Sri Lanka’s president gave the military a wider berth to detain and arrest suspects on Tuesday – powers that were used during the 26-year civil war but withdrawn when it ended in 2009.
The death toll from Sunday’s attacks rose to 310, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.
Mass funerals of some of the victims have started to take place.
On Tuesday, which president Maithripala Sirisena declared a day of mourning, Sri Lankan authorities planned to brief foreign diplomats and receive assistance from the FBI and other foreign intelligence-gathering agencies after officials disclosed on Monday that warnings had been received weeks ago of the possibility of an attack by the radical Muslim group blamed for the bloodshed.
The six near-simultaneous attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels, along with three related blasts later on Sunday, were the South Asian island nation’s deadliest violence in a decade.
The government blocked most social media to curtail false information. Even after an overnight, nationwide curfew was lifted, the streets of central Colombo remained mostly deserted and shops closed as armed soldiers stood guard.
Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he feared the massacre could unleash instability and he vowed to “vest all necessary powers with the defence forces” to act against those responsible.
… Read More Joyce Meyer Devotional 23 April 2019 — On-Purpose Thinking
Topic: On-Purpose Thinking [Joyce Meyer Devotional 23 April 2019]
But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter [and] have wandered away into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk. — 1 Timothy 1:6 (AMPC)
The Bible teaches us that our words have power and we get exactly what we speak. Along with that, our thoughts affect our moods and attitudes. In other words, your attitude in life affects your altitude in life, meaning your attitude determines how far you can go in life—how far you can go in pursuing your dreams, relationships, business, etc.
Your thoughts and my thoughts will determine the kind of lives we will have in the future. And you don’t have to think about and focus on whatever falls into your head. You can think things on purpose. Sometimes, it is good to just sit down and have a think session. And then it’s good to have a confession session. After almost 40 years of knowing these things, I still have to practice them daily. Be determined to maintain good thoughts.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I want to be more purposeful with my thoughts and words. Holy Spirit, please help me today and every day to be more conscious about what I choose to think and say. Help me to line up my thoughts with Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.
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Justified By Faith – Anglican Communion 23 April 2019
The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 23 April 2019 – Justified By Faith
Click HERE to Read Previous MESSAGES
TOPIC: Justified By Faith
READ: Galatians 2:15-21 King James Version (KJV)
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!
18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
THE MESSAGE:
Justification has continued to generate debate among theologians. The message of God through Paul here is simple: everyone (circumcised Jews as well as uncircumcised Gentiles) is placed in a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. In other words, apart from faith in Jesus Christ, there is no other means of salvation for mankind (see John 14:6).
Unfortunately, many, up till today, still believe that salvation should be achieved through efforts, because in their minds, insisting that salvation is through faith in Christ alone is tantamount to making salvation appear cheap. We must, however, remember that true salvation is not cheap: it was paid for by the death of Christ on the cross.
Our responsibility, therefore, is to believe in and accept the sacrifice that Christ made for us to be saved. Good works do not save a man, but a saved man must naturally bring forth good works. So, good works is not the root of ones salvation, but the fruit of ones salvation.
Therefore, a person who is saved by faith in Christ demonstrates that he or she is saved by being good and doing good works. Remember that the mark of a truly saved person is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Are you truly saved? Does your life show such evidence of salvation?
Prayer: Lord, may my life bring forth the fruit of salvation today and always.
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TREM Devotional 23 April 2019 – God’s Covenant With You Cannot Be Violated
Topic: God’s Covenant With You Cannot Be Violated [TREM Devotional 23 April 2019]
Read Previous MESSAGES by Bishop Mike Okonkwo
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” Isaiah 54:10 KJV
Jesus was sleeping when there was a storm in Luke chapter 8. He was sleeping in spite of the thunderstorm in the high sea. The billows were tossing high and the tempest was raging. But Jesus was sleeping. He was not panicking. This shows that your life ought not to be filled with panic and anxiety. Be anxious for nothing but in everything through prayer, supplications and thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God and the peace of God that transcends human understanding will keep your heart and mind. “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.”
