South Sudanese Christian activist talks peace building with MPs

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South Sudanese Christian activist talks peace building with MPs

Following the creation of South Sudan in 2011, a civil war erupted in December 2013 and more than 4.3 million people have been forced to flee their homes as a result. There are 1.84 million internally displaced and 2.5 million refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries due to the conflict.

Juma Mariel works for African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM), which partners with UK charity Tearfund.

 

He told Premier conflict in South Sudan has had a major impact on people who live there.

The conflict is the key driver of food insecurity undermining both agricultural and livestock production, disrupting livelihoods and forcing people to flee.

“It has reduced the level of literacy that people are supposed to have and the level of development has also continued to deteriorate,” Mariel said.

“The level of understanding in that aspect is that people have learned how to deal with hard situations and they also have not been able to move forward in their lives.”

There have been several peace processes and initiatives which have sought to bring peace to the war-torn country. However, they have been characterised by delays, extensions and lack of implementation from the warring parties and the violence has continued.

Leading up to Mariel’s meeting with MPs, he told Premier he will share messages from local people.

‘I’ll inform them about the recommendations from…

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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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More Than 100 Vehicles Are Engulfed in Flames as Typhoon Jebi Smashes Japan With Giant Waves and 135mph Winds – While a Million People Are Told to Evacuate During Worst Storm in 25 Years

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More Than 100 Vehicles Are Engulfed in Flames as Typhoon Jebi Smashes Japan With Giant Waves and 135mph Winds – While a Million People Are Told to Evacuate During Worst Storm in 25 Years

Eleven people have been killed, a million are without power and thousands have been left stranded after a fierce typhoon lashed Japan.

Hundreds more were injured when homes and infrastructure along the west coast were devastated by Typhoon Jebi – Japan’s most powerful storm in a quarter of a century.

Kansai International Airport – one of the country’s busiest – was cut off when a 2,500-ton tanker smashed into the terminal’s sole access road meaning thousands had to spend the night in the partially flooded facility.

This morning, boats were ferrying stranded passengers to the mainland while footage showed a caravan of buses making a perilous trip across the damaged bridge – yards from the spot where the ship had crashed into the carriageway amid 135mph winds yesterday.

Runways were flooded as high waves washed into the facility on Tuesday, knocking out electricity and inundating buildings.

Jebi, or ‘swallow’ in Korean, has since slammed into Russia – causing flash floods on Sakhalin Island to Japan’s north.

Kansai International Airport - one of the country's busiest - was cut off when a 2,500-ton tanker smashed into the terminal's sole access road (pictured today) meaning thousands had to spend the night in the partially flooded facility

Kansai International Airport – one of the country’s busiest – was cut off when a 2,500-ton tanker smashed into the terminal’s sole access road (pictured today) meaning thousands had to spend the night in the partially flooded facility

Kansai International Airport is built on artificial islands in Osaka Bay, and the high seas flooded one of its two runways (pictured), cargo storage and other facilities, said the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. One passenger was slightly injured by shards from a window shattered by the storm

Kansai International Airport is built on artificial islands in Osaka Bay, and the high seas flooded one of its two runways (pictured), cargo storage and other facilities, said the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. One passenger was slightly injured by shards from a window shattered…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Urban Christian News

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“Mob rule” as Kavanaugh hearings begin

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“Mob rule” as Kavanaugh hearings begin

“I’ve covered five other Supreme Court confirmation hearings. None of them included anything like the chaos in the opening minutes of the Kavanaugh hearings this morning.”

This was New York Times legal reporter Adam Liptak’s response to the beginning of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s hearings yesterday. Today’s Washington Post reports that dozens of protesters were arrested; one senator complained of “mob rule” as the hearings began.

In other controversial news, Nike announced that former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be featured in its new advertising campaign. The company’s stock fell more than 3 percent on the news and some burned their Nike apparel in protest. Others applauded the company for its decision; some are calling Kaepernick “the face of the new civil rights movement.”

“You have wrapped yourself in a cloud”

As our society becomes more divided and divisive, Christians are tempted to withdraw from the acrimonious “culture wars.” The more secular our culture becomes, the more absent God seems.

But this is a self-fulfilling prophecy, like a horoscope that predicts the bad day its reader then expects and thus experiences. The less we look for God, the less we see him. And the less we see him, the less we look for him.

This cycle extends to our prayers as well.

The book of Lamentations describes its author’s grief over the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple in 586 BC. By chapter 3, the author’s mourning for his nation has affected his intercession.

