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February 2014 / Edition N째 721 / www.impactoevangelistico.net

The magazine that edifies your life

evangelistic

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT

Literature

A warning signal for the Christians Testimony

The faith moves montains Jesus showed us the path we have to take

The mystery of

Happiness february 2014

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EDITORIAL

When the brook dries up Rev. Gustavo Martínez International President of W.M.M.

“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my Word… ” (1 Kings 17: 1-7).

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HE LORD gave Elijah this message for Ahab sta-

good sense to act in difficult and bad times, his will to

ting that there will be no rain nor dew for some

obey and to hear God’s voice what makes him extraor-

years. We know that the draught lasted for more

dinary. It is during harsh times when we know who

than three years in Israel. As the Lord used this prophet

is who. How does this person act during crisis? How

to announce the draught, He would use him again to

does he acts during the time of trial, towards criticism,

make the rain return.

towards sorrow, at those situations when God simply

“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the

seems to have disappeared? Does he remain calm?

brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt

Does he know when to remain in silence? Is he careful?

drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee

Does he gossip or try to make other people feel his own

there” (1 Kings 17: 3-4). The Lord ordered Elijah to hide

pain through mistrust, resentment, and his own inner

in the brook Cherith to avoid Ahab’s pursuit, but also to

emotions?

teach him to trust God for his daily needs. “So he went and

That is when we, as listeners and people, must eva-

did according unto the Word of the Lord” (1 Kings 17: 5). Elijah

luate his path and development through time: how he

was an obedient, willing and respectful man, who knew

acted towards glory and admiration; towards contempt

that God’s voice and Word must not be contradicted or

and criticism; and when he passed through a desert.

subordinated to anything, but obeyed and accepted per

That is when we know the qualities of each prophet,

se. Elijah “went and did according unto the Word of the Lord”.

preacher and man of God. Because when there is enjoy-

Maybe we obey as well, but we act in our own way

ment, everything is good and we respond well, but we

and not in God’s way. We, as men of God, must not

fail “when the brook dries up”. That is when we do evil, when

feel surprised by what He may do with us in a specific

we actually say who we are and how was our relations-

moment. But this is not what makes a man of God re-

hip with God, whom we believe in, and if this Word that

markable. It is his behavior and his actions what makes

we study is to apply it in our own lives, or to refuse it

him remarkable; it is his simplicity, his maturity, his

during harsh times. God bless you!

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Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz February 2014 / Edition N° 721 (USPS 012-850) OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT The World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc. is a non-profit church with a vision to plant new churches in the United States of America and its territories, and also with a missionary vision to plant new churches wherever God opens new doors all over the World.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Movimiento Misionero Mundial, Inc World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc San Juan, Puerto Rico Washington, D.C. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936

POSTMASTER: send address changes to Impacto Evangelístico P.O. BOX 363644 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-3644 Phone (787) 761-8806; 761-8805; 761-8903

INTERNATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS OF WMM INC. Rev. Gustavo Martínez President Rev. José Soto Vice President Rev. Rubén Concepción Secretary Rev. Rodolfo González Treasurer Rev. Álvaro Garavito Director Rev. Margaro Figueroa Director Rev. Rómulo Vergara Director Rev. Humberto Henao Director CHURCHES ESTABLISHED IN: Germany Argentina Aruba Australia Austria Belgium Belize Bolivia Bonaire Brasil Cameroon Canadá Chile Colombia Congo Costa Rica Curacao Dinamarca Ecuador El Salvador Spain United States The Philippines France Gabón Ghana Guatemala Equatorial Guinea French Guiana Guyana Inglesa Haití Holland

Honduras India England St. Andres Island (Col.) Saint Martin Island Island of Mauritius Rodrigues Island Canaries Islands (Spain) Hawaiian Islands (U.S.A.) Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Kuwait Madagascar Malaysa México Myanmar Nicaragua Nigeria Panamá Paraguay Peru Portugal Puerto Rico Dominican Republic Sweden Switzerland Surinam Trinidad and Tobago Uruguay Venezuela

Legal deposit made on the National Library of Peru Nº 2011-02530 Christian Pentecostal Church-Worldwide Missionary Movement: Av. 28 de Julio 1781 - Lima 13 - Peru Printout: Quad/Graphics Perú S.A. Av. Los Frutales 344 - Lima 03 - Peru

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The Worldwide Missionary Movement is a religious nonprofit organization duly registered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in the federal capital, Washington DC, with headquarters in both cities and in every state of the United States and other countries where we have established missionary Works.

Important The offerings and donations in cash, equipment, real estate and bequests by will, in the benefit of the Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc.’s Work, are deductible from the income tax, and receipts issued by the WMM are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the Federal Government of the United States of America and of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico. n

Visit our website Obtain uplifting information about God’s Work and keep up with the latest news. A customized access from anywhere in the world: www. impactoevangelistico.net n

If you wish Write to us at our postal address: Worldwide Missionary Movement, Inc. PO Box 363644 San Juan, P. R. 00936-3644 n

Copyright © 2009 Impacto Evangelistic Movimiento Misionero Mundial, Inc. (World-Wide Missionary Movement, Inc.) All content of this magazine and each subsequent edition are duly registered at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC USA. All rights reserved.

Total or partial reproduction in any form and translation into other languages without prior permission of the Director are prohibited. Under international copyright agreements, they are crimes punishable by law. n

Doctrinal Statement The Worldwide Missionary Movement adheres to the fundamental doctrines of Scripture, such as: n

• The inspiration of the Holy Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:19-21.

• The Adorable Godhead in Three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Matthew 3:16-17, 17: 1-5; 28:19, John 17: 5, 24, 26, 16:32, 14:16, 23, 18:5, 6, 2 Peter 1:17,18; Revelation 5.

• Salvation by Faith in Christ: Luke 24:47, John 3:16, Romans 10:13, Titus 2:11, 3:5-7.

• The New Birth: John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:9.

• Justification by Faith: Romans 5:1, Titus 3:7.

• Water Baptism by Inmersion, as commanded by Christ: Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:36-39.

• The Baptism in the Holy Spirit subsequent to salvation, speaking in tongues according to: Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, 8, 2:4.

• Divine Healing: Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:16, 17, Mark 16:18, James 5:14, 15.

• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

• The Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26.

• Sanctification: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15, 16, 1 John 2:6.

• Ministry and Evangelization: Mark 16:15-20, Romans 10:15.

• Tithing and Maintenance of the Work: Genesis 14:20, 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21-26, Malachi 3:7-10, Matthew 10:10; 23:23.

• The Rapture of the Church: Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:5152, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

• The Second Coming of Christ: Zechariah 14:1-9, Matthew 24:30, 31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Titus 2:13, Jude 14, 15.

• The Millennial Kingdom: Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:5-10, Zechariah 9:10, Revelation 19:20, 20:3-10.

• New Heavens and New Earth: Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1.

summary

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Everyone has their own idea on how to find true happiness. With every relationship, possession and new excitement people expect that this experience guarantees them the discovery of true happiness.

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Written by composer Frederick Martin Lehman, this song is about God’s love. An almost 100 years old ode that reaffirms the endless affection of the Creator.

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Memories of the evangelisation work throughout the 50 years of the Worldwide Missionary Movement

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Almost the whole life of María Fe Agra Melcón revolved around a scale, an instrument that remained a dramatic obsession since her birth, as well as around overweight issues, complexes and anorexia.

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Events in: Colombia, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Equatorial Guinea, Italy, Chile, Venezuela, Bolivia, Uruguay and Argentina.

Francis Asbury, a recognized Christian that lived during the Age of Enlightenment, was one of the most important preachers of God’s Word of all times. The flame of his passion to spread the good news let a permanent hallmark.

Letters

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“And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,...

Deuteronomy 10:12- 13 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14. february 2014

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How to be

truly happy Everyone has their own idea on how to find true happiness. With every relationship, possession and new excitement people expect that this experience guarantees them the discovery of true happiness. Today we will share a message of how to be happy according to Jesus. The Beatitudes of Jesus gives us the recipe for true happiness and you will discover the tools you need to cultivate that happiness in your life.

Dr. David Jeremiah

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NCE I was given a book written by Donald Macleod, who at some time in his life was pastor at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church in San Diego. The book is titled “The trivialization of God.” In that book the author highlights two important revolutions that have taken in most of our lives in a prominent way. The first revolution is related to Karl Marx, and the other is related to Sigmund Freud.

Karl Marx’s Revolution is of course the communist revolution that is practically something of the past. But the revolution that Sigmund Freud began is apparently getting stronger, with each passing year.

Osguin says that more than five hundred therapies of different brands compete today for millions of customers in an increasingly growing market of Mac Floyd licensees and independent stores that strip the human population of more than 400 billion dollars each year.

Psychology is no longer just the product of some arcane theory produced by European intellectuals, or a luxury available only to those with enough money to seek professional advice for their tormented egos.

We are rehabilitating our psyches with the intensity of Olympic runners on the final lap. We are contacting the abused child within us who make us feel depressions, anxieties and compulsions, and not to mention neurosis and psychosis. We join groups that lead us to walk twelve steps, practice role-playing and primal screams toward positive selfesteem in order to fully develop our human potential. Sounds like we are in trouble, like what 8 Impacto evangelistic

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we are trying to do to be happy is not working because we herd back to get fixed.

The point is that there are 80 million Americans seeking help from therapists, and it is estimated that 10 million more people will do likewise next year. In 1968 there were 12 clinical psychologists in the United States, today they are more than 40 thousand.

Once, we were afraid that our pastor discovered us doing something we should not do, now we are afraid of being immature in front of the therapist, someone said.

Someone sent me a list of strange things that happen when you call the psychiatric hot line, you will hear the following responses: • If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press 1 repeatedly.

• If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2.

• If you have multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5 and 6.

• If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want.

• If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a little voice will tell you which number to press.

• If you are manic-depressive, it doesn’t matter which number you press. No one will answer.

• If you have attention deficit disorder we cannot help you because chances are you have already hung up.

THE MYSTERY OF HAPPINESS

On one occasion a television network presented a special program about happiness, called “The mystery of happiness,” the subtitle was “The mystery of happiness. Who has it and how to get it?” Amongst many things

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g that were discussed in this special program, people who were commonly considered as happy were interviewed. For instance, people who won the lottery and people who had made millions of dollars were interviewed.

Hence, a young man who had won 26 million dollars in the lottery was interviewed and he was asked, “Are you happy?”

His answer was, “Not really.”

He won 26 million dollars in the lottery, but that money did not serve him in the way he thought it was going to.

Then the reporters went to Europe and interviewed those who had acquired royalty, people in positions of high prominence, they were asked, “Are you happy?” Basically the answer was, “Not really”. Rickey Henderson was also inter10 Impacto evangelistic

viewed was not happy either.

The reporters showed a photograph of the Dallas Cowboys with the football Super Cup and a photograph of their star captain and behind him there was an article about how he had won the World Cup and the captain asked, “Is that everything?”

It was a secular program was not a program prepared

by Christians or people who had a specific purpose, they were people who simply asked, “How do we reach happiness?”

The reporters made many studies; they put sensors on the heads of people and discovered that happiness resides here up somewhere. They put sensors on the heads of people, trying to figure out what occurred when they were happy. The reporters performed experiments with

newborn babies. They discovered that if they hung two dices as toys over the baby, the baby was fine but if they put ten dices, the baby felt entranced; however, if they took away eight dices and just left two, the baby had a tantrum for the loss of eight dices.

The reporters spent thousands of dollars to discover that the world does not know how to make people happy. Then, you come as a preacher and say, “All right friends, let us read Matthew 5. In this passage Jesus speaks about happiness.” We read it and everyone look at it with rolling eyes.

