Pope warns of threat to real life relationships from social media

The pontiff said families should be asking themselves whether they should cut down on their technology usage and spend more time with each other instead.

More than 80,000 people gathered for a World Meeting of Families festival at Dublin’s Croke Park on Saturday night.

 

Pope Francis was treated to a special performance of Riverdance by a troupe of Irish dancers and of Ave Maria by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Byrne.

The pontiff said social media could serve to build a network of friendships and solidarity, but he warned it should only be used in moderation.

He said it was important that social media “never become a threat to the real life relationships by imprisoning us in a virtual reality and isolating us from the very real relationships that challenge us to grow”.

Families, the Pope said, should question whether they should be cutting down on the time they spend on technology and be spending more quality time with each other.

“When you use social media too much you go into a sort of an orbit, when at the dinner table, instead of talking to each other within the family each of you uses his phone to connect with the outside world,” he said. “Then you go into an orbit.”

He said it was dangerous behaviour because it takes away “the completeness of the family” and leads individuals “to a fuzzy life without any substance”.

Pope Francis told attendees that holiness was…

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Joyce Meyer Daily 26 August 2018 Devotional — Help Is Here

Topic: Help Is Here [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Sunday August 26, 2018]

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Many people have received Jesus as Savior and Lord. They will go to heaven, but never draw on the full capacity of the Holy Spirit that is available to them or experience the true success God wants them to enjoy on Earth. Simply put, many will be on their way to heaven, but they won’t enjoy the trip.

We often look at those who have wealth, position, power and we consider them “successful.” But many people who are considered successful still lack peace, joy, contentment, and other true blessings. Such people have never learned to depend completely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

People who are self-sufficient often think depending on God is a sign of weakness. But the truth is that by drawing on the ability of the Holy Spirit, they can accomplish more in their lives than they ever could by working in their own strength.

God created us in such a way that although we do have strengths, we also have weaknesses and we need His help. We know He wants to help us because He sent a Divine Helper, the Holy Spirit, to live inside us.

We often struggle needlessly because we do not receive the help available to us. I encourage you to depend on Him, not on your own strength. Whatever you are facing, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for Your wonderful Holy Spirit. Please help me to be mindful of You throughout my day. Help me to come to you often for comfort, counsel and strength for my every need. 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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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 26 August 2018 – No Cross, No Power

TOPIC: No Cross, No Power (Mountain Of Fire And Miracle Ministries Sunday, 26 August 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:6-11

MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.” John 10:17

The MESSAGE:

Jesus could have avoided the cross, but He did not, He had the power to let down His life and power to take it again. (Jesus Christ knows the end from the beginning, hence we cannot use the statement …He would not have realised). Can you imagine Christianity without the cross and the resurrection? It would be only one of many religions. It would not be the transforming “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). Jesus died because it was necessary, not because it was unavoidable. It was necessary that He died and because His death and resurrection were planned by God to bridge the gap created by Adam, redeem and reconnect us back to God, bringing us into fellowship with Him as originally designed by God. As a mere man, He would not have died while He had the power to live. As people indwelt by God and participants in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), we choose duty before life, the cross before pleasure and enjoyment of this world. If we are not characterised by this divine nature, we are none of His. This is clearly stated in Mark 8:34, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Those who believe that they can bypass the cross are not truly Christ’s. Jesus called Peter’s confession “satan” because he rebuked Jesus for not escaping death although He possessed the power to do so. There are no shortcuts to success. The first one to suggest success and achievement without the cross was satan himself. Jesus objected to the miracles satan wanted Him to perform. The devil suggested that Jesus should change useless stones into useful loaves of bread (Matthew 4:3). We should watch out for those who have followed satan’s suggestion to perform ‘miracles’ and have not ‘taken up their crosses’ to follow Jesus. Beware of some of the preachers of the gospel of wealth and prosperity. They are ‘apostles’ of satan using satanic power for signs and wonders. Real power of God comes from being crucified with Christ.

