After 256 regular-season games and ten playoff games, we now know that the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots will play in Super Bowl LIII on February 3. This will be the Patriots’ fifth Super Bowl appearance in the last eight years and third straight.
We also know that the game, as important as it is for the two teams, their cities, and football fans around the country, will change little about the world.
Meanwhile, North and South America witnessed last night the last total lunar eclipse of the decade. It was called a “super blood wolf moon” because the moon appeared slightly larger than normal (“super”), it was a full eclipse (thus traditionally called a “blood” moon), and it was in January (thus called a “wolf” moon in Native American and early Colonial times).
But like the Super Bowl, this interesting event will leave no lasting effects on the world.
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. This annual observance is held on the third Monday in January, in proximity to Dr. King’s January 15 birthday. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill making the day a federal holiday.
As a young man, Dr. King had many options. He was an outstanding student, skipping both the ninth and twelfth grades of high school and entering college at the age of fifteen. He became a pastor at the age of twenty-five and completed his PhD at Boston University the next year.
A brilliant orator, he had a very promising future in pastoral ministry or academics. Then Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a city bus. Dr. King led the Montgomery bus boycott in response. He was arrested and his house was bombed.
Convinced that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” he devoted…
Nick Sandmann has identified himself as the youth standing close to Nathan Phillips, a 64-year-old Native American man, as two marches took place at the same time in Washington last week.
The Indigenous Peoples March in Washington on Friday coincided with the March for Life, which drew thousands of anti-abortion protesters, including a group from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills.
“I am being called every name in the book, including a racist, and I will not stand for this mob-like character assassination of my family’s name,” wrote Mr Sandmann, who added that he and his parents have received death threats since video of Friday’s confrontation emerged.
Both Mr Sandmann and Mr Phillips say they were trying to defuse tensions that were rising among three groups on a day Washington hosted the marches.
But video of Mr Sandmann standing very close to Mr Phillips, staring and at times smiling at him as Mr Phillips sang and played a drum, gave many who watched it a different impression.
Other students appeared to be laughing at the drummer, and at least one could be seen on video doing a tomahawk chop.
The differing accounts emerged on Sunday as the nation picked apart footage from dozens of mobile phones that recorded the incident amid an increasingly divided political climate fuelled by a partial government shutdown over immigration policy.
Eighty-three per-cent of the congregation at Westhill Community Church supported walking away from the SEC – the Scottish arm of the global Anglican Communion. Thirteen per-cent opposed the move.
Canon Ian Ferguson said the decision came after “many years” of discussions involving SEC bishops.
He told the Anglican Communion News Service: “Our church was not able to feel they could go on the trajectory that the SEC are going and they wanted to maintain their sense of biblical authority and their fellowship with the wider Anglican Communion which is being torn apart by decisions of some provinces.
“For all of us involved, this has been a very painful time and a very difficult decision to make but we have been put in that position by the decisions of the SEC.”
In 2017, Canon Ferguson resigned from the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney in protest at the appointment of Anne Dyer – a supporter of same-sex marriage – as diocesan bishop.
Bishop Anne said: “The congregation of Westhill Community Church is a much loved and valued part of our diocese, and I am deeply saddened that they have indicated that they want to pursue potential separation from the Scottish…
Perhaps many of you can say both of those statements with certitude. I know exactly how you feel. As one who has received criticisms over the years, I want to share with you personally five perspectives that have helped me deal with them. To be transparent, I don’t always focus on these perspectives. But, when I do, I find God working in me in a redemptive way.
I deserve criticisms. My first reaction to criticism is usually defensiveness. I want to show why I am right and the critic is wrong. But the truth of the matter is I am wrong quite often. I am truly a sinner who has fallen short of God’s glory. Who I am to say, “I don’t serve those criticisms”?
No one made me accept this position of leadership. If you lead, you will be criticized. If you don’t want to be criticized, don’t lead. It’s easy to get excited about the fun aspects of leadership. But it comes with struggles, pain, and criticisms. Leadership is not always fun and easy.
I need to pray for my critics. I don’t know what’s taking place in the lives of most of my critics. I don’t know their own hurts and struggles. I need to look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). “Others” in that verse includes those who criticize me.
Most criticisms last for a brief season. I should do a better job keeping the long-term perspective. I can remember too many times when I reacted viscerally to criticisms, only to forget about them in a week. Even though some of the…
The head of the Church of England has admitted: “It’s not something to make a great song and dance about, given it’s usually extremely early in the morning it’s not usually an immensely ecstatic moment.”
The practice of ‘speaking in tongues’ is a phenomenon in which Christians speak in languages unknown to the speaker, or in a ‘divine language’ when praying to God or as an act of worship. ‘Words of knowledge’ and ‘prophecy’ are messages people believe to be revelations given to them by God about people or future events. Both are common practises in pentecostal and charismatic churches such as Holy Trinity Brompton, London where Justin Welby was a member before becoming a priest in the Church of England.