TWO WORLDS

Phillip Jensen preached about the Beatitudes and he was invited to the White House.

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This happened shortly after the Persian Gulf War, and the president was really concerned because the evangelical population viewed him unfavorably. Thus the president invited twelve evangelical leaders to the White House to find out how to increase his affection with evangelicals.

When the writer Phillip Jensen thought about the Beatitudes, the following question came into his mind: What would Jesus say if I had to go to the White House? How would the Beatitudes fit in today’s world? Then, a short speech came to his mind. He would say to Mr. Clinton: “Mr. President, first of all I want to advise you to stop worrying so much about the economy and unemployment, a smaller gross natio-

nal product is usually good for the nation, you do not realize that the poor are the lucky ones.

The more poor we have in the United States, the more blessed we are because there is the kingdom of heaven; and you should not devote so much time to the issue of health because, as you can see, Mr. President, those who mourn are also blessed, since they will be comforted.

And I know that you’ve heard the religious right talking about the secularization of our nation, and that you have also heard that it is no longer permitted to pray at schools and that those who protest against abortion are arrested. Reassure, sir, the oppression of the government gives Christians the opportunity to be persecuted and are therefore blessed, thanks for ex-

panded opportunities.” He decided that this would probably not work after all, at least not in today’s world.

There are two different worlds. There is the world where we live in and there is a world of which Jesus speaks. Jesus tells us, “You will not find here what you are looking for, if you want to dedicate your life to Him, then do it, but you will not find Him, let me tell you what you may find on the principles I want to give you.” Then He says, “Let me tell you how to be happy and these principles are real, amazing and completely opposite to what the world says.”

Blessed are the meek, God resisteth the proud and lifteth up the meek. He will get closer to those who do not brag about themselves, but talk about acknowledgments that they haven’t acquire yet. Blessed are those who are humble and those who suffer.

The world says, “Prevent the pain whatever the cost is, do everything possible and impossible to get rid of all pain, to disguise it, to mask it, do not talk about death, disease or about the cross because it is pain, and you have to stay away from that as much as possible.”

The Lord Jesus comes and says that some of the most profound things that you will experience emerge from pain; some of the greatest truths you will learn is in the midst of suffering; some of the most joyful moments you will experience, will happen when everything outside appears seems to scream anguish in your life. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

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g The world says you should try to accept everything, or use it all. If you have power, use it; if you have money, use it to get what you want; make the most of every resource you have at your disposal, read all the selfhelp books. And that is what they tell you.

Jesus says that true happiness comes when you have power, but that power is under the control of the Spirit of God. When you realize that you don’t have to use your power all the time, you are going directly against the philosophy of the world with this formula of blessedness.

The impetus to the success of today’s world is relentless, some have been caught up in this whirlwind of self-destruction, you run faster and faster trying to get what you do not have and there is always a little voice inside that tells you: “I have to run even faster.” It is not easy to live up to the dreams of our society. Someone said: “It is hard to climb the ladder of success while trying to keep your nose pressed to the whetstone, your shoulder in the wheel, your eye on the target, and your ear over the ground.”

Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy; blessed are those who help. Jesus Himself came to this world not to be served but to serve, and to give his life to rescue many people.” Take note of this, those who truly understand happiness, especially those who walk with Christ, have learned that happiness is not about being served, happiness is about serving others.

The triangle of the world says: “When you get to the apex of the triangle, the whole world 12 Impacto evangelistic

that is under serves you. Jesus comes and says, “I am going to invert your triangle up and down, if you want to be great you have to be the minor of all, and it is not about how many people serve you, but how many people you serve.”

We, the pastors in the churches, must understand that we are there to serve the people in the study and teaching of the Word of God. We are not in that position to be served by people, the greatest joy of our lives comes when we understand this truth. “Blessed are those who help, blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” You want someone to minister yourself, and others, because you will always get ministry in return.

The world says that happi-

The Lord Jesus comes and says that some of the most profound things that you will experience emerge from pain; some of the greatest truths you will learn is in the midst of suffering; some of the most joyful moments you will experience, will happen when everything outside appears seems to scream anguish in your life. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

ness and joy lie in the unrestricted freedom and the sexual revolution, all these things exist in today’s society under the banner of freedom, we do not want the right to freedom of speech to be violated, so we allow that all kinds of putrefaction to be displayed in our world. Jesus comes and says. “Wait a moment, blessed are the saints, blessed are the pure in heart.”

There are not happy adulterers, there are not happy fornicators or blessed homosexual,

none of these people are happy.

“You will not achieve happiness through unstoppable pressure, happiness emerges through holiness and purity,” Jesus says.

These are strange words for the world in which we live and they go directly against everything you see, hear and feel in the culture in which we live: blessed are the saints.

Then Jesus says: “Blessed are those who heal.” The world says that if you are in the structure of its culture, especially in the secular world, and you want to reach the summit, you do not have to worry if your friends are eating each other alive. Further, maybe you should encourage some containment, competition among your competitors and let them knock down each other, so that you can climb above the carnage of the situation and get to the top, that is what the world says.

Then Jesus says, “Blessed are the harassed.” If I am harassed, I am supposed to be happy.

Jesus says, “Blessed are those persecuted for holiness’ sake and for my sake because that is a compliment, it is a sign that you belong to me, it is a credential that you are Christians, it is a catalyst. It helps you to develop and is a condition for your future glory in the kingdom.

Go over all these beatitudes and think about this for a moment. Would you write a formula if someone asked you how to be happy? Blessed are the meek, blessed are those who suffer, blessed are the controlled, blessed are those who are hungry, blessed are the saints, blessed are those who help, blessed are those who heal, blessed are the harassed. That is what Jesus says.

How can we be happy

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with all what Jesus says? The word “blessed” in the book of Matthew is a translation of the Greek word “Eulogio”. One does not need to be a space engineer to figure out that this word comes from our word “eulogy” or “elegy”. When do we give an elegy? When all is over, when the person receiving it cannot answer, when you have said all you were going to say and you have done what you were going to do, then we give and elegy. Jesus says that there is a way you can have a praise throughout your life, you may have the blessing of God from the beginning, if you follow these principles because they are principles of joy and happiness in the Christian experience.

On one hand we have the world, and, on the other, the world that the Lord Jesus talks about. We are in this world but we are not of this world. God puts us in this world and we cannot leave this world. We would have to die to get out of this world. The

point is that while we live in this culture, we have to learn to live the way of God, God’s way is not the way of the world, and there is an incredible tension between these two worlds.

There is a book about a missionary named Bill Borden, who was born into an aristocrat family, the Borden family, which was one of the richest families in the eastern region of the United States. There are several Borden dairy products and that is part of their companies.

Bill Borden was the first child, and should inherit the entire business. God came into his life when he was in college. Once, when he was still studying at college, he returned home and told his parents that he was going to China as a missionary.

They could not believe it, the father said, “You know that if you do that I will disinherit you, because I want someone to stay here and manage the business.

If you go to China say goodbye to the incredible richness of the

Borden family.” Bill Borden did so and left. He went to China as a missionary and soon after arriving he contracted a disease and shortly after he died. While his room was being cleaned someone found on his desk a note saying, “I will not Back Down, I will not go back, I do not regret about what I made.”

When you reach the end of your life you will say: “I do not regret about anything.” Was the man happy? He was much happier dying in China, doing the will of God, knowing that he was where God wanted him to be, knowing that he could never have done that, if he had stayed at home, in the comfort of the family fortune. At the end of his life he could say: “I do not regret what I did.”

Jesus says there is a way to be happy and the world does not know anything about it. We have to devote our lives to cultivate it, and when we find that way, we will find joy and personal happiness in our lives u february 2014

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TRUE HAPPINESS WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

Happiness is found only in God. You should then first know God, and keep him in your heart. Keep him, not as mere information, or general culture, but as a constant friend in our lives.

Happiness does not depend on any external circumstance, but on what is in the heart, because God dwells within. While outside circumstances may be as adverse as they can get, inside, in the heart, there is peace.

The word “blessed” means happy, blissful. In the original Greek it means something big or long lasting. It is an adjective describing someone happy, blessed, and deserving congratulations. It is a word of grace that expresses the special joy and satisfaction granted to the person experiencing SALVATION. This is a basic description of the internal condition of the believer as a result of God’s work.

Read the Bible

The Bible says: “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 2:11. “Vanity of vanities... all is vanity.”

Ecclesiastes 12:8.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13.

“But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18.

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit is no guile.” Psalm 32:1-2.

Work dignifies the person

Attend church

Pray daily

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“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:3-12.

The happiest countries in the world 1. Denmark 2. Norway 3. Switzerland 4. Netherlands 5. Sweden 6. Canada 7. Finland 8. Austria 9. Iceland 10. Australia

Communion between brothers

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“World Happiness Report 2013”. These levels were measured through a study based on 156 countries and carried out every two years

by The Earth Institute, Columbia University.

(WorldHappinessReport2013_online)

Quality time in family

Less happy

Share the Word

Happier

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63. Vietnam 64. Hong Kong 65. Nicaragua 66. Belarus 67. Mauritius 68. Russia 69. Northern Cyprus 70. Greece 71. Lithuania 72. Estonia 73. Algeria 74. Jordan 75. Jamaica 76. Indonesia 77. Turkey 78. Libya 79. Bahrain 80. Montenegro 81. Pakistan 82. Nigeria 83. Kosovo 84. Honduras 85. Portugal 86. Ghana 87. Ukraine 88. Latvia 89. Kyrgyzstan 90. Romania 91. Zambia 92. Philippines 93. China

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Three factors were measured: The welfare the inhabitants of a nation claim to have.

The life expectancy they have.

The ecological footprint of a nation.

The study was performed after approval in July 2011 of a resolution of the United Nations.

be kind to your neighbor

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Matthew 6:33. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20.

Smile daily

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146. Madagascar 147. Senegal 148. Syria 149. Comoros 150. Guinea 151. Tanzania 152. Rwanda 153. Burundi 154. Central African Republic 155. Benin 156. Togo

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Persecution of Christians

During the first decade of the 21st century, more than 100,000 Christians have died each year. In other words, 11 people are martyred every hour (*).

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CCORDING TO non-religious groups fighting for human rights, 80% of violations of religious freedom are against Christians.

The U.S. senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz have made harsh accusations against President Obama. The main one is that Obama must rule on the “global war against Christians.”

Rand Paul said that “tens of millions of radical Muslims are waging a global war against Christianity” and the US, which is considered the largest Christian nation in the world; an intervention is therefore necessary. Then, the senator mentioned a list of recent attacks against Chris16 Impacto evangelistic

tians in Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, Nigeria, Guinea, Tanzania, Kenya, Indonesia and Libya, among others.

It is his hope that Obama will require greater religious freedom, especially in countries receiving money from the US. In Pakistan, a Muslim is punishable by death if he is converted to Christianity.

He ended by saying, “Do not be fooled, help us to establish these new Islamic regime”, in clear reference to the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the US is still battling against the extremists.

For him, the situation is even worse in Syria, where rebels with military weapons are Al- Qaeda allies in the United States. “The tax money should not be used to support a war against Christians”, said Rand Paul.

This stance has the full support of Ted Cruz, the son of an evangelical pastor. Both are presidential pre-candida-

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Matthew 5:10-12

tes in the upcoming elections.

At the same meeting, during the Values Voter Summit, held on October 11 in Washington, Cruz spoke out against Obama’s foreign policy and his measures to restrict the religious freedom of Christians within their own country.

WAR ON CHRISTIANS?

Earlier this month, journalist John Allen Jr., launched his latest book, “The Global War on Christians”. Most of his comments have the same tone as the statements of the senators.

Allen explained what he calls “the global wave of violence,” which has made today’s Christians the most persecuted group because of their religion.

