Search the Book of the Lord . . . — Isaiah 34:16 (TLB)
A knowledge of the Bible is essential to a rich and meaningful life. For the words of this Book have a way of filling in the missing pieces, of bridging the gaps, of turning the tarnished colors of our life to jewel-like brilliance. Learn to take your every problem to the Bible. Within its pages you will find the correct answer. But most of all, the Bible is a revelation of the nature of God. The philosophers of the centuries have struggled with the problem of a Supreme Being. Who is He? What is He? Where is He? If there is such a Person, is He interested in me? If so, how can I know Him? These and a thousand other questions about God are answered in this Holy Book we call the Bible.
Prayer for the day: How glorious it is to read Your Word and learn more of You, my Savior and my Lord!
Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
Labour’s Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) criticised Mark Francois (Rayleigh and Wickford) for his comments in the run-up to Easter.
Shortly after the legislation put forward by Yvette Cooper passed its final Commons hurdle late on Wednesday, Mr Francois (pictured above) called it a “constitutional outrage”.
The leading Eurosceptic said the Bill had been “rammed through in four hours”, then quoted from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament, adding: “The public won’t be impressed by this. Forgive them father, they know not what they do.”
He was criticised by some MPs in the chamber at the time but not by the Speaker John Bercow, and on Thursday morning at Business Questions, Mr Sheerman (pictured below) called for a debate on “the way we treat each other, the respect, the language that we use”.
He said to Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom: “Could she particularly bear in mind something that was very offensive said last night by the member for Rayleigh and Wickford, when at this time we are in Lent and approaching Easter, when he said, ‘Forgive them father for they know not what they do’.
“To a Christian, and I’m a former parliamentary church warden, it was deeply offensive to use that phrase in the context of a debate on Brexit. It was offensive, and I do hope that we can have discussion about what is and what isn’t appropriate to say in this House.”
Yale Law School Pulls Fellowship Funding for Students Working at Christian Organizations
Yale Law School has reportedly stripped students completing fellowships with “religious or conservative public interest organizations” of financial aid.
According to Aaron Haviland of the Federalist, after Yale refused to allow conservative Christian law group Alliance Defending Freedom to come to campus to discuss the highly publicized Masterpiece Cakeshop case, they further restricted conservative and religious voices on campus by denying students who work for conservative companies funding during their summer fellowships.
Haviland wrote, “On March 25, one month after the controversy, Yale Law School announced via email that it was extending its nondiscrimination policy to summer public interest fellowships, postgraduate public interest fellowships, and loan forgiveness for public interest careers.”
He continued noting that “The school will no longer provide financial support for students and graduates who work at organizations that discriminate on the basis of ‘sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.’”
According to Haviland, who is a current law student at Yale Law School, the university took this action after an LGBTQ+ rights group called the Outlaws took issue with Yale’s admissions policy. Reportedly, the group “demanded” Yale Law school “clarify” its admissions policies for conservative students who…
Topic: He Makes The Night Good Also (Open Heaven 6 April 2019)
Memorise: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”- Psalm 30:5
Read: Exodus 14:19-24 (KJV)
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
Bible in One Year: Hebrews 11-13, Jeremiah 12
Open Heaven 6 April 2019 Saturday MESSAGE:
Night is generally identified as the period of darkness between evening and morning. It is a time of rest or cessation from daily activities, which is a good thing. However, because darkness also provides cover for evil activities, the devil and his demons, in collaboration with their human agents, usually commit all manner of evil works against people at night. Exposing their mode of operation, the Lord reveals in Matthew 13:25 that while men slept at night, the enemy came, corrupted their destinies with evil seeds and escaped unnoticed. The night is therefore recognized as the time of peak activity for the powers of darkness, and as the period when evil is easily planned and executed. Indeed, evil flourishes at night, so much so that the night life of most cities brims over with alcohol, drugs, prostitution, gambling, gangsterism and other terrible vices. This situation is especially rife in places where the spiritual atmosphere is under the control of the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). It is this reality that has given the night the sinister image it has. I decreed that every problem that entered your life under the cover of darkness be neutralized today in Jesus’ Name.
