After Losing My Status

By Huimin, Henan Province

Every time I saw someone who had been replaced as a leader and them feeling down, weak or sulky, then I looked down on them. I thought: “It was nothing more than different people doing different work within the church, that there was no distinction between high or low, that we were all God’s creations and there was nothing to feel down about.” So whether I was watering new believers or serving as a leader, I never thought I focused much on my status, that I was that sort of person. I never would have thought in a million years that I would display such shameful behavior when I myself was replaced as a leader.

Some time ago, because I had not been performing any real work and was always preaching doctrine, my leader replaced me. At that time, I thought to myself: “Even if my caliber wasn’t made out to be a mid-level leader, I was still competent to fellowship about the truth and do the work of watering and supporting the church.” I never expected for my leader to task me with taking care of the general affairs of the church. I was surprised then, and I thought, “Such a mid-level leader as myself, am I now to be made to run errands? Anyone in the church who could run or who had a little intelligence could do this job. Wasn’t getting me to do this job an obvious waste of my talents?” But I was afraid that my leader would say I was disobedient and that I cared about my status, so I forced a smile and agreed. But as soon as I got home, I fell flat on the bed and felt awful. “Since I have no status, what will my brothers and sisters think of me? Now I am only running some errands, how will I ever be able to have my day again?” These thoughts filled my head. The more I thought about it, the more awful I felt.

I Have Seen My True Colors

By Xiaoxiao

Due to the needs of the church’s work, I was transferred to another church, which was in a frail state, to fulfill my duty. At the time, the gospel work at that place was at a low ebb, and the states of brothers and sisters were generally not very good. But because I was touched by the Holy Spirit, I still took on everything that I was entrusted with, full of confidence. I would get up early and stay up late every day, busying myself in the church so that I could do my work well. After a period of time, the church’s work was taking a turn for the better. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but become quite self-satisfied. I felt that I was all right, that I really took on a burden in fulfilling my duty, and that I was full of the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. I felt that I was full of courage and resolve in my work. I believed myself able to perform the job well. I was living mired in self-satisfaction and self-admiration.

The Orchestration of God’s Hands: A Different Experience of Job Seeking (Audio Essay)

Liang Xin

In today’s society, there are all different kinds of major enterprises and there seems to be a myriad of employment opportunities, but year after year, college graduates are a dime a dozen. The market of qualified employment candidates is so overcrowded you can’t gain a foothold, so the difficulty of finding employment after graduation has become a very practical problem. For every young person on the cusp of entering society after school, the most headache-inducing issue that they have to face is finding work, particularly at a good company. Everyone puts on their best face and racks their brains trying to squeeze their way in—the competition and pressure are intense. I, approaching graduation, had no choice but to face the plight of finding a job just like everybody else. The only thing different about me is that I’m a Christian and I believe that everything is prepared by God. However …

A Restaurant’s Harvest (Audio Essay)

Ming Zhen

Cong Xin worked as a waitress in a restaurant, and she had always been a conscientious worker. But for some reason, the manager had recently started to lose his temper with her indiscriminately. Ever since she was small, Cong Xin had always wanted to excel and to do her best at everything she did, and even her stepfather very seldom spoke ill of her. But now she had to face the restaurant manager who was purposefully making things difficult for her. So many times, Cong Xin had wanted to get into a blazing row with him, but when she thought of how she was a believer in God and that she must be someone with humanity and reason, she would realize that she could no longer act however she wished, as she had done before she believed in God. Therefore, whenever the manager got angry at her, Cong Xin prayed in her heart: “O God! You permit this current situation to happen, and I pray that You keep me from getting hot-blooded, and from doing anything that brings shame to Your name or that makes me Satan’s laughingstock.” After praying, her heart would become a little calmer.

Christian Life: How to Educate One’s Child and Be a Happy Parent

By Huiyuan, Malaysia

“Over these past few weeks, your son has listened very carefully in class and is a very sensible boy. He’s like a totally different person to how he used to be. How come he’s suddenly changed so much? How are you educating him at home?” Hearing the teacher say this, I smiled slightly, and my heart was filled with gratitude to God. That my son could change as much as he has is the result of God’s work, and I give thanks to God! I always failed before when trying to educate my son, but then I had the fortune to accept God’s work of the last days and, under the guidance of God’s words, I finally understood how to educate my son, and I became a happy parent.

