left my previous church. I am happy that I finally found a place to worship my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I have been told about the Gospel and have said the sinner’s prayer several times but it was only after sister Leanne shared with me the Gospel and led me in the sinner’s prayer again that I felt I had a clearer picture of who Christ is and what He did for us. I want to continue attending service and fellowship at True Life as I want to learn the Doctrine.

Life after conversion is more peaceful as I learn to look unto the Lord in all things. I also learn that I have been richly blessed in many areas of my life. When I am in despair or feeling emotional about the things of the secular world, I will turn to the Lord and pray that He will give me guidance and great comfort. I am still learning to have faith and to put my trust in God. Praise the Lord for the many blessings He has showered upon me.