Topic: The Prince of Peace [Billy Graham Devotional 17 December 2018]
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. —Proverbs 10:12
To hate, to discriminate against those who look different, who talk different, who have different national backgrounds, or who act differently from the dominant group, is a universal trait of human nature. I say that there is only one possible solution and that is a vital experience with Christ on the part of all races. In Christ the middle wall of partition is broken down, the Bible says. There is no Jew or Gentile, or black or white or yellow or red. We could be one great brotherhood in Christ. However, until we come to recognize Him as the Prince of Peace, and receive His love in our hearts, the racial tensions will increase.
Prayer for the day:I pray for Your love, Lord Jesus, to conquer hate or prejudice—whenever these ugly transgressions seep into my heart.
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.
Listen back to this Premier documentary on 70 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where we ask whether these priciples which underpin modern laws have contributed to Christian freedom or have silenced the voice of the faithful.
Open Heaven 17 December 2018 Monday Daily Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – You Must Grow!
Topic: You Must Grow! (Open Heaven 17 December 2018)
Memorise: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”– 1 Peter 2:2
Read: Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Bible in One Year: Joel 1-3, John 12:27-50
Open Heaven 17 December 2018 Monday MESSAGE:
Spiritual growth is not an option for all children of God who want to end well and strong. For this reason, the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter 2:2 admonishes us to desire the necessary spiritual nutrients that will help us grow. This verse of scripture points to some critical elements that are involved in the journey of spiritual growth. Firstly, spiritual newborn babies must desire the milk of God’s word. Secondly, the midwives that God uses as vessels to birth babies in His kingdom must make the milk of God’s word available to those who are eager to drink it. Thirdly, the milk of God’s word given to spiritual babies must be the sincere type. In other words, it must contain a balanced diet for growth.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” – 2 Timothy 4:2
From the above scripture, we understand that the milk of God’s word that will cause a believer to grow must include reproving of wrongdoing, rebuking the wrongdoer, patiently exhorting young believers to embrace righteousness even in the face of persecution that will definitely come, and teaching sound doctrines. A believer who is not ready to be established in the sound doctrines of the kingdom will soon fall into error and thus make shipwreck of his or her faith. Such are the seeds that fell on stony ground in the Lord’s parable of the sower (Matthew 13:20-21).
Although every Christian needs to have a personal relationship with God, there is a place for every one of us to be impacted by the gifts that the Lord has set in His church. In today’s Bible reading, we are told that one of the reasons why Jesus bestowed ministry gifts upon certain individuals in his Church is for us to grow to the measure of the stature of His fullness (Ephesians 4:13). There is therefore a place for pastors, evangelists, teachers and all other ministry gifts in the spiritual development of all Christians.
Today’s devotional should not be seen as a mere admonition; it should rather be taken as a command from God to grow. To ministers of God: it is obligatory for us to see our spiritual children grow. To babies in the faith: you must desire the sincere milk of God’s word and not the diluted motivational talks of these days which do not guarantee spiritual growth.
Open Heaven 17 December 2018 Monday Prayer Point:
Father, please help me grow in grace to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Open Heaven 17 December 2018 Monday Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
There let me see the sight, an open Heaven;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!
Open Heaven 17 December 2018 Monday 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 17 December 2018 Monday Daily Devotional.
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The Church has published its own festive advert – reminding viewers of a “feel-good factor” which lasts long after the turkey and mince pies have gone.
The 90-second clip shows real church members in Hertfordshire inviting lonely and marginalised people to Christmas services.
Clara Jones, who appears in the 90-second clip with her toddler sons Sebastian and Kasper, attends a baby and toddler group at Christ Church in Ware.
She said: “We are taking the boys to church this Christmas, and feel it is important to teach them that it’s not all about presents at Christmas and chocolate at Easter, but about Jesus, and his love for us.”
The video, which is being shared across social media, features a new version of O Little Town of Bethlehem by the accomplished composer Will Todd. It was recorded by St Martin’s Voices, a choir from St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in central London.
Adrian Harris from the Church of England said: “The advert we’ve produced is about celebrating the ultimate gift, the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Our Follow the Star campaign will see thousands of churches up and down the country displaying stars as a sign of welcome and millions of people will follow the star to gather in…
An immigration tribunal judge, Louis Kopieczek, said the authenticity of the asylum seeker’s claim was irrelevant given how the hundreds of Bible verses and other religious quotes posted on his social media page could make him a target for Iranian authorities.
