Topic: Meditate on Scripture [Billy Graham Devotional 1 March 2019]
How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules. — Psalm 119:9 (TLB)
Many of the difficulties we experience as Christians can be traced to a lack of Bible study and reading. We should not be content to skim through a chapter merely to satisfy our conscience. Hide the Word of God in your heart! A little portion well digested is of greater value to the soul than a lengthy portion scanned hurriedly. Do not be discouraged because you cannot understand it all. Go on reading. As you read, the Holy Spirit will enlighten the passages for you. Reading the Bible has a purifying effect upon the heart and mind.
Prayer for the day: Let the enlightenment of the riches of Your Word sink deep within my soul, Lord.
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.
She was consecrated during a two hour service presided over by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, attended by more than 160 people from Cumbria.
Rt Rev Sarah Clark was also consecrated as Bishop of Jarrow in the Diocese of Durham.
Bishop Emma said: “It’s been a wonderful day. It’s been very special to worship with everyone, listen to a fantastic sermon and hear all those voices singing praise to God.
“‘Hills of the North’ was one of the hymns that was sung and that seemed very appropriate for Cumbria and Durham!”
The Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, who is a long-time friend of Bishop Emma, gave the sermon.
She told the congregation: “It seems a very, very long time ago that Emma first mentioned to me on a campsite at Lee Abbey that she was wondering if she was being called to ordination. Since then it’s been wonderful to see how her ordained adventure with God has unfolded among different people and places.
“As Sarah and Emma leave the service today, each with a pastoral staff in their hand, they do so because they are being ordained bishops to be shepherds of Christ’s flock, bishops of being ‘with’: being with God, with people and with place.”
Following the consecration she enjoyed a small celebration with family and friends, adding: “I’m very much looking forward to all that is to come in Cumbria.”
Infanticide Is Compassionate ‘End of Life Care,’ Says Democratic Organizer
A Democratic organizer who worked on the campaigns of Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders sparked a social media debate this week when she said abortion doctors aren’t killing babies who survive abortion but instead are providing compassionate “end of life care.”
Melissa Byrne, an organizer on the 2008 Obama campaign and a member of the digital team on Sanders’ 2016 campaign, made the remarks during a Twitter debate with Republican and CNN commentator S.E. Cupp.
The back-and-forth debate began when Cupp made a comparison between the separation of families at the border and the killing of a baby who survives abortion.
“This policy is disgusting, and this administration should be held accountable,” Cupp wrote, referencing the border debate. “But let’s also talk about a stranger ripping a child from a parent’s arms…to kill it because it’s survived an abortion. I’m clear on my moral consistency. Where’s yours?”
I couldn’t agree more. This policy is disgusting, and this administration should be held accountable. But let’s also talk about a stranger ripping a child from a parent’s arms…to kill it because it’s survived an abortion. I’m clear on my moral consistency. Where’s yours? https://t.co/CqEXvavQG1
WWE’s Roman Reigns told fans his Leukaemia is now in remission, five months after revealing he was taking a career break to undergo care for his blood cancer.
The 33-year-old, whose real name is Joe Anoa’i, said: “Between people texting me and calling me and tweeting me, Instagramming me, Facebooking me…the amount of thoughts, the number of blessings, the amount of prayers that you sent my way is completely overwhelming and God-sent. Thank you so much.
“Everyone was at my aid and everyone was surrounding me with their love and support. I am telling you that so many people prayed for me that God’s voicemail was full – to the max.”
The father-of-three, who was diagnosed with Leukaemia in his early 20s, kicked off this week’s edition of WWE’s flagship RAW programme in front a live audience.
He continued: “I’m a man of faith, I’ve always believe in God, I’ve always believed he’s favoured me and looked out for me but I’m not going to lie, I was terrified.
“I truly believe [God] was in His head thinking, ‘Man, what is going on down there? All for this one guy? All these people?’
“That was the magnitude. That was how strong it was to be surrounded by y’all’s love and y’all’s grace. To be able to feel that, the strength that you gave me. I can…
RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 3 March 2019 Lesson 27 – Complete Eyesight
TOPIC: Complete Eyesight
OPENING PRAYER: Father, open my eyes that i may behold wondrous things out of your law. (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 3 March 2019 HYMN)
MEMORY VERSE: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” – Psalms 119:18 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 3 March 2019 HYMN)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Kings 6:13-17 KJV (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 3 March 2019)
13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
A man is incomplete without his eyesight. He finds it difficult to dominate or fulfill purpose(s). Gen 1:28. The eye is a very important part of the body because it is the body’s camera. In addition to vision, the eye also provides depth perception and contributes to the man’s balance. Matt. 6:22.
