Archbishop welcomes move by council to ask rich to pay more tax

Westminster Council will write to those living in the area’s most expensive properties to make an extra voluntary contribution on top of their council tax to help pay for local projects.

The scheme is expected to be given the green light after a consultation in which more than 400 people said they would support the initiative.

Council tax rates, which are among the lowest in the country, have been frozen.

But letters will be sent to homeowners in the highest council tax bracket – Band H – asking them to pay an extra £833.

The money raised is earmarked for projects aimed at helping young people, rough-sleepers and the lonely.

Council leader Nickie Aiken said the scheme was developed after wealthy residents said they wanted to pay more.

“The outcome of our consultation reflects the kind and generous spirit of Westminster residents,” she said.

“It also confirmed what I had heard from people I had met on the doorstep that those in the more expensive homes are willing to contribute more to community projects.

“The scheme is most popular among residents of the most expensive homes.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, congratulated the council on its “imaginative initiative”.

“May all of us who are willing to do this be given the facility to do so,” he said. “Thank you, Thank you! – You are fantabulous!”

Some of the borough’s well-known residents have also voiced their support.

DJ Tim Westwood said: “Asking people who have done well to contribute a little extra…

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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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Five Reasons Why the Children’s Minister Is the Staff Position in Greatest Demand

It was not an unusual question at Church Answers. For those of you not familiar with Church Answers, it is a 24/7 resource where you can ask any church question and get a response within a few hours.

Here is the context. The pastor was the only paid staff member at the church, but now funds were available to bring on another full-time staff person. So he asked us in the 2,000-member Church Answers’ community to offer input on what his first hire should be.

I was blown away.

The responses, at least as I write these words, were 100 percent in urging him to get a children’s minister. There were no divergent opinions. One church leader after another exhorted him to go this route.

So why is the children’s minister position is such demand? The Church Answers community let us know, with most of the responses fitting in one of five categories.

  1. Millennials have a lot of kids. The Millennial generation is the largest generation in America’s history (though they may be surpassed by Gen Z). There are 78 million young adults ranging in ages from 18 to 38. And they have lots of kids. If they visit a church, one of their highest priorities is the quality of the children’s ministry.
  2. A healthy children’s ministry usually results in a healthy student ministry. It makes sense. If there is quality teaching and ministry for the children, these children are more likely to move to student ministry better prepared for life and better discipled for God’s work.
  3. A quality children’s ministry requires a…

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

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Christian sues the Scouts after being ejected over Islam complaint

Brian Walker says his membership was unfairly taken away after he expressed fears the organisation was increasingly promoting Islam and moving away from its Christian roots.

The 62 year old said: “I am raising this case as I believe the fundamental values of Scouting are being undermined.

“Parents need to be made aware of what is happening at the centre of Scouting, and will eventually flow out into the local groups.

Mr Walker wrote to the Scout Association’s official magazine on 18th March 2017 to warn the organisation was also increasing promoting political correctness and interfaith issues above Christian values.

He was sent a letter four days later by the local District Commander, informing him he was no longer a member of the organisation.

Mr Walker, who lives in the Brislington area of Bristol, was told that he views did not reflect the inclusive nature of Scouting.

Mr Walker unsuccessfully appealed the decision at an Appeal Committee on 7th June 2017. He is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre.

Mr Walker, who attends the Carmel City Church in Bristol, told the committee he did not mean to offend anyone personally in his comments which referred to the organisation as a whole.

A life-long scouts member, he accused of the Scout Association of “making a mockery of what was once a respectable organisation” by its emphasis on Islam, as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex issues.

Mr Walker will argue he has been…

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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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DCLM Daily Manna 12 February, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Prepare For The Lord’s Coming

Topic: Prepare For The Lord’s Coming [DCLM Daily Manna Monday February 12th, 2018]

Text: Leviticus 9:1-14 (KJV)

Key Verse: “Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you” (Leviticus 9:4)

MESSAGE:

Nothing worthwhile is ever gained without painstaking preparation, especially if we are expecting an august visitor. We go to great lengths to ensure that all arrangements are perfected to the minutest detail. Our environment is sparklingly clean, our houses are given a facelift; we spare no expense in ensuring that in appearance, we present ourselves appropriately and respectably.

