China’s president urges party to promote ‘Chinese’ religion

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China’s president urges party to promote ‘Chinese’ religion

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President Xi Jinping opened a twice-a-decade national congress by highlighting the need for the party to take on a more forceful role in society and economic development, and better address “grim” challenges facing the country.

Speaking at the Great Hall of the People near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Xi laid out his vision of a ruling party that not only defends national security but also provides moral guidance to ordinary Chinese people as well.

Chinatopix via AP

 

He told hundreds of delegates in his three-and-a-half-hour address: “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is no walk in the park or mere drum-beating and gong-clanging.

“The whole party must be prepared to make ever more difficult and harder efforts.

“To achieve great dreams there must be a great struggle.”

Xi is expected to get a second five-year term as party leader at the gathering.

He also pledged that the party would have “zero tolerance” for corruption and said it would “continue to purify, improve and reform itself”.

 

China’s President has in the past warned that religious influences could infiltrate the country from abroad.

The country is currently ranked 39 in a list compiled by Open Doors of the 50 worst countries in the world for Christian persecution.

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Open Heavens 19 October 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – All Things Work For Good

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Open Heavens 19 October 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – All Things Work For Good
Open Heavens 19 October 2017: Thursday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – All Things Work For Good

Topic: All Things Work For Good — Thursday 19, October 2017.

Memorise: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Read: Acts 8:1-8 (KJV)

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

Bible in One Year: Ephesians 5-6, Philippians 1, Daniel 9:16-27, Hymn: Sing Hymn 4 – Through The Level Of God Our Saviour

MESSAGE:

When we look at the situation of the world today, we can be tempted to think that God has withdrawn from the world He created, but nothing could be further from the truth. Our God is very much in charge of His created order. He has never and He will never lose grip of His created universe. One reason why some people think it is immoral to link God with what is happening in the world today is the evil that permeates the world as a result of sin being perpetrated by the men and women of this age. Such people believe that if God is involved in the affairs of this world, then the terrible things we are witnessing today should have triggered His direct intervention. Such opinions are not new; they were also expressed by some people at the time of the early Church, to whom Peter responded with the words of 2 Peter 3:9:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Coming up next: Open Heavens 20 October 2017: Friday daily devotional by Pastor Adeboye – Importune Prayer Or Vain Repetitions

The events described in today’s Bible reading showed God’s people living in a very difficult time. The persecution of the early Christians by the Jews, which claimed the life of Stephen, caused the believers to scatter all over the then known world, in a bid to escape further persecution by the Jews. However, the dispersion resulted in the spread of the gospel. Philip, who was initially commissioned to minister to the widows of Jerusalem, became a city-wide evangelist in Samaria. The Bible testifies thus about him:

“5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” – Acts 8:5-6

You can therefore see that indeed, all the things that happened in Jerusalem, including the scattering of the disciples, worked together for the salvation and deliverance of the people of Samaria and other parts of the world. My prayer for you is that all the things you are passing through this season will work together for your good in Jesus’ Name. However, only those who love God have all the assurance of all things working together in their favour, especially those who are called according to God’s purpose. Therefore, ensure that your love for God is sincere, so that your expectations will not be disappointed.

Prayer Point: Father, in accordance with Your word, let all things begin to work together for my good in Jesus’ Name.

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.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.


An Earth-Shaking Sign of the End Times You Might Have Overlooked .

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An Earth-Shaking Sign of the End Times You Might Have Overlooked .

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The Resurrection, rapture, War and Second Coming all happen at the same time, are part of the same release of power, which also shakes the whole earth. (Pixabay/Angelo_Giordano)

Yeshua taught that there would be many earthquakes in different places around the world in the end times (Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11). Earthquakes can sometimes be the result of a clash of spiritual forces behind the scenes. There was an earthquake when God visited Elijah at Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11-12), and in the time of King Uzziah (Zech. 14:5; Amos 1:1).

Earthquakes can occur as the result of our prayers, prophecies and praises—when combined with the work of angels and the fire of the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:25-26; Rev. 8:3-5;  Rev. 11:13, 19). There was an earthquake at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:18) and also at the time of Yeshua’s crucifixion (Matt. 27:54) and resurrection (Matt. 28:2).

The word for earthquake in Greek is seismos (as in “seismic” and “seismograph”). In Hebrew there are two words. One is simply the word for “shaking” and used in Modern Hebrew for an earthquake, re’idah ×¨×¢×™×”×”.

