The 25-year-old man (given the protective alias Adane) was reported to the human rights office in the overwhelmingly Muslim-majority eastern region of Somali.
He was encouraged to return to Islam but was arrested when he refused, despite citing his constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Intervention by the chairman of the human rights office led to his release.
On his release, Adane, who became a Christian two years ago, discovered he had been dismissed from paramilitary Liyou police force.
According to a local source who spoke with World Watch Monitor, he was then urged by the chairman to relocate because he had upset too many people.
World Watch Monitor, which highlights incidences of persecution, said: “Christians in the Muslim-majority eastern Somali region can experience hostility from family and community because of their faith, and also can be vulnerable when ethno-political tension erupts.”
Churches will survey the congregation and ask about an ideal age for a new lead pastor. The answers are always the same—somewhere between 38 years-old and 56 years-old. The national median age is 38 years-old, and the median age of a churchgoer in most denominations is someone in their mid-to-late 50s, so it’s no surprise the church would say, “I want a pastor who is like me!” For those who are older on your church staff, what can be done? How can a church move away from the blatant ageism that seems to be so rampant in congregations?
Millennials have been blamed for killing everything in our culture from the hotel industry to canned tuna. Is evangelism next on their hit list? Probably not. In a recent study from Barna, almost half of practicing millennial Christians (47 percent) say it is “wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.” This caused many loud laments on social media from Christian leaders about the faith of millennials and some pessimistic declarations about the future of Christianity in America. However, the rest of Barna’s findings along with other research presents a more nuanced picture of millennials’ relationship with evangelism.
John Allen Chau had hoped to convert members of the Sentinelese people when he illegally travelled to North Sentinel Island – a remote Bay of Bengal island under the jurisdiction of India.
Samuel Brownback was quoted by the Indo Asian News Service as saying: “The US government has not asked or pursued any sort of sanctions that the Indian government would take against the tribal people in this case.
“It’s a tragic situation and a tragic case of what’s happened, but that’s not something that’s been asked.”
In a letter to his parents prior to his death, Chau said: “You guys might think I’m crazy in all this, but I think it’s worth it to declare Jesus to these people.
“Please do not be angry at them or at God if I get killed. Rather, please live your lives in obedience to whatever He has called you to and I’ll see you again when you pass through the veil.”
Rhapsody of Realities 10 February 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – Preach His Love and Righteousness
Topic: Preach His Love and Righteousness
…Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth (Romans 14:22).
Some people like it when a message of condemnation and judgement is preached. They prefer to hear more about sin and its judgement. But fear of judgement has never produced righteousness or the love of God. Gospel means good news, and that’s what Jesus sent us to preach and teach. He said, “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
It’s not enough that you’re preaching a message about Jesus Christ; the message must be about His liquid love, the remission of sin that He made possible, and His gift of righteousness to everyone who believes. Don’t preach judgment or condemnation; preach His love and righteousness.
Some don’t like it when we preach righteousness and the love of Christ to sinners. What they don’t realize is that righteousness is actually a gift to the sinner, and not essentially to the Christian, because the Christian is born righteous. The sinner, upon hearing and believing the message of the Gospel, receives eternal life, which comes bundled with the gift of righteousness.
When we preach righteousness, people embrace righteousness, and once they do, they start living right. That’s because righteousness is a nature; it’s the nature of God that’s imparted to the spirit of the one who’s born again, granting him the ability to live right. Right living is a product of righteousness. No one can live right, who isn’t first made righteous; and only God gives righteousness; it’s not something you obtain by your own good works.
This is why we preach the Gospel, for only through the Gospel is the righteousness of God unveiled. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith…” (Romans 1:16-17). Did you notice that?
So, if we don’t preach the true Gospel, people will never understand righteousness, and that would defeat the purpose for which Christ came to the world. He came to make men sons of God; He came to make sinners righteous. He came to make us one with the Father, and have His life and nature of righteousness. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION Loving Father, thank you for your liquid love so lavishly poured out on all; the remission of sin made possible by the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus, and the resultant gift of righteousness to everyone who believes. Today, your righteousness is unveiled and embraced as many hear and receive the Gospel all around the world. Many are saved, healed, and delivered, and darkness is dispelled, to the glory and praise of your Name. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY: Romans 6:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:21
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 27:1-26 & Exodus 38-39
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 13:34-43 & Genesis 41
Rhapsody of Realities 10th February 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
“Everyone can believe whatever they want, as long as it’s not hurting anyone and as long as you don’t think that gives you the right to tell someone else how they can live their life.”
