Rev Johnny Paton embarked on a solo expedition from Ullapool to An Teallach, in Wester Ross, at around 1.30pm on Monday.
The 60-year-old told his wife Cathy he would take up to eight hours.
She reported the experienced hillwalker missing at 10.30pm after being unable to make contact with him.
Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team was joined by the HM Coastguard helicopter in searching for Mr Paton, whose body was discovered on the mountain at around 8.45am on Tuesday.
Craig Renton, depute secretary of the Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Rev Johnny Paton.
“We are grateful for his ministry and pray God’s blessing and light be upon his family, friends and congregation during these difficult days.”
Sergeant Alasdair Goskirk added: “Our thoughts are with the man’s friends and family at this very sad time.
“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”
Tobermory – one of the places on the Isle of Mull where Rev Johnny Paton was minister.
Mr Paton led congregations in Kilninian and Kilmore linked with Salen, and Ulva linked with Tobermory linked with Torosay and Kinlochspelvie on the Isle of Mull.
He was a “Munro bagger” who took up his post on the Isle of Mull in 2013 and…
Pastor Oyeleke from Living Faith Church, Abraham Amuta who is completing the country’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the group were travelling to the northeast state to visit displaced people in the region.
Rabiu Aminu, the Borno State Coordinator for the NYSC told News Agency of Nigeria: “The church claimed that the corps member was abducted alongside his pastor.
“We visited the church, and the Commissioner of Police called us on Friday over the incident and assured us of their total support to address the situation.”
Amuta’s friend, Success Ezeanya has called for prayer.
“He went for evangelism with a pastor from his church — Living Faith,” the friend tweeted.
“He is an only son. Let’s not forget him in our prayers.”
The abducted young man’s roommate also told The Punch newspaper that he was informed by a church member that the insurgents have since demanded a N200 (£425,407) ransom.
It is still not clear how many of the church members were kidnapped.
I often share with this audience some of the key ways churches are revitalizing and experiencing turnaround. Yet, too often I neglect explicitly giving God credit for the revitalization. Shame on me.
I have heard from countless numbers of leaders how specific prayer efforts have led to revitalization in hundreds of churches. Let me share with you the six most common reasons they articulated why prayer is vital to turnaround.
It recognizes the Source of revitalization. When a church revitalizes, it is depending upon the power of God. He is the only true Source of the turnaround.
It recognizes that revitalization is spiritual warfare. When a church experiences turnaround, people are reached with the gospel. The enemy will do everything in his power to stop those conversions. We must respond with the full armor of God, especially prayer.
It turns people away from self-sufficiency. Attempts at revitalization that are human-powered will fail or be short-lived. Praying people are clearly recognizing they can’t help the church in their own power.
It turns people away from being self-serving. Praying people are obedient to God to reach their communities and serve others. They don’t demand their own preferences and desires.
It unifies the church. One of the keys to revitalization is church unity. Nothing unifies a church more than powerful prayer.
It leads people to discern the will of God. Prayer is a conversation with God. The more we converse with God, the clearer we discern His will. Knowing and…
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. — Proverbs 4:11
True Christianity goes far beyond mere doctrine. We certainly need to know the principles of our faith in the form of doctrine, but real love for God is so much more than a set of basic beliefs; it is also a way of daily, practical living that comes from understanding the ways and purposes of God.
When we approach everyday situations from the perspective of God’s ways and purposes, we ask questions such as: “How would Jesus talk to that person?” or “How would Jesus deal with that person’s obvious need?” When we begin to think along these lines, we are learning to be wise because we are seeking to understand the ways and purposes of God.
Moses was a very wise man, one who understood the importance of knowing God’s ways. in Exodus 33:13 (AMPC), he cried out to God: …if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You….
God answered Moses’ prayer, as we read in Psalm 103:7 (AMPC): He made known His ways…to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
Notice the distinction between what God made known to Moses (His ways) and what He made known to the children of Israel (His acts). Some people are only interested in God’s acts—what He will do for them.