“The defense of persecuted Christians around the world should be priority number one because it is part of their human rights,” says Allen. For him, the world press has avoided reporting due to “other interests.”

INTERNATIONAL

The journalist said that according to his research, conducted during the first decade of the 21st century, more than 100,000 Christians died each year. In other words, 11 people are martyred every hour.

According to non-religious groups fighting for human rights, 80% of violations of religious freedom are against Christians.

Allen stresses that we must “end the silence about the persecution against Christians.�

For him, this situation occurs in all continents, albeit to varying degrees. He also makes clear that conflicts occur not only between Christians and Muslims, Hindu radicals also kill in India and in South Asia, the justification of some massacres is merely political.

(*) Taken from: http:// www.protestantedigital. com/

In his book, he notes the existences of persecution involving violence and murder, the most extreme example are the concentration camps in North Korea. However, he does not forget to show that there is a secular movement in the West which is opposed to any kind of manifestations of Christian thought, especially for its stance against abortion and gay marriage u february 2014

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REMINISCENCES of the

WORK

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PICTURES

1. Faculty of the Elim Bible Institute in Puerto Rico. From left to right: Luis M. Ortiz, Inocencio Román, Marta Cortés, Nilda Cancel, Pilar Ortiz, Ketty de Ortiz, and Abimael Ortiz. Picture taken in the 60’s.

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2. Pastor Luis M. Ortiz with part of the congregation he led in Puerto Rico.

Picture taken in early 70’s on a Rev. Ortiz’s celebration in the town of Trujillo Alto, where the church is still located.

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3. Graduating Class of the Elim Bible Institute of Puerto Rico 1964-1965.

4. Rev. Luis M. Ortiz anoints with oil Rev. Gustavo Martínez to his full ministry.

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The Apocryphal (Iv) Gospels

The New International Version of the Bible mutilates and alters texts to undermine the basis of Christianity. We must be vigilant in recognizing the distorted passages.

Rev. Domingo Fernández Dr. César Vidal Manzanares

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HE NEW INTERNATIONAL Version (NIV) is a version of Scripture must be rightly described as altered and mutilated. This is how it should be because throughout its pages dozens and dozens of texts from the Bible have been changed and mutilated. This work is only a short approach to this issue and does not intend to make an exhaustive list of all passages that have suffered a distortion but to point out some of the most significant ones. It should be noted that all alterations and mutilations of the biblical text have a clear theological purpose that attempts to undermine the scriptural basis of Christian theology. In the early 20th cen20 Impacto evangelistic

tury many evangelical theologians decided to stand up to the powerful advance of the liberal movement and they noted five essential basis of the Christian faith: 1. The inerrancy, infallibility and literal truth of the Bible in every detail.

2. The virginal conception and complete deity of Jesus Christ.

3. The physical resurrection of Christ and all the dead.

4. The atoning sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world.

5. The second coming of Christ in bodily form.

we first reproduce the text in the King James 1960 revision (RVR), then the New International Version (NIV) and finally we make a brief comment intended to explain the discrepancies.

These foundations are being questioned by the NIV “New International Version.” However, many texts are also altered and mutilated, which gives them a final shape that can only serve to corrupt the basis of Christian ethics and satisfy movements whose theology is not entirely biblical. Therefore, in the following pages, we have grouped the distorted texts in thematic blocks. To facilitate comparison,

I) Texts about the divinity of Christ: The doctrine of the divinity of Christ is, without doubt, one of the basic cornerstones of the Christian faith. Therefore, no wonder that almost all sects try to deny it completely (as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarians, Mormons, etc.) or minimize it (for example, by stating that Christ is Michael the Archangel as Witnesses teach Jehovah). A

HISTORY

version of the bible altered by theological interests could not escape this behavior and indeed that is what is discovered when examining the text of the New International Version. In it, Christ is deprived of divine titles and the honor that is due to him as God. MATTHEW 13:51 RVR. “Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.”

NIV. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

(The NIV suppresses the title of “Lord” which is given to Jesus).

MATTHEW 19:16-17

RVR. “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

NIV. “Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, Teacher,

The doctrine of the divini­ty of Christ is, without doubt, one of the basic cornerstones of the Christian faith. Therefo­ re, no wonder that almost all sects try to deny it completely.

what good thing must I do to get eternal life? Why do you ask me about what is good? Jesus replied. There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” (The NIV suppresses the description of Jesus as “good” (v. 16) and the description of God as the only good being (v.17). Thus it is not possible to notice that Jesus is making the rich young man to come to an important conclusion, which is that since Christ is good and God Is the only good being, then Christ is God).

JOHN 3:13 RVR. “And no man hath

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g ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

NIV. “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” (The NIV suppresses the statement that the Son of Man is in heaven, which means that the Son of Man is omnipresent and therefore he is God).

JOHN 6:69 RVR. “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” NIV. “We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (The NIV alters the text by depriving Jesus of his identifications with the Messiah and his divine title of the Son of God).

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JOHN 9:35-38

RVR. “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

And he said, Lord, I believe.

And he worshipped him.”

NIV. “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, Do you believe in the Son of Man? Who is he, sir? the man asked.

Tell me so that I may believe in him. Jesus said, You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you. Then the man said, Lord, I believe, and

HISTORY he worshiped him. (The NIV deprives Jesus of his title of the Son of Lord and also replaces the fact that He was worshipped by the fact that He was only honored).

ACTS 8:36-37 RVR. “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” NIV. “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” (The NIV suppresses verse 37 and with it, the need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God as a requirement for baptism is also suppressed).

ROMANS 14:10-12 RVR. “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” NIV. “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]?

Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” (The NIV replaces Christ (v.10) by God, so that Christ cannot be identified as the God in v.12).

I CORINTHIANS 15:47

RVR. “The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

NIV. “The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.” (The NIV suppresses the statement that the second man, Christ, is the Lord).

GALATIANS 6:17 RVR. “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”

NIV. “From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

(The NIV suppresses the tittle of Lord given to Jesus).

The New International Version takes enternity away from the Messiah -and therefore- the power of being God. This Version only states that His lineage is ancient.

EPHESIANS 3:14

RVR. “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

NIV. “For this reason I kneel before the Father.” (La NIV suppresses the description of Jesus as Lord).

I TIMOTHY 3:16 RVR. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

NIV. “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on

in the world, was taken up in glory.” (The NIV suppresses the fact that the one who was manifested in the flesh was the same God and that , therefore , Christ is God. Also, this version also replaces “God” by “Christ”, even though there is no single manuscript of the New Testament containing the text written in that way).

1 JOHN 5:7 RVR. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

NIV. “For there are three that testify.” (The NIV suppresses the entire Trinity in this verse).

PROVERBS 8:22 RVR. “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.”

NIV. “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old.” (The NIV turns Wisdom, which many interpreters identify as the Son, into a created being. There is no doubt about it because in the footnote the NIV states that, “the influence of these verses is evident in the prologue of the Gospel of John”).

MICAH 5:2 RVR. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

NIV. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (The NIV deprives the Messiah of his eternity and, therefore, of the fact of being God. This version just states that his linage is ancient) u february 2014

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The love of God!

Written by composer Frederick Martin Lehman, this song is about God’s love. An almost 100 years old ode that reaffirms the endless affection of the Creator.

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HE LOVE of God!, one of the most beautiful hymns ever created to praise the Almighty, condenses in a special way the believer’s impossibility to put into words the magnificence and immensity of Lord’s mercy and love. Written by composer Christian Frederick Martin Lehman and based on an old Aramaic poem written by Rabbi Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai in the eleventh century, this song moves and makes the listener feel like a small piece of dust compared to the greatness of the Almighty’s infinite grace.

Lehman was born on August 7, 1868, in the city of Schwerin, capital of Mec24 Impacto evangelistic

SERVANT OF THE LORD

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HE CONTRIBUTION of Frederick Martin Lehman to the Lord’s work was not limited to the composition around a hundred hymns, among which stood out clearly The love of God, but also involved the work of spreading God’s Word to the unsaved. Lehman pastored Christian churches in the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, New York and Kansas City. He was also one of the founders of the Nazarene Publishing House, an organization that was later in charge of printing numerous hymnals.

klenburg-Western Pomerania state, located in northern Germany. When he was four years old, he emigrated to America and settled in Lowa.

Frederick lived there most of his childhood. After being at the mercy of the world, Frederick’s heart heard the voice of the Lord and surren-

dered himself to God at the age of eleven. “It was a happy morning while walking in the woods when I met the Almighty,” he later recalled.

Years later, Lehman moved to Pasadena, California.

He worked there, packing fruit after losing all his financial assets. His working days were arduous and exhausting: he had to lift about thirty tons of oranges and lemons each day, which were packed in baskets that were transported by boat. He never complained nor rejected God for his difficult situation. However, very few would expect that a context like this could be the scenario for someone to inspire and make up, for example, hymns.

In 1917, a Sunday night, Frederick attended the worship of his church and heard a powerful and inspiring message about God’s love. In this regard, Lehman himself told once that while listening to

MUSIC THE LOVE OF GOD

1 The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.

Chorus O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure The saints’ and angels’ song.

2 When years of time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, When men, who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call, God’s love so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam’s race The saints’ and angels’ song.

3 Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry.

Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. the sermon his heart glowed with excitement and gratitude. The next morning, while he was eating breakfast, those words still echoed in his mind and he immediately took a pen and paper and began to compose a hymn whose main theme was the Almighty’s love. And so throughout the day, while having a break at work, he finished writing it.

Back home at night, he quickly went to his old piano and he began to transcribe the song on paper by using

his collection of ideas. Soon he had the entire melody with two verses and a chorus. However, a song had to have at least three verses to be complete at that time.

While trying to write the third verse, he realized that the words did not follow the melody. After a brief hesitation, Lehman recalled that he had a printed card with a poem about God’s love, and then he completed his work.

Frederick Martin Lehman wrote a pamphlet entitled “History of the hymn:

the love of God!” where he explained the origin of his beautiful song in 1948, twenty nine years after its first publication. Since then, this hymn, which was translated into Spanish by missionary William Robert Adell, has given Christians a select vehicle to express gratitude to God for His great love. Lehman passed away in the presence of the Lord on February 20, 1953, at the age of 85. He was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California u february 2014

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In the Arena of Faith (I)

“In the Arena of Faith”, a book written by the theologian and writer Erich Sauer, is a warning sing for Christians. This book makes Christian realize that it is necessary to wake up from their slumber and neglect, abandon frivolity and worldliness that lives and get rid of their complacency in a passive spirituality.

This is the first installment.

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HE GREATEST joy in life is to make Jesus Christ known.” I read this in large letters on the wall of the Moody Hall in Chicago. This word of that great evangelist expresses the essence of his life and the joy received thereby.

These words should also be the motto of the service and the striving of all the truly redeemed.

We all live “by” Christ. We all strive “toward” Christ. We all wish to be “in” Him and “for” Him. Our life is only of as much value as Christ is in us. Anything that is superadded besides Jesus 26 Impacto evangelistic

is worthless. It is true, the earthly and outward has its value which is not to be underestimated in this present life, if it is kept within bounds. We are far from regarding the wonders of creation as of little import, or giving ourselves over to cynicism or escapism in that we despise everything that is natural. But we must insist that only that will remain for our everlasting existence which is today directed towards Christ in us. Only that has eternal value which has been lived for Him and loved for Him, which we have done in Him, which we have suffered for and gained with Him. Jesus and Jesus alone is the life of our life, the eternity of our time, the value which can never be stolen, ruined or devaluated. For this reason everything depends on a practical attitude of living faith to Jesus Christ.

This is the fundamental essence of all New Testament spiritual life. To show forth and practice the truth and the life of

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LITERATURE

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g Christ is the content and message of the whole New Testament.