In Biblical Hebrew there is another word, ra’ash ×¨×¢×©, which can be translated as noise, earthquake, shaking or rattling. The sound of the voice of the Lord can actually shake the earth (Heb. 12:26). This word ra’ash also describes the sound at the supernatural manifestation of the glory of YHVH (Ezek. 3:12-13).

This word is found in three significant prophecies about the end times:

  1. Resurrection: There is a vivid and detailed picture of the physical reconstruction of bodies at the moment of the resurrection in Ezekiel 37:1-14. At the moment of the resurrection, there is an earthquake shaking, rattling noise: ra’ash (verse 7).
  2. Great War: When the forces of Gog and Magog attack Israel in the end times, God releases a fiery power to destroy them. This causes a great earthquake: ra’ash (Ezek. 38:19; Is. 29:6).
  3. Second Coming: When the forces of evil reach Jerusalem, the Lord descends to fight them; His feet stand on the Mount of Olives and a huge earthquake takes place, which splits the mountain in two: ra’ash (Is. 29:6; Zech. 14:4-5).

These passages indicate that the Resurrection, the War and the Second Coming take place at the time of the great earthquake and are part of the same event. Since the rapture is described as coming at the same time as the Second Coming and the Resurrection (Matt. 24:31; Mark 13:27; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 2 Thess. 2:1), it is clear that they are all connected.

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Catholic school in slave costume apology

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Catholic school in slave costume apology

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The note, which had not been approved by senior figures at St Winefride’s primary school in Newham, suggested youngsters in one year 2 class arrive in “dirty and worn out” clothes.

Writing on the school’s website, head teacher Paul Underwood responded: “I have issued a letter to 2N parents regarding the revised Black History Month presentation.

“Once again, I apologise on behalf of the school for Friday’s unauthorised letter and the offence caused.”

According to the Newham Recorder, the letter said: “It might be an idea to not wash these clothes and stain them with tea or coffee to look more authentic.”

Though pointing out the letter was “rogue”, one parent told the local newspaper: “You wouldn’t ask Jewish children to come in and re-enact the Holocaust.”

A spokeswoman told the Recorder: “We understand the importance of Black History Month and celebrate this by studying the success and achievements of black role models.

“The content of this letter is not in keeping with the ethos of the school or a reflection of how the school celebrates Black History Month.”

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in the UK this month, Black History Month recognises the contributions African, Asian and Caribbean people make to the country’s politics, economy and wider culture.

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Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily October 18, 2017 devotional – Push People Up

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Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily October 18, 2017 devotional – Push People Up
Joel and Victoria Osteen’s daily October 18, 2017 devotional – Push People Up

Today’s Scripture: “Two are better than one…if either of them falls down, one can help the other up…” – (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV)

Topic: Push People Up [Wednesday October 18, 2017]

We all need somebody to believe in us more than we believe in ourselves. We all need people who will push us up, so to speak. After all, there are enough people trying to push us down in life. There are enough people telling us what we can’t become and how we don’t have what it takes.

I know in my own life, I wouldn’t be half of who I am if it were not for Victoria. She has spoken so much faith into me. She has called out the potential on the inside.

I believe we all have the responsibility to do this for others. Let’s push people up. Let’s look with our eyes of faith and see their potential and tell them what they can become. If you will be that person for somebody else, God will make sure somebody will be that person for you.

Friend, every person has seeds of greatness on the inside. You can cause your children to rise to a new level. You can be the catalyst for your family to do things they never thought possible. Your words have creative power. When you speak vision, that can be the seed God uses to thrust them to a new level.

A Prayer for Today: “Father, today I commit to push people up. I choose to speak life and call forth the seeds of greatness within. Thank You for using me to help others fulfill their destiny in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

From Joel Osteen Ministries.


Israel’s Prime Minister Calls on Christian Journalists to Stand for Iran’s Persecuted Believers .

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Israel’s Prime Minister Calls on Christian Journalists to Stand for Iran’s Persecuted Believers .

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem Oct. 15, 2017. (Reuters/Abir Sultan/Pool)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on a group of Christian journalists to put a spotlight on the persecution of Christians under Iran’s Islamic regime.

Speaking at the first Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said it’s time to speak out for suffering Christians in Iran.

He cited pastors who are jailed for no other reason than being a Christian leader and believers who have been brutally tortured just for practicing their faith.

“Christians have been lashed—do you hear this?—lashed for sipping wine during prayer services,” he said.

Netanyahu has been warning the world about Iran’s terrorist activities and nuclear ambitions, but he said on this night that he wanted to turn his attention to the persecuted.

