69-Year-Old Michigan Pastor Tased and Held at Gunpoint by Robbers While Sleeping in Mission House He Founded
Events that occurred on Wednesday morning proved to be truly terrifying for Billy Allen, who states that he was tasered and robbed at gunpoint. The 69-year-old Michigan pastor was sleeping soundly before being awakened by the intruders. The crime took place in the mission house that Allen himself had founded to assist the homeless, along with others who might be in need.
Reports claim that the founder of Good Shepherd Mission in Stockbridge was suddenly jolted awake while he slept in Nehemiah House, which is located directly beside the church. Upon looking up, he observed two men standing in the room before one of them quickly tased him with a stun gun.
The 69-year-old refused to lay still, kicking his legs at the men in an attempt to defend himself. The pair then told him that they had a gun, and demanded money.
After handing over all of his cash, Allen’s ankles and feet were duct-taped together by the duo before they made their way out of Nehemiah House. Fortunately, another person who happened to be staying in the mission house came to assist the pastor and sent for help.
“I’m old and I’m tired,” Allen told local television station WXYZ, becoming emotional during the interview. “I’m just asking God to intervene.”
Allen revealed that this was not the first time he had been the victim of a robbery; it was,…
Gregory Hudson says most of the toys were bought with his own money. His motivation was simple: he struggled as a child and wanted to help those who are where he was. “When you get up, make sure you go back and take care of your people,” he said.
Matthew Foster is blind and has autism. His mother, Misty Wolf, told reporters that he’s very interested in Santa. So, she brought him to a store early to avoid the crowds and hoped for the best.
Their visit was better than she could have imagined.
When Wolf explained Matthew’s condition, Santa raised his hand and said, “Say no more.” She later told reporters that “he knew exactly what to do.”
He walked over and knelt next to Matthew and invited him to touch his coat, its buttons, and his hat while he explained what Matthew was feeling. He got on the floor so Matthew would be more comfortable, then carried him to a taxidermied animal in the display to touch its antlers. Santa even let Matthew pull on his white beard.
There’s always bad news in the news. However, I’d rather shift our attention elsewhere today.
Our two sons and their families were with Janet and me for Christmas. We have a nearly five-year-old granddaughter and three grandsons–two are two years old and one is three weeks old. Needless to say, our home was filled with noise,…
On Saturday, I’ll be sharing the top posts and podcasts of the year at ThomRainer.com. But before I get to the top posts, I want to share the top video content from the Rainer Report this year.
2018 marked the start of video content on the website and the launch of a YouTube channel. In each Rainer Report, I take about 10 minutes to share content related to church leadership. These videos are not too dissimilar from those I share in the monthly Church Answers staff meetings, though I go much more in depth and have Q&A in the live staff meetings. So if you like these, you should check out Church Answers as well.
Without any further delay, here are the top three Rainer Report videos of 2018 as well as our popular series on Seven Deadly Church Sicknesses.
#1 – Why Church Members Are Attending Less Frequently
#2 – How Do You Respond to a Member Who Thinks You Should Resign?
#3 – The Relationship between Inviting and Church Health
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 26 December 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Healing for the Overcharged Heart (III)
TOPIC: Healing for the Overcharged Heart (III) (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 26 December 2018)
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:28-30
MEMORY VERSE: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” – Philippians 4:9
The MESSAGE:
Right living is a necessary condition for experiencing the peace of God. You cannot separate outward action from inward attitude. Sin always results in unrest (unless the conscience is seared), and purity ought to result in peace. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and peace” (Isaiah 32:17). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17). The emphasis is on four activities: “learned and received” and “heard and seen”. It is one thing for us to learn a truth, but quite another to receive it inwardly and make it a part of our inner man. Facts in the head are not enough; we must also have truths in the heart. Jesus lived what He preached (Acts 1:1) and Paul did not only teach the word but also lived it so that his listeners could see the truth in his life. This ought to be our experience. We must learn the word, receive it, hear it, and do it. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
“The peace of God” is one test whether or not we are in the will of God. Colossians 3:12-17 describes the way to live. It says “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him.”
