Billy Graham’s Devotional 1 April 2018 – Glory in the Cross

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Billy Graham’s Devotional 1 April 2018 – Glory in the Cross

Topic: Glory in the Cross [Billy Graham’s Daily Sunday April 1, 2018]

As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Galatians 6:14 (TLB)

What glory is there in the cross? It was an instrument of torture and shame. Why did Paul glory in it? He gloried in it because the most selfless act ever performed by men or angels took place upon it. He saw-emanating from that rough, unartistic beam upon which the Son of God had been crucified—the radiant hope of the world, the end of the believer’s bondage to sin, and the love of God shed abroad in the hearts of men. A lone man dying on a cross did more to restore man’s lost harmony with God, his fellowman, and himself, than the combined genius and power of earth’s mighty. With my finite limitations, I cannot fully comprehend the mystery of Christ’s atonement. I only know that all who come to the cross in simple, trusting faith lose all their guilty stains and find peace with God.

Prayer for the day: Like the Apostle Paul, Father, help me to glory in the cross of Jesus and more fully understand the tremendous meaning it has for me as a believer and for all who would come to its foot and kneel.

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’s Devotional 1 April 2018 – Glory in the Cross appeared first on Flatimes.

Stephen Hawking’s family say their last goodbyes as thousands line the streets of Cambridge for the physicist’s funeral, where Eddie Redmayne paid tribute to the scientist he played on screen

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Stephen Hawking’s family say their last goodbyes as thousands line the streets of Cambridge for the physicist’s funeral, where Eddie Redmayne paid tribute to the scientist he played on screen

© Licensed to London News Pictures. 31/03/2018. Cambridge, UK. The funeral of Stephen Hawking at Church of St Mary the Great in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Professor Hawking, who was famous for ground-breaking work on singularities and black hole mechanics, suffered from motor neurone disease from the age of 21. He died at his Cambridge home in the morning of 14 March 2018, at the age of 76. Photo credit: Ben Cawthra/LNP

Stephen Hawking’s family said their final goodbyes today, as thousands lined the streets Cambridge for the funeral of the renowned theoretical physicist, who died peacefully at his home earlier this month.

Despite having said he is an atheist, Prof Hawking’s family, including ex wife Jane Hawking, son Timothy Hawking and daughter Lucy Hawking, who were pictured leaving the church in tears, felt a traditional Anglican service would give his many friends in the city a chance to pay tribute to him.

The service was held at Great St Mary’s Church, a stone’s throw from Gonville and Caius College, where he was a fellow for 52 years, and saw Eddie Redmayne, who portrayed Prof Hawking in the Hollywood biopic The Theory of Everything, give a reading from the Bible entitled Everything Has Its Time.

Crowds lined the streets to pay their final respects to the much admired scientist and a spontaneous round of applause broke out as six porters from the physicist’s former college carried his coffin from the hearse into the church. The bell tolled 76 times for the physicist, one for every year of his life.

Redmayne was among the first to arrive earlier in the day….

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9-ton Chinese Space Station Tiangong-1 to Light Up When It Crash Lands on Earth This Weekend

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9-ton Chinese Space Station Tiangong-1 to Light Up When It Crash Lands on Earth This Weekend

The out-of-control Chinese space station heading for Earth this weekend is expected to put on a “splendid show”, according to experts.

The Tiangong-1 space craft is expected to tear across the sky – similar to that of a meteor shower – once it plummets into the Earth’s atmosphere somewhere between today and Easter Monday.

Chinese authorities say it is unlikely the nine-tonne space station will cause any damage.

Holger Krag, head of the European Space Agency said: “If you’re in the right place at the right times, and the sky is clear, it will be quite spectacular.

The ESA is currently predicting a narrower window of tonight to late Sunday evening.

“It will be visible to the naked eye, even in daylight, and look like a slow-moving shooting star that splits into a few more shooting stars. You might even see a smoke trial.”

