Megachurch Pastor Dean Curry Removed as Life Center Leader After He Is Accused of ‘Adultery’

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Megachurch Pastor Dean Curry Removed as Life Center Leader After He Is Accused of ‘Adultery’

(Photo: Facebook)Dean Curry, lead pastor of Life Center Assembly of God in Tacoma, Wa., has been fired over allegations of “adultery.”

After 14 years at the helm of the multi-campus Life Center Assembly of God church in Tacoma, Washington, Pastor Dean Curry has been removed from his position due allegations of physical misconduct with a former church employee, church officials announced on Sunday.

Curry denied the claim in a report from The News Tribune and told his church that it would make him an adulterer if it were true. He insists that he has never been unfaithful to his wife.

“My relationship with Assembly of God has been fractured,” Curry, 50, told church members at a “family meeting” Sunday. “This woman accused me of behavior that would have amounted to adultery if it were true.”

He refused to identify his accuser to the congregation but said leaders at the Assemblies of God’s Northwest District Council did not give him an opportunity to defend himself and remains confident that an ongoing investigation of the claim would prove that “I have been falsely and wrongly accused.”

Greg Stern, senior director of operations and finance with the Assemblies of God’s Northwest District Council and who is authorized to discuss Curry’s removal, was not immediately available…

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Attorney From Alliance Defending Freedom Named Head of a Group Advising UN on Global Religious Freedom – Urban Christian News

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Attorney From Alliance Defending Freedom Named Head of a Group Advising UN on Global Religious Freedom – Urban Christian News

Days after the U.S. withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council of 47 nations, a U.S. attorney has been named head of a multifaith nongovernmental group advising the U.N. on religious freedoms globally.

Alliance Defending Freedom International’s Kelsey Zorzi began serving June 28 as president of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, formed in 1991 to advocate for international agreements upholding such freedoms from within U.N. headquarters in New York.

The Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief is one of 5,083 NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) holding consultative status with the body, the U.N. said on its website. While the U.N. is comprised of 193 member nations, NGOs are part of a complex U.N. system including numerous affiliated programs, funds and specialized agencies with separate leadership.

“Religious freedom is being undermined in every corner of the globe,” Zorzi said in an ADF press release June 29. “The international community must unite to promote and protect this foundational human right. The NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief is committed to partnering with Member States, UN bodies, and other actors to highlight the current crisis and develop effective responses.” Zorzi was elected president of the committee after having served as acting president since June 2017.

Her post comes after U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s June 19 announcement of U.S. withdrawal from the U.N. Human Rights Council, citing human rights failures of member nations.

Click here to read more.
Source: Baptist Press

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Covenant gateways to financial dominion! By David Oyedepo

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Covenant gateways to financial dominion! By David Oyedepo

Topic: Covenant gateways to financial dominion!

Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching! I hope you were blessed by the teaching for last week. Today, we shall focus on Covenant Gateways to Financial Dominion!

From scriptures, we understand that financial dominion in the Kingdom anchors on the covenant of “sowing” and “reaping”; that is, giving and receiving (Genesis 8:22; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Luke 6:38). This connotes that giving is “sowing” and receiving is “reaping”. Therefore, the covenant of giving and receiving is God’s anchor for His financial fortune plan for the saints. In other words, we are empowered for wealth based on God’s covenant of financial fortune. A covenant, in this context, is a deal enacted by God based on well-defined terms and sealed with an oath, committing God’s integrity to make good His promise (Deuteronomy 8:18; Jeremiah 33:20-26; Malachi 3:6-11; Genesis 14:19-21).

Furthermore, it is important to understand that God’s financial plan is ONLY accessible to those who are interested in the terms of the covenant.

But, what are the Gateways to This Covenant?

We Must Commit to Kingdom Promotion Opportunities with Delight as they Arise From Time to Time: The Bible says that when we take pleasure in the things of the Kingdom, the heaven over us will not be shut from dew, the earth will never cease to yield her fruits to us and things will answer in our lives in the positive. We must also remember that God will not ask us to bring an ‘Isaac’, if He has not given us one. This is because God only demands what He has given to us (Psalm 102:12-14; Haggai 1:2-14).

Giving to the Poor as “engraced” by God: The Bible says: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again (Proverbs 19:17). This was the secret that Job traded and God blessed him till he became the richest man in his days. We must break the donation mentality in our giving life; even when giving to the poor. This is because if we don’t give to them, someone else will. Therefore, let’s give to the needy with a heavenly transaction mentality that delivers undeniable returns to us (Job 29:12-13; Psalm 41:1-3; Proverbs 28:27; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7).

