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Bishop Johnson |
In Matthew 4, we find an account of the temptations of Jesus. There Satan offers Jesus the whole world in exchange for worship: "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me'" (verses 8–9, NIV). Satan wants worship more than anything else. In Jesus' reply, we learn that
- Worship is not optional. Jesus said, "It is written, you shall worship" (verse 10). The question is not whether you will worship or not—you will worship! You will worship somebody or something.
- While worship is not optional, whom one worships is. You must choose who your god will be. For example, will your god be the Lord or Mammon?
Now let's turn our attention to the heart of worship—what is it, and what is it not? You hear people refer to Sunday as "a day of worship," to religious services as "worship services," to fast songs as "praise," and to slow songs as "worship." But is singing slow songs what Jesus had in mind when He refused to worship Satan? When Satan offered Jesus the whole world in exchange for worship, did Satan mean, "I will give you the whole world, Jesus, if you sing some slow songs to me or if you set aside 1 day a week to gather with others for 2 hours to praise my name?" Certainly not! Read more.
God Is at Work in Liberia: An Interview with Pastor Andrew Sarwieh
BWOMI has planted more than 150 churches and fellowships in 22 nations. God is doing a tremendous work in and through BWOMI! This quarter we focus on God's work through BWOMI in Liberia, a West African nation. Below is an interview with Pastor Andrew Sarwieh, senior pastor of Bethel Bushrod Island Missions Church in Liberia.
Question: What is Bethel Bushrod Island Missions Church?
Answer: Bethel Bushrod Island Missions Church (BBIMC) is a BWOMI church located in Bushrod Island, Monrovia, Liberia. Our church was founded in February 1992. With a membership of more than 550 adults, our church is the second largest church in Monrovia, Liberia. Our children church serves about 350 children. BBIMC is passionate about winning the lost at all costs. Read more.
Inside This Issue
God Has Poured Out Blessings on My Family!
God Is at Work in Liberia: An Interview with Pastor Andrew Sarwieh
Deacon Yvonne Brooks-Little: A Faithful Medical Missionary
Do You Want to Live Your Best Life?
Don't Miss These Exciting Events!
God Has Poured Out Blessings on My Family!
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Henri and Fatoumata |
I pray that my family's story touch and change the lives of families all over the world. In August 2005, my wife, Fatoumata, and I received an invitation that would change our lives radically. We were invited by a friend of my wife, Cathy Curtis, to worship at Bethel World Outreach Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. My wife visited Bethel first; then our two children and I went with her the following week. Although I come from a Catholic background, I was very touched by Bishop Johnson's preaching; at that my first service, I knew that my life would change radically. Read more.
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