But wise people are like Moses; they hunger for a deep understanding of His ways. Let me encourage you to cry out to God as Moses did.
Prayer Starter: O Lord, I pray today as Moses prayed—please show me Your ways. Give me a hunger to go “deep” with You so I can continue to change and see Your character developed in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Promise For You From Bible Promises: [08/MAY/2019]
Topic: Do You Desire God’s Fullness?
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11.
Read: John 1:15-18
The Bible says in Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein”. This means that everything on earth belongs to God our Father and His utmost desire is that we His children should share in His fulness on earth. In Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
The fullness of the Lord is the totality of God Almighty which He has made available to all that wants it through His own dear Son – Jesus Christ. Only in Christ Jesus everything consist. Thou will shew me the path of life. Jesus is that path of life. In thy presence is fulness of joy. Christ in your life generates joy unspeakable. 1 Pet 1:8. At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. And Jesus is the only one qualified to sit at the right hand of God. Acts 7:56 says, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God”. John tells us that in the fullness of Jesus we all have received our fullness. And Jesus said in John 16:24 that you should ask until your joy is full. This you cannot do if you are not yet saved. You must be born again and live a holy life constantly, then you can ask Him and He will make your joy full to overflow. But if you are already saved, congratulations, you can ask the author of joy unspeakable and He will gladly release it to you now.
Bible Promises Thought: The fullness of Jesus’s joy is accessible by salvation. Therefore, you must be saved to enjoy joy unspeakable full of glory.
READ: Galatians 3: 15-27 New King James Version (NKJV)
15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
THE MESSAGE:
The law tells men what sin is, it was added because of transgression. If there is no law, there can be no sin. The law shows us our helplessness.
The law was in effect until the birth of Jesus Christ. The law was our custodian until Christ came. The law was an essential tool on the way to the grace of God.
It was faith that saved Abraham, not deeds of the law. God gave the inheritance to Abraham by a promise. The law was certainly not against the promises of God.
Now faith had been revealed that we might be justified. We are no longer under the law but grace. Righteousness is by faith in Christ.
However, we must not break God’s laws because of grace. Christianity is not a religion of cheap grace. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid (Romans 6: 1-2).
The letters of the law kill, but the Spirit of grace gives life. Let us no longer be ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God through faith.
Let us submit to God’s righteousness by the grace of Christ, then we can keep the commandments and laws of God.
Prayer: Dear God, help us never to toy with the righteousness that comes by faith. Grant us more of Your grace to live above sin in Jesus Name.
Dearly Beloved, it is such a joy to welcome you to the fifth month in the year of Above Only, the month of May. It is my prayer that all God has packaged for you in this month will be made manifest. You will enjoy His goodness, favor, mercy, wisdom everyday of this month in the name of Jesus. The goodness of God is not dependent on any external circumstances, but on the truth that God is good and does only good. You know in this world, it’s so easy to become overwhelmed with challenges, it’s easy to focus on all the problems, the things that are not working, I mean the problems of this nation is enough, but I want to encourage you to meditate on God’s faithfulness. Remember how God came through for you, irrespective of the odds that were stacked against you. Remember the miracles, the healing, the provision, the deliverance, remember.
“Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth;” (Psalms 105:5 KJV)
The Psalmist encourages us to remember the goodness of God and His marvelous works, the things He did in the past, because in remembering do we find the strength to keep on going no matter what. When we cast our minds and think back to that situation we thought would be the end of it all, and see how God delivered us, then we are strengthened in our faith knowing that God never fails, and He will always come through for us.
The Israelites in Exodus 17 complained and murmured because they were thirsty, and didn’t have water. They let their thirst control them, rather than reminding themselves that the God who parted the Red Sea, provided them with a steady supply of Manna and Quail, will come through for them. They let their thirst take the front seat in their minds and their entire being, forgetting the faithfulness and the Almightiness of God. They started to ask “…Is the Lord among us, or not?” (Exodus 17:7 KJV)
Unfortunately, the Israelites are not alone in their quests. Some believers are still asking the same questions today, forgetting all that God did for them. Even if you say God has done nothing for you, which is impossible, get into the scriptures and meditate on God’s faithfulness, His goodness, His awesomeness and I guarantee you that strength will rise up within you.
