Christian girl in Pakistan faces legal battle over forced marriage

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Christian girl in Pakistan faces legal battle over forced marriage

Elisha was forced to marry Sagheer (also named Qadeer) Ismael, 25, who also raped her, in November 2017, according to CLAAS and the British Pakistani Christian Association.

In February this year, she gained her freedom after a court battle at the Islamabad High Court, following her father’s efforts in which he showed the court marriage papers which faked her age, saying she was 18 when she was actually twelve.

Elisha’s father, Iqbal Masih, had sold himself in servitude in order to pay for the legal fees to win her back. They were then supported by the British Pakistani Christian Association as well.

She returned back to her parents’ but what is now unclear is whether this ruling will be put into overturned. 

The man who took her claims Elisha is an adult and capable of making her own choices, so Elisha was asked to make a statement in court about her wishes.

On 12th July, Elisha told the court: “I was compelled to do this marriage, truth be told, every one of my marks and thumbprints on my paperwork is phony.  Whilst I was in the hands of my captors I was forced to give my thumbprint on several documents, which I didn’t know anything about nor could I read them” 

In court she began crying and told the judge she was compelled to marry and that her fingerprints on the marriage documents were false.

The family court judge delayed the verdict until 26th July when…

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Woman abseils Spinnaker Tower to raise money for Christian groups against violence

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Woman abseils Spinnaker Tower to raise money for Christian groups against violence

Mandy Marshall, also the co-director of the charity Restored, is abseiling the tower to raise money for her anti-abuse charity. 

Restored is an alliance of Christian organisations, working with men and churches to teach them how they can be a catalyst in ending violence against women. They specifically work with churches by encouraging them to speak up about abuse and be an influence on the rest of society. 

Writing on the campaign page, she explains why she is doing it: “This year has seen the launch of the ground breaking research into levels of domestic abuse amongst churchgoers in Cumbria. This is the first of it’s kind in the UK. The results show that 1 in 4 churchgoers had suffered domestic abuse and six women were living in fear of their lives.

“It is this kind of statistic that we exist to change. We want to see churches trained to identify abuse and to respond appropriately and effectively when it is disclosed.”

She’s been campaigning on twitter. 

She wrote on facebook: “It’s hard to top a Wing Walk but I think this one is challenging enough….

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Notable Voices: August 18, 2018

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How to Prepare for a Major Financial Emergency — Art Rainer

Major emergencies, like losing a job, are rare. They occur on a much less regular basis than minor emergencies. But when they do hit, their punch can be devastating. Losing a job can take a significant emotional and financial toll. For some, losing a job means selling a house, finding a new school for the kids and, of course, finding a new job. Losing a job is stressful and exhausting. And if you aren’t prepared, you can quickly find yourself with an empty bank account.

Church Mystery Guests Share What Keeps Them From Coming Back — Facts & Trends

As churches drift into ministry routines, it can be easy to overlook blind spots—aspects of the church service or culture that keep guests from returning. For this reason, the company Faith Perceptions sends mystery guests to churches to help them see their service through the eyes of a visitor and understand what can be improved so guests will be more likely to return.

9 Things a Messy Church Building Says — Chuck Lawless

You’ve probably seen one—that is, a church that is generally messy, cluttered with “stuff” and often marked by disarray. Sometimes, the building also carries a unique odor that can only be described as “church basement stench.” I admit my bias here (that I’m a very clean person), but my years of church consulting have shown us that a messy church building often says:

Pastoring Amid Depression — John Starke

I was a pastor and depressed….

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Presbyterian leader in Ireland hopes to meet Pope in Dublin

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Presbyterian leader in Ireland hopes to meet Pope in Dublin

Moderator Dr Charles McMullen is attending a state reception for the pontiff at Dublin Castle on 25th August. 

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is a large protestant denomination. 

Dr McMullen will also be present at the World Meeting of Families in Croke Park in Dublin that evening, at the invitation of Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin, which Pope Francis will also attend.

The event is held every three years to celebrate and think about the importance of families and marriage to society. 