This underlines the preparation that Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to make in expectation of the visitation of the almighty God. They were to make a sin offering with a calf, and a burnt offering with a ram, to the Lord. Both animals were to be without blemish. The offerings were intended to ensure that they were spiritually prepared, their sins dealt with, their lives cleansed of all impurities, and their attention focused on the Lord who was about to visit them in the camp. Aaron and his sons dutifully and obediently followed the instruction God handed to them through Moses. The sacrifices He prescribed would take some carefulness to carry out in detail. But they did all these as He instructed and in the manner and attitude He wanted it done.

If the Israelites went to such lengths to prepare for the visitation of God, how we need to get ready for the second coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ at all times. The greatest preparation we can make is to pray for our sins to be forgiven and live a consistent righteous and holy lifestyle till the end.
There is no partiality with God. It is only those who are saved and remain pure till death or the coming of the Lord at rapture that will live with Him in heaven throughout eternity.

Thought For The Day: “Prepare to meet thy God”!

Bible Reading in a Year: Exodus 39-40.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late.

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.


Dunamis Seeds of Destiny 12 February 2018 by Pastor Paul Enenche: Intimacy With God – A Factor For Destiny Fulfilment

Topic: Intimacy With God – A Factor For Destiny Fulfilment [Seeds of Destiny Monday February 12, 2018]

Scripture: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8

Thought For The Day: The greatest attack on anyone’s destiny is iniquity.

We live in a generation where there are many resistances and confrontations against the fulfilment of human destinies. The greatest attack on anyone’s destiny is iniquity.

But God is interested in the fulfilment of our destinies; and He has given us what it takes to fulfil destiny. All you need to do is to follow His precepts and you will fulfil your destiny.

There are factors that assist a person to fulfil destiny. In today’s study, we shall look at one of those factors and subsequently we will explore other factors.

Intimacy with God!

Intimacy with God is required for the fulfilment of our destinies on earth. This entails closeness to God, high spirituality, the capacity to feel the Presence of God, the capacity to commune with God and hear him either by His Spirit or through His Word. You cannot be intimate with God and miss it in life and destiny because it is God who has the master plan for your life; He knows everything about you.

It is important to know that nothing attacks intimacy with God like iniquity. How easy would it be for a person to feel God’s Presence after falling into sin? What assurance of answered prayer would such a person have? It is not easy for a person to pray to God when he has fallen into sin. A person who falls into sin would feel defenceless and fearful; he would lose his audacity to command demons. To lose intimacy with God is to end unfulfilled in life and destiny. So, guard your intimacy with God.

Remember this: The greatest attack on anyone’s destiny is iniquity.

Assignment(S):

1. Avoid every temptation to sin; disassociate from every relationship that is ungodly.
2. Maintain intimacy with God always by living a life of prayer, praise and worship, study of the Word of God.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: FACTORS THAT ASSIST A MAN TO FULFIL DESTINY

Prayer: O Lord, draw me close to You. Help me to walk in the path of righteousness always, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Reading: Exodus 34:1 to 35:9, Matthew 27:15 to 31, Psalm 33:12 to 22, Proverbs 9:1 to 6

Quote: The closer you get to God, the more secured your life will be. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

Amazing Fact: A Blue Whale’s heart is the size of a VW Beetle and large enough that you could swim through its arteries.

Today In History: 12/02/1809 – Abraham Lincoln, American lawyer and politician, the 16th President of the United States was born.

Don’t Forget To Attend: The Healing and Deliverance Service by 9:00 am tomorrow. Invite someone. God bless you as you do so.

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.


TREM’s Daily 12 February 2018 Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo – How To Access What Is Inside You

Topic: How To Access What Is Inside You [TREM’s Daily Monday February 12, 2018]

“I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” – Psalm 27:13 (KJV)

Yesterday I told you that all that you need to succeed and shake your world is in you.  The way to access what is in you is to first believe you have it. From our scriptural text, David said he almost fainted.  He said everything around him was making him faint and give up, but he had to believe.

Child of God, chose to believe the word of God! Refuse to allow your circumstance, dictate to you. Don’t allow the feelings, the pressure or whatever it is that is happening around you to determine your state. You belong to God and God cannot fail. If God cannot fail, you cannot fail either.

