Russian Orthodox Church breaks ties with Orthodox worldwide leader

Metropolitan Hilarion said the church’s Holy Synod decided to “break the Eucharistic communion” with the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The move comes after the Istanbul-based patriarchate, whose head Bartholomew I is considered the “first among equals” of Orthodox church leaders, removed its condemnation of leaders of schismatic Orthodox churches in Ukraine.

 

Last week’s decision marked a step towards establishing an ecclesiastically independent – or autocephalous – church in Ukraine.

Wikimedia Commons

 

The church in Ukraine has been under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Churchsince the late 1600s, but calls for independence have increased since Moscow’s 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.

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Boko Haram vows to make kidnaped Christian schoolgirl a ‘slave for life’

The 15-year old was among 110 girls abducted in February from their school in Dapchi, Yobe state.

While all of the surviving girls were freed, Sharibu wasn’t as she refused to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam.

 

On Monday, the Boko Haram faction known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) executed aid worker Hauwa Leman – the second International Committee of the Red Cross worker it has killed in less than a month.

ISWAP told local news site The Cable they would make Sharibu a “slave for life”.

Meanwhile, the federal government has condemned the execution of Leman and Lai Mohammed.

AP Photo/Hamza Suleiman

The girls from the Government Girls Science and Technical College Dapchi who were kidnapped and set free are photographed during a hand over to government officials in Maiduguri, Nigeria

 

The minister of information said the government did “everything any responsible government should do” to save both of the murdered aid workers.

The insurgents had threatened on Sunday to kill Leman by Monday.

Last month, ISWAP warned it would kill Sharibu if its ransom demands were not met.

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Seven Traits of a Healthy Church

Podcast Episode #476

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We need healthy churches. I’ve committed my ministry to helping churches grow healthier. But what does a healthy church look like? Today, we discuss seven traits they exhibit.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • For too many churches, believing in the power of the gospel is nothing more than lip service.
  • Courageous leaders believe God will work in their churches.
  • Too many leaders know what needs to change in their church and either don’t have the knowledge or the courage to make it happen.
  • If you’re not facing reality as a church, you likely won’t be moving forward.
  • Healthy churches have leaders who take responsibility.

The seven traits of healthy churches that we discuss are:

  1. They truly believe in the power of the gospel.
  2. They have courageous leaders.
  3. They embrace change.
  4. They are not nostalgic.
  5. They see reality.
  6. They intentionally intersect their lives with non-Christians.
  7. They accept responsibility.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast


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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MFM Daily Devotional 16 October 2018 – Cutting The Rope Of Darkness

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 16 October 2018 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Cutting The Rope Of Darkness

TOPIC: Cutting The Rope Of Darkness (Mountain Of Fire and Miracle Ministries, MFM Daily Devotional 16 October 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Mark 11:2-7

MEMORY VERSE: “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.” – Psalms 18:17

The MESSAGE:

The colt is a very useful animal. Jesus knew it, but the colt was tied. Under this condition it cannot be used. It cannot move forward or farther than the length of the rope used in tying it. It cannot jump up higher than the length of the rope. If it forces itself to go forward, at a point, there will be automatic full stop. The only power available at that time to set the colt loose was in Jerusalem. Then, Jesus sent a command and they had no choice than to loose it.

To tie is to hold down. It is to prevent from moving forward. It is to prevent from being lifted up; it is to prevent breaking through; it is limitation. It is stagnancy, non-achievement, frustration and it is suffering. The donkey had potential to be lifted up, but these potential could not be tapped or utilised as long as it remained tied. To be utilised, the rope must be loosed.

What Jesus wants us to learn from this story are as follows:
Man created by God can be tied down in the spiritual realm
There is rope of darkness, which the enemy can use to tie man down spiritually.

A young soldier was expelled from the military based on false allegation. He is a member of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM). He became busy running around to get justice. He attended one of our Sunday services and as prayers were going on, the power of God fell on him, and he eventually fell down. When the woke up, he said he saw a goat tied to a tree, and as he was praying, the rope snapped and the goat was loosed and started running away. Beloved, he was the goat tied down in the spiritual realm, and the justice he was looking for and could not get for four years, manifested within two weeks after the prayers.