If we are walking with the Lord, then the peace of God will reign in our hearts. Whenever we disobey, we lose that peace. True and real peace is in Jesus and there is no alternative to this. He has called us to come to Him. To come to Him means to trust Him. When we come to Christ by faith, He gives us rest. When we take His yoke and learn, we find that deeper rest of surrender and obedience. The first is “peace with God” (Romans 5:1); the second is “the peace of God” (Philippians 4:6-8). To “take a yoke” means to become a disciple. When we submit to Christ, we are yoked to Him. The Word “easy” means “well-fitting”; He has the very yoke that is tailor-made for our lives and needs. The burden of doing His will is not a heavy one. Learning is a process. As we learn more about Him, we find a deeper peace because we trust Him more. Life is simplified and unified around the person of Christ. Jesus lived a life of total surrender to God. Even in the face of torment, He subjected His will to the Father’s will. Isaiah 53:3-5 gave the account of His experience, which paved the way for our healing. When you live the life of Jesus, you give no room for the adversary to lay any charge against you, and you will live the life of a conqueror described in Romans 8:31-39.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: YOU CANNOT SEPARATE OUTWARD ACTION FROM INWARD ATTITUDE.
PROPHETIC WORD: May you learn the WORD, receive it, hear it and do it.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
Lord Jesus, teach me to live Your life, in the name of Jesus.
Holy Spirit, ignite the fresh fire of total surrender in my life, in the name of Jesus.
My burdens, be lifted up by fire, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
Every weight upon my soul, I cast you out, in the name of Jesus.
Holy Spirit, transform my life with the word of God, in the name of Jesus.
I move from ridicule to miracles, by the power in the blood of Jesus.
I plug myself into the socket of divine blessings, 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.
Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Prayer Points on Today – The Reality of Evil
The Reality of Evil
Thank You, Jesus, for leaving all Your glory in heaven, to come and destroy all the works of the devil, and to set the captives free.
Father, in anyway I have fallen short of your glory, please, have mercy and forgive me, in Jesus’ name.
Father, please, give me a forgiving spirit; help me to forgive those who have offended me, and lead me not into temptation, in Jesus’ name.
I soak myself and family members, in the blood of Jesus, and I decree that evil, will never prevail over me and my loved ones, in Jesus’ name.
Father, silence every evil altar speaking against me and my family, by Your mercy, and bring to a permanent end all satanic activities in my life and family, in Jesus’ name.
Father, let every enchantment, divination, and evil arrow, targeted against me or any member of my family, go back to sender, in Jesus’ name.
Father, You are my refuge and fortress, please, deliver me, today, from every satanic bondage and captivity, and cover me with Your feathers, in Jesus’ name.
Father, destroy all the works of Satan and hell in my life; admit me into Your secret place, and let me abide under Your shadows, forever, in Jesus’ name.
Father, please, help me to live through today, without committing a single sin, in Jesus’ name.
Father, I decree that no weapon fashioned against Your son, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, and his family, shall prosper, in Jesus’ name.
11. Father, bless Your son, that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, beyond measures; help him to overcome every challenge of getting these prayer points across to Your children timely, on daily basis, in Jesus’ name.
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.
Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Prayer Points on Today – The Reality of Evil
Topic: Simply Exquisite [DCLM Daily Manna 26 December 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Mark 7:34-37 (KJV)
Key Verse:“And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak” (Mark 7:37)
MESSAGE:
Every generation has produced some personalities who became outstanding in their chosen fields of endeavour. The list includes technocrats, sportsmen, clergymen, politicians, businessmen, academics and other professionals. Many have been admired to the point of near worship. Truly, many of them deserve the honour accorded them. But even the best of these people have their dark side. Some of them have skeleton in their cupboards and would be hated with passion if people got close enough to know who they really were and what they represented. But this is not so with Jesus.
In His earthly life and ministry, the more closely people knew Him, the more amazed they felt about His innocence, loving-kindness and sheer power. The inhabitants of the Greek city of Decapolis said of Him, “He hath done all things well”, when they observed His miraculous healing of a deaf and dumb man.
Their eloquent testimony agrees with friends and foes who encountered Christ. Of Him it was recorded, “… who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil…” Peter said of Him, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” Pilate confessed, “I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man.” The officers sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Him heard Him and went back to report that ‘’Never man spake like this man.” When He asked, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” nobody came forward.
