Supreme Court Disappoints Pro-Lifers, Halts Louisiana Abortion Law
The Supreme Court Thursday blocked a Louisiana pro-life law from going into effect, disappointing pro-lifers and putting a damper on hopes that a new conservative block will quickly lead to a reversal of Roe v. Wade.
That still might happen, but Thursday’s action lowered the optimism of pro-life leaders. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s liberal bloc in a 5-4 decision that halted the law, which would have required abortion doctors to obtain admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of a clinic.
Pro-lifers said the goal of the law was to make abortion safer for women who experience complications. Pro-choicers said the law would have forced abortion clinics to close. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had upheld the law.
Contrary to his vote on this case, Roberts has a history of affirming pro-life thought. In 2006, he voted to uphold a ban on partial-birth abortion. Last year, he sided with crisis pregnancy centers in a free speech case.
The Supreme Court in 2016 struck down a Texas law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges. The vote was 5-4, and Roberts voted with the conservative bloc in the minority.
Ed Whelan, a legal expert and president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, wrote at National Review’s website that it is wrong to view Thursday’s ruling with “grand significance.”
Archbishop Nicholas Okoh from the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (known as GAFCON) said the Lambeth Conference in 2020 would embrace teaching “profoundly at odds” with biblical teaching.
In a letter to members, the senior Nigerian clergyman reiterated his advice that bishops do not attend the meeting of Anglican Communion members as it is “currently constituted”. He is not the only leader who has called for a boycott.
Archbishop Nicholas cited the recent same-sex wedding ceremony of an Anglican bishop in Canada among his concerns.
The Anglican Church of Canada’s Assistant Bishop of Toronto, Kevin Robertson married his partner Mohan Sharma during a service at St James’ Cathedral in the city. The service was conducted by Bishop Susan Bell from the Diocese of Niagara.
The Chairman’s February letter is available! Archbishop Okoh urges faithful Anglican Bishops to think twice before accepting an invitation to attend Lambeth 2020. Read his full letter here: https://t.co/Kq8FWYJGc2pic.twitter.com/sSpT5Ur00m
Archbishop Okoh said: “This step by the Anglican Church of Canada underlines the urgency of our advice in the Jerusalem 2018 ‘Letter to the Churches’ warning against attending the 2020 Lambeth Conference as currently constituted.
“For the first time assistant bishops and their spouses will be invited, so we can…
‘My Heart Is Full’: Chris Pratt Spends Time with Children Battling Cancer at Ronald McDonald House New York
Actor and outspoken Christian Chris Pratt had to chance to spread joy to child cancer patients this week, but what he found is that they filled his heart, too.
According to CBN News, the Lego Movie 2 star headed to the Ronald McDonald House in New York to spend some time with kids who are fighting the long hard battle against cancer.
One moment in his visit that stood out was when Pratt had the chance to visit a young girl named Paige who has limited human interaction due to a dangerously compromised immune system.
Ronald McDonald House New York thanked the Gradians of the Galaxy actor for coming by in an Instagram post. The organization shared a photo on Wednesday of Pratt with his hand on Paige’s shoulder and captioned it, “Today, Chris Pratt made a special visit to the House. He spent time hanging with families and even made a special visit to Paige. Because of her weakened immune system, Paige must stay in a post-transplant suite where she has limited contact outside of her room.”
Rev Caspar Bush of St Euny’s church in Redruth posted a message to the social media site explaining that Terry Filer had died with no known friends or family.
Rev Bush said he has been overwhelmed by the response from local people, students of a college in nearby Falmouth and businesses in Redruth.
He told Premier: “I am happy to report we’ve had a wonderful response. It has been really heartening to see how much interest there has been.”
In addition to people promising to join the congregation, there has been a particularly welcome offer which will mark the funeral as a truly Cornish occasion.
Rev Bush went on to say: “We also had a lovely offer from one of our best local pasty makers. (She) rang up to say ‘I’m bringing you 75 pasties at 2 o’clock’.
“So now we know we’re having a wake after the funeral too. It’s really developed a life of its own.”
For St Euny’s church, the funeral has been turned into an opportunity to highlight the issue of loneliness in today’s society.
Rev Bush is urging people to reach out and offer support to the vulnerable.
“Terry stands for a lot of people because loneliness is a massive social issue for our time,” he said.
“There’s a huge opportunity for the church (and) for all people actually to look out for people who we’re aware of being on their own.”
Thanks to Facebook, the pews at the funeral will be far from empty.
