New life at old age

New life at old age                                                                                                                                                                                                   

FGB Jaya One/ Brother Edmund’s sharing and various testimonies/ 13/4/12

This Friday, we were privileged to hear testimonies from a few members and also brother Edmund Chan’s sharing in the prayer group.

Firstly, brother Lee, a FGB Coordinator shared about how his mother came to know the Lord only very recently. For years, brother Lee and other Christian family members had tried to share Christ with his mother but she was completely closed and would not listen, saying that she could not change her religion. However, recently due to ill health and old age, she became very depressed and was thinking of dying. Once at a clinic, she even asked other patients how she could die. Amazingly, there were 2 Christian women there who asked her to believe in Jesus. She moved away but continued in her depression, with all the family members worried for her.

Then one day, all of a sudden, she unexpectedly said that she wanted to be a Christian in the presence of many family members. None objected, so brother Lee arranged for a Chinese Pastor to explain the gospel to her and lead her in the sinner’s prayer in the hospital. She wanted to be baptized but because of her ill health, she could not go to church. However, the Pastor brought the baptism service to her and had holy communion too with some brothers and sisters in a very precious time.

Her nature did not change immediately and she still had a bad temper, scolding the maid until she wanted to return home to her country. However, the faithful Chinese Pastor continued to visit her and read Psalms to her. Just a few days ago, the children found her in a very good mood and appetite, a very noticeable change in her.

Brother Lee and Christian family members testify that her conversion and baptism was indeed a miracle, solely the work of God, when no one could get through to her.

Next, sister Jass shared about her aunty who had 3 sons and was deeply involved in Taoism with many idols in her home. Her sons would sometimes go into a trance, and sadly her second son committed suicide. Now her youngest son has started to go into a trance and the supposed dead brother would speak through him, saying that the youngest brother was to also commit suicide and join him in hell. Jass and her sons had spoken to this young boy who wanted to come down to KL to learn the ropes of business from them and found that he wanted to become a Christian. Jass tried to teach him how to pray by quoting the Psalms “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet” however his mother would not let him become a Christian. We need to continue praying for this young boy whose name is Jeffrey. May the Lord protect young Jeffrey from harm and preserve the seed in his heart that has caused him to seek God. May God send many angels to guard and protect Jeffrey, and may His Holy Spirit stir his heart to seek the Lord and know the power of the name of Jesus.

Finally, brother Koh, who works with Xerox, shared how he was deeply moved when he went on a mission trip to Sarawak and see God’s power at work so strongly there. 49 people were baptized in one longhouse meeting. The need there is very great. Many profess to be Christians but do not read the Bible. May the Lord raise up faithful Bible teachers there to teach the people and lead them to live righteous lives before God.

As we broke into groups for prayer, our Central Regional Director, brother Edmund Chan shared a few insights with us. He asks us to read Mark 16:15-18 carefully.  The Scripture reads  ^“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  they^] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” As Christ’s disciples, we must be alert and recognize that we have the power of the Holy Spirit with us and have the ability to do these things in Jesus name, having been given the authority by Jesus.

We also must beware of the traditions of men that can impede God’s power. In John 5, we see how at the pool of Bethesda, the sick would try to get in the water moved, believing that once an angel stirred the water, the first sick person who went in would be healed. There was a man there who had been invalid for 38 years, who would never be able to go down in time because of his condition. When Jesus approached him, he still held on to the belief that only the pool could heal him. However, Jesus told him to “rise, take up his mat and walk”. Jesus did not need to heal him by way of the pool. Jesus went straight to the man and healed him directly. When we pray for people, we should not think that only pastors can pray for people. All of us who have Jesus in our hearts can pray for others. We must not be bogged down by tradition.

The woman with the issued of blood came forward to Jesus directly and received healing. She knew His power and claimed it for herself, and her faith made her well. The Phoenician woman believed that even the “crumbs” of Jesus’ power was sufficient to heal her son and he was healed. Jesus commended her for having great faith! She bypassed tradition and ridicule and went straight to Jesus and was rewarded.

The FGB theme for this year is to honor the Lord’s presence. Brother Edmund encouraged us to grow strong in speaking in tongues. In the 25 minute drive from Sungai Buloh to Kelana Jaya, brother Edmund shared of how he would invite God’s presence by speaking in tongues in the car.