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On the first Wednesday of 2025, at the beginning of a special Bible study service and prayer seeking the Holy Spirit, Bishop Joshua emphasized the crucial importance of the Word of God. The Bible is not just a regular book; its words are alive and give life to those who base their lives on them.<\/p>\n
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:35)<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Sharing a testimony of a mother who is a congregant of The Universal Church. She wanted to give a Bible to her son, who then refused the gift. Being a rideshare driver, he found a Bible in his car seat after finishing a ride. Inside the Bible was a note saying, \u201cI did not forget this Bible. I left it for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Touched by the fact that his mother and a second person offered him a Bible, he then decided to read it. Today, he attends The Universal Church and has been reading the Bible ever since.<\/p>\n
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Cast Down but Unconquered<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The bishop explained that rainy days and problems come for everyone. No one is exempt from facing problems in life. However, those who have the Holy Spirit have within them the peace and power to overcome and remain firm. Without the Holy Spirit, the person is \u201csmashed,\u201d they are \u201cbroken\u201d\u2014they are conquered by the problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod, do not save Daniel from the dam. He saved him from the lions. He did not save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the furnace but from the fire. So. It’s like the children when they start taking steps\u2026 they tend to fall. Their mother and father cannot stop them, saying, \u2018No, you’re not going to walk anymore. I don’t want you to fall.\u2019 Does it happen? No, it doesn’t happen. The child has to fall to learn how to walk. So God will not prevent us from problems. He’ll save us, rescue us from problems,\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>explained the bishop.<\/p>\n
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A Treasure in Earthen Vessels<\/strong><\/h4>\n
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are\u00a0hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed;\u00a0we are\u00a0perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed\u2014 (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Upon meditating on this Scripture, the bishop explained that a follower and servant of the Lord Jesus faces persecution for their faith and adversities from all sides and every area of life. They are \u201csqueezed like an orange.\u201d To overcome these hard challenges, they must have a relationship with God, and they must have the Holy Spirit\u2014the Treasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you will be badly \u2018crushed\u2026\u2019 You need to have the Holy Spirit because you will be persecuted, especially because of your faith\u2026 By the way, one of the signs that you are in a good relationship with God is persecution. When persecuted, you are hard-pressed for the sake of your salvation. It’s a sign because you are displeasing the devil\u2026 When you are doing what is right and are closer to God, you will be persecuted\u2026 But if you have the Holy Spirit, you are not forsaken\u2014you are struck down but not destroyed,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 explained the bishop.<\/p>\n
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, (2 Corinthians 4:7)<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Upon returning to verse 7, Bishop Joshua again emphasized the irrevocable need for the Holy Spirit within us, enabling us to not despair, not be \u2018crushed,\u2019 nor be \u2018destroyed\u2019 by the persecution and problems that press us from every side:\u00a0\u201cWe are this vessel of clay, of the earth\u2026 But when you receive the Holy Spirit, you receive the treasure inside you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
He invited the congregation, which included the Virtual Church<\/a><\/span>\u2014those who do not have a church in their area, who are physically unable to commute, or unchurched\u2014all were invited to seek the Lord Jesus with repentance and sincerity and seek the Holy Spirit. A special moment was dedicated to nurturing a sincere, humble, and truthful relationship with God based on obeying and trusting His Word.<\/p>\n
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Wednesday Bible Study at The Universal Church<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The church is open daily<\/a><\/span>, and this special meeting is held every Wednesday to strengthen your spiritual life and seek the Holy Spirit. All are welcome regardless of religion, background, or circumstances. Come as you are.<\/p>\n
Wednesday at 10 AM, 4 PM, and mainly at 7 PM<\/strong>\u00a0at\u00a0The Universal Church<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0For more information on locations, please call\u00a01-888-332-4141<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or text 1-888-312-4141. You may also contact us via our\u00a0contact form (click here)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n