I recognize that Jesus’ statement, “He who created them from the beginning made them male and female” (Matthew 19:4), is an unpopular position these days. Our culture celebrates the “courage” of those who “transition” from male to female or vice-versa.
The director of the study stated: “There is a huge uncertainty over whether changing someone’s sex is a good or a bad thing.” I could point to numerous other studies (such as this report) that suggest similar caution.
However, my purpose today is not to debate transgender issues. It is to note that engaging in such a debate demands a level of courage that was not necessary even a few years ago.
Speaking exclusively to Premier, Sadiq Khan has been explaining his disappointment in some of the dialogue coming from Parliament in recent weeks.
“One of the things which inspires me about our churches is a simple word – kindness.
“The Church does kindness so well – treating each other with civility and respect and I wish us politicians learnt from that.
“The way we talk together, how we don’t even have the patience to hear someone else’s argument, giving people the benefit of doubt.”
Mr Khan was speaking to Premier from the London Carols event at Wembley Arena hosted by Hillsong Church.
Addressing the estimated 10,000 in attendance, he thanked the Christian community for the “huge contribution” they make to London.
He told Premier he’s often inspired by the Church within his own work.
He said: “One of the great things about the Church is when they’re helping a rough sleeper or someone involved in violent crimes, they don’t say, ‘Are you a Christian? Are you practicing? What are your views?’ – they want to help you.
“I think that’s inspirational and that’s one of the things I try to engender in my own life.”
London Carols is by some margin the biggest Church Christmas event in the UK.
Around 30,000 people attend each year.
Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily…
Despite the tough reality many congregations face today, I remain an obnoxious optimist as we move into 2019. Just yesterday, I received an email about a church that I thought was headed for closure. Through a series of God-blessed events, the church has turned the corner and will remain a presence in the community.
That one anecdote has been a common theme for so many congregations: there is hope. God is not done with us yet. And here are ten reasons why:
More church leaders are admitting their churches are struggling. On the surface, this reason seems more like a reason for pessimism. I don’t see it that way. You can’t begin to get healthy until you admit you are not healthy. It is a vital first step.
Churches are increasingly connecting with their communities. They are breaking out of their holy huddles and becoming a witness and a positive presence in the neighborhoods and towns where God has placed them.
There is significant evidence of greater Great Commission obedience. We recently conducted a survey of 1,700 church leaders. The number one area where they are seeking to improve is evangelism and outward focus.
Toxic church behavior is less tolerated. Many churches struggle because issues such as bullying and toxic leadership are swept under the rug. Just yesterday I spoke with a pastor who was celebrating the reality that we talk about these issues openly and frankly.
Church revitalization has become a major movement. This one reason excites me beyond measure. Such is the reason I…
Provoking the Release of Our Inheritances via Praise! By David Oyedepo
Topic: Provoking the Release of Our Inheritances via Praise!
Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on: Provoking the Release of our Inheritances via Praise!
From scriptures, we discover that one of the wonders of praise is the release of our inheritances. The Bible says: O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved (Psalm 47:1-4). However, we must understand that life is essentially a seed time and harvest time adventure. No one ever gets out of life more than what he is willing to put into it. Remember, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man sows, that also shall he reap (Genesis 8:22; Ephesians 6:8; Galatians 6:7). Furthermore, we discover that every spiritual engagement is defined as a form of labour (Hebrews 4:9-12). This implies that just as a woman goes to the labour room to deliver, we must also go through a spiritual labour room to take delivery of our hearts’ desires. Thus, there are three kinds of praise. These include:
General Praise: (Psalm 34:1).
High Praise: (Psalm 149:6).
Hosanna Praise: This can be described as warfare praise. When we give God hosanna praise, we are entitled to wild level of results. For instance, when the people went wild singing His hosanna as He entered into the City of Jerusalem, Jesus went wild in the temple and healed all that were sick (Matthew 21:9-16). Also, when David danced with all his might, he secured vengeance on his mockers (2 Samuel 6:1-10). No wonder the Bible records that he never lost a battle because he knew how to bring God to bear in any situation and circumstance.
But, what is in Praise?
Praise is the strongest evidence of faith, which usually culminates in undeniable testimonies: As it is written: And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform(Romans 4:19-21).
Praise is what determines the returns on our seeds sown–spiritually, physically, materially or financially: The Bible says: A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled (Proverbs 18:20; see also Hebrew 13:15).
Praise is the platform for the fearful acts of God: As it is written: Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders (Exodus 15:11).
Praise is the covenant requirement for answered prayers: As it is written: Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6; see also Matthew 6:9/13).
