What Amazon’s empire says about your soul

I haven’t seen this much cardboard since our family moved to Dallas twenty years ago. Like millions of Americans, our home is the regular destination of brown boxes adorned with smiling logos. What was once a simple online bookseller is fast becoming the most ubiquitous company in the world.

CNN Business tells the story of Amazon’s astounding rise to global dominance. The company seemingly sells everything a consumer can buy, from electronic readers to home security systems to groceries. While there are genuine concerns about the demise of traditional retailers, Amazon’s business model is clearly in the ascent.

One sentence explains their success.

What I learned about America in Cuba

Jeff Bezos, now the world’s richest man, told an Economic Club of Washington dinner last September: “The number one thing that has made us successful, by far, is obsessive-compulsive focus on the customer as opposed to obsession over the competitor.”

This is a fascinating window into our culture. Why does such a customer-centric business model work so well? Consider two factors, both of which relate directly to churches today.

One: Americans are conditioned to think like consumers.

As Bezos notes, we will always want low prices, fast delivery, and large selection. And we will reward companies that deliver them to us. Likewise, churches that tell us what we want to hear will gain a hearing today.

I have discovered that it is not so everywhere. In my frequent travels to Cuba, I have witnessed Christians taking stands for Christ that lead to economic deprivation and government oppression. I have met Muslims who converted to Christianity at the risk of their jobs and even their lives. I know of pastors in China who preach the gospel while facing government censure and worse.

Two: Our culture is more cocooned than ever.

Shopping in a mall is a communal experience, as is attending a movie in a theater, a concert in a music hall, and a worship service in a church…

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Most churches ‘lack paperwork to tackle drug use’

The Christian charity Hope UK says its poll of 100 congregations shows many may not know how to respond to situations such as teenagers smoking cannabis in their car park.

Chief executive officer, Joe Griffiths told Premier: “The drugs policy, in its simplest form, is a set of guidelines that ensure issues related to drugs and alcohol are treated fairly and efficiently within your church.

 

“Part of your drugs policy should be a lot of allocation towards prevention work; working with young people within your church and doing drug education work with them”.

A drugs policy ought to set out which substances are not acceptable within church and how the use of drugs for medicinal purposes can be managed, according to Hope UK.

The organisation, which promotes drugs literacy, found 75-per-cent of churches lack paperwork on how to guide young people who are offered drugs by their friends or strangers.

Ninety-nine-per-cent of churches who did not have a drugs policy admitted it would be a good idea.

Wikimedia Commons

 

Joe Griffiths added: “Only 43-per-cent of respondents said that they did have a drugs policy, that everyone was trained and followed the policy.

“That actually means that of those 57-per-cent of churches that aren’t training their staff, effectively, they don’t have a drugs policy.”

Click here to listen to Premier’s John Pantry and…

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Sacred Cows to Be Aware of in Your Church

Podcast Episode #474

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We recently ran a Twitter poll to find out the most dealt with sacred cows in churches. The responses were both hilarious and worrisome.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Sacred cows are often sacred not simply because of their usefulness, but because of their tradition.
  • The offertory is often the biggest sacred cow in the order of worship.
  • The offertory is not a distraction from worship, it is an act of worship.
  • Too many people think that their preferred worship style is biblically prescribed.

The 15 sacred cows we discuss are:

  1. The parlor.
  2. The organ.
  3. Politics.
  4. Order of worship.
  5. The building.
  6. Flowers in the worship center.
  7. Music/worship style.
  8. Sunday evening services.
  9. Pews.
  10. Attire.
  11. Committees.
  12. Cemeteries.
  13. Choir robes.
  14. Previous pastor.
  15. White tablecloths over the elements for the Lord’s Supper/Communion.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast


Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped thousands of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.com.


The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical training is more necessary than ever. It’s time to get your Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div…

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MFM Daily Devotional 9 October 2018 – The Power To Break Through

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 9 October 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – The Power To Break Through

TOPIC: The Power To Break Through (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 9 October 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:7-12

MEMORY VERSE: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

The MESSAGE:

The greatest command is to love God and love people. If you love God and hate your brother, the truth is not in you. This means that we must love our brothers. Love is God’s divine nature, which we must partake in. Beloved, fasting and praying alone cannot make us to partake in His nature. The characteristics of love as we know are patience, kindness, being accommodating, not being envious, not being jealous, not lording it over people, not proud, not rude, not selfish, not easily provoked, and not vexed. Love does not delight in evil, it rejoices in truth; it protects; it shelters; it preserves and defends and above all, it keeps no record of wrongs, and it is considerate.

Love has power and 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love but perfect love cast out fear.” What then can love do? Jesus came to heal the broken hearted by the power of love — no discrimination, no selection. He did all by the Spirit of God upon him through the power of love. Many in this generation have the spirit of God in them because God had released His Spirit upon men but many with the Spirit of God have no love. The Spirit of God manifests in the form of the grace of God upon us. The gift of God in our lives include: the blessings the has bestowed upon us, the anointing that breaks yoke in us, financial blessings, wisdom, initiative, talents, good positions that we have which others around us do not have. All these are given to us for others to benefit from. The power that will make you to allow others to benefit from what you have is the power of love. However, there are many people who do not attend to the poor but the rich; many use their money only for their family members even when they have more than enough. Similarly, some people assist only their tribal men and women and have nothing to do with others. The power that will make you not to belong to those categories of people is the power of love.

