Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church baptises 50,000th person

In an email sent to members, the pastor said: “Imagine all the amazing personal stories of changed lives behind that number! 50,000 individual lives transformed by Jesus since Saddleback Church began.

“This is unprecedented in history! You are likely one of those stories of a changed life.

 

The popular international church has 16 locations throughout Southern California. It also has affiliated churches in Berlin, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires and South Manila in the Philippines.

Expressing what is behind the number of people dedicating their lives to Christ at Saddleback Church, Warren added: “I’m often asked ‘Why has this church, by God’s grace, been able to bring so many unbelievers to Jesus?’ Because of your love.

“You genuinely love people and you want them to go to heaven with you! Every day, you bring your friends, co-workers, and family to Jesus.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen a group like you anywhere else in the world. I’m humbled to be your pastor, and I could not be more proud of you.”

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Five Ways the #MeToo Movement Will Likely Impact Churches

The #MeToo Movement will be one of the historic markers of 2018. Its impact is felt in the entertainment industry, in politics, in businesses and, undoubtedly, in churches. While we have yet to understand fully the impact in local churches, we can anticipate changes that will come. Here are five ways the #MeToo movement will likely impact churches.

  1. More churches will adopt the Billy Graham rule. The Billy Graham rule, at its essence, says a person should not be alone with a person of the opposite gender if that person is not your spouse. This practice, disparaged and ridiculed by many as archaic, legalistic, and unfair, could have saved a lot of heartache if it had been embraced earlier. It will bring changes in counseling, travel, and meetings.
  2. More churches will add me-too questions for background checks. There are already a number of background checks done on prospective pastors and church staff. Background checks for credit, legal, and social media are now common. It will likely be common for churches to ask prospective pastors and staff if there is anything in their history that could bring shame to the person and the church.
  3. Smaller churches will make changes to make sure two people are not alone in the church office. It is not uncommon in many smaller churches to have only two people in the office, commonly the pastor and an assistant. Likewise, it is common for those two people to be of the opposite gender. Anticipate an acceleration of the trend toward virtual assistants, even (or…

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David Ibiyeomie: Always Seek Knowledge

Topic: Always Seek Knowledge

Investment is an act of devoting your time, effort, energy or money to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result. An investment is a thing that is worth putting your money, effort or time in because it will be profitable or useful for you in the future.

Invest in your destiny by increasing your knowledge which will in turn boost the resources that will enhance your result here on earth. Any time you buy a cloth, it only covers your body but when you invest in books by proven authors to boost your knowledge, it provides a covering for your destiny. You must seek for knowledge if you want to beautify your life.

Dan.9:2 -In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

While his peers were eating, drinking and making merry, Daniel was reading, studying and researching; and it was recorded that he was relevant in four regimes of government even in a foreign land. Knowledge distinguished him. Daniel would not have been relevant if he spent his time with other young men whiling away time on irrelevant matters.

Prov.22:17 -Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings, {GNT}

When you keep buying clothes and shoes every month without investing in knowledge, a time will come when you will no longer be relevant but when you invest in resource materials, the knowledge you acquire will buy as many wears as you desire.

Learners are open hearted, ever sensitive to learn and research. It is time to change your financial plan. Stop going for things that will not be of any relevance to your future. Please, don’t get me wrong; I am not saying you should not wear clothes; I mean you should prioritize on things that will take your destiny to where it ought to be. You need more information to secure your colourful future.

Prov.18:15 – The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

What you place value on matters in determining the destiny of your life; it is not the clothes you wear that matter; it is the values in you that matter most. Therefore, seek knowledge and the knowledge you acquire will bring all the comforts of life that you desire 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.

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Malians Vote in Presidential Runoff Amid Attacks & Threats – Urban Christian News

Malians voted Sunday in a runoff presidential election to determine if incumbent Ibrahim Boubacar Keita will remain in office in this sprawling West African nation threatened by rising extremist violence. He faced off against opposition leader Soumaila Cisse.

Sunday’s polls had low turnout by closing amid attacks and threats of violence by Islamic extremists.

The chairman of Arkodia village in the north Niafunke commune in Timbuktu region was killed, four election workers were physically harassed and the polling station there was burned, according to the Citizen Observation Pool of Mali which had more than 2,000 observers. The organization reported several incidents Sunday.

