Kenneth & Gloria Copeland Devotional 19 May 2018 – Don’t Waste Time Wondering

Topic: Don’t Waste Time Wondering [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Saturday May 19, 2018]

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:17

So many believers wring their hands and worry about whether or not they’re praying according to God’s will. “Oh, dear me,” they say, “I certainly can’t expect God to do something for me that’s outside His will.” And they’re absolutely right.

But they don’t need to waste time standing around looking puzzled. They need to grab their Bibles and find out what the will of God is.

God has made some very specific promises in His Word and it’s His will to fulfill every one of them in your life. In fact, those promises are divinely guaranteed by a contract that’s been signed in the blood of Jesus.

Think of it this way. Your Bible is the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. It is a record of your inheritance. Everything that belongs to you has been written down in that Book and the smartest thing you can do is to find out what is in it. Don’t leave it lying on the coffee table and hit the floor crying, “Oh, God! Oh, God! I’m searching for the truth.”

Pick up your Bible from the coffee table and find out what belongs to you! Find out how you need to change to get in line with God’s will.

Most people don’t do that. They try to change God instead. They’ll go on and on trying to convince God just how badly they hurt or how poor they are. They’ll beg and plead and wheedle, all the while acting as though they had to somehow change God’s mind about the situation. Those folks are in for a long wait.

God is never going to change. The Bible says He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever. His will is too. So don’t waste your time wondering if your prayers are in line with it. Get the Book and base your prayers on it. Then you can rest assured the answer is on the way!

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:1-12

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland Daily Devotional Here’’

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.

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Episcopalians Scramble to Capitalize on Royal Wedding Opportunity

Episcopalians Scramble to Capitalize on Royal Wedding Opportunity



As 3 billion people worldwide prepare to watch the royal wedding of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle on Saturday (May 19), one faith group is especially keen to make the most of every pageantry-filled moment: Episcopalians.


From North Carolina to Washington state, they’ve been scrambling all week to set up for parish viewing parties, update church websites and get their hands on bingo cards designed to reward those who listen most closely.


And why not? Episcopalians not only trace their religious roots through King Henry VIII, whose 16th-century reign ushered in the Church of England. They’ll also have one of their own in the pulpit when Presiding Bishop Michael Curry delivers the wedding sermon.


“The idea that someone you’ve (known), that this individual with this message, is given the opportunity to be heard by 3 billion people — how could we not be listening to this together while he delivers this good news to the entire globe,” said Helen Probst-Mills, who will join fellow members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines, N.C.,  for a 6:30 a.m. viewing party at the parish. “The whole point is that we’re all hearing it while the rest of the globe is hearing it.”


Curry leads the 1.7 million-member Episcopal Church, which encompasses dioceses in 17 countries, including the United States. He’s the church’s first African-American bishop…

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Church in Windsor gears up for royal wedding and kids give couple advice

On Harry and Meghan’s last day before they become husband and wife, Buckingham Palace has confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh will be attending the wedding.

Although it’s been announced Meghan’s father will not be attending, thousands of supporters have lined the streets already in patriotic regalia. 

As wedding fever grips the historic town, Kings Church International has used the occasion to shape sermons and produce a video for the royal couple.

The video features kids filmed in locations around Windsor with advice, such as to listen to each other and ‘not tell fibs’.

It ends with the famous words of 1 Corinthians 13: “Love always hopes, love always perseveres, love never fails.”

James Richards is one of the pastors at Kings Church International and told Premier what it’s like being a church in a town which is suddenly the centre of attention: “We’re very excited to have this royal wedding coming to town, everyone’s very excited and I think as a church we just wanted to send our best wishes and I think it’s a real celebration of the main message – it’s all about love.”

He continued: “This timeless truth – it cuts through doesn’t it? So I think it is that celebration of love. I think the royal wedding itself represents something very big.”