I see people who feel rejected. I see people who feel there is no way out and who have cancelled themselves out. There are people who are passing through ‘dry season’ in their lives and my heart reaches out to them. You see, if you have an understanding of your covenant, it will help you in every area of your Christian life. The Lord came to cut a covenant with man and to tell mankind that all hope is not lost. He came to tell mankind that He is a covenant keeping God.
Therefore, whatever thing you have given up on or that you have already cancelled out, God is simply telling you that because of Jesus, it will be done. You may say, ‘Brother Mike, you don’t know what the doctors told me.’ Yes, they might have said what they saw which is a fact, but the fact is not the truth. You shall know the truth and the truth you know shall set you free. What is the truth? The truth is that you are in a covenant with God. And the covenant you have with Him cannot be violated or overruled. Child of God, don’t believe the lie of the devil. You may have failed God so many times, but that does not overrule the covenant.
Further Reading: Luke 8:22-26; Philippians 4:6
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 2 Samuel 16-18; Evening- Luke 17:20-37
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
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He Leads Us In His Light – Rhapsody of Realities 23 April 2019
Rhapsody of Realities 23 April 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – He Leads Us In His Light
Click HERE to Read Previous MESSAGES
Topic: He Leads Us In His Light
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).
The Word of God is light, the true light that lights every man who comes into this world. Our opening verse describes the ministry of the Word in giving us direction in life. It’s one of the things that light does: it gives direction; it shows the way. Until you turn the light on, you wouldn’t know what’s covered in darkness or which way to go.
If you’ve ever attempted to find your way in the dark, you’d agree it wasn’t without bumping into objects or obstacles that you couldn’t see as a result of the darkness. Moreover, if you were journeying in the dark, you wouldn’t know when you arrived at your destination or hit a crossroads. That’s why the personal knowledge and application of the Word of God (His light) is so important for every Christian.
Some people have their lives in jeopardy, because they’re not following the guidance and direction of the Word. They’ve thus journeyed in a different environment rather than God’s environment. Some others are journeying with a ticket to nowhere, because they ignore the Word which should light up their path and give them a destination.
Wisdom and direction come from God’s Word. As long as you live in the light that God gives, you’ll never walk in darkness. He leads us in His light. The Bible says to walk in the light as He (God) is in the light. You’re to walk in the same light in which God dwells (1 Timothy 6:16). This is possible because you’re born of the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23), which is the true light.
God has given you His Word to light up your path, so there would neither be darkness nor uncertainties as you journey through life. Therefore, being led by His light, you’d go in the direction of love, joy, righteousness, health, peace, and prosperity. Blessed be God!
PRAYER
Blessed Father, I thank you for your Word is my light and the compass by which I navigate my way through life. I do not grope or wander in the dark, because your Word illuminates my path, gives me direction and guidance, and makes me an absolute success in life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 John 1:5-7; Ephesians 5:13; Psalm 36:9
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 20:1-19 & 1 Samuel 18-19
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 4:30-41 & Leviticus 23
Rhapsody of Realities 23rd April 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
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MFM Daily Devotional 23 April 2019 – Ungodliness and The Last Days
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 23 April 2019 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Ungodliness and The Last Days
Click HERE for Previous MESSAGES by Pastor D.K. Olukoya
TOPIC: Ungodliness and The Last Days (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 23 April 2019)
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 16-18; Luke 17:20-37
FIRE SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:1-8
MEMORY VERSE: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
The MESSAGE:
It is a great tragedy to note that the prince of this world is still at work in the heart of so many folks, even believers right inside the church. The powers that have been opposing the works of God since the beginning of time is still in vogue, even stronger in this end-times. Jannes and Jambres whose names were not mentioned in the Old Testament, were handed down in Jewish tradition as the names of Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses during the ten plagues against Egypt, (Exodus 7:11; 9:11). And up till now, these acts of ungodliness is still waxing stronger and stronger as enumerated in 2 Timothy 3:2-7.
As the memory verse clearly indicates, it is the Christian-folk that no longer endure sound doctrine in these last days. When messages on salvation is preached, Believers are no more excited, it is then you notice sleepy congregation. But when it is about prosperity or dealing with witchcraft, there comes a sudden re-awakening and life among the believers in the church. Are you among the believers whose focus is only on mundane things rather than heavenly? You need a rethinking on this issue today.
