20 Dec 2012, by Allan Phang-
Firstly, I would like to thank God for His grace and mercy for giving me this opportunity to share my testimony. I come humbly before God as I share my testimony on how God has touched my life. It is a bit long… sorry about that but what needs to be said has to be said.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8).
All Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!
Why am I sharing this? After my late grandfather’s death recently, I realized that if I don’t share my testimony, I will be doing a great injustice to everyone I know. Our life on earth is short. Although this article is only a summary of my testimony shared during my church baptism, I would like to share this testimony to everyone out there– my friends, associates and especially everyone who is facing difficulties in your life. There is hope…there is a God.
Ever since God came into my life, friends and family members alike used to frequently asked me this question, "Allan, what changed you? You're a changed person for the better. How did it happen? Why now?"
Most of the things that I did in the past were for my own self indulgence and personal glory (Please read this part carefully. There are many of my generation – Generation X and Y who suffer similiar bondages).
I was too engrossed in and blinded by the lifestyles of the world – MONEY, FAME, FORTUNE, PARTY and GIRLS were constantly on my mind. These were the trophies I was well-known for among my friends.
My peer nickname back then was 'Party King', 'Player' and 'Playboy'. I used to go clubbing, partying or raving, sometimes up to seven days a week! I was addicted to drinking alcohol, opening bottle after bottle of liquor, yamseng* glass after glass, getting drunk, talking like a samseng or gangster, swearing and cursing with many languages like there is no tomorrow, gambling in casinos, playing 4D, hacking computers, involving with designer drugs and illicit underworld activities and worshipping satanic forces unconsciously. Despite me having the fast and glorious lifestyle, I was still jealous of those richer than me, living in bigger houses and had hotter girl friends. I was also revengeful and hateful to those who hurt me and the list goes on.
I used to be very proud of myself. In my line of work, I meet a lot of VVIPS, including billionaires, millionaires, people with high authority, ministers, heads of state, the cream of the crop of the powerful people in the country. I felt that I was on top of this world until I met God.
So when my friends asked me, “What changed you?”, my reply was, "It's not me. It’s all GOD’s work."
When I became a believer, I was constantly judged and smirked upon for upholding my new found faith. My reply to them was:
"You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." (Romans 14:10)
Talking about faith, I have heard testimonies from Malaysian non-believers who used the name of JESUS to cast away evil spirits and demons that were disturbing them. They felt helpless using chants of other faiths which didn’t work. But when they used the name of JESUS, the demons disappeared instantly! And after their personal encounters, they became believers of Christ. The Bible says that the Name of Jesus is above every name!
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and give Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11).
When our words have become His Words, every evil force around us must bow to that Name. Jesus has given us the authority to use His Name.source: Your Words Hold A Miracle. The Power of Speaking God's Word. By John Osteen
I’ve also heard the testimony of a previous gang leader in Kuala Lumpur who accepted Christ and is now serving the Lord. And just a couple of days ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a testimony of a person who was involved in the navy, special forces and organized crime. He was in the country’s Most Wanted List and ended up serving jail time. But now, he is serving the Lord in many nations!
Friends, God has no favourites in the world we live in. He uses people in the most mysterious ways, regardless of one’s material wealth or popularity.
But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. (Colossians 3:25)
My dad passed away when I was only two years old and I was the only child. I didn’t have any fatherly figure to look up to. But I thank God for my mum who single-handedly raised me up as the sole-bread winner of the household.
Born in a Christian family, I was practically 'dragged' out of my bed every Sunday morning and forced to attend Sunday school untill I was 12 years old… Sound familiar? I also attended Bible classes untill I was 15 years old and served in ministry. In college, I attended the college's Christian Fellowship. Once I started working, God was completely out of my life. I was lost for approximately 10 years, only seeking and praying to God when I faced problems during that time… Sound familiar again?
Although I made my yearly visit to church during Christmas and showed other's that I am a Christian, I was only a Christian on official papers, but deep down inside me, I had no clue, and I did not understand what and who Jesus Christ is all about. I did not read the Bible because I couldn’t understand a word in the Bible at all. And every time I suffered a bad relationship– heartbroken and dejected– I would go out and drown my sorrows away in alcohol and clubbing thinking that it would make me feel better, which did leave me feeling good for awhile. But when the next day came, after a hangover, the cycle repeated itself like a “repeat button” on the remote control. I was in a downward spiral effect. In short, I was lost for many, many years walking in the wilderness. I had no direction in life, no hope, and felt very lifeless. I was spiritually empty, if not negative already.
Then, one day, a friend of mine from Glad Tidings PJ shared the gospel to me. I was deeply touched and convicted by the Holy Spirit that I was not walking right with God at all. It seemed like God was giving me a tight slap!! Thank God for it!
THAT WAS MY TURNING POINT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!
That Sunday itself (April 15th, 2012), I went to Glad Tidings PJ. The moment I stepped into the church, I felt a sense of serenity and joy that descended upon me. When Pastor Vincent Leoh called for an altar call, I went out, said the sinner’s prayer (with the help of Pastor Michael Tan too) and committed my life fully to Christ on that day itself.