Fearful Praise engenders fearful Blessings: As it is written: Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him (Psalm 67:5-7).
Praise provokes Divine Intervention: Concerning Judah, the Bible says as they began to engage warfare praise, God stepped in and all their enemies were overthrown. Thus, praise brings God into our affairs (Psalm 68:1; 2 Chronicles 20:22).
Praise grants us access into our Inheritance in Christ: Whatever we discover from scriptures as our inheritance in redemption is accessible via praise (Psalm 47:1/4).
What, then, are the inheritances that accrue to us in Christ?
We have a heritage of total health in Christ: When we engage the mystery of high praises, God releases our heritage of total health to us. It is written: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; see also Matthew 21:9-16).
We have a heritage of continuous progress and unending breakthroughs in Christ: Everyone that is born again has been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ. For it is written: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Again, the Bible says: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18). Therefore, everyone justified by God is ordained for unending breakthroughs in life. Therefore, stagnation is not our portion and praise is one of the means through which we walk into our inheritance of continuous progress and unending breakthroughs.
We have a heritage of favour in Christ: Favour is one of the mystery virtues of the Kingdom. It can make an heir of a slave and an official of an inmate. For instance, Joseph had favour in Portiphar’s house and an estate was placed in his command. Again, he was favoured in the prison and was made the head of the prisoners. Favour changes situation as if it never happened (Genesis 39:1-6; Psalm 5:12).
We have a heritage of fruitfulness in Christ: We are told from scriptures that children are a heritage of the Lord. Thus, childbearing is our heritage in Christ and the fruit of the womb is our reward (Psalm 127:3).
In conclusion, we must see our inheritance in Christ Jesus as real and praise as God’s ordained access to them. This is because we can praise our way out of any frustration, stagnation and unpleasant situations in our lives.
However, you must be born again for your praise to be acceptable. 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: Understanding the Power of Praise and Wonders of Praise. 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: From Shame to Honor [Our Daily Bread 17 December 2018 Devotional]
Read: Luke 1:18–25, Bible in a Year: Amos 7–9; Revelation 8
[The Lord] has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people. Luke 1:25
It’s that time of the year again, when families gather to celebrate the festive season together. Some of us, however, dread meeting certain “concerned” relatives whose questions can make those who are still single or childless feel that there’s something wrong with them.
Imagine the plight of Elizabeth, who was childless despite being married for many years. In her culture, that was seen as a sign of God’s disfavor (see 1 Samuel 1:5–6) and could actually be considered shameful. So while Elizabeth had been living righteously (Luke 1:6), her neighbors and relatives may have suspected otherwise.
Nonetheless, Elizabeth and her husband continued to serve the Lord faithfully. Then, when both were well advanced in years, a miracle occurred. God heard her prayer (v. 13). He loves to show us His favor (v. 25). And though He may seem to delay, His timing is always right and His wisdom always perfect. For Elizabeth and her husband, God had a special gift: a child who would become the Messiah’s forerunner (Isaiah 40:3–5).
Do you feel inadequate because you seem to lack something—a university degree, a spouse, a child, a job, a house? Keep living for Him faithfully and waiting patiently for Him and His plan, just as Elizabeth did. No matter our circumstances, God is working in and through us. He knows your heart. He hears your prayers.
Prayer: God, You are forever faithful and good. Help us to keep trusting in You, even when we experience heartache.
Keep living for Him faithfully and waiting patiently for His plan.
INSIGHT Zechariah and Elizabeth were descendants of Aaron (Luke 1:5). God had designated that only Aaron’s descendants could serve as priests (1 Chronicles 23:13). Israel’s priesthood was divided into twenty-four divisions, with each division rotating to serve in the temple for just two weeks every year (24:1–19). With so many priests, lots were cast to determine which specific priest would have the once-in-a-lifetime privilege to burn incense in the Holy Place. Coupled with the angel announcing the birth of a son despite their old age, this would have been the highest point of Zechariah’s life (Luke 1:8–13, 18). The same archangel Gabriel, who told Daniel the meaning of the vision that concerns “the appointed time of the end” (Daniel 8:19), now appears to Zechariah, whose name means “the Lord has remembered.” God remembered His promise to send the Messiah and now sets in motion the events of the end times. K. T. Sim
Topic: Grace Will Reach Out To You [TREM Devotional 17 December 2018]
“For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; …” 1Corinthians 15:9, 10
As we begin to climax the age, satanic activities will be on the increase. Everyday things are happening that we could hardly imagine that such things will be experienced in our days. I believe if there was any time we needed to walk in heavy duty anointing, it is today. So God has provided us with enough spiritual arsenals to be able to confront the powers of hell. God understands that the devil is not joking. His intention is still to steal, to kill and to destroy.
