Handling End-Time PRESSURES – by George Adegboye World Outreach

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Handling End-Time PRESSURES – by George Adegboye World Outreach

It’s been a rollercoaster of a year. In these ‘end-times’, we have seen some high and indeed many lows but in all our God has been faithful.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; it begs the question, how do you handle End-Time Pressures?

I’d like to invite you for a Ministers, Leaders’ and Workers Conference where I will be addressing this topic.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uc-6upzMqHtGxgdCL5J5hrpX5gGfn4FbP

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

May God keep you till then and beyond.

The Book of 1st – 3rd John

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The Book of 1st – 3rd John

Bible Project – Watch their overview of the letters of John, which breaks down the literary design of the books and their flow of thought. John calls followers of Jesus to share in God’s own life and love by devoting themselves to loving one another.

Credit : Youtube/BibleProject

The Love Of The Father – by Jonathan Osteen

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The Love Of The Father – by Jonathan Osteen

Jonathan Osteen says in Scripture, Jesus told us to address God as “Father.” As believers, being children of God is one of our greatest privileges. As children of God, we can be confident when we approach Him, knowing that we are fully loved and accepted by Him.

Nigerian Influential Preacher, TB Joshua has died at 57

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Nigerian Influential Preacher, TB Joshua has died at 57

TB Joshua, a Nigerian Influential Preacher, has died at 57

On his Facebook page, which has almost five million followers, reads “God has taken His servant”.

The preacher was said to have died on Saturday shortly after an online service, but the cause of his death has not been made known to the public.

The preacher is known for his controversial teachings and practices

… this post is been updated

Pope with Audience: Jesus the model of prayer for His disciples

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Pope with Audience: Jesus the model of prayer for His disciples

Pope Francis continues his catechesis on Christian prayer at the Wednesday General Audience, and explains that prayer was fundamental in Jesus’ relationship with His disciples.

Pope Francis picked out a few examples from the Gospel to explain that prayer was fundamental in Jesus’ relationship with His disciples.

Choosing His disciples

Before choosing His disciples, Luke says, Jesus went up the mountain to pray and spent the whole night praying to God. At daylight, He chose His disciples naming them apostles. Prayer, which is dialogue with the Father, the Pope said, is the criterion of this choice, which many not appear to be the best ones, especially with regard to Judas, the future traitor. But the Pope said that the names of the disciples were written in God’s plan.

The Pope pointed out that the apostles are at times a cause of concern for Jesus, but He carries them in His heart even in their errors and when they fall because He receives them from the Father. Hence, prayer for them continually reappears in Jesus’ life.

Patiently awaiting conversion

As a teacher and friend, the Holy Father continued, Jesus waits patiently for the conversion of the disciple, as is evident with Peter at the Last Supper. Jesus tells Peter He has prayed that his faith may not fail and when he is converted, he should confirm his brothers. “Jesus’ love during the time of the weakness of His disciple does not cease, but rather becomes more intense, and we are at the centre of His prayer.”

Prayer at turning points

Pope Francis assured Christians that Jesus continues to love and pray even for those in mortal sin and the ugliest of sins. His love and prayer for each one of us never cease, rather it becomes even more intense. He assured Christians that at this very moment He is praying for us showing the Father his wounds, the price of our salvation.

Again, Jesus was in a solitary place praying, when He wanted to verify the faith of His disciples. When He asked them who they thought He was, Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

“The great turning points of Jesus’ mission,” the Pope said, “are always preceded by intense, prolonged prayer.” This test of faith is “a renewed starting point for the disciples”, because from then on, the Holy Father said, Jesus took on a new tone in His mission, speaking openly to them of His passion, death and resurrection.

At this moment of the announcement of His end, which instinctively arouses repulsion in His disciples and in us, the Pope said, “prayer is the only source of light and strength”.

“It is necessary to pray more intensely every time the road takes a turn uphill.”

The Transfiguration

Soon after speaking about His lot in Jerusalem, the episode of the Transfiguration takes place.

Luke says that Jesus took Peter, John and James up the mountain to pray, when His face changed in appearance and His garment became white and radiant. Moses and Elijah in their glory were conversing with Jesus about His departure which was to accomplish in Jerusalem.

“Therefore,” the Pope explained, “this anticipated manifestation of the glory of Jesus took place in prayer, while the Son was immersed in communion with the Father and fully consented to His will of love, to His plan of salvation.”

And out of that prayer came a clear word for the three disciples involved: “This is my Son, the chosen one; listen to Him”.