Christ is unique in every way. In His personality, passion and performance, He does all things well. Dying for our sins, He is the only worthy One to be our Saviour and Lord. If you have found Him to be so, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in [Him]”. If not, then repent, forsake your sin, pick up your cross and follow Him.
Thought For The Day: The Christian’s greatest commitment is to follow Christ’s footsteps.
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.
Topic: Work Towards Your Destiny [TREM Devotional 26 December 2018]
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” –Phil. 2:12
Child of God, destiny is never conferred on any person, destiny is God’s agenda, but it is your responsibility to work towards your destiny. Like I always say, nothing falls on you like a bag of cherries; if you see anything working, beloved, someone worked it out. You can work your way towards your destiny. Don’t sit down and fold your hands. You have a part to play.
Yes, the thoughts of God towards you are thoughts of good and not evil to give you an expected end, but you have a part to play to get to that expected end. One thing that you must know very clearly today is that any prayer that puts the sole responsibility of the miracle on God is an irresponsible prayer. For every move of God, there is the God-part and the man-part. You must be ready to play your part for you to arrive at destiny. Apostle Paul told the Phillipa church to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Beloved, roll your sleeves and get to work, don’t sit on the chair of laziness, otherwise you will fast and pray until your eyes are blue and yet not get to destiny, but that will not be your portion in Jesus’ name. We are ending a year and a new year is about to start. Don’t wait to start the year to set the right routine for progress. Plan your life and work your plan and God’s blessing will rest on it.
I therefore challenge you my dearly beloved to arise and take your place, be sensitive to the Spirit of God and do everything as if it all depends on you, but pray as if it all depends on God. When your part meets with God’s part, your victory is guaranteed. I prophesy over you that 2019 will answer to you in Jesus’ name.
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.
Topic: Just another Day? [Our Daily Bread 26 December 2018 Devotional]
Read: Acts 3:17–26, Bible in a Year: Haggai 1–2; Revelation 17
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.Acts 3:13
In Christmas Every Day, William Dean Howells tells of a little girl who gets her wish. For one long, horrible year it is indeed Christmas every day. By day three, the yuletide joy has already begun to wear thin. Before long everyone hates candy. Turkeys become scarce and sell for outrageous prices. Presents are no longer received with gratitude as they pile up everywhere. People angrily snap at each other.
Thankfully, Howell’s story is just a satirical tale. But what an incredible blessing that the subject of the Christmas celebration never wearies us despite the fact that we see Him throughout the Bible.
After Jesus had ascended to His Father, the apostle Peter proclaimed to a crowd at the temple in Jerusalem that Jesus was the one Moses foretold when he said, “God will raise up for you a prophet like me” (Acts 3:22; Deuteronomy 18:18). God’s promise to Abraham, “Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed,” was really a reference to Jesus (Acts 3:25; Genesis 22:18). Peter noted, “All the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days”—the arrival of the Messiah (Acts 3:24).
We can keep the spirit of Christmas alive long after the celebrations have ended. By seeing Christ in the whole story of the Bible we can appreciate how Christmas is so much more than just another day.
Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us Your Son, and for giving us His Story on the pages of the Bible.
This year, as you pack up the Christmas decorations, don’t put away the spirit of Christmas.
INSIGHT The book of Acts describes how the Spirit of God enabled followers of Jesus to spread the word of what they had seen with their eyes (Acts 1:8). Their witness was given credibility by miracles (3:1–10), care for one another (6:1–7), a love for their enemies, and a willingness to suffer and die for their life-changing story (7:59–8:4).
From the temple of Jerusalem to a prison in Rome, they told how the long-awaited King and Savior of Israel had been crucified (3:17–18). Together they showed how the Jewish Scriptures could be read with a new understanding (8:26–35), and even how other religious beliefs (17:16–31) could be seen in light of a resurrected Savior and Lord. Mart DeHaan
Topic: Joy for the Top [Seeds of Destiny 26 December 2018 Devotional]
Scripture:Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. Habakkuk 3:18, 19.
Thought For The Day: If the top is your destination, then excitement is your vehicle.