Click here to read more.
Source: The Sun

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Open Heavens 1 April 2018 Sunday — The Secret Things

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Open Heavens 1 April 2018 Sunday — The Secret Things

Topic: The Secret Things [Open Heavens 1 April 2018, Sunday]

Memorise: “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” – Psalm 25:14 (Scroll down for Open Heavens Hymn)

Read: Daniel 2:10-23 (KJV)

10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:

15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 29-30, Philippians 3:1-4:1

MESSAGE:

The benevolent Creator of all things speaks to mankind using different means and methods, one of which is dreams. King Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream which became worrisome to him when he realised that he could not even remember its details. Indeed, the awesome God of heaven and of earth does what pleases Him in the affairs of men. The king thought he had experts who could unravel his mysterious dream, but he was mistaken. His astrologers and stargazers could not reveal the secret things of life to him. Disappointed, he threatened to kill them all. Little did he know of the way God works, outlined in today’s memory verse. If you will be wise and learn from King Nebuchadnezzar’s experience, you need to first recognise and accept that there are secret things which determine the course of life. The knowledge of such secret things could avert evil, make a person wise in decision making and even lead to unimaginable breakthroughs in life. My prayer for you today is that secrets which will lead to your success will not be hidden from you in Jesus’ Name. In Joseph’s time, it was the revelation of the devil’s secret plans to destroy the whole of Egypt and all other surrounding nations with hunger that saved from dying during a devastating seven years of famine (Genesis 41). King Nebuchadnezzar would have killed all his so-called wise men out of frustration, but for the God of heaven who intervened through His prophet, Daniel.

When King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree brought the threat of death to the doorstep of Daniel and his cohorts, they sought the mercies of the God of heaven, and He released His wisdom to them. Beloved, where do you seek wisdom: from God or from men? The wisdom of men will definitely disappoint you, and so you must seek the wisdom you need for overcoming life’s challenges from God. You may be wondering what the basis of my recommendation is. God is rich in mercy and His mercy endures for ever (Ephesians 2:4, 1 Chronicles 16:34). Because He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, He knows the secrets behind all things that are yet to happen (Isaiah 46:10). You would therefore be wise to put your trust in Him. Daniel and his brethren consulted Him and they were not disappointed. Furthermore, learn a vital lesson from their attitude after the secret things of the king’s dream were revealed to them by God: they gave all the glory back to Him immediately (Daniel 2:20-23). This attitude is unlike that of some people who after obtaining just one degree would conclude that there is no God. We know what the Bible calls such people in Psalm 14:1. I pray for you today: the knowledge that would take faith away from your heart will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: I thank you Father because sound wisdom come from You; please don’t deny me secrets of life that will lead me to Your presence on the last day.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Open Heavens 31 March 2018 Saturday — What Is The Value Of Your Life?’’

HYMN 6:
A NEW THING
(Tune: There shall be showers of Blessing)

1. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because GOD will do new things
Sinners will soon be forgiven
Prodigals will come home soon.

Chorus:
Shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Rivers in desert now flowing
Halleluyah to our king.

2. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Sickness and sorrow will be gone
Bondage will be forgotten.

3. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
The barren will be fruitful soon
Failure will be forgotten

4. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Poverty will be forgotten
Stagnancy will soon be gone.

5. We will soon shout Hallelujah
Because God will do new things
To all miracles are given
There shall be celebrations

6. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Many will have testimonies
Of prayers answered fully

7. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
One of us will chase a thousand
Two will conquer ten thousand.

8. We will soon shout Halleluyah
Because God will do new things
Songs of praises we will sing
Halleluyah to our King.

Open Heavens 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: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!

The post Open Heavens 1 April 2018 Sunday — The Secret Things appeared first on Flatimes.

MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Saturday, 31 March 2018 – Where Are The Onesiphorus Of Our Time?

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TOPIC: Where Are The Onesiphorus Of Our Time? (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Saturday, 31 March 2018)

TOPIC: Where Are The Onesiphorus Of Our Time?

