Ahead of Super Bowl LIII Homeland Security Arrests 33 Sex-Traffickers in Atlanta
Ahead of the Super Bowl, the Department of Homeland Security arrested 33 people in Atlanta for sex-trafficking this week.
According to WSB-TV, federal law enforcement officers announced on Wednesday that over the course of four days they were able to arrest 33 people involved in a sex-trafficking operation in Georgia and recover 4 victims.
Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge Nick Annan was not able to elaborate on the cases specifics but he mentioned that authorities will be continuing their efforts to combat sex-trafficking in the area.
In a joint operation with Douglas County police last week, law enforcement officers were successful in arresting 16 sex-traffickers. The youngest perpetrator was 17, WSB-TV reports.
According to police, the Super Bowl – which is this Sunday – did influence the timing of the stings because tourists and non-locals are at a greater risk of falling victim to these crimes. WSB-TV also reports that “crime can surge when lots of free-spending travelers are around.”
Police encouraged visitors of the peach state to avoid buying game day tickets from unofficial sources, noting that over 2,000 counterfeit items were recovered in the sting. They also encourage the use of public transport while heading to the Super Bowl on Sunday and remind people who choose to drive to secure any valuables that may be…
POWER COMMUNION SERVICE – 30th January 2019 MESSAGE TOPIC: DEDICATION AND GIVING TO GOD BY: DR. PAUL ENENCHE
SERVICE OBJECTIVE: Examining the connection between dedication to God and giving to God
All through scriptures we see a very strong connection between dedication to God and giving to God. Dedication to God establishes generosity towards God; dedicated people are effortless and sacrificial givers.
SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN DEDICATION AND GIVING TO GOD:
Abraham (Gen. 22:10-12)
David (Ps. 132:1-5; 1Chron. 29:3)
Solomon (1 Kings 3:3-4)
When people are dedicated to God, you don’t force, cajole or beg them to give to God.
WHY DOES DEDICATION LEAD TO GIVING?
1. Dedication is donation (2Cor. 8:1-5; Prov. 23:26) When your life is dedicated to God it means that your life has been donated to God. When a man has given himself to God, there is nothing that is too big for him to give to God. Dedicated people say to God ‘Lord, anything that I cannot give to you, don’t give it to me’
2. Dedication is affection (Ps. 42:1-2; 1Chron.29:3-5; 1 Kings 3:3-4; Matt. 6:21) Dedicated people are lovers of God and lovers are givers. Your treasure travels in the direction of your affection; your hand gives where your heart is (Matt. 6:21).
Dedication-driven giving is the kind of giving that is driven by affection.
God is too faithful to allow you to seek Him in vain; God is not a user of people, He is a Raiser of people (Heb. 11:6; Isa. 48:17).
people, He is a Raiser of people (Heb. 11:6; Isa. 48:17).
THE IMPACT OF DEDICATION-DRIVEN GIVING:
The provocation of Divine visitation (1Kings 3:4-5; 1Sam. 3:21) In your life, family, business, career and academic pursuits, God appears When God appears, your frustrations must disappear ‘Oh Lord appear in my life and change my story!’ The appearance of God is what leads to excellence in life
Connection to Divine generosity (1Kings 3:5) Your dedication-driven giving connects you to resources beyond the scope of human experience Everything you do with God, do it with a passion and affection, and you will see how God will link you to Divine resources
The realisation of non-financial benefits (1Kings 3:5-12) God will take you to a realm that money cannot buy
The exceeding of life’s expectations (Eph. 3:20) Where you are now is a shadow compared to where God wants to take you to. Face God with passion, affection, dedication and devotion
PRAYERS
Father, I give You the praise, the honour and the adoration. Thank You for Your Word to us tonight. Thank You for the privilege of knowing You and for the privilege of connection. Here am I Lord, use me, in Jesus’ Name.
Father, I surrender myself to You; I donate myself to You. I confirm the donation of my life to You and confirm my affection for You. Receive me lord, and have Your way in my life , in Jesus’ Name.
COMMUNION FOCUS (JOHN 10:17-18):
By this Communion, the power of sacrifice, commitment and dedication to God is communicated; service to God without condition that will usher you to see the rewards of such service is released!
A FINAL WORD (ISAIAH 49:15-16):
It is easier for a woman to forget the child that she is breastfeeding than for God to forget His own
‘I have graven you in the palms of My Hands’
‘You may not see Me but I see you’ WHAT DO YOU DO?
Hold on to God; don’t let go
Look out for His instructions and directions
Wait on Him, be patient with God – He makes all things beautiful in His time
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
Anyone representing any family here, the yoke of poverty on your family is broken! Because of you, God shall set your family free!
God is taking you to the top of your career!
International connections that will take you around the world are coming your way!
Everything pursuing you from your father’s house, I declare that yoke is broken! You will not die like your father died! You will not die like others in your family died! You shall fulfil your days!