And so the scripture says, ‘Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about seeking who he may devour.’ That means, he is not devouring everybody. He is looking for somebody who has lowered his guard. He is looking for somebody who is not using the entire spiritual weapons that God has made available to us. There are powerful weapons which when received as revelation will enable you to navigate any challenge, no matter where it is coming from. One of such weapons is the grace of God. Without grace, we are nothing. Paul says, I am what I am by the grace of God. He remembered how he used to be a nobody, a murderer and a blasphemer, yet God reached out to him, and said, you are the one I will reveal this great and deep truth to.
That is grace at work. Beloved, without grace, Christianity means nothing. What is Grace? It is God in the race. You can’t run but God gives you power to run. God gives you preferential treatment. In other words, you are not qualified but God says I qualify you. That’s grace. If God does not ‘grace’ you, you cannot amount to anything.
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.
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 17 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Connecting to the Story Changer
TOPIC: Connecting to the Story Changer (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 17 December 2018)
FIRE SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 2:7-9
MEMORY VERSE:“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” – Psalms 118:22-23
The MESSAGE:
The account of creation tells us that in the beginning, the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. The Scripture did not reveal why God chose to start His creative work with a chaotic mass that was dark, formless, and empty; but the Holy Spirit, brooding over the waters, brought order out of chaos, and beauty and fullness out of emptiness.
This is what God is doing today with the lives of all who would yield to Him. He is a life transformer, a story changer and a glory advertiser. He brings something extraordinary out of nothing. He brought light out of darkness and made him to rule over the ground out of which he came. What a wonderful God we serve! He is indeed a story changer. He specialises in turning lives around, changes hopeless situations to enviable ones, converts sorrows to joys, and takes away our burdens. He made Abraham a fountain of blessings, turned ‘barren Sarah’ to the mother of nations, promoted David from obscurity to prominence, and elevated Joseph from prison to the palace. In several places in the Scripture, God’s visitation brought about remarkable and unimaginable lifting and victory to His children. This was what Hannah experienced that made her worship the LORD in such a glorious way in our Fire Scripture of today.
Hannah declared boldly “for by strength shall no man prevail”. She recognised that the love and preferential treatment her husband gave her could not deliver her much-desired miracle. Her daily sorrows and tears were only making her adversary wax stronger. Nothing worthy of celebration happened until she resolved to cast everything aside and connect to the story changer. She did not even bother to rely on Eli, the man of God, as many people do today. She focused her attention on the God who is able to do all things. This connection changed her story and made her to sing her song and dance her dance. Power indeed changed hands in her life, and her testimony was truly exceptional.
You can take a cue from Hannah today and firmly connect to Jesus, the story changer. If you are poor today, the LORD will make you rich. If the enemy has brought you low, the LORD will lift you up. He will transform your life, set you among the princes and make you inherit the throne of glory. He will guard your feet and silence all the wicked powers raging against your enduring laughter. Your story shall change from the stone that the builders refused to the stone that is undeniably the head of the corner. Your story shall continually be: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: GOD IS A LIFE TRANSFORMER, STORY CHANGER AND GLORY ADVERTISER.
PROPHETIC WORD: Time is up for the enemies of your progress.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to You, take over from today, in the name of Jesus.
My season of sorrows and weeping, expire now, in the name of Jesus.
Yahweh, the story changer, visit my life today, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
Life transforming anointing, come upon me now, in the name of Jesus.
Enemies of my greatness, your time is up, release me by fire, in the name of Jesus.
I shall not die unfulfilled, in the name of Jesus.
Powers saying no to my miracles and testimony, you are liars, shut up and die, in the name of Jesus.
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.
Topic: A Key to Breaking Forth in Favour [Seeds of Destiny 17 December 2018 Devotional]
Scripture:And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. – Esther 5:2
Thought For The Day: Favour is the suspension of protocol.
It has been confirmed that the favour of God is very important for greatness in life and destiny. Favour is the pathway to greatness.
Now, it is clear from scriptures that one of the ways to break forth in favour is through fasting and prayer.
From our anchor scripture, Queen Esther needed to approach King Ahasuerus on behalf of Mordecai and the Jewish people because of the death sentence placed on them by Haman’s conspiracy. In those days, it was not customary to go to the king without invitation; going to see the king without invitation was equal to death, except he stretched out his sceptre. But Queen Esther fasted and prayed for three days and obtained favour in the sight of the king.