“I know they’re the royal family, but it’s also a couple celebrating a wedding and also preparing for a marriage, so we wanted those timeless words sent there as a greeting from the church, joining with the nation on this…

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Andrew Wommack Devotional 19 May 2018 – Taking Off The Masks

Topic: Taking Off The Masks [Andrew Wommack Saturday May 19, 2018]

Mark 7:6, “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

Text: Mark 7:6-9

This is the biblical definition of a hypocrite, “someone whose words and heart (actions) don’t agree.” A hypocrite may act the part of a Christian or he may talk like Christ, but he won’t do both. When both confession and action from the heart are consistent with God’s Word, there is salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).

The word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word “hupokrites,” meaning “the playing of a part on the stage; an actor.” It was a custom for Greek and Roman actors to use large masks, when acting, to disguise their true identity. Hence, hypocrisy became “the feigning of beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; insecurity” (American Heritage Dictionary).

The dictionary defines “dissimulate” as “to disguise under a feigned appearance.” The Greek word means “without hypocrisy, unfeigned.” It has become customary in our society to conceal our real feelings behind a hypocritical mask. Although we should be tactful and not purposely say things to offend people, there is a time and a place for speaking the truth, even if it isn’t popular.

In Leviticus 19:17, the Lord said, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” This verse is saying that if we fail to rebuke our brother when we see sin approaching, then we hate him. Many people have concealed their true feelings about evil under the pretense of, “I just love them too much to hurt their feelings.” The truth is, they just love themselves too much to run the risk of being rejected. That’s hypocrisy. Motives – not actions – are usually what makes a person a hypocrite. Let God’s love be your motivation today and everyday.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Andrew Wommack’s Daily Devotional HERE

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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Billy Graham Devotional 19 May 2018 – Commitment and Purpose

 

Topic: Commitment and Purpose [Billy Graham’s Devotional Saturday May 19, 2018]

. . . serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope . . . — Romans 12:11,12

Each generation becomes more addicted to the sedatives of life, to dull the pain of living. Oppressed by a sense of triviality and thwarted purpose, men find no great goal or commitment to draw them, and no inner stimulation to give meaning to their existence. Christ can save you from the bane of boredom. He waits to give you a fresh sense of direction and to take dissatisfaction out of your life. I talked recently with a man in my own community who was converted to faith in Christ. “I hadn’t known what to do with my leisure time,” he told me, “but now I have a sense of commitment and purpose that I never knew before.”

Prayer for the day: Even the smallest job I do today is part of my service to You, Lord. Help my heart to be so filled with Your Spirit I will rejoice whatever task is set before me.

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.

The post Billy Graham Devotional 19 May 2018 – Commitment and Purpose appeared first on Flatimes.

Texas School Shooting Suspect is Arrested; at Least One Injury Reported

Texas School Shooting Suspect is Arrested; at Least One Injury Reported



Update: The shooter has reportedly been “arrested and secured,” according to Business Insider. The Sante Fe Sheriff has confirmed that there are multiple casualties. The exact number of deaths and injuries is still unclear.


An active shooter has been reported at a high school in Sante Fe, Texas, a city located between Houston and Galveston.


Information is still emerging, but a witness to the shooting at Sante Fe High School said a gunman walked into an art class at the school and opened fire. A girl was reportedly shot in the leg. It is unclear at this time if there are more injuries. Fox News reports that the shooting occurred at about 8 a.m. CDT.


The school district posted an update on their Facebook page:


“This morning an incident occurred at the high school involving an active shooter. The district has initiated a lockdown at the high school. We will send out additional information as soon as it is available.”


Students were taken outside and their backpacks were searched by law enforcement officials, according to CNN.


One student told CNN, “We were all standing (outside), but not even five minutes later, we started hearing gunshots. I didn’t see anybody shooting, but like (the gunshots) were kind of spaced.”


The high school has about 1,400 students.


 


Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com


Publication date: May 18, 2018

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Royal wedding preacher ‘genuinely excited and hopeful and prayerful’

The Most Rev Bishop Michael Curry, the leader of the US Episcopal Church, has been chosen to speak at the ceremony while Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will marry the couple

The Episcopal Church is an offshoot of the Church of England in the US and forms part of the broader Anglican Communion worldwide.

