The Power of God’s Living Word

 Transcribed by AI

Radio Voice of Life, dear listeners, you are hearing our voice from Radio Voice of Life, which is broadcast every morning on a short wave of 41 metres. Greetings to you, dear and esteemed listeners, on this programme. How are you? We hope you are all happy and well, ready to hear our programme this time.

Dear friends, you are listening to the programme "With You" from Radio Voice of Life. Well, dear friends, we once again have Brother Faiz here with us in the studio. Welcome, Faiz. Yes, I also greet you, Brother Shahid, and thank you for inviting me again, and I extend my greetings to the dear listeners who hear our voice from wherever they are.

Well, Faiz, could you tell us, for our friends who are listening to us live from the studio at this moment, about the past week? Our listeners heard the radio programme, and surely when they listen to the programme, questions arise for them, or they may have their own opinions. What questions did the friends who called in have, and what were your responses to them?

Our listening friends heard the programme, and surely when they called in and spoke with you, what questions did they have, and what were your responses? Our listening friends heard the programme, and surely when they called in and spoke with you, what questions did they have, and what were your responses? Our listening friends heard the programme, and surely when they called in and spoke with you, what questions did they have, and what were your responses? Our listening friends heard the programme, and it is really quite astonishing to me how the Word of God is so powerful that anyone who hears it even once becomes captivated by it. Let us consider a few points that I will raise here, Brother Shahid. The first point is the authority and the impact of God’s Word, the inner transformation and awakening that it brings. We see how powerful and active the Word of God is; it can touch the hearts of individuals. We mentioned that even an imam of a mosque was touched and transformed into a blessing and light within his family. Not only do we elevate the Word of God, but you also share it to bring light and blessings to others. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see very clearly that the Word of God says that no one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Indeed, we see such events happening in Afghanistan, where the Word of God is known to be a light that has worked in the lives of others. When the Word of God flows in a person's life, nothing can stop the manifestation of change in that individual. We see how powerful the Word of God is as it brings light even in darkness, revealing truths. If we delve into the Gospel of Matthew, we find much social teaching. If we are believers in Jesus Christ, sometimes some preachers or evangelists can be seen, for example, in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7, which outline the ethical constitution of a Christian's life. We see how important it is for someone who hears this to share it, especially in the family environment, as the family is the first place that should be a safe haven where we can share the Word of God. That was the first discussion; the second discussion, Brother Shahid, is about the challenges and inner conflicts that arise due to pressures and crises. This brother, despite having seen the power of the Word of God, faced significant challenges. Brother Shahid, I want to speak more about today as someone who doesn’t want to say I’m a preacher, but as a brother speaking with each other, I’ll share my thoughts on this. The first major crisis is an existential theological crisis, which is a very sensitive and important matter. A person who was previously an imam has now become a preacher of the Word of God. You can see that this is a remarkable change; it is not something to be overlooked. Someone who has been an imam for at least 16 years, having received Islamic education, reaches the point where they discard it all, realising that the Word of God is what they need. They have come to understand the true message of the Gospel, and we thank God that the true Word of God, the Holy Gospel, has become accessible to the people. Always, our people have been misled by religious and Islamic preachers who claim the Gospel has been altered or changed. However, the Gospel is the Word of God, and no one can manipulate it or change it in any way because it is the truth. This is why the Holy Gospel is kept from the people, to keep them away from it, because the Gospel is the power of the Word of God. The Gospel reveals the truth of God to us, and when the Gospel is made available, anyone who receives and studies it discovers the truth and understands the mighty power of God. Indeed, the God we worship and who has created us, where is His power? We should pursue the truth, which is why many people preach that it has been altered, while we reiterate that it is the Word of God. No one can add or take away from it because it is the truth. Those who are Islamic preachers aim to divert people from the Gospel and the Word of God, but those who truly seek and are grounded in the true God will strive to pursue the Word of God. We see that a brother who was once an imam and led people for years has now found the truth and transformed into an example within his family and community. Yes, I also agree with you, Brother Shahid, that a topic you mentioned is that the Gospel does not allow others to study freely in society; behind this lies a significant philosophical issue. Everything you said is true; the Word speaks for itself. Those who read it do not stray from its path; the truth shines like the sun, like a lamp, revealing the truth. This is why those who control countries are more likely to prevent people from easily accessing it. However, we thank God for the radio and the media that have made this available to the people. The people face deep theological crises and psychological pressures that keep individuals hidden. I do not want to dwell on this issue too much, but if an individual becomes a believer in Jesus Christ, if the Taliban government understands this, they will indeed face persecution. We have individuals who are in prisons, and unfortunately, we see the struggles they endure. The next challenge is a serious threat to security and life. Brother Shahid, I would like to address this issue and see what serious dangers and risks exist. However, let us clarify that our goal is not to bring negative energy or news that others will hear. We must consider the situation of believers in Jesus Christ in Afghanistan under the current Taliban regime, which represents one of the most complicated and challenging human rights situations. We see that all individuals, in terms of rights, are based on nine fundamental human rights, such as the right to marriage, the right to choose a religion, the right to conscience, and the right to residence. Unfortunately, the government currently under Taliban rule has taken away these rights from the people living there, especially since the Taliban returned to power. The conditions for religious minorities, particularly believers in Jesus Christ who come from an Islamic background, have become increasingly precarious. The first issue is the life-threatening restrictions and severe persecution that is often coupled with the official ideology of the Taliban. What does this mean? The Taliban currently governs Afghanistan, believing that all of Afghanistan is Islamic and that there are no religious minorities in Afghanistan. Just a while ago, we heard a report stating that there are no religious minorities in Afghanistan, which is fundamentally incorrect. Hindus and Christians live in Afghanistan; unfortunately, the Jewish community has left the country, but religious minorities do exist. The Taliban's claim that there are no Christians in Afghanistan is a gross misrepresentation. Indeed, there are many Christian communities, and we must clarify that the next issue is living in complete secrecy and social isolation. Under the current regime, all home churches and physical gatherings have come to a complete halt, and most have transitioned to online platforms. We see that the Taliban, through their intelligence organisations, are continuing their persecution of churches. We aim to highlight this point, Brother Shahid, that it is commendable to see individuals who continue to engage with the Word of God, even under threat or persecution, and who learn from it step by step. I truly admire those individuals who, along with the media, such as radio and television, listen to the Word of God. Brother Shahid, the Bible mentions many topics regarding those who seek the truth; they will never remain ignorant. God’s Word states that those who seek the truth will find it. Furthermore, there are familial pressures stemming from relatives and family members, and sometimes an individual faces these issues. We thank God that this imam has passed through that phase and is now beyond it. His family continues to support him despite the pressures because he has been able to share the truth as a father and head of the family. I truly appreciate him for this.