Jesus Christ is for all the New Testament writers the living and only panacea for all illness, weakness, and distress. Every one of them is perfectly sure of it: Jesus never disappoints: Jesus only wonderfully surprises. He never does less than He promised. On the contrary, He exceeds His own word, so that everyone who really trusts in Him can join in the happy exclamation of the Queen of Sheba: “Not the half had been told me.”

It is not a rhetorical phrase but my most serious conviction when I state: If anyone were to offer me a ball of gold as big as the sun, pure gold-saying, however, at the same time, “You must exchange your faith in the Lord Jesus for this,” I should not have to hesitate for one moment.

There can be only one answer: “Away with your golden ball into outer space. I despise it. Jesus is of infinitely greater value to me.” And I know that I should not be the only one to give this reply. Every real disciple of Christ would give the same answer.

Every true believer would so reply, just as promptly, without any hesitation. All created lights of this world are eclipsed to the man for whom Jesus Christ is risen as the sun of righteousness.

“A greater than all is here!”

The whole New Testament speaks of this “greater one,” of Him who is indeed the greatest of all. For this reason the central message of the whole book is the call: “Let us look unto Jesus!”

Three New Testament writings out of a total of 27 books form a special constellation in this sense: the Gospel of John, the Colossian letter and that to the Hebrews.

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In John’s Gospel the glory of Christ is radiated as seen from above. He is the Son who came down from heaven into this world. He was sent from the Father. Thus we see Christ as viewed under the aspect of heaven. This is salvation’s basis.

In the Colossian letter we view the glory of Jesus from within, i.e., from within Himself, as the living, active Saviour and

Redeemer, because of the exceeding greatness of His person, and the all-inclusive sufficiency of His work. Thus we see Christ as viewed under the aspect of His own person and His own work. This is salvation’s center.

The letter to the Hebrews shows us the glory of Christ compared with earlier times, i.e., the times of the preparation for salvation in Old Testament history. So Christ is here shown as the One Who not only fulfilled God’s greatest revelations but also infinitely exceeded them .Thus we see Christ as viewed under the aspect of preparation and fulfillment. This is salvation’s history.

Therefore, while the call, “Let us look unto Jesus!” is the motto of the New Testament in general, how much more is the motto in this radiant constellation of these three Spirit given Divine messages!

This message, as indeed the message of the whole New Testament, aims at life and reality.

LITERATURE “Looking unto Jesus” must justify itself in practice. The message is not concerned with “enthusiasm for Christ” but with being “filled with the Spirit of Christ,” not with mere admiration of His greatness, but with practical experience of His all-sufficiency in the trials and tribulations of this everyday life of ours; not only intellectual, spiritual vision, but spiritual action; not only songs of triumph, but a real practical victory; not only worship, but discipleship. Both aspects belong inseparably together: the sanctuary and everyday life, heaven and earth, the exalted Christ and His sanctifying practical life-power to be experienced here below.

The twelfth chapter of the letter to the Hebrews is that portion of the New Testament in which this relationship between the vision of Christ and victory in battle is especially emphasized.

We shall consider this chapter from the following chief points of view: Let us look unto Jesus!

For He is our example in conflict.

Let us look unto Jesus!

For thus we can attain practical victory.

Let us look unto Jesus!

For thus we remain steadfast in suffering.

Let us look unto Jesus!

For thus we can live up to the privileges of our birthright.

Let us look unto Jesus!

For thus we shall attain unto the Crown and the heavenly City.

This looking unto Jesus is at the same time a looking away

from everything else. For this reason a word is used for “looking” in Hebrews 12 which includes both these meanings.

It means a purposeful looking away from those objects which automatically catch the eye, to those other objects which have to be concentrated upon. By this means all lack of concentration will be overcome. Our eyes will be directed on one object, Christ, and the heart will thereby be held by His glory. Thus the whole inward man experiences in ever increasing measure the depths and the riches of the Scripture: “They saw no one but Jesus only” (Matt. 17:8).

All the blessings of God are so devised that they can increase. That is, every fulfillment is at the same time a promise of something greater. God never reaches the end of His possibilities (John 1:16; Eph. 2:7). Thus the best and most glorious is ever before us and to come. All is of glory, in glory, and, according to His own plan, “from glory to glory” (II Cor. 3:18).

With the world and sin it is otherwise. It starts with mock joy and ends with disappointment.

At the beginning there is a deceptive glitter and at the end night.

Many years ago I visited a Press Exhibition in Cologne. In one of the large halls the relationship between the Press and the postal services was shown by various documents and tables. I shall never forget the decoration on one of the main walls. It represented a huge eagle. The exhibition concerned itself with the attainments of the German postal services up to 1928. The effect of this huge eagle was most imposing. But when one came nearer to it and looked at it more closely one discovered that it consisted

solely of postage stamps of the inflation period-hundreds of thousands of small inflation postage stamps. I said to my companion immediately: “For estimating things earthly is not this a picture of the values of this world in general? Regarded from a distance, at first sight, they seem to be grand and imposing. But the nearer one comes to them, the more one discovers that they are all inflated values-huge numbers but little worth. Not only inflation of money but inflation of words, inflation of terms, inflation of ideals, inflation of spirit.

Behind this mighty façade only very little actual substance. The more one gets to know them the less one values them. A great eagle… worthless stamps!

How different is Jesus Christ!

His worth for us increases the more we get to know Him. He proves Himself true even in the severest testing of everyday practice. He faileth never. For this reason our whole thought and endeavor should be directed towards Him. He leads us “from faith to faith” (Rom. 1:17), “from strength to strength” (Psa. 84:7), “from glory to glory” (II Cor. 3:18).

In Him there is opened an inexhaustible fountain of salvation (Isa. 12:3; Zech. 13:1). Yet we experience this increase in heavenly blessings only when our souls strive forward. Only those who are hungry get satisfied, only those who are thirsty are refreshed (Matt. 5:6), only those who take their discipleship to be a “race” attain the “prize” of their calling (Phil. 3:14; II Pet.1:10).

Therefore “let us look unto Jesus!” Only so can we be winners and reach in the arena of faith the goal of everlasting glory (Heb.12:1-3) u february 2014

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Apostle of Christianity

Francis Asbury, a recognized Christian that lived during the Age of Enlightenment, was one of the most important preachers of God’s Word of all times. The flame of his passion to spread the good news let a permanent hallmark.

Johan Pérez Landeo

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HAT CAN motivate a man, during his full flower of life, to abandon his country and his family towards unknown lands to preach the Gospel? What encourages a young person, full of dreams and ambitions, to leave the comfort of his life to deal with the task of opening a new path for God’s Word? There can be only one answer: the love for God. Only someone who has experienced the love of God may do such thing. Someone like Francis Asbury, a man whose life was devoted to God’s service and who became one of 30 Impacto evangelistic

the greatest preachers of the 18th century.

Francis Asbury was born on August 21st, 1745, in Birmingham, one of the most important and prospering cities in England during the Age of Enlightenment. Francis was raised in the bosom of a working class Christian family in the “City of a thousand trades”. His parents, José and Elizabeth, were poor, but honest and very diligent. They had two children, a boy and a girl, but this last one, named Sara, died at a very young age. Her premature death was a very harsh event for the Asbury family. Nevertheless, that sad experience became the trigger to pursuit good news incessantly.

A SENSIBLE CHRISTIAN

While his parents made all their possible to offer his son all the love and affection that every child needs at home, always instilling him with the Holy Scriptures (he began to

read the Bible at the age of six), Francis lived a completely different story at school, where he was constantly humiliated by his teacher. For that reason, he took the decision to escape from there while being only 13 years old.

Francis then went to live some months with one the wealthiest, but also impious, families of his community.

As expected, he learnt to live a very vain life. Though after a short while, he returned with his parents and restarted his studies while working as a blacksmith’s helper.

Before turning 14 years old, the Highest knocked the door of Francis’ heart using a preacher invited by his mother. During the meeting, the child’s spirit was awakened and from that moment on, he was possessed by a great yearning to know God. He started to pray more often and fervently, feeling the irresistible love of the

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HERO OF FAITH

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g Heavenly Father. Every time he had a chance, he went to listen recognized preachers and spent hours and hours reading sermons of great preachers, such as George Whitefield.

SEND ME, MY LORD

His approach to the Methodist movement was due to his mother, who gave him good references about the group and advised him to go to Wednesbury city to listen the Methodist ministers. When he finally traveled, Francis stood astonished before the Methodist preachers, who prayed delightfully and spread beautiful messages without the support of a prayer book or a book of sermons.

Francis immediately joined the Methodists and attended absolutely all their meetings of prayer and study of God’s Word. One time, the owner of the house told them that they could not meet there anymore, so that they should look for another place. Then, Francis began to perform the worships at his father’s house with the willingness that would always characterize him. Francis, with no more experience but with a great love for souls, convinced and encouraged many people during those worships. He was unconsciously exercising the pastoral ministry.

His powerful messages, full of the Saint Spirit’s force, affected the lives of thousands of people. He was so dedicated and enthusiastic when evangelizing (he preached three, four, or even five times a week), that he was appointed a full-time preacher at the 32 Impacto evangelistic

age of 21. The next five years, Francis constantly worked as an itinerant preacher.

Francis, like the Apostle Paul, learnt that to preach Christ was not just a duty, but a privilege. He also understood, like the Apostle Peter, that believers must be fishers of men and not just guardians of the aquarium. For that reason, when John Wesley asked during a Methodist conference performed on August 1771 at Bristol city: “Our brothers in North America calls us out loud for help. Who is willing to go there and help them?”, Francis Asbury did not hesitated and offered to go to America.

MISSION IN AMERICA

On September 2nd, 1771, Francis left England for his

His powerful messages, full of the Saint Spirit’s force, affected the lives of thousands of people. He was so dedicated and enthusiastic when evangelizing (he preached three, four, or even five times a week), that he was appointed a full-time preacher at the age of 21.

new workplace. Francis was 26 years old. When the travel began, Francis examined himself and his reasons to move to America while in the middle of the sea. He asked himself the following questions, which he would answer himself afterwards: “Where am I going? To the new world. What for? For honor? No, as I know my

own heart. For wealth? No. I am going to live there for the glory of God and to help other people feel this same emotion”.

After five weeks of travel with no unexpected incidents, Asbury arrived to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he met Mr. Pilmore, another Methodist preacher.

After staying there for a few days, Francis departed for New York, arriving on November 12th. He immediately started to work. When Francis arrived, the Methodists were 300 people in New York, while they were about 250 in Philadelphia. There were also some more in Maryland. In total, the three places counted with about 600 people.

During the first months of 1772, Francis planned to broaden his field of action, so that he did not only preach in cities, but also in the fields, where his message was well received, and he converted a great amount of souls. On October, he received a letter from John Wesley stating his appointment as “Superintendent of all the preachers and Methodist societies of America”. This new position did not mislead his soul. On the contrary, he kept working with the same devotion and sacrifice as when he was an itinerant preacher.

During his 45 years of ministry in the United States, Francis Asbury always showed a great vigor towards work. It is estimated that he preached about 16 500 sermons, ordered 700 missionaries (such as Richard Allen, the first African-American minister of the United States),

HERO OF FAITH

and traveled 435 000 km. The only period when he probably took a break was during the Independence War of the United States.

During the conflict, Francis was the only Methodist minister remaining in America. Nevertheless, he was careful enough to shelter in a friend’s farm as he did not want to participate in the war nor swear loyalty to the colony’s cause. Wisely, he remained neutral during the struggle. When it finished, he could kept the confidence of the victorious party and he could continue his ministry with them.