Two polling stations were burned in Keltamba and election officials were harmed by gunmen in Ngouma commune in central Mali, observers said.

In north and central Mali more than 50 polling stations had closed before noon because of the threats by extremists in those regions, the organization said.

In the polling centers covered by its observers, the organization said the participation rate was about 8.1 percent. It said 14.4 percent participated in Timbuktu, and only 4.8 percent in Bamako.

However, their observers did not cover all voting areas, and the election commission hasn’t yet given its estimate of voter turnout.

In the July 29 first-round presidential vote, extremists killed three election workers and destroyed some voting materials.

Nearly 43 percent of voters made it to the polls last month and at least 671 polling stations were closed. Despite the relatively low turnout officials called the vote…

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Understanding the Unlimited Power of Faith! By David Oyedepo

Topic: Understanding the Unlimited Power of Faith!

Welcome to another impactful week! I hope you were blessed by last week teaching. Today, we shall focus on Unveiling the Unlimited Power of Faith!

From scriptures, we discover that faith is the master key for taking the delivery of our inheritances in Christ. As it is written: Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

But, what is unique about Faith?

Faith is a Spiritual Treasure of Inestimable Value: This means we cannot place value on it because it is far beyond what can be measured. Therefore, faith is the answer to every problem of life. For instance, when Jesus’ disciples asked Him why they couldn’t deliver the boy possessed with demons, Jesus said: …Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20; see also Matthew 15:28). Faith is also the answer to the breakthroughs we desire (Hebrews 11:30; Luke 5:3-8).

It is the Covenant Trigger for the Manifestation of the Power of God: Faith triggers the flow of virtue, which brings about our healing, health and wholeness. For instance, we saw from the Scripture that the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’ garment by faith and she was made perfectly whole. Her faith simply triggered the flow of virtue that ended her shame and reproach. This shows that when we exercise faith, virtue is triggered for our healing and deliverances (Luke 8:44-48). We must understand that faith is our covenant access to the power of God in the Word. When our faith in the Word comes alive, God’s power flows supernaturally and changes our situations. That means, without faith, we cannot see the power of God and without the power of God, we cannot be healed, delivered or set free. That’s why we must strive to invest in building our faith so we can take delivery of our redemptive packages (Romans 1:16).

Faith has the capacity to dominate the world of the spirit by quenching all the fiery darts of the devil: When faith comes alive, we tap into the power of God that no other power can confront. It is by faith that we dominate the world of the spirit and ‘have it the way we want’ in spite of fiery opposing forces (Ephesians 6:16).

Faith brings God’s hand to bear on a man’s life for exploits: Faith brings God’s hand to bear on our situations and when He stretches forth His hand, no one can turn it back (Isaiah 14:27, 43:14, 53:1). This is why no force from hell can stop faith from having its way (Matthew 19:26; Hebrews 11:32-34).

How Unlimited is the Power of Faith?

It is important to recognise that everything in redemption belongs to us but only what we believe is released. This is because any truth of scriptures we receive and believe, commits God to empower us to realise it. That is, we must believe the Word before we can be empowered to become what it says (John 1:12). Also, we discover that faith holds the answer to all the questions of our lives. This is because faith, as a virtue, has unlimited power to deliver at anytime everything that pertains to us in God. This was why when the blind men met Jesus for their healing, He said to them: According to your faith be it unto you (Matthew 9:29). Furthermore, we understand from scriptures that there is no irreversible case with faith. For example, when one of the rulers of the synagogue told Jairus not to disturb Jesus because his daughter was dead, the Bible records: But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole (Luke 8:50). From this scripture, it is therefore evident that faith has the capacity to revert any situation. Moreover, when Martha told Jesus that Lazarus was already dead for four days, He replied: …Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:39-40). Thus, through faith, Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus came back to life. That’s how powerful faith is!

However, it is important to note that obedience is the only biblical validity of faith (James 2:18). We understand from scriptures that Abraham’s faith was validated by his obedience. Moreover, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee when the wine was exhausted, Mary told the servants: Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it (John 2:5; see also Genesis 12:1-4, 17:10-11, 23, 22:1-3).Thus, faith does not just believe God; it obeys Him to prove our faith in Him to make good His promise. Thus, we must understand that the worth of any man’s life in the Kingdom is a function of the faith at work in him. That’s why the Bible says …the just shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4; see also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). Also, faith has the capacity to exempt any man from the horrors of life (1 John 5:4; Psalm 91:7-8; Matthew 9:29). Faith deflates every pressure and brings us to the realm of divine pleasure. All these make faith an asset of inestimable value.