Notwithstanding the evil characteristics of the night, because God originally created the night to be good, good things can still come out of it. Among other things, the night time provides an ideal opportunity for praise, worship, prayer and in-depth Bible study. More importantly, multiple examples from the Bible and from our life experiences show that God is in the business of carrying out powerful deliverance at night. I therefore pray that your insurmountable problems will pass away with the night, and you will wake up to Joy and celebration in Jesus’ Name. In Exodus 14:24, as morning approach, God troubled the camp of the Egyptians so much that they knew God’s hand was against them. All their soldiers perished before dawn, and the Israelites woke up to Joy and celebration. This type of testimony will be your portion in Jesus’ Name. In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas went to bed as prisoners, but God visited the prison after midnight to deliver them with a foundation-shaking earthquake, and they woke up as free men in the morning. I pray that your problems will disappear with the night, and you will wake up to celebration in Jesus’ Name. Lastly, in Acts 12:6-10, Peter was kept in a maximum-security prison, but an angel of God visited the prison that night. Peter’s chains were broken and the prison gate opened to him by itself. He walked out of the prison a free man and joined the people of God to celebrate and praise God in the morning. God will give you such a testimony in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 6 April 2019 Saturday Prayer Point:
Father, please visit my adversaries tonight and cause me to celebrate victory in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 6 April 2019 Saturday Hymn 13: I Am A Victor
1 Yes, I know I am a victor
For the Bible tells me so
God made me more than a conqueror
Much stronger than all my foes
CHORUS Jesus loves me and I love Him Together we rule the world Christ with me I will overcome By His Blood, His Name, His Word
2 Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than demons I am
To Satan I am a terror
I am free, o yes, I am
3 Yes, I know I am a victor
Stronger than lack, poverty
All my needs Jesus provides for
I have life abundantly
4 Yes, I know I am a victor
Barrenness no more indeed
Fruitful is the God I live for
All my dreams shall be fulfilled
5 Yes, I know I am a victor
By His strength I shall succeed
No more loss and no more failure
Glory to glory proceed
6 Yes, I know I am a victor
No more sorrow, no despair
Jesus Christ is my own Succour
Tomorrow is joy and cheer
7 Yes, I know I am a victor
Very soon I’ll reign with Him
His promise is my sure anchor
He’s coming to take me home
8 Jesus loves me and I love Him
We rule this world together
As He is so right now I am
Hear me shout Halleluyah
9 Jesus loves me Halleluyah
Hear me shout Halleluyah
Halleluyah, Halleluyah
Glory be to God on high
Open Heaven 6 April 2019 Saturday Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 6 April 2019 Saturday Daily Devotional.
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Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
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Local reports indicate Gabriel Kola Abiodun was killed on Thursday morning by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers at the diocesan office complex of the church in Akure.
An eyewitness told the website Sahara Reporters that three gunmen attacked the 60-year-old father of four after he had returned from making bank transactions.
The witness who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The man (financial administrator) had just returned from one of the new generation banks where he had gone to withdraw some funds, which we learnt was probably meant for retirees.
“The money was about N500,000 (£1,065). He was shot in the thigh.
“I think the armed robbers attacked him, collected the money, before they escaped from the premises. By the time we came out of the building, there were blood stains everywhere on the floor.
“It’s a very sad thing.”
Femi Joseph, spokesman of the Ondo Police Command, confirmed the incident to Sahara Reporters.
“Yes, it is true the man was shot, but we are now investigating the case and his body has been evacuated,” Joseph said.
Meanwhile, the Anglican Bishop of the Akure Diocese has suggested that bank officials may have been involved in the shooting.
Rt Rev Simeon Oluwole Borokini said in a message to the police: “Don’t forget that a few months ago, one of our priests went to collect money from the bank and he was trailed to the school and the money…
Police Responsible for Disappearance of Pastor in Malaysia, Rights Commission Concludes
April 5, 2019 (Morning Star News) – A human rights committee in Malaysia has concluded that police officers were responsible for the 2017 disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh, according to published reports.
The prime minister of Malaysia told reporters late Wednesday (April 3) that the government would investigate the abduction of the pastor and the 2016 disappearance of a Shiite charity leader if it determines the committee’s conclusion that police abducted them is factually based.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the National Human Rights Commission must have evidence to support its conclusion that the special branch of police forced Pastor Koh into a car in Selangor state on Feb. 13, 2017. He has not been seen since. The commission also concluded that the special branch was responsible for the Nov. 24, 2016 disappearance of Amri Che Mat, the Shiite leader of a charity in the officially Sunni Islam country.