How Does God bless us in Return for our Giving?

Through the Rain of Divine Ideas: Every empire on earth is built on ideas. For instance, Abraham’s empire extended from one generation to another because he received divine insight from God to build the first cattle ranch. Furthermore, he dug a well and founded the first borehole technology. Isaac also operated in divine idea when he designed the first irrigation farming system and became “the farmer” of his generation (Genesis 13:2, 24:34-35, 26:12-22).

Through the Works of our Hands: It is written: Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land (Job 1:9-10). That means Job became the greatest man in the East because God blessed the works of his hands.

Through Divine Favour: God’s favour is what makes high flyers in the Kingdom. Nobody fails with favour because it advances destinies supernaturally and always culminates in fortune. For instance, Joseph had God’s favour and became the heir apparent to Potiphar. That favour followed him to the prison where he became the head of the inmates and thereafter, a Prime Minister in the palace (Genesis 39:5, 21; Psalm 102:13-14, 45:12).

Through Priestly Blessings: Priestly blessings change people’s stories for good. This is because while God speaks to our lives, prophets speak to our moments. For instance, when Abraham gave his tithe, Melchizedek proclaimed a blessing upon him and God confirmed it. As a result, Abraham became a possessor of heaven and earth, and Christ died to connect us to that Abrahamic order of blessings (Genesis 14:19; Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore, we must embrace and appropriate priestly blessings to see them manifest in our lives and in many generations to come.

In addition, we must understand that the covenant of financial abundance is not only for financial blessings but also for things that money cannot buy, and that includes longevity. For instance, all our covenant fathers enjoyed long life: Abraham lived to be 175 years old, Isaac departed at 180, Jacob died at 147 and Job lived for 140 years even after his ordeal. That means among the fringe benefits of the covenant of abundance, is longevity (Genesis 25:7-8, 35:28-29, 47:28; Job 42:10-17; Galatians 3:13-14, 4:28, Romans 2:28-29). This helps us to recognise that old age is good and that it is God’s perspective for all His children. However, we must understand that all our covenant fathers engaged the covenant of giving and receiving as a lifestyle and that engendered their longevity (Genesis 14:19-21; 28:22-28). That means when God’s blessing comes upon us, we become indestructible. Every effort to destroy Joseph failed because there was a blessing on him. This is because covenant blessings put us above circumstances that destroy others, including death.

In conclusion, the covenant of giving and receiving is a mystery. That is why the devil wants to rob us of the blessings therein. We must understand that our giving capacity defines the limits of God’s blessings in our lives because we are blessed primarily to be a blessing. That is why we will not be blessed beyond our capacity to being a blessing. For easy access to covenant gateways to financial dominion, you must be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Understanding Financial Prosperity, Breaking Financial Hardship, Covenant Wealth and Hidden Covenants of Blessing.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo 

The post Covenant gateways to financial dominion! By David Oyedepo appeared first on Flatimes.

Covenant gateways to financial dominion! By David Oyedepo

CM Editor
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0
Covenant gateways to financial dominion! By David Oyedepo

Topic: Covenant gateways to financial dominion!

Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching! I hope you were blessed by the teaching for last week. Today, we shall focus on Covenant Gateways to Financial Dominion!

From scriptures, we understand that financial dominion in the Kingdom anchors on the covenant of “sowing” and “reaping”; that is, giving and receiving (Genesis 8:22; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Luke 6:38). This connotes that giving is “sowing” and receiving is “reaping”. Therefore, the covenant of giving and receiving is God’s anchor for His financial fortune plan for the saints. In other words, we are empowered for wealth based on God’s covenant of financial fortune. A covenant, in this context, is a deal enacted by God based on well-defined terms and sealed with an oath, committing God’s integrity to make good His promise (Deuteronomy 8:18; Jeremiah 33:20-26; Malachi 3:6-11; Genesis 14:19-21).

Furthermore, it is important to understand that God’s financial plan is ONLY accessible to those who are interested in the terms of the covenant.

But, what are the Gateways to This Covenant?

We Must Commit to Kingdom Promotion Opportunities with Delight as they Arise From Time to Time: The Bible says that when we take pleasure in the things of the Kingdom, the heaven over us will not be shut from dew, the earth will never cease to yield her fruits to us and things will answer in our lives in the positive. We must also remember that God will not ask us to bring an ‘Isaac’, if He has not given us one. This is because God only demands what He has given to us (Psalm 102:12-14; Haggai 1:2-14).

