Billy Graham Devotional 4 October 2018 — Respect for Authority

Topic: Respect for Authority [Billy Graham Devotional 4 October 2018]

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All [authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth. —Matthew 28:18

Have respect for authority. Jesus Christ was under the authority of His Father in heaven . . . He lived for one thing: to fulfill the will of the Father. Everyone is subject to some kind of authority. There is one chain of command and the ultimate authority at the top is God.

What is the authority in your life? Is it your selfishness? Your lust? Your greed? Or have you turned it all over to God and said, “Lord, You are going to be my authority?” When you are under authority, you are then able to assume authority.

Prayer for the day: There are still areas in my life that need to come under Your authority, Lord Jesus. Give me Your grace and strength to yield everything to You.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

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.

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Open Heaven 4 October 2018 – Instant Restoration

Open Heaven 4 October 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Instant Restoration

Topic: Instant Restoration (Open Heaven 4 October 2018)

Memorise: “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.”– Luke 4:27

Read: 2 Kings 5:8-14 (KJV)

8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.

13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Bible in One Year: Isaiah 33-35, Luke 1:57-80

Open Heaven 4 October 2018 Thursday MESSAGE:

Instantaneous restoration is a miracle that occurs suddenly. Immediate resolution of human problems and challenges are highly desired and sought after. The Bible contains several accounts of divine interventions that resulted in instant miracles, signs and wonders, one of which is the healing of Naaman. Naaman had been a leper for many years, but after he dipped himself into Jordan River seven times, he was cleansed immediately and his skin became like that of a little child (2 Kings 5:14). Similarly, the woman with the issue of blood had suffered for twelve years before she met with Jesus (Mark 5:25-29). As a matter of fact, she had exhausted all she had without any solution. However, immediately she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, her issue of blood ceased. Another example of instant restoration is seen in 2 Kings 7:1. After about three years of terrible famine, Elisha prophesied that there would be a food surplus in Samaria within 24 hours, and it happened as he said. In Matthew 8:3, the moment Jesus touched the leprous fellow who had been in that condition for years, the man became cleansed instantly. Also in John 5:1-9, once the impotent man who had been at the pool of Bethesda for thirty-eight years heard the words of Jesus, he was completely made whole. Just as it happened in all these examples, I pray that whatever you are passing through at the moment will receive the immediate attention of heaven, and you will get instant restoration in Jesus’ Name.

Note however that behind every seemingly instantaneous miracle, there has been meticulous obedience, stubborn faith, perseverance, serious fasting and prayers, and sometimes prolong pain, sorrow and shame. What appeared on the surface as instant restoration did not exactly come easy for Naaman, Joseph, Hannah, the people of Samaria, Zechariah and Elisabeth, and several others. Most of these people paid the price in perseverance, stubborn faith, fasting and prayers, etc. for example, the people of Samaria had to endure a situation where the dung of birds became an expensive delicacy and some women actually ate their own children. In the case of Zechariah and Elisabeth, they waited for so long that they completely lost any hope of bearing a child. The impotent man at the pool of Bethesda had no hope of restoration after thirty-eight years of waiting for an opportunity that kept eluding him. One thing that kept this people going was perseverance. Perseverance is maintaining your faith in God even in trying times .Every Christian is expected to faithfully endure hardship, persecution and trials. Through consistent prayers, we are expected to remain steadfast in the face of opposition, attack and discouragement (James 5:13, Ephesians 6:18). I pray that God will grant you the type of endurance that can weather any of life’s storms without giving up in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heaven 4 October 2018 Thursday Prayer Point:

Father, please uphold me and see me through every storm of life in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heaven 3 October 2018 – Dangers of Bad Habits

Open Heaven 4 October 2018 Thursday Hymn 4: Trust and Obey

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 there’s 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.

Open Heaven 4 October 2018 Thursday 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 4 October 2018 Thursday Daily Devotional.

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5 Things Christians Need to Know about Indonesia, the Recent Earthquake/Tsunami, and Relief Efforts

Wednesday afternoon October 3, Indonesia was struck with yet another disaster as a volcano on Sulawesi, one of the Indonesian islands, erupted. According to the Associated Press, Mount Soputan started spewing ash nearly 20,000 feet into the sky. Experts are saying this could be a direct result of the earthquake that happened last week.