Francis went also beyond his administration and preaching duties. He hated slavery and asked the President George Washington to promulgate laws against that

repulsive social system that, unfortunately, was supported by many Christians. Francis wrote, concerning this issue: “My spirit saddened before the behavior of some Methodists that hire slaves to the best bidder in public places to cut their skin off later and starve them to death”.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

The endless activities of Francis Asbury caused him more than just one physical complication. He suffered colds, fever, strong headaches, ulcers, and finally chronic rheumatism. This last disease forced him not to ride his horse but to move on carriage. Handicapped by asthma and pleurisy, Francis must be transported like a child to anywhere. Even though, he never stopped preaching.

On March 24th, 1816, Francis Asbury preached his last sermon in Richmond, Virginia. A week later, on March 31st, he departed towards the presence of the Lord at the age of 70. Under his leadership, the number of Methodists in the United States, which were not more than 600 at his arrival, had risen to 214 000 members.

In retrospect, the life and ministry of Francis Asbury teaches every Christian that God’s will will not lead anybody to any place where His grace could not reach him, and that the Creator’s great mission (Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost) is not a choice, but a commandment to be fulfilled u february 2014

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The faith of María Fe

Almost the whole life of María Fe Agra Melcón revolved around a scale, an instrument that remained a dramatic obsession since her birth, as well as around overweight issues, complexes and anorexia. Nowadays, after 50 years of life, she is a woman that could overcome adversity with the support of God. Marlo Pérez

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OW CAN someone survive while suffering from anorexia and bipolarity, and remain under the shadow of sin at the same time? That was an every-day-question for María Fe Agra Melcón not long ago. This woman lived for 47 years submitted to the intense pressure of her complexes caused by her overweight issues and other disorders.

León city, located at 330 km north-east Madrid, Spain, was the place chosen by God for María Fe to write her own story of faith on May 7th, 34 Impacto evangelistic

1963. That was the place where she experienced some of her most critical times in her life, but also the most memorable ones that started with repentance and ended with pardon.

Since she was very young, María Fe had an unusual height and weight that became object of laughter among their classmates. This harassment, currently known as “bullying”, was the main cause of her complexes.

- I had no friends. I was discriminated and full of complexes since I was not loved. That is why my character grew serious and angry –she remembers.

She was the elder of three children and she never thought that just a few centimeters or kilos more could make her different from “normal” people.

Her family moved to Caldes de Montbui city, in the province of Barcelona, when she was

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g 11 years old, but her situation did not improve.

She was still alone, with no friends, but as if that were not enough, she started to suffer rheumatic fevers and heart disorders. Therefore, she just isolated more and became rebel with her parents and closer relatives. She was only 14 years old when her studies and work became her only bond with the outside world.

- I was withdrawn into myself –she says.

DISORDERS

When she was 19 years old, María Fe Agra Melcón met a man that seemed to be her rescue board. They married one year later, but as the word “happiness” did not seem to be stated in her marriage certificate, their relationship dissolved in just two years.

She started to suffer a strong depression due to the break up.

Her situation worsened when her brother died, the second child of the family Agra Melcón. Then, anorexia, a food and psychological disorder, appeared in her life and started to consume her bite by bite.

Three years after the divorce, she restarted her relationship with her husband, but the sentimental and emotional damage just destroyed the few love remaining among them, moreover when he discovered that he had sterility issues.

María Fe could not stand her problems from her childhood that were also affecting her currently. She decided then to attend some mind specialists who identified a personality disorder known as bipolarity. She also discovered that that disor36 Impacto evangelistic

der, that makes the patient turn from depression to enthusiasm and vice-versa in just a few minutes, was inherited from her mother’s family. The solution was only within a medicine pot.

Her situation changed from that moment on. She even came to hit her head against walls during her deep depressions. The scars on her forehead evidence those dramatic moments.

When María Fe was about to turn 30 years old, she abandoned her parent’s house. She moved out with her disorders, her almost 150 kilos and her

deep smell of tobacco and coffee. Her studies and subsequent jobs as clinical assistant kept her alive and in touch with other people.

DEGENERATION

As if her drama was not enough, she had a homosexual relationship when she was 35 years old. Despite her catholic education, she never imagined or thought how bad it would be. It was like a fiction story.

- My life is like a movie! –she remarks. g

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g This abnormal relationship began at work. A 20-year-old woman seduced her and she just surrendered to her due to her emotional void. The lack of affection was the cause of her resignation. She cannot understand even now, fifteen years later, how she could live with a person of her same sex.

The forbidden relationship lasted for three years, but one day the woman just left her for another and María Fe remained, once again, sank in a deep depression. The consequences showed up in her body; the anorexia did not give her a break, leading her to a total loss of appetite. In just a few months, the disorder devoured more than 100 kilos.

During the first years of the new millennium, María Fe had a very different image. Her extreme thinness and unusual height just attracted the attention of people, and so it attracted a Bolivian tourist that she met while walking on the streets of the city. It was a romance plenty of mistrust, incomprehension and infidelity, moreover when she discovered that the Bolivian guy had children in the other part of the world. Her enraged and violent reactions just broke up the relationship and the man departed.

Life just worsened. It was at that point when María Fe decided to put an end to her life.

She ingested a great amount of sedatives, but it only caused her to fall in a very deep sleep.

She could not yet leave this life; she had to follow the path of God for her.

A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH

On 2010, María Fe, with 47 38 Impacto evangelistic

Since she was very young, María Fe had an unusual height and weight that became object of laughter among their classmates. This harassment, currently known as “bullying”, was the main cause of her com­plexes.

years old, kept losing weight due to the anorexia. She weighed 45 kilos, and the years when the scale stated 150 kilos were far ago. That was her situation, when some day she heard a group of people preaching the Gospel behind her in the bus to Barcelona.

While the bus was going to its last stop, she kept listening the preachers, and once the vehicle stopped, the group introduced themselves and

LIFE STORIES

invited her to a worship. She agreed.

On October 15th, she attended for the first time an Evangelical temple. She went there carrying on her shoulders all her problems and catholic beliefs, but when she saw the members deeply worshipping God, she admired their faith. She discovered salvation just a month later.

The Lord healed my anorexia and my bipolar disorder in a very short time. It is all certified by a psychiatrist; he could never understand what happened or even give me an explanation for my recovery.

- I felt like I just lifted a weight off –she tells.

Nowadays, the only and healthy remedy and food

- I am sure that the Lord made it all –affirms the repented woman.

for María Fe is the Word of God that has strengthened her both physically and spiritually to the point of regaining an adequate weight, good sense and love for the people who despised her long ago.

- The Lord looked for me and He found me –tells María Fe now, a few months before her 51st birthday, completely devoted to the Word of God u february 2014

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Teachings and sermons of the most renowned preachers who expose the truth of the Lord through their life stories consacrated to God. The Bible says: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life... And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 5:39; 8:32

DEVOTIONAL Rev. Luis M. Ortiz

The fear of God comes through the knowledge of the Word of God (Deuteronomy 4:10). The fear of God frees us from sin (Exodus 20:20). With the fear of God we will do well (Deuteronomy 5:29). The fear of God is the true wisdom (Job 28:28). The fear of God inspires us to pay tithes (Deuteronomy 14:22-23). God honors and defend those who fear Him (Psalm 15:4; 34:7).

2° TO WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS There are many ways, “we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs

14:12). Therefore, it is better to follow the God’s way. “And Enoch

walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

To give you Prosperity “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” Deuteronomy 10:12- 13

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AVING PROSPERITY is the desire of everyone, but God´s desire, of us having prosperity, is greater than ours. In the verses mentioned above, God shows us how to have prosperity: 40 Impacto evangelistic

1° TO FEAR THE LORD THY GOD What is the fear of God? The fear of God is the reverence and recognition of the majesty, power and holiness of God.

In his Letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells us, “walk in the good works of Christ (2:1-10; 3:17-19), walk in a manner worthy of a Christian (4:1-6), do not walk as unbelievers (4:17-32), walk in the love of God (5:2), to we walk as children of light (5:8), do not walk as fools but as wise (5 : 15).

3° TO LOVE HIM The greatest and first commandment states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). Jes-

us said: “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching”

(John 14:24).

The Apostle Paul states that,

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never failethes” (1

Corinthians 13:4-8).

4° TO SERVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART AND WITH ALL THY SOUL We cannot serve God with a divided heart. Joshua challenged the people of Israel saying, “choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Jesus said: “No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

5° TO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD Apostle John says, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”

(1 John 2:3-4). The Lord says, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation” (Revelation 3:10).

In other words, if we fear God and we walk His ways, if we love Him more than everybody and everything, if we serve Him diligently and keep His Word, then He will make us prosper in everything and all things, everything we do will prosper (Psalm 1:3).

In order to guaranty that He will make us prosper, God said straight away, “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God,

the earth also, with all that therein is” (Deuteronomy 10:14).

King David exclaimed, “for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).

Positively, the base condition for true prosperity is the fear and obedience to God. In 1 Reyes 2:3, it is stated, “And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself” And the psalm best known around the world begins, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). When there is nothing lacking, there is prosperity. If we obey God, He will take care that we lack for nothing. No wonder Saint Paul said, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

Therefore, • When the serpent spoke lies and guile, God defended and spoke truth and promised blessing.

• When the misery of sin appeared in the human race, God offered them the glory of redemption.

• When the race was corrupted, God promised regeneration.

• For every Cain seduced by the devil, God will have many Abel and Seth.

• For each flood, Good will have an ark.

• In every storm, God will draw His rainbow.

• For every rebel Nimrod, the-

re will be an obedient Abraham.

• For each captivity, God has liberation.

• For each Red Sea, God raises up a Moses.

• For each Jordan, God always has a Joshua.

• For each Jericho, there is a victory march.

• If the Midianites arise, God already has a Gideon.

• God sends the warlike Philistines a Samson.

• God confront each obstinate Ahab with an Elijah.

• For every arrogant Haman, God prepares a Mordecai.

• God sends his angel to each fiery furnace.

• In each den of lions, there is a hand closing their mouths.

• For each thorn, there is a flower.

• For each hard clod, there is a drop of rain.

• For every disease, God has healing.

• For each cross, there is a crown.

• For every demon, there are many angels.

• For every blameless worker coming from the belly, there are many sincere workers who sacrifice for the Work of God. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2

Corinthians 2:14). The triumph in Jesus Christ means complete control over all circumstance and all satanic powers. Complete prosperity!

When Apostle John was already an old man, he wrote, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:2).

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42 Impacto evangelistic

DEVOTIONAL

The builder of an empire for God “This is why, at every moment of history, when the Church of Christ has been moved by some wave of awakening to the reality of personal consecration, men and women have rediscovered Paul and have vibrated to music of his message”. Minister J. S. Stewart.

Why the Revival does not arrive E. Leonard Ravenhill Chapter 14

I

F SAUL had found a good preacher and heard a good sermon on the road to Damascus, he might had forgotten it soon. But he found Christ. (You can avoid preachers and sermons, but no one can escape from Christ.)

From that day, the philosophy of Paul’s life found Him, who is Life itself. This Zealot who vomited fire on the Christians found the Lord and was baptized with fire by Him, and as a result of the change in the young Saul, his life civilization changed course. But him, who considered himself a faultless Pharisee, a faithful guardian of the law, began to called himself the very chief of sinners in the eyes of God. This is not surprising since he was for the newborn Christian Church what Herod was for newborns of Bethlehem and Christ.