He said: “In all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the appellant has established that there is a real risk that on his return he would be questioned about the details of his asylum claim and that questioning would reveal that he has posted on Twitter… [and] interrogation would involve a real risk of ill-treatment amounting to a breach of [his human rights].”
Known only as AM, the 38-year-old successfully applied for a UK residence card after failing to secure asylum the day he arrived in the UK in January 2006.
He was sentenced to five years in prison in 2013 for the rape of a 17-year-old girl and, following his release, the then-Home Secretary authorised his deportation. Theresa May claimed the main remained a serious threat to the public.
Following a subsequent legal battle, the judge ruled that deporting the individual could amount to a breach of his human rights.
Persecution against believers in Iran has been documented by organisations such as Open Doors.
Stay up to date with the latest news stories from…
Fast Facts: Covenant Reformed Baptist Church is in its 11th year of existence and is an inter-racial, active congregation committed to God-centered worship, the whole council of God, the marks of a healthy church, and glorifying God by enjoying Him now and forever. Be in prayer for Covenant this Christmas season as they minister in the Danville, VA area.
“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.
Prince Charles presented him with the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire honour on behalf of the Queen during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Posting on Twitter afterwards, he said: “Only God could have taken us from where we were 26 years ago – in debt, lost, lonely and nothing to look forward to.
“Twenty-two years ago, CAP starts with £10 in our home office. Thanks everyone who has helped in any way, this is for us all.”
Mr Kirkby described himself as being “absolutely bowled over” in June this year when he was named in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours list.
Who’d have thought it, Johnny boy from Bradford receiving a CBE from HRH Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace! Well done, @JohnKirkby, you totally deserve this! (Photo by PA Images) pic.twitter.com/fzF40ym6tK
Non-religious stamps now account for approximately 60 per cent – an increased on approximately 40 per cent compared to 2013 – according to the National Federation of SubPostmosters.
The statistics were described as a “disappointing” by one campaign group seeking to promote the presence of Christianity in UK public life.
Tim Dieppe from Christian Concern told the Sunday Telegraph: “It is disappointing. Perhaps secular stamps portray the Christmas story in a more glamourous way.
“There’s much in the Christmas story that could be visual. You’ve got the kinds, the shepherds, the manger, the appearances of the angels.”
A new set of Christmas stamps in produced every year by Royal Mail – which alternates every year between issuing new secular and Christian designs.
After including images of famous religious paintings – including the Small Chapter Madonna by Raphael – last year, the postal service published this year twelve designs which are all linked to the iconic British red postbox.
Celebrate Christmas 2017 with our Special Stamps, souvenirs and gifts featuring portrayals of the Madonna & Child.
The Church has published its own festive advert – reminding viewers of a “feel-good factor” which lasts long after the turkey and mince pies have gone.
The 90-second clip shows real church members in Hertfordshire inviting lonely and marginalised people to Christmas services.
Clara Jones, who appears in the 90-second clip with her toddler sons Sebastian and Kasper, attends a baby and toddler group at Christ Church in Ware.
She said: “We are taking the boys to church this Christmas, and feel it is important to teach them that it’s not all about presents at Christmas and chocolate at Easter, but about Jesus, and his love for us.”
The video, which is being shared across social media, features a new version of O Little Town of Bethlehem by the accomplished composer Will Todd. It was recorded by St Martin’s Voices, a choir from St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in central London.
Adrian Harris from the Church of England said: “The advert we’ve produced is about celebrating the ultimate gift, the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Our Follow the Star campaign will see thousands of churches up and down the country displaying stars as a sign of welcome and millions of people will follow the star to gather in…
Following a week which saw the Prime Minister delay a crunch vote on the EU withdrawal deal and survive a confidence vote, Anglican leaders also called for “grace and generosity”.
They said: “In the light of this week’s turbulent events, the bishops of the Church of England pray for national unity – and courage, integrity and clarity for our politicians.
“We call on the country to consider the nature of our public conversation. It is time to bring grace and generosity back to our national life.
“At the heart of the Christian message is Jesus’ command to love our neighbour.
“This includes those with whom we agree and disagree – at home, in Europe, and further afield.”
The bishops’ statement continued: “We urge everyone – our political leaders and all of us – to bring magnanimity, respect and reconciliation to our national debate.
Picture: One of the Church of England’s 42 diocesan bishops, the Bishop of Lincoln Rt Rev Christopher Lowson
“There is now an urgent need for the United Kingdom to recover a shared vision and identity to help us find a way through the immediate challenges.
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