Justin and Hailey Bieber Open up about Sexual Purity and How Church Brought Them Back Together
Pop sensation Justin Bieber and supermodel Hailey (née Baldwin) opened up about their young marriage and how church was always the one thing that brought them back together before they tied the knot.
Bieber told Vogue that following romantic turmoil and the continued publication of bad behavior, he vowed to turn his life around and rededicate himself to God. One thing Bieber said he was determined to do, was to stay chaste until marriage, and when he met his now wife Hailey Baldwin, that is exactly what they did. He said, “[God] doesn’t ask us not to have sex for Him because He wants rules and stuff. He’s like, I’m trying to protect you from hurt and pain.”
He continued, “I think sex can cause a lot of pain. Sometimes people have sex because they don’t feel good enough. Because they lack self-worth.”
“I wanted to rededicate myself to God in that way because I really felt it was better for the condition of my soul. And I believe that God blessed me with Hailey as a result. There are perks. You get rewarded for good behavior,” Bieber added.
Hailey Bieber also shared with the fashion magazine that their…
Rhapsody of Realities 9 February 2019 By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – He Doesn’t Lead Us Through Dreams
Topic: He Doesn’t Lead Us Through Dreams
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14).
In the New Testament, God doesn’t lead us through dreams. The Bible doesn’t say, “For as many as are led by dreams, they are the sons of God”; rather, it says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God….” You might want to ask, “How about Acts 2:17; doesn’t it indicate that God still leads through dreams?” No; He doesn’t.
When the Bible says in Acts 2:17, “…in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…and your old men shall dream dreams…” ; dreams were for sense knowledge generation of men. And if you ever had a dream, a real dream that’s a message from the Lord, always, the focus would be on you; you’d be the theme of the dream; not someone else.
God never gave anybody any dream about anybody else. Job said, “ God talks to men in a dream of the night to seal an instruction into them, to warn them from their destruction” (Read Job 33:15-18). That’s in the Old Testament. It was about them; not about other people.
Some people believed some dreams that others had about them, and started looking for “deliverance”; that’s absurd. If you’re born again, God doesn’t send you a warning through someone else’s dream. Their dream is about them and not you. Don’t fear their fears and dreams.
Since the Holy Spirit began His ministry with the church on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, none of the Apostles or anyone in the New Testament was ministered to in a dream. Today, as then, He guides you through the written Word, and through His light in your spirit; the inward witness. Howbeit, that inward voice or witness always bears record with the Word. He gives visions and diverse revelations, nonetheless, but not with other people’s dreams about you. He said “my sheep hear my voice…” (John 10:27).
Therefore, don’t base your life on dreams; if you dream a dream that’s consistent with God’s plan for you, claim it in Jesus’ Name, otherwise throw it away and don’t dwell on it. Live on the Word and God’s provisions in Christ.
PRAYER Dear Father, thank you for the gift of your Spirit who causes my life to go in the direction of your perfect will for me. I live in the Spirit; therefore, I also walk in the Spirit, yielding myself to you, to be directed and instructed in all of life’s affairs, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Job 33:15-18; Jeremiah 23:28 CEV
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 26:57-75 & Exodus 36-37
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 13:24-33 & Genesis 40
Rhapsody of Realities 9th February 2019 Devotional was written by Pastor Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (D.Sc., D.D.). President of Loveworld Inc. aka Christ Embassy Int’l.
‘Prophet’ Shepherd Bushiri is alleged to have taken cases of cash out of South Africa on one of his private jets.
Bushiri, 35, has amassed a personal fortune of £120 million, which he calls ‘miracle money’, since he established his Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) churches across Africa.
He appeared with his wife, Mary at court in Johannesburg while hundreds of followers protested and prayed in tongues outside.
The couple were arrested at an exclusive hotel in Johannesburg.
They were granted bail of £5,600 each and made to surrender their passports. They strongly deny the allegations.
Bushiri who is also known as ‘Major 1’ was born into poverty in northern Malawi and has built a business empire which includes mines, property, hotels and four private planes.
He told the BBC, “My success should inspire people to be entrepreneurs. I am a businessman and that is separate from being a prophet. My prosperity is from private businesses. Such questions are not asked from leaders of white churches but when an African man prospers, it’s a problem.”
ECG’s compound in Pretoria has congregations of more than 40,000 every Sunday.
According to The Times, as the couple were brought to court, followers sprayed police cars with his ‘miracle oil’ which costs £10 a bottle The oil is marketed at the churches alongside vials labelled ‘the blood of Jesus’.
