Category: faith

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Life with Christ shouldn’t be shallow

The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19.

Pray for the impartation of the Holy Spirit and believe that it is for you. Search your own hearts, and prepare your mind for the reception of the Holy Spirit. Do not be satisfied with your present experience. Sincere Christians universally want to “go deeper” in faith and knowledge of the Scripture. 

Prayer should be the natural outflow of the soul – you should pray because you must pray, not because the set time for praying has arrived – but because your heart must cry unto your Lord.

It is the privilege of every believer in Christ to possess Christ’s nature, a nature far above that which Adam forfeited by transgression. He who sees the Son by faith and believes in Him, is obedient to the commandments of God, and in this obedience he finds everlasting life. You will not have a firm religious experience unless you dig deep, and build your house upon the Rock. But spiritual depth isn’t simply about knowledge (a common misconception), but about everyday life and relationships. And where better to begin than reflecting on how to have deeper joy in Christ?

Satan works through many who will be worked, blinding the perceptive faculties, paralyzing the senses with selfish ease and love of the world, and unless a special message direct from heaven comes to them they will not discern their peril.

Many believers waver between different opinions and actions showing feelings of hesitancy when studying the word of God. Many grasp the truth with their perceptive powers, but they sometimes refuse to separate themselves from the world.

Many will not consent to be God’s peculiar people. They know the truth of the Bible, but they do not want to obey, and they turn from the truth. They act out their unbelief, and darkness comes upon their souls. Choosing their own way they are left to be filled with their own devices. Truth is insulted, Christ ignored, and perdition will be their portion unless they turn and repent in the name of Jesus.

While these opposing influences are at work to lead away from the truth, away from conviction, away from heaven into the broad path of self-gratification, the agents of God are to work to save souls that are ready to perish.

Prayer to Seek Truth

Lord, help me to seek truth today
To find it in places and people I wouldn’t otherwise notice.
Teach me that in truth there is wisdom and understanding.
May seeking truth help me overcome my fears and frustrations.

Lord, help me to strive for truth in all that I do today —
That my thoughts, words, and actions may reflect Your goodness.
Show me that only in truth will I be free —
To live honestly and courageously,
To love wholeheartedly and unconditionally.

Lord, help me to cherish truth —
Knowing that You are the author of all that is beautiful, good, and true.
May truth reign in my heart, no matter what I encounter today —
Lies, mockery, confusion, or betrayal.
Your truth gives me clarity and peace.

Lord, You created truth.
You are Truth.
Help me to know truth when I see it;
Learn truth when I am taught it;
Love truth,
Live truth.

Help me to share truth with others today —
Those who are lost and lonely,
The brokenhearted and weary,
Anyone who is suffering from visible or invisible pain.

When I am a son or daughter of truth, I am free to be
Fully alive
Fully myself
And an honest reflection of You.

Truth leads to greater knowledge
Compassion
Understanding
Respect
Charity
And excellence in all virtues.

Truth strengthens me
Guides me
Leads me
Protects me
Keeps me.
I am constant when I dwell in Your truth.
I am unafraid of what I may face.
I am vigilant and poised for speaking
The witness of who You are in truth.

Your Word is truth — may the truth of Your Word ring in the ears of all who are perishing and bring many perishing people to salvation in Jesus name we pray, 

Amen.

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HONG KONG: 200,000 live in cages

HONG KONG: 200,000 live in cages

A 2016 government census has revealed that more than 200,000 Hongkongers live in subdivided flats “ and 50,000 of them are student-aged

Sleeping on the street is bad enough, but Hong Kong’s notorious cage homes and cubicles are even worse.

With an average four-year wait for public housing and ever-increasing rents in the private sector, tens of thousands of young people, aged 18 or younger, in Hong Kong live in subdivided units, cubicle homes, or cage homes. This number could be as high as 50,000.

“Since 2014, the Census and Statistics Department has put together an annual report on the city’s subdivided households. The department defines these units as splitting flats for rental purposes. The 2016 report revealed that 209,700 people lived in 92,700 rooms subdivided from 27,100 flats.”

Cage homes ‘worse than living on street’

38 degrees is the temperature recorded in some cage homes because of poor ventilation, overcrowding, and lack of air conditioning.

Life inside 55 sq ft cage homes cost between HK$1,800 and HK$2,400 per month. These homes are on average, two meters long and one meter wide, said Sze Lai-shan, a social worker with the Society for Community Organisation (SoCo). Cubicles can be a little bigger and are 30 to 50 square feet and cost between HK$1,800 and HK$3,500.

“Subdivided flats, typically with a shared toilet, can be 80 to 120 square feet and costs between HK$3,000 to HK$6,500 a month to rent,” she said.

