Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh testify: My response

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Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh testify: My response

In breaking news, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote this morning on whether to recommend Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the full Senate.

I watched yesterday’s Committee hearings. The senators were sharply contentious; the two witnesses were deeply emotional.

As conflicted as the day was, however, this thought prevailed in my mind: the process worked.

An American citizen was able to bring her concerns about a federal judge and now Supreme Court nominee before United States senators charged with investigating his candidacy. He was able to respond publicly to her allegations.

The number of countries across world history where such a scene would be possible is indeed small.

“Democracy is the worst form of Government”

Seven decades ago, Winston Churchill stated: “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

C. S. Lewis testified that he believed in democracy because “I believe in the Fall of Man.” He disagreed with “people like Rousseau, who believed in democracy because they thought mankind so wise and good that every one deserved a share in the government. The danger of defending democracy on those grounds is that they’re not true.”

What is his evidence? “I find that they’re not true without looking further than myself. I don’t deserve a share in governing a hen-roost. Much less a nation.” Lewis concluded: “Mankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows.”

The best government is one that holds leaders accountable. Not dynastic rule as in North Korea, or one-party rule as in China, or one-man government as in Russia.

But we also need a system in which leaders hold us accountable. William Wilberforce used the governmental system of his day to abolish slavery. American leaders used our legislative process…

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RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 30 September 2018, Lesson 5

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RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 30 September 2018 – The New Birth

TOPIC: The New Birth (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 30 September 2018)

MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 3:1-13 (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 30 September 2018)

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

INTRODUCTION:

Simply put, the new birth is the creation of a new life in a man by the Holy Spirit. The new birth, also referred to as being born again, is to be born of God with His seed (Christ – The Word) dwelling in man (John 3:3,5; 1John 3:9; 1 Peter 1:23). Everyone born of a woman is born unclean (Psalm 51:5). Therefore, to become clean as well as enlist as a member of the family of God, a new birth becomes necessary.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Reasons for a new birth
2. Steps to a new birth

REASONS FOR A NEW BIRTH
We are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23). The heart of an unregenerated man is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), and cannot be tamed by home training or secular education (Jeremiah 13:23). To live a godly life and have fellowship with God here on earth (Psalm 4:3; Galatians 2:20) and to make it to Heaven, the dwelling place of the Holy God, a new birth is inevitable (John 3:3-5; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

STEPS TO A NEW BIRTH
To experience a new birth we must hear the word of God (Romans 10:9-10), acknowledge that we are sinners, helpless and hopeless without the mercy of God (Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). Believe the word of God (1 Peter 1:25) and that God came in the flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, to save all mankind from their sins (Titus 2:11; John 1:14; Acts 4:12; John 3:16-18). Confess your sins (Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 1:9) and genuinely repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19). Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour (John 1:12). Ask Him to come in and dwell in your heart (Revelations 3:20). You will surely become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). These are the crucial steps to being born again. Furthermore, we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:4-9), the new birth requires that we make up our minds to live a new life in the love and fear of God (Philippians 2:12; Proverbs 28:18; Matthew 24:13).

CONCLUSION
The new birth is a necessary for all. Without the new birth experience, it is impossible to live godly in this world let alone reign with Christ in Heaven eternally.

QUESTIONS
1. Why must we experience the new birth?
2. Outline the steps to a new birth.

Also Read: RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 23 September 2018, Lesson 4

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

The post RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 30 September 2018, Lesson 5 appeared first on Flatimes.

Religious people under-represented in TV industry, Ofcom finds

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Religious people under-represented in TV industry, Ofcom finds

The regulator told the five big broadcasters that “better monitoring is essential” to help ensure diversity within the broadcasting industry reflects the UK as a whole.

Ofcom found 22 per cent of TV staff (excluding on-screen personnel) identify as religious – compared with 67 per cent of the country’s working population.

 

It concluded: “The work broadcasters have done to promote inclusion in this area is positive…

“Broadcasters should ensure these are more consistent and that religion and belief is something all line managers are trained to be mindful of when supporting employees.”

The BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Sky and Viacom (the owner of Channel 5) were included in Ofcom’s second annual Diversity and Equal Opportunities in Television audit.

ITV was excluded from the religious diversity figures because it had not collected sufficient information of the faith backgrounds of its staff.

Wikimedia Commons/Mtaylor848

 

Ofcom also said: “Religion and belief is not an area of particular focus for any of the main five broadcasters, but they do have arrangements in place to promote equal opportunities in this regard.”

The report also found older people and the disabled were also underrepresented at the nation’s biggest broadcasters.

Six per cent of staff in the TV industry identified as living with a disability – compared to 18 per cent of people in the…

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Monk due to give evidence over Bishop’s death is found dead

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Monk due to give evidence over Bishop’s death is found dead

They said the post-mortem exam was performed late on Wednesday, hours after Zeinoun al-Maqari was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital in Assiut, the closest city to the Al-Muharraq monastery where the monk has lived since last month.

The monk was buried on Wednesday night in St Macarius monastery (pictured below), north west of Cairo, where he joined as a novice more than a decade ago and the scene of the killing of the abbot, Bishop Epiphanius (pictured above).

 

Zeinoun died a day before he was scheduled to give evidence for the prosecution in the trial of two monks – one of whom has been defrocked – charged with the killing of the abbot.

Hearings were adjourned until 27th October.

Zeinoun was among six monks from St Macarius who were banished to different monasteries across the country as part of disciplinary action taken by the church following the death of Epiphanius.

The officials said questioning of witnesses and monks following his death showed that Zeinoun might have been an accomplice in the killing, but did not explain why he has not been arrested.

The officials said the post-mortem examination showed signs of an agricultural insecticide commonly used in southern Egypt, where al-Muharraq monastery is located.

The insecticide is sold in tablets, which are diluted in water before it is manually sprayed on crops.

‘Relieved’ Wiltshire congregation allowed back to church hit by Novichok poisonings

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‘Relieved’ Wiltshire congregation allowed back to church hit by Novichok poisonings

The vicar of Amesbury Baptist said members were “relieved” to be allowed back to their building on Butterfield Drive after a “troubling time”.

Rev Barry Davis said: “We are relieved and delighted that we can return home.

 

“It has been a troubling time for our town and our congregation.

“We are thrilled that we can now put this unhappy episode behind us and look forward once again as a church and as a community.”

Novichok victims Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess visited the church before they fell ill in June, three months after the same substance was used against a former Russian spy and his daughter.

The pair was exposed to the deadly nerve agent when they came into contact with a perfume bottle discarded by the people behind an attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury in March.

Ms Sturgess died eight days later.

Rod Minchin/PA Wire

 

Meanwhile, a restaurant in Salisbury visited by the Skripals shortly before they fell sick will re-open later this year.

Zizzi’s in the city centre was closed following the incident. The eatery has been undergoing decontamination.

Alistair Cunningham, chairman of the South Wiltshire Recovery Coordinating Group, said: “This is a real milestone as Zizzi is the final site in the city centre to be handed back following the clean-up by specialist teams.

“This is really welcome news for Salisbury and marks the…

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Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 28 September 2018 – No Burden

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Topic: No Burden [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 28 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous). – 1 John 5:3, The Amplified Bible

Do you know why the Word of God and the orders God gives to you in your spirit are not burdensome or oppressive? Because everything He tells you is for your good and for your victory!

God knows what it takes to live in victory in this present evil world. In fact, He’s the only One who knows. The people of this world cannot tell you how to live victoriously. They don’t know how. But God does! He can make things work, even in the middle of darkness, and if we’ll follow His instructions, commands and precepts from His Word, we can, too!

Let me give you an example. One commandment that God gave to us is to love one another and forgive one another as He has forgiven us. This command is not grievous because it’s the key to our freedom. If you can walk in the love that’s been shed abroad in your heart, you’ll have joy every day. But if you don’t walk in this commandment of love, someone will get your joy before lunch! God knows that. So, He made a command of love and forgiveness because love works! Without love, there won’t be any joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Don’t resent God’s teachings. Don’t consider His ways a burden to your lifestyle. Rejoice over them. Take them gladly by the hand and let them lead you all the way to victory!