One of the major features of rising to the top is joy and excitement. Joy and excitement are necessary ingredients in the journey to the top. That is why if the top is your destination, then excitement is your vehicle. The top has no vacancy for depressed people. Sad people have no access to the top. If you must go high, you must feel high. Excitement brings upliftment. You cannot feel low, and fly high.
Now, what does Joy do for you?
Joy brings strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy brings strength and strength takes you to the top. A depressed person is a lethargic, weak and asthenic person. A depressed person cannot go up because he is bankrupt of strength.
Joy brings wisdom. Excitement is a mental ventilator. When a person is excited, his mind is open to fresh ideas. Anywhere there is joy, there is inspiration; anywhere there is excitement, there is enlightenment and wisdom. When a man is wise, he must rise. To be wise is to rise (Proverbs 8:15). So, this is the equation: joy brings wisdom and wisdom takes a man to the throne.
Today, I decree the death of every trace of depression, embarrassment and harassment that has come to steal the joy in your life, in Jesus’ Name.
Remember This: If the top is your destination, then excitement is your vehicle.
Assignments:
Make the choice to live a joyful life
Avoid the company of, and separate yourself from sad and depressed people
Prayer: O Lord, I thank You for the release of Your joy on my life. Help me to live a joyful life always, Lord in Jesus’ Name.
Quote: Victims of depression are never candidates for elevation. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP by Dr Paul Enenche
Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 17:1 to 18:34, Romans 9:25 to 10:13, Psalm 20:1 to 9, Proverbs 20:2 to 3.
Amazing Fact: After nurturing the Chinese Bamboo tree for five years without sprouting, it grows up to 80ft tall in six weeks.
Today In History: December 26th – Today is Boxing Day. A day of gift giving when boxes of food, clothing and other gifts are traditionally given to employees, tradespeople and other service providers.
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.
Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – The Reality of Evil
Topic: The Reality of Evil (Open Heaven 26 December 2018)
Memorise: “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”– Luke 11:4
Read: Psalm 91:1-16 (KJV)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Bible in One Year: Zephaniah 1-3, John 18:15-32
Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Wednesday MESSAGE:
Many people in the 21st century do not believe in the reality of evil in this world, because of the high level of secular knowledge and enlightenment they have attained. Prominent among the reasons why some people find it difficult to accept the reality of evil is the fact that almost all the things attributed to evil can be scientifically explained away. However, physical and Biblical evidence abound to prove the reality of evil. The Bible is filled with accounts of events that show the reality of evil: the activities of Pharaoh’s magicians, human sacrifices, idol worshipping and much more. In the world today, we are often confronted with situations that defy any human understanding or scientific explanation. There are cases where an attack in the dream becomes reality after waking up. There are also cases of evil manifestations working strongly against people’s health. While all medical test reveal that all is well, such people continue to experience incapacitating illness. Many have even lost their lives in such circumstances. In Ephesians 6:12, the Holy Spirit reveals the root of the matter, saying:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The entities identified in Ephesians 6:12 are all demonic powers under the control of their master the devil. Since the expulsion of Satan from heaven and his arrival on earth, evil has become an integral part of this present world (Revelation 12:12). Satan, who is the god of this world, is a spirit-being operating in the spiritual realm (2 Corinthians 4:4). His spiritual activities manifest in the form of suffering, sickness, death, failure and other calamities. For this reason, 1 Peter 5:8 says,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
The devil indeed goes about destroying anyone who is ignorant of his activities. The solution to the devil’s rampant attack on humanity is found in 1 John 3:8b, which says:
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
All powers belong to Jesus. At the mention of His Name, even the devil trembles (James 2:19). To bring evil to a permanent end, the devil will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:7-10). I pray that God will permanently silence evil in your life in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Wednesday Prayer Point:
Father, please don’t allow evil to prevail over me and my loved ones in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Wednesday Hymn 14: Onward Christian Soldier
1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; Forward into battle see His banners go!
Chorus:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
2. At the name of Jesus Satan’s host doth flee; On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God; Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, All one Body we, One in faith and Spirit, One in charity.
4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus constant will remain. Gates of hell can never ’gainst that Church prevail; We have Christ’s own promise, which can never fail.
5. Onward, then, ye people! Join our happy throng, Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, This through countless ages men and angels sing.
Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional 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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC. Open Heaven 26 December 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional.
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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