Also, Brother Shahid, we have seen recently that there is an organisation called Open Doors, which in its annual report places Afghanistan alongside very restrictive countries, such as North Korea, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. These are countries with strict religious control, and Afghanistan is one of those countries that faces significant challenges, dangers, and persecution for Christians and believers in Jesus Christ. Brother Shahid, this is a matter of human rights. Furthermore, we see that the next topic involves economic crises and forced migrations, job losses; what does a person who accepts Jesus Christ as their saviour do? There is a ‘but’ that individuals are never alone, and their brothers and sisters worldwide listen to their voices. Those we see from various places are the voices of individuals who, unfortunately, have been tortured. However, we understand that there are approximately 2.2 to 2.3 billion believers in Jesus Christ worldwide. We, as one large family, have members spread across the globe, and we constantly hear the voices of individuals who are our brothers and sisters. Wherever they are, we care for them, support them, and love them. We see, Brother Shahid, that the role of the Word of God and the perseverance amid persecution, as well as the hope and growth of believers in the worst conditions, is continually renewed. We see that believers in Jesus Christ in all countries facing persecution remain very strong and are growing. We understand how powerful the Word of God is, and we also see that there is a shortage of educational resources. Brother Shahid, this is one of the limitations that believers in Jesus Christ face today. However, we thank God for Radio Voice of Life, for TV Jashan, and other channels like TV Raz-e-Zindagi and TV Panjereh Noor. Yes, these programmes, such as Raz-e-Zindagi and Panjereh Noor, truly spread the Word of God in Afghanistan, and we thank God for these topics that highlight how important they are. We also see that, Brother Shahid, based on the limitations that exist, if we consider that the levels are increasing, we see that believers in Jesus Christ are indeed growing significantly. Additionally, there are many studies indicating that not only ordinary individuals are coming to faith in Jesus Christ but also those who are aware of Islam. It is noted that those who are aware of Islam have come to understand the depth of the issues. When they engage with the Bible, they realise that there is a reality here. A person cannot say, “God says to kill and to be peaceful at the same time.” When someone reads and understands the teachings, they see the light continually shining above the darkness. Brother Shahid, there is a story in the Bible about Paul and Silas who were imprisoned for preaching the Gospel in Philippi, found in Acts 16:31, which I would like to read here for our listeners. It is written in this way that they answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