TOPIC: Domestic Violence (Part 1) [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 10 February 2019]
MEMORY VERSE: “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” – Proverbs 10:12(scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 10 February 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Proverbs 15:1-7 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 February 2019)
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Violence can be defined as “extreme force , action intended to cause destruction, pain or suffering, widespread fighting, injustice, wrong etc. While domestic violence is an act or threatened act of violence upon someone with whom the perpetrator is or has previously been in intimate relationship (Prov.27:4; Eccl. 7:9).Other terms used for domestic abuse include domestic abuse, battering and family violence. This ranges from use of abusive/derogatory, physical assault to the use of dangerous weapons. It has been observed that some family members, in spite of they proclaim, still engage in acts of violence against one another. Therefore, we need to find out why this is so and remedies to this act.
OUTLINES
FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Forms of domestic violence may include:
Physical Violence: This include flogging, bullying, battering, stoning, strangling, pushing, kicking, slapping, punching, hitting, confinement, assault with weapons, destruction of victim’s personal property/possessions or treat to do so, and murder (Gen. 4:8).
Verbal Abuse: This include verbal threats or intimidations to gain compliance, instilling fear or further violence, yelling or screaming, constant harassment and name calling (1 Sam. 20:30).
Sexual violence: This include sexual assault (forcing someone to participate in unwanted/unsafe or degrading sexual activity), sexual harassment (ridiculing another person to try to limit their sexuality). Sexual exploitation (such as forcing someone into sex hawking) – 2 Sam.:12-14.
Psychological Violence: Such as smoking, imitating, isolating, threatening, intimidating and exclusion from meaningful events (2 Sam.13:22-23).
Emotional Violence: Such as rejection, pretending not to notice one’s presence (Gen. 21:9-11).
Economic Violence: This include withholding economic resources (such as money), stealing from or defrauding a partner, withholding physical resources such as food, clothes, necessary medications or shelter from a partner or children, preventing a spouse from working or choosing an occupation (1 Tim. 5:8).
Religious Violence: This include preventing one’s spouse from practicing his/her religious or spiritual belief, forcing the children to be reared in a faith that a spouse has not agreed to, using a spouse religious or spiritual belief to manipulate him/her (Dan. 3:14, 20).
CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Some immediate causes that can set off a bout of domestic violence are:
Economic hardship (such as prolonged unemployment), stress, provocation by the spouse.
Emotional/psychological issues (depression, desperation, feelings of insecurity, suspicion and fear), character defects (jealousy, anger) alcohol and drug intake.
Other causes may include; complex issues (inferiority/superiority), failure to yield to divine instructions. Gen.4:4-8, insincerity, failed expectations, undue interference from third party, family background and environmental factors, sexual infidelity, spiritual attack / generational curses.
CONCLUSION: If there is no peace in the home, the society will also be void of peace. Let us identify the root cause of violence in our families and deal with it prayerfully.
QUESTIONS
Mention five (5) of the forms of domestic violence
Identify the causes of domestic violence.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) causes of societal violence and suggest remedies.
For Further Reading: Proverbs 15:1, 3, 7; Matthew 5:9; Hebrews 12:14.
RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 10 February 2019 Lesson 24 – Domestic Violence (Part 1)
TOPIC: Domestic Violence (Part 1)
OPENING PRAYER: Father, please let love and peace reign in every Christian home in Jesus’ name. (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 10 February 2019 HYMN)
MEMORY VERSE: “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” – Proverbs 10:12 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 10 February 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Proverbs 15:1-7 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 10 February 2019)
1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
Violence can be defined as “extreme force, action intended to cause destruction, pain or suffering, widespread fighting, injustice, wrong etc. While domestic violence is an act or threatened act of violence upon someone with whom the perpetrator is or has previously been in intimate relationship (Prov.27:4; Eccl. 7:9).Other terms used for domestic abuse include domestic abuse, battering and family violence. This ranges from use of abusive/derogatory, physical assault to the use of dangerous weapons. It has been observed that some family members, in spite of the proclaim, still engage in acts of violence against one another. Therefore, we need to find out why this is so and remedies to this act.
