Stephen Colbert shares why he returned to Christ after becoming an atheist

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Stephen Colbert shares why he returned to Christ after becoming an atheist

The Late Show comedian told Rev James Martin on the Faith in Focus program that he stopped being a Catholic in his 20s.

“I had lost my faith in God, to my own great grief,” Colbert said.

 

“I was sort of convinced that I had been wrong all this time, that I had been taught something that wasn’t true.”

Colbert explained that a stranger gave him a pocket Bible when he was 22-years-old.

After reading Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount, he was “absolutely, immediately lightened”.

 

“I stood on the street corner in the cold and read the sermon. And my life has never been the same,” he added.

When asked about how he views God today, Colbert replied: “It’s Jesus Christ. Not an old man with a beard.

“If I can love, I can be free. When I think of love, I think of God, and when I think of God, I think of love.”

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Second missionary shot dead in a month in Cameroon

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Second missionary shot dead in a month in Cameroon

Fr Cosmas Omboto Ondari was standing outside his church in the South West region on Wednesday when he came under fire.

In a statement released on Facebook, local Catholic leaders described the shooting as a “heinous crime”. They said government forces were to blame.

The Diocese of Mamfe said: “While we mourn with the Mill Hill family and the national family of Fr Ondari, we trust that he died doing what he has offered his life for.

“He was serving humanity far away from home and family, but he was one with the people of Kembong who loved him so well and whom he loved so much.”

Media reports suggest Fr Ondari – who belonged to the Mill Hill Missionaries – may have been caught in cross-fire between soldiers and armed separatists.

 

The 33-year-old Kenyan national had been serving as an assistant parish priest at St Martin of Tours in the village of Kembong.

Last month, Premier reported how an American missionary working in Cameroon was shot in the head and killed in front of his family.

Fighting between English-speaking separatists and government forces in Cameroon’s South West and North West regions has intensified since 2016. Hundreds of civilians have died.

Believers Baptist Church in Warsaw, Indiana

 

Having long-claimed discrimination under a national political system dominated by French-speakers, separatists want Anglophone areas to become an independent nation -…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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New campaign aims to stop ‘harmful’ mission trips to orphanages

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New campaign aims to stop ‘harmful’ mission trips to orphanages

They fear successive short-term visits by volunteers leave institutionalised children – who, in 80 per cent of cases, have a living parent – at greater risk of attachment disorders.

The fostering and adoption charity Home for Good is among Christian organisations in the UK supporting The Love You Give campaign.

 

Founder, Dr Krish Kandiah told Premier: “Often, it’s in the best interests of the orphanage owners to run these orphanages, put them on the tourist trail [and] use the children as a little bit like a safari experience.

“You come in, play with the kids, put a smile on their face and leave. But that’s really unhelpful for the wellbeing of the children. That’s another abandonment, that’s another rejection.”

 

The campaign has got the backing of Christian organisations around the world including Caritas Australia, Catholic Relief Services, Tearfund Ireland and the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

Organisers warns that young people leaving orphanages are more prone to trafficking and exploitation, while volunteers left to care for children do not always hold relevant qualifications or experience.

 

They say efforts must be directed towards keeping children in their…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Why Is the Music So Loud in My Worship Service?

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Podcast Episode #487

SUBSCRIBE:
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Mike Harland joins us to answer one of the biggest questions in church worship services today: why is it so loud?

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • The loudness of church music creates an engagement issue for those in the pew.
  • One easy fix to the loudness of church music is to vary the accompaniment from song to song or even in the songs.
  • Identify what technology really matters in your worship service and invest there.
  • If you want to improve your congregational singing, turn your lights up, turn your sound down, and pick songs people know.

The four questions about the loudness of church music that we explore are:

  1. Why is it so loud?
  2. Where do you start?
  3. What is the ROI on tech?
  4. Where do we invest?

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Episode Sponsors

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

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Why is today called ‘Black Friday’?

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Why is today called ‘Black Friday’?

“Black Friday” gets its name from the fact that today is the first day retailers will be “in the black” rather than “in the red.” Or so most people think.

The truth is far different. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the most likely explanation is that “Black Friday” started out as a reference to terrible traffic conditions on this day. Due to the influx of shoppers into city centers, congestion is worse than any other day of the year.

Early citations in the OED indicate that the term may have originated with police officers and bus drivers who would have dreaded this challenging day. The use of this term apparently started in Philadelphia, then spread to other parts of the country.

Whether or not today is called “Black Friday” because it is so hectic and congested, the term is appropriate. If today is like last year’s Black Friday, half of all Americans will be shopping this weekend. The consumeristic Christmas season is upon us.

And with it comes one of our best opportunities of the year to make a difference for Jesus.

What do the Chinese think of Christmas?

My wife and I started unpacking Christmas decorations this week. Most were made in China. Janet wondered out loud what the Chinese must think of our chaotic, commercialized Christmas season. We concluded that it probably doesn’t draw them closer to Christianity.

The same may be true for many Americans. The birth of Jesus is easily lost in the hustle and bustle of what are now being called the “Winter Holidays.” But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Surprisingly, the key to celebrating the coming holiday lies in the holiday we just concluded.

This Thanksgiving week, we’ve focused on God’s command to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Today, I’d like us to observe that we are called to “give thanks,” not just to “be grateful.” The former is an action, the latter an attitude.

Tim Keller: “It’s one…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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Jewish groups say Bible needs anti-Semitism warnings

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Jewish groups say Bible needs anti-Semitism warnings

Introductions also ought to feature cautions, according to the European Jewish Congress (EJC) – an umbrella group for several Jewish organisations.

The EJC’s recommendations, included in a new “catalogue of policies to combat anti-Semitism” unveiled in Vienna, also cover the Quran.

