The Reuters news agency has spoken to hospital officials and police in Colombo after hotels and churches were targeted on Easter Sunday.
The first blast ripped through St Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo.
Alex Agileson, who was in the vicinity, said buildings in the surrounding area shook with the blast.
A second explosion was reported at St Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, a Catholic majority town north of Colombo.
A security official said the explosions hit three churches and three hotels frequented by foreign tourists.
Sri Lanka Bombings: – Massive explosions strike 3 churches and 3 hotels in coordinated Easter Sunday attack in Sri Lanka – At least 160 dead, 368 injured – 2 of the attacks were suicide bombings – Sri Lankan police were warned of bombings last weekpic.twitter.com/lkFOWy1kyh
Jeremy Corbyn said Christ’s experiences as a refugee are “still familiar to us today” and the current migration crisis is a “moral test” for politicians.
Mr Corbyn accused the Government of failing to take in child refugees and criticised Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s handling of the cross-Channel migrant boats over the winter.
He said Jesus was “a refugee whose parents were forced to flee their home because of a campaign of terror by a dictator, King Herod”.
“Jesus went on to know what it was to be ostracised, rejected and tortured,” he said.
“A family forced to flee their homeland for fear of persecution.
“Sadly, this is still so familiar to us today. There are 68 million refugees across the world, more people than have ever before been forced to flee persecution, war and abject poverty.
“The refugee crisis is a moral test. Jesus taught us to respect refugees. He himself said ‘welcome the stranger’.
“And the Bible says ‘the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born’.
One of the greatest moral challenges of our time is the refugee crisis
And at Easter we’re reminded of the teachings of Jesus, a refugee, whose parents were forced to flee their home.
This year, the monarch – who is Head of the Church of England – sees her birthday coincide with Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were among those wishing her well, writing on Instagram: “Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma’am, Granny. Wishing you the most wonderful day! Harry & Meghan”.
Elizabeth II, who has a strong faith, usually celebrates Easter at Windsor Castle by joining members of her family at a service in St George’s Chapel.
At Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Irish Guards will perform a rendition of Happy Birthday in her honour on the forecourt as part of the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
April 21st – the day the Queen was born – is the first of the monarch’s two birthdays.
She also has an official one on the second Saturday in June each year, which is commemorated with the Trooping the Colour parade.
Gun salutes are also fired as a mark of respect to the Queen on her special day – but never on a Sunday, so this year they will be delayed by one day.
On Monday, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will ride their horses and gun carriages past Buckingham Palace en route to Hyde Park to stage a 41 Gun Royal Salute at noon.
A 62-gun salute will also be performed by the Honourable Artillery Company…
The pontiff, prelates and other faithful also clutching candles appeared as slow-moving points of light in darkness, part of a procession symbolising Christians’ belief that Jesus triumphed over death by resurrection following crucifixion.
At the chant in Latin for “light of Christ”, the basilica’s lights were suddenly switched on.
Francis then reached the central altar to celebrate Easter vigil mass.
During the service, he encouraged people to resist cynicism or pursuing the “glitter of wealth”, and to avoid seeking life’s meaning in “things that pass away”.
“Do not bury hope,” Francis exclaimed, after noting that when things go badly, “we lose heart and come to believe that death is stronger than life”.
He warned: “We become cynical, negative and despondent.
“Sin seduces; it promises things easy and quick, prosperity and success, but leaves behind only solitude and death.
“Sin is looking for life among the dead, for the meaning of life in things that pass away.”
The Prime Minister said “we must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion” to follow their beliefs.
Mrs May, a vicar’s daughter said that while she will spend Easter “giving thanks in church”, “for many Christians around the world, such simple acts of faith can bring huge danger”.
She added: “Churches have been attacked. Christians murdered. Families forced to flee their homes.
“That is why the Government has launched a global review into the persecution of Christians.
“We must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion, to practise their faith in peace.”
The government review, led by the Bishop of Truro, was launched in December to look into how much help the UK currently gives to persecuted Christians.
Decapitated statue of Our Lady in the destroyed St Addai’s Church, Karemles, northern Iraq
According to Open Doors, about 245 million Christians worldwide are estimated to be facing persecution.
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1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
THE MESSAGE:
Today, we are reminded again that Christianity is a living faith in a living Messiah. The resurrection of Christ from the dead, distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. No religion in the world can boast of a Messiah that loves the world enough to die for it, and is so powerful enough to rise in victory over death.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ implies many blessings for believers in Christ. These include: (i) Victory over the fear of man. Christs resurrection shows that God, not man, has the final decision over the lives and destiny of believers. (ii) Victory over the fear of death and the grave: Naturally, most people would not wish to die.
But the resurrection of Jesus shows that death is only a transition to a greater glory. (iii) Victory over the power of sin: No one who has encountered the resurrection power of Christ continues to live a purposeless, sinful life. The power of Christ in resurrection brings the believer to a place where sin loses its power over the soul.
