Eastern Lightning | Resolving the “Cold War” Makes My Life Even Happier!

Resolving the “Cold War” Makes My Life Even Happier!

January 27, 2018

Tian Yu

When I got married, my family advised me that “All lay loads on the willing horse,” that after marriage, I must be in charge so that I’m not taken advantage of, so that my life will be fulfilled and happy. So, after marriage, I always wanted to be in charge and that whatever I said would go. In the beginning, my husband would consult me for all matters big and small in our home.But as time went on, he would often not consult with me, but do things according to his will. Because of this, I felt rather unhappy. I felt that my husband didn’t take me seriously. I thought, “If things continue like this, I wouldn’t have a place to stand on in this family.” In order that I could be in charge, I would often sulk and ignore my husband until he softened and said nice things to me, and things only ended when I was satisfied.

The Gain of a Meeting – Happy Family | Eastern Lightning

The Gain of a Meeting – Happy Family

     To an outsider, Zhang Zhong and Li Ying have been accompanying each other for over 50 years, and they are an old and happy couple. However, the fact is not like what its surface suggests. Zhang Zhong, as a husband, never opens up to his wife, which make her feel very painful and depressed. His wife always feels there is an invisible partition between them. But their relationship takes a turn for the better through a meeting in their latter years …

      By Xiang Wang

My Interactions With a Weird Neighbor | Eastern Lightning

My Interactions With a Weird Neighbor

By Xiaowu

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

     “He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Proverbs 14:21).

    To get along with others, apart from being tolerant and patient, what’s even more important is to understand: “And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). It is because we are all sinners without the distinction of high and low. To live out the image of the Lord is the common objective of our pursuit.

Lead Me Lord | Jesus Christ, You Are My Life | "All the Way in Your Company" | Eastern Lightning

Lead Me Lord | Jesus Christ, You Are My Life | "All the Way in Your Company" | Christian Music Video

I

I was like a boat, adrift on the sea. You chose me, and to a haven You led me. Now in Your family, warmed by Your love, I am all at peace. You bless me, give Your words of judgment. Still how I fail to cherish Your grace. Often rebelling, somehow hurting Your heart. Yet You don't treat me by my sins but work for my salvation. When I'm distant, You call me back from danger. When I rebel, You hide Your face, darkness wrapping me. When I come back to You, You show mercy, smile to embrace. When Satan scourges me, You heal my wounds, warm my heart. When the devil hurts me, You're with me through the trial. Dawn will soon appear, and skies will shine blue as before, when You're there with me. Dawn will soon appear, and skies will shine blue as before, when You're there with me.

"The Truth Exposed Behind the May 28 Zhaoyuan Case" | Eastern Lightning

The Church of Almighty God | "The Truth Exposed Behind the May 28 Zhaoyuan Case" | Eastern Lightning

    In 2014, the CCP arbitrarily fabricated the notorious 5/28 Zhaoyuan Incident in Shandong Province to create the basis of public opinion for total suppression of house churches, and propagated falsehood globally to condemn and defame the Church of Almighty God. As a result, some unwitting parties who did not know the truth were deceived by the CCP's propaganda. In this program, several major doubts revolving around this case will be revealed to dissect the lies of the CCP one by one and clarify the facts for you, and utterly expose the truth behind the Shandong Zhaoyuan Incident before the world.

The Real Meaning of “Rebellion Against God” | Eastern Lightning

46. The Real Meaning of “Rebellion Against God”

Zhang Jun    Shenyang City, Liaoning Province

The Real Meaning of “Rebellion Against God” | Eastern Lightning

In the past, I believed that “rebellion against God” meant betraying God, leaving the church, or walking away from one’s duty. I thought these behaviors constituted rebellion. Therefore, whenever I heard of people engaging in such behaviors, I would remind myself that I should not rebel against God as they did. Furthermore, I was cautious in all my endeavors and abided by all the tasks assigned to me by the church. I neither retreated from my duty when I was dealt with and pruned nor withdrew from the church when I was tried, regardless of the hardship. Thus, I believed that I never rebelled against God. I felt that I had already acquired some stature and was confident that I would follow God until the end and ultimately achieve salvation.

44. I Am Willing to Accept the Supervision of All | Eastern Lightning

44. I Am Willing to Accept the Supervision of All

Xianshang    Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

A little while ago, every time I heard that the district preachers were coming to our church, I would feel a bit ill at ease. I didn’t reveal my feelings outwardly, but my heart was full of secret opposition. I thought: “It would be best if you all didn’t come. If you do come, at least don’t work in the church with me. Otherwise, I’ll be restricted and unable to commune.” Later, the situation got so bad that I actually hated their coming. Even as such, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with me and certainly didn’t try to know myself in the context of this situation.

