Muslim group makes Protestants cancel celebration

The Reformed Evangelical Church of Indonesia had organised an open-air service at a football stadium in Yogyakarta, a city on an Indonesian Island. In their cancelation statement they called it ‘a national prayer service to mark 500 years of Reformation’.

But the Forum Ukhuwah Islamiyah (FUI), who are part of the Indonesian Ulema Council – a body of Muslims that converse between the Indonesian government and the Muslim community – wrote to the stadium officials asking them to not let the gathering go ahead because they believed it would involve evangelism.

They also threatened to disrupt the service if it went ahead.

The Christian organisers, led by the Reverend Stephen Tong, therefore cancelled the event “to avoid acts of intolerance”.
Police rejected the claim that hardliner pressure forced the cancellation of the service.

Yogyakarta police spokesman Yulianto said it did not go ahead because organizers did not have a permit to stage the event.
This is the second time a major Christian event has been cancelled in less than a year – a Christmas service in West Java, also led by Reverend Tong, was stopped by hardliners as well.

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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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Reinhard Bonnke Breaks Down the Call to Burn .

(12019/Pixabay/Public Domain)

Join us on the new C-Pop podcast where Taylor and Jessilyn discuss, debate and sometimes deride pop culture with a strong sense of humor and a focus on Christ. . charismapodcastnetwork.com.


Fireproof. It is a word that produces images of safety and security, but spiritually it is a destination to ordinary. Though natural dwelling places are desired to remain fireproof, the one dwelling place that is not to be found in this state is the temple of the Holy…

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

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Titanic victim’s letter sells for record price

A letter written by a Titanic passenger sold at auction last Saturday for 126,000 pounds ($166,000). Alexander Holverson wrote the letter to his mother on embossed Titanic stationery and tucked it inside his pocketbook.

The next day, his ship hit an iceberg and sank. Holverson did not survive, but his body was recovered. His letter was found and given to his mother. When he wrote it, he had no idea his words would make global headlines more than a century later.

In a week, the world will observe the five hundredth anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church, an act instrumental in beginning the Protestant Reformation. Historians agree that Luther had no idea his action would birth such a legacy. But if you are a Protestant Christian, you can trace your spiritual roots to his courage.

If you were on a Bible quiz show and the host asked you to identify Gad the seer, what would you say? When you’ve finished reading this Daily Article, you’ll discover how his story connects to the Titanic and the Reformation, and you’ll see why it is so relevant to your life and culture today.

Meet ‘David’s seer’

We first encounter Gad when David was fleeing from murderous King Saul and “the prophet Gad” gave him guidance that led him to safety (1 Samuel 22:5). “Prophet” translates the Hebrew nabi, describing a person who speaks from and for God.

Many years later, King David demanded that a census be taken of his nation’s military capacity. Such a prideful act glorified the king rather than the Lord and demonstrated greater trust in his army than in his God.

The king soon realized the sinfulness of his action and prayed for forgiveness. The next morning, “the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer” (2 Samuel 24:11).

“Seer” translates the Hebrew hozeh, from the root Hebrew word for “vision.” The word means “one who sees” and describes Gad as a person who…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Denison Forum.

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The Importance of Guest Connections

Podcast Episode #374

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio

Will Mancini joins us to discuss how churches can better connect with guests and mistakes they make that hurt those connections.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • A church’s first impressions can make an eternal impact on guests.
  • It’s not uncommon for guests to make up 5-8% of a church’s weekly attendance.
  • Guests are starting to decide whether or not to return to your church within the first 11 minutes on your campus.
  • Guests typically talk about their initial experience with a church 8-15 times.
  • Churches should use language for guests, not visitors.

About Will Mancini

Will Mancini is the founder of Auxano, a non-profit church consulting group, and Younique, a training and certification company for personal calling and life planning through the church. As a recognized thought leader, he leads a team of “navigators” who work with more than 400 church teams a year to create break-thru clarity and execute their vision.


Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. Their Fall Lead Pastor and Executive Pastor Coaching Networks are now open for registration, and our very own Dr. Rainer will be speaking at the Fall Lead Pastor Coaching Network.

So if you’re a Lead Pastor or an Executive Pastor looking for peer roundtable coaching, check it out at <a href="http://vanderbloemen.com/coaching" target="_blank" rel="noopener…

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

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Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily October 24, 2017 devotional – Enter with This

Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily October 24, 2017 devotional – Enter with This

Today’s Scripture: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” – (Psalm 100:4, NKJV)

Topic: Enter with This [Tuesday October 24, 2017]

As believers, we have the honor and privilege to enter boldly into God’s presence. Scripture says that we can come to His throne of grace and receive His mercy. Because He loves us, He has given us unlimited access to Himself 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

But notice that today’s verse tells us that we shouldn’t just come any old way to God. We shouldn’t come empty-handed to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What can we bring? What do we have that’s worthy of Almighty God? Our praise. Our thanksgiving. Our worship. We are to enter His gates with an offering from our hearts of adoration because He is worthy!

We have to understand, praise isn’t just about singing songs on Sunday mornings. Praise is the expression of gratefulness to Father God for Who He is and all that He has done. Praise gets God’s attention. Praise is a powerful tool in the life of the believer because God inhabits our praises! When we enter His presence the right way, He enters our circumstances, and when God shows up, the enemy must flee! Today, enter into His gates with thanksgiving and open the door for Him to move on your behalf!

A Prayer for Today: Father, I come to You today with thanksgiving in my heart. I enter into Your courts with praise. Today I declare that You are good, and Your mercy endures forever! Have Your way in me by the power of Your Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen.

From Joel Osteen Ministries.


Teens’ Open Heavens 24th October 2017 by Pastor Adeboye – Occupying While Waiting?

Teens’ Open Heavens 24th October 2017 by Pastor Adeboye - Occupying While Waiting?

Topic: Occupying While Waiting? [Tuesday 24, October 2017]

Memorise: “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” – Luke 19:13

Read: Joshua 13:1-6

1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

4 From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

5 And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Bible In One Year: Luke 5-6. Hymn: Sing Hymn 11 – Standing On The Promises Of Christ

MESSAGE:

Sometimes we think the word “occupy” means “keep yourself busy” alone; it means more than that. We must not keep ourselves busy doing nothing substantial. To understand the import of Christ’s command in Luke 19:13 we must take a look at at the Bible reading of today.

It is beyond keeping ourselves busy just for its sake. The question now is, “Are we really occupying while we await His second coming?” We must preach the gospel to everyone we come in contact with, we must not leave any one unspoken to and we must do this while we ourselves remain pure as we await the coming of our Master. How well are you occupying as you wait for Him?

Action Point: Let us set a strategic plan to preach the gospel to everyone we have opportunity to preach to.

STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST

1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King,

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Chorus
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. ~ Refrain

3 Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God. ~ Refrain

4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God. ~ Refrain

5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
Standing on the promises of God. ~ Refrain

Open Heavens Daily Devotional for Teen’s 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.


David Abioye’s Daily 24 October 2017 Devotional – Preparing For Opportunities

David Abioye's Daily 24 October 2017 Devotional - Preparing For Opportunities

Topic: Preparing For Opportunities [Tuesday October 24, 2017]

It is our destiny as God’s children to be brought before great men, but it is our gifts (developed talents) that guarantee our access into such high places.

Opportunities are not as scarce; it is preparation that is lacking.

When opportunity meets with preparation, an unlimited man is about to emerge.

Preparation will always attract opportunities.

Talents are natural endowments. Gifts are developed talents.

Deut.28:1, 2

“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and over take thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”

Prov.22:29

“seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. ”

The more you develop your talents and gifts the more marketable you become. Prov.18:16; 1 Sam.16:18, Dan.1:3-5, 8-9, 12-17.

Your gift is your “Bringer”.

Secret preparation sets the pace for public manifestation.