Is your business or career operating within a circle? Are your friends the people that have expired? Are you always in a wrong business or career? Are you permanently unemployed? Are you suffering from lack of promotion and lifting up? Do you have children that are useless to you? If yes, then you might have been tied down. Gideon’s rope was the altar of his father’s house. Moses rope was the anger of his father’s house. Your rope may be anything. Today, arise and cut off that rope by praying violently.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
THE LORD DID NOT CREATE BELIEVERS TO BE PUSHED AROUND, RATHER THE BELIEVERS SHOULD PUSH THE ENEMIES AROUND.

PROPHETIC WORD:
Power in the blood of Jesus shall be released and every chain tying you in one spot shall break.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. My Father, I thank You for the power in the blood of Jesus, to break every evil chain, in the name of Jesus.
2. Powers of limitation of my father’s house saying ‘NO’ to my lifting up, die, in the name of Jesus.
3. Power of unprofitable detentions tying me down in one spot, die by fire, in Jesus’ name.

EVENING
4. Satanic final bus stops causing affliction, stagnancy, failure, hatred, and non-achievement in my life, die, in Jesus’ name.
5. Every ancient gate shut against my life and progress, open by fire in the name of Jesus.
6. Every rope of darkness tying me down to one spot, break, in the name of Jesus.
7. My life, receive the fire of God and break every chain assigned to tie me. My life, move forward, 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 16 October 2018 – Cutting The Rope Of Darkness appeared first on Flatimes.

Two thirds of Church of Scotland congregations in Shetland to cease

Leaders say a clergy shortage and declining attendance means keeping all of their 31 churches open is “unaffordable”.

They said in a statement: “The Presbytery has a legacy of many more church buildings than they need and has faced some difficult choices on which buildings should be retained and which should be let go.

 

“At the heart of our decision making is the desire to see a sustainable future for the Church of Scotland, its mission and pastoral care for the whole of Shetland.”

The individual buildings set to shut will be named in the coming days, once all affected worshipping communities have been told. It is understood the closures will take place during the next three years.

The closures are among a raft of measures included in a new Presbytery plan endorsed by the majority of the Church of Scotland’s 975 members in Shetland.

Shetland, which includes more than 100 islands – 15 of which are inhabited – will be served by just one parish minister, under the plan.

NASA

 

Thirteen local parishes will merge into one, while the Church of Scotland will maintain only a handful of church staff in the region – including a newly-appointed youth worker.

The statement continued: “We will work with our congregations as we move towards a new model of ministry which could result in a single parish and the formation of a new Presbytery of…

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Family Happiness Begins with You (Part 1) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Family Happiness Begins with You (Part 1) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Family Happiness Begins with You (Part 1)

Dear Reader,

I count it a great privilege to share God’s Word with you today. I will be discussing with you all through this month on the subject: Family Happiness Begins with You. Most times, the joy, fulfilment and blessings we desire is dependent on us. You are the key factor to what becomes of your home. The devil has no right to torment or afflict you without your permission. However, we permit some happenings unknowingly through ignorance. Hence, this week, I will be exploring the topic: Understanding your spouse.

For you to have a stable home, you need to understand your husband or wife. Understanding your spouse is very important in becoming a good spouse. You must get to know that everything about your spouse is unique. There are no two people on planet earth that are exactly the same.

Everyone God has made is unique. Thus, you, your spouse and your children are peculiar. You are not a carbon-copy of anyone, you are an original and so is your spouse. You and your spouse are wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139:14). You must understand your spouse if you must enjoy a stable family. You need to study his or her background, likes, dislikes, what makes him or her happy and what affects his or her mood.

Also Read: Attaining Intimacy In Marriage (Part 1) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

For those who are yet to be married, before you say, “Yes I do’ to any man or lady on the altar, ask yourself, “How much of him or her do I really know?” Someone met me some years back, who has only been married for three months and both of them were already so fed up that they were ready for divorce. I asked a simple question, “How much of your spouse did you know before you got married?” I was amazed at the next-to-nothing knowledge of the spouse this person had. No wonder in three months, their marriage had technically broken down. If not for divine intervention, that would have ended their marriage with all of its consequent effects.