Guileless People Are Not Necessarily Honest People | Eastern Lightning

43. Guileless People Are Not Necessarily Honest People

Cheng Mingjie    Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

I consider myself to be an outgoing and forthright kind of person. I speak with people in a very straightforward manner; whatever I want to say, I say it—I’m not the type to beat around the bush. In my interactions with people I tend to be a pretty straight shooter. Often, I get cheated or ridiculed for too easily placing trust in others. It was only after I started going to church that I felt I had found a place I could call my own. I thought to myself: In the past my guilelessness has put me at a disadvantage and made me vulnerable to the deception of others; but in church God wants honest people, people who have been scorned by society, so I don’t have to worry anymore about being too guileless. I felt especially comforted when I heard that God loves the honest and simple, and that only the honest shall receive God’s salvation. When I saw how distressed my brothers and sisters had become as they began to recognize their treacherous nature but could not change it, I felt even more relieved that, being honest and straightforward, I wouldn’t have to go through such distress. One day, however, after receiving a revelation from God, I finally realized I wasn’t the honest person I thought I was.

Practical God, Now I Have You | Eastern Lightning

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Hymn
Practical God, Now I Have You
I
Practical God, now that we have You,
worries turn into joy.
Eating, drinking,
enjoying Your words,
we're with You every day.
Your living water sustaining us,
we're bountiful in all.
Know the truth, enter reality,
all depends upon You.
Brothers, let's eat, drink God's words.
Commune with His truth,
enjoying His grace,
live in His kingdom always.
Sisters, love one another.
Unite in spending ourselves for Him,
fulfill loyalties to God.

There Is Great Happiness in Honesty | Eastern Lightning

40. There Is Great Happiness in Honesty

Gan’en    Hefei City, Anhui Province

In my life, I’ve always gone by the phrase, “One shouldn’t have the heart to harm others, but must be vigilant so as not to be harmed” in social interaction. I never grant my trust to others lightly. I’ve always felt that in situations where you don’t know someone’s true intentions, you shouldn’t show your hand too soon. Thus, it’s enough to keep a peaceful attitude—in this way you protect yourself and will be thought of by your peers as a “good person.”

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

The Secret Held Deep Within My Heart | Eastern Lightning

38. The Secret Held Deep Within My Heart

Wuzhi    Linyi City, Shandong Province

In the spring of 2006, I was stripped of my position as leader and sent back to where I had come from because I was considered too much of a “yes-man.” When I first got back, I plunged into a crucible of torment and agony. I never thought that after years of leadership things would go downhill on account of being a “yes-man.” This was the end for me, I thought, everyone familiar with me would know of my failure and I would be held up as a bad example in the church. How could I face others after all this? The more I thought, the more negative I became, until I finally lost the faith to continue seeking the truth. However, when I thought of all the sacrifices and expenditures I had made in these past few years, I couldn’t bring myself to quit. If I completely write myself off and accept failure, won’t all my efforts be for naught? Won’t people then think even less of me? I can’t let that happen! I’ve got to stand up for myself and not let others look down their noses at me. Now, no matter how hard I must try, how many wrongs I suffer, I’ve got to buck up—I can’t quit halfway! As long as I remember the lessons of failure and focus on seeking the truth, maybe one day I can become a leader again. With these thoughts in mind, all the negativity and sadness faded and I felt a renewed energy in my pursuit.

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

What Is It That Has Deceived My Spirit? | Eastern Lightning

35. What Is It That Has Deceived My Spirit?

Xu Lei    Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

One day I received a notice about a meeting. Normally this is a happy event, but as soon as I thought about what a complete mess my own work had been in lately, I couldn’t help feeling worried. If my superior knew how I hadn’t finished any of my work, he would certainly have to deal with me, and may even replace me. What would I do then? The next day I went along to the meeting with a heavy heart. When I got there, I saw that my superior had not yet arrived, but some co-workers were there already. I thought: “I don’t know what state any of their work is in. At the last meeting, I heard them say how they’d pretty much done their work, and this time they must surely have finished it all. If they have finished all their work and it’s only me who is so bad, then I’m done for.” I was surprised then that, when we were together talking about our own work situations, many of my co-workers were saying how they hadn’t finished some parts of their work. When I heard this, my heart that had been so heavy before suddenly felt a lot lighter. I thought: “It turns out that no one has finished their work, not just me. No need to worry then. We can’t all be replaced.” The greater part of my uneasy feelings then disappeared in an instant.

A Turn for the Better on the Road of Believing in God

34. A Turn for the Better on the Road of Believing in God

Zhuanbian    Shanghai City

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

  Although I had been following God for many years, I had made almost no progress with my entering into life, and this made me feel very anxious. Especially when I listened to a recording of a preaching about life entry, and heard the man used by the Holy Spirit talking to the brothers and sisters who were present and listening to the preaching, I felt filled with anxiety hearing him say this kind of thing, “You now believe in God and have tasted the sweetness of the pursuit of truth. You have started to enter onto the right track and are full of faith in your pursuit of salvation.” I thought, “These people have believed in God for such a short time but have already entered and are so full of faith about being saved. Yet here I am having so far believed in God and I still haven’t obtained the truth and my disposition in life has undergone no change whatsoever, never mind having entered onto the right track. To attain salvation is easier said than done!” I thought of how the above fellowshiped that the truth can resolve all of man’s corruptions, but I had never experienced this at all. I even felt that the truth could resolve other people’s corruptions but not my own, so I lost faith in my pursuit of the truth and of salvation. Although I was aware that my own condition was not right, there was no way I could escape it, so I could only cry to God for help. Afterward, His words enlightened me, causing me to see the reasons why I had believed in God for so many years yet had not progressed in life, and why my disposition had not undergone any change. God also set me on the path of practicing and entering the truth.

