What do politics and UFC have in common?

Did you hear about the fight that began after it ended?

Three million people paid to view Khabib Nurmagomedov fight Conor McGregor in an Ultimate Fighting Championship title bout Saturday night. A bitter personal conflict between the two has been brewing for months. After Nurmagomedov won, he climbed out of the octagon-shaped cage in which they fought and attacked one of McGregor’s corner men. Two men from Nurmagomedov’s camp jumped into the cage and attacked McGregor.

Did the verdict settle the hostilities? McGregor: “I always say you should aim for peace, but if you can’t get peace, you should aim between the eyes. This will never be over.”

The heart of the issue

The UFC fight feels like a parable for America’s political culture this morning. After the Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh, USA Today headlined: “Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation didn’t settle this fight. It ignited it.”

A petition to impeach Kavanaugh has now gathered over 125,000 signatures. Republicans are hoping the fight galvanizes support ahead of the midterm elections in November.

The conflict over Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation was not just another example of the divisive rhetoric that has split America into “red” and “blue” states for years. Nor is the animosity solely due to the fact that a five-to-four conservative majority now sits on the Court.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, explained the issue succinctly yesterday: if the conservative justices do not overturn Roe v. Wade, “they will nullify it, pretty much.” She expects the new Court to allow more state restrictions on abortion.

And this is the heart of the issue.

When the system fails

American democracy, while exceedingly complex, can be reduced to this rather simple formula: Citizens elect leaders to represent them in the White House and Congress. Congress makes laws that the courts interpret and enforce.

If citizens are unhappy with their laws, they can…

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Church leaders dismayed by first Outer Hebrides gay pride march

The procession in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis went ahead at the weekend one day after concerns were raised at a prayer meeting.

Rev Greg MacDonald from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) told the Scottish Sun: “It genuinely grieves me that this is happening.

 

“Scotland used to be known as the land of the book.”

According to the newspaper, Rev Graeme Craig from Stornoway Free Church said the event was “sad and shameful.”

The pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival drew approximately 500 people – some holding balloons and banners – to the streets on Saturday.

A dozen or so people opposed to the demonstration held placards along the route.

 

One quoted Mark 10:6 which said: “But, at the beginning of creation, God ‘made them male and female'”.

An estimated 150 people prayed together on Friday that the event would not go ahead.

But local businesswoman Sarah Gussing Venus was among those who supported the march.

“Generally, this is a very supportive community.

“It’s not at all about passive-aggressive homophobic behaviour.

“I’m flying the [rainbow] flag because there are times when you just have to say everyone is welcome.”

Stay up…

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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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One of the Most Destructive Statements a Church Member Can Make

If you have served in church leadership for several years, you have likely heard this statement:

“You know who pays the bills at the church.”

The statement is one of the most insidious, destructive, and ungodly statements a member can make. It says much about the attitude of the member and the group he or she represents. There is nothing good that can come from this statement. Just look at some of the implications of this attitude:

  1. It is an attitude of selfishness. The giver with this attitude looks at his or her gifts to the church with a closed fist instead of an open hand. Money is given conditionally, not sacrificially or unconditionally: “It’s my money, not God’s money.”
  2. It is an attitude of entitlement. Gifts to the church are more like country club dues. “Since I pay my money, I get my perks and benefits. I get things my way. And if I don’t get things my way, you just watch me stop paying my dues.”
  3. It is an attitude of divisiveness. Those who express such statements are already creating schisms in the church. The big givers are in one group, and the lesser givers are in another. It’s us versus them. “Those other people don’t deserve an opinion, because we pay more than they do.”
  4. It is an attitude of bullying. The statement is always a threat. It is usually directed at the pastor or some other leader in the church. “You do things my way or just watch what I’ll do to you.” It’s intimidation and bullying at its worst.
  5. It is an attitude of superiority. The…

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

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Banksy Artwork Sold for $1.4 Million Was Built to Destruct if ‘Put Up for Auction’ – Urban Christian News

Art prankster Banksy has struck again.

A work by the elusive street artist apparently self-destructed in front of startled auction-goers on Friday, moments after being sold for 1.04 million pounds ($1.4 million).

A day later, Banksy revealed on his official Instagram account Saturday that he “secretly built a shredder into a painting” years ago “in case it was ever put up for auction.”

In the social media video, the spray-painted canvas “Girl With Balloon” went under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London. The artwork fetched more than three times its pre-sale estimate and equaling a record price for the artist.

Then, as an alarm sounded, it ran through a shredder embedded in the frame, emerging from the bottom in strips.

Another post on Banksy’s Instagram showed the moment – and the shocked reaction of those in the room – with the words “Going, going, gone…”

Sotheby’s – which had noted before the sale that the work’s ornate gilded frame was “an integral element of the artwork chosen by Banksy himself” – expressed surprise at the incident.

“It appears we just got Banksy-ed,” said Alex Branczik, head of contemporary European art at the auction house.