Beloved, this is still your year of Above Only, irrespective of what you are faced with, God’s Word is everlasting and it must come to pass. You will surely testify, your expectations will never be cut short. This is your season. I bless you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
As a ministry, our focus for this month is Leadership. The theme is “Leadership That Gets Results”. All our services are geared towards this theme and so you do not want to miss it. It has been specially packaged for you, to enable you remain Above Only in all spheres of your life. Endeavor to be there on Tuesdays and Sundays. We will also be having a live broadcast service on one of the Saturdays. Details will be communicated accordingly. Be at these sessions. It will bless you.
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service Dr. Mike Okonkwo The Presiding Bishop
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. – Proverbs 29:11
One of the things that you and I as believers must learn if we want to be faithful servants in the kingdom of God is how to keep our mouths shut. Very few of us have mastered that skill.
When we get our backs up about something, we think we have to let everyone know about it. “I’m just going to give them a piece of my mind,” we say.
Don’t make that mistake. No one wants or needs a piece of your mind—and if you give it to them, you’ll only end up alienating people and bringing harm to yourself. Learn, instead, to keep quiet.
This especially applies in the area of spiritual insight. When the Holy Spirit gives you discernment about a situation, don’t go spreading it all over town. If you do, you’ll come to the place where the Lord can’t trust you with revelation and insight into things and situations.
I’ve seen that happen. I’ve known intercessors who have received revelations about someone’s weaknesses or needs. They have been given insight into the problem in someone’s life, so they could pray for that person. But, instead of keeping that information between themselves and God in prayer, they told others about it. As a result, they lost their effectiveness as intercessors.
Don’t let that happen to you. Develop the quiet art of the wise man, and the devil will find it increasingly difficult to harm your prayer life and ministry to others.
Scripture Reading: James 3:1-13
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.
Mark 6:54, ‘And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,’
Mark 6:53-56
The word ‘know’ can mean many things from as little as ‘to perceive with the senses or the mind’ to a much deeper meaning of ‘a thorough experience with.’
This knowing, then, is not just intellectual, but a personal, intimate understanding. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ. Eternal life is having an intimate, personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus the Son. This intimacy with God is what salvation is all about. Forgiveness of our sins is not the point of salvation. This intimacy with the Father is. Of course, Jesus did die to purchase forgiveness for our sins because unforgiven sins block us from intimacy with God. Sin was an obstacle that stood between God and us. It had to be dealt, with and it was. But anyone who views salvation as only forgiveness of sins and stops there is missing out on eternal life.
Salvation was intended to be presented as the way to come back into harmony with God. Instead, it has often been presented as the way to escape the problems of this life and later the judgment of hell. It is possible to get born again with that kind of thinking, but more often than not, people who get saved through that type of ministry view the Lord as someone to help them through times of crisis and not someone to know in an intimate way. Jesus died for us out of love (Jn. 3:16) – a love that longed to have intimate communion with man.
Most non-believers are so occupied with their ‘hell on earth’ that they don’t really think or care about their eternal future. They are fed up with religion. They are looking for something that will fill the emptiness inside. Only an intimate relationship (eternal life) with our Father can do that. We need to tell them.
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).
Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children. Someone has said, “Like mother, like children.” Most of the noble characters and fine leaders of history have had good, God-fearing mothers. We are told that George Washington’s mother was pious, and that Sir Walter Scott’s mother was a lover of poetry and music. On the other hand, we are told that Nero’s mother was a murderess and that the dissolute Lord Byron’s mother was a proud and violent woman. The influence of a mother upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. They know and absorb her example and attitudes when it comes to questions of honesty, temperance, kindness, and industry.
Prayer for the day: Thank You, Lord, for mothers who love You. Their influence is felt around the world.
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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