Jesus perfects our prayer

Thus, the Pope said, Jesus not only wants us to pray as He prays, but assures us that, even if our attempts at prayer are completely vain and ineffective, we can always count on His prayer.

He urged Christians to repeat and memorize that Jesus always prays for us. “When there is some difficulty, when you are in the orbit of distractions: Jesus is praying for me,” he said adding, Jesus Himself has said it. “Let us not forget that what sustains each one of us in life is Jesus’ prayer for each one of us, with name, surname, before the Father, showing Him the wounds that are the price of our salvation.

In conclusion, Pope Francis said that “even if our prayers were only stutterings, if they were compromised by a wavering faith, we must never cease to trust in Him”.

“Supported by the prayer of Jesus, our timid prayers rest on eagle wings and soar to Heaven,” concluded the Pope.

Pope Francis praises US nun for work to welcome migrants

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Pope Francis praises US nun for work to welcome migrants

Sr. Norma Pimentel sent a letter to the Pope on 3 May, describing the work of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which lies on the southern US border with Mexico.

In response, Pope Francis sent a video message to the Mexican-American religious sister, praising her work.

“Thank you for what you and your entire team are doing,” he said. “Thank you for welcoming and receiving these migrants who come in search of a better life. Some come to advance, while others are fleeing from true social hells.”

“Thank you, Sister,” repeated the Pope. “Thanks to your team.”

Welcoming Latin American migrants

He went on to affirm that migrants “must be welcomed, that is, they must be protected, accompanied, and integrated.”

“These four things,” said the Pope. “welcomed, protected, accompanied, and integrated.”

He added that the team of Catholic Charities on the southern border of Texas are helping people who are “asking for assistance to live with more dignity.”

“I accompany you from here,” concluded Pope Francis. “I pray for you and for all those whom you are accompanying through your work.”

While blessing Sr. Norma and her team the Pope asked them to pray for him.

Rest along the journey

Sr. Norma is a Missionary of Jesus nun and the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Caritas Internationalis partner runs several programs near the US/Mexico border, including a Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas.

According to the organization’s website, the center “provides a place for the countless men, women, children, and infant refugees to rest, have a warm meal, a shower, and change into clean clothing, as well as receive medicine and other supplies, before continuing their journey.”

Over 23,000 people have been assisted since 2015, when the center opened up at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Read more …

A ‘killing Field’ Of Christians: 8 More Killed, Church Burned To Ground In Nigeria; 1,470 Christians In 4 Months

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A ‘killing Field’ Of Christians: 8 More Killed, Church Burned To Ground In Nigeria; 1,470 Christians In 4 Months

BCN report – “All too often this violence is attributed to mere ‘bandits’ or explained away as hostility between farmers and herdsmen. While there is some truth in these assertions, they ignore the main truth: radical Islamists are committing violence inspired by what they believe is a religious imperative to ‘cleanse’ Nigeria of its Christians. They must be stopped.” -Gary L. Bauer, Commissioner, USCIRF

[CBN News] Eight Christians were killed and a church was burned down on May 19 during an attack by gunmen in the Chikun area of Kaduna State of Nigeria. (Image credit: CBN News)

International Christian Concern (ICC), a persecution watchdog, reports Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the report in a statement to the media.

Aruwan said “bandits” also burned down several homes during the attack, which consisted of unknown gunmen shooting sporadically at civilians.

As CBN News has reported, these “bandits” or “unknown gunmen” are often radical Muslims who target Christians in their relentless attacks on villages across the West African country.

In another unrelated incident, The Premium Times newspaper reports Nigerian Navy troops stationed in the Kujama General Area killed three bandits and arrested two accomplices after repelling an attack on Wakwodna community, near Kasso village, Chikun Local Government Area.

According to the Kaduna state government, the naval troops responded to reports of an attack on the village. The gunmen fled into the surrounding jungle when confronted by the troops, abandoning several rustled cattle. The cattle were rounded up by the troopers and returned to their owners.

“Two locals who were injured in the exchange were evacuated for medical attention,” Aruwan said.

Nasiru el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, was informed about the attack on the village and expressed his sympathies to the families of the victims, according to the newspaper. The governor also condemned the attack on the church building and directed the State Emergency Management Agency to respond to the needs of the villagers.  He also commended the Nigerian Naval troops for their swift response against the gunmen.

Recently, in The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) 2021 annual report, Commissioner Gary L. Bauer described Nigeria as a “killing field” of Christians, and warns that the nation is moving toward a Christian genocide.