TEXT REVIEW: 2 Kings 6:13-17 -“THE SIEGE IS OVER”.
The night siege at Elisha’s lodge at Dothan by the King of Syria teaches, among other lessons, the power of “spiritual sight” in conquest.
The two(2) dramatis personae in the story represent two groups of people with two different eye sight:
The first group of people are those who could only see the barrage of problems just because they are only physically sensitive (2 Kings 6:15). For instance, Elisha’s servant response to the situation at hand was expressed in terror of fear. He said “Alas! How can we do?” i.e. How can we fight this host of chariots and horses. 2 Kings 6:15
The second category represents those who are both physically and spiritually sensitive. These people can see the light at the end of the tunnel. They could see the big problem doesn’t stand where the “the big God ” is present. The servant saw “Horses and Chariots”. But Elisha saw “Horses and Chariots of fire”. 2 Kings 6:17. Elisha did not see fear, he saw victory instead and he said to his servant, “Fear not”.
His simple prayer of faith changed the situation, “Lord, i pray thee, open his eyes” (2 Kings 6:17) and the boy saw what his master saw that made him to say “Fear not”.
The servant’s new experience was soon vindicated. He saw the superior power of his master over the local champions. They never tried such ridiculous siege on Elisha again because they were blindfolded and led to the center of their enemy’s camp who could have killed them but saved them. They never returned after they escaped (2 Kings 6:18-23). Those sieges in your life will never return again in Jesus’ name.
2 LESSON OUTLINES
LESSON OUTLINE 1: TYPES AND USEFULNESS OF THE EYES
A. Types of Eyes
I. Physical Eyes: i. This eye which is on our heads allows us to see. ii. People who have no eyes are seriously handicapped. iii. The eyes are the light of the body. Luke 11:38; John 9:2
II. Soul’s Eye/Eye of Understanding: i. This eye enables people(believers) to know the hope of their calling. Eph. 1:18a ii. It helps believers to know the glory of the inheritance of the saints. Eph. 1:18b iii. It enables believers to know of the exceeding greatness of His power and the working of His might. Eph. 1:19 iv. It enables believers to understand the working of salvation and the reading of the scriptures. Acts 8:28-34.
III. Spiritual Eye: i. It enables believers to see into the spiritual realms. i.e. beyond what the ordinary eye can see. 2 Kings 2:11-12. ii. The spiritual eyes see solutions while the physical eye see problems. iii. Those who see spiritual realm receive information and get what they desire. 2 Kings 6:15-17 iv. Failure to see the spiritual realms allow people to remain in problems instead of getting solutions. Job 2:9 v. Spiritual eyes allow believers to see the solution within the problem. Job 19:25 vi. Elisha received double portion of anointing because he saw Elijah. 2 Kings 2:11 vii. Spiritually blind believers cannot see the glimpse of heaven. Isaiah 6:1-6; Luke 9:32-33 viii. The spiritually blind cannot compare spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Cor. 2:13
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Differentiate between physical and spiritual blindness.
LESSON OUTLINE 2: DANGERS OF NOT HAVING COMPLETE EYESIGHT
Complete eyesight can be explained as having the three(3) eyesight working perfectly. Defects on any of them portends dangers.
I. Physically Blind Fellows: i. They cannot enjoy the beauty of nature. John 9:8 ii. They could collide with objects and fall. iii. They could be compelled to remain at a point. Luke 18:35 iv. They may not be able to fulfill their destinies. Mark 10:46
II. Soul Blind: i. Those whose eyes of understanding are blind or darkened will not be able to know of the beauty of salvation through Jesus and His mighty powers. ii. They cannot know the inheritance of Christ for the saints. Acts 28:26-28; Eph 1:18.
III. Spiritual Blind: i. Those who are spiritually blind will remain in their troubles and would not see solutions. ii. They cannot see the glory of heaven or awesome sight. 2 Kings 2:11; Isaiah 6:1-6
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Enumerate the dangers of partial blindness.
SUMMARY: Believers’ eyes must be completely opened to see the physical, soul and spiritual realms
CONCLUSION: Without a complete eyesight, you cannot have total vision. The race of such a Christian will be tedious and unexciting. If your spiritual eyes are always open, not only will your problems be solved, you will become an answer to the problem of others.
EVALUATION: (i) Mention types of eyes and their usefulness. (ii)What dangers do incomplete eyesight portend?
CLOSING PRAYER: Father, let me see clearly in the realms of the physical, soul and spirit.
ASSIGNMENT: Differentiate between the eyes of the soul and the eyes of the spirit(in five points).