 

Ms Markle was baptised by Mr Welby ahead of her wedding to the prince, whose grandmother, the Queen, is head of the Anglican Church.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte are among the six bridesmaids and four pageboys.

Mr Curry said the marriage is significant in the sense that “different worlds are being brought together” but he added that we are “part of God’s family”, saying: “In a sense it’s different and in a sense no, it’s being who we are.”

Mr Curry said: “My prayer really is that the sermon will be a word of hope, be a word about Jesus Christ and the love of God that he has shown us how to live in our lives, and change the world by doing that. That’s my prayer.”

The preacher said he felt “genuinely excited and hopeful and prayerful”.

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Indonesia: Death Toll ‘Unimaginable’ if Bomb Had Exploded Inside Church

Indonesia: Death Toll ‘Unimaginable’ if Bomb Had Exploded Inside Church



The leader of one of the Indonesian church most badly damaged by the suicide bombing attacks last Sunday, 13 May, has said he “can’t imagine” how much greater the damage could have been had the attacker detonated the bomb inside the church.


Rev. Yonathan Budiantoro of Surabaya Pentecostal Church, told the Christian charity Open Doors International that the morning service is the “worshippers’ favourite time” to be at the church. Asked what might have happened had the bomber made it inside, he said: “I can’t imagine. There would be so many victims. I can’t imagine the death toll if the bombs had exploded inside the church.”


Police say that Dita Oepriarto, whom they accused of being the local leader of the JAD militant group behind the attacks, drove a car laden with explosives at the church at around 7.30am local time, but it exploded outside the building. A 52-year-old security guard died, as did four church members, including a 17-year-old who tried to prevent the bombers’ car from passing through the church gate.


The church has since posted a list of missing church members:


Meanwhile, reconstruction work at the church has been held up, as police are still gathering evidence as to what type of bomb was used, according to Catholic news agency UCAN.


Soehendro, a church worker who was inside the church at the time of the blast,…

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Tory MPs call for gay couples to be allowed to marry in church

Senior MP Nigel Evans said he was “clearly a second class Christian, but a first class gay” given he could not get married in a church in England.

Former Army officer Bob Stewart, meanwhile, said he was wrong to have voted against equal marriage legislation “because I’ve seen the joy it’s given so many people”.

 

Mr Evans said: “I mentioned the royal wedding. A billion people will be tuning in to watch that happy event. I’ll certainly watch it.

“But whilst I am watching that happy event, one thing will flash through my mind, and that is that I am a Christian.

“Clearly a second class Christian, but a first class gay. Why? Because I wouldn’t be allowed to walk down the aisle with somebody that I loved and get married in a church in England.

“My message to Justin Welby is I understand why, because of the church in Africa and some other countries where they’re not as progressive as we are.

“But he needs to show leadership. He really does, in our country, to ensure that gay Christian people can get married and enjoy a big day, just as Harry and Meghan are going to do on Saturday.”

Mr Stewart then intervened, saying: “I voted against the Equal Marriage Act, and I was wrong. I was wrong, because I’ve seen the joy it’s given so many people.

“I was wrong. But I do think the church, the established church of our country, should follow what this House has decided and that actually…

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Active Shooter at Texas High School; at Least One Student Reportedly Injured

Active Shooter at Texas High School; at Least One Student Reportedly Injured



An active shooter has been reported at a high school in Sante Fe, Texas, a city located between Houston and Galveston.


Information is still emerging, but a witness to the shooting at Sante Fe High School said a gunman walked into an art class at the school and opened fire. A girl was reportedly shot in the leg. It is unclear at this time if there are more injuries. Fox News reports that the shooting occurred at about 8 a.m. CDT.


The school district posted an update on their Facebook page:


“This morning an incident occurred at the high school involving an active shooter. The district has initiated a lockdown at the high school. We will send out additional information as soon as it is available.”


Students were taken outside and their backpacks were searched by law enforcement officials, according to CNN.


One student told CNN, “We were all standing (outside), but not even five minutes later, we started hearing gunshots. I didn’t see anybody shooting, but like (the gunshots) were kind of spaced.”


The high school has about 1,400 students.


 


Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com


Publication date: May 18, 2018

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

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