The devil wanted Jesus to acquire instant fame, and he quoted Scripture to persuade Him to do so. He suggested that God would perform a miracle if Jesus would only cast Himself from the pinnacle of the temple. Success from Christ’s point of view is living in voluntary obscurity and self-effacement like Christ when you could live otherwise. He who had the will to die on the cross had the power to rise from the dead. No other person on earth has ever said what Jesus said and accomplished (Mark 8:31). He knew that by God’s appointment He was to die, but He was absolutely sure that on the third day, He would rise from the dead. Would the world be better had He chosen to live on, escape death and not exercise His power to rise from the dead? Certainly not.

When you take up the cross, you surrender fully to Christ and lay your life down for Him like the apostles. You identify with Christ’s suffering and shame by enduring all things for His sake and gospel’s sake. You surrender your will and launch out fully for Christ like Paul. Your priority is to please God always and forsake the distractions and deceptions of this world. With your eyes and heart focused on the cross, you look forward to being with Jesus in His heavenly home.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS TO SUCCESS.

PROPHETIC WORD:
You will choose duty before life, the cross before pleasure and enjoyment of the world.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. I cling to the old rugged cross by fire by force, in the name of Jesus.
2. Holy Spirit crucify my flesh forcefully, in the name of Jesus.
3. I shall not miss my divine assignment on earth, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Fire in the word, fire in the bones, unquenchable fire of the Holy Spirit, enter me now, in the name of Jesus.
5. Holy Ghost fire, consume every spiritual barrier to full surrender in my life, in the name of Jesus.
6. Every hindrance to my spiritual growth, catch fire and burn to ashes, in the name of Jesus.
7. Fire to fulfil my destiny, fill me afresh, in the name of Jesus.

“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.

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Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 26 August 2018 – Take the First Step

Topic: Take the First Step [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 26 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. – Psalm 37:23, The Amplified Bible

God’s will is to lead you on a day-by-day basis. He’s given His Spirit to guide you every day.

Most believers don’t know that. They expect God to reveal His complete will for their lives in one big revelation. Don’t make that mistake. Don’t just sit around waiting for God to show you whether or not He wants you to go to Africa for the rest of your life.

Let Him begin to lead you in little things first, to tell you what you need to do about this situation or that one. He’ll show you what you need to change. And, as He does, you’ll change one thing at a time.

The truth is, you probably already know one thing God wants you to do. You might not know why He wants you to do it. You may not know where it’s leading, but you’ve heard His voice in your heart.

If you want to keep on hearing Him, you’ll have to set aside your own ambitions and desires. Spend time in prayer and in the Word. Tune your ear to the voice of His Spirit.

Learn to trust Him. Remember that He’s smarter than you are and be willing to do what He says whether you can understand it with your mind or not. Obey even His smallest instructions. If you do, He’ll eventually change your whole life…one little step at a time.

Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:1-8

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.

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Our Daily Bread 26 August 2018 Devotional – Unfrozen

Topic: Unfrozen [Our Daily Bread 26 August 2018 Devotional]

Read: Galatians 2:11–16, Bible in a Year: Psalm 119:89–176; 1 Corinthians 8

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face. Galatians 2:11

At a roundtable discussion about reconciliation, one participant wisely said, “Don’t freeze people in time.” He observed how we tend to remember mistakes people make and never grant them the opportunity to change.

There are so many moments in Peter’s life when God could have “frozen” him in time. But He never did. Peter—the impulsive disciple—“corrected” Jesus, earning a sharp rebuke from the Lord (Matthew 16:21–23). He famously denied Christ (John 18:15–27), only to be restored later (21:15–19). And he once contributed to racial divisions within the church.

The issue arose when Peter (also called Cephas) had separated himself from the Gentiles (Galatians 2:11–12). Only recently he associated freely with them. But some Jews arrived who insisted that circumcision was required for believers in Christ, so Peter began avoiding the uncircumcised Gentiles. This marked a dangerous return to the law of Moses. Paul called Peter’s behavior “hypocrisy” (v. 13). Because of Paul’s bold confrontation, the issue was resolved. Peter went on to serve God in the beautiful spirit of unity He intends for us.