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:1-5

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.

The post Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 28 September 2018 – No Burden appeared first on Flatimes.

TREM 28 September 2018 Daily Devotional – Fasting and Prayer

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Topic: Fasting and Prayer [TREM 28 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:3 (KJV)

Fasting is only a part of the discipline; but it never stands alone. Fasting without a time of prayer is starvation. Don’t get into a starvation mode; you are not called out to starve but to fast.

Take time to journey through the scriptures and you will see several references that confirm that fasting must always go with prayers. You can pray without fasting, but you cannot fast without praying.

When a fast is declared, or when you are observing a personal or family fast, always take out time to pray. If it is a corporate prayer, join the rest of the team to pray at the agreed time. If you cannot physically attend, consciously pray wherever you are. If you can dial in, do so and join in the prayer. In our scripture today, we see the Apostles come together in fasting and praying, they laid the example for us to follow.

Like I say and it bears repetition: Fasting does not change God. God has it all together and His thoughts towards you are good. He wants you blessed more than you even want it. He wants you so blessed that He paid the ultimate price for you. So you are not fasting to convince God about the need for you to be blessed. Rather in fasting, you are more open to receive instructions from God and be properly positioned to be blessed. Remember, it is not about “if”, it is when you fast. God wants you blessed and wants you to be a blessing. He wants you to be so sensitive that you know exactly what to do per time. He does not want you to run around in hits and misses, no, He wants you to be a sharpshooter, a solution provider, an answer to your world.

So in fasting, be attentive. Take a notebook, either physical or electronic and be prepared to receive instructions from His mouth and your life will never be the same again. I will hear your testimony.

Further Reading: Acts 13:1-4

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 5-6; Evening- Ephesians 1

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

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.

The post TREM 28 September 2018 Daily Devotional – Fasting and Prayer appeared first on Flatimes.

Our Daily Bread 28 September 2018 Devotional – Asking God First

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Topic: Asking God First [Our Daily Bread 28 September 2018 Devotional]

Read: Psalm 37:3–7, 23–24, Bible in a Year: Isaiah 5–6; Ephesians 1

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Early in our marriage, I struggled to figure out my wife’s preferences. Did she want a quiet dinner at home or a meal at a fancy restaurant? Was it okay for me to hang out with the guys, or did she expect me to keep the weekend free for her? Once, instead of guessing and deciding first, I asked her, “What do you want?”

“I’m fine with either,” she replied with a warm smile. “I’m just happy you thought of me.”

At times I’ve wanted desperately to know exactly what God wanted me to do—such as which job to take. Praying for guidance and reading the Bible didn’t reveal any specific answers. But one answer was clear: I was to trust in the Lord, take delight in Him, and commit my way to Him (Psalm 37:3–5).

That’s when I realized that God usually gives us the freedom of choice—if we first seek to put His ways before our own. That means dropping choices that are plainly wrong or would not please Him. It might be something immoral, ungodly, or unhelpful toward our relationship with Him. If the remaining options please God, then we’re free to choose from them. Our loving Father wants to give us the desires of our hearts—hearts that take delight in Him (v. 4).

Prayer: Teach me, O God, to put You first in everything I do. Show me how to take delight in You, that my heart will be transformed to be like Yours.

Do your decisions please God?

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

This message was written By Leslie Koh [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

The post Our Daily Bread 28 September 2018 Devotional – Asking God First appeared first on Flatimes.

Seeds of Destiny 28 September 2018: The Benefit of Access to the Voice of God

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Seeds of Destiny 28 September 2018: The Benefit of Access to the Voice of God

Topic: The Benefit of Access to the Voice of God [Seeds of Destiny 28 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Psalms 29:4

Thought For The Day: To be out of touch with the Voice of God is to be lost on the journey of life and destiny.

