Billy Graham Devotional 3 December 2018 – What About Love?

Topic: What About Love? [Billy Graham Devotional 3 December 2018]

Let love be your greatest aim . . .  — 1 Corinthians 14:1 (TLB)

What about love? How can you be certain you’re in love? I suggest these simple measures that you can apply to yourself. Is your love patient? Is it considerate? Can it wait until marriage for physical fulfillment? Experience says that true love’s patience is inexhaustible. True love does not assert itself, claim rights, or demand privileges. It always thinks first of the other person. The biblical phrase is it “is not self-seeking.” True love never thinks evil of the beloved. It is never suspicious, but always supportive and inspiring. True love bears all things. Nothing weakens or undermines it. It is a rock, an anchor, a foundation for all the years to come.

These simple tests are a mirror that millions have used. Physiologists, psychiatrists, and marriage counselors attest their validity. They were first recommended almost two thousand years ago by a man named Paul, in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. That chapter provides the finest definition of love the world has received.

Prayer for the day: Your limitless love causes me to see the narrowness of mine, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your loving Spirit.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Billy Graham’s Daily Devotional HERE

Written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.

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Open Heaven 3 December 2018 – What do you need from God?

Open Heaven 3 December 2018 Monday Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – What do you need from God?

Topic: What do you need from God? (Open Heaven 3 December 2018)

Memorise: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”- Romans 8:26

Read: Luke 18:35-43 (KJV)

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 41-42, John 6:52-71

Open Heaven 3 December 2018 Monday MESSAGE:

40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. – Luke 18:40-41

It is intriguing that Jesus asked a man who was obviously blind the question that He did in the above scripture. This indicates to us that even though our cries may catch God’s attention, we still need to apply His principles in order to receive anything from Him. The blind man got Jesus’ attention through His persistent cries, but he still needed to fulfill the principle of asking to receive, before his eyes were opened.

There are several lessons we can learn from the story narrated in today’s Bible reading. Firstly, when we cry to God in the Name of Jesus Christ, we receive divine attention, as this blind man did. I pray that you will receive heaven’s attention as you cry to God today in Jesus’ Name. Secondly, the blind man knew what he needed, and he got it. Do you really know what you need from God or are you occupied with what you want? These are two different things. For example, the blind man needed his eyesight, though he might have also wanted food. Priorities differentiate between needs and wants. This is why the presence of the Holy Spirit is paramount in the life of a believer. We may not accurately know what we need, but the Holy Spirit helps us to pray aright in order to receive our petition. Teaching us this all important work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life, Romans 8:26 says:

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Moreover, we also learn from this story that Jesus did not assume what the blind man wanted Him to do; instead, He asked and listened to what he had to say. The man might have desired to receive food or money, like the lame man at the gate of the temple in Acts 3:5-6. Another lesson we learn today is that the Father will give us whatever we ask in faith in the Name of Jesus Christ. The question is, do we really know what we need from God, and do we have enough faith to receive it from Him?

Open Heaven 3 December 2018 Monday Prayer Point:

Father, please give me that which is Your perfect will for me today, as only Your will is good enough for me.

Also Read: Open Heaven 2 December 2018 – The Purpose of being Alive

Open Heaven 3 December 2018 Monday Hymn 10: My Faith Looks Up To Thee

1. 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!

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. 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!

Open Heaven 3 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 3 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.

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Unesco protects Reggae music, describing it as a ‘means of praising God’

The music genre is now on the UN group’s list of “intangible cultural heritage”.

Reggae developed from the distinctive musical environment of Jamaica in the 1960s, emerging from the sounds of rocksteady and ska in deprived districts like Trenchtown.

 

Bob Marley founded The Wailers in 1963, and the collaboration carried the hallmark social commentary, criticism of capitalism and appeals to spirituality that would come to characterise Reggae music and make it a “voice to the people of the world”.

The Wailers have welcomed Unesco’s move.