You shall cross over and there shall be no carryover!
The month of January cannot end until everything that belongs to you in this month enters into your hands!
The appearance of God in your life in this season is going to change your story and destiny!
After this night, Your God and my God will connect you to His limitless and inexhaustible supplies!
God will take you to a realm that will take even you by surprise!
Every pit they dug for you. Those who dug it must fall inside!
No devil will be able to drink your blood; your life is too heavy for evil sacrifice!
God is about to mobilise people and mobilise situations to watch over you
Every satanic plan for your life, family and destiny, that plan is intercepted
Everyone that is a victim of delay and slow motion, I prophesy to you today, that delay is over!
That lady whose time to get married has come, be ushered into your marriage and into your home now!
Every personality behind every calamity around your life, they shall be exposed and dealt with!
Every mystery around your life that you need to know something about, God shall expose them
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg rejected an appeal by Richard Williamson, saying his case was “manifestly ill-founded”.
According to the German international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, the 78-year-old was also told his punishment – a fine of 1,800 Euros – was “very lenient”.
Williamson made the comments during an interview with Swedish broadcasters in Germany in 2008.
He had argued the conviction violated his right to freedom of expression, and that Swedish law should have been applied to his case. Holocaust denial is not a crime in Sweden but it is illegal in Germany.
Williamson was originally fined 12,000 Euros but the figure was reduced following a legal challenge.
The interview took place while he was a bishop in the ultra-traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X, a group which has been estranged from the Vatican for a number of years.
Williamson has since been expelled by the Society. He is also currently ex-communicated from the Vatican.
Six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis in the 20th century.
Pictures: Auschwitz concentration camps
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The Victorious Family (Part 3) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: The Victorious Family (Part 3)
There are things which, of necessity, should, not be found in your home, if you must enjoy a successful family this year. They are caused by man himself and are obstacles to having a victorious family life. They cause family stress, pain, arguments, quarrel, lack of peace, separation and sometimes, even divorce. A good knowledge of them will keep your family free from evil. However, in the cause of this series, I will dwell on just two of them:
WRONG COMPANY
Being in the company of wrong people, can in no small measure destroy a family with great potentials. The Word of God says, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20). The company you keep either makes or mar you. The major cause of problems in some homes today is wrong company. Definitely, a wrong association will affect you negatively. It will make you do things that you would, naturally, never have done. That is why you must be careful of who you move and share your family issues with. A wise man once said, “Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are” If your friend lies, cheats, steals, beats his wife, is covetous, a complainer or insatiable; then, you are in a wrong boat. Very soon, the nature of that friend will begin to rub off on you and the end result will be destruction.
Anyone that does not constantly lead you towards God’s plan for your family, will eventually lead you towards destroying your home. 1 Corinthians 15:33 states: Be not deceived: evil communication corrupt good manner. The basis for any association should be agreement, (Amos 3:3). When the company you keep is not in agreement with what the Bible says, then you must end the relationship immediately. Friendship, as they say, is by choice and not by force! Separate yourself from wrong friends. Be selective in your association. Do not allow any wrong company to put your family and home asunder.
IMPATIENCE
Patience is a virtue and absence of it equal impatience, which is the inability to deal calmly with a situation or wait for what you expect to happen. It can also mean a state of being in unusual haste. Many families have been ruined because of impatience in the individuals or family members involved. The Bible states: He that believeth shall not make haste (Isaiah 28:16). This means impatience is an act of unbelief, which does not qualify you for receiving anything from God.
Abraham, the father of faith, exercised impatience at a point in his life. (Genesis 16:1-6). God appeared to him several times, assuring him that he would have a son through his wife, Sarah. Having waited for what appeared to be too long a time, he readily gave in to Sarah’s suggestion to go into her maid and raise an heir through her. This singular action culminated in the creation of a strong opposition to the Christian faith today.
Many have destroyed their families and the great things written of them through impatience. They have thought God is too slow to bring their desires to pass and so decided to help themselves. God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than ours. Even when He appears to be delayed, you must never lose hope, because He makes all things beautiful in His time (2 Peter 3:9). Don’t let the enemy cheat you out of your blessings. God is never slow or late. He is always on time with whatever He promises an individual. God’s time is the right time!
The cure for impatience is simply patience backed by faith in the Word of God. James 1:4 says: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Perfection will only come when your patience is in place. Your patience must be backed by a strong faith in God and His Word. If you are experiencing turbulence in your home, for instance, you must discover what God’s Word says is the solution, and then step out in obedience. It may not look like the solution, but God is a marriage expert; He instituted the union and knows how best to make it work.
When you are filled with the Word concerning your home, it will not run short of miracles. To keep enjoying God’s blessings for your family, you must keep doing whatever He tells you to do. Not just doing it, but doing it fully and going to the extremes in your obedience. God has not changed and He will not compromise His standard.