A space apartment

A space apartment (Chinese, also called cage home, coffin cubicle, or coffin home, is a type of residence that is only large enough for one bunk bed surrounded by a metal cage.

According to the Bedspace Apartment Ordinance, the term “bedspace apartment” refers to a house that contains 12 or more people who rent bedspaces individually. It is legal to run these bedspace apartments, but landlords must first apply for a special license.

Bedspace apartments started to appear more commonly during the 1950s and 1960s. During the Chinese Civil War, a large number of Chinese mainlanders migrated to Hong Kong, and this, along with a surge in birth rates due to the prospering economy, caused the population to dramatically increase from 2,015,300 in 1951 to 3,129,648 in 1961. In an attempt to cope with the housing demand, the Hong Kong Government started to build several public housing estates. However, the government could not handle the extra burden brought by the Chinese migrant workers, and there were no housing or labour protection policies in place at that time. Cage homes thus became popular among migrant workers, as the rental fee was low.

Talking points: How can we eliminate the problem of cage homes and subdivided flats in Hong Kong?

According to the 2016 Census and Statistics Department report, 55.3 percent of those in sub-divided units lived in Kowloon, in areas such as Yau Tsim Wong, Sham Shui Po, Yuen Long, and Kwun Tong. Further, 22.9 percent lived in the New Territories, and 21.8 percent lived on Hong Kong Island.

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God Created You For A Unique And Amazing Purpose!

Did you know your conception and birth didn’t surprise God?

Did you know your conception and birth didn’t surprise God? Before you were born God knew you and was thinking about you. He knew everything about you before you were in your mother’s womb. He created you on purpose, for a purpose. He planned who you would be, the colour of your hair, and the colour of your eyes and skin. He gave you gifts, talents and abilities to be used for His glory. He took one look at you and said, “approved.”

No matter who’s approval you didn’t get on this earth, know that Almighty God loves you and approves of you. There’s nothing you can do now or ever to change that. You may be thinking, “I’ve made so many mistakes, how can God approve of me?” Understand that when God sees you, He separates you from your behaviour. He may not approve of your actions, but He desires to help you grow and make better choices.

Today, receive His love and acceptance. Allow Him to work in your life. Allow His love to empower and strengthen you, because you are approved and equipped from your birth to live in victory all the days of your life!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you”¦” 

(Jeremiah 1:5, AMPC)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for approving me and empowering me by Your love. Father, I open my heart and mind to You, please have Your way in my life. God, thank You for creating me on purpose, for a purpose, and accepting me with all my sinful traits. Remove anything that would hold me back from all You have in store, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Do You Have A Vision?

Do you have a vision for your life and your family’s life? The Bible says “without a vision the people perish.” Today’s  verse says, “the vision is for an appointed time.” That means there is a specific time already determined for the fulfilment of the desires God has placed in your mind and heart. The appointed time is the best time! We have to trust that God can see the bigger picture for our lives. He knows what’s up ahead. He knows what we’re going to need, who we’re going to need, and when they need to show up.

Remember, if God did everything we asked on our timetable, it would limit us, because sometimes what we’re asking for is too small. Sometimes the person we think we can’t live without, God knows in ten years they’re not going to be good for us, so He is closing the door right now. Sometimes the promotion we want so badly, if God gave it to us right now, He knows it would keep us from a much bigger promotion in three years, or maybe a closer relationship with him.

Today, remember, God has the advantage of seeing it all – the bigger picture – the beginning and the end. The longer I live, the more I trust Him. The more I see His hand of faithfulness, the more I know that His plan is better than my plan. Today, trust that He knows what He’s doing. Trust that He has an appointed time for all that should take place in your life. Trust His will and His process, and watch Your God-given vision and His promises come to pass in your life! Hallelujah!

“The vision is yet for an appointed time”¦”

(Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I put my dreams, desires, hopes and longings into Your loving hands. Father, I trust that the vision You have given me is for an appointed time. God, give me patience and strength to trust Your process and timing. I know it’s best, so I will praise You until I see Your vision and Your promises come to pass in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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How Can We Give Thanks in All Circumstances?

How Can We Give Thanks in All Circumstances?

One of the hardest things for me is to give thanks for every circumstance, like our verse says. It seem like a stretch at first, especially when you are going through a difficult season in life. But, today’s verse doesn’t say to give thanks “for” everything, it says give thanks “in” everything. In other words, no matter what’s going on, find something to be thankful for. Don’t just focus on what’s wrong in your life; focus on what God will do in your life.

Being thankful, it opens the door for God to give you more to be thankful for. That’s why it says “this is God’s will for you.” He wants you to be close to Him, to receive His strength and power by giving thanks.