 

UNnesco noted that the music began as “the voice of the marginalised”, and added: “The basic social functions of the music – as a vehicle for social commentary, a cathartic practice, and a means of praising God – have not changed, and the music continues to act as a voice for all.”

Unesco added that it recognised the musical form for its social function, worldwide appeal and religious roots in the Rastafari movement.

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 every morning.

 

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Justin Welby says Christians in the Middle East face ‘imminent extinction’

In a letter written in The Sunday Telegraph, the most Rev Justin Welby reflected on how long Christians have lived in the Middle East.

Sharing a story, he said: “About 15 years ago I sat in the home of an elderly Palestinian Christian man in Galilee, on a hillside where Jesus himself may have walked.

 

“Foolishly, I asked, ‘How long has your family been Christian?’

“The man – who was as vibrant as someone half his age – gave me a look and replied, ‘Since about the time of Saint Paul, I should imagine’.”

Christians have been in the Middle East for nearly 2,000 years.

Yet, the persecution against Christians in the region led to a Christian leader commenting that the Christians of the region are “facing the worst situation since the Mongol invasions of the 13th Century”, Archbishop Justin said.

PA

 

The head of the Church of England said that it is important for Christians in the Middle East to know “they are not forgotten by the world, or treated as an irrelevant minority, a societal optional extra, or even a threat”.

On Tuesday a service will take place at Westminster Abbey, in which The Prince of Wales will help lead celebrations and prayer for Christians in the region.

It is also hoped the event will raise Middle Eastern Christian’s profile, while highlighting their plight.

Christians and Muslims celebrate Church of the Nativity's tree lighting

Christians and Muslims turned out in their thousands to attend the lighting of the giant Christmas tree outside the Church of the Nativity in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

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Tyson Fury reflects on failing to regain heavyweight title

Wilder also joined the call to fight again despite effectively retaining his title in the dramatic final round at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Discussing the inevitability of a rematch after the fight, Fury said: “One hundred percent we’ll do it.

 

“We are two great champions. Me and this man are the two best heavyweights on the planet.”

Sport pundits predicted a rematch even before the fight was controversially announced a draw via scores of 115-111, 114-112 and 113-113

Lionel Hahn/PA Wire

 

A rematch appeared inevitable even before it was controversially announced a draw via scores of 115-111, 114-112 and 113-113 and owing to his classy, gutsy performance as he outboxed the champion, Fury would surely be the favourite.

However, Fury was confident he should have regained his heavyweight title.

Lionel Hahn/PA Wire

 

“We’re on away soil, I was knocked down twice but I still genuinely believe I won that fight,” Fury said.

“I am going to remain professional. I went to Germany and beat [Wladimir] Klitschko, I came here and felt I beat Wilder.

 

“God love America, the Gypsy King is back.

“I am a fighting man and Jesus had his power over me tonight.

“We’re the two best in the world and we proved it. When you get two warriors you get a great fight. I’m ready to do it again.”

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Pray for Grace Temple Baptist Church

Location: San Angelo, Texas

Pastor: Christopher Sweet

Weekly Worship: 10:15 AM, Central

Fast Facts: Grace Temple has been serving San Angelo with the gospel for 45 years. The former pastor served faithfully and effectively for 34 years before retiring and continues to serve as a layman in the church. Pastor Chris has led the church for nearly three years and is serving in his first lead pastorate. Please pray for Grace Temple’s upcoming Christmas Eve Service and for their efforts to minister among the college students at Angelo State University. Also please pray for their newly launching discipleship groups that will begin in January and for a prospective mission trip they are praying about taking to Mozambique this summer. Finally, pray that Grace Temple will find its main focus for ministering the gospel in San Angelo and for Pastor Chris’ wisdom, discernment and leadership to come form Christ alone.

Website: GTMinistries.com


“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.

If you would like to have your church featured in the “Pray for…” series, fill out this information form..

