Cyprus’s Orthodox Christian Church has defrocked a priest for sexually abusing his stepdaughter when she was a child.
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.
Abusive priest defrocked in first for Cyprus's Orthodox Church
Some Keys to Success in Revitalization We Are Hearing from Leaders – Revitalize & Replant #037
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Successful revitalization needs with a successful leader. Today, we take a look at some keys to being a successful leader in a church revitalization.
Today’s Listener Question:
FROM BENNY
I’m 62 and have been in my current ministry in the NC Triad for 13 years. Our congregation is 30-35 strong, median age of 55 and in desperate need of revitalization. Am I up to the task? What are the keys necessary for me to lead this effort with success?
Episode Highlights:
- The boomer generation is going to be one of the keys to church revitalization in the future.
- When you go into a revitalization effort, you need to make a long term commitment to the church at the onset.
- Church revitalization always starts with prayer.
- Pastors, you need to be praying for your church members daily.
- Your church address is not an accident. God has put your church where it is for a purpose.
The six keys for success that we cover are:
- The leader made a long-term commitment at the onset
- The leader made a decision and commitment not to play the comparison game.
- The leader made a commitment to pray daily for the church members and the community.
- The leader celebrated even small successes.
- The leader became consciously aware of potential distractions
- The leader was highly intentional to minister to his family.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.
I just reported the facts of raid on Sir Cliff Richard home, says BBC journalist
Dan Johnson accepted that his story had “distressed” the 77-year-old Christian and singer.
But he said that distress was not “caused by me uniquely”.
Mr Johnson outlined his thoughts while giving evidence to Mr Justice Mann at a High Court trial in London on Wednesday.
A barrister representing Sir Cliff asked Mr Johnson if he was prepared to offer the singer a “personal apology in court”.
But the judge intervened and said such a line of questioning was “not helpful”.
Sir Cliff has sued the BBC over coverage of the South Yorkshire Police search in August 2014 and wants damages at the “top end” of the scale.
He says the coverage, which involved the use of a helicopter, was a “very serious invasion” of his privacy.
The BBC disputes his claims.
Bosses say coverage of the search of the apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, was accurate and in good faith.
Justin Rushbrooke QC, who heads Sir Cliff’s legal team, asked Mr Johnson if he accepted that his story had caused “massive damage and distress” to the singer.
“I accept that he has been upset and distressed about it,” Mr Johnson replied.
“I accept the distress he feels, I don’t accept it was caused by me uniquely.
“Obviously South Yorkshire Police were part of that and my colleagues at the BBC who were part of the story as well.
“I don’t believe I was at fault, I just reported the facts of a story.
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.
Iran Unveils Devastating New Missile System in Army Day Parade
In a huge military parade to mark National Army Day, Iranian troops showed off the “Kamin-2” missile system as it was driven on the back of a truck through the streets of Tehran.
A low-altitude missile system, the “Kamin-2” is designed to confront military drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and low-flying planes.
This latest military system is an upgraded version of the Mersad missile system.
Local media are reporting that the system has been upgraded by Iranian experts according to the most advanced technology in the world.
In a huge military parade to mark National Army Day, Iranian troops showed off the “Kamin-2” missile system as it was driven on the back of a truck through the streets of Tehran.
A low-altitude missile system, the “Kamin-2” is designed to confront military drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and low-flying planes.
This latest military system is an upgraded version of the Mersad missile system.
Local media are reporting that the system has been upgraded by Iranian experts according to the most advanced technology in the world.
Click here to read more.
Source: Daily Star
Related
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News
MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Thursday, 19 April 2018 – Your Life Is Not Your Own
TOPIC: Your Life Is Not Your Own (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Thursday, 19 April 2018)
FIRE SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:21-26
MEMORY VERSE:
“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” – Romans 14:8
The MESSAGE:
Fred was in dire need of some money to meet some legitimate expenses urgently. Knowing the money he needed was relatively much, he decided to sell his beat-down car. Naturally no one would buy a car for the price he was asking for it. George took out of benevolence of his heart, offered to buy Fred’s car just to help out his friend. George took the car to the mechanic for some repairs after buying if from Fred and the car was good as new. George allowed Fred ride with him in the car. After some time Fred demanding to drive the car and telling George that it was originally his car. He would force George out of the driver’s seat and take the wheels, driving where ever pleased them. With George in the passenger seat watching.