The actor was speaking ahead of the US premiere of Miracle Workers, a comedy set in a version of heaven where God decides to destroy the earth. Radcliffe’s character, Craig (a junior angel) is tasked with intervening.
Premier reported on an interview where Harry Potter author JK Rowling said Christianity “inspired” the book series – which received a mixed reaction among believers.
Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox…
The Christian writer and broadcaster learned his speech at the University of Portsmouth was postponed because it coincided with a month-long celebration by students of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history.
Responding on Twitter, the 67-year-old said: “Portsmouth University Students’ Union have ‘postponed’ a meeting I was due address next Tuesday, because my opinions are unacceptable.
“Poor old Pompey has suffered so much in defence of English freedom, and this is how it all ends.”
Students union leaders said they had received “multiple” complaints on campus about the Mail on Sunday columnist’s scheduled appearance, which formed part of a ‘Big Talks’ programme.
Thought Police alert: Portsmouth University Students’ Union have ‘postponed’a meeting I was due address next Tuesday, because my opinions are unacceptable. Poor old Pompey has suffered so much in defence of English freedom, and this is how it all ends. https://t.co/oYtBLCnWkN
Union President Violet Karapaseva said: “We are committed to ensuring freedom of speech on the University of Portsmouth campus.
“However, we recognise that the timing of the scheduled event and the speaker’s previously published views do not align with our current celebration of the LGBT+ community.”
Hi Ashleigh, The Union has taken the decision to postpone a talk by Peter…
The International Gospel of Truth Church in Dagenham said a deadline to vacate the site on Becontree Avenue by the end of next month does not allow them enough time to find a suitable alternative location.
Pastor, Rev Sylvester Opoku Manu said there had been a reduction in crime locally since his 400-strong .tic congregation arrived last January – something he attributes to its outreach work.
He told Premier: “We have organised a youth programme and we go for street evangelism. Every Tuesday, we have breakfasts for counselling. We have people who come to the church for tea and coffee.
“If they close the church down, there is no God work anymore again. We have not found a place, so we need a prayer that God will touch the heart of the council.
“If they can give it to us, to God be the glory.”
Barking and Dagenham Council said there are plans to knock down the building so that new homes can be built in its place.
That’s despite a report commissioned by the local authority in 2017 identifying “a need for additional space for faith groups, particularly for Muslim groups and for Christian groups outside the traditional denominations”.
A spokesman told Premier: “The pastor was aware that the church would be leasing that property for one year. The lease expired last…
Topic: Hold Your Tongue [Joyce Meyer Devotional 9 February 2019]
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. — Psalm 34:13
“You really have the gift of gab,” one man told me many years ago, when I first started in the ministry. He had pointed out something that I already knew: God had given me “a ready tongue.” That is, I speak easily. Words are my tools. The Lord first gave me that gift, and then He called me into the ministry to use that ability to work for Him.
I have no trouble talking. That’s my gift; that’s also been my greatest problem. Because I seem to always have something to say, I have struggled many, many years over the right use of my tongue. It has not been an easy battle.
Over the years, I heard various people saying things like, “Hold your tongue.” “Do you have to speak every word that comes to your mind?” “Do you always speak first and think later?” “Must you sound so harsh?”
Had I truly listened to what people were saying, I might have realized that God was trying to tell me something. But I ignored their comments and continued in my own stubborn ways. I know I have wounded people with my words in the past, and I am sorry for that. I’m also grateful that God has forgiven me.
Several years ago, I realized that if God was going to use my life, I had to gain control of my tongue—not to just stop talking, but to keep my tongue from evil, and my lips from speaking deceit, as the psalmist David says.
I had a choice. I could hurt people with my words—and I could do that well—or I could bring my lips into subjection to God. Obviously, I wanted to be subject to the Lord, but it was still a battle.
Our words are expressions of our hearts—of what’s going on inside us. If we want to know who a person really is, all we need to do is listen to their words. If we listen long enough, we learn a lot about them.
As I learned to listen to my own words, I also began to learn a lot about myself. Some of the things I learned did not please me, but they did help me realize that I had a character flaw that needed to be addressed. My words were not pleasing God, and I wanted them to. Once I confessed my failure to God, the victory came—not all at once and not perfectly, but God is patient with me. I’m growing, and part of my growth is keeping my lips from evil.