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MFM Daily Devotional 2 December 2018 – Beauty for Ashes (II)

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 2 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Beauty for Ashes (II)

TOPIC: Beauty for Ashes (II) (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 2 December 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Ruth 4:13-21

MEMORY VERSE: “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.” – 1 Samuel 2:8

The MESSAGE:

In our meditation yesterday, we affirmed that Isaiah 61 is a prophecy foretelling God’s plan for the nation of Israel as well as the arrival of the Messiah. We also affirmed that God is willing to turn the ashes of believers (dwellers in Zion) to beauty.

The Hebrew word for ashes is epher and the Hebrew word for beauty is pheer. Just move the ‘e’ and you have a new word. And just as quickly as it takes for you to move one letter, God is going to turn your sorrow to joy.

If you look at the story of Naomi and Ruth at the initial stage, it doesn’t seem as if it will end well. People looked down on them and blamed them for the horrible situations they’ve been through. However, they looked up to God for intervention and when the Story Changer swung into action, their ashes became beauty.

Is your life ugly and insignificant now? Have you got burnt by life’s experience? Just offer your problem, burden, pain and sorrow to God. Cast them upon Him. He will give you beauty for your ashes. Whatever the hand of God touches becomes beautiful. You will see His miracle-working hand in your affairs. He will make something beautiful out of your life.

Has God turned anyone’s ashes to beauty before? Yes He has. He did it for Jabez, Mary Magdalene, Hannah, the widow of Nain, and the Israelites whom He bore on eagle’s wings, took out of Egyptian captivity and settled in the Promised Land. Beloved, go to Him in prayer now and tell Him to turn your ashes to beauty. He will!

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
THE SAME GLORY THAT GOD GAVE HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST WAS GIVEN TO EVERY BELIEVER. THAT CALLS FOR REJOICING.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Any power assigned to steal your beauty and turn your glory to shame shall die.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. O Lord, have mercy on me and turn my ashes to beauty, in Jesus’ name.
2. O Lord, have mercy on me and turn my ridicule to miracle, in Jesus’ name.
3. O Lord, take me from where I am to where I ought to be, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. The miracle-working power of God, appear in my life and perfect all that concern me, in Jesus’ name.
5. O God arise, make me to sing a new song, in Jesus’ name.
6. Garments of shame, pain and sorrow, catch fire, in Jesus’ name.
7. O God arise, light my lamp and enlighten my darkness, in Jesus’ name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

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.

The post MFM Daily Devotional 2 December 2018 – Beauty for Ashes (II) appeared first on Flatimes.

SHILOH 2018 Dominion with David Oyedepo LIVE Broadcast

SHILOH 2018 Dominion with David Oyedepo LIVE Broadcast

SHILOH 2018!!! You are watching the LIVE broadcast Sunday Service tagged “PRE–SHILOH 2018 ENCOUNTER”, with the host Bishop David Oyedepo ministering from Faith Tabernacle Canaan Land Ota, Nigeria. (Please reload this page for latest live event)

Bishop David Oyedepo is the presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a Winners’ Chapel. He is a man of mighty exploits operating in the Spirit of Faith. He was given a mandate by God to set the captives free through the preaching and teaching of the word of faith.

The Mandate speaks of liberation in all facets of human existence, focusing mainly on destinies that have been afflicted, battered, beaten, tattered, deformed and subsequently in groaning and agonies, as a result of pains, pangs and crying.

This Is The Divine Mandate: “The hour has come to liberate the world from all oppressions of the devil through the preaching of the word of faith, and I am sending you to undertake this task.”

SHILOH is a mountain of divine encounter for salvation healing and deliverance & a time of Astounding Miracles and Testimonies of Liberation of Mankind across the Nations.

Listen LIVE HERE

Theme: Dominion

Date: 4th-9th December, 2018

SHILOH 2018 Dominion with David Oyedepo LIVE Broadcast

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