The Psalmist said ‘I would have fainted unless I believe to see the goodness of God. In order words, I am not returning without achievement. I will not give excuses; I will succeed.

Christians are supposed to be tough, based on the information that they have received that their position is solid. Beloved, your position is unshakeable. We are standing on an unshakeable ground. The Bible says having done all to stand. Stand, therefore! You don’t stand frightened and shaken, you stand your ground.

Not only should you believe, give Him the praise. Thank Him for what you have. Thank Him for His mercy that endures forever. It doesn’t come for a moment, it endures forever. His loving kindness towards you is forever. In Psalm 107 for about five times scripture said the same thing, ‘for His mercy endureth forever’. Learn to praise Him for His goodness. Learn to praise Him for His mercy because it is because of His mercy that we are not consumed. God by Himself qualified you, so don’t disqualify yourself. There is so much inside you; so bring it out.

Further Reading: Philemon 1:6 Psalm 107: 1-21

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Leviticus 13; Evening- Matthew 26:26-50

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.


Our Daily Manna February 12, 2018: ODM devotional — The Second “P” Of Joseph!

Topic: The Second “P” Of Joseph! [Our Daily Manna ODM Monday, February 12th, 2018]

Basic Scripture: Genesis 39: 1-12

The second “p” of Joseph is Potiphar’s house (Mrs. Potiphar). There is a great difference between a PIT and a house! Concerning Joseph: The PIT was a place of darkness/demotion but Potiphar’s HOUSE introduced light to Joseph! The PIT was a place of death but Potiphar’s house was a place of life! Joseph had left the PIT life and he was now positioned for the palace life!

Potiphar’s house was his preparation ground for his palace life! In Potiphar’s house, Joseph was an object of blessing, favor, and relevance! But the devil was up to something! The devil wanted to seize the life, light, comfort, dream, and destiny of Joseph through Potiphar’s wife but he failed and that shall be your story this year! I prophesy: In this year 2018, anything, anybody or any power that wants to take you back to where God brought you from, shall be caught off from you by fire!

Any man or woman planted in your life by the devil to facilitate your PRISON EXPERIENCE (back to Egypt), shall be exposed and disgraced this year in Jesus name! In this New Year, any satanic deception meant to lure you into any form of captivity or to REVERSE YOUR GLORY (Palace to Prison) I command It to scatter, scatter and scatter in Jesus name! I decree over you and your household:

Today and at the ASABA INTERNATIONAL ANOINTING SERVICE OF THIS WEEKEND, any “Potiphar’s wife” (household wickedness) positioned to bring you down this year, shall encounter a breakdown by fire! Whatever has been planted to bury, cover and hinder your testimony, decoration, breakthrough, glory, and greatness, I command it to catch fire and dry up in Jesus name!

The LORD is showing me that a particular BETRAYAL plan will be stopped this week! Ah! Before the end of this year, you shall hear “congratulations!” and every Potiphar’s wife shall lick your dust. (ASABA PROGRAMME: This Friday, February 16th 6pm and Saturday 17th 8am. THEME: HERO TO ZERO ARROW: GO BACK TO SENDER)! A plan to TURN YOU FROM HERO to ZERO (DEMOTION) will BACKFIRE this weekend and beyond as I lay hands on everyone present in Jesus name! Be there! You will testify! Pray now!

NOW OPENED! NOW MEETING: LEKKI PRAYER MOUNTAIN NOW MEETS AT PERMANENT SITE, JUST BESIDE OANDO FILLING STATION! Call +234-807-314-6863 FOR DETAILS!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song to God.

  • Thank God for today’s word and pray as you are led!
  • Every Mrs. Potiphar, DRY UP this year in Jesus name.
  • My Father! My Father!! My Father!!! Disgrace every BETRAYAL PLAN or agenda concerning my destiny this year! I reject “FROM PALACE TO PRISON” in Jesus name.
  • Pray about the ASABA INTERNATIONAL ANOINTING SERVICE now!
  • Pray about today seriously and any other issue(s) affecting your peace.

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.