No one needs to remain frozen in their worst moments. In God’s grace we can embrace each other, learn from each other, confront each other when it’s necessary, and grow together in His love.

Prayer: Lord, draw us close to You today, so that we may also be closer to each other. Protect Your church’s unity. Give us understanding where there is distrust. Heal us where we are divided.

If we confront someone, we should have one goal in mind: restoration, not embarrassment. Chuck Swindoll

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE

This message was written By Tim Gustafson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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TREM 26 August 2018 Daily Devotional

Topic: Be Addicted To The Things Of God [TREM 26 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

“I beseech you brethren, ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.’’ 1 Cor 16:15

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth made this reference to the household of Stephanas, his first converts in Achaia as those who were addicted to the work of the ministry. Why did he give them so much attention? Paul was obviously referring to the fact that they were not just comers and goers or just Sunday Service Christians. They were ready to put commitment above convenience. They were addicts.

The word ‘addict’ connotes devotion or surrendering oneself to something habitually or obsessively. An addict can sell anything to meet his or her desire just to keep the addiction in place. In the same vein, you can also become a Kingdom addict. Kingdom addiction is healthy and helpful. It means being committed to the things of the kingdom. An addict is ready to identify with needs in the church and fill the gaps once spotted. When you are a kingdom addict, serving God and obeying Him comes by default.

As an addict, you derive joy in getting involved in follow-up, soul winning and Cell Church activities. You are ready to go the extra mile to ensure that you extend a warm hand of fellowship to new people in church. You are ready to follow-up those who give their hearts to the Lord and ensure that they are grounded. New converts and first-timers feel comfortable around you because you are concerned about their welfare. You are quick to introduce the various activities of the church to them in love. This is the kind of household God is looking for today. The church has gone beyond being a group of people who ask what the Lord can do for them, but rather ask what they can do for the Lord. Beloved, it is never too late to start. You can start today.

Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:13-18

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 119:89-176; Evening- 1 Corinthians 8

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

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.

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Seeds of Destiny 26 August 2018 – Keys To Accessing Divine Direction

Topic: Keys to Accessing Divine Direction [Seeds of Destiny 26 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: The Lord says, “I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you. Don’t be stupid like a horse or a mule, which must be controlled with a bit and bridle to make it submit.” Psalm 32:8-9 (GNT)

Thought For The Day: What you do not pursue, you cannot possess.

Divine direction is non-negotiable in life if destiny must be fulfilled. Yesterday, we saw the impact of lack of direction on destiny. We saw that there can be no destiny without direction; where there is no direction, there must be disaster; where there is no direction there is minimal progress; where there is no direction, there can be no dominion, and where there is no direction, there is absolute frustration.

Having seen that no one on earth can fulfil destiny without direction, the question is, what are the keys to accessing Divine direction?

i) Value Divine Direction
What you do not value, you do not experience. Know that direction is crucial to your life. Know that you can be free from disaster and your destiny can open up by just one thing God will tell you (Proverbs 3:5-6).

ii) Pursue Divine Direction
Take days of fasting and praying at intervals; stay up in the night and ask God to speak to you in the language you can understand on issues of concern to you. What you do not pursue, you cannot possess. Pursue Divine direction until God gives it to you.

iii) Comply with Divine Direction (Acts 13:2; Isaiah 30:29-30).
Anybody who has not done what God told him to do is not a candidate for more direction from God. Comply with what God has told you. Obey what God has said and comply with it (Mark 4:24).

Beloved, my counsel is, value Divine direction and comply with what God has told you in order to receive more directions from God.

Remember this: What you do not pursue, you cannot possess.

Assignments:
1. Place value on Divine Direction.
2. Pursue Divine Direction.
3. Comply with Divine Direction.

Prayer: O Lord, I ask for grace to value Your direction above every other thing and pursue it. I comply with the previous directions You have given me, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMIES OF DESTINY (PART 6).