A Youth Spent Without Regret | Eastern Lightning

3. A Youth Spent Without Regret

Xiaowen, Chongqing

“Love is a pure emotion, pure without a blemish. Use your heart, use your heart to love and feel and care. Love doesn’t set conditions or barriers or distance. Use your heart, use your heart to love and feel and care. If you love you don’t deceive, grumble, turn your back, look to get something in return” (“Pure Love Without Blemish” in Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs). This hymn of God’s word once helped me get through the pain of a long and drawn-out life in prison that lasted 7 years and 4 months. Even though the CCP government deprived me of the most beautiful years of my youth, I have obtained the most precious and real truth from Almighty God and therefore have no complaints or regrets.

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Almighty God's Words "God’s Work and Man’s Practice" (Part One)

Almighty God's Words "God’s Work and Man’s Practice" (Part One)

Almighty God says, "In every instance of God’s work are the visions that should be known by man, visions that are followed by God’s fitting requirements of man. Without these visions as the foundation, man would be simply incapable of practice, nor would man be able to follow God unwaveringly. If man does not know God or understand God’s will, then all that man does is in vain, and incapable of being approved by God. No matter how plentiful man’s gifts, still he is inseparable from God’s work and the guidance of God. No matter how good or many are the actions of man, still they cannot replace the work of God. And so, under no circumstance is the practice of man separable from the visions. Those who do not accept the new visions have no new practice. Their practice bears no relation to the truth because they abide by doctrine and keep to the dead law; they have no new visions at all, and as a result, they put nothing in the new age into practice. They have lost the visions, and in doing so they have also lost the work of the Holy Spirit, and have lost the truth."

A Hymn of God's Words Follow God's Words and You Cannot Be Lost | Eastern Lightning

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

A Hymn of God's WordsFollow God's Words

and You Cannot Be Lost

I
It is God's hope,
you can eat by yourself,
always in the light of His presence,
clinging to His every word.
Nestle yourself very close to God,
then you can always talk to Him,
He will help you not get lost.
He'll dispel your confusion
and keep you in His presence.
Just follow God's words
in all you do and say.
Saturated by God's word
in everything you do.
Just follow what He says
and He'll guide you forward.

Always Yearn for God's Love | Eastern Lightning

Hymn
Always Yearn for God's Love

I
I was once naive, ignorant in bliss;
I never knew it
until God awakened me.
How I ignored His word and His love;
now I can see how much I've missed.
I often regret the time I laid to waste,
dreaming away, day after day.
I paid no mind to what God had said,
with a deaf ear I had turned.
Oh God! It's Your word, it's Your love
that has awakened me from my sleep.
Oh how it fills my heart!
Oh God! It's Your word, it's Your love
that has awakened me from my sleep.
I always yearn for Your love.

Reflections on Being Replaced | Eastern Lightning

30. Reflections on Being Replaced

Yi Ran    Laiwu City, Shandong Province

Some time ago, owing to my not understanding the principle behind the church’s revision of personnel, when the church replaced a leader, a conception arose within me. From what I could see, the sister that was replaced was very good at both receiving and fellowshiping the truth, and could be open about her own expressions of corruption. So I could never get how someone who sought the truth so much could be replaced. Could it be that she talked about her own expressions of corruption too much, and so her leader mistakenly took her to be someone not in pursuit of the truth, and replaced her? If this is what really happened, then hasn’t a training opportunity for someone who was seeking the truth been ruined?

The Criteria of a Truly Good Person | Eastern Lightning

28. The Criteria of a Truly Good Person

Moran    Linyi City, Shandong Province

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Since I was a child, I always attached a great deal of importance to how other people saw me and their assessment of me. So that I could get praise from others for everything I did, I never argued with anyone whenever anything cropped up, so as to avoid destroying the good image other people had of me. After I’d accepted God’s work in the last days, I continued in this way, upholding in every way possible the good image that my brothers and sisters had of me. Previously, when I was in charge of the work, my leader would often say that my performance was like a “yes-person,” and not the performance of someone who put the truth into practice. I never took it to heart, but on the contrary if other people thought of me as a good person, then I felt satisfied.

A Hymn of God's Words "The Lives of All Beings of Creation Come From God"

A Hymn of God's Words "The Lives of All Beings of Creation Come From God"

I

The life bestowed upon man by God is endless, unfettered by flesh, time, or space. Though it is mysterious, it serves as proof, proof of God's gift of life. Many people may not believe the life source is from God, but they are enjoying all that comes from God. Should God have a change of heart and reclaim all the world and His life, then all the world and living beings, all creation will forever be gone. God gives His life to all things living or lifeless. His power and authority bring good order, an incomprehensible truth that is a testament to the life force of God.