My Naughty Son Drove Me to My Wits’ End

Over the previous few years, I saw many parents spoil their children, which led to their children becoming more and more unrestrained and reckless. Therefore, after I got married and had children, I said to myself: “There is no way I’m going to spoil my children. I will definitely be strict with them, keep their behavior to acceptable norms, and get them to develop good habits right from the start!” But my eldest son was very naughty, and he had many bad habits. For example, he would often ride on the escalator handrail and slide from the top to the bottom, he would willfully break things in the home, throw rubbish down wherever he wanted, and he was a fussy eater, and so on. To combat these problems, I drew up a plan to educate him: Whenever he was being fussy with his food, I would reprimand him, and then he wouldn’t dare be fussy anymore; if I saw anything in life that I thought would be beneficial to his upbringing, then he had to do what I said. If he didn’t, I had my own way to control him and would let him know what the consequences would be if he was disobedient … I made every effort to educate my son, but there was little change in him. This was all a big headache for me.

Christian Life: The Correct Way to Teach One’s Child and Be a Caring Mother

Introduction:

“Mom, you used to be so strict with my studies that I never had any time to play. You’ve changed so much for the better now and you speak so gently. I love you, mom,” said the innocent, lively young girl cheerfully as she lay flat by her young mother’s ear, and the young mother’s face flushed with happiness.

This young mother’s name is Lexin, and when we hear her daughter’s simple expression, we can deduce that their relationship was previously not so harmonious, because of the pressure Lexin placed on her daughter regarding her studies. So what’s the story between this mother and her daughter? And how did Lexin manage to change the way she educates her daughter, and obtain her daughter’s high opinion? Please read Lexin’s experiences of educating her daughter.

High Hopes for the Newborn Daughter

Under the influence of the ideas and views that “Knowledge can change your fate,” and “The worth of other pursuits is small, the study of books excels them all,” as I myself was not educated to a very high level, I hoped that my child would become a brilliant student when he or she got older and have good future prospects. I had heard that antenatal training made children more intelligent, so while I was pregnant, I bought lots of nursery rhymes and began antenatal training with music, and I made a point of eating some foods that would promote fetal brain development. After my daughter was born, I bought for her some education insurance to prepare for the costs of going to college. When she was 1 year old, I began to ask around about which kindergarten, which grade school and which middle school were the best, to pave the way for her future. And so, in this way, I was constantly making plans for my daughter’s future, afraid that if I didn’t arrange things properly now, then it could have a negative impact on her future.

The Best Education (Part 2)

Later, I saw it said in the words of God: “The fate of man is controlled by the hands of God. You are incapable of controlling yourself: Despite always rushing and busying about for himself, man remains incapable of controlling himself. If you could know your own prospects, if you could control your own fate, would you still be a creature?” (“Restoring the Normal Life of Man and Taking Him to a Wonderful Destination” in The Word Appears in the Flesh).

“Is it the thoughts and wishes of man that have brought him to today? Many people go their whole lives without having their wishes fulfilled. Is this really because of a fault in their thinking? Many people’s lives are filled with unexpected happiness and satisfaction. Is this really because they expect too little? Who of the whole of mankind is not cared for in the eyes of the Almighty? Who does not live in the midst of the Almighty’s predestination? Whose birth and death come from their own choices? Does man control his own fate?” (“The Eleventh Utterance” of God’s Utterances to the Entire Universe in The Word Appears in the Flesh). God’s words awakened me to the truth that: People’s everything is in the hands of God and people cannot grasp hold of their destiny themselves. What family a person is born into, their appearance, how cultured they are and what work they will do in the future are all things that God pre-determined long ago. No one can get around this. No wonder my many years of hard work were exchanged for contrary to my wishes. It turns out I am a created being and cannot dominate mine or my child’s own destiny. Mine and my daughter’s destiny is dictated by God. As a created being, one can only obey the dominance of the Lord of creation and be at the mercy of God to be able to attain God’s care and protection. Otherwise one can only be afflicted and fooled by Satan! After I had understood God’s intentions, I gave up the forced education and observation of my child and just prayed to deliver her to God and obeyed the arrangements dictated by God. This way of living felt much more relaxed.