Dr McMullen said: “The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families will greatly enhance the affirmation of the place of the family at the heart of society and that has to be a good thing.

“I am personally very pleased that our church has been able to accept the invitation to the reception and I am looking forward to it.

“Should there be an opportunity to meet Pope Francis in Dublin Castle, I would also very much welcome that in the context of building good relations.”

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from…

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 18 August 2018 Devotional — Thoughts, Words and Habits

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 18 August 2018 Devotional — Thoughts, Words and Habits

Topic: Thoughts, Words and Habits [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Saturday August 18, 2018]

Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” — Matthew 9:29

How do our thoughts and the words we speak affect our habits? In my opinion, they are the starting point for breaking all bad habits and forming all good habits. In fact, thinking and speaking negatively is a bad habit in itself—and one we need to break by beginning to think and speak positively.

You can literally think and talk yourself into victory or defeat. You not only get all the things you think and say, but you can have anything God says you can have in His Word. Jesus told people they would have what they believed, even sight for the blind men (see Matthew 9:27–30). They simply had to believe—to renew their minds to think as God thinks (see Romans 12:2 and Colossians 3:10)—and they could have the blessings God wanted them to have…and so can you!

Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to be more aware of my thoughts and words. Help me to continually keep Your Word in front of me and think like You think more and more. 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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Archbishop of Genoa to host state funeral for bridge disaster victims

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Archbishop of Genoa to host state funeral for bridge disaster victims

After a motorway bridge collapsed in Italy this week, killing 38 people, blame has been thrown at the EU, Italian politicians and the infrastructure company Autostrade. 

Several families have rejected the offer of a state funeral on Saturday and the cardinal of Naples was merciless in his condemnation of negligence by Italian officials.

“You can’t, you mustn’t die for negligence! For carelessness! For irresponsibility! For superficiality!” said cardinal Crescenzio Sepe. 

The state funeral will be led by Archbishop of Genoa, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, who on Thursday said: 

“I am deeply saddened by the huge disaster that occurred in Genoa and that has caused numerous deaths, several injuries and huge damage,

“Our prayers are with those affected by the accident. Genoa will rise from the mourning and pain of this day and show its solidarity.”

Other private funerals were held in Piedmont and elsewhere in Italy.

Survivors have been shocked at how they escaped with their lives. Davide Capello, 33, a firefighter and football player, was driving alone on the bridge when his Volkswagen Tiguan and the road it was on plunged to the ground.

“The car protected me. Besides God, the car also did its job,” Mr Capello said.

On Thursday, prosecutors said as many as 20 people could still be missing in the bridge collapse, but cautioned that some people initially reported as…

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 18 August 2018

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TOPIC: Pass On The Baton (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Saturday, 18 August 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 1:3-7

MEMORY VERSE: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

The MESSAGE:

A baton is a short stick or tube passed from one runner to another runner in a relay race. In a relay race, the speed and skill in the exchange of baton is every bit as important as the sprinter’s time. Get the exchanges done poorly in a relay race, and you can forget about gold, silver, or bronze. The same principle applies in natural child upbringing, nurturing of new converts and ministerial succession. Abraham handed the baton of covenant with God to Isaac and Isaac passed it to Jacob. Moses handed over the baton of leading Israelites to the Promised Land to Joshua, but after the death of Joshua, the Israelites had no sustainable leader that could stand in the office of Joshua. David handed the baton of kingship to Solomon, but Solomon messed up the throne with insatiable love for strange women. Elijah handed the prophetic baton to Elisha, but Elisha failed to have a successor. Jesus handed the baton to His disciples, and they passed it on to the early church fathers whose works and service were instrumental to the growth of Christianity till today.