He complains that God “shuts out my prayer; he has blocked my ways with blocks of stones; he has made my paths crooked” (vv. 8-9). He says to the Lord, “You have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through” (v. 44).

When we measure our prayers by their circumstantial results, it’s sometimes easy to feel the same way. Your loved one is still sick; your wayward child has not yet repented; your future seems clouded and…

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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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Christian charity urges Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities

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Christian charity urges Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities

At least eleven people were killed and twelve injured over the weekend in a drive-by shooting in the Du community of Jos in Plateau state, officials have confirmed.

According to eyewitnesses, shots were fired on people in their shops and on the road using semi-automatic weapons before the terrorists sped off minutes later.

 

Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s (CSW) Chief Operations Officer, Scot Bower voiced his concerns in a statement and said: “CSW extends its deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones in these latest attacks.

“We are particularly disturbed by reports that a woman who survived a militia attack in Plateau state was subsequently killed in cold blood by soldiers who should have been safeguarding her community.

“The government must regain the trust of vulnerable communities, not only by providing timely and adequate protection, but also by ensuring this murder is investigated in a swift and transparent manner, with any identified suspects facing trial or court martial.

“Once again. CSW urges the federal and state governments to prioritise rehabilitation and justice for traumatised survivors, and to refrain from victimizing them further.

“We also echo local appeals for the international community and relevant UN officials to raise the relentless loss of life in the indigenous communities of central Nigeria with the government, and to urge it to…

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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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Seven Reasons Why Church Worship Centers Will Get Smaller

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Seven Reasons Why Church Worship Centers Will Get Smaller

  1. Decreasing frequency of attendance among church members.
  2. The growth of the “nones.”
  3. The growth of the multi-site and multi-venue church.
  4. The Millennials’ aversion to larger worship centers.
  5. Governmental agencies are increasingly unfriendly to church building plans.
  6. The shift in emphasis from the big worship event to an emphasis on groups.
  7. The desire to spend more on ministry and less on facilities.

Some highlights from today’s Rainer Report:

  • There has been a huge shift in attendance patterns of church goers over the past few decades.
  • Millennials prefer smaller venues for corporate worship.
  • Groups have become the new emphasis for churches instead of worship attendance alone.
  • More and more churches are becoming debt averse leading them to not build large worship centers.

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

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Millions of people ‘receiving less than their fair share’, Archbishop Justin Welby warns

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Millions of people ‘receiving less than their fair share’, Archbishop Justin Welby warns

Rt Rev Justin Welby also warned of a “widening gulf between rich and poor” as he called for fairness to be put “at the heart of the economy”.

His comments accompany a new report which calls for radical changes, including a higher minimum wage.

 

Archbishop Justin said: “For decades, the UK economy has not worked as it should, with millions of people and many parts of the country receiving less than their fair share.

“The widening gulf between rich and poor, and fears about the future among young people and their parents, have damaged our nation’s sense of itself.

“Our report shows that it doesn’t have to be like this.”

The document, published by a commission created two years ago by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), urges a new ten-year reform plan which includes higher levels of public investment.

Among the more than 70 recommendations, it also suggests raising corporation tax, a new National Investment Bank, and having workers join company boards.

Mark Stevenson - Flickr

 

Archbishop Justin added: “By putting fairness at the heart of the economy, we can make it perform better, improving the lives of millions of people.

“Achieving prosperity and justice together is not only a moral imperative – it is an economic one.”

The document, which is also backed by the TUC union and economists, warns that living standards have stagnated for…

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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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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 5 September 2018 – You Shall Give Account

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TOPIC: You Shall Give Account (Mountain Of Fire And Miracle Ministries Wednesday, 5 September 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 12:1-9, 13-14

MEMORY VERSE: “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:12

The MESSAGE:

It is certain that everything we do on this planet shall come to a close one day. Man may talk about secret sins but this is mere self-deception, as there is nothing secret before God. When God put Adam in the Garden of Eden, He spelt out responsibility, accountability, offences and penalties so that the relationship would not be based on assumptions. For as long as Adam operated within the terms spelt out, everything was well with Him. But the day he stepped out of his boundary, God did not retain him in the Garden even though it was His divine agenda to have man keep and dress the Garden. Many people take God for granted even though they are fully aware of the consequences and penalties of committing sin. God has a purpose for everything He puts in our care, and we must diligently operate within the terms set by Him. God is not in the business of wasting time, talents, resources, anointing, and position. Whatever is put to your care shall be required of you on the Day of Judgement when the books of your activities shall be opened and read before all. You must fear God as you utilise anything He has put in your care. How you handle it determines the reward you get from Him.