Giving to the Poor as “engraced” by God: The Bible says: He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again (Proverbs 19:17). This was the secret that Job traded and God blessed him till he became the richest man in his days. We must break the donation mentality in our giving life; even when giving to the poor. This is because if we don’t give to them, someone else will. Therefore, let’s give to the needy with a heavenly transaction mentality that delivers undeniable returns to us (Job 29:12-13; Psalm 41:1-3; Proverbs 28:27; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7).

How Does God bless us in Return for our Giving?

Through the Rain of Divine Ideas: Every empire on earth is built on ideas. For instance, Abraham’s empire extended from one generation to another because he received divine insight from God to build the first cattle ranch. Furthermore, he dug a well and founded the first borehole technology. Isaac also operated in divine idea when he designed the first irrigation farming system and became “the farmer” of his generation (Genesis 13:2, 24:34-35, 26:12-22).

Through the Works of our Hands: It is written: Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land (Job 1:9-10). That means Job became the greatest man in the East because God blessed the works of his hands.

Through Divine Favour: God’s favour is what makes high flyers in the Kingdom. Nobody fails with favour because it advances destinies supernaturally and always culminates in fortune. For instance, Joseph had God’s favour and became the heir apparent to Potiphar. That favour followed him to the prison where he became the head of the inmates and thereafter, a Prime Minister in the palace (Genesis 39:5, 21; Psalm 102:13-14, 45:12).

Through Priestly Blessings: Priestly blessings change people’s stories for good. This is because while God speaks to our lives, prophets speak to our moments. For instance, when Abraham gave his tithe, Melchizedek proclaimed a blessing upon him and God confirmed it. As a result, Abraham became a possessor of heaven and earth, and Christ died to connect us to that Abrahamic order of blessings (Genesis 14:19; Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore, we must embrace and appropriate priestly blessings to see them manifest in our lives and in many generations to come.

In addition, we must understand that the covenant of financial abundance is not only for financial blessings but also for things that money cannot buy, and that includes longevity. For instance, all our covenant fathers enjoyed long life: Abraham lived to be 175 years old, Isaac departed at 180, Jacob died at 147 and Job lived for 140 years even after his ordeal. That means among the fringe benefits of the covenant of abundance, is longevity (Genesis 25:7-8, 35:28-29, 47:28; Job 42:10-17; Galatians 3:13-14, 4:28, Romans 2:28-29). This helps us to recognise that old age is good and that it is God’s perspective for all His children. However, we must understand that all our covenant fathers engaged the covenant of giving and receiving as a lifestyle and that engendered their longevity (Genesis 14:19-21; 28:22-28). That means when God’s blessing comes upon us, we become indestructible. Every effort to destroy Joseph failed because there was a blessing on him. This is because covenant blessings put us above circumstances that destroy others, including death.

In conclusion, the covenant of giving and receiving is a mystery. That is why the devil wants to rob us of the blessings therein. We must understand that our giving capacity defines the limits of God’s blessings in our lives because we are blessed primarily to be a blessing. That is why we will not be blessed beyond our capacity to being a blessing. For easy access to covenant gateways to financial dominion, you must be born again. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” For further reading, please get my books: Understanding Financial Prosperity, Breaking Financial Hardship, Covenant Wealth and Hidden Covenants of Blessing.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: [email protected]; Face book: www.facebook.com/davidoyedepoministries/; Twitter: @DavidOyedepoMin

Please click HERE to read other inspiring MESSAGES by Bishop David Oyedepo 

The post Covenant gateways to financial dominion! By David Oyedepo appeared first on Flatimes.

Christian mother loses High Court bid to challenge abortion clinic prayer vigil ban

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Christian mother loses High Court bid to challenge abortion clinic prayer vigil ban

Ealing Council was the first in the country to create a 100-metre protest-free “buffer zone” outside a Marie Stopes clinic in the west London borough following protests.

Christian mother Alina Dulgheriu, of the Be Here For Me campaign argued the ban was an unlawful interference with the protesters’ rights under the European Convention on Human Rights – including the right to freedom of expression.

 

But the case was dismissed on Monday by Mr Justice Turner, who found the ban does interfere with activists’ rights but said the council was “entitled” to conclude it was a “necessary step in a democratic society”.

The judge added: “There was substantial evidence that a very considerable number of users of the clinic reasonably felt that their privacy was being very seriously invaded at a time and place when they were most vulnerable and sensitive to uninvited attention.

“It also follows that, in this regard, I am also satisfied that the defendant (council) was entitled to conclude that the effect of the activities of the protesters was likely to make such activities unreasonable and justified the restrictions imposed.”

The public spaces protection order (PSPO) came into force in April after reports of “intimidation, harassment and distress” for women using the facility on Mattock Lane.

