Month: September 2025

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Refocusing on the Judgment Seat of Christ: A Devotional Excerpt from Unshaken

Faith is not just about what we believe—it’s about how we live. As you work through these devotionals, my prayer is that you will grow stronger, stand firmer, and live bolder for Christ. No matter what comes, you can remain unshaken because your foundation is in Him. – John O’Malley

Below is an excerpt from Bro. John O’Malley’s book, Unshaken: Strengthening Your Faith. If you would like to read the book in its entirety, please click here.

Refocusing on the Judgment Seat of Christ

1 Corinthians 3:13

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

Learn About It

Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that everything they do for the Lord will one day be tested. The “day” he refers to is the Judgment Seat of Christ—a future time when believers will stand before Christ, not for punishment, but for rewards.

Paul uses the metaphor of fire to describe how God will evaluate a believer’s works. Gold, silver, and precious stones represent things done for Christ with pure motives, while wood, hay, and stubble represent things done with selfish ambition or earthly priorities (1 Corinthians 3:12). Fire refines gold and silver but consumes wood and hay. Similarly, only what is truly done for Christ will last.

This verse is a sobering reminder that while salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), our works still matter. Every believer will one day give an account of their life—not to determine their salvation, but to reveal what they did with the opportunities God gave them.

Apply It to Me

It’s easy to get caught up in the temporary things of life—success, recognition, or personal comfort. But Paul urges us to think eternally. What are we building? Will our efforts stand the test of fire, or will they burn away?
Take a moment to consider:
•Are you serving God with pure motives, or are you doing things for recognition?
•Are you investing in things that will last for eternity, like sharing the gospel, discipling others, and growing in Christ?
•Or are you focusing only on things that are temporary—career, possessions, or entertainment?
God doesn’t judge success the way the world does. He looks at faithfulness. One day, He will evaluate not just what we did, but why we did it. Will your works remain when tested by fire?

Talk to God About It

Father,
Thank You for the reminder that my life will one day be tested by fire. Help me to live with eternity in mind, focusing on what truly matters. Show me where I have been building with “wood, hay, and stubble” instead of gold, silver, and precious stones. Teach me to serve You with pure motives, not for human approval but for Your glory. May my life be pleasing to You so that, on that day, I may hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Act on It

Examine your priorities. Make a list of three things you are investing your time in. Ask yourself, “Will this matter in eternity?” If not, consider how you can shift your focus toward things that have lasting value.

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

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From the Memo Board: October 2025

Important Dates to Know

October 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
October 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
October 13 – Most US banks will be closed for Columbus Day.
November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
November 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
November 11 – Most US banks will be closed for Veterans Day.
April 13-16, 2026 – Family Fellowship Week in Sophia, NC.

 

For easy access to all of these dates, click here to download our WWNTBM Dates and Deadlines Calendar into your calendar app.

Changes to WWNTBM Bylaws

We want to inform you of two recent updates to our bylaws. These changes bring added clarity to our Articles of Faith and ensure our positions are organized in their proper sections.

1. Marriage Language Update – The marriage statement in Article XVIII – D – Section 2 has been updated as follows:

    • Previous wording: “We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.”
      (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)
    • Updated wording: “We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one natural born male human and one natural born female human.”
      (Gen. 2:24; Rom. 7:2; I Cor. 7:10; Eph. 5:22-23)

2. King James Version Position Relocation – Our position on the King James Version of the Bible was previously included under Article XVIII – A. It has now been relocated to its own section for clarity: Article XVIII – L.

New Section XVIII – L: Our Position on the Authorized Version – the King James Bible

a. The Masoretic Text of the Old Testament and the Received Text of the New Testament (Textus Receptus) are those texts of the original languages we accept and use.

b. Therefore, we believe the Word of God is preserved in the King James Version for English-speaking people. The only approved Bible for use in English-language settings by the mission agency and its missionaries is the King James Version.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please feel free to reach out for clarification.

Financial Report Reminder

As we enter the last quarter of the year, thoughts turn to year-end tax procedures. Many people begin thinking of last-minute deductions that will affect them. If you anticipate making large ministry purchases and you desire the purchase to be a deduction in the year 2025, you may wish to make the purchase by the end of November. Because of the way our 1099s are calculated, December expenses are “reimbursed” out of January income, so the tax benefit on your 1099 would actually be considered a 2026 reimbursement. Regardless of when the purchase is made, you will still receive a tax benefit. However, we wanted you to be aware of these deadlines as you plan your expenses over the next few months.

IRS to Phase Out Paper Refund Checks

Beginning September 30, 2025, the IRS will phase out paper tax refund checks, moving to electronic payments as part of Executive Order 14247. Per the IRS electronic refunds are faster, more secure, and less costly than paper checks. Paper checks are over 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, or delayed.

The IRS will publish detailed guidance for 2025 tax returns before the 2026 filing season begins. We will share these guidelines as soon as they become available. Until further notice, taxpayers should continue using existing forms and procedures, including those filing their 2024 returns on extension of a due date prior to Dec. 31, 2025.

You should continue filing returns the same way. Most refunds will now be issued by direct deposit or other secure electronic methods. For those without access to a bank account, options such as prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, or limited exceptions will be available. In preparation for these new changes, be sure you know your banking information.

Legacy Contact Access Key

If you have Apple devices, consider setting up a Legacy Contact Access Key. A legacy contact access key is a secure code that allows a designated person to access your digital data and passwords after your death or incapacitation. There is no cost required.

How to get a Legacy Contact Access Key

    1. Add a Legacy Contact: On an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security > Legacy Contact.
    2. Choose a contact: Select a trusted person from your contacts to be your Legacy Contact.
    3. Receive the key: After adding the contact, your device will generate a unique access key.
    4. Share the key: Share this key with your Legacy Contact. You can do this by sending it electronically via Messages (if they are on a compatible device) or by printing a physical copy to keep with your estate planning documents.

What your Legacy Contact needs to access your data

After your passing, your Legacy Contact will need to provide two things to Apple to request access: The Legacy Contact Access Key you provided and a death certificate for you.

They can then use this information to initiate a request through Apple’s Digital Legacy service, allowing them to access your Apple account data.

Faith Promise Cards

Thanks to a fellow missionary, our Faith Promise Cards are available to download in Chinese, French, and Spanish.

The office has three different designs of English Faith Promise cards as well as two designs of Children’s Faith Promise Cards available for download or order. All Faith Promise Cards are free! Donations to help cover the cost of printing and shipping are accepted.

Find these and other helpful resources for your missions conference at helpmymissionsconference.com.

Prayer Requests and Special Days

Click here to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises, as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for this month.

Note: You will need to log in to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.