Our Daily Bread 12 February 2018 Devotional – Trust Me

Topic: Trust Me [Our Daily Bread 12 Monday February, 2018]

Read: 1 Kings 17:7–16, Bible in a Year: Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26–50

Do not worry about tomorrow. Matthew 6:34

After graduation from college, I had a low-paying job. Money was tight, and sometimes I didn’t even have enough for my next meal. I learned to trust God for my daily provision.

It reminded me of the prophet Elijah’s experience. During his prophetic ministry, he learned to trust God to meet his daily needs. Shortly after Elijah pronounced God’s judgment of a drought in Israel, God sent him to a deserted place, Kerith Ravine, where He used the ravens to bring Elijah his daily meals and refresh him with water from the brook (1 Kings 17:1–4).

But a drought occurred. The brook shrank to a tiny stream, and slowly became a mere trickle. It was only when the brook had dried up that God said: “Go at once to Zarephath . . . . I have directed a widow there to supply you with food” (v. 9). Zarephath was in Phoenicia, whose inhabitants were enemies of the Israelites. Would anyone offer Elijah shelter? And would a poor widow have food to share?

Most of us would rather God provided in abundance long before our resources were depleted rather than just enough for each day. But our loving Father whispers, Trust Me. Just as He used ravens and a widow to provide for Elijah, nothing is impossible for Him. We can count on His love and power to meet our daily needs.

Prayer: Faithful Father, thank You for knowing exactly what we need before we even ask. Help us to trust You for our daily needs.

God supplies all our needs—one day at a time.

This message was written By Poh Fang Chia [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]


Kenneth and Gloria Copeland’s Daily February 12, 2018 Devotional: Weary of Worry

Topic: Weary of Worry [Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Monday January 12, 2018]

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. – 2 Corinthians 2:14

As you fight the good fight of faith today, remember this: Your mind is where the battle will take place. Whatever you allow to captivate your mind will rule your life. Will it be the Word of God or the lies of Satan?

The decision is yours.

If you want the Word to reign, make up your mind now to resist the devil when he comes to plant doubts within you. Refuse to surrender to the circumstantial pressure he brings your way. Decide at the outset that you will not succumb to this trial. Dig your heels in and stand immovable upon the promises of God.

When thoughts come that are contrary to God’s will, cast them down. And above all, don’t worry. Worrying is meditating the thoughts of Satan.

When you recognize you are worrying, stop it immediately. Replace worried, fearful and doubtful thoughts with the Word.

Be assured, Satan will continually try to tell you that your situation is hopeless. He will persistently peddle doubt, defeat and discouragement. But if you won’t allow him to sell you his goods, his commission will be zero. If you don’t buy his lies, he can’t cause them to come to pass in your life.

God has promised that He will always cause you to triumph in Christ. You are guaranteed victory over any adversity you face today. Make up your mind right now to be a winner and you’ll spread the knowledge of victory in Christ everywhere you go.

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:1-9

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.


Andrew Wommack’s Daily 12 February 2018 Devotional: Worship Him In Spirit

Topic: Worship Him In Spirit [Andrew Wommack’s Daily Monday February 12, 2018]

John 4:24, “God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.”

Text: John 4:4-26

Man dwells primarily in the physical and emotional realm, but God is a Spirit (1 Sam. 16:7). To have true fellowship with God, we have to relate to God on the spiritual level.

In order to make this possible, God changed our spirit. At salvation, our spirit became totally new (11 Cor. 5:17). It is now righteous and truly holy (Eph. 4:24). It is now exactly the way Jesus is, because our born again spirit is the spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 4:17; 1 Cor. 6:17; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 4:6).

In our spirits we are worthy to come before God and worship Him without any fear. Our spirit is the only part of us that is worthy. That’s why we must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

When we come before God dwelling on all our failures and problems, we are not approaching Him through our spirit. Our spirit is not our problem. Our born again spirit is perfect.

There is a place for mentioning our problems and failures but it’s not the part of us that has been saved and is in fellowship with God. We must always base our relationship with the Father on who we are in our spirit through Christ Jesus.

This message was written by The Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI) is an extension of Andrew Wommack Ministries (AWM). ARMI is a unique partnership committed to providing resources to help like-minded ministers succeed in a spirit of excellence and to draw from the experience and expertise of both the AWM and Charis Bible College staff. (www.awmi.net).