Remember that Mary saw the risen Lord. Have you seen Him – His salvation, peace, love and compassion in your life? If not, pray fervently now; refuse to let go until you see the manifestation of His presence in your life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to know You and the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of Your suffering.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold…. — 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
Faith is the evidence of the things that we do not see and the proof of their reality (see Hebrews 11:1). Faith is what we have while we are waiting for God to answer our prayer and provide what we need. But what if God takes a long, long time to answer? That is when waiting can become difficult, and that is also when our faith is tested.
I am currently waiting on at least seven things I have prayed about, and they are all things I have been waiting on for a long time, some of them for years. As I was feeling a little disappointed yesterday about having no answers yet, I was reminded that faith has no expiration date, and if it does, then it is not faith that can endure testing.
Faith means that we not only ask God for something, but also that we must trust Him to be the head of the “ways and means committee”! He chooses the way to answer us and the timing to do so. In the meantime, we get to be patient, or we can at least learn to be patient! I am still learning, and perhaps you are also.
Let me encourage you today to know that although God probably won’t show up in your timing, He promises not to be late. Don’t just trust God for something, but trust Him all the way through the process it takes to get it. Don’t let your faith expire!
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You that I have faith while I am waiting for a breakthrough in my situation. Help me remain faithful, even as You are faithful! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1).
When Jesus died on the Cross, in the mind of justice, the whole world died with Him, because He died for all men. However, Christianity didn’t start from His death, but from His resurrection. When God raised Him from the dead, you were raised together with Him, and you became a new creation, alive to God.
The new creation is the fruit of His redemption (Romans 8:23). You’ve been brought out of death—spiritual death—into life! You came alive with Christ; with His resurrection life. Knowing that you’ve been raised together with Christ, and seated with Him in the heavenly realms, the Bible says you should seek those things which are above. Have the consciousness of one who’s seated together with Christ in the place of dominion, glory and power. It’s a place where there’s no darkness, no sickness, no defeat, and no pain; a place of absolute mastery and authority.
The Bible says Jesus is seated at the right hand of God (the right hand of power). This means He has authority over all creation; over all of heaven and earth. But guess what? God has lifted us up into glory along with Christ. We sit with Him in the heavenly realms of power, dominion, and majesty (Ephesians 2:6). We occupy the same position of authority, with the power of attorney to act in His stead. What a blessed reality!
PRAYER What an awesome privilege to sit together with Christ in the place of power, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that’s named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come! I function from a place of glory, power, authority, and dominion, separated from the debilitating effects of sin, corruption and darkness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 2:4-6; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 3:1-3
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 19:1-27 & 1 Samuel 14-15
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Mark 4:13-20 & Leviticus 21
Rhapsody of Realities 21st April 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. – Psalm 32:7
In this day and time, trouble seems to surround us on every side. If it’s not a failing economy, it’s a failing business, a failing marriage or failing health. Yet, in the midst of seemingly overwhelming problems, God has promised to deliver us.
Let me give you a word of advice though. If you want God to be God of your trouble, then you must let Him be God of your heart. God honors those who honor Him. So, if you’re facing some problems today, don’t just start kicking and screaming and begging Him to save you from them. Honor Him by going to His Word and doing what He says you should do.
Psalm 34 is a good place to start. It says, for example, that you should seek God (verse 4). As you seek Him, He will deliver you from the things that threaten you.
Secondly, it instructs you to cry out to the Lord. He will save you out of all your troubles (verse 6).
Next it tells you to fear the Lord. If you don’t know how to do that, verses 11-14 will tell you exactly what you need to know: You must keep from speaking evil and deceit; depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Remember, if you want God to be God of your trouble, let Him be God of your heart. When you do that, all of heaven will get involved in your deliverance—and your triumph will be guaranteed.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 34
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.
Matthew 9:18, ‘While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.’
MATTHEW 9:18-19
Jesus could have healed this girl by His spoken word, but He did as He was requested to do. This illustrates how the Lord ministers to us according to our faith. Jesus ministered to him at the level where his faith was and didn’t rebuke his little faith (Jas. 1:5).
There is a human faith which is limited to believing only what we can perceive through our five senses. But the supernatural, God kind of faith goes beyond what we can see, taste, hear, smell, and feel. God’s kind of faith calls those things which be not as though they already were.
We exercise faith almost daily in such things as sitting on a chair and driving a car. But our faith is no better than the object in which it is placed. If I were to sit in a chair made of cardboard, I would go crashing to the ground. Regardless of how much faith I had, my faith would fall flat because the object of my faith was faulty. Hebrews 12:2, tells us that we are to be ‘looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.’ We must transfer our faith from human self reliance and independence, to reliance upon, adherence to, and trust upon Jesus Christ in all areas of our lives. Faith, in its simplest definition, is to trust, to rely, and to depend upon the resource of another. God’s Word declares that the object of our faith, Jesus Christ, can never fail or disappoint us.
Love produces faith, or is what makes faith work. We naturally trust those who we know truly love us. A revelation of God’s unconditional love for us will make faith just naturally abound in us. Are you struggling with faith? You have a deficiency in understanding how much God loves you. Let Him reveal His love to you today.
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).
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