Pray for Martha Road Baptist Church

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Location: Altus, Oklahoma

Pastor: Kevin Baker

Weekly Worship: 8:30 & 11:00 AM, Central

Fast Facts: Martha Road Baptist Church has a fascinating history. T.F Medlin traveled from Shreveport, LA in the 1880’s to begin an evangelistic ministry among the men and women who had settled along the route of the great cattle drives. It was among these people that a small country church was started. In 1889 with Rev T.F. Medlin as the founder and pastor, a small group of believers formed a church, which they called Fairview Baptist Church. Their meeting place was the local schoolhouse. There were twenty-four charter members and Judge Hullin was the first Sunday School Director.

In the early 1900’s the small community was officially named after Rev. Medlin’s daughter, Martha. The church’s name was then changed to the First Baptist Church of Martha. In 1905, the congregation built a frame building in which to meet. This building was located on School Street in Martha. In 1925, with great sacrifice, the congregation came together to finance the building of a brick sanctuary on Main Street in Martha.

In 1986, the church body voted to start a fund for the construction of a new building. On the urging and vision of a church Deacon named Bennie Cooper a change of building site was agreed upon and the name of the church was changed to Martha Road Baptist Church. A day of dedication and celebration marked by praise and the first official worship service in the new building was held on Sunday, October 29,…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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5 years since Chibok girls were taken

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5 years since Chibok girls were taken

On 14th April 2014 Boko Haram set classrooms ablaze and told the girls that the school was under attack and that they were the military protecting them.

Over 270 girls were then herded into trucks to be driven to a camp in the nearby Sambisa Forest where for years many would experience, rape, pregnancy, violence and witness the death of children. 

According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, at least 165 of the kidnapped girls were Christian and belonged to the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.

 

 

Over 40 girls escaped on the way and many of the girls who managed to escape later reported that rape was part of the captives’ daily life. 

Those who did not obey the militants or refused to renounce their Christian faith were reportedly punished severely and there were suggestions that some of the Chibok girls were forced to become Boko Haram fighters and commit murders for the Islamist group. 

In February 2015, the first baby was born to one of the Chibok girls.

103 girls have been released in two batches in October 2016 and May 2017. 

The Christian charity Open Doors has been supporting some of the parents through prayer, food and medicine, including Yana Gana, whose daughter has not returned: “Any time I speak about Rifkatu, I feel so much pain in my heart” she said.

“When she was kidnapped, laughter ceased in my house,

“Everybody was filled with pain,…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Christian rugby player Vunipola booed on pitch after defending Israel Folau

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Christian rugby player Vunipola booed on pitch after defending Israel Folau

England’s number eight, Vunipola, ‘liked’ fellow Christian rugby player Israel Folau’s post on Instagram (below) and then wrote a detailed response about why, after receiving three phones calls asking him to ‘unlike’ the post.

Australian player Folau posted on instagram this week a picture that read: ‘Drunks, homosexuals, adultereres, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists, idolaters – hell awaits you! Repent, only Jesus saves’. 

Folau added as his caption: “Those that are living in sin will end up in hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him.”

 

 

Refusing to unlike the post, Vunipola wrote: “There just comes a point when you insult what I grew up believing in that you just say enough is enough,

“What he’s saying isn’t that he doesn’t like or love those people. He’s saying how we live our lives needs to be closer to how God intended them to be.

“Man was made for woman to pro create. That was the goal, no? I’m not perfect. I’m at least everything on that list at least at one point in my life. It hurts to know that. But that’s why I believe there’s a God. To guide and protect us and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

 

 

Since then, the Tongan-born player is to be questioned by the Rugby Football Union and was not given a warm reception by the Ashton Gate…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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More churches than pubs in UK

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More churches than pubs in UK

There are around 39,000 pubs in the UK, according to the Office of National Statistics, with more than 11,000 pubs having closed in the last decade – a fall of almost a quarter. 

However, there are around 40,300 church buildings open to the public and in use, which is also higher than other key public buildings in the UK.

Eddie Tulasiewicz, from the National Churches Trust told Premier: “Pubs have been closing but churches haven’t really. There have been closures around the country, some churches have closed in smaller numbers in some parts of the country but their closure has been outweighed particularly by the rise of new denominations, evangelical churches and pentacostal churches.”

 

 

In comparison, there are around 14,300 supermarkets operated by grocery retailers, 11,500 post office branches, 7,500 bank branches and 3,600 public libraries.

“Churches are obviously places of worship but communities meet there and they don’t want to let them go” said Eddie Tulasiewicz. 

He added that often people will fight to keep their local church open because of the number communtiy actitivites that are hosted there. 

Nearly 1 in 5 polling stations are in church buildings and, aside from the commmon use as a venue for youth groups, older people’s clubs and nurseries and concerts, some even house post-offices, GP surgeries and farmers’ markets.

Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector of…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Cbeebies presenter hosts childrens church services on Palm Sunday

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Cbeebies presenter hosts childrens church services on Palm Sunday

Gemma, a Christian who has also presented films for the alpha course and hosted events such as Big Church Day Out and Spring Harvest, will host the ‘pirate parties’ at Christ church in Worksop, and St Luke’s church in Shireoaks on Palm Sunday. 

There will be pirate-themed games, songs inspired by the TV show Swashbuckle and an evangelistic kids talk. 

 

 

The Revd Luiz Lima, the vicar of Christ Church and St Luke’s told Premier that Gemma Hunt had told them she is looking forward to it: “She is coming and she is going to be leading a service of celebration and we’re going to have a service themed according to her pirate show.

“She has been outstanding, she has been so engaging and so excited about this project.”

The churches have been working in parntership with local schools to invite as many children as possible to the pirate services.

Inviting Gemma Hunt came as part of a push to engage more with families and young children and Rev Luiz explained that they hoped this would kickstart their children’s work again: “Both churches are really pushing forward in the engagement with families.

“That’s an area that, up to two years ago, we didn’t have much of a ministry with and at my arrival we prayed about it and we thought: we need to really to engage in our ministry and our evangelism with families and children.

“That started with our connections with local schools…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Joyce Meyer Devotional 14 April 2019 — God Will Meet You in the Fire

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Joyce Meyer Devotional 14 April 2019 — God Will Meet You in the Fire

Topic: God Will Meet You in the Fire [Joyce Meyer Devotional 14 April 2019]

Read Previous MESSAGES HERE

We believe God is going to deliver us, but even if He does not, we are not conforming to your image of what you think we ought to be. We are going to do what God is telling us to do. You can do what you want to with your furnace. But whatever happens to us, we will have peace. — Daniel 3:17-18 (Paraphrased)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the golden idol that King Nebuchadnezzar constructed, and as a result were thrown into the fiery furnace (see Daniel 3). These three young men had no idea what would happen to them, but they were willing to put their lives on the line instead of disobeying God. We need people today who will take a stand for righteousness, for what is right according to God’s Word. If this does not happen, our world will be in serious trouble.

Many times, people fail to stand up for righteousness because they are afraid of what will happen when they do. Will they lose their jobs? Will they lose their friends? Will God abandon them? In situations such as these, when we do not know what the outcome or result of a situation will be, we need to trust God and press forward to do what we believe is right. Even if we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, God’s Word says we are blessed (see Matthew 5:10). Those three Hebrew boys would’ve never experienced their incredible miracle if they weren’t willing to trust God as they stood in that fire.

The world desperately needs men and women who will trust God even in the midst of the fires of persecution and outside pressure. God can put us in better places than people could ever put us if we trust in Him and if we are people of integrity and excellence. We need people who will put everything on the line and say, “Even if I lose what I want, I will not compromise and do what I know in my heart to be wrong.” We need to fear the Lord above all else, and to trust Him at all times, in every situation, every day of our lives.

Trust in Him. Don’t be afraid to stand up for righteousness, because you know He’ll never leave you or forsake you.

Prayer Starter: Father, when the “fire” is turned up in my life, help me to stand strong and be a good representative for You. Help me to walk in integrity and do what’s right, even when it’s not popular. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 14 April 2019

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Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 14 April 2019 – The Book of Remembrance

1.I worship and adore You, my Father, because You’re the God of Restoration and the rewarder of them that diligently seek You. (Click HERE for Open Heaven 14 April 2019 Devotional)

2.Thank You, Father, for first loving me, in that while I was yet a sinner, You gave Your only son, Jesus, to die for me, at Calvary.

3.Father, wipe away the errors of my past, and in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, have mercy, forgive me and grant me complete restoration, in Jesus’ name.

4.Father, release upon my life the garment of ceaseless praise and thanksgiving, and the grace to preach the gospel of Christ, daily, in Jesus’ name.

5.Father, let every comment, advice or counsel, contrary to my well-being and meant to discourage people from helping me, be rendered inconsequential, null and void, in Jesus’ name.

6.Father, please, single me out for Your favour and elevation, in all areas of my life and ministry, today, in Jesus’ name.

7.Father, restore unto me all that the enemies have stolen and let all those who have been looking down on me, begin to look up to me, in Jesus’ name.

8.Father, heal my wounds, without leaving a scar, grant me divine health for the rest of my life, and restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, in Jesus’ name.

9.Father, restore unto me all the years that I have lost in the wilderness of sin, to fruitlessness, to wasted efforts and captivity, in Jesus’ name.

10.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, and perfect everything concerning his life and ministry, in Jesus’ name.

11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus’ name.

12.Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus’ name.

13.Your Personal petitions. (Philippians 4:6)

14.In Jesus name I pray. (John 14:13-14; 15:16)

15.Thank you Father for answered prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye’s book Ministry, in Jesus name.

Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 14 April 2019 – The Book of Remembrance

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Hope Is Coming – Anglican Communion 14 April 2019

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Hope Is Coming – Anglican Communion 14 April 2019

The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 14 April 2019 – Hope Is Coming

Click HERE to Read Previous MESSAGES

TOPIC: Hope Is Coming

READ: Matthew 21:1-13 King James Version (KJV)

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

THE MESSAGE:

When the two disciples brought the colt and the donkey, they placed their coats and garments upon the young colt to serve as a saddle for Jesus. The people were all excited, hoping that Jesus was coming to overthrow the power of Rome and liberate them. Jesus was not coming to destroy the Romans, but rather to deal with the issue of sin in our lives.

His agenda is to lead us into a deeper relationship with God, so that He might change our lives, and we will receive that which is truly important in life. Depending on the hope they had, they responded to Jesus differently. One group took off their coats and clothing and laid them down the pathway as a royal carpet for the animal to walk on to honour Jesus. Another cut palm branches and laid them down as means of honouring Jesus. A third group simply stood alongside the road and cheered briefly and went back to their businesses.

Today Jesus our hope for peace and eternal life is marching into hearts. The hope you have in Him will determine how much of your heart you allow Him take possession of. He desires to make every heart His home but will not force it upon you. With Jesus in your heart, you have hope!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, my hope is in You. Help me surrender wholly to You.

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Acknowledge His Presence And Ministry In You – Rhapsody of Realities 14 April 2019

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Acknowledge His Presence And Ministry In You – Rhapsody of Realities 14 April 2019

Click HERE to Download Rhapsody of Realities April 2019 Free PDF Devotional

Rhapsody of Realities 14 April 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Acknowledge His Presence And Ministry In You

Click HERE to Read Previous MESSAGES

Topic: Acknowledge His Presence And Ministry In You

…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you) … (Hebrews 13:5 AMPC).

As a child of God, you’re never alone; you’ll never walk alone, because the Holy Spirit is in you. He lives in and with you always. Part of His ministry in your life is to stay in fellowship with you, strengthening your faith and stirring up courage in you to do the will of God, and fulfil your calling. Encourage His work and ministry in your life through your conscious appreciation of His indwelling and abiding presence. When you’re out on evangelism, witnessing to others about Christ, be conscious that He’s with you. As you minister and share the Word, you may be talking to the person from the outside, but He’s ministering to the person on the inside, confirming the Word in their hearts. He ministers along, and together, with you as your Helper.

Always acknowledge His presence and work in you, as Jesus did. Jesus said, “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:10). He recognized the Holy Spirit as the Father in Him, working in and through Him. The Holy Spirit is the Father in you; your Guide and your Keeper. Trust Him with your life. He’s the best friend and Helper you could ever have.

If you’re experiencing challenges right now, perhaps with your finances, health, academics, marriage, business, or career, don’t fret; trust the Holy Spirit. Set your attention and affection on Him; He never fails. Read again His reassuring and comforting words to you in our opening scripture, and ponder on the emphasis: “…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)…. ”

PRAYER
 I’m a champion for life, by the Holy Spirit who lives in me, and works in and through me. I acknowledge His presence and work in my life, and declare that He’s my guarantee of a life of everlasting success, limitless progress and victories, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
 Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:26

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
 Luke 14:1-24 & Judges 17-18

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
 Mark 2:1-12 & Leviticus 14

Rhapsody of Realities 14th April 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.

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TREM Devotional 14 April 2019 – Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord

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TREM Devotional 14 April 2019 – Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord

Topic: Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord [TREM Devotional 14 April 2019]

Read Previous MESSAGES by Bishop Mike Okonkwo https://flatimes.com/category/trem-devotional/

“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” – Matthew 21:9 (KJV)

This account is such an interesting one. It was exactly one week before the same people turned around and shouted ‘Crucify Him.’ The huge lesson to learn from this is that we should never to be moved by the applause of men; rather focus on God who called you and strive for His applause, for when He celebrates you He truly celebrates you. Man oscillates from one mood swing to another but not God. His Word is Yea and Amen.

In this account, the sovereignty of God was displayed. Imagine going to a man, whom you have never met, and asking him for his colt with only one instruction: The Lord has need of it, and the man did not argue. That goes to show that the Lord whom you serve has incredible power at His disposal. He can make and unmake, He can wound, and He can heal. He is God all by Himself. The hearts of kings are in His hands and He can turn it as He wills. So, the disciples went and spoke as commanded, and the man handed over the colt without another word.

Then, think of the women who threw their wrappers on the floor and those who climbed to cut palm fronds! Who instructed them? The truth is: God is God. When He is set to do a thing, everything gravitates to make it happen. It may not look like it, but if God has said it, then it must of necessity come to pass. The Word of God never falls to the ground; it must always accomplish what it is sent to do.

What has God spoken to you about? No matter how impossible it looks, don’t give up. Hang in there. Believe Him for His Word and be assured that it will come to pass. Creation will work for you in Jesus’ name.

Further Reading: Matthew 21: 1-11

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Samuel 25-26; Evening- Luke 12:32-59

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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