When His Word is not given its priority place in your family, there is bound to be problems. Satan is rendered powerless when a couple stands firmly on the Word of God and operates by its principles. Hold on to God and His Word patiently. Many give up when they are just a minute to their breakthroughs – Don’t give up! Trust God completely. God’s Word in Hebrews 10:36 says: For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Patience is a must! Instead of looking at the problem, challenge or situation; look into God’s Word, confess it to yourself and remind Him in prayers. For instance, if you are looking for a baby; instead of mourning over doctor’s reports and getting unhappy about every monthly menstrual cycle, you can hold on to God’s Word. It never fails! To overcome the darkness of barrenness, go for the light of God’s Word and keep declaring that Word until that barren situation changes. Light will always shine in darkness and darkness can never comprehend light (John 1:5). A woman gave this testimony, she said: “I have been married for 7 years. Shortly after my wedding, my period ceased. Thinking I was pregnant, I kept expecting my baby. But it turned out to be a false alarm. From the results of a conducted ultrasound scan, the doctor said I had a uterus that is too small to accommodate a baby. I laughed it off; reasoning that if God has given those without wombs children, I, who even have one, have hope. I got up for prayers when my case was described by the Bishop’s wife, at one of the conventions held. After prayers were made, my period was restored and a month later, I became pregnant! My baby’s name is David! All glory to God!
I declare that by the power backing the Word I bring to you right now, that situation of barrenness is consumed and you are liberated, in Jesus name. Your testimony shall be the next in Jesus’ name! You are free!
However, true liberty from all those things that put families asunder is established when you accept Jesus Christ into your life. Success in the home begins by knowing God, the Creator of the universe. If you are not born again, you need to surrender your life to Christ. If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
Jared Goff, the quarterback who will oppose Brady in this Sunday’s game, doesn’t remember watching Brady win his first Super Bowl. Goff can be forgiven–he was seven years old at the time.
Topic: The Trademark of a Disciple [Joyce Meyer Devotional 1 February 2019]
Jesus says that there is one way people will know whether we belong to Him or not, and that is our love for one another. I like to say that love is the trademark, the distinguishing sign or characteristic, of a Christian. It’s what sets us apart from the rest of the world.
Before you buy something, do you read labels or look for certain trademarks (brand names) that have a reputation for being good? That is what people should be able to do with us because we are disciples of Jesus Christ.
They should be able to look at us and say, “This is good. This is a person of quality!” People should be able to identify us not only by our talk, but also by our walk.
The world is looking for something to believe in, something real, something tangible. They are looking for love, and God is love (see 1 John 4:8).
Those of us who are Christians need to show them Jesus, and we do that not by merely wearing Christian jewelry or putting bumper stickers with Christian messages on our cars, but by walking in His love and demonstrating that love to others.
Many people have gone to church looking for God and instead been met with the rules and regulations of religion, and not even so much as a friendly smile. They left without encountering God.
Countless people are hungry for God, and God needs us to be His ambassadors, representing Him in every way, starting with His trade¬mark characteristic, which is love.
Prayer Starter: Lord, Your Word says we are Your representatives here on earth (see 2 Corinthians 5:20). I ask for Your help to display Your character—Your love—to everyone I meet. Let my life draw others to Your goodness every single day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the US state of Kentucky told a panel of federal judges on Thursday that Kim Davis from Rowan County should pay $225,000 (£171,000).
They are challenging a previous court ruling that the cost should be met by taxpayers. Her legal team had argued the elected court clerk had held a position of public office.
The case dates back to 2015 when same-sex marriage was legalised nationwide.
Davis – a devout Apostolic Christian – believed her name appearing on marriage licences would amount to an endorsement of gay marriage, and she refused all together to issue the licences.
She was ordered by a court to issue the licenses after being taken to court by couples represented by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Having refused to back down, she found to be in contempt of court and jailed for five days.
The case was eventually dismissed when state politicians passed a law removing the names of county clerks from marriage licences in the state.
Davis’ legal team has argued she should not have to pay the legal fees because, technically, she did not lose the case.
It is unclear when the federal judges will reach a decision.
Davis is no longer a court clerk after she was not re-elected to the post.
In episode 506, we discussed things former pastors missed from their time as a pastor. Today, we look at the other side of the coin and discuss things pastors don’t miss.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
Trying to meet unrealistic expectations placed on you as a pastor is a pathway to burnout.
Evaluate your weekly meetings. Many of them could be shortened or even eliminated.
Congregational pressure is an acute pressure on pastors.
You’re not effectively ministering if you’re neglecting your family.
The seven things we discuss are:
The critics, bullies, and power groups
The stress of unrealistic expectations
Meetings
Being on call 24/7
Stress placed on their families
Dealing with church decline
Administration and leadership
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Episode Sponsors
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