Without wasting time, I joined a cell group the following Friday and ever since then, I have been attending the cell group every week, rain or shine. I enjoy the fellowship! The members are very encouraging and I learned so much about the Word of God. I also started attending BSF – Bible Study Fellowship. If someone told me about it earlier, I would have given them the “you must be kidding me” kind of look because I was the last person to ever go near a Bible back then!
Since then, I have attended a few courses conducted by pastors in the church. I also went to the Glad Tidings PJ church camp this year and it was indeed an eye opener for me. It’s great to be in the family of God and enjoy God’s wonderful presence in the camp. During the camp, I wept in front of a crowd of a few hundred people. Never in my life have I cried publicly like that. I later realized that I was touched by the Holy Spirit.
My decision to accept Christ was not easy. I felt as if I was rowing against the multitude current of waves. I faced a lot of resistance when I accepted Christ. People close to me said “Allan, you (still) stand to lose the inheritance of this world (even) if you are baptized and become a born-again Christian." But a little voice in my heart replied automatically, “Allan, you are inheriting the Kingdom of God”.
Now, it has been about 8 months since I stepped into Glad Tidings PJ. Let me share with you what has taken place :
Firstly, I find so much love, joy and peace in God now overflowing in my heart that I cannot help but share the gospel and my experiences with my friends. As for my family, I am still praying very hard to share the Good News to them too. Hopefully, there will be more and more of my friends, especially the “yamseng, talk like a samseng” ones will come to know Christ.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)
Secondly, now, I can speak in tongues. Praying and talking to Jesus daily is what I love to do now. His presence is so real and tangible in my life. Many of my friends even teased and made fun of me. Some have even nicknamed me Pastor, although I know that it is not man to be appointed as one but only by a calling from God.
Thirdly, reading the Bible is no longer a problem anymore. Now, the Word of God just pops up like a 3-D effect. It’s really awesome! Praise God!
Fourthly, as I keep reading the Bible daily, God’s truth has indeed set me free– away from my old self, wrong beliefs, wrong lifestyles and bondages of the world.
JOHN 8:32 – THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
I now seek to have the fruits of the spirit in me:
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23)
I am free now to be who and what God wants me to be. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! The lifestyles that I enjoyed last time, now I find no fulfillment in them anymore. I believe this is what our Pastor Vincent Leoh has been talking about, dying to the old self and now I am a new creation in Christ Jesus.
I used to think that people who listen to Praise and Worship music were “crazy”. I thought in my heart, “Isn’t there any better music to listen to like Lady Gaga or rave music?” Now, I beg to differ. I realized what I have been missing out all this time! I now play Praise and Worship music to the max whenever I am driving! Ironic but true.
Now, on Fridays, no more clubbing for me but I have a new place to go, to my new found family in Christ and that is my home cell at Bandar Utama.
God has indeed blessed me with every spiritual blessings – physically, mentally and many areas of my life. I have witnessed how He has answered my prayers, touched and transformed me.
The 3 minutes youtube video below by Billy Graham basically sums up what I believe in. People from the worldly world get the most famous misconception that Christianity is just a religion. It is MORE than that. It is about having a RELATIONSHIP with GOD. I never expected my life to change… being released from the bondages and darkness of this world and living in the light. Definitely not some new-age theology or my own willpower could help me overcome my bondages and sins (They say only time heals. Incorrect. Only God heals). I am not perfect. Nobody is perfect. We are all born sinners. Please don't look at me, for I am just another human like you too. Look towards God. I am saved, ONLY by God's grace and mercy. All Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!!
God will bless you and your desires in your heart. Seek Him. Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Thank you for reading. God bless you.
From a Child of God,
Allan Phang
P/S: Thank you to all the pastors from Glad Tidings PJ and every brother and sister in Christ whom have came into my life.
Please watch this video by Billy Graham. Your life might never be the same again…
http://youtu.be/inLmaG6qR7E (3 mins)
http://youtu.be/Lai-HnqoIN8 (3 mins)
http://youtu.be/MIqRH1XBw5M (41 mins)
To know more about Jesus Christ, the Living God, please contact your nearest church. God bless.
*"Yamseng" is a colloquial term used before drinking beverages together, usually liquor.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
References for pictures:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XmPMsHbHvj8/S7J2YQ-9n9I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/9lEs0WaFKkw/s1600/ClubScenePic2.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1NaBcl-oBA/T9Iyz3zEbkI/AAAAAAAAALg/DmPc8_7k9IU/s1600/10.jpg
http://thechristiannerd.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/bored-at-church.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQHsS55DBus/TlEf5XjxODI/AAAAAAAALEc/kumWT8Yo_Uw/s800/clubbing+scene.jpg
http://justonemore.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/pravs-j-hold-on-to-friendship-edit.jpg
http://www.scenicreflections.com/ithumbs/Books%20of%20the%20Bible%203D%20Christian%20Screensaver.jpg
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Apostasy/sycophantic_praises_50.jpg
Hi Bro. Allan. All praise and All Glory to God.
we need to just take one step forward and God will
do the rest. Glory to our God for an encouraging testimony
to share. God Bless You.
Great Bro.
God Bless You.
That’s a truly amazing testimony. Your sharing this has encouraged and blessed me. God is indeed real and at work in the world. All glory and honor to the God on high!
I’m finishing my last year of school and He’s been with me all the way and I can’t wait to study His Word full-time next year. This was a great encouragement to me! Thanks again for sharing it.