“Some world leaders are willing to ignore this repression and seek to appease Iran, but I am not one of them. I think that how a country treats religious minorities is a very good indicator of how it will treat its fellow citizens and its neighbors.”

He then encouraged the Christian journalists to highlight Iran’s suffering believers.

“Dedicate this week to outlining the plight of the countless Christians suffering under Iran. Profile the brave Christian leaders jailed for practicing their faith. Sit with the families, the schoolteachers jailed for years merely for converting to Christianity. … Call out the lies of President Rouhani, who promised in 2013 that all religions would quote “feel justice” in Iran while so many Christians live there in constant terror,” he said.

Sponsored by the Government Press Office, the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office, the summit has brought more than 100 Christian journalists and speakers from around the world to learn about Israel’s biblical and modern history as well as its security challenges. Netanyahu’s address at the Israel Museum kicked off the summit.

The Israeli leader praised President Trump for his action this week, seeking to impose changes to tighten the nuclear deal with Iran signed by the Obama administration.

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Why you need to know about Gracie Gold

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Why you need to know about Gracie Gold

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You may never have heard of Gracie Gold, but you need to know her story.

Grace Elizabeth Gold is an American figure skater. She began skating at the age of eight, winning a national title and an Olympic bronze medal in 2014. She won another national title in 2016.

The 2018 Winter Olympics are only five months away. At a time when skaters are working feverishly to prepare, Gracie is stepping away from her sport. Her explanation: “I am currently in treatment for depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. I will not have adequate training time to prepare and compete at the level that I want to.”

Gracie’s decision is both rare and courageous. As sportswriter Eric Adelson notes, “Depression, anxiety and eating disorders are almost always confronted in private, and in many cases they aren’t even acknowledged or realized by the person facing them.” This is especially true for Olympic athletes: “There is always another practice or sponsorship meeting or fan greeting to do for this once-in-a-lifetime moment. Often the needs of the self are suppressed or ignored.”

The numbers are staggering: According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 46 percent of Americans experience at least one mental illness at some point in their lives. The CDC reported in 2011 that antidepressant use in the US had increased nearly 400 percent in the last two decades. Antidepressants are the most frequently used class of medications by Americans ages eighteen to forty-four years.

Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill were known for significant episodes of depression. Celebrities such as Terry Bradshaw, Owen Wilson, J. K. Rowling, and Gwyneth Paltrow have suffered from depression as well. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin was treated for depression and alcoholism and went on to serve as chairman of the National Association of Mental Health.

What causes depression? Counselors cite neurotransmitters in the brain, negative thinking patterns, concurrence of other diseases, side effects of medication, genetics, and difficult life events. A major step forward is admitting the disease and seeking help. That’s why Gracie Gold’s story is so courageous and so significant.

If you’re dealing with symptoms such as feelings of sadness or hopelessness, anger or irritability, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, tiredness and lack of energy, reduced appetite, slowed thinking, feelings of worthlessness, or frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, it is vital that you speak with a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible. If you’re not struggling with these challenges, it is vital that you support and encourage those who are.

Where is God when depression strikes? “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). He invites you to “cast all your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). He promises that “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Remember that “Christ literally walked in our shoes” (Tim Keller) and is walking in yours now (Hebrews 4:15). So, “let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (v. 16).

Max Lucado is right: “God never said that the journey would be easy, but he did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”

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Church school bars charity’s assemblies over upset

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Church school bars charity’s assemblies over upset

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Intervention by the head teacher comes after a 16-year partnership between St John’s primary school in Tunbridge Wells and CrossTeach.

Writing to parents, Dan Turvey said: “After careful consideration, I have decided that we will end our regular commitment to CrossTeach and that they will no longer lead assemblies or take lessons.”

The school revealed concerns from parents that by welcoming workers from CrossTeach and St John’s Church they exposed students to “extreme beliefs”.

One unnamed parent told The Telegraph youngsters were being told “they would not go to a good place when they died” unless they believed in God.

CrossTeach said its work in schools takes place under constant supervision, and in adherence to school policies and national guidelines.

National director, Wayne Harris said the charity was “very disappointed” by the school’s decision and claimed workers have never been accused of extremist views before.

He said: “Wherever possible we work in partnership with local churches and we reflect their teaching, always aiming to be sensitive to the local context, and recognising that churches vary.

“We teach mainstream Christianity.”

Rev Dick Farr from St John’s Church said the church completely supported Mr Turvey’s letter but urged parents to remember the school was a church school.

Expressing “sadness” at his own decision, Mr Turvey added: “I do not believe CrossTeach has done anything wrong.

