Leading Pastors Discuss Dangers of ‘Celebrity Culture’ in Church, How Body of Christ Should Respond

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Leading Pastors Discuss Dangers of ‘Celebrity Culture’ in Church, How Body of Christ Should Respond

(PHOTO: PEXELS)America’s obsession with celebrities has infiltrated American evangelical Christianity, thanks in part to the rise of social media.

In recent years, a number of high-profile evangelical church leaders have fallen from their pedestals — and the landing has been anything but soft. Often, the story goes like this: A “celebrity pastor” with a wide sphere of influence falls prey to sin, leaving in his wake a trail of chaos and disillusionment.

From sexual impropriety to alcoholism, these moral failures are met with shock and disbelief from many in the Christian community. What exactly went wrong?

Jimmy Evans, senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, told The Christian Post that the problem often begins when pastors isolate themselves — from others, from accountability, and ultimately, from the truth.

“We’re all human beings, and I believe pastors who fall put themselves in a position of secrecy,” he explained. “I’ve never met a pastor that didn’t have the same basic temptations as the other guy. The difference is how we deal with it.”

Isolation, Evans contended, is one of Satan’s greatest weapons.

“The devil works in the darkness,” he said. “As pastors, we need to not put ourselves in a position of living a…

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Christian MP’s former aide felt ‘morally obliged’ to testify against her during trial

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Christian MP’s former aide felt ‘morally obliged’ to testify against her during trial

Dr Christian DeFeo contacted police on Tuesday after seeing a news report of the trial of Labour’s Fiona Onasanya at the Old Bailey.

He told the court: “It is with the greatest reluctance I have to do this.

 

“To do otherwise, I cannot. It’s morally and legally unacceptable not to.”

Onasanya is accused of plotting with Festus Onasanya to claim a Russian man was behind the wheel of her car when it was caught travelling at 41 mph in a 30 mph zone near Thorney in Cambridgeshire on 24th July 2017.

The 35-year-old representative for Peterborough denies one count of perverting the course of justice.

Her brother has pleaded guilty to three charges of perverting the course of justice, including to one related to the 24th July incident.

 

The speeding incident happened close to where Dr DeFeo lived at the time.

He told the court how Fiona Onasanya arrived at his home on 24th July to discuss a charity lease, adding they were together for at least two hours.

Dr DeFeo added that he could not pinpoint the exact time of her arrival but it had been “quite late” and she arrived in the Nissan Micra on her own.

Dr DeFeo and his wife claim Onasanya arrived just after 10pm – rather than at around 5pm as the defence suggests.

Twitter/Fiona Onasanya‏

 

The court heard the speed camera was set off shortly after 10pm.

The court…

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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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Notable Voices and the Week in Review: November 17, 2018

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6 Reasons Why Churches Should Teach About Money — Art Rainer

How often does your church teach about money? For some churches, the answer is rarely or never. The topic is avoided. Some churches contain the topic of money to a single sermon series, only to return to the topic 365 days later. If messages hitting on money are rare or totally absent at your church, let me give you a few reasons to consider placing them in your upcoming teaching calendar.

Is Your Home Centered on the Gospel or Your Kids? — Jamie Ivey

My husband and I see the dangers of having a child-centered home, and we are doing all that we can to make sure that our home is centered around the gospel of Jesus, rather than around our kids and their lives.

Pastors Repeatedly Face, But Feel Unprepared to Address Sexual Brokenness in the Church — Facts & Trends

Seven in 10 pastors (70 percent) are approached by church members or staff several times a year or more with concerns about sexual brokenness, according to a new report from The Brushfires Foundation.

12 Questions for Self-evaluation as a Church Leader — Chuck Lawless

I believe it’s always good to do self-evaluation as a leader. Whatever your leadership position is, I encourage you to use these statements as part of your devotional time today. Let the Holy Spirit speak into your life, and be honest about whether these statements reflect your life:

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

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Justin Bieber appears to confirm marriage to Hailey Baldwin

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Justin Bieber appears to confirm marriage to Hailey Baldwin

He posted an image of himself and the 21-year-old model on his Instagram page with the caption “my wife is awesome”.

Meanwhile, Baldwin, the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin, has changed her name on the social media website to Hailey Rhode Bieber.

 

Announcing their engagement in July, Justin Bieber pledged to lead his new family with “honour and integrity, letting Jesus through his Holy Spirit guide us in everything we do…”

It was rumoured that the couple – who have been recently photographed on numerous occasions attending church together – tied the knot in a New York courthouse two months ago. Hailey denied this at the time.

 

Bieber has become increasingly vocal about his Christian faith since we was baptised in a bathtub by Hillsong Church pastor Carl Lenz four years ago, quoting from the Bible and sermons on his social media pages on numerous occasions.