So at that very hour, the jailer took them and washed their wounds, and he and all his household were baptised. When the jailer brought them into his house, he set food before them, and he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. This story unfolds in Acts 16, Brother Shahid, very clearly. Historically, Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi for preaching the Gospel. There was significant persecution at that time. One night, as Paul and Silas were praying, a great earthquake occurred, and the doors of the prison opened. The jailer, thinking that all the prisoners had escaped, realised that in the ancient Roman Empire, the law was such that if a prisoner escaped, the jailer would be executed. There was a law that dictated that if a prisoner escaped, the jailer would face the consequences. But what happened? When the doors opened, the jailer thought the prisoners had escaped, and in desperation, he was about to take his own life. He was about to kill himself, but Paul called out to him with a loving voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” Paul and Silas then tell him how to find salvation for his household. We see how evident and clear it is, Brother Shahid, that a person who previously imprisoned believers in Jesus Christ is now sharing the faith with his family, and they all get baptised. This is an intriguing discussion noted in Acts, and there are various topics we can explore. I will briefly mention the wisdom of discernment and the necessity of continual growth, protection, and security through the living Word of God. This means that when we become believers in Jesus Christ, it is essential to receive the truth. We must strive to be wise and be cautious, ensuring that we do not fall into any traps or that others do not harm us. Wisdom and discernment are particularly crucial for growth, stability, and nurturing within the family. As I mentioned at the beginning of the programme, Brother Shahid, when we become believers in Jesus Christ, the safest and most secure place is within our family. If we are men, it is with our wives; if we are women, it is with our husbands. They are the most important people in our lives, and we must understand and share our faith with them. We must embody the teachings of God, as the Word instructs us to be as innocent as doves and as wise as serpents. Let us strive to be those who are mindful in these matters, Brother Shahid. This was the discussion or the topic that occurred last week concerning faith, which was previously faith and is now faith in Jesus Christ within the family. Individuals who have transformed their households are evident, and I find this work of God truly remarkable. Brother Shahid, this was what happened last week, and I appreciate you for coming on the programme. Truly, it is a blessing from God. I hope that this dear brother, who is now a preacher of Jesus Christ, has found the truth and has become a beacon of light within his family and community, serving as an example to our listeners as well, encouraging them to follow the same path. Well, dear friends, this brings us to the end of our programme for this time. Until the next programme, which will be at this same time, we commend you all to the Lord, the Sustainer.

[Unclear text] Gonzalez, refresh my spirit with your touch, fill my thoughts with your light. My heart, I implore you, let it be filled with the river of your glory, Father. To you, the Most High, glory be unto you, Father, in the first place; glory be unto you, Lord, by your Holy Spirit. Glory be unto you, Father, glory be unto you. Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Holy Spirit, refresh my spirit with your power. Holy Spirit, transform my life. Holy Spirit, let your flow be upon me. Holy Spirit, honour my saviour with your word. Glory be unto you, Father, in the first place; glory be unto you, Lord, by your Holy Spirit. Glory be unto you, Father, glory be unto you. Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Oh God, touch my heart with your spirit. Holy Father, Holy Father, sanctify my thoughts. Hallelujah, Hallelujah. With open hands and a mouth full of praise, I lift up your name, the name of the Most High. You are beautiful; you are worthy. Hallelujah.