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RCCG Sunday School 3 March 2019 HYMN
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
The Protestant community in Turkey is made up of 150 congregations, mostly in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir.
There are an estimated 194,000 Christians in a country of 81.9 million, most of whom are Muslim.
The experiences of Turkish Protestants have been monitored since 2007 by The Association of Protestant Churches.
The group discovered that there was a clear reduction in 2018 in crimes that resulted in physical attacks against Protestants but a significant increase in public hate speech and written or verbal hate attacks on Protestants purely due to their beliefs.
The Association claim there was also an increase in hate speech against Protestants in national media outlets, including the wrong usage of church members’ names and photos to link them to terror organisations.
When requesting buildings for the use of worship, many Christian communities faced problems and antagonistic billboards, social media posts and leaflets. Television programs containing hate speech were prolific around Christmas time, targeting Christians.
Something many Christian communities struggle with is training more leaders, with some foreign church leaders being deported and the opening of religious training schools being illegal.
The most notorious case involving a church leader was that of Andrew Brunson, the American pastor who worked at Resurrection Church in Izmir, who was in prison for two…
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un insisted all US sanctions be lifted on his country, offering to dismantle his Yongbyon nuclear complex in return. President Trump said Washington wanted a deal that includes other parts of the North’s nuclear program. “I just felt it wasn’t good enough,” Mr. Trump said. “We had to have more.”
The two sides ended their meeting amicably but without producing an agreement. Whether the summit is a setback or a step toward peace is open to interpretation.
While Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim were meeting in Vietnam, Michael Cohen was testifying before Congress. The president’s former personal attorney spent more than six hours yesterday answering questions from the House Oversight Committee. Whether his statements damaged the president or not is open to interpretation.
Historical events are objective, but the way they are reported and remembered is subjective.
This is a disc containing twenty-five thousand books, a full copy of Wikipedia, and information on understanding earthly languages—in total, a thirty-million-page tome. The “library” is intended to preserve humanity’s knowledge and history long after we’re gone.
Did your story make the Lunar Library? On the day of your salvation, you joined a faith family that will be alive in Paradise ten thousand millennia after the moon and everything on it perishes.
Here’s my point: what makes history seldom makes headlines.
News that didn’t make headlines
United Methodists made headlines this week when they voted at a conference in St. Louis to strengthen their denomination’s ban on gay and lesbian clergy and same-sex marriages. Not…
Ajibola Shogbamimu, 40, of Fordwych Road, London, will appear at Hatfield Remand Court on Thursday, Hertfordshire Constabulary said.
Joy, who would have turned 21 earlier this month, was last seen in Ilford, east London, on Boxing Day at a Christmas celebration at her church, Israel United in Christ.
The University of Hertfordshire student made WhatsApp contact with people on her course the following day and was reported missing on 7th February.
Joy is described as slim, around 5ft 5in, with Afro hair she regularly covers with a scarf, and glasses.
She has links to Ilford, Battersea, Cricklewood, Stevenage and Luton.
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He told Premier: “There needs to be a fundamental review of training for faith issues across all police service because…we’ve had a number of situations across the country where street preachers have been arrested and then de-arrested.”
According to the force, Olu was detained briefly “to prevent a breach of the peace” after “concerns” were raised about his behaviour. He was later de-arrested.
A Christian preacher this afternoon was arrested at Southgate station London N14 for preaching about Jesus . @CConcern the police told him it’s because public had said he was being islamophobic . We have the full video and wondered when preaching was now illegal ? @Campaign4Tpic.twitter.com/ZxC1DhlZCf
Sergeant Turtle continued: “If a member of the public is complaining about a street preacher, that officer…has a duty to explain to that member of the public what that street preacher’s rights actually are.
“It’s not for us to arrest every street preacher or every Christian expressing their justified view…
Being called to pastor a church in need of revitalization or replanting is an honorable calling. Today, we explain why.
This Week’s Question:
FROM KYLE — In Episode #061, you mentioned that revitalization is a noble calling. I thought it was a great point. Can you expound on the reasons for that in a future episode?
Episode Highlights:
“I don’t believe God would be calling so many people to revitalization if He wasn’t about to do something incredible.”
“Dying churches are not something to run away from, but something to run to.”
“10% of our churches will close in the next five years if they don’t change something.”
Pastoring a dying church will have its costs, but seeing God move and turn it around will be the greatest reward imaginable.
The seven reasons we cover are:
Because Christ loves His churches
Because Christ loves the communities in which these churches are located
Because no church address is an accident
Because revitalization is desperately needed
Because God’s resources are at risk
Because it is self-sacrificial
Because it demonstrates the power of the Gospel
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate…
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