“All too often this violence is attributed to mere ‘bandits’ or explained away as hostility between farmers and herdsmen,” Bauer wrote. “While there is some truth in these assertions, they ignore the main truth: radical Islamists are committing violence inspired by what they believe is a religious imperative to ‘cleanse’ Nigeria of its Christians. They must be stopped.”

More Than 1,400 Christians Killed in Nigeria So Far This Year

According to the rights group Intersociety Rule of Law, 1,470 Christians were murdered and over 2,200 were abducted by radical Islamists in Nigeria during the first four months of 2021.

Of the 1,470 Christians murdered, 800 of those were killed by the Muslim Fulani Herdsmen, according to the group’s report.

The rights group included a 26-page reference in their report citing backup statistics which aided their findings, along with eyewitness testimonies and survivor stories.

The report also says that despite the Nigerian government’s insistence that violence in the country is due to “herder-farmer clashes” and has no real religious motives, an extensive investigation concludes otherwise.

Source : BCN News

Lift Him Up – by Jodi Hood

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Lift Him Up – by Jodi Hood

Watch Jodi’s Muppet friends as they perform his latest Praise and Worship reggae tune titled “Lift Him Up“.

Lift Him Up by Jodi Hood

Written and Produced by Jodi Hood featuring Stephon Gabriel.

Click here to also listen on Spotify

ACLJ Urges Supreme Court to Take Eugenic Abortion Case; Babies with down Syndrome Do Not Deserve to Die

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ACLJ Urges Supreme Court to Take Eugenic Abortion Case; Babies with down Syndrome Do Not Deserve to Die

Arkansas has a law that makes it a crime to do an abortion for an invidiously discriminatory reason, namely, because the child in the womb has Down syndrome. At the request of abortion providers, lower federal courts declared the Arkansas law unconstitutional, and the state has requested the US Supreme Court to hear the case. (Image: Unsplash-Oleg Sergeichik)

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the state and urging the Supreme Court to review this abortion case, Rutledge v. Little Rock Family Planning Services.

The ACLJ previously supported a request for Supreme Court review in a different eugenic abortion case, that one from Indiana. (The Court declined to review that law.) As in that Indiana case, the ACLJ urges the high Court in the new Arkansas case to consider that bans on eugenic abortions further.

the important state interest in protecting expectant parents from the pressure caused by overly gloomy prenatal diagnoses – diagnoses that all too often prove inaccurate (the baby turns out healthy or only mildly disabled) or excessively pessimistic (the parents deeply love the child regardless of any disability).

As the ACLJ brief notes:

Physicians face financial incentives to err on the side of doom and gloom. If they predict the worst, but things turn out well, everyone is relieved and there is no lawsuit. But if physicians don’t foretell adverse consequences, and such consequences materialize, the physicians may face legal liability for failure to warn. This is particularly true in the context of pregnancy, since some jurisdictions recognize “wrongful birth” suits predicated upon the parents’ having missed the chance to abort a child who is then born with disabilities. [Thus,] a physician worried about potential legal liability will be sure to note everything that might be wrong with the baby … As a consequence, prenatal diagnoses will tend to skew toward pessimism and put pressure on parents to go the abortion route.

Moreover, a prenatal diagnosis of a disability, like other diagnoses, is not infallible. As we note:

[T]here are countless instances in which parents were told a child would be born with severe or fatal disabilities, when in fact the child turned out to be either perfectly healthy or had manageable, or even only minor, conditions. This has specifically happened regarding a false diagnosis of Down syndrome or related maladies.

In short, even aside from the compelling reasons for halting the injustice of abortion in general, there are separate, strong reasons for stopping eugenic abortions—those which target children deemed “imperfect.”

As we argue:

The Constitution does not compel states to allow abortions done for perniciously discriminatory reasons. In particular, states may prevent physicians from doing abortions that target Down syndrome children with the message, “We’d rather you were dead than born alive.”

We recently told you about another court of appeals, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, sitting en banc (the full court), which held that a similar law in Ohio was in fact constitutional. We also filed an amicus brief in that case, and the court there agreed with our arguments. This has created what is known as a circuit split, where two or more federal circuit courts rule in different ways on the same issue, and this makes it more likely for the Supreme Court to hear the case.

The Supreme Court currently has several pending petitions requesting review of abortion cases. Should the Court grant any of these, we will be sure to file again in defense of innocent human life. Read more …

When We Pray….. – by Maximised Living

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When We Pray….. – by Maximised Living

When we pray, is an EXCLUSIVE Christian singles event for mature singles. To pray, reflect, and worship in God’s presence.

Date and time

Sat, 29 May 2021, 17:00 BST

Location

Online event

Register here on eventbrite

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