As a result of this recent string of disasters on the Indonesian islands, thousands of people have either died or been displaced. The government is now calling for international aid as they race the clock to save lives and honor religious traditions. Incredibly, this story has received relatively little mainstream coverage in the Western hemisphere.

Here are five things you need to know about Indonesia and the Earthquake/Tsunami, including details, demographics, and what you can do to help!

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

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Chick-fil-A Employee Obeys God, Gives Homeless Man His Own Shoes

Chick-fil-A Employee Obeys God, Gives Homeless Man His Own Shoes



When Chick-fil-A employee Levi Jones recently saw a hungry homeless man hanging around outside the restaurant, he didn’t chase him off or call the police. Instead, he gave him a meal – and his own shoes, too.


The homeless man who didn’t have any shoes was sitting under a tree, not far from the Chick-fil-A building in Columbus, Ga.   


“He had his eyes closed, looked very tired,” Jones, who is 18, told WRBL-TV. “I went over to him. God led me over thereto speak to him. I asked him how he was doing, if I can get him any food. I noticed he didn’t have on any shoes on his feet. The Lord told me to give my shoes to him and that’s exactly what I did.” 


Jones and the homeless man, named Walter, had the same shoe size. Jones also gave him a meal and his favorite drink, Dr. Pepper. 


But Jones – who was on the clock – now had a problem. He didn’t have any shoes to return to work. Management found some shoes that were four sizes too big to get him through the rest of the day. Jones didn’t complain, though, according to WRBL.


Todd Kalish, the operator of the Columbus, Ga., Chick-fil-A, said Jones’ actions mirrored those of Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy.


“Truett told us always obey your kindhearted impulses,” Kalish told WRBL.


Jones said he was driven by his Christian faith.


“I love Jesus and as His son. I’m called to live and…

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

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Princess removed from British line of succession for becoming Catholic

The news about Princess Alexandra of Hanover was reported by royal news website Royal Central, which cited French weekly Point de Vue as breaking the story.

The 19-year-old princess is the daughter of Prince Ernst August of Hanover and Princess Caroline of Monaco and the granddaughter of Hollywood actress Grace Kelly.

Due to her ancestors she had been in line to both the British and Monegasque – although it is unclear where she was placed in line to the former throne as the Royal family website only list up to the 17th in line to the throne.

 

While her chances of ruling Britain have dwindled, she remains the 12th in the line of succession to the Monegasque throne.

Catholics have been barred from the English throne since the Act of Settlement 1701.

The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 allowed heirs to the throne to marry Catholics but continued to prevent an acting British sovereign from being Catholic.

 

Princess Alexandra isn’t the first to be excluded from the British line of succession.

Lord Nicholas Windsor, great-grandson of George V, faced the same consequences when he left the Church of England to…

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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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Lawyer Set to Petition Turkish High Court for Pastor Brunson

Lawyer Set to Petition Turkish High Court for Pastor Brunson



According to the Associated Press, Turkish media outlets are reporting that a Pastor Brunson’s lawyer is planning to petition Turkey’s highest court for his client’s release.


Brunson was arrested in October of 2016 and charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization,” but recently the Turkish government announced his unofficial charge of ‘Christianization.” 


According to Turkey’s private DHA news agency, Ismail Cem Halavurt has said he will be filing a Constitutional Court appeal on Wednesday on behalf of Brunson, who is currently under house arrest and awaiting trial.


Brunson could face up to 35 years in prison if convicted.


The American pastor has become the center of a dispute between Turkey and the United States.


President Donald Trump has demanded Brunson’s release on several occasions, but Turkey has refused to release the pastor. For this reason, in August, President Trump doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum imports. This decision has played a key factor in the depreciation of Turkish currency sending their economy into a currency crisis.


Photo courtesy: Rohan Reddy/Unsplash

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

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The Gift of Prophecy ‘Is Not Magic;’ Here’s How New Testament Prophecy Is Different

(Screenshot: YouTube/The Village Church)The Village Church lead pastor of teaching Matt Chandler explaining the gift of prophecy on October 2, 2018.