During an interview at Teen Vogue in July 2016, Hailey said she was “raised in church” and that it is “very important for everyone to believe in the God that I believe in”.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

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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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Last Christian school captives are freed

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Last Christian school captives are freed

Two students, the principal and a second staff member are now free, the moderator of the country’s Presbyterian Church told international news agencies.

Fonki Samuel Forba was quoted by Associated Press as saying no ransom had been paid to the captors.

 

He also clarified the number of students taken, following previous confusion.

In total, 80 students and two educational workers were kidnapped on 4th November from the Presbyterian Secondary School in Nkwen – a village in the country’s troubled English-speaking North West region.

Nkwen is near the major city of Bamenda (pictured above).

 

Two days later, the Cameroonian military said it had secured the freedom of 78 hostages in the nearby town of Bafut.

The incident has been blamed on separatists who have embarked on a campaign to create a breakaway state which they call Ambazonia. They deny responsibility and have blamed the army.

English-speaking separatists in the North West and South West regions have long claimed marginalisation in a country which is majority French-speaking.

Believers Baptist Church in Warsaw, Indiana

 

The kidnapping came five days after the death of an American missionary in the North West region.

Charles Wesco (pictured with his wife and children) from Warsaw in Indiana was shot dead in front of his family while travelling to go shopping on 30th October.

Stay up to date with the latest news…

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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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Hope of Christian-Muslim ties boost during pope’s Morocco visit

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Hope of Christian-Muslim ties boost during pope’s Morocco visit

He will become only the second pope to visit Morocco, after Saint John Paul II travelled there in 1985.

The pontiff accepted an invitation from bishops and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for a two-day trip commencing on 30th March 2019. He will visit the capital, Rabat, and Morocco’s biggest city, Casablanca.

 

The Archbishop of Rabat, Cristóbal López said the first papal visit had not been forgotten and it brought “great hope, love and blessings”.

In a letter, Archbishop Cristóbal said: “The mission of the Pope is of confirming us in our faith”.

 

He added that the Catholic leader wants to “get to know us, share parts of our life, encourage us, pray with us and bless us.”

The Vatican has already confirmed Pope Francis will spend four days in the Central American nation of Panama in January for the World Youth Day festival.

Wikimedia Commons

 

The pope has also been invited to visit Japan, Mozambique and Romania next year.

A report published by the US State Department in 2010 stated that Morocco is 98.7 per cent.

In August, Pope Francis made a 36-hour visit to Ireland.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

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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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Archbishop Justin Welby says Christians must be reconcilers in face of Brexit division

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Archbishop Justin Welby says Christians must be reconcilers in face of Brexit division

Most Rev Justin Welby also urged Europe’s politicians to deliver “fair and sustainable solutions” for the UK-EU relationship after Brexit.

In a joint message released with German Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, he said: “European relationships are changing, not least as a result of Brexit.

 

“We do not know what will happen and what the relationship between the UK and EU will look like after 29th March 2019.

“However, what we do know is that the relationship between the Church of England and the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland goes back over many centuries – long before the European Union.

 

Bishop Heinrich, the council chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany, has been on a two-day visit to London hosted by Archbishop Justin.

Their statement continued: “As churches, we urgently appeal to all politicians to find fair and sustainable solutions for the future coexistence of the UK and the EU.”

 

“As some politicians and political forces seek to drive a wedge between…

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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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Joyce Meyer Devotional 17 November 2018 — Invest in Your Healing

CM Editor
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Topic: Invest in Your Healing [Joyce Meyer Devotional 17 November 2018]

“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things.” — Proverbs 8:6 (AMP)

What a blessing it is to know that the Holy Spirit helps us overcome our past.

Thankfully, with faith and patience, you can recover from your past pain, from things that have been done to you, or from mistakes that you have made, but the recovery will require an investment of time on your part. You can either continue to invest in your misery, or you can begin to invest in your healing.

One of the ways you can deal with the past is by confessing God’s promises instead of talking about negative, defeated feelings. When you confess God’s promises instead of your problems, you are exercising your faith and investing in your healing. This is a powerful way to really begin enjoying your life.

Prayer Starter: Father, I’m grateful that I can invest in my own healing by confessing Your Word over my life. Help me to focus on Your promises rather than my problems. Thank You that You have good things in store for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

The post Joyce Meyer Devotional 17 November 2018 — Invest in Your Healing appeared first on Flatimes.