God has not given you talents to be idle like the unprofitable servant. He has not given you position for the purpose of oppressing others like Haman. He has not anointed you to plague those who offend you with curses. He has not given you a tongue to gossip but to praise Him. He has not given you eyes to lust after ungodly things. He has not given you wealth and influence to acquire strange women like Solomon. He has not given you strength and power to mismanage like Samson. He has not given you mouth to speak unholy words but to preach the gospel. He has not given you hands to steal church money but to bless the poor with whatever you can afford. He has not given you good education to use in publishing anti-gospel materials but to contribute positively to the enlightenment of the world with scriptural materials. Moses was trained as a shepherd in preparation for leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Peter was a skillful fisherman in preparation for aggressive soul winning. Paul engaged his educational training as a lawyer, religious training as a Pharisee, and undaunted zeal as a persecutor of Christians to make remarkable marks in evangelism, church planting, follow up of converts, and mentoring of Christian leaders. David’s skill in playing musical instrument to calm king Saul down from the torments of evil spirit was later deployed in praising and worshipping God which earned him the reputation of the great Psalmist.

God did not spare Lucifer who misused his anointing and position but cast him down from heaven. He did not spare the rich fool who refused to help poor Lazarus but condemned him to hell-fire. He did not spare the children of Eli who used their position to defile the temple but handed the judgement of death upon them. He did not spare David when he killed Uriah and took his wife but issued everlasting decree of raging sword upon his seed. These are few instances of the judgement of God upon those who misused what He put in their care. You must take heed today and be conscious that whatever you do, you shall surely give account on the Day of Judgement.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
GOD IS THE BEST MANAGER OF RESOURCES. HE DOES NOT LIKE HIS CHILDREN WASTING TIME, TALENTS, ANOINTING AND POSITION.

PROPHETIC WORD:
May you use all that God has given you to praise and glorify His name.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. Teach me to number my days O Lord, in the name of Jesus.
2. Spirit of obedience, baptise my life, in the name of Jesus.
3. I refuse to use my spiritual gifts against God, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. I shall not fall into the errors and snares of the devil, in the name of Jesus.
5. I shall not be demoted but my enemies shall be demoted, in the name of Jesus.
6. I shall not waste my divine calling and ministry, in the name of Jesus.
7. O Lord, give me the wisdom to do Your will always, in the name of Jesus.

“If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional HERE

MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE is a daily devotional by Dr. D.K Olukoya (General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Worldwide)

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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David Ibiyeomie: The Power of Imagination

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David Ibiyeomie: The Power of Imagination

The Power of Imagination by David Ibiyeomie

Topic: The Power of Imagination

Prov. 4:23 – Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

When a definite strong idea is held consistently in the imagination, it can actually change the biochemistry of the brain so that it is no longer programmed for failure or defeat but programmed for success. When the brain is programmed by the power of thought and imagination, it can achieve unprecedented things. The power of thought is the only thing we have control of. The truth is, no one can stop you from thinking. You have the power of thinking. Your thoughts become your words; and if you change what you think or imagine, your conditions will change.

Proverbs 23:7 –As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

You are a product of your thoughts. Scientists have seen that thoughts and mental images can initiate psychological changes, and the physical and chemistry parts of our bodies. But no matter the field of your endeavour, when you think with the law of faith and the free use of your imagination, you will exceed more than everyone’s expectations, even yours, and the world will change into success for you.

A great scientist said, ‘The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds’.

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

You renew your mind by getting new information. You will always think the way you think unless you get new information. New information makes you renew the way you have always seen things or thought. If you programme your mind consistently with great emotion and dedication, you will see God’s promises fulfilled in your life.

Imagination means forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses. It is a conception of mental creation. Imagination also means to think, believe and assume. God gives you imagination because imagination keeps you going on in life.

Heb.11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Every time you have faith, you are imagining what you hope will happen. Faith is what you hope for; though not physical to your five senses but you believe will be. When God poured out His Spirit upon us, He wants us to prophesy about what we want to happen, dream about what we want to see, and have visions about what He has laid upon our hearts.

Philippians 4:8 –Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things

The words ‘imagination’ and ‘meditate’ are the same word in Greek. Both words are ‘melatao’ in Greek. The word ‘melatao’ means imagination and to meditate.

Joshua 1:8- This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success

From the above scripture, God wants you to make your ways prosperous by the power of your meditation and imagination. When you imagine something and follow it through, it becomes a reality.