The man who has had God’s experience never depends on arguments or experiences of others. What it costs is what is seen. Paul did not try an experiment, but an experience. His encounter with the Holy of Holies, that day was not only terrifying, but transforming. He had a vision

of the Lord which blinded him (a light brighter than the sun at noon.) Since then, Paul was blind to human honors and glories but recovered his sight though. («Those who do not honor you, won’t honor me», said F. B. H. Meyer) The dream of intellectual mastery was removed from Saul by his encounter with Christ and he began traveling as a Christ’s beggar. Not before he had a new experience with God in the desert of Arabia (about which he didn’t dare to speak) And somehow this builder of empires for Christ, with its colossal intellect and remarkable titles, accepted the Lord, not only as a replacement of the old, but to identify himself with Him. «I died» (in Him).

This is his statement (that we all orally do) But Paul said triumphantly: «but Christ liveth in me.» Think about it. If you made a statement like this, wouldn’t your friends make fun of you?

But this new Samson tore hinges and all solid doors of history and, as in the ancient Greek myth, changed the course of rivers to clean the stables of corruption of the ancient world. Blessed man of God! After finding peace with God, Paul declared war on everything that does not be-

long to God. He captured the «intelligence» of the Athenians with the sweet sounds of the Gospel’s lyre and finished his concert playing the high-pitched trumpet of resurrection and judgment.

What made this man mock the pagan mob’s clamors in Ephesus? Why is he willing to die every day? What is the secret of strength that reveals his biographical outline of 2 Corinthians 11? What is it that enabled him to overcome his tremendous burden? As strange and incomprehensible as it may seem he did not hesitate to say it in Galatians 2:20 . Think it over: he did not declared his faith in the virgin birth of Christ, or his bodily resurrection from the dead —of course, Paul believed all this— but the secret of his strength and success did not depend on his Orthodox faith but on the phrase «Christ liveth in me» From the depth of his personal depravity («Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me» — Romans 7:17—)

up to the summit of spirituality («nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me» —Galatians 2:20—.)

Beautiful life changing!

Paul had an exemplary life.

He was not a guiding sign, but a guide: «those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me» (Philippians 4:9). He

was truly an epistle «alive».

Paul’s life was exceptional: Would anyone be fool enough to say that our abnegation is like his? Shouldn’t we write, unlike him: «We all look for our own?» He was exceptional because he founded many churches and wrote many epistles; read his own life’s summary in 2 Corinthians 11.

Is he trying to be among the

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g martyrs or be included among the saints? No way. His position, titles and privileges are considered manure in order to gain Christ, and, due to his obedience, be found in Him. He was exceptional in suffering; he suffered generally by the will of others, but also in prayer by his own will. If there were more Christians that knew how to pray strongly, there would be more people willing to suffer. A prayer develops bones together with moans, tendons as well as holiness, strength and also fire.

Paul called God as a witness to affirm that he wanted to be anathema for his brethren (Romans 9:3). Brainerd and John Knox were «men with same passion as us». When or where do you hear prayers like these in our prayer meetings, my brother? We cannot have great results from small prayers. The law of prayer is like the harvest’s law. «He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully» The problem is that

we want to reap what we don’t sow .

Paul had an expansive life.

Many of us, oh!, look for the remains of any other minister’s work. But Paul did not build on another man’s foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10). His brain was not stuck in any particular dogma; he was not an ecclesiastical machine analyzing thoroughly metaphysical matters. He did not spend time speculating on the meaning of the Daniel’s image. He did not bury himself in a laboratory designing the truth and putting trademarks on theological capsules, or indulging with his ability to find appropriate 44 Impacto evangelistic

words for future creeds. The reason for this is clear as the noonday.

Paul did not write a «Life of Christ,» he demonstrated it with his statement: «I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise» (Ro-

mans 1:14). And he devoted his life entirely, by all possible means, to pay this debt. This could cost him prison, but he felt that it was better to be «a prisoner» of the Lord for a few years than let his contemporaries be prisoners of the devil in hell forever. Paul surrendered entirely to a complete and costly consecration. «From henceforth let no man trouble me» (Gal. 6:17). What did he mean by this? That he had devoted his life to Christ in such a way that he had no time or desire for anything else.

Every beat of his heart, every thought of his mind, every step of his feet and every desire of his soul were for Christ and the salvation of men. He disturbed synagogues and had awakenings or riots, one thing or another, and sometimes both.

(We seem to have neither one nor the other.)

Even when his own group of supporters abandoned him —«all men forsook me» (2Timothy 4:16) — he trusted the «everlasting arms» and went along.

He escaped death, but his daily bread was his daily death. «I die daily» (1 Corinthians 15:31). His was a magnificent tragedy!

But the fruits of the Spirit are on the apostle Paul, the spiritual gifts worked in him. He led the awakening of an entire city while he worked sewing tents to pay for his expenses!

Brother preachers: Don’t we all have coward hearts, all of us, compared to Paul? He was sometimes hungry, but some-

times, when he had an abundance of food, he fasted voluntarily. He wished blessings for everyone, but for himself, he wished to be an anathema.

This revolutionary life and raging theology full of the Holy Spirit -also called «a show for men»- was the counterpart of the current fans of political religion on an atheist regime.

People consumed by the inner fire of the Holy Spirit are the only effective counterpart of fallen humans, who as morally shattered as the atom they have managed to split and with which they are capable of unleashing forces that would destroy our earth.

Paul, transformed and ready to be transferred soon to a better world, wants to have identical successors to his life style. Hear what he said before King Agrippa: «I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds! »

(Acts 26:29.) He didn’t say that everyone could found many churches and write as he did.

He didn’t say: as «I did» but «as I myself» (1 Corinthians 7:7.) And this is quite possible. The same Holy Spirit that filled Paul can fill us so that we, like him, can be identified with Christ not only in sacrifice, but all services.

What will be the outcome or how all this will affect you, dear brother? I do not know (Neither angels nor men know.) But I can tell a possibility: it always begins with a transformed life. Paul lived gloriously and died triumphantly because his sacrifice and suffering was fully identified with Christ. We can also live and die this way if we really want to u

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Enemies who deprive us of the blessings received “And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:27-34.

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HEN WE RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we will find in our way a number of ene46 Impacto evangelistic

mies who will fight to the end of our life. Their purpose is to deprive us of the privileges of joy, peace, mental harmony,

Rev. Gustavo Martínez Garavito

and many blessings that God has given us.

People think that blessings are only money, property, and so on. No, they are not. There are many millionaires around the world who live miserably dragged into the spiritual realm, they have no peace or joy, they do not know what to do or who to turn to, although they seemingly have it all, they do not have the greatest wealth which is the Lord.

The mere fact of being healthy, makes us feel blessed.

I think that health is greater than any material good. I’ve

DEVOTIONAL talked to some people who have reached a terminal stage; they say that they would give everything they have to be healed. “For one more year of life I would give this property,” someone once told me, and I said, “This person never understood and when he goes through this, only then, he values what he does not have anymore.”

We have read a few verses about a blessed man, Esau, who had been granted the privilege of being the firstborn son. He received a number of benefits, but the enemy took advantage of this man because he was weak at a time of his life.

I. FATIGUE, AN ENEMY Fatigue is the lack of strength that comes to the person after making a physical, intellectual, or emotional effort.

Paul says, “lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:3). I am concerned that the Church carries on so much activity, that sometimes she does not have enough time to rest or seek God as she should, and that so much activism falls into fatigue where many others have fallen.

Esau was tired, hungry and desperate. Esau despised what God had given him, giving little value to the blessing of God, and therefore he lost at once what God had given him.

Fatigue also leads to a deep sleep and makes us vulnerable, exposes us to death, disarms us and makes us defenseless. When Saul was tired of chasing David, he and his men entered the cave and all of them fell asleep. “So David took the spear and the cruse of water from

Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked” (1 Samuel 26:12).

Fatigue can affect your spiritual life, because you will stop praying, you will stop preparing yourself for this spiritual battle or for giving fresh food to the congregation.

Although a man acts as a man of inspiration, an active man, a living man; fatigue can lead many men to sleep when they kneel at the altar. We know of Pastors who were kneeling, supposedly in a deep relationship with God, and were found asleep at the altar.

Maybe you sleep little for reasons such as spending a lot of time on the internet, watching television for many hours, or for other reasons.

The truth is that this situation is leading many men to spiritual ruin, to a loss of sense of responsibility, and above all, to a loss of inspiration. Because there must be something that motivates us to do what we are doing with inspiration in the most simple and humble place, that inspires us to pray, study the Word, advice, visit someone, pray for the sick, go out and preach. When that exists, we feel alive, useful and young. When a man is young, he gets tired very little, but when he loses inspiration, and even if he is twenty years old, he will look like he is around a hundred years because there is nothing that motivates him to serve or seek God. People realized that the fatigue of Moses was fatal for them, because when he let his hands down, the enemy, Amalek, prevailed, causing great havoc. Those who were close to Moses put him on a stone and helped him to hold

his arms, and so Israel defeated its enemies, God gave them the victory (Exodus 17:816).

In Isaiah 40:28-31 it is stated that God “fainteth not, neither is weary. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

II. ANXIETY, ENEMY

ANOTHER

“And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint”

(Genesis 25:29). Esau arrived very tired from the country, but in addition to that fatigue there was another enemy, anxiety, which is desire and despair.

Anxiety is harmful, it limits us in every way, it limits our mind, it restricts our vision, it deprives us of achieving what we really want, it deprives us of continuing, it takes away our encouragement, and it paralyzes us.

In Matthew 6:25-34 the Lord tells us: “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

The effort is a demonstration of mistrust in the Lord, or a demonstration that we

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g are not people of faith. Anxiety is also a state of inner restlessness, volatility, unease, which invade the mind to that point that leaves no exit. Therefore, feeling too anxious or too worried is dangerous because it involves getting out of bounds. What can help us not to fall into desperation?

Faith, patience and knowing that everything has its time and that everything is under God’s control.

We have to wait as the farmer who sows the seed and has to wait a period of time for the seed to bear fruit, the result that he longs (2 Timothy 2:6). Some things cannot happen at the drop of a hat. For example, God could tell you about terrible things, but He cannot do it right now, because maybe you are not ready or mature enough or you do not have any baggage or experience.

When Esau falls into anxiety, he tells Jacob, “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee”. The word “pray” shows desperation, desire and anxiety; he could not wait anymore. There are leaders who want to have everything built the next day, and who want to have everything that others have managed to build after thirty or forty years. Do not be ambitious, everything has its time, let God prepares you, and wait for you to mature and acquire stability in all aspects.

III. SEDUCTION, NOTHER ENEMY “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint” (Genesis 25:30). Esau

asked for food, he saw that the pottage was attractive and red.

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Seduction means fascination, attraction of a thing or person.

James says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” (James 1:13-

14). Seduction is like a powerful and strong magnet that is placed and begins to attract the metal; in our case, seduction begins to attract what is within us, it depends on what is in our hearts. Christ said: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21).

Esau is seduced by the smell and the color. And you and I must be very careful with this subtle and dangerous enemy, because we can be seduced by the opposite sex; we can be attracted by love for money; we can be attracted by the prestige, etc.

Exodus 32, tells us that the people of Israel was seduced by the terrible desire to worship an idol, and they told Aaron, “Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.”

(vs. 1). Aaron was also seduced due to his lack of belief in God and His Word. He asked them for gold and built a bullock for them (vs. 2-6).

King David was enticed, incited by Satan to register the people. Joab told him that this was not very important, he told him not to do it. But since David was the king, he prevailed. You can imagine what God had to do; there was havoc in the village, the people was the victim, and then the king himself recognized his mistake.

David also was seduced by a woman he saw when she ba-

thed. He committed adultery and then he murdered the husband of that woman. David did not mind anything, he had lost sensitivity and he had been the victim of seduction.

Thus, there are many people who no longer care about their family, wife, children, ministry, or consequences of their actions.

IV. THE LACK OF VIEW, ANOTHER ENEMY “And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? (vs. 31-32).

Thus, there are many people who have been deprived of their view by the fatigue, anxiety and seduction.

