Topic: Don’t Be Discouraged [Open Heavens for Teens 24 December 2018]
Memorise:“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Read: Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)
Bible In One Year: Zephaniah 1-3, Revelation 15
MESSAGE:
There are so many things happening in the world right now that are so fear and worry inducing that one can’t help but be discouraged. Even for you teens, discouragement is not far-fetched. The devil rules over this present world and one of his tools especially against children of God is discouragement. But we are serving a living God. We serve a God who does not sleep nor slumber, and He never forsakes His children. So if you can just take your focus off discouraging situation and put that focus on Christ, you will find out that everything will smoothen out.
Are your grades low? Don’t give up. Even if your parents have stopped believing in you. Hold on tighter to God and His Word. Dig deep into His Word and find strength and solace. God is always present to get you out of whatever situation you can ever find yourself, just believe and hold on tight through prayers.
Key Point: When you allow discouragement, you allow the devil.
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then, in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul.
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.
Topic: The Purpose of the Law [DCLM Daily Manna 24 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Exodus 24:12-18 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them“(Exodus 24:12).
MESSAGE:
God, “…who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…” (Hebrews 1:1,2). The question is, why does God send His word to men? What is the purpose of giving the Holy Bible to mankind? It is, of course, to reveal Himself and His purpose to man.
As God called Moses to the mountain to give him the Law and commandments which he was to teach the people, he went with Joshua up to the cloud-covered mountain. Aaron and Hur were mandated to take charge in the absence of Moses. He stayed six days before God called him up on the seventh day. He was to stay in that glory-covered mountain for forty days, before coming back with the two tables of stone containing the Ten Commandments of God.
The unquantifiable privilege God has given to man by sending to him the Holy Bible is invaluable. While many still grope in the dark today because they do not believe the written word of God, those who accept it, have greatly benefitted from His provisions of salvation from sin, holiness of life, power of the Holy Spirit, healing, deliverance, material provisions and a place in heaven.
However, except a man is saved and has the Spirit of God, he will not understand the Bible and its message of redemption. That is the purpose of the Law which only the redeemed can understand. Take full advantage of God’s word, spend quality time with it and determine to fully abide by it.
Thought For The Day: God’s law lifts man from the pit of ignorance into the plain of enlightenment.
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.
Topic: Restoration Power [Seeds of Destiny 24 December 2018 Devotional]
Scripture: But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. 2 Kings 6:5-6
Thought For The Day: God has the capacity to move us from negative challenges to positive surprises.
Our God is a God of restoration. He is a Repairer, a Restorer and a Specialist in renewal. God has the capacity to move us from negative challenges to positive surprises; He knows how to work for our good what the enemy meant for evil. God has the capacity to deliver beyond our desires.
I would like you to take note of the following key facts on restoration:
God will use what is available to get what is desirable
God uses what you would not struggle to get to give you what you desire. For example, the stick was available as the instrument to rescue the desired axe head. God’s restoration power has the capacity to make dead things come alive.
The prophetic mantle is for restoration
By being with the Prophet Elisha, his servants could not experience any loss. The axe head would have being lost forever if not that the carrier of the prophetic mantle, Prophet Elisha was with them.
By the prophetic mantle and anointing on my life, I decree that everything lost in your life is restored right now, in Jesus’ Name.
Remember This: God has the capacity to move us from negative challenges to positive surprises.
Assignments:
Acknowledge God as the restorer of your life and destiny
Identify and ask God to restore every lost thing in your life at the place of prayer
Prayer: O Lord, You are the Restorer of my life. I ask for the restoration of everything that is lost or missing in my life, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE GOD OF RESTORATION
Quote: When God gives us abundance beyond measure, we can demonstrate His love to a dying world. Culled from 21 UNCOMMON KEYS TO FINANCIAL OVERFLOW by Dr Paul Enenche
Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 11:1 to 3:22, Romans 8:26 to 39, Psalm 18:37 to 50, Proverbs 19:27 to 29.
Amazing Fact: Your sense of smell is around 10,000 times more sensitive than your sense of taste.
Today In History: 24/12/1784: Methodist Episcopal Church in America founded.
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.
Open Heaven 24 December 2018 Monday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Catalyst for Soul-Winning
Topic: Catalyst for Soul-Winning (Open Heaven 24 December 2018)
Memorise:“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”– Matthew 9:36
Read: Jude 1:20-25 (KJV)
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Bible in One Year: Nahum 1-3, John 17:1-19
Open Heaven 24 December 2018 Monday MESSAGE:
Salvation through Christ originated from God as an act of love towards humanity. It was specially designated to be the only way out of human sinfulness, indebtedness and bondage to the devil. The foundational role of love in the process of salvation is made clear to us in John 3:16, which says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
It was divine love that propelled God, as a compassionate Father, to offer His beloved Son, Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. Out of love for humanity, Jesus accepted His Father’s will and came into this world to relate with sinful men and women, working out our salvation freely and unconditionally. Considering all His labor of love and the suffering He endured in His final hours before death, the Bible in 1 John 4:9 rightly concluded:
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
Therefore, the role that love plays as the catalyst for soul-winning has its roots in God Himself, and it is transmitted to those who have partaken of His divine nature through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For obvious reasons, soul-winning requires love. Winning a soul involves fierce competition and confrontation with the kingdom of darkness. It is apparent to anyone involved in soul-winning at any level that Christians are competing with the devil for the souls of men. Because eternal life is involved, the stakes could not be any higher. Therefore, soul-winning is of everlasting importance, and it demands determination, commitment and sacrifice. All of these can only flow from a heart overflowing with love for Christ and perishing souls. Anyone who confesses Christ as Lord and Savior is compelled by the love of God to spread the love he or she has received to others who are still living in sin (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). The golden rule set by Jesus is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39), and He identifies your neighbor to be anyone who has a need within your sphere of influence (Luke 10:29-37). Are you then moved by knowledge that anyone without Christ is lost and hell-bound if they remain unsaved? Has this knowledge moved you to share the gospel with your family members, neighbours, co-workers, schoolmates and the society at large? The Christmas holiday is a good opportunity to do this. I pray that God will fill your heart with love for the perishing souls today, in Jesus Name.