The Best Education (Part 1)

I am 50 years old this year and from a young age I lived in a very remote and backward poor mountain village. There were eight people in my family, my maternal grandparents at the top and four brothers and sisters at the bottom, with only one person, my father, earning a wage in the production team. My family was so poor that we did not even have enough polenta and corn bread to eat. I was extremely jealous when I saw others eating steamed buns and thought: When will I be able to eat steamed buns? When will I ever not be hungry? My grandmother often encouraged me saying: “If you want to live a good life, to eat well and be dressed well, you must study hard! You can only excel if you have knowledge and culture and later you will be able to go and live in the city and will not need to lead such a life with your face to the ground and your back to the sky.” My grandmother’s words were deeply engraved in my heart. I was determined to study hard and change my destiny by relying on knowledge.

But contrary to expectations, the year I was 12 years old, I suffered from stomach problems due to long-term malnutrition and could not go to school, so I had no choice but to drop out and return home and go to work in the production team, with the adults. Miserable and tired, I could only wipe the tears and continue working. I had not rid myself of destiny’s arrangements and was still leading a life of face to the ground and back to the sky. I was very unwilling to submit to this and thought: Wait until I’m married and have children and I will certainly put them through their education. I must not let my children suffer the same hardships as me.

2019 Gospel Worship Song | "God Blesses Those Who Are Honest" (Lyrics)

Introduction

2019 Gospel Worship Song | "God Blesses Those Who Are Honest" (Lyrics)

When you give your heart to God alone and you don’t play false to Him,

when you never do what would deceive

those above you or below,

when you’re open with God in all things,

when you don’t do things simply to win the favor and smile of God,

this is being honest.

Honesty means when you run from impurity in each word and each deed,

when you cheat not God nor people.

Honesty means when you run from impurity in each word and each deed,

when you cheat not God nor people.

This is honesty, oh, this is honesty.

If your words are filled with excuses, filled with vain explanations,

then you are not practicing the truth, you’re not willing to do so.

How will you find the light and salvation,

if you don’t bare your secrets?

But if you like seeking the way of truth,

you will always live in light.

Honesty means when you run from impurity in each word and each deed,

when you cheat not God nor people.

Honesty means when you run from impurity in each word and each deed,

when you cheat not God nor people.

This is honesty, oh, this is honesty.

If you’re willing to serve in God’s house,

hard-working, seeking no gain,

then you are a faithful saint of God who just seeks to be honest.

If you’re frank, can give your life to witness God,

if you only wish to please Him and never consider yourself,

you’ll be nourished by the light and live in the kingdom forever.

Honesty means when you run from impurity in each word and each deed,

when you cheat not God nor people.

Honesty means when you run from impurity in each word and each deed,

when you cheat not God nor people.

This is honesty, oh, this is honesty.

from Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God's work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God's sheep hear God's voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Special statement: This video production was produced as a not-for-profit piece by The Church of Almighty God. This video may not be distributed for profit to any third party, and we hope that everyone will share it and distribute it openly. When you distribute it, please note the source. Without the consent of The Church of Almighty God, no organization, social group, or individual may tamper with or misrepresent the contents of this video.

God Saved Me From Death —Getting Colorectal Cancer in My 70s (Part 1)

By Liu Wen

My name is Liu Wen, and I’m 80 years old this year; I accepted Almighty God’s work of the last days in 2006. Because of my age, I couldn’t go out and perform my duty like the other brothers and sisters, so the church leaders arranged for me to host gatherings. I was very happy to have a duty I could perform, and from then on I warmly welcomed brothers and sisters into my home; no matter when the gatherings were held, I never complained at all. So, I thought that I was devoted to God and that my actions were certainly acceptable to Him. However, when an exam found that I had colorectal cancer that had already become advanced, I did complain to God. Being exposed through this I saw my own incorrect pursuit.