Clinical operations manager John Hansen-Brevetti said women had been told that the ghost…

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Christian Man Faces 2 Years in Jail for Criticizing Homosexuality

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Christian Man Faces 2 Years in Jail for Criticizing Homosexuality


Christian Man Faces 2 Years in Jail for Criticizing Homosexuality


A Canadian Christian man faces up to two years in prison and a charge of promoting hatred after distributing pamphlets that included Bible verses and graphic medical pictures.


Bill Whatcott, 51, is accused of violating the nation’s hate crimes law, which prohibits “willful promotion of hatred.”


He passed out around 3,000 pamphlets at the 2016 Pride Toronto parade and a warrant was issued for his arrest in June of this year, The Toronto Star reported. He turned himself in to police. 


“This notion that I hate homosexuals is rubbish,” Whatcott said in an interview before he turned himself in to police. “When the Left accuses conservative Christians of hate, they’re really being disingenuous, because it’s them that hate.


“… What I do is I speak the truth, and I think the truth is the loving thing to share, even when it’s hard to share,” he added. “If you’ve got a kid who is doing drugs and ruining his life, [then] just telling him it’s fine is not helpful. You have to tell him he’s destroying himself. … The homosexual lifestyle and the homosexual agenda certainly destroys the lives of homosexuals, and it is harmful to the entire nation.”


The pamphlets included graphic pictures of the result of sexually transmitted diseases.   


“The rejection of true marriage is … in direct opposition to God’s law and it is our duty to warn…

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3 in 10 Christians share their faith on social media

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3 in 10 Christians share their faith on social media

According to a report from Barna Group entitled Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, 28 per cent of American adults share their faith via social media and almost six in ten (58 per cent) non-Christians say someone has shared their faith with them through Facebook.

Bryony Taylor, a social media expert and a Church of England priest, told Premier she’s surprised the number isn’t much higher.

 

“I did a similar study with 300 adults, mainly British people a few years years ago,” she said.

“There was a much a higher percentage of Christians in this country that happily that share their faith using social media. I’m quite intrigued to hear it [the findings of the study], especially given that America is sort of a more Christian country than ours.”

Forty-four per cent of Christian respondents to the survey said technology and digital interactions has changed how they share their faith.

Taylor told Premier she thinks online evanglism can be more effective than face-to-face evangelism. She gave an example of a former colleague asking a faith-related question.

“He sent me a message on Twitter saying ‘Do you have to be baptised to be saved?'” she said.

“There’s no way he would have asked me that question over a cup of coffee at work but he felt able to use social media to ask me that question so I feel it can be more effective because people feel less intimated.”

The…

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Study: 5,500 Women Go to ER Every Year from Abortion Procedures

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Study: 5,500 Women Go to ER Every Year from Abortion Procedures


Study: 5,500 Women Go to ER Every Year from Abortion Procedures


Some 5,500 women go to the emergency room each year in the U.S. because of complications following abortion procedures.


According to a study from Ushma D. Upadhyay, a professor at the University of California, at least 27,941 women went to an emergency room after abortions from 2009 to 2013.


The study, however, said “perceptions that abortion is unsafe are not based on evidence.”


“Abortion-related [emergency department] visits comprise a small proportion of women’s ED visits,” the study concludes. “Many abortion-related visits may not be indicated or could have been managed at a less costly level of care. Given the low rate of major incidents, perceptions that abortion is unsafe are not based on evidence,” the study claims.


Researchers used data from a sample of 947 to 964 hospitals with a focus on women and girls from 15-49.


Of the emergency room cases between 2009-2013, 51 percent received observational care only. About 20 percent of emergency room visits by women who had suffered complications from an abortion were cases that required a transfusion, surgery or inpatient stint. About 22 percent of all cases in those years resulted in hospital admission.


According to the study, just .11 percent of all abortions in the U.S. result in major incidents.


Women who go to abortion facilities should be told of the risks, Students for Life of America spokesperson Matt…

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MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Monday, 2 July 2018 – The Bread of Life

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TOPIC: The Bread of Life (Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Monday, 2 July 2018)

FIRE SCRIPTURE: John 6:31-35

MEMORY VERSE: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

The MESSAGE:

Jesus said to the unbelieving people whom He had fed previously that He was the Bread from heaven. He made a sharp difference between the bread (manna) which their forefathers ate in the wilderness and the true bread from heaven. Jesus explained that He is the Bread from heaven and anyone that comes to Him shall never hunger or thirst. Though the people in the Fire Scripture wanted the bread Jesus talked about, they were not ready to believe in Him and come after Him. This is the true picture of the so called believers of today; they want the gift but not the giver. Many who attend our services love the prayers, miracles and testimonies but they are not ready to live a life of holiness inside out and surrender their lives to Jesus. They are miracle collectors and not heaven seekers.

