Church told to ‘wake up’ and house the homeless

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Church told to ‘wake up’ and house the homeless

A cross-party panel set up by Shelter – including ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband and former Tory chairman Baroness Warsi have said £200bn needs to be spent.

Pete Cunningham from Green Pastures told Premier that social housing shortages aren’t a new problem.

 

Speaking on Premier’s News Hour, he said: “We’ve been facing it for the last ten-15 years so it’s an ongoing crisis and a growing crisis.”

Entitled Building for our future: a vision for social housing, the report urges ministers to invest in a major 20-year housebuilding programme and massively extend the criteria for who is applicable to live in social housing.

They recommend building 1.27 million homes for “those in greatest housing need”, including homeless households, the disabled and long-term ill, or those living in very poor conditions.

It also wants the Government to create 1.17 million homes for what it calls “trapped renters”, younger families unable to get on the housing ladder, as well as 690,000 homes for older private renters who face housing insecurity beyond retirement.

The Communities Secretary James Brokenshire has insisted the current affordable homes programme will deliver 250,000 by 2022.

However Cunningham said that figure is just the tip of the iceberg.

“At this moment in time I think you would find there are five million people that are on a waiting list who get some sort of accommodation…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Andrew Wommack Devotional 9 January 2019 – Choosing Joy

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Topic: Choosing Joy [Andrew Wommack Devotional 9 January 2019]

Luke 1:46-47, “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

Text: Luke 1:39-56

Here, Mary makes a very clear distinction between her soul magnifying the Lord and her spirit rejoicing.

Our soul is the part of us that is considered to be our personality. It is our intellect, emotions and will. Our spirit is the part that gets changed at salvation and it is always operating in “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:22-23). That’s true whether our souls (feelings and emotions) “feel” it or not.

Many believers wait until their emotions feel like praising the Lord before they enter in to worship. They think it’s hypocritical to act like they are rejoicing in the Lord if they don’t “feel” it. But our spirits are always rejoicing in the Lord. It’s actually hypocritical to go by our feelings and not magnify the Lord with our souls when our born again spirits are already rejoicing.

Our born again spirits are always in tune with the Lord and walking in the joy of the Lord. Our flesh is often dominated by what it sees and feels.

Sometimes it doesn’t feel like praising the Lord, but the choice rests with our souls. If we choose to praise the Lord, our emotions will follow.

The decision is yours (Dt. 30:19).

Today, choose to walk in the joy of the Lord.

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

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).

The post Andrew Wommack Devotional 9 January 2019 – Choosing Joy appeared first on Flatimes.

Kenneth Copeland Devotional 9 January 2019 – No Time for Clay Pots

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Topic: No Time for Clay Pots [Kenneth Copeland Devotional 9 January 2019]

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. – 2 Timothy 2:20

Are you destined for greatness in the kingdom of God?

Ask most believers that question and they’ll humbly assure you they’re not. “You know we can’t all be golden vessels” they’ll say. “Like the Bible says, some of us are just called to be little clay pots.”

Praise God, the Bible doesn’t say any such thing!

Certainly there are going to be some golden vessels in the kingdom and there are going to be some clay pots, but we are the ones—not God—who determine which kind we will be. Second Timothy 2:21 tells us that “whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work” (The Amplified Bible).

Golden vessel or clay pot—the choice is up to you!

Why then do so many believers choose to do menial work in the kingdom of God? Why are they content to remain clay pots?

Because they lack one thing every golden vessel must have. They lack dedication. They haven’t made a quality decision to separate themselves from contaminating influences. They haven’t been willing to turn away from the ways of the world and go on with God past the point of no return.

My friend, God is doing some exciting things on this earth right now. He’s working signs and wonders, paving the way for Jesus’ return. This is a thrilling time, but it’s definitely no time for clay pots! So if you haven’t yet made the kind of commitment that will turn you into a golden vessel, admit it. Then take the time to get before God and study His Word and get your will in line with His. Let the Holy Spirit deal with you until you’re willing to leave the ways of the world behind and walk in higher ways—the ways of God.

Do it now. The hour is late. The glory of God is spilling over the earth in one final thrilling wave. It’s not trickling out of clay pots. It’s being poured through golden vessels—and that’s exactly what God is calling you to be.

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 2:15-26

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s 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.

