Article | - 5:23 pm
Read About This Special Message From the First Friday Service of 2025
On the first Friday service of 2025, Bishop Joshua recalled the story of Mary Magdalene from the Bible, from whom the Lord Jesus cast out seven demons—her life was in shambles. However, the Lord Jesus chose her and came to deliver her.
After His death, when He resurrected and came out of His tomb, he did not first appear to His disciples or even His mother. Instead, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, who, before her deliverance, lived in a self-destructive lifestyle. This shows that the Lord chooses those despised and rejected in this world.
“He chose those who are nothing to shame those who think they are (1 Corinthians 1:28). And maybe you ask, ‘Why me? Why am I here?’ God chose you,” added the bishop.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)
“And what are the works of the devil? Hearing voices, seeing shadows, insomnia, addictions, nightmares, bad dreams, bad thoughts… When we say here, ‘In Jesus’ name,’ and you say the name of Jesus when you say to the evil, ‘Get out!’—You are casting out the evil working in your life,” explained the bishop.
The bishop then invited all congregants and attendees, both in person and from the Virtual Church, to join in prayer for spiritual freedom—for deliverance. “Jesus is here! He is there with you, and He will destroy the works of the devil,” he assured, leading, soon after, the strong prayer for deliverance.
When concluding the Friday service, Bishop Joshua emphasized the crucial need for the Holy Spirit within us to keep us from evil and guide us during difficult moments during our journey of faith.
We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” (1 John 5:18)
“Why not? Because what you have inside of you is greater than what satan does. Let’s say somebody is against you, badmouths you, and is doing something to harm you right now. Somebody wants to see your downfall. But because you are the fire, their ‘fire’ cannot burn you. The Scripture says, ‘For our God is a consuming fire.’ (Hebrews 12:29) If I have this fire inside me, their ‘fire’ or whatever they want to do will not affect me,” clarified the bishop.
One should not fight physically or verbally or be arguing. The bishop highlighted the importance of having communion with God, being in spirit, and not fighting with the strength of the flesh. Only the Holy Spirit can give self-control, wisdom, and guidance during difficult situations.
The bishop then invited all to a prayer to seek the Holy Spirit in sincerity for the Lord Jesus to make this inner transformation in each of us.
All are welcome to join us on Fridays at 8 AM, 10 AM, 4 PM, and 7 PM at The Universal Church (times might vary depending on location). For locations, please click here. For more information, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text to 1-888-312-4141. You may also contact us via our contact form (click here).
For those who live in areas without a location of The Universal Church, you may also connect to our Virtual Church via Zoom Conference. All are welcome regardless of religion or background. Come as you are.