Asserting that police cannot be allowed to break the law, the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship called on officials to reopen the investigation into the “heinous injustice” against the two religious leaders, the AP reported.
The National Human Rights Commission announced on Wednesday (April 3) that its two-year investigation showed direct and circumstantial evidence that the two religious leaders were victims of…
The Vatican announced the definitive decision against Archbishop Anthony Apuron on Thursday.
In doing so, it revealed for the first time that he had been originally convicted of sexually abusing minors.
The Vatican confirmed that conviction and the original sentence, which removed Apuron from office and prohibited him from living on the Pacific island.
And in an additional penalty, the Vatican has prohibited him for life for using the insignia of a bishop.
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‘All I Could See Was Somebody’s Son or Daughter’: Gynecologist Who Performed 1,200 Abortions Becomes Pro-Life Activist
After performing almost 1,200 first and second trimester abortions, gynecologist and former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino experienced something that would change his life and his perspective on abortion forever.
In an interview on “The Billy and Justin Show” with Billy Hallowell and Justin Basch, Levantino discussed what exactly it was that caused him to turn his back on the abortion industry and join the pro-life movement.
According to CBN News, Levantino and his wife began trying to have a family sometime in the 1980s, but after failing to get pregnant they decided to adopt.
Levantino – who plays an abortionist in the recent box office hit Unplanned – found himself questioning the juxtaposition of being an abortionist while seeking to adopt a child. He said it was jarring for him to think about how when he went to work, he was tasked with killing unborn babies and when he went home all he and his wife wanted was to be able to have a child. Levantino even recalled thinking during this time that he wished he could bring one of the babies home to take care of.
While this set off questions for Levantino, after they adopted their daughter Heather – and a few months later found out that they were pregnant with a baby boy – the struggle subsided.
About six years later, however, the tragic death of…
In a statement, they said that while they’ve chosen not to make political statements around Brexit the risk to the poorest families across the UK compels them to speak up.
In a strong worded statement, they said: “As Christians we are called to demand justice for the millions locked in poverty. A No Deal Brexit risks tightening poverty’s grip on families up and down the country.
“Over the past decade, our churches have witnessed and responded to the slowly rising tide of hunger in the UK. A no-deal Brexit risks restricting the nation’s supply of food and increasing prices. This, alongside further cuts to benefits on Monday 8th April, could have grave consequences for many in our communities.
“Many charities are warning us that food supplies to the most vulnerable are most at risk – hospitals, prisons and those reliant on surplus or donated food. Supplies of essential medicines are likely to be disrupted. Again, the most vulnerable will be the least able to cope with this.”
The three church groups represent a combined membership of 350,000.
Explaining the reasons behind the statement on Premier’s News Hour on Friday, Paul Morrison from the Joint Public Issues Team (which represents the three churches) said: “We already see people coming into our churches who are hungry and who need the help of food banks.
“The last thing we want to see is more people in that position…
Many of you have been there and done that. You’ve accepted the call to a new church. You are excited about the possibilities. Your mind is filled with energizing ideas. You are ready to move forward.
Then it happens.
“It” refers to the event that takes you by surprise. You really did not see it coming. Even if it happened to you in a previous church, you viewed it as an exception. But here you go again.
I have been working with local church pastors for over three decades. I love these leaders. I love their hearts. And I hurt with them when they tell me these stories. Six of these stories are so common, I can almost predict them for new pastors. Of course, I hope they don’t take place; but too often they do. Here are the six challenges new pastors did not see coming:
The search committee really does not want the church to change. But they told you they were looking for a pastor to lead change in the church. What happened? Why have their minds changed? To be fair, the search committee members (or their equivalent) aren’t liars. They really wanted the church to change . . . as long as it didn’t affect them.
The deacons/elders really don’t want you to lead. Again, they told you they were looking for a strong leader. They told you they were ready to follow you. And they were ready to follow you . . . until you started leading them somewhere they didn’t want to go.
Your biggest supporter became your most vocal critic. He was there when the moving van pulled up to your church. He wanted to…
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