TEXT REVIEW: PROVERBS 15:1-7
The writer of Proverbs 15:1-7 proffered some remedies to anger which is a form of violence:
i. Soft answer to aggressive question/demand. Vs.1
ii. Wise application of knowledge to foolish information. Vs.2
iii. Understanding the truth that the eyes of the Lord is watching every home and act. The fear of the Lord is capable of stemming ungodly act of violence. Vs.3
iv. A gentle word has power to heal wound of misunderstanding and contrariness. Vs.4.
v. Application of Godly parent’s instructions and corrections has capacity to produce well nurtured/cultured children. Vs.5
vi. Living a righteous life is an antidote to sin which include violence. Vs.6.
vii. Wisdom will sift chaff from grain, wisdom will help to discover that not all battles are worth fighting. Vs.7.
NOTE: The opposite of the stated above remedies will spur violence.
2 LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Teacher should explain the forms of violence as presented below:
i. Physical Violence: This include flogging, bullying, battering, stoning, strangling, pushing, kicking, slapping, punching, hitting, confinement, assault with weapons, destruction of victim’s personal property/possessions or treat to do so, and murder. Gen. 4:8.
ii. Verbal Abuse: This include verbal threats or intimidations to gain compliance, instilling fear or further violence, yelling or screaming, constant harassment and name calling.1 Sam. 20:30.
iii. Sexual violence: This include sexual assault (forcing someone to participate in unwanted/unsafe or degrading sexual activity), sexual harassment (ridiculing another person to try to limit their sexuality). Sexual exploitation (such as forcing someone into sex hawking). 2 Sam.:12-14.
iv. Psychological Violence: Such as smoking, imitating, isolating, threatening, intimidating and exclusion from meaningful events. 2 Sam.13:22-23.
v. Emotional Violence: Such as rejection, pretending not to notice one’s presence. Gen. 21:9-11.
vi. Economic Violence: This include withholding economic resources (such as money), stealing from or defrauding a partner, withholding physical resources such as food, clothes, necessary medications or shelter from a partner or children, preventing a spouse from working or choosing an occupation. 1 Tim. 5:8
vii. Religious Violence: This include preventing one’s spouse from practicing his/her religious or spiritual belief, forcing the children to be reared in a faith that a spouse has not agreed to, using a spouse religious or spiritual belief to manipulate him/her. Dan. 3:14, 20
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Class should share their experience, be it personal or told, on any of the above forms of violence.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Teacher should explain the causes listed above to students and should allow them to discuss them using their experiences:
i. Economic hardship, unemployment, stress, provocation by the spouse.
ii. Emotional/psychological issues such as depression, desperation, feeling of insecurity, suspicion and fear. Sexual infidelity, etc.
iii. Character defects (jealousy, anger) alcohol and drug related issues, insincerity and deception/failed expectations.
iv. Complex issue (inferiority/superiority).
v. Failure to yield to divine instructions. Gen.4:4-8.
vi. Third party/interference from family, friends, colleagues, etc.
vii. Environmental factors, spiritual attack, generational curses, etc.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Class should discuss how peace can reign in Christian homes.
SUMMARY: Domestic Violence in its forms should not raise its ugly head in Christian homes.
CONCLUSION: If there is no peace in the home, the society will also be void of peace. Let us identify the root cause of violence in our families and deal with it prayerfully.
EVALUATION: Mention five (5) forms and causes of domestic violence.
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let Your peace return and abide in every Christian homes.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) causes of societal violence and suggest remedies.
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RCCG Sunday School 10 February 2019 HYMN
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
Anne Graham Lotz Ends Cancer Treatment, Says She Believes God Has Healed Her
Anne Graham Lotz shared this week that she will be having her last cancer treatment next week.
According to the Christian Post, the evangelical shared on her blog that she believes that God has healed her from her cancer and after completing her seventh round of chemotherapy, she will be ending her treatment.
Lotz wrote, “While praying with my two daughters following my fifth chemo treatment, God seemed to indicate He had healed me. Cleansed me. Removed cancer from me.”
She continued, “I pondered in my heart what I believe He had said. The numbers from my blood draw before the sixth treatment were all remarkably good. So after my sixth treatment, I began questioning whether or not I should continue chemo if, in fact, I was already healed.”
Lotz noted the difficult side effects of the cancer treatment, sharing that it made her feel debilitating weakness. Seeking clarity on what she believed God had said to her, Lotz bowed her head in prayer for hours. The daughter of the late Billy Graham said she was waiting for God to confirm to her that she no longer needed treatment.
Two hours into her quiet time with God, Lotz noted that her daughter Rachel-Ruth came over to share a bit of scripture she felt God had laid on her heart.
Lotz wrote, “She shared some of her insights from 2 Kings 5 that she was to teach her Bible class that week. She related…
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