MFM Daily Devotional 17 November 2018 – Breaking The Laws Of Error

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 17 November 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Breaking The Laws Of Error

TOPIC: Breaking The Laws Of Error (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 17 November 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Romans 7:21-25

MEMORY VERSE: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:2

The MESSAGE:

There are two laws Christians are confronted with all the time. (i) The law of God and (ii) the law of death. A law is a written or understood rule that concerns behaviours and the appropriate consequences thereof. That is, when a stated law is disobeyed, it attracts punishment. Therefore, laws are stated conditions guiding living and behaviour. It is a set aside provision that guides all that are concerned. Laws are meant to be obeyed, and human beings are expected to live by the law of a particular sect, region, organisation, societies etc which they belong to. When laws are obeyed, consideration, calmness and orderliness are maintained. It is therefore, expected to provide peace in every situation.

Spiritually speaking, one who is not born again has a set laws to obey, which are the laws of satan. The devil becomes his master and such a person has no choice but to obey his master. It is only the power of salvation that can deliver such a person from the laws of the devil. When Saul was persecuting Christians and encouraging their deaths, he was only performing this act based on the negative laws of his day, which was against the will of God. God had to intervene and use him to propagate the Gospel. He realised later that as a Christian, there are two laws he is being confronted with and so he declared in Romans 7:23, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” This is the law of sin; it is the law of captivity that is at war against the righteous law to destroy its victim. However, glory be to God who has the power and authority to deliver and break every negative law.

Cain became a victim when he obeyed the law of error and killed his brother, Abel. King David was defeated three times by the demons of the law of error despite being a man after God’s heart. In Jeremiah 44:16-17, the remnants of Judah obeyed the law of error and the consequences were terrible. Do you believe the Prophets, the Bible and the words from the pulpit? Do you believe in your dreams, visions and prayers? If you do not, you may be in bondage and captivity without knowing. For complete salvation, it is pertinent that you break the laws of error to avoid being in the position that satan would hurt you. Ask God to remove every spirit of error and mistakes from your life.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
THE GREATEST POWER TO DO UNUSUAL EXPLOITS FOR THE LORD IS RECEIVED ON BENDED KNEES IN PRAYERS.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Every law or situation standing against your moving forward shall suddenly break by fire.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. I receive the mandate to break all negative laws operating against God’s law in my life, in Jesus’ name.
2. Every law assigned to put me into captivity, today is your end, break, in Jesus’ name.
3. Every law assigned to make me a wretched Christian, break, in Jesus’ name.

EVENING
4. Any law assigned to make me a servant of the devil, tonight is your end, break, in Jesus’ name.
5. Laws assigned to make me an evildoer before God, I break away from you, in Jesus’ name.
6. Thou satanic rules and regulations, that leads to early grave and hell, I receive the power to disobey you by fire, in Jesus’ name.
7. Deceptive law of death assigned to kill me this year, break by fire, in Jesus’ name.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

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.

The post MFM Daily Devotional 17 November 2018 – Breaking The Laws Of Error appeared first on Flatimes.

The Secret of Lasting Wealth by David Ibiyeomie

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The Secret of Lasting Wealth by David Ibiyeomie

Topic: The Secret of Lasting Wealth

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God is love. God answers prayers but He is not prayers. He works miracles but He is not miracle; God is love. When you understand the love of God, what answers to God will answer to you. Until this love question is answered, your financial dominion will not be answered. The reason most people have not gotten business secrets is not because they are not born again, God reveals things to those that love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 12 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Secrets revealed by God was what made men wealthy right from the Bible days. Secrets are revealed to those who love Him; not people who come to church. It is not about proximity but is connectivity; it is the relationship you have with God. The secret for wealth is loving God.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity (love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Also Read: Use The Available by David Ibiyeomie

When you walk in love, you cannot fail because God is love and God never fails. You cannot be sold out and not make impact in life. Solomon never prayed for money but was the richest man in his time.

1 Kings 3:3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

Solomon loved the Lord and he showed his love through his actions, his giving the best to God. As a result, God gave him even those things he did not ask for.

1 Kings 3:13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

You must have a revelation of God’s love to enjoy everlasting wealth. Struggling for wealth is a misplacement of priority; just love God.

Luke 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Struggling to give is a proof that you do not love God. God loved the world and He laid down Jesus without struggle.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Whatever you cannot lay down disqualifies your love for God. Love is laying down something precious; your best. God never laid down Angel Gabriel or Angel Michael. He laid down Jesus, His only son. Most of us give but do not give their very best; they give our second best. Anyone you see getting wealthy laid the foundation of love and gave his best.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The love of God is there already in your heart. May the Holy Spirit help you to give it expression in Jesus name-Amen!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

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.

The post The Secret of Lasting Wealth by David Ibiyeomie appeared first on Flatimes.

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