There are many people who are the victim of indifference, they do not mind living without view, without projection. These leaders are indifferent and cold, they do not have love or feelings, they do not care if people do not convert after a month or whether or not there are baptisms in the church, they do not have a program of evangelism, they have limited themselves, and they do not campaign for not investing. These people do not care about assistance, what matters to them is money, they do not project themselves in the spiritual realm or in the ministerial field, they project in the material field.

The lack of view is preventing the spiritual and ministerial growth and the growth at the congregational level, so there is no leadership development because people are not thinking about building other congregations or raising other leaders, they are thinking about themselves. Thus there

DEVOTIONAL

are many who fall into adultery and steal money from the Church.

V. ESAU DESPITED GOD’S BLESSINGS “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright” (Ge-

nesis 25:34). He only cared about eating and drinking.

There are many people who only care about eating and

drinking, they just live in the moment.

Esau did not think that that food would only hold him for a few hours, and that then he would be hungry again. He did not think about the future, he did not realize that he could not die, because the human body is able to withstand several days. This does not mean that if you feel a little weak, you will die; that’s a lie of the devil! The fact that you

do not have food now and that you are going through hard times does not mean that you will die; and the fact that you are hungry all the time does not mean that you will feel cold or warm; different times will come, that is not so important, what matters is the life in God. You, worker for God, value the great privileges that God has given you. Brother, seek the fire of God every day u february 2014

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WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

A quick report of the work that Worldwide Missionary Movement is making in America and throughout the world. The Holy Bible states: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple... And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”. (Acts 2:46,47)

EVENTS Glorious National Convention in Colombia God’s power manifested itself during the eight-day mega event of the Worldwide Missionary Movement held in Colombia.

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HE CHURCHES of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Colombia held their National Convention from January 6 to January 13 in the city of Medellin. Due to the great number of attendees to this magnificent event, it had to be divided into two parts: the first one brought together all the members of the churches located south of the country from January 6 to January 9, and the second one gathered the members of the churches located north from January 10 to January 13.

This activity was attended by most part of the International Board: 50 Impacto evangelistic

Rev. Gustavo Martínez, Rev. José Soto, Rev. Rubén Concepción, Rev. Rodolfo González, Rev. Álvaro Garavito, Rev. Humberto Henao, Rev. Margaro Figueroa. Rev. Rómulo Vergara could not attend the event due to health reasons.

Both during the first and second convention, a worker promotion worship was held. 193 brothers were introduced as lay preachers, 121 lay preachers were promoted to licensed preachers, and 68 licensed preachers were promoted to ordained ministers. Furthermore, it was announced

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WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

g the inauguration of 71 new churches.

God’s power manifested itself through extraordinary miracles in many sick bodies: deaf people could hear, tumors disappeared, blind people could see, and those with heart conditions were healed, among others.

A delegation of more than 100 brothers from Peru participated in this convention, including all the members of the National Board of the neighboring country, presbyters, pastors, and brothers.

This great event was also attended by the National Supervisor of Brazil, and by delegations from Venezuela, Guatemala and Ecuador.

The music and songs played and sung by the congregation had a great spiritual impact on people. We highlight the great improvement of the Joram Orchesta and the different brothers who used by God sang specials during these days.

In the last service of the morning, Rev. Rubén Concepción, International Secretary of the International Board of the WMM, was the bearer of God’s message. The theme, based on Ezekiel 1:1 was “State and privilege of those called to service”. Through the message, Rev. Concepción announced that only the presence of the Holy Spirit strengthens our lives. He also explained about the spiritual position of Pro52 Impacto evangelistic

EVENTS

The International Board Members of the Work led the National Convention in Colombia, which gathered together thousands of brothers from all regions of this country.

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WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

phet Ezekias during his captivity in Babylon.

Finally, in the last closure service, Rev. Gustavo Martínez Garavito, International President of the International Board of the WMM, preached the Word of God with the theme “How to get out of the spiritual drought” based on 1 Kings 18:41-46.

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EVENTS

How to overcome spiritual drought was one of the most important messages on the Convention, which allowed a glorious encounter with the Lord.

Throughout his preaching of the Word of God, he talked about the spiritual drought. Droughts bring hunger, devastation and death. Spiritual drought appears when we lack fervor, lose the fervor of visiting God’s House, and lose the affection to His Word. Spiritual drought means not

longing for the Word of God but for other things.

It is not God’s will that we live in defeat. His want us to live; He will lift us up.

The valley of the dry bones talks about dryness, and only the Word of God gave live to the valley. The Lord wants us to stop the drought: no more death or defeat u february 2014

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WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

National Convention in Puerto Rico The glorious 51st National Convention of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Puerto Rico was held under the theme: CONVICTION 2014.

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HIS YEAR’S FIRST CONVENTION of the Worldwide Missionary Movement’s Work, which historically takes place on the island of Puerto Rico – 56 Impacto evangelistic

the Work’s headquarters – was held in at Ruben Zayas coliseum in Trujillo Alto among an atmosphere of joy and blessing, with a new working theme: CONVICTION 2014.

The celebration lasted until January 4, 2014.

Those days were full of enthusiasm and dedication, attended by delegations that came to the venue from different

parts of the island and the world.

This convention had the honor to be attended by all members of the International Board of Directors – chaired by its President Rev. Gustavo Martinez –, the National Board and its president and national supervisor, Rev. Luis Ayala.

Rev. Gustavo Martinez was in charge of the message of the Word of God during the first night based on Daniel 1:1-9. He

EVENTS

preached under the theme “A man of conviction stands firm”, stressing the importance of having conviction in what God’s Word states. During the preaching, the Lord began to move powerfully in a special way as phrases like “we will stay faithful to Jehovah, we will worship God” came out from the lips of the international president. Undoubtedly, that first night marked the beginning of the celebration in a special way.

The second service of this great activity took place on Thursday 2 under the glory of God. It started with worship in the morning, and continued with songs, and

testimonies from distant lands, such as Dominican Republic, Panama and the United States of America.

The glorious Word was brought by beloved Rev. Enrique Centeno from

Bogota, Colombia, under the theme “The most illustrious man,” based on Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4.

On the evening of the same day, the conven-

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g tion continued in a larger atmosphere of blessing when God’s glory filled the coliseum through the songs and worship of God. Rev. Humberto Henao, International Director, was responsible for the preaching of the night under the theme “The Importance of Christian Convictions,” based on Jeremiah 35:1-14. He urged the people not to lower their guard and stand firm.

Friday morning, the young people held a service to God. After the de58 Impacto evangelistic

votional time and eager to hear the Word of God, they received the message from Rev. Santos Gomez from Dominican Republic. He preached on the theme: “An Unauthorized Fire,” based on Leviticus 10:1-3. He talked about the consequences of offering sacrifices to God under inappropriate conditions, and about the things that get us spiritually “drunk” and drag us away from what God placed in young people’s lives to fulfill His purpose.

Friday night the festivity continued when the Coral Odas al Rey sang a praise to God under the theme: “The Great I Am,” after which an objective lesson entitled “Based on God’s Vision” was given emphasizing Puerto Rico’s uprising to the nations.

During the exposition of the Word of God, Rev. Rodolfo Gonzalez preached under theme “Faith is the certainty of what we hope for, the conviction of what we do not

see,” based on Hebrews 11:1 The sermon that night was addressed to the spiritual life of every listener, as he urged to stand firm in God’s will.

The Worker Service Promotion, a very special service that shows the development of the Work and the servants of God, took place on Saturday morning. That day, Rev. Alberto Ortega was in charge of preaching the Word of God under the theme “Change of Work,” based on Samuel 22.

EVENTS

Then the acts of workers recognition, promotion and ordination continued as Sister Jacqueline Rovira, Secretary of the National Board of WMM in Puerto Rico, introduced a beautiful group of five brothers who became Lay Preachers, and two pastors who were ordained to Full Ministry.

It was a very emotional promotion in which the International President, Rev. Gustavo Martinez, and other International Officers and Directors

participated by praying and urging the chosen ones to perform their respective ministerial work.

CLOSURE NIGHT

The last night of the National Convention of WMM in Puerto Rico gathered again people with high expectations.

The Word of God was spread by Rev. José A. Soto, International Officer, who preached under the theme “A Belligerent Preacher,” based on Judas 1:16-23.

During the message, he urged people to be belligerent against all the worldly things nowadays trying to enter the congregations. After the message, Rev. Jorge Alvarez gave important announcements related to international officers of the Work, including the appointment of Rev. Ruben Concepción as new International Secretary and the appointment of Rev. Alvaro Garavito as Missionary Supervisor in northern Central Ame-

rica. All God’s people and the Lord’s ministers at this activity accepted with pleasure these announcements, recognizing that it all aims at strengthening the entire Work of God. This convention was broadcast through Bethel TV and the webpage of the Work in Puerto Rico, among others, thanks to the group of Grabaciones Impacto, which along with brother Angel Lemuel Caban, Team Director, worked hard on this beautiful party u february 2014

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WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

Missionary Visit to Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia Last November 19, 2013, Pastor Samuel David Mejía, Supervisor of the WMM in Asia, started a missionary tour to visit these three countries and help strengthen the work there. .

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HE FIRST COUNTRY VISITED was Philippines, where the continuous growth of the Work is evident. The two sisters in charge of the work in that country, Deyle Yurley Laguado Carreño and Greisis Hernández Vidés, keep working arduously to consolidate the church.

The group in Quezon City is growing stronger, 60 Impacto evangelistic

and there is a Bible School for Kids held every Saturday. The brothers have matured and continue working for the evangelism to reach others for Christ.

In Antipolo, a town on the outskirts of Manila, the Work is also being strengthened. During the trip, Pastor Samuel David Mejía baptized four brothers in that place.

In Myanmar, the Work is also growing. There, teaching sessions were held with the workers and leaders who came from different parts of the country and from the surrounding area of Yangon. A pastors meeting was also held to answer to their concerns.

On Sunday morning, during the missionary visit, a graduation cere-

mony was held for the brothers from the Elim Bible Institute who want to serve the Work of the Lord.

In Malaysia, special worships with the churches and meetings with the leaders were held at least twice a day, so as to help strengthen and expand the work in that country. Pastor Murasurajan has the great vision of opening more temples in this country, which is purely Muslim.

There is a new white champ in the city of Kuala Lumpur, which was also visited during the tour and where many people gathered to hear the message of the Word of God u

EVENTS

Baptism in Water in Equatorial Guinea The WMM held glorious Baptisms in Water in Zone 3, Republic of Equatorial Guinea. 25 brothers became members of our Church.

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N DECEMBER 28, 2013, Baptisms in Water were held in Añisok, Republic of Equatorial Guinea. It was atten-

ded by the brothers from the different Zone 3 churches of the WMM Work, all led by presbyter Rev. Paulino Nguema.

The Church of Evinayon district, led by Sister Encarnación, were represented by a group of 15 brothers; the Church of

Mongomo district attended with 3 brothers to be baptized; and the organizing Church of Añisok district, led by pastor Jaime Esono, was present with 7 candidates. In total, 25 brothers became members of our church.

The preacher was Pastor Emilio Ndong. Pastors Paulino Nguema, presbyter of the zone, and Jaime Esono, host pastor, were the baptizers during this celebration u february 2014

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Fellowship of Presbytery North, Italy The event was held under the theme: “Go beyond what you believe”. More than five hundred people attended the fellowship.

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HE CHURCHES of Presbytery North arrived one after another to support this great event.

More than 500 people gathered in the same feeling.