Paul was excited at the spiritual background of Timothy. He was sure that Timothy’s faith was genuine, and that this faith would see him through in spite of the troubles he was facing. Apparently Lois, Timothy’s grandmother was the first one in the family that was won to Christ; then his mother, Eunice, was converted. Both Timothy’s mother and grandmother had seen to it that he was taught the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15), and this was great preparation for the learning of the Gospel and his assignment in the ministry. This was a family that followed the counsel of ‘train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ Paul was Timothy’s mentor in the ministry, and he had watched his life and service during those years they were together. He was certain that Timothy’s faith was genuine. In fact, Timothy’s heritage was a great one; for he was reared in a godly home, trained by a wonderful apostle and given marvelous opportunities for serving the Lord. Paul encouraged Timothy to ordain elders to support him in the ministry and specified qualifications for the appointees. The baton must be passed on to carefully selected men who would be able to serve the Lord faithfully and fervently without bringing reproach to the name of the Lord (1 Timothy 3: 1-13).

Do you pray for your children to become vessels of honour in the society and in the house of God? Are you concerned with their career success only or you are also training them to serve the Lord? Are you sincerely providing spiritual mentorship to your ministers with the aim of passing the baton to them or are you simply using them to acquire fame and wealth with the intention of passing the baton to your family members? If you run the church as a family business, you may end up passing the baton poorly and risk losing divine backing like Eli’s children and Samuel’s children. The choice is yours.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
IF YOU RUN YOUR MINISTRY AS A FAMILY BUSINESS, YOU MAY END UP PASSING THE BATON POORLY.

PROPHETIC WORD:
May your heritage produce godly successors.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Selfishness and greed in my life, get out by force, in the name of Jesus.
2. Holy Spirit, guide me in all my decisions affecting the ministry, in the name of Jesus.
3. Spiritual carelessness, my life is not your candidate, be destroyed by fire, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. My Christian race shall not be aborted, in the name of Jesus.
5. My children shall not fail God, in the name of Jesus.
6. I shall not hand over the baton to a wrong person, in the name of Jesus.
7. I refuse to yield to the flesh in my calling and ministry, 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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Aretha Franklin’s funeral to be held at Greater Grace Temple

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Aretha Franklin’s funeral to be held at Greater Grace Temple

Aretha Franklin’s representative Gwendolyn Quinn was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the funeral at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple and will be limited to her family and friends.

It’s the same church at which Franklin sang at Rosa Parks’ funeral in 2005. 

Franklin’s service will take place at 10am on Friday 31st August but public viewings will take place on 28th and 29th August at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History respectively. 

Her body will be laid at Woodlawn Cemetery along with her father, the preacher Rev CL Franklin, her sisters Carolyn and Erma, her brother Cecil and nephew Thomas.

The current leader of her Father’s church, Pastor Robert Smith Jr. told CNN, before news of her death was announced: “No matter where she was, no matter what stage she was on, you’re going to know about her church, you’re going to know about her father, and you’re going to know about her God.”

He said Franklin served the church by doing concerts to raise money and wrote “big checks” to help them feed those in need.

Smith added that his early morning Wednesday service – normally attended by about 10 to 12 people – turned into a prayer vigil for Franklin with more than 100 attending.

The singer, who was known as the Queen of Soul, died aged 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Listen to Patti Boulaye, a Christian and singer, speaking to…

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Open Heavens 19 August 2018 – Bed Undefiled I

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Open Heavens 19 August 2018 – Bed Undefiled I

Open Heavens 19 August 2018 Sunday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Bed Undefiled I

Topic: Bed Undefiled I

Memorise: “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”- Hebrews 13:4

Read: Proverbs 5:15-21 (KJV)

15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.

18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Bible in One Year: Psalm 32-35, Matthew 22:23-46

Open Heavens 19 August 2018 Sunday MESSAGE:

“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18

The above verse of scripture states God’s views on sexual immorality, which should be taken very seriously by every wise person. The only institution in which God permits sexual relationships is marriage. For this reason, the Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 13:4:

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”

To the Almighty God who created it, marriage is honourable. Today’s Bible reading enjoins us to gratefully enjoy sexual relations as one of the benefits of holy matrimony. We must however be content to enjoy sexual relations with marriage only. It is an act of ingratitude, insatiability and greed for a person to go after sexual partners other than his or her spouse. This act grieves God’s heart just as it grieved Him when Adam and Eve abandoned all the other fruits they could have eaten in the garden, only to eat that which was forbidden (Genesis 3:11). It is interesting that when God gave Eve to Adam, He gave her to him completely and wholeheartedly. We can imagine a marriage ceremony in which God walks Eve down the aisle and hands her over to Adam “to have, to hold, to cherish and to enjoy.” God’s desire is for spouses to enjoy each other, which is why Proverbs 5:19 says:

“Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.”