“They do not deserve the tarnishing of their good name and allegations of extremism that have taken place over the last few months.”

CrossTeach will still be allowed to operate run a club for children and parents who decide to take part.

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Scientology Members Target Leah Remini’s A&E Documentary Program

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Members of the Church of Scientology are coming down hard on Leah Remini and her Emmy-winning series “Scientology and the Aftermath” on A&E. They launched a campaign to convince the documentary program’s advertisers to stop supporting the show.

REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Leah Remini’s “Scientology & Aftermath” is now in its second season on A&E.

Letters and emails from the group called the Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination (STAND) were sent to ad buyers of “Scientology and the Aftermath” in the last few months. According to The Wall Street Journal, Anheuser-Busch, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Geico were among the advertisers that received the letters that cited Remini’s show as a hate campaign against Scientology.

“Its first season alone generated more than 400 incidents of harassment, threats of violence and vandalism against our churches and members,” the letter read. “The threat level has again risen, precisely coincident with A&E’s promotion and airing of the second season of this show, now spawning even more threats—bombings, murder and acts of physical violence.”

Remini remains unperturbed despite the show potentially losing income from STAND’s move. She also shot back at trolls on Twitter who attack her show with biases, especially after the airing of the most recent episode about how Scientology leaders abuse children.

The troll claimed Remini’s subjects were drugged before they spoke in front of the cameras. The TV star, however, turned the tables on the troll who had no basis for his claims.

Meanwhile, A&E has yet to renew “Scientology and the Aftermath” for season 3. Remini, however, has already mapped out some ideas about what’s coming up next season. It might include a change in the show’s title because she might pursue a different subject matter: Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“I’m open to doing a season 3 in a different way,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “We’ve been getting an overwhelming amount of emails and people contacting us through [social media] about other cults that are similar [to Scientology], so I’m looking into that.”

Leah Remini’s “Scientology and the Aftermath” airs every Tuesday nights at 10:00 EST on A&E.

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Why My Family Decided to Give Up Halloween .

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Why My Family Decided to Give Up Halloween .

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My simply answer is that Halloween is a holiday for a religion to which I do not adhere. (Pixabay/StockSnap)

The Halloween debate in many Christian circles can get heated as if it were politics. This article is not meant to cast judgement on people who choose to celebrate Halloween. There are a lot of people I know and love who celebrate it. This article is merely sharing my family’s story and the reason we gave it up. If you don’t agree with me, that’s fine. It’s between you and God.

My husband and I both grew up celebrating Halloween. I would say we both had the stereotypical upbringing of carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating. My family would throw Halloween parties, and I remember getting a plastic Smurfette costume and wearing it proudly. Early on for me, Halloween was something that seemed innocent.

Somewhere along the way, it changed, though. I’m not exactly sure when that happened. Was it the time I dressed up as a witch, and my mother thought I looked so convincing that she wouldn’t let me go out of the house without a cross around my neck? Or was it the time that my aunt and I went into a “Haunted House” put on by the local theater company? I was so terrified that I begged my aunt to let me hide in the building in some random closet.

By the time I was in high school, I worked at a Halloween store, where I dressed up nightly and choreographed their runway show every year. At that point, I know something inside of me had started to wake up to the fact Halloween isn’t all fun and games. I remember working in that store and playing Carmen songs as this horrid pre-recorded witch would cackle a song. This is also about the time I began learning about the supernatural.

What I kept coming back to as I grew older was that there really is a devil; he is out to steal, kill and destroy. But God is bigger. Jesus came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Once I began learning about and seeing exorcisms (demons leaving people) as well as praying for people to get free from demonic activity, it was no longer fun and games to me. It was a very real battle.

Then my husband and I had children, and our oldest was old enough that we had to make a decision. The more I thought about this whole Halloween debate, and learned what its origins really are, the more I couldn’t deny it wasn’t a holiday just meant for fun and games. Rather, it has a very dark side. How could I parent children and encourage them to live their lives on fire for Jesus 364 days a year but tell them it was OK one day a year to act out some practices that are deeply saturated in witchcraft? Could I let the traditions I was raised with overpower a growing check in my spirit when it came to Halloween? 

That’s about when a friend of mine sent me several videos. I started doing my own research regarding the origins of Halloween. It’s still celebrated today as a holy day in many demonic circles. Historically, the day is filled with things I do not believe people who are trying to move forward in their relationship with God need to be celebrating.

My simply answer is that Halloween is a holiday for a religion to which I do not adhere.

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