No matter how negative you are or have been, or how long you’ve been that way, God wants to change you. In the early days after my confession to God, I still failed more often than I succeeded, but every time I did succeed, I knew I was closer to God’s plan for my life. God can do the same for you.
It won’t be easy, but you can win. And the effort will be worth it.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me use my mouth for right things. Put a watch over my mouth lest I sin against You with my tongue (see Psalm 141:3). Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You (see Psalm 19:14). I ask it in Jesus’ wonderful name. Amen.
Topic: Other Keys to Maintaining Divine Health [Seeds of Destiny 9 February 2019 Devotional]
SCRIPTURE: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: What you fear is attracted to you unless you resist it.
There is no problem that exists without a solution as long as God is involved; there is no impossibility with God (Luke 1:37). Also, there is no incurable sickness or diseases before God. Men may tag a particular sickness ‘incurable’, but with God, all sicknesses are curable (Luke 1:37, Matthew 4:24). That is why we have been looking at God’s provisions for Divine Health.
Today, I would like to give you three more keys to living in Divine health:
The right confession
Words can kill and words can also heal. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs18:21, Proverbs 12:18). So, the right confession is a key to living healthy. Even if you are facing challenges, maintain the right confession.
Serve God faithfully
When you serve God, He takes sicknesses from you (Exodus 23:25-26). To serve God is to be serviced by God (John 15:1-2).
Avoid fears and negative suggestions
You attract the negative things you fear (Job 3:25); as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).
Some time ago, I met a young girl whose mother died of cancer; her sister also died of cancer, and then she also got afflicted with cancer. Then the Holy Ghost showed me that the spirit of fear was one of the forces at work in her life. What you fear is attracted to you unless you resist it.
Beloved, fight your fears with God’s Word; do not allow just anyone tell you any bad dream they claim to have had about you.
Remember this: What you fear is attracted to you unless you resist it.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Make up your mind to maintain the right confession.
Serve God faithfully and resist all fears and evil suggestions.
PRAYER: O Lord, I receive Your Help to maintain the right confession always even in the midst of challenges. Give me the grace to serve You faithfully and resist all fears and negative suggestions, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: ACTIVATING THE FORCE OF DIVINE HEALTH.
DAILY READING: Exodus 29:1 to 30:10, Matthew 26:14 to 46, Psalm 31:19 to 24, Proverbs 8:14 to 26.
AMAZING FACT: Your brain uses up about 20% of all your body’s oxygen and calories.
TODAY IN HISTORY: 09/02/1895 – William G. Morgan creates a game called Mintonette which soon comes to be referred to as volleyball.
QUOTE: Your confession determines your destination. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.
DO NOT FORGET TO ATTEND: The Destiny Recovery Sunday service tomorrow by 9:00am at the Glory Dome, Airport Road, Abuja. Come with your loved ones.
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.
Have a question about this event?
We would love to hear from you! Please give our office a call 615-864-8138 or email us at [email protected]!
FAQs
Q: Will we get a free ticket into the concert?
A: When you sign up to volunteer you will not receive a ticket (seat) into the concert. However, it is our best intention to let you see some of the show and we will try our best to allow you time for a break. So plan on working the begining, intermission, and end of the concert!
Q: How important is it that I arrive at training time?
A: Very important! We will be checking in volunteers at 5:00PM for mandatory training. If you arrive more than 30 minutes past your call time, we can not guarantee entrance into the event and there is a possibily that you will asked to purchase a ticket or go home so please allow time for parking and getting to the entrance.
Q: How late will I need to stay?
A: We will need you for at least 30 minutes after the concert finishes, this may be as late as 11PM, so be prepared to stay and help load out.
Q: Why is it important that I stay up to 30 minutes after the concert?
A: It’s very important that you stay up to 30 minutes after the concert is over. When the concert finishes attendees tend to stop by the booth with questions or need assistance giving to Food for the Hungry.
Q: How will I know where to go? Or who is my contact?
A: Once you sign up, we will be sending you a couple confirmation emails with all the information you need. And if you ever have any questions you can always contact us at: [email protected]
Q: What are the organization I will be working with?
Learn more about Company X HERE!
Learn more about Food For the Hungry HERE!
Learn more about KLOVE HERE!
Learn more about Air1 HERE!
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Date and Time. Thu , 21 , February ,2019 – 10:02:pm GMT Fri , 22 , February ,2019 – 03:02:am GMTLocation Jacksonvile Veterans Memorial Arena 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32202
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