Billy Graham Devotional 9 July 2018 – Thoughts and Actions

Topic: Thoughts and Actions [Billy Graham’s Devotional Monday July 9, 2018]

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer. — Psalm 19:14 (TLB)

Robert Browning said, “Thought is the soul of the act.” Emerson said, “Thought is the seat of action. The ancestor of every action is thought.” If God destroyed the world once for its continually evil imaginations, is it not reasonable to believe that all of the sin, lust, and licentiousness that is rampant today grieves His heart just as it did in that day? Many people dream of sin, imagine sin, and-if granted the opportunity-would indulge in sin. All they lack is the occasion to sin. So, in the sight of God, they are sinners as great as though they actually had committed immorality. All transgressions begin with sinful thinking.

You who have come to Christ for a pure heart, guard against the pictures of lewdness and sensuality which Satan flashes upon the screen of your imagination, select with care the books you read, choose discerningly the kind of entertainment you attend, the kind of associates with whom you mingle, and the kind of environment in which you place yourself. You should no more allow sinful imaginations to accumulate in your mind and soul than you would let garbage collect in your living room.

Prayer for the day: I need my thoughts to be continually purified by the cleansing power of Your Spirit, almighty God.

“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.

The post Billy Graham Devotional 9 July 2018 – Thoughts and Actions appeared first on Flatimes.

Will Church of England Turn to Pentecostal Preachers to Boost Membership?

(PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/HANS MUSIL)The Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Cathedral of the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primate of All England and religious leader of the Church of England.

The Church of England may be turning to other traditions for revitalization amid plummeting numbers, in hopes that “fresh” preaching styles will reinvigorate and reverse their declining membership.

While the cathedrals and church buildings The Church of England owns are impressive, “these days that’s not enough to fill the pews,” the Associated Press reported Thursday.

A proposal that was likely to be approved Friday at a synod meeting would allow local bishops to decide who can preach sermons in Anglican churches without previous approval from the Archbishop of Canterbury and York, which is the case at present.

“The Church of England thinks it can make itself more attractive by resorting to style,” said Gavin Ashenden, who is a former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II.

“It’s the end of the snobbishness that the Church of England has confined itself with,” he said, expressing concern that the Church might suffer a “demographic meltdown.”

The average age of a Church of England parishioner is 68.

Yet many were moved by the enthusiastic preaching style of Anglican Michael…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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‘Sinners in the Hands …,’ ‘Twas the Night Before …,’ Boys Town

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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Russian Nerve Agent Claims Its First Victim as Woman ‘Infected After Picking Up Contaminated Item’ Dies ‘After Suffering Heart Failure’ – Urban Christian News

The mother poisoned by Novichok in Wiltshire has died in hospital after suffering massive heart failure.

Dawn Sturgess, 44, and her partner Charlie Rowley, 45, were infected by the deadly nerve agent after picking up a contaminated item near where ex-spy Sergei Skripal was found unconscious in Salisbury.

The mother-of-three, who struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, suffered a heart attack after coming into contact with the agent.

Mr Rowley remains critically ill in hospital.

Scotland Yard said they have launched a murder investigation – the second major probe involving the nerve agent this year, following the case of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in March.

British diplomat Julian King, the European Commissioner responsible for the EU’s security union, said: ‘Those behind this are murderers.’

The couple were exposed to the agent at Queen Elizabeth Gardens in Salisbury – just a four-minute walk away from the bench outside The Maltings shopping centre where the Skripals were found poisoned earlier this year.

A police officer was also treated for symptoms there, but was last night given the all clear by medics.

The possibility that the two investigations might be linked is ‘clearly a key line of inquiry for police’, the Met said.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: ‘I am appalled and shocked by the death of Dawn Sturgess, and my thoughts and condolences go to her family and loved ones.

‘Police and security officials are working urgently to establish the facts of this incident, which is now being investigated as a murder.

‘The Government is committed to providing full…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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Open Heaven 9 July 2018 – Not by Might nor By Power

Topic: Not by Might nor By Power [Open Heavens 9th July 2018, Monday Daily Devotional]

Open Heaven 9 July 2018 Memorise: Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. – Zechariah 4:6 

Read: Judge 7:1-7  (KJV) Open Heaven 9 July 2018

1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

2 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.