To enhance the understanding of your spouse, two things must be in place:

1. You must be sensitive. Never walk around with your eyes closed. Your mind is a sound mind, be sensitive.

2. Communicate effectively. Communication is the life-blood of any relationship. Learn to communicate effectively with your spouse and when you know how to do this, it will help you understand who your spouse is. You need to ask questions. The disciples of Jesus were around Him; they didn’t only listen to His teachings. Whatever they didn’t understand they always asked and Jesus never told them to shut up, He always answered their questions. So, rather than assuming understanding, ask questions, e.g. “How about this area? How about that area of your life?” Communicate so you can have a better understanding; and when communication is effective, you will become a good spouse. Understanding is what is required to have an outstanding marriage.

Wisdom – The Principal Thing

Wisdom is the principal tool for securing peace in the home. Wisdom is the principal thing… (Proverbs 4:7). Both the man and the woman in the home need to constantly ask God for wisdom in handling the day-to-day affairs of the home.

Most times, what people call affliction in their home is nothing but ignorance. The treatments for ignorance are wisdom and understanding which enhance peace in the home. In fact, the Bible says, Through wisdom is an house builded, and by understanding it is established (Proverbs 24:3).

James 1:5 say: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unbraided not, and it shall be given him. Wisdom tells you when to talk, when to keep quiet, what to say and the right time to say it, where to go and at what time. Do you know it is possible to say the right thing but at the wrong time and thereby cause lack of peace in the home? I pray for a fresh baptism of the wisdom of God upon your life today, in Jesus’ name.

Complement Your Spouse

One other way to nurture your relationship is by an often neglected key, and that is complement. Every human being loves to be praised either for what he has done or simply for who he is.

The key is to locate the good qualities in your spouse and focus on it. Then express your appreciation for those good qualities by the words of your mouth. Learn to show appreciation for both small and great acts of kindness. You can also show appreciation by giving little gifts.

Make room for praise in your home. Praise God always and complement your husband or wife and your relationship will be a heaven on earth!

Are you born again? Today, Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart. Say this prayer of faith if you desire to: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).

“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

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Joyce Meyer Devotional 16 October 2018 — Just Give It Time

Topic: Just Give It Time [Joyce Meyer Devotional 16 October 2018]

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. — Exodus 19:5

When you spend time with God, it becomes evident. You become calmer, you’re easier to get along with, you are more joyful, and you remain stable in every situation.

Spending quality time with God is an investment that yields rich benefits. You begin to understand what He likes and what offends Him. As with any friend, the more time you spend with God, the more like Him you become.

Spending time with God causes you to become more sensitive to the love He wants to demonstrate to you and to others. Your conscience alerts you when you’re talking to someone in a way that does not please Him.

Your heart grieves when He grieves, and you quickly pray, “Oh, God, I’m sorry.” You soon want to apologize to the person you have offended and discover that saying, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” isn’t so difficult after all.

When God told Moses he had found favor in His eyes (see Exodus 33:12), Moses understood that God was telling him he could ask for anything his heart desired.

Moses responded by saying that he simply wanted to become more intimately acquainted with God. Moses had seen God perform history’s most magnificent miracles, yet what he wanted most of all was to know God intimately.

I pray that knowing God is the desire of your heart. You can know Him and hear His voice as clearly and as intimately as you want to. All it takes is spending time with Him.

Prayer Starter: Father, like Moses, I want to know You more intimately. Help me to take time to grow closer to You and develop a deep, personal relationship. Help me to become more like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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Teens Open Heavens 16 October 2018 – What Prayer Can Change

Topic: What Prayer Can Change [Teens Open Heavens 16 October 2018]

Memorise: Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven. Matthew 18:19

Read: Mark 4:35-41 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Isaiah 59-61, 1 Thessalonians 4

MESSAGE:

If people are undecided on who the true God to be worshiped is, it is because we believers have not prayed to the point of effecting change. Many believers were prayed into the Kingdom and I am one of them. Are your loved ones, relatives and friends still living in sin? It is evident that you have not prayed enough for them.

Back up your evangelism with serious intercession as you stand on scriptures that promise salvation for the lost. With prayer, you can change the decisions of people on your issues. Your prayer closet is a strong control room. Use it regularly from today or you will be held for the changes you could have made which you failed to make.

Key Point: Specifically list out your friends and family in need of Jesus’ salvation. Determine to pray for them every day.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 15

1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, 0 won’t you believe It?
Wonderful story of love.

Chorus:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, Wonderful story of love.

2. Wonderful story of love,
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.

3. Wonderful story of love:
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of Love.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.