FIRE SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 1:13-18

MEMORY VERSE:
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:” – 2 Timothy 1:16

The MESSAGE:

Paul encouraged the Christians in Ephesus through his beloved son, Timothy, to hold fast the pattern of sound words which they had heard from him in faith and love in Christ Jesus which was only achievable through the Holy Spirit that dwelled in them. He also made mention of disciples who deserted him when he was in bonds among them were Phygellus and Hermogenes. Paul did not fail to mention those who were loyal to him in ministry; prominent among them were those of the household of Onesiphorus.

Who are today’s Onesiphorus?

They are those who refresh the men of God.
They are those who are not ashamed of the condition of the man of God in the times of trials of their faith.
They are those who identify with the man of God during period of crisis.
They are those who zealously seek for the welfare of the man of God.
They are those who intercede for the man of God.
They are those who give to the ministry and also the man of God.

Apostle Paul prayed for Onesiphorus to find the mercy of the Lord in that day. The prayer to find the mercy of the Lord is an all-embracing prayer every Christian should covet from their parents in the Lord.

Do you go to your parents in the Lord to be ministered unto all the time? Have you ever thought of being a minister unto them as Onesiphorus did? Do you refresh them and pray for them? Your answers to these questions will classify you as either belonging to the group of Phygellus and Hermogenes or Onesiphorus. The Lord is seeking for Onesiphorus who will bring refreshing to His servants, working day and night in His vineyard. May you receive the mercy of the Lord as you become an Onesiphorus.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
The secret of greatness and fulfilment in God’s kingdom is in partnering with God and His ministers.

PROPHETIC WORD:
The Most High God will make you an Onesiphorus of our time.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Father, make me a dependable purpose partner to Your vessel (my spiritual father), in the name of Jesus.
2. O Lord, give me the grace that You bestowed on Onesiphorus, in the name of Jesus.
3. O Lord, let the blessings and reward of Onesiphorus be my portion too, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. I shall not be a bad example like Phygellus and Hermogenes, in the name of Jesus.
5. I accept the spirit of Onesiphorus and reject the spirit of Phygellus and Hermogenes, in the name of Jesus.
6. I receive the grace to refresh my pastor and intercede for him, in the name of Jesus.
7. My household and I shall receive divine commendation and blessing for supporting God’s vessels, 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: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!

The post MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Saturday, 31 March 2018 – Where Are The Onesiphorus Of Our Time? appeared first on Flatimes.

Suffering of Syrian Christians raised in House of Lords

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Suffering of Syrian Christians raised in House of Lords

Maundy Thursday’s House of Lords debate was on Syria, in which David Alton spoke spoke: “there have been widespread reports of arbitrary arrests, threats of violence and looting of civilian property by the Free Syrian Army—a group the United Kingdom Government have previously told us that they support.”

“The consequences for Syria have been lethal for millions of people, not least in the slaughter of the region’s minorities…Nearly 10,000 Yazidis are believed to have been killed or captured by ISIS, with more than 3,000 Yazidi girls and women believed to be currently enslaved in Syria. Christians have also experienced a genocide that began with the Armenians at the beginning of the 20th century and continues to this day.”

Speaking specifically of the plight of Christians, he said:”The Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo says that two-thirds of Syrian Christians have either been killed or driven away from his country.”

Lord Alton explained what one Christian family had gone through: “I serve as a pro bono member of the board of the charity Aid to the Church in Need, and have been deeply moved by the accounts of many who have given evidence to the charity. The suffering that they have experienced was described last night at a Passiontide Wednesday service at St Patrick’s, Soho. One of those who has given evidence told me the story of a Christian family: a mother and 12…

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Notable Voices and the Week in Review: March 31, 2018

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5 Things That Often Lead Parents Into Debt — Art Rainer

We love our kids. We wants what is best for them. And we will do anything for them. These desires are good. But sometimes these good desires can lead us to make bad financial decisions for our family.