Fasting and prayer should not be a seasonal operation; rather, it should be a way of life.
Now, what is favour?
Favour is unlimited, unrestricted, unhindered access without limitations, resistance or hindrance.
Favour is the suspension of protocols. Favour bypasses natural laws for a person to achieve desired intentions and results. Protocol suspension means that you do not have to pass through what others passed through to get what they got.
Favour is unlimited opportunities and privileges with principal people. This is an open-cheque existence with those who matter. Having answers to questions that are yet to be asked by the agency of favour.
Favour is a climate of acceptability and attractiveness.
Favour makes you acceptable and attractive to both those who know you and do not know you.
Today, I decree that the favour you need is released for you, in Jesus’ Name.
Remember This: Favour is the suspension of protocols.
Assignments:
Take a fast at least for a day in a week
Ask God to shower you with favour at the place of prayer
Prayer: O Lord, I ask that You shower on me the favour that will grant me unlimited, unhindered and unrestricted access to my destiny, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: BREAKING FORTH IN FASTING.
Quote: To look up to man is to limit your destiny. To look up to man is to provoke the jealousy of God. Culled from 21 Uncommon Keys o Financial Overflow by Dr Paul Enenche
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 24:1 to 26:11, Romans 4:1 to 12, Psalm 13:1 to 6, Proverbs 19:15 to 16.
Amazing Fact: The human brain can store 2.5 million gigabytes of data and process information much faster than the fastest super computer.
Today In History: 17/12/1903 – After three years of experimentation, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered, controlled airplane flights.
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.
Topic — Fruit of the Spirit; Meekness [Open Heavens for Teens 17 December 2018]
Memorise: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. – Matthew 5:5
Read: Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
Bible In One Year: Obadiah 1, Revelation 8
MESSAGE:
Psalm 37:11 says; “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
With this Bible verse above and our memory verse for today, we can see that the reward of the meek is to inherit the earth. What then does it mean to be meek? The word ‘meek’ refers to mildness or humility. It’s the ability, right or power to take an action against someone, but you refrain for the benefit of that person or someone else. Meekness is complete humility and patience towards others.
Naturally, man can’t be meek. We all were born with the ‘an eye for an eye’ mentality, and with that mentality comes the need to spell out our superiority at every chance we get. But as Christians, we have to be Christ-like. Philippians 2:6-8 says Jesus, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant… He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death…” Are you humble? Do you always feel the need to show off your accomplishments and possessions to your friends? Pray for the Spirit of meekness today.
Prayer Point: Sweet Holy Spirit, please fill my heart with meekness
Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is the love of God flowing through you?
Are you telling the lost of the Savior?
Are you ready His service to do?
Chorus:
Make me a channel of blessing today,
Make me a channel of blessing, I pray;
My life possessing, my service blessing,
Make me a channel of blessing today.
Is your life a channel of blessing?
Are you burdened for those that are lost?
Have you urged upon those who are straying
The Savior who does on the cross
Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is it a daily telling for Him?
Have you spoken the word of salvation?
To those who are dying in sin?
We cannot be channels of blessing
If our lives are not free from sin;
We will barriers be and a hindrance
To those we are trying to win
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 Power of Faith [DCLM Daily Manna 17 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Mark 9:14-29 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”(Mark 9:23).
MESSAGE:
A small child named Thomas A. Edison came home with a letter from school. The content of the letter was: “Your son is mentally deficient; we cannot let him attend our school anymore. He is expelled”. Edison’s mother’s eyes welled with tears as she said aloud positively, “Your son is a genius. This school is too small for him and doesn’t have good enough teachers to train him…” The mother took up the tutoring of Thomas effectively and successfully until she fell ill and passed on. Many years after Edison’s mother died, he became one of the greatest inventors of the century. Edison was a mentally deficient child, whose mother turned him into the genius of the century. Faith produces something from nothing.
In our passage, Jesus upbraided His disciples for their inability to heal an epileptic child brought to them. He described their failure as resulting from their lack of faith. Faith in God’s promises and faithfulness changes situations and circumstances.
Nothing is impossible for a man or woman of faith. Whoever exercises faith always dwells in the realm of the supernatural. He visualises God’s unlimited supply, unquestionable authority over circumstances, unrestrained power over nature and His control over all issues. If prayer is the “staff” with which a Christian walks with God, then faith is the “key” to open God’s treasure-store.
Without faith, we cannot attain to His presence or obtain anything from Him. How rich are you in faith? Build up your faith and experience victory and rest on all sides.
Thought For The Day: Through faith, you can both save yourself and others.
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.
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