A lady who was having terrible attacks was invited by her friend to our services. On getting to the entrance point, she hissed at the usher and made a U-turn. She went away with her load of trouble which she could have rolled over to Jesus if she had obeyed the simple instruction.

Bread is symbolic in the context in which it is used in the Fire Scripture. When you come to Jesus and surrender your life to Him, He will in turn give to you the Bread of Life which will last you till eternity. You will not hunger and thirst but you have everything sufficient for you to live here on earth and make heaven. Jesus is the Bread that supplies other needs. Take a careful look at Philippians 4:19, it says, God will supply all your need not needs. Though human beings have many needs, however, the Holy Spirit puts it in the singular form, because only one need will suffice and that one need is Jesus! With Jesus in your life, occupying the first position, all other things shall be taken care of. Let Jesus be your bread of life today.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
The gift cannot be greater than the giver.

PROPHETIC WORD:
You shall not lack any good thing.

PRAYER POINTS:

MORNING
1. My Father, and my God, give me the Bread of Life so that I thirst no more, in the name of Jesus.
2. My Father and my God, give me the Bread of life so that I hunger no more, in the name of Jesus.
3. Bread from heaven, Jesus Christ, feed me till I want no more, in the name of Jesus.

EVENING
4. Thank You Lord for Your daily mercies in my life, in the name of Jesus.
5. Lord Jesus, take my life and let it be consecrated to You alone, in the name of Jesus.
6. Father, Your well of supply in my life will never run dry, in the name of Jesus.
7. Any counterfeit bread I have consumed before, come out, 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.

The post MFM Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional Monday, 2 July 2018 – The Bread of Life appeared first on Flatimes.

Open Heavens 3 July 2018 – Guilty of Being Righteous!

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Open Heavens 3 July 2018 – Guilty of Being Righteous!

Topic: Guilty of Being Righteous! [Open Heavens 3rd July 2018, Tuesday Daily Devotional]

Memorise: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. – Matthew 5:11

Read: Daniel 6:3-10 (KJV)

3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Bible in One Year: 1 Chronicles 26-27, Acts 21:17-36

MESSAGE:

Persecution is the harassment and suffering that people and institutions inflict upon others for being different in their faith, world view, culture or race, with the intention to intimidate, silence, denounce, convert or even kill them. The story of man outside the Garden of Eden begins with the persecution of the righteous by the unrighteous in Genesis 4:3-8. Abel was killed by Cain simply because God respected Abel’s offering and considered him to be righteous (Hebrews 11:4). Lot’s experience, as narrated in 2 Peter 2:7-8, illustrates the suffering involved in refusing to conform to popular culture. Daniel was persecuted because he disregarded the king’s decree by praying to the God of heaven. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were persecuted because they refuse to worship the image of the king (Daniel 3). Psalm 119:84-87 speaks of the cry of the righteous one who was being persecuted for upholding God’s word. Various prophets of God in the Bible also suffered persecution because they tried to live out the will of God in adverse circumstances. Jesus Himself noted in Luke 11:50-51 that the persecution of God’s people began from the foundation of the world and would continue throughout history.

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;…” – John 15:20

Based on these words of our Lord, persecution is a hard part of life to be faced bravely, and a hallmark of genuine children of God. Are your Christian virtues causing you problems with your friends, colleagues, neighbours, family members or boss? Have you been tagged antisocial because of your modest way of dressing, attitude to the opposite sex, refusal to consume alcohol or other stimulants, and rejection of a worldly lifestyle? Have you been told that you may never make it becomes you have refused to participate in illegal and fraudulent business practices? Have you been told as a woman that you may never get a man to marry you unless you wear skimpy dresses and make up excessively? Are you under any pressure to join a cult or swear allegiance to someone or something in order to make it in life? Are you under any attack because of your constant praises to God, Bible study or witnessing about Jesus? Do not yield to any of these threats or believe their lies. Rejoice because the Lord has pronounced His blessings on everyone who endures persecution to the very end (Matthew 5:10-12). The blessings of the Lord will be permanent in your life in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer Point: Father, please strengthen my resolve to endure persecution to the very end in Jesus’ Name.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 2 July 2018 – Eternal Security: An Illusion II

Hymn 5: I Have Decided To Follow Jesus

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

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. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

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 Open Heavens 3 July 2018 – Guilty of Being Righteous! appeared first on Flatimes.

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