In summary, we must understand that though a revelation of the Word shows us our redemptive rights, it is faith that enforces its release/delivery in our lives. This is why it is not enough to have revelation; it must be mixed with faith in our hearts before we can partake of the profits therein (Hebrews 4:2). Thus, doing what is required to build our faith for maximum impact is worth it. Remember, nothing of value is free. We must, therefore, pay the price to build our faith and labour to destroy unbelief through commitment to continuous study of God’s Word and other anointed materials, so we can enter into His rest. However, to experience the unlimited power of faith you must be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Unlimited Power of Faith, Exploits of Faith, Born to Win and Satan get Lost.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin.

David O. Oyedepo is a Nigerian Christian author, architect, preacher, and the founder and presiding bishop of the mega church, Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel.

Please click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo

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Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 13 August 2018 Daily Devotional – Heart to Heart

Topic: Heart to Heart [Kenneth & Gloria Copeland 13th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. – 1 Corinthians 2:16, The Amplified Bible

Isn’t it exciting to realize that you can hold the thoughts and feelings and purposes of God’s very own heart in your heart? Isn’t it thrilling to know the Creator of heaven and earth wants to be one spirit with you and transmit His thoughts to your mind?

First Corinthians 6:17 says that when you were joined to the Lord you became one spirit with Him. He came into union with you so that He can talk to you heart to heart. God wants you in this harmony with Him so that His thoughts can become your actions. He wants you to walk so closely with Him that you never lack power to overcome the evil of this world. He wants you to be so in tune with His Spirit that you are able to feel His heart of compassion toward those around you who are hurting or bowed down with sickness and pain. He wants to be one with you, so He can reach out through your hands and fulfill His purposes in the earth.

Make a fresh commitment today to walk in union with your God. Give your attention to His Spirit in your inner man. Determine to yield to His voice and not to the voices of the world or the flesh!

Allow the mind of Christ to flow through you!

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2

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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2, Including Chinese Tourist, Killed in Kenya Hippo Attacks – Urban Christian News

A Chinese tourist was attacked and killed by a hippo while taking pictures on the edge of Lake Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley, just hours after a local fisherman was mauled to death in the same area, authorities said Sunday.

A second Chinese tourist was injured in the incident Saturday night and received treatment in the local hospital in Naivasha, 91 kilometers (56 miles) miles southeast of Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service said in a statement.

In the same area, a Kenyan fisherman was attacked by another hippo a few kilometers (miles) from where the incident with the Chinese occurred, a police official said.

“The man was bitten on the chest and his injuries were serious and he died minutes after he was retrieved from the lake,” said Rift Valley Head of Criminal investigations Gideon Kibunja.

The deaths brought to six the number people who have been killed by hippos around Lake Naivasha so far this year.

Wildlife service spokesman Paul Udoto said the circumstances are not clear in which the two Chinese were attacked. He said attacks on tourists are rare because they are usually protected by guides.

He said hippos and lone buffalos pose the greatest danger to humans and there have been many attacks in which civilians and even rangers have lost their lives.

Source: Associated Press

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Our Daily Bread Devotional 13 August 2018 – The Gift of Time

Topic: The Gift of Time [Our Daily Bread 13th Monday August, 2018]

Read: Luke 6:37–38, Bible in a Year: Psalms 87–88; Romans 13

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

I headed into the post office in a big hurry. I had a number of things on my to-do list, but as I entered I was frustrated to find a long line backing up all the way to the door. “Hurry up and wait,” I muttered, glancing at my watch.

My hand was still on the door when an elderly stranger approached me. “I can’t get this copier to work,” he said, pointing to the machine behind us. “It took my money and I don’t know what to do.” Immediately I knew what God wanted me to do. I stepped out of line and was able to fix the problem in ten minutes.

The man thanked me and then left. As I turned to get back in line, it was gone. I walked straight to the service counter.

My experience that day reminds me of Jesus’s words: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).