Do you need deliverance, breakthrough and success in all your endeavours? Just begin to show love to someone from today and pray the power of love into your life. A man took his born again Christian friend’s name to a herbalist for destruction. The herbalist could discern that the Christian loved his friend so much, and the man told the evil man to go and make sure he offends the Christian so much that the Christian would begin to hate him, and then he should come back for the attack. The evil man tried all he could, but the Christian kept on showing him love and at last the enemies’ plans failed. Show love today, you shall be delivered from your enemies.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
LOVE DOES NOT KEEP RECORDS OF WRONG.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Those who hate you shall come back to seek for your favour.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Father, I thank You because You love me so much, in the name of Jesus.
2. Any wicked power using me to work against God, die by fire, in Jesus’ name.
3. Power from my father’s house that says I shall not walk with God, die, in Jesus’ name.

EVENING
4. Anything in me making God to get angry with me, die by fire, in Jesus’ name.
5. Power of hatred operating in my family, you shall not prosper in my life, die, in Jesus’ name.
6. Power of love to break through, come upon my life, in the name of Jesus.
7. Every synagogue of Satan erected against me because I an the beloved of the Lord, fall down, in Jesus’ name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

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.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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Stunning Space Station Shots Reveal the Beauty of an Orbital Sunrise – Urban Christian News

While sunrises on Earth can be impressive, from orbit, they take on a whole new dimension.

These incredible images, taken by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst are the lateast in a stunning series of images he has taken from the ISS.

However, these are the images that rendered him speechless.

‘I don’t know any words, in any language, to match the beauty of an orbital sunrise’ he said after witnessing the incredible scene.

Last he captured amazing images of a super typhoon.

‘As if somebody pulled the planet’s gigantic plug,’ he wrote.

‘Staring down the eye of yet another fierce storm. Category 5 Super Typhoon Trami is unstoppable and heading for Japan and Taiwan. Be safe down there!’

Gerst attained the unique perspective from 250 miles above the surface, aboard the orbiting International Space Station. 

The stunning photo offers a glimpse into the views seen only by the astronauts on the ISS.

Gerst is currently leading the Horizons mission on the ISS, in his second stint at the orbiting lab.

WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION?

The International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion (£80 billion) science and engineering laboratory that orbits 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.

It has been permanently staffed by rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts since November 2000.

The space station is currently home to two Russians, three Americans and one Japanese.

Research conducted aboard the ISS often requires one or more of the unusual conditions present in low Earth orbit, such as low-gravity or oxygen.

The International Space Station (file photo) is a $100 billion (£80 billion) science and engineering laboratory that orbits 250 miles (400 km) above Earth

The International Space Station…

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Go For Adequate Information by David Ibiyeomie

Go For Adequate Information by David Ibiyeomie

Topic: Go For Adequate Information

The quality of information you get will determine how far you will go in life. Information is the bedrock of any transformation in life.

Hosea 4:6a (KJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

There is need for information in your quest for a change of position. It is important that you keep getting the right information consistently and continually because in life, what you hear will determine how you think, and how you think will determine how you behave, and how you behave will determine what you become.

Luke 8:18a (KJV) Take heed therefore how ye hear.

When you see a man behaving poor, he has heard something about poverty that makes him behave poor and he becomes a poor man. When you see a man that may not have physical cash but read something about wealth, he begins to think wealth, behaves like a rich man and ends up becoming a rich man. You can’t change a poor man’s status if you don’t look at where the information is coming from.

You can never be great if you don’t have the right information because every destiny is at the mercy of information.

Jesse Owens, an American athlete, was in school when his sports coach told him 4 things as information, “to be a great sport’s star, you need determination, dedication, attitude and discipline”. These 4 things the young man heard was what shaped his life to become a four-time Olympic gold medalist. Just one information!

Also Read: Determination: The Secret To Success By David Ibiyeomie

Information is very powerful, that’s why you don’t stop learning because when you stop learning, information will stop. Keep pace with current information. You cannot have an obsolete information and expect to produce any current result, don’t have an outdated information. Many don’t have regard for information because of tradition; they are so fixed that even when they see something better, they block their minds from accepting information.

Go for information! There is no substitute for sound knowledge. If you want unending exploits to be the best, then sound knowledge is important. Anything you are doing in life, you must have a current working knowledge. In whatever profession you are, be current. The world today is knowledge and technology activated

No one fails with facts. Information not updated will be obsolete, change is always proportionate to information. Do not expect to be great if you’re unwilling to pursue relevant information in your field. The information of yesterday is not the information of today.

