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Read the Highlights of this Important Bible Study from Wednesday, April 2nd
On Wednesdays, a special Bible study called Defending Our Faith takes place in every location of The Universal Church worldwide. This study aims to help believers protect their faith, which is the most crucial tool, shield, and spiritual weapon of every follower and servant of the Lord Jesus.
On April 2nd, in Brooklyn, New York, Bishop Bira Joshua began this special service with a profound prayer of repentance, surrender, and seeking the Holy Spirit. Soon after, all read together this eye-opening Bible study: Defending Our Faith.
Doubts are the main enemies of faith, often hindering it. Just as faith is nurtured by the Word of God and a relationship with God, doubts are fueled by worldly thoughts and information.
“That is why we do the Fast of Daniel from time to time when the Holy Spirit leads us. For us not to be filled with news and entertainment. The church is not forbidding us—you are free. However, it is a way to detox your mind. It is more of God and less and less of the world,” explained the bishop.
“We need to defend our faith. When a doubt comes, we need to cast away this doubt… Satan whispers his thoughts, ideas, and his words. If you accept those words, it will grow inside of you and bear fruits,” emphasized the bishop, guiding the congregation to meditate on the following scripture:
… be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)
“You have to be filled to the point of overflowing with no space for doubts,” highlighted the bishop.
When we are filled with the Spirit, our minds and hearts are filled with the truths of His Word. (Excerpt from the Wednesday study Defending Our Faith)
Doubts give birth to fear, worry, anxiety and even depression—which affect our physical and spiritual health. (Excerpt from the Wednesday study Defending Our Faith)
It is of utmost urgency that the believers of the Lord Jesus cast away all seeds of doubts from their minds and hearts. By setting their minds on the Word of God, they can perceive and assess all things through God’s perspective.
The apostle Paul teaches Christians to have well-defined convictions: ‘One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind.’ (Romans 14:5)
To get rid of doubts, it’s important not to focus on other people’s faith. Each of us has our own faith and must move forward in that certainty. (Excerpt from the study)
“Always here I say, ‘Go in your faith!’ And you don’t need to ask A, B, or C’s opinions because when you are in faith, you do not look at someone else’s faith; you look at yourself,” emphasized the bishop, urging those present not to be guided by other people’s faith as well as to not interfere with or criticize others.
‘Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues. One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him.’ (Romans 14:1-3 HCSB)
Faith is personal. It is based on the Word of God, not on debates, rules or other people’s opinions. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, not the opinions of others. Because of this, we must protect our ears from any words of doubt, wherever they come from. (Excerpt from the Bible study Defending Our Faith)
Bishop Joshua encouraged those present to meditate on the Bible daily, sharing a suggested Bible reading plan for April:
He urged the congregants to focus entirely on the Word of God and not on other people’s opinions, regardless of who the person may be.
“Read the Bible. The Word is the teacher! Satan can use the mouth of anybody, even inside of a church. Satan can use the mouth of the ‘Peters’ nowadays. We have to say, ‘Get behind me, satan!’ (Mark 8:33). We must defend our faith,” urged the bishop.
Bishop Bira Joshua led the congregation in earnest prayer for the protection of their faith. All prayed to God for their faith, asking the Holy Spirit to help them protect it from all seeds of doubt.
The church is open daily, and a special meeting occurs every Wednesday to strengthen our spiritual lives and seek the Holy Spirit. All are welcome regardless of religion, background, or circumstances. Come as you are.
Wednesday at 10 AM, 4 PM, and mainly at 7 PM at The Universal Church. For more information on locations, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141.
For those who live in areas without a location of The Universal Church, you may also connect to our Virtual Church via Zoom Conference.