On Friday, December 6, the bearer of the Word of God was Pastor Leonel Cedeño, Official of the 62 Impacto evangelistic

Work in Italy and pastor of the Church of Bérgamo, with the theme “The benefits of suffering”, based on Job 5:6-8:. He explained that suffering carries many benefits that we cannot identify because of the pain we feel; however, God uses the suffering to be closer to us and keep us humble.

On Saturday morning, Rev. Hugo Lope, National Treasurer and Presbyter of the North Zone, preached the Word of God under the theme “If you don’t awake you won’t go beyond”, based on Luke 18.8. He pointed out that God has brought us together for great things, because the

Lord himself has given us abilities and talents for us to go beyond.

In the second service, some specials were presented and the edifying message was given by Rev. David Echalar, Supervisor of Italy, under the theme “Worshippers wanted”, based on John 4:22-24. He said: “Nowadays, there is a lack of worshippers. Some people sing beautifully, but they don’t praise or worship God the way He wants us to”. He also claimed that we have to know how to worship God because praise and adoration are very important u

EVENTS

Evangelical March in Chile The Worldwide Missionary Movement in the city of Santiago held an evangelical march under the theme: “Chile, Jesus-Christ is the Solution.”

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N SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, the Church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Chile held an evangelical march under the theme: “Chile, Jesus-Christ is the Solution”. The event took place in the community of La Pintana, an hour away

from the center of the city of Santiago.

The tour started in the white champ of Villa La Paz (Intersection of Las Golondrinas and Los Flamengos 1690) and ended in the white champ of Santo Tomás (Intersection of General Arriaga and Las Parcelas 0907). During this two-hour tour, people of all ages praised the Lord with tambourines and bass drum, and testified to the power of God that changed their lives. The event gathered 60 brothers who wore shirts with the theme of the march printed on them u february 2014

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WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

Others Events VENEZUELA

BOLÍVIA

URUGUAI

ARGENTINA

GLORIOUS BAPTISMS IN CARACAS

BAPTISM IN WATER

FELLOWSHIP IN SARANTÍ DE YÍ

NEW WORK IN MONTE CASEROS

On Saturday, November 30, 2013, the baptisms of Zone 1 took place in a pool in Tacagua, Caracas, Venezuela. Pastors from churches Las Adjuntas, Petare, Silencio, Junquito km 11 and km 24, Colonia Tovar, Baruta, El Valle, La Castellana and Catia brought along a beautiful group of brothers to publicly express the change made in their lives.

The service started in the morning with a devotional.

Afterwards, Rev. Ricardo Manrique, National Supervisor, expressed his congratulations to each of the brothers descending into the waters by making a thanksgiving pray to the Lord.

Then, Sister Gladys de Manrique, wife of the Supervisor, called each brother taking part of this great blessing. The great commission was thus fulfilled.

The presbyter of Zone 1, Rev Faustino Ollarves, together with the pastors and the Supervisor, w responsible of submerging the brothers into the water.

64 Impacto evangelistic

By the end of 2013, the Church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Bolivia held a glorious baptism in water, in which more than fifty brothers descended into the waters of baptism to live in saintliness and leave the passing pleasures of sin behind. All these lives transformed by the power of God are willing to work hard for the evangelization in their country and all nations.

This solemn ceremony was presided by Rev. Enrique Valenzuela Saavedra, Member of the National Board of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Bolivia and Presbyter of Oruro.

From December 14 to December 15, 2013, a fellowship was held by the Church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Sarantí de Yi, Durazno (three hours from Montevideo).

The pastor in charge is Gustavo Quiñones. Among the attendees, we found brothers from the Churches of Montevideo, Cerro Largo and Canelones.

Previously, an evangelization was held in the streets to invite people to this event.

The message of the Word was brought by Rev. Alfonso Martínez, National Supervisor of the Work in Uruguay, under the theme “In Love with God and His Word.” The message was addressed to the attending youth.

The Mayor of the city provided assistance to the church by lending mattresses for the brothers who came from other departments. The commissioner of the city expressed his support as well and highlighted the importance of the Church in the society.

The National Supervisor of the WMM, Rev. Ismael E. Parrado, visited the city of Monte Caseros, in the province of Corrientes, where a new church has been established.

Pastor Parrado, his wife, and a group of brothers visited the place, and, after spending three days there, they decided to confirm this new Church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement in Argentina. A worker from the Church of Buenos Aires was assigned to take over this work starting February.

In the meanwhile, the Pastor from the Church of Corrientes will carry out worships weekly.

It should be pointed out that the National Supervisor of the Work in the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Rev. Alfonso Martínez, attended the event on this occasion. He and his wife came from the city of Bella Union, Uruguay, where a new church is being built.

AMENITIES

The Marvels of the Human Body

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14.

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ET’S read a little about the life of an average baby girl in the Western world: “Her first words will be uttered about 12 months after birth, and by the age of six she will have mastered the essentials of language.

This skill is so important, that up to ten years of her life will be spent talking” (Anthony Smith, The Human Body, 1998, pp. 7-8). Although the animal world has many means of crude communication, we are the only species possessing advanced language skills.

“What a piece of work is man,” wrote William Shakespeare, “How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty!”

Yet in spite of all our noble

achievements, what happens within our bodies even when we are relaxing “is a secret from us” (Smith, p. 8). Even when “sitting down to read a book, our body is vigilant and busy. Nerve endings in the skin send signals to the brain to ensure that we are sitting comfortably in the chair, and we absent-mindedly tug at the cushions until the message says our position is satisfactory” (ibid.).

Scientists are beginning to discover that the human body has no superfluous organs. “Biologists have often been puzzled by seemingly meaningless parts of the body, only to find later they do serve an important function. Take the thymus for example. Until quite recently it was dismissed as a useless survival of an earlier age of development, but it is now known to be the control centre of the body’s defence system against germs. Tonsils and adenoids were often removed from children, because they were thought to serve no function. Now we realize they help to protect the nose and throat against infection” (John Allan, The Human Difference, 1989, p. 45).

Consider the human hand.

No other species can even begin to equal humanity’s manual skills. “The human hand is capable of both brute strength and incredible finesse. It carries out hard labour yet is sensitive to nuances of texture and form, so much so that it can serve as a substitute eye to the blind...The human hand is unique in having two distinct grips...Not only can several items such as coins be held firmly in the palm with several fingers but also, simultaneously, the opposable thumb can be used to hold and turn a car key” (Smith, The Human Body, p. 132).

Yet almost all picture books about the human body readily attribute its marvels to the chance mutations of evolution. Very few seem to say with King David, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm:139:14) u february 2014

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THEY WRITE TO US...

WORLDWIDE MISSIONARY MOVEMENT America • Europe • Oceanía • África • Asia

cartas@impactoevangelistico.net ANA LUISA MARTÍNEZ God bless you. Thanks for sending me the magazine, which is a great blessing to my life, as it is to be in the path of my Heavenly Father. When I receive the magazine, it becomes a great blessing to my life and to the lives of my brothers; we all want to read it at the same time. Greetings to all people working in the magazine. From Holguin, Cuba.

MARCH 1-4 19-22

MAY 3-5 20-25

JENNY JIMÉNEZ enemy, we can find a means of edification to our life. From Panama.

CLAUDIA Every time I read the magazine I consider it a great blessing. From Chile.

ELIZABETH HUERTAS HERMINIO AVALOS

SONIA MIRANDA

I would like to know more about the messages in the different magazines, since the world needs nowadays the Word of God. God bless you. From Chiapas, Mexico.

I loved the magazine and its website, it is a great blessing! From North Carolina, United States.

YESENIA

MARÍA ARAUZ God bless you. Your magazine has been a blessing to my life and your articles are really supported

by God. I love it that, despite the temptation of the

NHAZLY MARTÍNEZ May God continue blessing you plentifully.

You are a great blessing to my life, thanks.

From Barcelona, Spain.

CONVENTION IN PANAMA CONVENTION IN HONDURAS

APRIL 16-20 CONVENTION IN GUATEMALA 17-20 NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP IN AUSTRALIA (SIDNEY)

God bless the brothers who are working for this means of edification and encouragement so that they go forward. From Argentina.

God bless you, my beloved brothers. It is really a joy for the people of God to have this means of communication and edification. From Peru.

JANUARY 1-4 CONVENTION IN PUERTO RICO 7-14 CONVENTION IN COLOMBIA

FEBRUARY 7-9 CONVENTION IN PARAGUAY (ASUNCIÓN) 13-16 CONVENTION IN ARGENTINA (BUENOS AIRES) 20-23 CONVENTION IN BELIZE

ÁNGEL

Thanks to God for His great mercy that has taken us from this lying world. He has removed the bandage from our eyes. Now we only have to pray for our spiritual life so as not to go back. From Venezuela.

GLOBAL AGENDA 2014

Hello, brothers. God bless you for the great work that you are taking to the world thanks to the Impacto Evangelistic magazine. By reading this magazine, many lives have surrendered to the Lord. God bless you, brothers, go ahead with this mission. From Marquez, Callao, Peru.

SEBASTIÁN RAMÍREZ God bless you. I thank God for this magazine that is a blessing and has been able to keep the sound doctrine. I am from the Church of the WMM in Olarte neighborhood in Bogota. From Bogota, Colombia.

You can download the free QR code reader from these platforms:

JUNE 25-29 17-20

CONVENTION IN JAPAN CONVENTION IN PERU (LIMA) CONVENTION IN INDIA YOUTHS AND WORKERS CONVENTION IN COLOMBIA

JULY 3-6 CONVENTION IN BOLIVIA (SANTA CRUZ) 8-11 CONVENTION IN UNITED STATES (BIRMINGHAM, AL) 8-12 CONVENTION IN COSTA RICA 9-12 CONVENTION IN NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (CURAÇAO) 24-27 CONVENTION IN MEXICO (GUANAJUATO) AUGUST 3-6 CONVENTION IN EL SALVADOR 5-9 CONVENTION IN VENEZUELA (BARQUISIMETO) 7-10 CONVENTION IN SPAIN 14-17 CONVENTION IN ITALY 14-17 CONVENTION IN GUYANAS, SURINAME & TRINIDAD (SURINAME) 14-17 CONVENTION IN ECUADOR (GUAYAQUIL) 27-30 CONVENTION IN AFRICA 28-31 CONVENTION IN HAITI SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 27 INTERNATIONL MISSIONS DAY OCTOBER 10-12 NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP IN CANADA 23-25 CONVENTION IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 23-26 CONVENTION IN ISLANDS OF MAURITIUS 26-28 CAMPAIGN IN MADAGASCAR 30-2 (NOV) CONVENTION IN CHILE (SANTIAGO) NOVEMBER 7-10 CONVENTION IN URUGUAY (MONTEVIDEO) 27-30 CONVENTION IN NICARAGUA DECEMBER 4-7 CONVENTION IN BRAZIL (MANAUS)

n Events

evangelistic

66 Impacto evangelistic

Founder Director: Rev. Luis M. Ortiz Editorial board: Rev. Luis Meza Bocanegra, Jacqueline Rovira, Samuel Martínez, Rev. Andrés Espejo Editorial coordinator: Rev. Julián Morón General editor: Víctor Tipe Sánchez Editor: Jaime Tipe Sánchez Graphic editor: Roberto Guerrero Graphic design: Adolfo Zubietta Writers: Johan Pérez Landeo, Marlo Pérez. Designers: Lesly Sánchez, Cesia Heredia.

Web master and Infographics: Julio de la Cruz. Illustration: Julio Limachi.

Transcription: Fanny Vidal, Ana Rodriguez.

Community manager: Juan Becerra, Denisse Barrientos. Distribution: Javier Arotinco.

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God’s love gives life to your family Visit the church of the Worldwide Missionary Movement.

Visit the web page and find the address of the temples in your country. God bless you!

MOVIMENTO MISSIONÁRIO MUNDIAL