My wait seemed shorter because God interrupted my hurry. By turning my eyes to others’ needs and helping me give of my time, He gave me a gift. It’s a lesson I hope to remember, next time I look at my watch.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, all of the time I have is in Your hands, a gift from You. Please show me how to use it to bring glory and honor to You.

Sometimes our to-do list needs to wait.

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

This message was written By James Banks [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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DCLM Daily Manna 13th August 2018 – Obedience Brings Blessings

Topic: Obedience Brings Blessings [DCLM Daily Manna 13th August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Text: Numbers 15:30-41 (KJV)

Key Verse: “That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God” (Numbers 15:40).

MESSAGE:

God’s untiring efforts to let people know His Word and ways, and walk therein are for their benefit. For instance, had King Zedekiah heeded Jeremiah’s counsel, the destruction of Jerusalem would have been averted. His failure not only brought about the destruction of Jerusalem but his children were also killed before him; his two eyes were plucked out and he was carried bound with fetters to Babylon where he died.

God warns against presumptuous sin – a deliberate, defiant sin which is an affront to God’s authority over man, and therefore carries capital punishment of death. God commanded Moses to instruct the Israelites to make fringes in the borders of their garments, as a reminder of their obligation to keep all His commandments. Similarly today, all believers are expected not to “live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Knowing the truth of God’s word and obeying them sets a man free – sinners are saved, and believers are preserved in true righteousness. Christians are no longer required to put fringes on the borders of their garments. But the demand to remember and obey every word of God still subsists. A sustained and fruitful fellowship with God can only be guaranteed when His people continue in His Word – in total obedience and holy living. As we read, study and meditate on the word of God daily, He will give us strength to obey it.

Thought For The Day: There is gain in obedience.

Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 23-25

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 13 August 2018 – The Tragic Effects Of Rebellion

Topic: The Tragic Effects Of Rebellion [Seeds of Destiny 13 August 2018 Daily Devotional]

Scripture: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 1 Samuel 15:23

Thought For The Day: To disregard authority is to sacrifice your destiny.

It has been confirmed that the worst form of failure in life is not the failure to make money but the failure to become what God created you to be. satan desperately desires that children of God fail in life by attacking them with certain deadly enemies of destiny.

Now, one of these deadly enemies of destiny is rebellion or disregard for authority. A very good example of someone who existed in rebellion or disregard for authority was Samson. Samson had no authority figure over his life; he had no one to call him to order until he died as a great disaster.

I like you to take note of the following concerning the lifestyle of rebellion or disregard for authority:

i) Whosoever disregards authority sacrifices destiny
To disregard authority is to sacrifice your destiny.

ii) He who cannot be called to order must end with a destiny of disorder
A destiny that is out of order is a product of unwillingness to be called to order.

iii) No one can be in authority or last in authority who refuses to be under authority
Whenever you refuse to be under authority, you can never last in authority or even be in authority.

iv) The craving for independence is the grave of destiny
To always do it your own way is to dig your own grave.

v) The spirit of rebellion is the doorway to irrelevance on earth and damnation in eternity
The rebellious shall dwell in a dry land (Psalm 68:6). No fruitfulness for the rebellious.

My counsel is, avoid the lifestyle of rebellion and disregard for authority. Ask God to show you the spiritual figure over your life and make the decision to submit to their authority.

Remember this: To disregard authority is to sacrifice your destiny.

Assignments:
1. Avoid the lifestyle of rebellion; refuse to live a life that disregards authority.
2. Prayerfully identify God’s authority figures over your life and submit for instruction and counsel if you have not yet done so.

Prayer: O Lord, I reject the lifestyle of rebellion and disregard for spiritual authority. I ask for the grace to submit to the spiritual authority over my life, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: DEADLY ENEMIES OF DESTINY (PART 3).

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 5:14 to 7:73a, 1 Corinthians 8:1 to 13, Psalm 33:1 to 11, Proverbs 21:8 to 10

Amazing Fact: An Albatross can soar for as long as six hours without moving its wings.

Today In History: 13/08/1889 – A patent for a coin-operated telephone was issued to William Gray.

Quote: And when you lose grip of your humility, you lose grip of your authority. Culled from 21 FOOLISH THINGS PEOPLE DO by Dr Paul Enenche

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance Tomorrow by 9am. Come with your friends and loved ones to experience the yoke-destroying power of God.

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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