4 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

7 And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicle 11-13, Acts 24:22-25:12

Open Heaven 9 July 2018 Monday MESSAGE:

Power and might symbolize human strength of every description, including physical, mental, moral, financial and intellectual strength. They represent the degree of resources at a person’s disposal to undertake an assignment, and therefore from the basis of assessment of a person’s ability to achieve success in any given task. Every human being seems to have an awareness of his or her own abilities and limitations, and for this reason we respond with confidence to things we have the natural ability to do, while we react with fear and anxiety to those things we consider beyond our capability. With this understanding, the purpose of God’s words to Zerubbabel in today’s memory verse should become clearer to the discerning heart. Zerubbabel was responsible for directing the work of building God’s temple in Jerusalem. God sent him these words through Prophet Zechariah because the temple was being rebuilt under very challenging conditions. God gave the prophet a vision of the candlestick with seven lamps, seven pipes and two olive trees, to show that just as oil was being supernaturally supplied to these lamps, so also was the work of rebuilding the temple being accomplished through spiritual means far beyond human understanding. I therefore decree over you that the unseen hand of God will intervene in your situation today, and your victory will confound your enemies and detractors in Jesus’ Name.

So you need not be discouraged by your personal weaknesses, because the weakness of man is not an obstacle to the move of God. God can accomplish His purpose “whether with many or with them that have no power” (2 Chronicles 14:11). God’s purpose in any situation will always be accomplished, irrespective of personal weakness or the limitations of the people involved. God has chosen to work in this manner because He does not want any man to glory in his presence, neither does He share His glory with anyone (1 Corinthians 1:17-29, Isaiah 42:8). God specializes in using physically weak and inadequate persons to confound and dispossess giants. He used David, who was but a young man without military experience, to overcome Goliath the giant champion of the Philistines. He also used four unarmed leprous men to put the whole Syrian army, which had besieged Samaria for months, to flight (2 Kings 7). All these were made possible because God’s purpose is always carried out in the power of His Spirit, and His power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I prophesy that the power of God will perfect your weakness and use you to accomplish great things in this generation in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please help me to depend completely on You in Jesus’ Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 8 July 2018 – Be Courageous

Open Heaven 9 July 2018 Hymn 10: My Faith Looks Up To Thee.

1. My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2. May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!

3. While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4. When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!

Open Heaven 9 July 2018, Monday 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.

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.

Open Heaven 9 July 2018

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Master of Gothic Revival Architecture Awaits Discovery

(PHOTO BY DENNIS LENNOX)Ramsgate, England.

His ideas on architecture propelled the revival of medieval Gothic and influenced the designs of churches everywhere.

His name? Augustus W.N. Pugin.

Pugin’s career was short — he died in 1852 at the age of 40 — but he arguably defined Gothic Revival. At the same time, his conversion from the Anglicanism of the established Church of England to Roman Catholicism, despite Catholic emancipation in 1829, undoubtedly denied him the legacy and honors he was due.

While Pugin is chiefly associated with church architecture his piece de resistance was the Palace of Westminster, which houses the U.K. Parliament and is one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

(PHOTO BY DENNIS LENNOX)The portrait of Augustus W.N. Pugin inside The Grange in Ramsgate, England.

To discover the master of Gothic Revival I couldn’t think of a better place to visit than Ramsgate in the far southeast of England.

Pugin called this quintessential English seaside town home, having built a small manor house, called The Grange, within the precincts of his other pet project, St. Augustine’s Church.

Yet even here Pugin plays second fiddle to Ramsgate’s famous beaches, though all-inclusive packages, made possible by cheap low-cost airlines, mean many Britons now flock to the beaches of the Iberian Peninsula and other warmer climates. Today, a burgeoning arts scene and the draw of lower home prices, which attract those commuting to London by train, have rejuvenated Ramsgate.

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.

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Pastor Warryn and Wife Erica Campbell Explain Importance of Talking About Sex in Church (Video)

(Screenshot” YouTube)Warryn and Erica Campbell release new reality show on TV One, “We’re the Campbells,” June 2018.

