Month: October 2026

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Christian Liberty and Its Limits: 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.

1 Corinthians 8:9

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

Learn About It

Paul addresses the issue of Christian liberty—the freedom believers have in Christ. The Corinthians had questions about whether it was acceptable to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Paul explains that while idols are nothing, and eating such meat does not affect one’s relationship with God, there is a greater principle at play: love for others.

Believers have freedom in Christ, but that freedom must be used responsibly. Paul warns that exercising liberty without regard for others can become a stumbling block to weaker Christians. Some believers, especially those newly saved from idolatry, might still struggle with the association of food with idol worship. If a stronger believer eats such meat without consideration, it could lead a weaker believer to sin against their conscience.

This principle applies beyond food. There are many areas where Christians have liberty, but not all things are beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23). Our decisions should not be based only on what is lawful, but on what is loving and edifying to others.

Apply It to Me

Christian liberty is not about doing whatever we want—it is about living in a way that honors God and helps others grow in faith.
•Do I consider how my choices affect others, or do I only focus on my own freedom?
•Am I willing to limit my liberty for the sake of a weaker believer’s spiritual growth?
•Do I live with an attitude of love and responsibility, or do I insist on my rights?
Spiritual maturity is not about how much freedom we can exercise, but about how much love we are willing to show.

Talk to God About It

Lord, thank You for the freedom I have in Christ. Help me to use that freedom wisely, never as an excuse for selfishness but as an opportunity to love and serve others. Show me where I need to be more considerate of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and give me a heart that prioritizes their spiritual well-being. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Act on It

Think about an area where you have Christian liberty, but where your actions might affect another believer. This week, make a conscious effort to choose love over personal rights, ensuring that your decisions encourage rather than hinder someone’s spiritual growth.

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 2026

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 12 – 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 12-16, 2027 – 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.

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 2026, 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 2027 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.

Mission 21 Ecosystems

Mission 21 Ecosystems are a set of websites that are “21st century tools for a 1st century commission.” They were created by Anthony Master and Leland Johnson to develop practical, Gospel-centered tools that help Independent Baptist missionaries reach the field and effectively fulfill the Great Commission.

Missions21 connects pastors and missionaries through a searchable database of missionary profiles, prayer letters, video updates, doctrinal information, and communication tools. By helping churches discover, evaluate, manage, and stay engaged with missionaries from a single platform, Missions21 makes missions involvement more intentional, informed, and effective. Visit Missions21.com.


IFBMT helps missionaries raise and maintain support by providing tools to help them effectively manage deputation. Through a collaborative church database, route planning maps, scheduling tools, follow-up management, and ministry organization tools, IFBMT helps missionaries spend less time managing information and more time building lasting partnerships with local churches. Visit ifbmt.info.

 

ProphetsChambers.com helps missionaries find housing and church accommodations while traveling. Through community-verified listings, photos, amenities, reviews, and practical travel information, missionaries can make more informed lodging decisions and travel with greater confidence. This website is still under construction. For questions, contact prophetschambers.com at [email protected].

Dep-U provides practical training for missionaries through courses, playbooks, and field-tested strategies. Designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, Dep-U helps missionaries navigate deputation and ministry with greater confidence and effectiveness. This website is still under construction. For questions, contact dep-u.com at [email protected].

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.