Take a decision by placing value on your life and get information!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie 

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

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.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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Teens Open Heavens 9 October 2018 – The Writer’s Resource

Topic: The Writer’s Resource [Teens Open Heavens 9 October 2018]

Memorise: My heart is indicting a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1

Read: Psalm 45:1-2 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 41-42, Colossians 1

MESSAGE:

Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. He is the letters A and Z. An implication of Jesus as Alpha and Omega is that, He is the Greatest Writer and Author. No wonder His book; the Bible, remains the greatest best-seller all through the ages.

It is a super book with 66 separate books, yet it has the same general theme; Jesus. This therefore gives writers hope. Are you struggling with ideas? Are you struggling with your academics? Go to the Alpha and Omega. He can give you ideas and show you ways to excel in your academics that will make you outstanding.

Key Point: The greatest treasure of any writer is the Alpha and Omega. Do you have Him?

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 10:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a Friend so faithful?
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield You;
You wilt find a solace there.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.

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DCLM Daily Manna 9 October 2018 – God Will Protect You

Topic: God Will Protect You [DCLM Daily Manna 9 October 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Psalms 61:1-8 (KJV)

Key Verse: “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).

MESSAGE:

Sometimes, the circumstances of life seem to overwhelm us. It appears as if we are covered by a pall of darkness. We are gripped by the fear of a foreboding, evil occurrence. Most people panic at such a time, and might even resort to self-help or other desperate measures. But for children of God, such a time calls for heartfelt prayer for security and assurance.

David found himself in such a situation at least once in his eventful life. It was a lonely and fearful time, when it appeared that God had forgotten him. But David remembered to cry to the Lord. He pleaded with God to hear and answer his prayer; after all, he recognised that wherever he was on earth, God was there. He sought security and protection from God. He pleaded that God should shelter him, like a strong tower, from the enemy.

He affirmed his faith in His faithfulness, having obtained favour from the Lord “as one of those that fear thy name”. He prayed to God for long life and reaffirmed his commitment to Him. He also asked that His mercy and truth should preserve him from evil and pledged to praise God and fulfil his vows.

When life’s journey becomes dreary and dangerous; when we are fearful and frightened by enemies, situations and circumstances; when it appears that we are all alone in the whole wide world, without comfort or consolation, we should remember to turn to God in prayer. We should trust Him to draw near and spring to our help.

Wherever we are, we must know that distance is no barrier to God; His presence is always with us. And in good or bad times, like David, we should learn to praise God and repose utmost faith in Him to protect us.

Thought For The Day: “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed”.

Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 12:1; Mark 3; Luke 6

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE 

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

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.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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Kenneth & Gloria Copeland Devotional 9 October 2018 – Your First and Highest Calling

Topic: Your First and Highest Calling [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland Devotional 9 October 2018]

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. – 1 Corinthians 1:9

Do you know what God wants you to do more than anything else today? He wants you to fellowship with Him.

He wants you to walk with Him and talk with Him. To discuss the things of life with Him. He wants you to draw near to Him and partake of His very nature.

So many of us get so caught up in striving to please God in the things we do that we forget our first and highest calling is just to be in fellowship with Him.

That’s right. God longs for us just to want to be with Him.

Have you ever considered how much it would mean for you to just come to God and say, “Father, I didn’t really come today to get anything. I’ve prayed about my needs already and Your Word says they’re met according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. So I just came to be with You. If You have anything You’d like to tell me, I’m ready to listen…and I want You to know that whatever I see in Your Word, I’ll do it. I’ll put it into effect in my life.”

Why don’t you tell that to God today? He’s waiting to have fellowship with you.

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:1-7

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily Devotional Here’’

This message was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.

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Our Daily Bread 9 October 2018 Devotional – Much More Than Words

Topic: Much More Than Words [Our Daily Bread 9 October 2018 Devotional]

Read: Romans 8:22–30, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 32–33; Colossians 1

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Romans 8:26

At a dedication ceremony during which a Bible translated into a local African language was presented, the area chief was presented with his own copy. In appreciation, he lifted the Bible to the skies and exclaimed, “Now we know God understands our language! We can read the Bible in our own native mother-tongue.”

No matter our language, our heavenly Father understands it. But often we feel unable to express our deepest longings to Him. The apostle Paul encourages us to pray regardless of how we feel. Paul speaks of our suffering world and our own pain: “The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22), and he compares that to the Holy Spirit’s work on our behalf. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness,” he writes. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (v. 26).

God’s Holy Spirit knows us intimately. He knows our longings, our heart-language, and our unspoken words, and He helps us in our communication with God. His Spirit draws us to be transformed into the image of God the Son (v. 29).

Our heavenly Father understands our language and speaks to us through His Word. When we think our prayers are weak or too short, His Holy Spirit helps us by speaking through us to the Father. He yearns for us to talk with Him in prayer.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for understanding my language and innermost longings. When my prayers are weak and dry, bear me up through Your Spirit.

When we feel weak in our prayers, God’s Spirit helps us in ways we can’t imagine.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Lawrence Darmani [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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