2Cor. 10:5 -Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Therefore, don’t expect or imagine anything that is contrary to the word of God. Unknowingly, people expect evil. They imagine all sorts of evil that are not scriptural befalling them. Some will imagine that their children will not come back from school. Through negative imagination, they dream that someone close to them died. They imagine failure, poverty and even family crisis. Some imagine divorcing when they are not even married yet. I have seen women imagining being barren before they even get married. Satan capitalizes on negative imaginations of believers to attack them. I decree that no evil imagination will stand in your mind anymore in Jesus name!

If you imagine any evil, it will come to pass; therefore, expect only good thing. Expect to see yourself alive and fruitful because only the expectation of the righteous that will be granted. Don’t expect anything contrary to the word of God.

I pray for you today, whatever is evil will not see you! You are touch-not to evil; even poverty will be far from you! All arrows of the wicked will not see you. The aircraft, car or boat you board shall arrive safely. Evil will clear from your path henceforth! You will end this year well in Jesus name –Amen!!!

God bless you

Also Read: Other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post David Ibiyeomie: The Power of Imagination appeared first on Flatimes.

Andrew Wommack 5 September 2018 Daily Devotional

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Andrew Wommack 5 September 2018 Daily Devotional

Topic: God’s Voice [Andrew Wommack 5 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

John 12:28 “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Text: John 12:20-28

This is the third time recorded in the gospels that the Father spoke in an audible voice to or about Jesus (First, at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River and second, at the transfiguration of Jesus).

This verse makes it clear that it was a voice that the Father spoke in; however, there were different reports of the same event. Some people heard a voice and thought it was an angel who spoke. Others thought it was thunder.

This illustrates “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). A carnal man with a hardened heart will always find some natural explanation for the supernatural even if he heard an audible voice from God.

A hard heart keeps us from perceiving spiritual truths and stops us from understanding. When a person doesn’t understand God’s Word, Satan finds no resistance when he comes to steal it away. A hard heart keeps us from remembering. This isn’t to say that facts or scriptures can’t be recalled, it’s the spiritual lessons learned that have been forgotten. Likewise, some people can quote scripture or remember what the sermon was about, but they can’t perceive the spiritual life in it or retain what they did perceive, because of a hardened heart.

Jesus didn’t need to hear this audible voice of God because he had a more sure word of prophecy than the audible voice of God from heaven (2 Pet. 1:18-20). Jesus knew the “voice” of the Old Testament scriptures that spoke of the Christ being glorified and He could also hear the Father’s voice in His heart as He had on so many other occasions. This audible voice didn’t come to reassure Jesus, but it came to those who had ears to hear, so that they might believe.

Also Read: Andrew Wommack Daily Devotional

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).

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TREM 5 September 2018 Daily Devotional – Your Work Shall Be Rewarded

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TREM 5 September 2018 Daily Devotional – Your Work Shall Be Rewarded

Topic: Your Work Shall Be Rewarded [TREM 5 September 2018 Daily Devotional]

“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 (KJV)

As believers, we can make all the difference in our world for the kingdom if we all arise from our comfort zones. We can truly influence our world if we dare. When Jesus walked the face of the earth, His mandate was to do the Father’s will. Little wonder He could say ‘It is finished’ while He hung on the cross. Today, that same urgency to do the will of the Father has been handed over to us and we cannot afford to fail.

Beloved, do you realize that God’s intention is that you serve wherever He has located you? When you come to church, it is to get refueled and recharged so that you can go back and impact your world for the kingdom. God wants you to work the way He would have worked if He were in your shoes. For instance, if you are a teacher, God expects you to study diligently and pass on the correct information to your students. If you are a dressmaker, He expects you to make clothes that will stand the test of time for your clients. When you do that, you make it very easy for the gospel to penetrate your work environment because you are the ‘Jesus’ the people know and you are the ‘bible’ they read.

In addition, God has given to every person, gifts, talents and abilities so that we all can contribute our own quota to the kingdom. What that simply means is that you are wired for something. There is a place for you to function in the kingdom. There is a “square hole” for every “square peg”, and a “round hole” for every “round peg”. The responsibility is for you to find your place and fulfill destiny. The days of just warming the seats are over. You need to get involved at the Group level and join a Ministry Arm of your choice, in your local assembly. Your hands must be in the mud, because there is no room for spectators.

Further Reading: Hebrews 6:11, Galatians 6:9

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Psalms 146-147; Evening- 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

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.

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