The Voice of God is the compass for life and destiny. That is why one of our greatest assets on earth is access to the Voice of God. Access to the Voice of God was behind the making of principal people in the Scripture. For instance, Moses heard the Voice of God, the patriarchs heard the Voice of God; and that Voice remained a principal asset in their lives’ journey on earth.

Now, the question is, how does God speak?

God can speak audibly to a person or through His Word (The Bible). God also speaks through dreams, revelations, the inward Voice or witness, visions etc. Whenever God speaks, change is guaranteed.

What then are the benefits of hearing the Voice of God?
1. The Voice of God is the Activator of Destiny: Abraham was almost a destitute until God’s Voice came (Genesis 12:1). So, to be out of touch with the Voice of God is to be lost on the journey of life and destiny.

2. The Voice of God is the Container of Power: God’s Voice is pregnant with power (Psalms 29:4). When the Voice of God comes, it empowers a person unto fulfilment. You cannot be connected to God’s Voice and be a weakling in life.

3. The Voice of the Lord is a Weapon for the Battles of Life: One of the weapons for the battle of life is Divine revelation. One revelation from God by His Voice can finish your enemy (Isaiah 30:31).
Beloved, my counsel is, do all you can to hear from God in every area of your life; draw near to God in personal relationship, intimacy, communion and commitment to Him.

Remember this: To be out of touch with the Voice of God is to be lost on the journey of life and destiny.

Assignments:
1. Study the Word of God continually and expectantly; you will hear His Voice in His Word.
2. Acknowledge God in all you do and seek His direction.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE SECRETS OF SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY.

Prayer: Lord, open my ears to hear Your Voice. Open my eyes to see the revelation in Your Word and give me the grace to obey You always, Lord in Jesus’ Name.

Quote: God speaks to people who think, not people who worry. Culled from, 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: The Boeing 747 is capable of flying upside-down if it weren’t for the fact that the wings would shear off when trying to roll it over.

Today In History: 21-09-1892 – The first night time football game in the U.S. took place under electric lights. The game was between the Mansfield State Normal School and the Wyoming Seminary

Daily Reading: Isaiah 54:1 to 57:14, Ephesians 6:1 to 24, Psalm 70:1 to 5, Proverbs 24:8.

Also Read: Click HERE to read Other Inspirational Messages by Pastor Paul Enenche“

Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Paul Enenche of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), headquartered at Abuja, Nigeria, with Pastor Paul and Becky Enenche, as the Senior Pastors. It is a power-packed arena where God’s Presence, Principles and Power are at work for the salvation, healing and restoration of human destinies and dignities

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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DCLM Daily Manna 28 September 2018 – A Call To Praise

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DCLM Daily Manna 28 September 2018 – A Call To Praise

Topic: A Call To Praise [DCLM Daily Manna 28 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Psalm 105:1-7 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works“ (Psalm 105:2).

MESSAGE:

David knew and loved the Lord. He was a man that saw God’s hand all around him. He felt compelled therefore to give thanks unto the Lord everywhere and every time. The psalm in focus has been associated with the return of the ark to Jerusalem. David called on the people to give thanks to the Lord while making His deeds known. This is a principle we must imbibe and continue with wherever we are. Furthermore, praising God helps us to remember the wonderful things He has done, as well as His judgments and decisions which favour us, His chosen ones.

Learning to praise and appreciate God is a good habit to cultivate. Sadly, people who chant human praise receive a lot of commendation from their human agents. We are to “enter his gates with thanksgiving” and His courts with praise. We are to show appreciation for all the good things He has done for us. No matter how challenging our situations might be, we should remember God’s faithfulness and thank Him for past blessings. Praise brought down the walls of Jericho; Jehoshaphat defeated the enemies of Judah with a praise band only; Paul and Silas escaped from their incarceration in Philippi through the praise route.

Find time and reasons to praise the Lord no matter what happens. As you remember and recount the goodness of the Lord, you will soon overcome the tests you are going through and your tests will turn to a testimony.

Thought For The Day: Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song.

Bible Reading In One Year: Nehemiah 8-10

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 28 September 2018 – A Call To Praise appeared first on Flatimes.

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