Open Heaven 24 December 2018 Monday Prayer Point:
Father, please empower me as I share the gospel in this festive season in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 24 December 2018 Monday Hymn 7: Wonderful Story Of Love
1. Wonderful story of love; Tell it to me again; Wonderful story of love; Wake the immortal strain! Angels with rapture announce it, Shepherds with wonder receive it; Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it? Wonderful story of love.
Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
2. Wonderful story of love; Though you are far away; Wonderful story of love; Still He doth call today; Calling from Calvary’s mountain, Down from the crystal-bright fountain, E’en from the dawn of creation, Wonderful story of love.
3. Wonderful story of love; Jesus provides a rest; Wonderful story of love; For all the pure and blest, Rest in those mansions above us, With those who’ve gone on before us, Singing the rapturous chorus, Wonderful story of love.
Open Heaven 24 December 2018 Monday 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 24 December 2018 Monday Daily Devotional.
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.
All proceeds of the sale of the track are going to the Christian charity The Trussell Trust.
The Trussell Trust run a network of over 420 food banks across over 1,200 centres across the UK and provide a minimum of three days’ emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis.
The Trussell Trust says: “Not only was December the busiest month for food banks last year, but year on year December figures are rapidly increasing, as it prepares for its busiest Christmas yet”
Some Christmas classics also made the top 10 singles this Christmas, including Maria Carey’s festive favourite “All…
It’s reported many carol services are using the words ‘offspring of the favoured one’ instead of ‘offspring of a virgin’s womb’ when singing the Charles Wesley hymn.
London vicar Rev Marcus Walker said it was ‘heretical’ to play down the reality of Christ’s birth.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Bishop of Crediton Rt Rev Jacqueline Searle also criticised the change.
She said: “It’s important we are not squeamish about singing ‘of a virgin’s womb’, which reflects nothing being impossible with God.”
“Just because something sounds difficult or new doesn’t mean it needs changing.”
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Fast Facts: First Baptist Troy is in a time of transition as they seek a new pastor to lead them in fulfilling their mission of saving, equipping, and sending. Please be in prayer for their pastor search team as well as those who will fill the pulpit in the interim. Also, be in prayer for their Christmas Eve service this week as they reach those without a church home in the Troy area.
“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.
Earlier this month, the Church issued a documents encouraging clergy to use liturgy “to enable people to mark a major transition in their lives”.
The guidance suggests a person can renew the commitments they made in baptism in a public setting marking their new identity.
The Church said water or oil could be used in the service which should be “celebratory” in nature.
According to the Sunday Times, a number of bishops, led by Bishop of Wakefield Rt Rev Tony Robinson, are now said to be calling for a conscience clause to be introduced for those who feel they couldn’t lead a service like this.
The original guidance was released with a commendation from Bishop of Blackburn Rt Rev Julian Henderson.
He initially said: “This new guidance provides an opportunity, rooted in scripture, to enable trans people who have ‘come to Christ as the way, the truth and the life’, to mark their transition in the presence of their Church family which is the body of Christ.”
However Bishop Julian later released a second statement as part of the Church of England Evangelical Council, contradictory to the first, in which he warned the guidance was “both highly divisive and theologically and pastorally questionable.”
The Church of England says there is no obligation on clergy to offer this service.
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According to the Observer, the Foreign Office is supporting specialist civilian courts aimed at tackling terrorism.
Around £10 million has been spent since 2016. In that time 59 death sentences have been handed down.
While the aim is to tackle terrorism, Pakistan’s legal system defines terrorism as any crime designed to create a “sense of fear or insecurity in society”.
Critics claim people who have no connection to extremism are being caught by the system.
Harriet McCulloch, the deputy director of human rights charity Reprieve, told the Observer: “It is deeply troubling that Britain is assisting in the investigation and prosecution of crimes that carry the death penalty in Pakistan, particularly as those crimes are being tried in courts that do not uphold basic standards of due process and where the rates of wrongful conviction are alarmingly high.”
Christian mother Asia Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 (before British money was introduced) after being accused of blasphemy. She was acquitted at the Pakistani Supreme Court earlier this year after spending 8 years on death row.
The Foreign Office says it’s confident all funding for programmes has been delivered in a way consistent to its opposition of the death penalty.
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The governors of the Anglican Centre in Rome announced Archbishop Bernard Ntahouri’s resignation following an allegation of sexual misconduct.
Archbishop Bernard had also been the Archbishop of Canterbury’s personal Representative to the Holy See.
In a statement the Centre’s Governors said: “The Governors of the Anglican Centre in Rome have accepted the resignation of its Director Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi following his suspension last week over an allegation of sexual misconduct.
“The Governors are now taking urgent steps to appoint an interim director, who will also act as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See.”
Archbishop Bernard has held the role as Director since October 2017. Before he was ordained he was a civil servant who served as chief of staff to Burundi’s President and served four years in prison following a military coup in 1987.
Previously he has held the position of Bishop of Matana and he also served as the Archbishop of Burundi.
The details of the allegation are not public knowledge.
The governors have said “anyone with a safeguarding concern or requiring support” to contact the Church of Englands safeguarding team.
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