Click here to read more.
Source: USA Today

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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Death Toll Rises After Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Rocks Haiti – Urban Christian News

A massive search and rescue was underway Sunday in northern Haiti after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake rocked the region, killing at least 12 people, injuring more than 180 and damaging dozens of homes and businesses.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at 8:11 p.m. Saturday local time and was centered 12 miles northwest of Port-de-Paix on Haiti’s north coast. Heavy rains that flooded streets in the region hindered first responders.

The quake and its aftershocks set off panic in some neighborhoods, but President Jovenel Moïse  and other leaders called for calm.

“I am in constant contact with the PM Jean-Henry Ceant, who is coordinating the relief operations,” Moïse said on Twitter. “I asked him to mobilize all the resources of the republic to help the people.”

The global humanitarian aid organization Mercy Corps said it was deploying team members to evaluate the impact on the region and attempt to meet the most immediate needs of residents.

Jessica Pearl, Mercy Corps country director in Haiti, said the area is mountainous, remote and contains some of the island’s greatest poverty.

“Which means there is less concrete construction,” Pearl said. “Homes and buildings made of stone or mud brick are at greater risk of being damaged by a seismic event. It is also a very difficult area to access.”

Click here to read more.
Source: USA Today

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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MFM Daily Devotional 8 October 2018 – The Release of Your Joseph

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 8 October 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – The Release of Your Joseph

TOPIC: The Release of Your Joseph (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 8 October 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Genesis 41:38-41

MEMORY VERSE: “Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.” – Genesis 41:14

The MESSAGE:

To release is to let go. It is to discharge. It is an act of freedom and independence from a slave master. It means something had been captured already and put in a wrong place where it ought not to be. In Genesis chapters 39-41, Joseph was brought down to Egypt and he worked in the home of an official called Potiphar. He was tempted to sleep with Portiphar’s wife, but he refused and still ended up in prison. The Lord was with Joseph right inside the prison, but he had no physical freedom. Joseph put his trust in the Lord and his gift still manifested while in prison. Though he was unjustly imprisoned, eventually, he had divine intervention. God caused divine confusion in the land of Egypt and the solution to the confusion was only given to Joseph and for the problem to be solved, Joseph had to be released.

What are your Josephs? What are those precious things that God has given to you that the prisons of the enemies have captured from you? What are those God’s precious gifts, blessings, endowments, meant to lift you up that the enemies have caged and you are now suffering and sorrowing like Jacob, the father of Joseph? What is that thing you have lost that is giving you sleepless night after the order of Jacob? All these are your Josephs. Your star, your destiny, your unborn children, your physical children that are useless to you, your health, your brain, your career, your business, your finances, your helper, your vision, your husband, your wife, your certificates, etc., all these are your Josephs. The enemy wants to imprison them, and if he succeeds, they will become useless to you. The same way Jacob suffered and felt terribly bad when he lost his Joseph, that is the same way the people of God today are feeling for losing their Josephs. Is what you need still in possession of the enemy? Is the mystery of your life in the prison of the enemy? There must be a release of your Josephs that are needed to solve the greatest problems challenging your world.

A woman praying for the fruit of the womb attended one of our programmes. The man of God asked each person to face a partner and pray. All of a sudden, the woman’s spiritual eyes were opened and saw a man inside a bottle. She screamed, but her prayer partner kept on praying. The bottle broke and the man was released. It turned out to be her husband.

I do not know what belongs to you that the enemy has imprisoned. Today, if you can pray well all your Josephs shall be speedily released, and you shall rejoice, in the name of Jesus.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
WHEN YOU BECOME SPIRITUALLY VIOLENT, THE DEVIL AVOIDS YOU.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Every good thing the enemy hijacked from you shall arise and locate you by fire.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Eternal king of glory, I praise Your name and thank You for the gift of life, in the name of Jesus.
2. Most gracious God, I need You every second. Hold me in Your everlasting arms, in the name of Jesus.
3. My God and my Saviour, enlarge my coast, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Father God, be my defense, in the name of Jesus.
5. Anything in my life that will block answer to my prayers, catch fire, in the name of Jesus.
6. Idols of my father’s house that want to separate me from God, die, in the name of Jesus.
7. Problem solver, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, answer Your name in my life, in the name of Jesus.

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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Turkish Officials Say ‘Pre-Planned Murder’ Team Killed Saudi Journalist – Urban Christian News

A prominent Saudi journalist who contributed to The Washington Post was killed in “a pre-planned murder” at the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul, Turkish investigators told the Post.

A critic of the kingdom and its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi has been missing since he went to the consulate Tuesday to complete paperwork to be married to his Turkish fiancée, according to the Post.

Turkish investigators told the Post they think Khashoggi was killed by a 15-member Saudi team sent “specifically for the murder,” according to the Post, which cited two people with knowledge about the investigation.

A Turkish official also told The Associated Press that detectives’ “initial assessment” was that Khashoggi was killed at the consulate, without elaborating. Saudi authorities early Sunday called the allegation “baseless.”

Also Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Khashoggi’s disappearance “very, very upsetting,” but would not confirm reports that he was killed at the consulate, the Post reported.