You must be thinking that Fred isn’t really a good person. Sadly, many people act like Fred. After giving their lives to Jesus Christ, they still dictate to Him how they want their lives to be. They want to enjoy all the benefits of salvation yet not allow Jesus be Lord in their lives. They tell the Lord what they want, how they want it and when they want it. They don’t want Him to drive the car of their lives; they make Him seat in the passenger’s seat while they drive. Jesus Christ bought us from the bondage of sin and death with His blood. He translated us from the kingdom of darkness to His kingdom. He purchased us. When you accepted Him, you accepted His Lordship. You entered into a legally binding agreement with Him. He has right to your life. You don’t belong to yourself. If one died for all, then all should live for one (2 Corinthians 5:15). You must not desire to live the life you feel is good for you. He must be Lord over your life. You must desire that He leads you as He pleases. Jesus Christ is not Adviser and Saviour, He is Lord and Saviour. Lord means Master, that’s what He is to us. He saved you so He can be your Lord.
Many people are scared to trust their lives to the hands of the Lord. There is a secret fear that He will wreck their lives. God is a loving Father, He cares about you more than you know. He showed this love by giving His only Son for you (Romans 8:32). Will such a Person desire anything but good for you? Allow Jesus Christ have full control of the vehicle of your life.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
When the realisation that God owns your life dawns on you, you will become more concerned with what His purpose is for your life, and the desire to fulfil that purpose would be the staying force of your life.
PROPHETIC WORD:
The gains of following Jesus shall be yours today.
PRAYER POINTS:
MORNING
1. O Lord, fill me with Your peace and joy, in the name of Jesus.
2. I shall not be moved by external circumstances, in the name of Jesus.
3. Spirit of depression and frustration, go back and afflict your sender, in the name of Jesus.
EVENING
4. Every effort of the enemy to frustrate me shall be futile, in the name of Jesus.
5. Untimely death is not my portion, untimely death is not my family’s portion, in the name of Jesus.
6. I prevail over negative circumstances, in the name of Jesus.
7. My life shall continually bring glory to God, 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.
The post MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Thursday, 19 April 2018 – Your Life Is Not Your Own appeared first on Flatimes.
Joyce Meyer Daily 19 April 2018 Devotional — In Everything, Give Thanks
Topic: In Everything, Give Thanks [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Thursday April 19, 2018]
The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken to pieces and come to ruin, but there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother. — Proverbs 18:24
We should not just praise and offer thanksgiving when there is a reason to do so. It is easy to give thanks and praise if we have a reason. But then it is not a sacrifice. We should, of course, offer up praise and thanksgiving at all times, being mindful to thank God for all the blessings in our lives and for the favor He has shown us.
If we started making a list of blessings we would be quickly enlightened concerning just how good we really have it. There are many things we take for granted because we have an abundance of them, when people in other countries would think they were wealthy if they had them. Clean, fresh water is an example…
In India and many other parts of the world, water is a commodity that is not easy to come by. Some people must walk miles just to get a day’s supply of it. We take baths in it, swim in it, do dishes in it, wash our hair in it, cook with it, etc. We can have it hot or cold, as often as we like, as much as we desire.
There are times while I am taking a hot shower, especially if I am tired, when I stop to give thanks to God for hot water. There are many things to be thankful for if we decide we are going to be people who continually offer up thanksgiving. The flesh looks for things to complain about, but the spirit searches for reasons to give God glory.
Prayer Starter: Father, I want to take a moment right now to thank You for all of the wonderful blessings in my life. Most of all, thank You for Your great love and for sending Jesus so we can have a relationship with You. Help me to always have an attitude of thanks and focus on the good things You are doing in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’
From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.
The post Joyce Meyer Daily 19 April 2018 Devotional — In Everything, Give Thanks appeared first on Flatimes.
First Saudi Cinema Opens With Popcorn and ‘Black Panther’
The lights dimmed and the crowd of men and women erupted into applause and hoots Wednesday evening as Hollywood’s blockbuster “Black Panther” premiered in Saudi Arabia’s first movie theater.
Though it was a private, invitation-only screening, for many Saudis it marked one of the clearest moments of change to sweep the country in decades. It’s seen as part of a new era in which women will soon be allowed to drive and people in the kingdom will be able to go to concerts and fashion shows, and tuck into a bucket of popcorn in a cinema.
“It’s a new era, a new age. It’s that simple. Things are changing, progress is happening. We’re opening up and we’re catching up with everything that’s happening in the world,” said Rahaf Alhendi, who attended the showing.
Authorities said the public would be able to purchase tickets online Thursday for showings starting Friday. But there may be delays.
Movies screened in Saudi cinemas will be subject to approval by government censors, and Wednesday night’s premiere was no exception. Scenes of violence were not cut, but a final scene involving a kiss was axed.
Still, it’s a stark reversal for a country where public movie screenings were banned in the 1980s during a wave of ultraconservatism that swept Saudi Arabia. Many Saudi clerics view Western movies and even Arabic films made in Egypt and Lebanon as sinful.