Daily Bible Reading: Job 20:1 to 22:30, 2 Corinthians 1:1 to 11, Psalm 40:11 to 17, Proverbs 22:2 to 4.

Amazing Fact: If a goldfish is kept in dim light, it loses its colour.

Today In History: 26/08/1957 – It was announced that an intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully tested by the Soviet Union

Quote: God speaks to those who think; not to those who worry. Culled from 10 PRINCIPAL SECRETS OF PRINCIPAL PEOPLE by Dr Paul Enenche.

Also Read: Seeds of Destiny 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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DCLM Daily Manna 26 August 2018 – Presumptuous and Contentious Leaders

Topic: Presumptuous and Contentious Leaders [DCLM Daily Manna 26 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Numbers 16:1-11 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?” (Numbers 16:3).

MESSAGE:

The true nature of a man is known when he occupies an important position of authority. This is why several factors must be considered before appointment into any leadership position that demands responsibilities in the house of God.

From the text, Korah, Dathan and Abiram led a rebellious group against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Korah persuaded 250 other important leaders to join him.

He was not satisfied with his duties of helping the priests to look after the most sacred objects in God’s tent (Numbers 4:1-15).

He went to Moses on a wrong premise that Moses and Aaron were not more important or holier than any other Israelite. He was not mindful of the fact that God had given special authority to Moses and Aaron. He was jealous of the power and authority they had over the people. He also wanted this type of power. This was the ultimate reason behind his rebellion.

We should be careful not to allow presumption and contention overcome our reasons of wanting to hold a particular position, either in the church of God or in the society. We should not presume to know more than others or leaders set over us. We should work more for the faith that was once delivered onto the saints than contend for position as it happened to Lucifer.

Believers should always be on their guard to quickly notice any contentious spirit trying to grip over their souls. They should be satisfied with whatever position God put them in the church or in the society, pray and wait for His promotion at its right time, and they will never regret.

Thought For The Day: Avoid carnal consideration: they are deadly.

Bible Reading In One Year: Lamentations 3:37-5:1-22

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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Andrew Wommack 26 August 2018 Daily Devotional

Topic: Please God Not People [Andrew Wommack 26 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Mark 10:48 “And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.”

Text: Mark 10:43-48

The devil will always have someone available to tell us why we shouldn’t expect to get results when petitioning God. Most people would rather stay with the crowd and not do anything to draw attention to themselves even if that means not getting their needs met. They will try to make you conform as well. If this man would have listened to the crowd, he would not have received his healing. “Ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas. 4:2).

This blind man is a good example of an active kind of faith. He was not passive in his approach toward healing. He boldly cried out to Jesus for mercy. When the crowd ridiculed him and told him to be quiet, he cried out even louder for mercy.

Many people believe that God can perform the miracle they need but relatively few are willing to actively pursue it until they get results. They are afraid of what others will think of them. This man had his attention focused only on Jesus. Nothing else mattered and that is why he got healed.

An integral part of faith is seeking God only with your whole heart. If we are concerned about what people think so that we can gain their approval, we will never take a stand in faith for anything that we might be criticized for. This one thing has probably stopped as many people from receiving from God as anything else. You cannot be a “man-pleaser” and please God at the same time. Satan uses persecutions to steal away God’s Word and thereby stop our faith. To see faith work, we must say with Paul, “let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4).

Also 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).

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Billy Graham 26 August 2018 – Unspeakable Joy

Topic: Unspeakable Joy [Billy Graham Daily Devotional 26 August 2018]

And the disciples were called Christians . . . — Acts 11:26

In the third century Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, wrote to his friend Donatus, “It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people, who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians . . . and I am one of them.” If you have repented of your sins and have received Christ as Savior, then you, too, are one of them.

Prayer for the day: Today, Lord God, I remember all those Christians who have gone before me and thank You for the inspiration of their memory. May I never take for granted the heritage I have in Christ Jesus.

“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.

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