Khashoggi, 59, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. for the last year, first visited the consulate on Sept. 28 to get a document related to his upcoming wedding, his fiancee and friends told the Post.

Prior to returning to the consulate on Tuesday, he was concerned he might not be allowed to leave, his fiancee Hatice Cengiz told the Post.

While Turkish authorities have said that Khashoggi never left the consulate, Saudi Arabia has denied Khashogg was detained there.

The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office began a probe into…

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Be Self Disciplined (2) by David Ibiyeomie

Be Self Disciplined (2) by David Ibiyeomie

Topic: Be Self Disciplined (2)

Self-discipline is different from discipline. Self-discipline is a self-imposed standard; a restriction motivated by a desire than the alternative. It is doing what is demanded not convenient. Self-discipline is created by a power of choice. Until you are responsible, you will destroy your destiny.

Proverbs 25:28 – He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

Self-discipline means you are a law to yourself; you can never be great deceiving yourself. To be the best, you must be disciplined with your time, resources, conversations, reading habit, associations, music you listen to and what you watch. Discipline yourself to the demand of what you want to be.

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

1 Corinthians 9:27 – But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Never follow the crowd if you want the crowd to follow you; follow God. That everybody is doing it does not mean you should do it. When you do anyhow, your life will be anyhow. When liberty lacks control, it becomes captivity. Either you receive the pain of today to become great tomorrow or you play today to be in pain tomorrow. Some short term gains can cost you long term pains.

To be self-disciplined, the ability to manage time is very important. Time is one of the greatest assets God gave man. It is perishable, irretrievable and irreplaceable. Once it is gone or wasted, you cannot recover it. Time management is the ability to choose the sequence of events; always apply the ABCDE of time.

A – What I must do
B – What I should do
C – Things that are nice to do but are not necessary
D – Things to delegate
E – Things to eliminate

These principle will help you in time management when planning the day, and also realize that there are common time wasters which are:

1. Telephone
2. Paperwork
3. Social media
4. Unnecessary meeting: People who hold too many meetings don’t achieve too many things.
5. Visitors: Program your life when you receive visitors.

Be self-disciplined even with your money and clothes. The first and best victory to become great is to conquer self.
Samson conquered everybody but didn’t conquer himself so Delilah did.

Judas conquered everybody except himself so money conquered him. Conquer yourself first, have self-discipline and watch yourself grow to greatness!

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 8 October 2018 – Handling Dreams

Topic: Handling Dreams [Teens Open Heavens 8 October 2018]

Memorise: For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3

Read: Genesis 41:32-39 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 39-40, Philippians 4

MESSAGE:

Dreams can be very strong motivating forces that can see you through the difficulties of life. Never give up on your dreams. Has God shown you or promised you a thing? Believe it and stick with it. It will surely come to pass.

One thing God is interested in which will also determine the outcome of a dream in your life is how you respond to dreams. What is your response to dreams? Never ignore your God-given dreams, God doesn’t like nonchalant people. Act immediately on the dreams He has given you. Write your dreams down and begin to take steps towards achieving them. He gave you those dreams for a reason, and that reason may have something to do with saving your loved ones just like Joseph. Work on making them come to pass.

Key Point: The more of God’s Word you dwell on, the more He will give you dreams to work on.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 2:

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Chorus:
Trust and obey, for theres no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

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 8 October 2018 – Consequences of Sin

Topic: Consequences Of Sin [DCLM Daily Manna 8 October 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: 2 Samuel 15:13-23 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword” (2 Samuel 15:14).

MESSAGE:

God’s impartiality is unquestionable. He renders to every man according to his works. He judges iniquity no matter who commits it.

David had to take an emergency flight with his household as Absalom, strongly supported by many Israelites, approached Jerusalem in his quest to take over the kingship. David’s servants had expressed their willingness to abide by whatever instructions he would give as all, except ten concubines, left Jerusalem amidst weeping. David, barefooted, with head covered also, wept as they hurriedly left the city.

David’s sins of adultery and murder had given the enemies of the Lord occasion to blaspheme. God’s verdict was unmistakable – “the sword (was) never to depart from (his) house” and the Lord determined to “raise up evil against (him) out of (his) own house…” (2 Samuel 12:10,11). Absalom’s rebellion was in fulfilment of this prophecy. David thought that everything was “all done and dusted”, after his shameful acts were rebuked. But God never overlooks sins.

Sin is evil. The consequences are great and far-reaching. David’s case is a lesson for all believers that “…him that thinketh he standeth [must] take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). David had sent Joab and others to battle and lingered in Jerusalem, and Satan took advantage of it to lead him to sin. Peter failed to pray when he should and he denied Jesus. How do you spend your time?

Believers are admonished to be sober and vigilant because the adversary, like a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom to devour. We must hold fast to our “so great salvation” by being mindful of how we spend our time and cautious of thoughts so we do not fall into temptation.

Thought For The Day: Tis wisdom to avoid sin like leprosy.

Bible Reading In One Year: John 5

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.

The post DCLM Daily Manna 8 October 2018 – Consequences of Sin appeared first on Flatimes.