4 Church Easter Service Fails You Have to See — Facts & Trends

For Christians, Holy Week is usually a somber time capped with a joyous Easter celebration, but sometimes you have to laugh at what happens at some churches. Congregations often use the season to do special services with an eye toward potential guests in the building. Those special services don’t always go as planned. Here are four church Easter service fails to make you laugh today.

Before You Preach this Easter — Marty Duren

In many places around the world attendance will be higher than normal, while in other places there will be little or no change. We pray for people to believe, for their lives to be eternally changed. Some churches see many come to faith; others see none. Some pastors enter the pulpit under pressure, much of it self-induced, but none of it necessary. Before you preach this Easter, remember:

2 Dumb Ways Leaders Deal With Their Weaknesses — Eric Geiger

Just as all leaders have areas of strength, all leaders also have areas of weakness. There is no such thing as an omni-competent leader. But what should a leader do with his or her weaknesses? Books have been written and speeches have been given encouraging leaders to focus on their…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Eddie Redmayne to read Bible at Stephen Hawking’s funeral

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Eddie Redmayne to read Bible at Stephen Hawking’s funeral

Five hundred invited friends, colleagues and family are expected to attend Saturday’s private service, followed by a private reception at Trinity College.

Eddie Redmayne will give a reading at Prof Hawking’s funeral, with Ecclesiastes 3.1-11 as the chosen text:

“1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

 2  a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

 3  a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 4  a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 5  a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 6  a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 7  a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

 8  a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

The God-Given Task

9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot bfind out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

This will be followed by a reading by the Astronomer Royal, Martin Rees and…

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Bishop of Salisbury says violation of city is still unfolding

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Bishop of Salisbury says violation of city is still unfolding

Almost a month after Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found on a park bench in Salisbury, poisoned by a nerve agent, the Bishop says Salisbury “has had a very strange few weeks”

At the Diocese’s Maundy Thursday Chrism Mass, the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam said: “It was an attack not just on them but a violation of the city in which other people got caught up.”

“The consequences are still unfolding.”

He added how it had led to a lack of confidence in each other: “Who can we trust and how are we to live together? The implications have gone way beyond Salisbury. Twenty countries are sending home Russians from their embassies and tensions have risen in a way I cannot recall.”

In his welcome to the service, the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam said:

“Coming to Salisbury in present circumstances feels like a very strong affirmation of belief in the Christian story on which this cathedral city was founded nearly 800 years ago. When things go wrong we believe in new life, hope and resurrection. What we do here and in our churches in the next few days attests that truth, love and justice matter in the way in which we live with one another.

“The Christian story is what Salisbury was built on nearly 800 years ago. It is still the organizing principle of the city now. In Holy Week we remember that Christ came into Jerusalem as messiah and king, had supper with his friends, was betrayed, denied, falsely accused, tried by earthly powers and crucified and on the third day rose again….

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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Listed places of worship to be preserved under a £1.8m pilot scheme

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Listed places of worship to be preserved under a £1.8m pilot scheme

The funding will support worshippers of all faiths to take better care of their historical religious buildings.

Expert advisers will work with listed sites in Manchester and Suffolk to increase community engagement and provide maintenance plans.

The projects, expected to begin in early autumn, will receive the funding over the next two years and eligible buildings will be able to access a £500,000 minor repairs fund.

Heritage minister Michael Ellis said: “Britain has an incredible array of historic buildings important to all faiths which tell the story of our shared history and our communities.

“However, the costs of caring for and protecting many listed places of worship can be prohibitive and lead many to fall into disrepair.

“The innovative pilots I am announcing today will help unlock the community potential of these buildings and provide practical guidance so they can be preserved for future generations.”

The move comes after the Taylor Review, published in December 2017, called for greater community use of Church of England buildings to help congregations pay for their upkeep.

The projects, which will involve all faiths and not just Christian denominations, will aim to address routine repairs immediately in the long-term hope of preventing the development of more costly problems.

Deborah Lamb, deputy chief executive of Historic England, said: “We are delighted…

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