One half of the gospel group Mary Mary, Erica Campbell, her husband, world-renowned music producer/pastor Warryn Campbell recently linked up with their children and family for a new reality show on TV One and the couple talk about the importance of discussing sex in church.

“I think the line between Christianity and sexuality shouldn’t be as a wide gap,” Warryn explained in a “We’re the Campbells” promo clip. “People are scared to talk about sex in church [but] you sitting here talking to a bunch of people who all got here cause somebody had sex.”

The series showcases the realities of how Warryn and Erica work to keep their love strong and keeping their sex-life strong is a part of that. The award-winning music producer is also a pastor of the California Worship Center and believes this topic should be talked about openly.

“I think it’s really stupid to omit that conversation from the church and…

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Nearly 1 Million Displaced in Ethiopia Amid Ethnic Violence – Urban Christian News

About one million people have fled their homes due to ethnic violence in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most-populous country, which could lead to a major humanitarian crisis, an international Christian development organization has warned.

Around 40,000 people were displaced in June alone in southern Ethiopia, as they fled the possibility of disease outbreaks and extremely high malnutrition rates among displaced children, according to World Vision.

The violence began in April fuelled by grievances over land in the ethnically diverse country of 100 million people. Protests due to a sense of marginalization among several ethnic groups had forced Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to resign in February.

Violence is taking place in the border areas of Gedeo in the SNNP, or Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, and in West Guji in Oromia state.

“Survivors have seen their homes burnt and looted, ruining their means of earning an income. Even when security returns, people will struggle to provide food for their families for months, jeopardising their children’s health,” Getahun Mara, World Vision Ethiopia’s Emergency Nutrition Coordinator, says in a statement.

Click here to read more.
Source: Christian Post

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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First Rescued Boys Leave Thai Cave as Operation Gets Underway – Urban Christian News

Two ambulances were seen Sunday evening leaving a cave in northern Thailand where 12 youth soccer players and their coach have been trapped for more than two weeks, hours after an operation began to rescue them.

The ambulances drove to a nearby helipad, and a helicopter was seen taking off. Officials had said earlier that helicopters were on standby to take anyone rescued from the cave to a hospital.

It was unclear who was inside the ambulances or the helicopter. Officials did not immediately comment.

The operation to rescue the 12 boys and their coach by having them dive out of the flooded cave began in the morning, with expert divers entering the sprawling complex for the complicated and dangerous mission.

Chiang Rai province acting Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn, who is heading the operation, said that 13 foreign and five Thai divers were taking part in the rescue and that two divers would accompany each boy as they’re gradually extracted.

“Divers will work with doctors in the cave to examine each the kids’ health to determine who should get to come out first,” Narongsak said in the morning.

The entire operation to rescue all 13 could last two to four days, depending on weather and water conditions, said army Maj. Gen. Chalongchai Chaiyakam.

The only way to bring the boys, ages 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach out of Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai province is by navigating dark and tight passageways filled with muddy water and strong currents, as well as oxygen-depleted air. A former Thai navy SEAL passed out and died making the dive Friday.

Experienced cave rescue…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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Pray for The Storehouse Community

Location: Greencastle, Pennsylvania

Pastor: John Bartlett

Weekly Worship: 10:00 AM, Eastern

Fast Facts: The Storehouse, originally Calvary Bible Church, went through a drastic decline following the death of the original pastor in 2009. From approximately 375 members, the church dropped to around 40 in 2015. Pastor Bartlett come in June of 2015 and has helped the church transition from an inward focused church to one that’s focused on getting into its community. Storehouse operates a food bank, and primarily ministers to men and women caught in the substance use epidemic that’s hit our nation. God has positioned Storehouse with partnerships with county government and other agencies to help bring hope to those struggling in this substance abuse. Please pray as they move forward to be faithful to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Also pray for their partnership with Noah’s House and Gracie’s Place in Chambersburg. These are faith based homes for men and women wanting out of substance abuse. Storehouse’s desire is to have more homes like these in its county.

Website: ExploreSHC.com


“Pray for . . .” is the Sunday blog series at ThomRainer.com. We encourage you to pray for these churches noted every Sunday. Please feel free to comment that you are praying as well.

If you would like to have your church featured in the “Pray for…” series, fill out this information form..

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