 

EJC president, Moshe Kantor said: “Translations of the New Testament, the Koran and other Christian or Muslim literatures need marginal glosses and introductions that emphasis continuity with Jewish heritage [and] warn readers about anti-Semitic passages in them.”

Concerns have been raised that certain scriptures have been distorted or misinterpreted in the past to justify persecution against Jews.

Danny Lawson/PA Wire

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rev Justin Welby said in September 2016 that the Church was complicit in the spread of anti-Semitism.

He said: “It is a shameful truth that, through its theological teachings, the Church, which should have offered an antidote, compounded the spread of this virus.

 

“The fact that anti-Semitism has infected the body of the Church is something of which we as Christians must be deeply repentant. We live with the consequences of our history of denial and complicity.”

Other recommendations include every country, organisation and business adopting and implementing a…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Joyce Meyer Devotional 23 November 2018 — Our Vindicator

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Topic: Our Vindicator [Joyce Meyer Devotional 23 November 2018]

I often say that Psalms are right after Job, because after getting beat up in Job, you need some psalms. God only knows what this man was going through, how hard it must have been. He lost his whole family, had boils all over his body, and all of his friends turned against him. Yet what does Job say? God is a God of justice.

Job knew who he was. He knew his own heart. He knew what he was doing. He knew his motives for doing what he was doing. He didn’t really care what others thought about him. He knew that his Vindicator was God. He didn’t have to defend himself, because if he needed to be vindicated, God would do it.

It might take a year or five years or ten years, but sooner or later God would come around and vindicate him. If he didn’t know that God was his Vindicator, he would have had to try to vindicate himself.

Prayer Starter: Lord, You are my Redeemer and Vindicator. You know my heart, and Your approval of my life is all that I need. Help me to not listen to others’ judgments. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer Devotional 23 November 2018 — Our Vindicator appeared first on Flatimes.

Focus on God’s Word with Faith By David Ibiyeomie

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Focus on God’s Word with Faith By David Ibiyeomie

Topic: Focus on God’s Word with Faith

God’s word is the supernatural activator of the power behind anointing. The word of God is self-anointed. Dwelling on God’s word averts evil. Anything your mind focuses on will happen. There is a way you will listen to news and if you are not mature enough, you will focus on the bad side of the news. When something wants to battle with your mind, stay on the word of God.

Isaiah 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

Focus on God’s word; it is sharper than two edged sword; never shift your attention from it.

Colossians 3:2 The Passion Translation (TPT) Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.

Fill your thoughts with heavenly realities. The realities of the heavenly realm are realized via the word of God. Never allow the distractions of the world rule your mind but the word of God. When you focus on the word of God, it builds your faith.

Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Also Read: Knowing God Personally by David Ibiyeomie

Faith not expressed cannot produce result. Your words can make you either a victim or a victor; do not talk carelessly. Faith ignores what is happening and declares what is written. It is what you say you create; if you want to see great things, say great things.

2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak.

If you want to attack evil, never speak evil. Don’t ever say what you do not want to see. Focus on the word of God and express your faith in the words you speak. Your mouth is your final bus stop. David killed Goliath with his mouth first.

1 Samuel 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Never allow the word end in the opponent’s mouth. When satan spoke, Jesus spoke and it ended in Jesus’ mouth. In the midst of darkness, God spoke forth light. You do not express faith by saying the word of God when you see it happen, you say it to see it.

Always oppose negative pronouncements with the word of God. Do not close your mouth for everything hear your voice. There is a time to pray and a time to declare. No faith is finished until spoken!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

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TREM Devotional 23 November 2018 – Christ is the Living Word

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Topic: Christ is the Living Word [TREM Devotional 23 November 2018]

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 KJV

God has always desired for His children to see what He has planned for them. To this end, He has been painting pictures. He has tried to paint the picture by the written word but man didn’t quite see it. And here comes the living word, everywhere He went He was doing good. He raised the dead. He cast out devils and He healed the sick. Everywhere the Word went, there were incredible miracles. Consequently, man could see what the Word can do when he depends on it.

Stop looking up to your situation, rather start looking up to Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith. When you see Jesus, you see what you can do, you see what is available to you, you see your ability and your resources because Jesus came to show us what has been made available. Jesus, the living Word came to show you what the Word can do when you believe it. When you see yourself in the light of what the Word has provided, it will position you for a life of unlimited possibility.

Has He not said that no weapon formed against you shall prosper? Has He not said that He will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places that you may know that He that has called you is the Lord God of Israel? Has He not said that with long life will He satisfy you and show you His salvation and that what you bind on earth is bound in heaven and what you loose on earth is loosed in heaven? You have no reason to fear! He is the strength of your life! He is your refuge and a very present help in the time of need. Why are you seeing something else?

Further Reading: John 1:1-14; 8:12

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Ezekiel 20-21; Evening- James 5

“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.

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Teens Open Heavens 23 November 2018 – Another Accuser

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Topic: Another Accuser [Teens Open Heavens 23 November 2018]

Memorise: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25

Read: Luke 6:36-37 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 29-31, James 5

MESSAGE:

God keep records of both good and bad deeds so that they can be used to determine your eternal reward. On the other hand, Satan keeps records of only your bad deeds. He does this to have evidence against you while accusing you before God. Whenever you are tempted to sin, be certain that at least one demon from accusation department is around you, ready to record your action if you fall.

You are identified by the records you keep. If you are capable of keeping only negative records, it shows you have the same nature as the devil. Satan never erases a negative deed done even if you have asked and received forgiveness from God. Do you list someone’s evil deed s with dates and at the end refuse to forgive or show the individual mercy? To make it to heaven you must destroy your black book of wrongs.

Key Point: If you retain anyone’s wrong doing, Heaven will retain yours too.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 13:

1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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.

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