Christians shouldn’t think of the gift of prophecy as being like “magic,” but something that can embolden the Church, says Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church. 

Chandler said in a YouTube video on Tuesday that the gift of prophecy is something that people really feel strongly about, but sought to clarify misconceptions some might have.

“It’s not magic in that there are these people that are hyper spiritual or far city-level spiritual than others, it’s more just a gift given to the Church to build up the Church in a way where the men and women of God are encouraged and emboldened,” Chandler, whose church is in Flower Mound, Texas, explained.

Chandler said that according to the New Testament, prophecy “is something that we are to eagerly desire.”

“It’s something meant to build up the Body, the encourage the Body. We know it’s something verbal, that there’s some sort of insight that the Lord gives us, whether that insight is a picture, or a word, or a scripture,” added.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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Shipment of Bibles released after six years

A source told World Watch monitor, which follows cases of Christian persecution, said that the Bibles were released two weeks ago and taken to the capital, Khartoum.

Church leaders have appealed for years for the Arabic-language Bibles to be released with their condition deteriorating as they remain in shipping containers, and the country’s approximately two million Christians facing a shortage of Bibles and other Christian literature.

The release of the Bibles coincided with the return of property ownership to 19 Sudanese churches.

In 2011, when the Christian-majority south voted to secede, Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir said he wanted to adopt an Islamic constitution and since then a campaign has been conducted against churches, their leaders and foreign missionaries.

Sudan is fourth on the 2018 Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian.

The EU’s Special Envoy for Promotion of Freedom of Religion outside the EU, Ján Figel, told World Watch monitor that he welcomed the news:”This is good news and a reasonable decision by the Sudanese government.

“We struggled to stop questionable demolition of churches in the country.”

Figel told Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ghandour:”You will surely get a better image of Sudan worldwide when you improve the reality on the ground. One of them is treatment of religious minorities.

“The latest developments come as Sudan…

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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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Primary School in London Makes 6-Year-Olds Write LGBT Love Letters

Primary School in London Makes 6-Year-Olds Write LGBT Love Letters



A British primary school was recently spotlighted by the BBC Radio Manchester, for making its students, some as young as six, write love letters inserting themselves into an LGBT fairytale.


According to video spotlight published by the BBC, the network chose to observea class at Bewsey Lodge Primary School where teacher Sarah Hopson requires her students to place themselves in the role of Prince Henry and write a love letter inquiring Henry’s male servant Thomas to “marry” him.


“This school teaches children about LGBT relationships from an early age,” text over the video said. “This class of 6-year-olds is learning about gay marriage […] all ages take part in LGBT lessons,” it continued.


Children are “going to go out into that world and find this diversity around them, and they’ll find that at a young age as well,” Hopson told the BBC. “And the more they can be accepting at this age, you’re not going to face it further on because the children will be accepting now and will be accepting this diversity around them.”


Bewsey Lodge has gender-neutral uniforms and policies that promote LGBT relationships and diversity.  The schools website declares that “any form of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia is unacceptable,” and enforces a code of conduct declaring “respect” for everyone’s “gender identity,” “marriage,” or “sexual…

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

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Seven Couples Marry at Texas Church for Free After Pastor Preaches Against Cohabitation

(Photo: Brad Newton)Senior Pastor Pete Briscoe (L) of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship church takes a selfie with newlyweds Leandra Hernandez and Dale Frey at the church in Texas on September 29, 2018.

Just over a month after preaching against cohabitation, a Texas pastor married seven couples from his church for free last weekend in a bid to get their relationships back on a biblical path while making a strong statement on the culture of cohabitation that has swept American life.

“I encouraged couples in our church who were living together to really think through whether that was God’s best for them,” Senior Pastor Pete Briscoe of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship church in Carrollton, Texas, said after marrying the seven couples on Sunday, according to .. “At the end of the sermon, we gave them the option that if they felt God was leading them to get married, we would hold a free wedding for them on this one specific day.”

In early August, Briscoe began a series he called “Awkward” which focused on conversations about relationships and marriage that people would rather not have because it’s “awkward.” Along with his sermon on cohabitation, the series also focused on submission in marriage, counseling and remarriage.

After gushing about his daughter’s recent wedding and…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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