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DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2018 – He Is Ever Faithful

Topic: He Is Ever Faithful [DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2018 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

Text: Psalm 89:30-46 (KJV)

Key Verse: “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips“ (Psalm 89:34).

MESSAGE:

The story was told of an exhausted wayfarer who ran out of water in a desert. He later got to a well and in his desperation pumped with the strength remaining in him with the aim of getting water but to no avail. About to give up, he saw a jug of water with an inscription on the side directing him to pour the water into the machine for priming before pumping to get water. In this desperate situation, he was afraid of taking the risk of pouring the water into the pump and not getting needed result. However, he summoned up courage, poured the water into the pump and started pumping. He got water surging out of the well which he used to refresh himself, stored up for his journey and filled back the jug as he was instructed.

The house of David had a divine bouquet of promises wrapped in God’s faithfulness and love. He promised pardon since God knew that sin could block their access to His promises. God’s promises are true, universal and made out of a heart of love. However, the enjoyment of His divine benevolence is always predicated on readiness to fulfil certain conditions.

As it was with the desert traveller, drawing from God’s well of love and mercy, so is it for everyone who approaches the throne of grace with faith and trust. Your destination depends on the route you choose. To benefit from God’s unbroken promises and put an end to grumbling, complaints and lamentations, decide to turn away from sin and receive Christ as your personal Saviour. Then He will forever remain faithful if you consistently abide in His word.

Thought For The Day: God is ever faithful when He is approached in penitence.

Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 9-10

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

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.

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Seeds of Destiny 16 October 2018 Devotional – The Destiny of The Wicked

Topic: The Destiny of The Wicked [Seeds of Destiny 16 October 2018 Devotional]

Scripture: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8

Thought For The Day: There is no destiny for the wicked, and there can be no future for the disobedient.

Destiny refers to a person’s future or the actualization of God’s purpose for one’s life.

It is established that there is no one on earth who exists without a definite destiny. God has a purpose for everyone. And your character determines your destiny, your habit determines your habitat, your manners confirm your making.

The wicked are the disobedient, the rebellious, the carnal, the immoral, the diabolic, the corrupt, the robbers, the murderers and all those who live contrary to the Word and principles of God. The truth is, there is no destiny for the wicked, and there can be no future for the disobedient other than destruction and damnation in hell.

Beloved, what is the destiny of smokers, drunks, womanizers, prostitutes, cheats, liars, backbiters, gossips, ritual killers, etc. if they refuse to repent? What is the fate of the armed robber who went to rob a family and after robbing, raped the only daughter in that family who was even a virgin and possibly infected her with the HIV virus? God forbid! What kind of future awaits such a wicked agent of the devil on earth and in eternity? What is the destiny of the hired assassin, who was paid to kill, and he killed a man rendering the man’s wife a widow and the children orphans? What is the destiny of people who derive demonic pleasure in taking the lives of defenceless innocent people; ripping open pregnant women, cutting off human organs and dismembering the slain? What is their destiny other than damnation and eternal torments in hellfire? Hellfire is the Destiny of such people!

Beloved, I counsel you to make your ways right with God; do not join a person who has made up his mind to go to hell. If you cannot bring him to heaven, do not follow him to hell.

Remember This: There is no destiny for the wicked, and there can be no future for the disobedient.

Assignments:

1. Ask God for mercy in any way your actions in time past inflicted pain on people.
2. If possible, prayerfully meet those persons your actions have hurt to ask them for forgiveness.
3. Determine to show love to all that come in contact with you. Live right; shun the lifestyle of wickedness.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for Your Word to me today. Help me not to be a source of pain to people. Order my steps away from wickedness, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: SEVEN-WAY LIFESTYLE TEST

Quote: Wickedness is the foundation for emptiness. Good ending is never the portion of the wicked. Culled from 365 Wisdom Capsules by Dr Paul Enenche

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 28:1 to 29:32, 1 Timothy 1:1 to 20 Psalm 86:1 to 17, Proverbs 25:17

Amazing Fact: When there is scarcity of water, lizards save water and excretes only salt and you can actually see a white residue on their body which is salt.

Today In History: 16/10/1964 China became world’s 5th nuclear power.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The two Power-Packed Communion Services tomorrow by 4:45pm and 6:30pm respectively. Invite your friends and loved ones. God bless you

Also Read: Click HERE to read Other Inspirational Messages by Pastor Paul Enenche

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.

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