A Sudden Illness Leaves Me Complaining

In June 2013 I started feeling a little physically unwell; I was getting diarrhea four or five times a day. I thought it was some sort of digestive issue, so I didn’t think too much of it. After some time I started seeing blood in my stool; I figured it was hemorrhoids, and I still didn’t pay it much mind, nor did I go to the doctor. Then one day I went to my sister’s house and she noticed I was looking jaundiced and had lost weight. She asked me, concerned, “Why have you gotten so thin? The woman right across the way was the same age as you and was having health issues that she ignored. Then when she did go to the hospital for a checkup she found out she had colorectal cancer. She spent a lot of money on treatments but never got better. She lost her life and her money. You really should go see a doctor as soon as possible and get a physical.” Hearing her say this was a little unsettling; I thought of how I’d been having consistent health problems for the last little while and wondered if there really was something wrong with me. After I got home I told my family about my symptoms; my son, my daughter, and her husband rushed me to the city hospital for a checkup. The doctor said that my condition was serious and told my son to get me to the provincial hospital as soon as possible for more tests. Hearing the doctor say that, my kids were on the verge of tears and rushed me to the provincial hospital. Realizing my condition had to be really serious, my heart leapt into my throat and tears welled up in my eyes. I thought, “What if I really do have intestinal cancer, and they’re having me transferred to another hospital because they can’t treat it?” My heart sank—if I really was going to die from this disease, wouldn’t my days as a believer be over?

Christian Testimony: A Father and His Step-Daughter Surpass the Ties of Blood (Audio Essay)

A Grey Childhood

There was no mother and no father around when Zixuan was growing up; she didn’t know what the cakes the children from the city talked about tasted like, and she’d never seen a goldfish blow bubbles in a fish tank. On no evening did she ever hear the stories of Grimm’s fairytales, but instead she listened to her grandpa tell her the story of The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants. Her real father leaving and her mother remarrying had brought about feelings of inferiority when she was little, and even more so had become a shadow in the depth of her heart that she could not drive away. Especially when she saw the other children with their parents, caring for them and being with them, Zixuan’s heart would ache with pain.

An Untraversable Chasm

At the time of the millennium, Zixuan’s mother brought Zixuan to live with her in the city. Her step-father was good to her, but in her heart, Zixuan believed that “blood was thicker than water,” and that only family bonds built upon the kinship of blood were real. After all, her step-father was different from her biological father, and he could never treat her like his own daughter; even if he was good to her, it was a false display put on for her mother, and he was simply incapable of being sincerely and honestly good to her. Therefore, Zixuan felt very biased against her step-father, and they argued often. Even with tiny matters that were hardly worth a mention, as long as they happened in front of them both, it would develop into an entirely irrational quarrel. In over ten years, the family battles never ceased, their antagonism got worse and worse, and every one of them lived in a state of pain …

2019 Christian Gospel Song | "Obey the Work of the Spirit to Follow to the End"

Introduction

2019 Christian Gospel Song | "Obey the Work of the Spirit to Follow to the End"

The Holy Spirit’s work changes day to day,

higher step by step with greater revelations.

This is how God works to perfect mankind.

If man cannot keep up, he may be left behind.

Without a heart willing to obey,

he cannot follow through to the end.

Those who disobey by nature, oppose by will,

they will be left behind, as God’s work rushes on.

Only those who obey, gladly humble themselves

can progress to the end, to the end of the road.

The former age has passed, and this is a new age.

When a new age comes, new work must then be done.

And in the final age when God perfects man,

God will work oh so fast, performing new work.

And so without a heart that obeys,

how difficult to follow in God’s steps!

Those who disobey by nature, oppose by will,

they will be left behind, as God’s work rushes on.

Only those who obey, gladly humble themselves

can progress to the end, to the end of the road.

God’s work is not unchanging nor bound by rules,

but it’s ever newer, it is always higher.

His work becomes more practical with each step,

more and more in line with actual needs of mankind.

Only when man’s gone through this kind of work,

can his disposition finally change.

Those who disobey by nature, oppose by will,

they will be left behind, as God’s work rushes on.

Only those who obey, gladly humble themselves

can progress to the end, to the end of the road.

Man’s knowledge of life grows, and so God elevates His work.

That’s how God perfects man and makes him fit for God’s use.

His work fights, sets right man’s notions,

leads them to a higher, realer state,

the highest realm of faith in God, so His will may be done.

Those who disobey by nature, oppose by will,

they will be left behind, as God’s work rushes on.

Only those who obey, gladly humble themselves

can progress to the end, to the end of the road.

from Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God's work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God's sheep hear God's voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Special statement: This video production was produced as a not-for-profit piece by The Church of Almighty God. This video may not be distributed for profit to any third party, and we hope that everyone will share it and distribute it openly. When you distribute it, please note the source. Without the consent of The Church of Almighty God, no organization, social group, or individual may tamper with or misrepresent the contents of this video.