It is your responsibility to live above the evil and ungodliness that are prevalent in your generation. You must pray those evil practices out of your life and ensure that they do not have dominion over you. Perilous times and the evil of the last days shall not consume you, in Jesus’ name.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN.
PROPHETIC WORD:
You shall not be a candidate of hell.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
- I refuse to be swept away by the storms of these last days, in the name of Jesus.
- Every ungodly act programmed to become an habit in my life, fade away by the fire of the Holy Ghost, in the name of Jesus.
- O God, arise and deliver me from every end time spirit, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING - Thou spirit of the world operating in the lives of men, loose your hold and die, in the name of Jesus.
- Power to operate with excellence spirit, fall upon me now, in the name of Jesus.
- I escape every end-time trap set for believers in Christ, in the name of Jesus.
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.
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DCLM Daily Manna 23 April 2019 – What Do You Worship?
Topic: What Do You Worship? [DCLM Daily Manna 23 April 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
View Previous MESSAGES by Pastor Kumuyi
Text: Psalms 115:1-11 (KJV)
Key Verse: “They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them” (Psalm 115:8).
MESSAGE:
The subject of who or what people worship is an interesting one. Many that claim to be serving God place their interests, loyalty, confidence and trust on something or someone else. Even the so-called “freethinker” is a self-conceited, vain worshipper or self. The actual object or subject of worship may often elude the worshiper who may claim to be worshipping God but gives priorities to something else.
Today’s passage critically exemplifies the dumbness of idol worship and the blessedness of worshipping the only true God. What constitutes an idol is simply any man-made or a man-concocted medium or target of reverence, attention, loyalty and obedience. It is where one’s attention is always centred and to whom any other consideration can be formed on. It has strong power over its adherents so much as to make them do contrary to God’s precepts. But every child of God is admonished to trust and worship the living God only.
What do you worship today? The only true God or idols in disguise? Do you still bow to images, objects (of whatever form even in the church), some human personalities (dead or alive), an ungodly philosophy, fashion, etc? Many people are enslaved to some images that they worship and to whom they bow. Such images could be those of departed saints, or of angels, crucifix or other objects on the altar. Others can be heroes, monuments of historic significance, images representing deities of water, mountains or other natural elements. They could be abstractions like philosophical ideas that people have raised as ‘idols in their heart’.
Let us painstakingly search and try our ways today to see if our hearts incline to obey anyone or anything contrary to God and His precepts.
Thought For The Day: There is no other God than the Creator of heaven and earth.
The Bible In One Year: Romans 7-9
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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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Seeds of Destiny 23 April 2019 Devotional — The Traps (Devices) Of The Enemy
Topic: The Traps (Devices) Of The Enemy [Seeds of Destiny 23 April 2019 Devotional]
Click HERE for Previous MESSAGES by Pastor Paul Enenche
The growth of faith is the death of fear.
SCRIPTURE: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The growth of faith is the death of fear.
It is a fact from our anchor Scripture that the strength of the devil is not in his power but in his devices, traps and wiles. The devil sets traps for people so he can proceed to destroy those his traps have caught. But the most important truth is that the devil is powerless because Jesus has said in Matthew Chapter 28, and in Verse 18… All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Now, one trap that the enemy uses to destroy the children of God is called FEAR. Fear is a magnet and an attraction of destruction. The devil introduces fear, and when fear matures, disaster and calamity arrive. Fear invites torments, and to surrender to fear is to surrender to torment (Job 23:25).
I remember the case of a young lady who attended to her Aunty that was afflicted with cancer and watched how the aunty suffered until she passed away. This young lady remained in the fear of that affliction until the same cancer affliction came on her almost twenty years later, because the fear was not dealt with.
Beloved, every time you begin to entertain fear, you are in a state of emergency. Deal with that fear! You must refuse for fear to thrive in your life. Do so by studying Scriptures and messages that kill fear and instil faith in you. The growth of faith is the death of fear. And faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
REMEMBER THIS: The growth of faith is the death of fear.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Feed your spirit with Christian fear-destroying messages and books that will kill fear and instil faith in you.