What a generous, loving and pleasant Father we have in God, who has blessed us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). In as much as He has given us all things to enjoy, we must enjoy them with the boundaries He has set in His word. Having been good to you by giving you that sweet spouse, He is posing this question in Proverbs 5:20 to you as food for thought:

“And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?”

The stranger here is that extramarital sex partner. Beloved, don’t be an ingrate; the consequences will be grievous for you. Hold tight to the partner God has blessed you with and enjoy him or her only.

Prayer Point: Open Heavens 19 August 2018

Father, I thank You for giving me the privilege of marriage. Please help me to keep my marriage holy as You designed it to be, in Jesus’ Name.

Also Read: Open Heavens 18 August 2018 – The Root of all Evil

Open Heavens 19 August 2018 Sunday Hymn 17: God, Give Us Christian Homes

1. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

2. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

3. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the mother, in caring quest,
Strives to show others Your way is best,
Homes where the Lord is an honored guest;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

4. God give us Christian homes!
Homes where the children are led to know
Christ in His beauty who loves them so,
Homes where the altar fires burn and glow;
God give us Christian homes;
God give us Christian homes!

Open Heavens 19 August 2018 Sunday 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 19 August 2018.

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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RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 19th August 2018, Lesson 50

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RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 19th August 2018, Lesson 50

RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 19th August 2018 -Eternal Reward

MEMORY VERSE: “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” – Matthew 19:29

(scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 19TH AUGUST 2018 HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 (Sunday School STUDENT Manual 19 August 2018)

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

INTRODUCTION:
The scriptures say do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain. It also says the labourer is worthy of his reward. So, God has a reward for all that make it to the kingdom. We shall one day cross to the other side where we shall have exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2Corinth 4:17; Ps. 37:34; Ps. 91:8).

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Types of reward
2. Other types of reward

TYPES OF REWARD
Jesus Christ has prepared crowns for rulers in His coming kingdom. These crowns and their qualifications are:
1. The crown of life (Jam 1:2). The qualification for this is that you must have endured temptation and remained faithful. Other qualifications include overcoming evil, loving the Lord and faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10).
2. The incorruptible crown (1Corin 9:24-25). This is for those who patiently run the race to Heaven and who are temperate in all things.
3. The crown of rejoicing (1Thess. 2:19). You must be a soul winner to receive this crown.
4. The crown of glory (1Pet. 5:4). A crown for true pastors, missionaries and teachers.
5. The crown of righteousness (2Tim. 4:8). It is for those expecting the Lord. They are earnestly waiting for His coming.

OTHER TYPES OF REWARD
Apart from crowns and leadership positions in His kingdom as kings and priests, the believer will also be privileged to:
1. Reign with Christ (Rom. 8:17-18).
2. Behold His face (Ps 17:15; Rev. 22:4).
3. Inherit all things (Rev. 21:7).
4. Shine as a star (Dan.12:3).
5. Be a pillar in the temple of God (Rev. 3:12).
6. Have access to the tree of life (Rev. 22:1-5; 22:14
7. Be glorified with Christ (Gal. 4:7).

CONCLUSION:
Knowing full well that we have this wonderful rewards in serving God, what manner of people should we be? (1 John. 3:2-3).

QUESTIONS:
1. List the various types of crowns.
2. List what qualifies you to have these crowns.
3. What other rewards will Christians receive?

Also Read: RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 12 August 2018, Lesson 50

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 19TH AUGUST 2018 HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

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