Spiritual Warfare: A Septuagenarian Christian’s Joys and Sorrows Dealing With Her Family’s Resistance

A Septuagenarian Welcomes the Lord’s Return

I turned 74 this year. I used to be a member of the Three-Self Church in China, but after my husband passed away I came to South Korea to live with my daughter and her husband. I kept trying to find a church here that possessed the work of the Holy Spirit, but I discovered that the pastors and elders always preached on the same old things and I didn’t gain the least bit of spiritual sustenance. I was feeling really discouraged.

One day in February 2016, Sister Liu took me to The Church of Almighty God, and the brothers and sisters there bore witness to me that Almighty God is the returned Lord Jesus and that He had long ago come to mankind, expressed the truth, and done the step of work of judging and cleansing mankind through His word. They said that He is separating the wheat from the tares, the sheep from the goats—He’s separating all people according to their kind, doing the work of rewarding good and punishing evil, bringing the age to a close. All those who hear the voice of God, who accept and obey His new work, are those who love the truth and will be raptured up before God’s throne. These are people who seek the truth, accept God’s judgment, and can ultimately be cleansed and perfected by God. They are the wheat, the sheep, and they are those who will be fully saved by God. However, those who cannot recognize God’s voice or even resist or condemn God’s work of the last days are the ones who hate, who detest the truth. They will be exposed as the tares and the goats. They will all be cast out and punished by God. This perfectly fulfills these words from the Bible: “And in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn” (Matthew 13:30). I felt that what the brothers and sisters of The Church of Almighty God fellowshiped was entirely in line with the Bible and the prophecies of the Lord’s return, so I decided to really look into Almighty God’s work in the last days. Through a time of seeking and investigation, I saw that Almighty God’s words possess authority and power, and they unveil all the mysteries of the Bible. I also saw that they can resolve all of the confusion I’ve had in my faith—I started to understand truths I hadn’t understood over many years of faith. This is how I determined that Almighty God is the returned Lord Jesus, that He is the appearance of Christ in the last days. I joyfully accepted God’s work of the last days and shared God’s gospel of the last days with my two younger sisters in Korea—they also accepted God’s work and began to follow God with great faith. I then shared this with my son-in-law, and to my surprise, not only would he not accept it, but he found some of the CCP’s negative online propaganda about The Church of Almighty God and showed it to me. He became a hindrance to my faith, and thus a spiritual battle commenced …

2019 Christian Devotional Song "How Does One Enter Into the True Prayer" (Lyrics)

Introduction

2019 Christian Devotional Song "How Does One Enter Into the True Prayer" I Prayer Song

During prayer your heart must be at peace before God,

your heart must be sincere.

Truly commune when you pray to God.

Don’t cheat God with words pleasing to the ear.

So your heart will be quiet before God.

And in the environments arranged for you,

you will then know yourself and hate yourself.

You will hate yourself and forsake yourself.

So you’ll have normal relations with God,

and become someone who truly loves, loves God, loves, loves God,

become someone who truly loves, loves God.

Prayer must surround what God will do today. Ask for greater illumination,

bring your state and troubles before God and speak to Him your resolution.

So your heart will be quiet before God.

And in the environments arranged for you,

you will then know yourself and hate yourself.

You will hate yourself and forsake yourself.

So you’ll have normal relations with God,

and become someone who truly loves, loves God, loves, loves God,

become someone who truly loves, loves God.

Prayer is not to follow procedure but to seek God with your sincerity.

Pray for God to protect your heart. Ask for God to protect your heart.

So your heart will be quiet before God.

And in the environments arranged for you,

you will then know yourself and hate yourself.

You will hate yourself and forsake yourself.

So you’ll have normal relations with God,

and become someone who truly loves, loves God, loves, loves God,

become someone who truly loves, loves God.

from Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs

Eastern Lightning, The Church of Almighty God was created because of the appearance and work of Almighty God, the second coming of the Lord Jesus, Christ of the last days. It is made up of all those who accept Almighty God's work in the last days and are conquered and saved by His words. It was entirely founded by Almighty God personally and is led by Him as the Shepherd. It was definitely not created by a person. Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. God's sheep hear God's voice. As long as you read the words of Almighty God, you will see God has appeared.

Special statement: This video production was produced as a not-for-profit piece by The Church of Almighty God. This video may not be distributed for profit to any third party, and we hope that everyone will share it and distribute it openly. When you distribute it, please note the source. Without the consent of The Church of Almighty God, no organization, social group, or individual may tamper with or misrepresent the contents of this video.