Despite decades of ultraconservative dogma, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pushed through a number of major social reforms with support from his father, King Salman, to satiate the desires of the country’s…
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News
Malaysian Opposition Leader Mahathir Says Opposition Could Win in Next Month’s Elections
Malaysian opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad said Wednesday that huge rallies indicate some of the ruling coalition’s traditional Malay supporters are now favoring the opposition and a change of government is possible in next month’s elections.
Mahathir, Asia’s longest-serving political leader until retiring after 22 years in 2003, is now leading a four-party alliance to oust scandal-tainted Prime Minister Najib Razak in the May 9 elections. Najib’s ruling coalition has increasingly depended on the Malay Muslim majority in poor rural areas to retain power after urban middle-class voters flocked to the opposition in the past two elections.
In an interview with The Associated Press, the 92-year-old Mahathir said Malay support for the opposition has undergone an obvious increase, citing unusually huge turnouts at rallies.
Mahathir said the opposition wouldn’t need every government supporter to change their mind. “We need maybe 30 percent of them to turn around — that would be sufficient for us to win,” he said.
Yet, Mahathir predicted only a 50-50 chance of victory for the opposition “because of the government’s tendency to cheat, to threaten people, to use money, to even block the election process.”
Najib, 64, has been dogged by a massive corruption scandal involving the 1MDB state investment fund, which he set up and previously led. The fund accumulated massive debt, and the U.S. and other countries are investigating possible cross-border embezzlement and money laundering. Najib himself has denied wrongdoing and has fired critics and muzzled reporting on the…
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News
4 Myths About Gluten-Free Diets and Celiac Disease
For someone who has been diagnosed with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is not just a lifestyle choice — it’s a way to avoid the complications of a real, recognized, autoimmune disease. The popularity of gluten-free diets, however, has also meant that there is some misinformation that comes with the fad.
Celiac disease is not to be confused with a food preference, even setting aside incidents of people claiming that they have food allergies when they really don’t. Perhaps around 1 percent of the US population have diagnosed celiac disease or allergy to gluten.
Gluten allergic reactions can result in the inability to absorb nutrients from food, damage to the intestine, and a higher risk of intestinal cancer — a very different situation than just plain sensitivity to gluten.
Myth #1: No bread, period.
It’s a myth that Celiacs should not eat any sort of bread or bread products.
The fact is, while Celiacs certainly must avoid wheat-based and other gluten-containing bread at all costs, some bread types are actually safe for them to eat. There are plenty of gluten-free bread choices readily available, and there are recipes for those who like to bake it themselves to make sure that their loaf is 100 percent gluten-free, as well, as Business Insider pointed out.
Myth #2: Celiacs just need to avoid wheat bread.
Someone living with Celiac disease is not just being picky about what they eat — avoiding gluten in their diet is the only known measure for the disorder.
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – The Christian Post.
Seeds of Destiny 19 April 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Understanding The Most Important Priority Of Life
Topic: Understanding The Most Important Priority Of Life [Seeds of Destiny Thursday April 19, 2018]
Scripture: This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:21.
Thought For The Day: Our most important priority on earth is living to worship and serve God.
It has been established that one of the greatest weapons of the devil is to make people live with misplaced priority in life. They tend to forget their primary reason for existence and so their lives are occupied with the minor issues of life. They major on the minor things and minor on the major things of life.
For example, imagine someone who goes to the university to study Law as a course and is made a student leader of his department. The question to ask is: being made a student leader and studying Law, which one is the most important thing to him? If he did not go to school to study Law, would he be made the leader of students in his department? Let us assume he abandons the study of Law and faces the responsibility of student leadership, will he be issued a certificate after graduation? No! The truth is, if he abandons the study of Law for the assignment of students’ leadership, after a while, he would be shown the way out of the university because of academic failure. The school management would let him know that it was the course he came to the university to study that gave him the platform to be made a students’ leader.
In the same way, our most important priority on earth is living to worship and serve God. Every other thing in life is a means to this end.
Beloved, make up your mind to give attention to the top priority of life; live to worship and serve God totally.
Remember this: Our most important priority on earth is living to worship and serve God.
Assignments:
1. Do not misplace your priorities in life.
2. Make God your most important priority in life.
Prayer: O Lord, I ask for the grace to make You my most important priority in life. Help me not to misplace my life’s priorities, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE (PART 1).
Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 19:1 to 20:9, Luke 19:28 to 48, Psalm 88:1 to 18, Proverbs 13:12 to 14
Amazing Fact: Humans are the only species of animals that produce emotional tears.
Today In History: 19/04/1897 – The first annual Boston Marathon was held. It was the first of its type in the U.S
Quote: Your aim in life determines your end in life. Culled from 30 SECRETS TO THE TOP Dr Paul Enenche.
“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to 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.
The post Seeds of Destiny 19 April 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Understanding The Most Important Priority Of Life appeared first on Flatimes.