Welby said: “In my own prayer life, and as part of my daily discipline I pray in tongues every day – not as an occasional thing, but as part of daily prayer.”
He went on to say how he has also been encouraged by those words of knowledge and prophecy.
“I expect to hear from God through other people with words of knowledge or prophecies – some of which I am unsure about, others I can sense there being something of the Spirit of God.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury was speaking at the launch of Thy Kingdom Come, now in its 4th year, which has united over a million Christians from more than 65 different denominations and traditions, in more…
Maximizing the wonders of Godliness! By David Oyedepo
Topic: Maximizing the wonders of Godliness!
Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by the last teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Maximising the Wonders of Godliness!
We understand from scriptures that godliness is not a state of perfection but a tireless ‘press’ towards it. It is written: For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come (1Timothy 4:8). This means that maintaining a life of godliness is a lifelong battle for every believer and we cannot overcome without the fight of faith. Therefore, we must keep pressing because when the press stops, our victory is truncated (Matthew 5:6).It is also important to understand that godliness is a highly profitable two-way virtue that guarantees eternity and ensures all-round profiting on the earth. That is why we must put up a fight against every form of ungodliness or we live under the oppression of sin perpetually.
What, then, are the Wonders of Godliness?
Godliness Guarantees Divine Protection: It takes godliness to dwell in God’s presence where the seal of protection is and where we cannot be assaulted (Psalm 91:1-4, 15:1-3). Joseph was a man that feared God and it was impossible for him to be killed. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, they became indestructible because they were men that feared God.
Furthermore, Daniel feared God, so when he was thrown into the den of lions, he could not be harmed. This means that with the fear of God, the righteous are not permitted to be hurt (Genesis 37:19-27; Daniel 3:16-20, 6:16-23; Psalm 125:1-3; 1 Peter 3:13).
Godliness Guarantees Access to the Peace of God: It is written: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places (Isaiah 32:17-18). Peace that passes all understanding flows freely into the lives of the righteous because Jesus is the Prince of peace. The Bible says: When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only (Job 34:29). Let’s understand that when God gives us peace, it cannot be disrupted. However, righteousness is our access to that realm of peace (John 14:27; Isaiah 59:8).
Godliness Engenders Fullness of Joy: God’s presence guarantees fullness of joy and righteousness is our only access to His presence (Psalm 16:11; Romans 14:17-22). It is also important to recognise that nothing punctures the joy of the Lord like sin. However, when we walk in righteousness, we operate in joy unspeakable, full of glory. David said: Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit (Psalm 51:8-9, 12). Therefore, it takes godliness to maintain and retain the joy of the Lord in our lives.
Godliness Guarantees Supernatural Wisdom: There are four kinds of wisdom identified in scriptures earthly, sensual, devilish and divine wisdom. However, divine wisdom, which is from God, is superior to others. It is the creative realm of wisdom and it generates solutions at will. That means God’s creative treasures are embedded in His wisdom (James 3:15-17).It is important to understand that it is by the fear of the Lord that we access God’s wisdom, which turns us to a wonder among men (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10; Job 28:7-28). Let’s recognise that men who operated in supernatural wisdom in scriptures were men that feared God. (Genesis 39:9, 41:15-16, 39; Daniel 1:8; 17-20, 5:11). Jesus, the wisdom and the power of God knew no sin and as a result, He possessed supernatural wisdom and commanded mighty works (Matthew 13:54; John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
It Guarantees Answers to Prayers: Iniquity disconnects our communication line with God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 66:18-19). However, scriptures establish that God hears the righteous. It is written: For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.
Access to our Redemptive Inheritance: In Genesis 30:33, Jacob entered into the fullness of his inheritance in God through righteousness. It is written: So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. Through godliness, we are guaranteed access to every blessing of redemption. That is why sanctification is a fundamental requirement to fully partake of our inheritance in Christ or they become inaccessible and unrealisable (Acts 20:32, 26:18; Colossians 1:12).
It Engenders Healing and Deliverance: Sickness is regarded as a consequence of sin in scriptures. When Jesus healed the paralytic man, He said, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Also, after He healed the man that was by the pool of Bethesda, He said to him: “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (Mark 2:1-12; John 5:1-8; 14). Thus, when our sins are forgiven, the consequences must go (John 20:23). However, not everyone that is sick has committed sin (John 9:2-3).
In conclusion, everyone who genuinely walked in the fear of God in scriptures became a wonder among men. This is why we must guard against any pleasure that seeks to rob us of our glorious future (Proverbs 21:17). However, everyone desires to know the value of a product before it is paid for. That is why the value of a product determines the price anyone will be willing to pay. Remember, godliness may be costly but the end result is priceless. Thus, you must be born again to enjoy the wonders of godliness.
Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Walking in the Newness of Life, Conquering Controlling Powers, The Blood Triumph and Dynamics of Holiness.
I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin
David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian Christian author, architect, preacher, and the founder and presiding bishop of the mega church, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel
Topic: Heaven’s Economy [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 21 January 2019]
Giving thanks unto the Father…who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. – Colossians 1:12-13
If, in spite of all the Bible’s promises about prosperity…in spite of all the prayers you’ve prayed…you are still struggling financially, consider this question: Where do you think God is going to get the resources to meet your needs?
Many believers limit God without even realizing it by training their eyes on the limited resources of this world rather than the unlimited riches of God’s kingdom. Their faith fails when they think of the troubled economy on the earth, of the shortages and scarcity that surround them. They wonder, How is God going to bless me in the middle of all this?
If that’s what you’ve been thinking, here’s some news that will turn those thoughts around!
The Bible says God has “delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” To be translated means “to be taken out of one place and put into another.” In other words, your citizenship is not primarily of this earth. You are not primarily American or Canadian or Australian—you are first and foremost a citizen of the kingdom of God.
That means this planet doesn’t have any right to dictate to you whether your needs are met or not. The Bible says God will meet your needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19)! You can live by heaven’s economy, not earth’s economy—and in heaven there is always more than enough.
Wake up to the abundance of heaven that’s been made yours through Jesus. Wake up to the fact that you’ve been translated out of a world of poverty into a kingdom of abundance. Rejoice. Heaven’s unlimited resources have been made available to you!
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.
Topic: Jesus Prepared Himself [Andrew Wommack Devotional 21 January 2019]
Luke 2:46, “And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.”
Text: Luke 2:41-51
This is the only scriptural record of Jesus’ childhood. Yet there is much that we can learn from this brief account.
At twelve years of age, Jesus’ wisdom astounded the men who had spent a lifetime studying the scriptures (v. 47). Remember that Jesus did not have full time access to a copy of the scriptures like we do today. He had to depend on His visits to the synagogue and the direct revelation knowledge from His heavenly Father.
He was also asking these scholars questions (v. 46). This is amazing when you realize that in Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! (Col. 2:3) Although He was God, He inhabited a physical human body that needed to be educated.
He also had a clear understanding at this young age of who His real Father was and exactly why He had come to the world (v. 49). We can only speculate how this must have influenced His childhood.
So we see that Jesus knew His call and purpose even in His early childhood. However, there is no record of miracles or ministry on His part until after His baptism by John at the age of thirty. Preparing a body for God Almighty to manifest Himself through was no small task. Praise God for His great love that caused Him to sacrifice everything for us.
This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).
Death is the most democratic experience in life for we all participate in it. We think of its happening only to other people. We don’t like to grow old and we don’t like to die. The Bible teaches that death is an enemy of man and God. But it also teaches that this enemy, death, will ultimately be destroyed forever; that in fact it has already been defeated at the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Death, for a Christian, brings permanent freedom from evil. It also means the believer will be like Jesus. We shall be like Christ in love. So much of self is involved in what we do here; but one day, in Christ, we will have perfect love. What a glorious time it will be when we get to heaven!
Prayer for the day: Jesus, Your victory over death comforts my heart and fills me with hope.
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.
Topic: Refuse To Be Static [TREM Devotional 21 January 2019]
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon”. – Psalm 92:12 KJV
In whatever area you find yourself, it is not the will of God for you to be static. His desire is for you to continue to grow and make progress. One of the greatest enemies of progress is satisfaction. You get satisfied when you have what you wanted to achieve. But what happens next is that there are no more dreams or fresh ideas, and then you start dying. Watch all those who have been told to retire, when they retired they stopped doing anything and before you know it, they started ageing fast. Yes, an organization can have retirement age; it doesn’t mean you should retire from productivity. You can still do much more with your life.
You must continue to deliberately and consciously find out new ways. Polish and improve on your gift. Work on what God has given to you. Find out the best way you can do it better than you have been doing it. I am not just talking about a church situation. I am talking about your business, career and your family. Find out the new things you can do that can stir up the motivation. God is a progressive God and He tells us how best we can fit into the present-day situation. Don’t ever be satisfied. Don’t ever say, I have got it all together or that is how it must be done and nothing else changes. The only thing that is constant is change. If you don’t believe me, go and get your old picture and then look at yourself and see if nothing has changed.
So, I charge you today to go look at how you can improve on your productivity. Find out how you can improve on whatever you are doing. Improve on your job, your business, your academics and the way your family is run. I declare the blessing of God over all that you are involved in.
Further Reading: Proverbs 4:18, Job 8:7, Eccl 7:8
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Exodus 1-3 / Evening- Matthew 14:1-21
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.
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