The post Kenneth Copeland Devotional 9 January 2019 – No Time for Clay Pots appeared first on Flatimes.

Billy Graham Devotional 9 January 2019 – Get in the Word

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Topic: Get in the Word [Billy Graham Devotional 9 January 2019]

Despise God’s Word and find yourself in trouble. Obey it and succeed. — Proverbs 13:13 (TLB)

As Christians, we have the Spirit of God in us. But ours is the responsibility to keep sin out of our lives so that the Spirit can produce His fruit in us. Become grounded in the Bible. As Christians, we have only one authority, one compass: the Word of God. Abraham Lincoln in a letter to a friend said, “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance upon faith. You will live and die a better man.” Begin the day with the Book; and as the day comes to a close, let the Word speak its wisdom to your soul. Let it be the firm foundation upon which your hope is built. Let it be the Staff of Life upon which your spirit is nourished. Let it be the Sword of the Spirit which cuts away the evil of your life and fashions you in His image and likeness.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, Your Word nourishes my whole being and I praise Your holy name!

“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 9 January 2019 – Get in the Word appeared first on Flatimes.

Israel Strikes Back against Hamas Terror Group after Several Attacks

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Israel Strikes Back against Hamas Terror Group after Several Attacks


Israel Strikes Back against Hamas Terror Group after Several Attacks


Following the launching of a rocket toward Southern Israel, Sunday, the Israeli Air Force attacked several terror targets in a Hamas training Camp, Monday. 


According to CBN News, Israel’s Air Force attacked a training camp on the Northern Gaza Strip, an area that has been the center of conflict for many years. 


The Israel Defense Force said in a statement, “Air force fighter jets and helicopters attacked several terror targets at a Hamas training camp in the northern Gaza Strip.” The IDF noted that the rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome, The Times of Israel Reports.


Also on Sunday, Hamas is believed to have deployed and detonated a drone carrying explosives in a field in southern Israel. No injuries were reported.


Israel responded to this move by firing on two Hamas observation posts, the IDF said in a statement.


According to CBN News, the IDF did not explicitly identify who send the drone into Israel, but they did reveal in their statement that the name of a Gazan college was printed on the drone.


While the suspect is still unidentified, the military is urging all people in the region to be cautious of their surroundings and to report anything that appears to be suspicious.


Photo courtesy: John T./Unsplash

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Church of England orders remains of alleged paedophile to be exhumed at family member’s request

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Church of England orders remains of alleged paedophile to be exhumed at family member’s request

The Church of England’s Consistory Court made the ruling after the man was mistakenly buried in a family plot.

The Church rarely permits exhumations due to burials being seen as “the act of committing the mortal remains of the departed into the hands of God”.

 

However, the Church’s judge, Stephen Eyre QC, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Lichfield, ruled in favour of the petition as the “grave has become a focus of distress and grievance”.

The names of the people and church involved cannot be named for legal reasons.

The petition was filed after the man died in 2016 and his ashes were buried in a grave with his wife and her two parents.

According to court documents, in 2014, a step granddaughter of the man alleged in a letter to him that he had sexually abused her between the ages of five and 13.

He never faced criminal proceedings for the accusation.

The dead wife’s sister also sent a solicitor’s letter to the man informing him he no longer had permission to be buried in the plot.

While the couple were assured by the parish’s vicar that the man’s remains wouldn’t be interred in the family plot, when the man died a new vicar at the church allowed for the man to be buried in the plot in question.

Judge Eyre decided to grant an application by the wife’s sister for the ashes to be exhumed and moved instead to the grave of the man’s parents in another church yard.

Stay up to…

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I won’t go to Donald Trump’s prayer breakfasts

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I won’t go to Donald Trump’s prayer breakfasts

The renowned Christian author and pastor formerly hosted seminars at the event in Washington DC but pulled out, claiming it had become to “politicised”.

He said: “It has become so much of a platform for a political ideology of the right-wing of the Republican party that…he’s in his element because the people that show up are cheering him.”

 

Campolo, who was once a spiritual advisor to former US President Bill Clinton, also criticised what he perceived to be a leader who encourages Americans to look inwards.

The 83-year-old continued: “His big thing is ‘America first’. You cannot say that if you’re a red letter Christian.