- Refuse to fear.
PRAYER: O Lord, I ask that You impart me with the Spirit of faith. I reject every trace of fear hovering over my life, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE TRAPS (DEVICES) OF THE ENEMY
QUOTE: The absence of faith is the reason for fear in the midst of the storm. Culled from: RIDING THE STORMS OF LIFE by Dr Paul Enenche
DAILY READING: Judges 1:1 to 2:9, Luke 21:29 to 22:13, Psalm 90:1 to 91:16, Proverbs 13:24 to 25
AMAZING FACT: The cheetah can run at speeds of 70-75mph
TODAY IN HISTORY: 23/04/1990 – Namibia became the 160th member of the United Nations and the 50th member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
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.
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Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 23 April 2019
Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 23 April 2019 – Deadly Generosity
1.Thank You, Father, for Your extravagant generosity, for making me a partaker of Your new covenant. (Click HERE for Open Heaven 23 April 2019)
2.Thank You, Jesus, for leaving all Your glory in heaven, to take the form of man, in order to set me free from everlasting damnation, in hell fire.
3.Thank You, Jesus, for all the pains and humiliation, that You were subjected to, as a surety for my redemption from eternal destruction.
4.Thank You, Jesus, for laying down Your life for me; please, help me to live my life henceforth, unto You, who died for me and rose again, in Jesus name.
5.Thank You, Father, for making me a brand new creature in Christ Jesus; please, let old things pass away in my life and make all things new, in Jesus name.
6.Thank You, Father, for reconciling me back to You, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; please, let me never fail in the ministry of reconciliation that You have committed into my hands, in Jesus name.
7.Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus name.
8.Father, as many who are yet to know You and Your extravagant generosity, please, reveal Yourself to them and bring them to Your saving knowledge today, in Jesus name.
9.Father, please, make me a worthy and committed ambassador of Christ and Your kingdom; let multitude of souls be won through me into Your kingdom, in Jesus name.
10.Father, bless your son, Pastor E.A.Adeboye, and lift up his head above those of his enemies, round about him, in Jesus name.
11.Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures, and all those who have been rebroadcasting them, in Jesus name.
12.Father, let every challenge, hindrance and obstacle of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name.
13.Your Personal petitions. (Philippians 4:6)
14.In Jesus name I pray. (John 14:13-14; 15:16)
15.Thank you Father for answered prayers. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
These prayers have no expiry date! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.
Kindly, purchase your own hard copy or online version of the Open Heavens devotional & buy for your friends too, as a potent evangelism tool. God bless you, as you sow, into Pastor E.A. Adeboye’s book Ministry, in Jesus name.
Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 23 April 2019 – Deadly Generosity
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It Could Be Better – Open Heavens for Teens 23 April 2019
Topic: It Could Be Better [Open Heavens for Teens 23 April 2019]
Memorise: “And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:” – Genesis 26:13
Read: Genesis 26:12-13
12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
Bible In One Year: 2 Samuel 7-9, Luke 19:1-28
MESSAGE:
One turning point every child of God should crave is a movement from good to better, a movement from good to better grades.
Solomon was another beneficiary of a turning point. He was a young, rich king over Israel. Then through a generous seed of 1000 burnt offerings and an unselfish request, he had a turning point which made him the richest and wisest king that ever lived. As long as our God remains the highest, you can move from one level to another. However, you need to put in efforts; you cannot sit in one place and expect your level to change. You have to provoke your movement with action. Have you been the best at a competition in your state before, contest on the national level, then move on to the international level. Who says you cannot win gold for your country in the Olympics? Who says you cannot grow spiritually to start healing the sick? There is nothing good that cannot be better. Put in more work; be more open to learning, always strife to be better.
Prayer Point: Ask God to take you to greater heights. Pray against the spirit of retrogression and stagnation.
Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye
Hymn 9:
1 I am so glad that our Father in heaven
Tells of His love in the book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see;
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
Chorus
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus love me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.
2 Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
3 Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.”
Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.
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