“‘Seek thee the Kingdom of God’, Jesus says, ‘Don’t worry about this, you’re the citizen of a new society'”.

Campolo spoke to Premier as he marked the UK launch of Red Letter Christian – a movement which places a strong emphasis on the words of Christ in scripture.

Describing how the Christian viewpoint supersedes nationalism, he continued: “It transcends the interests of your own nation.

“We need to have a worldview – rather than a nationalistic view – of reality.”

Usually held on the first Thursday in February, the National Prayer Breakfast dates back to the 1950s.

Click here to listen to Premier’s Craig Wakling speaking with Tony Campolo:

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and…

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Beth Moore Under Fire, Says, ‘Spending Time with God and Spending Time with the Bible Are Not the Same Thing’

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Beth Moore Under Fire, Says, ‘Spending Time with God and Spending Time with the Bible Are Not the Same Thing’


Beth Moore Under Fire, Says, ‘Spending Time with God and Spending Time with the Bible Are Not the Same Thing’


Beth Moore became the center of controversy this week after she told her followers on Twitter that “spending time with God and spending time with the Bible are not the same thing.”


The evangelical Christian author decided to start off the New Year by telling people that while the Bible is the word of God, “it’s not God.” 


In her post on Twitter, the 61-year-old evangelical wrote, “Spending time with God and spending time with the Bible are not the same thing. The Bible is the Word of God, crucial to knowing Him, but it’s not God. We can study our Bibles till the 2nd coming & leave God completely out of it. We can grow in facts & never grow a whit in faith.” 


Thirty minutes later she added, “I will emphasize once more that my point is NOT studying Scripture less. I am a proponent of daily Bible study. It’s my practice. My life work and my delight. My point is that we need God in our study of His Word. I’m just saying don’t leave Jesus out of Bible study.”

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

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Why Many Churches Will Quadruple Their Outreach Efforts This Year

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Podcast Episode #500

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

We celebrate episode 500 with donuts and a discussion on why churches are really cranking up their intentional outreach this year.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Easy church growth due to reaching cultural Christians is no longer viable for churches.
  • Churches have moved away from programmatic outreach and evangelism but are still looking to and relying on tools to help them reach non-Christians.
  • Too much church outreach is not tied closely enough to evangelism and reaching non-Christians.
  • Thank you listeners for 500 episodes of Rainer on Leadership.

The five reasons that we discuss are:

  1. They understand the implications of the death of cultural Christianity.
  2. Inertia requires a major push to overcome.
  3. New tools will emerge.
  4. Many churches will re-engage attendance growth.
  5. It will become an accountability issue for church leaders.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network

Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped thousands of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.

For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.com.

The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical…

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

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“The legend of Trevor Lawrence has only just begun”

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“The legend of Trevor Lawrence has only just begun”

Clemson routed Alabama last night to win its second national title in three years. I’ve been watching college football for fifty years and have never seen a performance like the game their quarterback played.

Trevor Lawrence, a nineteen-year-old freshman, was named the Most Valuable Player. He is already being hailed as a once-in-a-generation talent. Now, after a performance for the ages, ESPN tells us this morning that “the legend of Trevor Lawrence has only just begun.”

The best part of the story isn’t the part that’s making headlines today.

When Lawrence was named Clemson’s starting quarterback last September, reporters asked how he stays so calm during games. “That’s just always my personality,” he explained. “Football’s important to me, but it’s not my life. It’s not the biggest thing in my life. I would say my faith is.”

He added: “I put my identity in what Christ says, who He thinks I am and who I know that He says I am.”

“Share a nanosecond of celebration”

There’s always more good news than makes the news.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof agrees. The title of his latest article makes his point: “Why 2018 Was the Best Year in Human History!”

Kristof claims that the world’s population is living longer and better than ever before. For instance, each day on average:

  • 295,000 people gain access to electricity for the first time.
  • 305,000 people are able to access clean drinking water for the first time.
  • 620,000 people are able to get online for the first time.
  • Only about 4 percent of children worldwide die by the age of five, down from 19 percent in 1960.
  • Fewer than 10 percent of the world’s population live in extreme poverty, down from more than 50 percent in the 1950s.

He concludes: “Never before has such a large portion of humanity been literate, enjoyed a middle-class cushion, lived such long lives . . . or been confident that their children would survive. Let’s hit pause on our…

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