Today, we should have the attitude that says, “God, in spite of what’s happened, I will be grateful. I may be sick, but Father, thank You for being my healer. Thank You for giving me great friends and family.” Or, “I may be struggling in my marriage, but God, thank You for being my restorer. Thank You for giving me another sunrise.” As you give thanks in everything, you will see God’s hand move mightily on your behalf, and you’ll come out of that difficulty better, stronger and wiser than ever before.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

Pray For Me
Yahweh, today I  give You thanks in all things! Father, I know that You are a good God, and You have good plans in store for my future, so I thank You in advance. God, I bless You and thank You for life, employment, relationship, daily miracles, for every drop of blood You shed on my behalf, and for another day to sing Your praise and worship You, in the name of Yahshua my Messiah! Amen!

Psalms of Thanksgiving

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Psalm 105:1-3
I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

Psalm 56:12
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.

Psalm 116:17
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 95:1-2
Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.

Psalm 118:19
I will extol the Lord at all times;His praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34:1-3
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;I sing praise to you before the gods. I face your holy Temple, bow down, and praise your namebecause of your constant love and faithfulness, because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.

Psalm 138: 1-2
I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the name of the Lord Most High.

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Time to focus on your victories and not your past failures

Every morning when I open my facebook account my memories pop up. Most put a smile on my face — photos of baptisms, children and miracles. When you think about your past, what memories do you allow to play over and over in your mind? In the Old Testament, they had what they called memorial stones. These were used to remind the people about the good things God did in their lives, and all their victories.

We need to focus on our victories. Sure, we’ve all had setbacks, but when you meditate on your disappointments and failures, it only drains you of valuable energy. It steals your confidence and joy. But when you focus on your victories, it builds your strength and confidence, and increases your trust and your expectations in God. It also feeds your faith and gives you a reason to give God praise.

Today, I encourage you to get into the habit of focusing on your victories. Remember, every good and perfect gift comes from God. As you praise and thank Him for His victories in your life, He’ll pour out His blessing on you. He’ll open up supernatural doors for you to move forward in strength, to fulfil the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph”¦” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your faithfulness and victories in my life. Father, I will focus on the victories You have given me, and let go of any negative experiences from my past. God, I bless and praise You today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Victory Quotes

Joyce Meyer
No matter what has happened to you in the past or what is going on in your life right now, it has no power to keep you from having an amazingly good future if you will walk by faith in God. God loves you! He wants you to live with victory over sin so you can possess His promises for your life today! Joyce Meyer 

Bradley Whitford
One of the most surreal moments in this election was after the third debate, when I heard a talking head say, Al Gore won on substance, on the issues. But you have to give the victory to Bush because he seems presidential.

Bear Bryant
You Election Debate Moments If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.

Joyce Meyer
Inspirational Yourself You Believe When you make a mistake and the devil comes and tells you ‘You’re no good,’ you don’t have to take on the guilt and condemnation he wants to put on you. No! You can immediately confess your mistake to God, thank Him for forgiving you and cleansing you with the blood of Jesus, and move forward in the victory of His grace and forgiveness.

Theodore Roosevelt
Good Forgiveness God You Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory. George S. Patton Motivational You Challenges Feel Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.

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Your Divine Destiny Is Waiting

Divine Destiny

While watching a programme about organ transplants, I saw that many are donated by co workers, friends and family. It got me thinking, there are some people that God has placed in your life to help you reach your destiny. They may not know you very well, but they may introduce you to someone, or put in a good word for you with someone you need to be connected with. They may have wisdom or advice that will thrust you forward in life.

Remember, divine appointments have been orchestrated by God Almighty. Divine appointments aren’t always the people you would expect. In fact, oftentimes they are the people you don’t expect–a woman at the grocery store, an intern at the office, someone who may seem to be less influential. But God can give anyone an idea. God can use anyone to make a connection.

Today, be open to receive from others, because God may have placed them in your life to answer your prayers and lead you to your destiny. Always treat everyone you encounter with dignity, honour and respect. You never know who God is going to use in your life. So be open, be loving, be kind and sow good seeds that will open the doors to His divine appointments!

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”

(Proverbs 16:9, NLT)

Pray With Me
Elohim, thank You for ordering my steps to my destiny. Father, thank You for divine appointments that keep me on the right path. I submit my will and my way to You. God, help me to be kind and loving to those around me from every walk of life, knowing they have been placed in my life for my eternal good. Give me wisdom to discern the opportunities You have placed in front of me, so I will know clearly it’s Your hand guiding me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

Bible Verses for Divine Destiny

1 Corinthians 15:48-49
As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 
 

Romans 8:29
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to beconformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 
 

1 John 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 
 

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 

Philippians 3:21
who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 
 

Ephesians 1:9-11
having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 
 

John 17:20-24
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. ‘Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 
 

Colossians 1:26-29
the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this endI also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

Ephesians 1:14
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 
 

Romans 8:14-17
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 
 

Ephesians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 
 

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 
 

2 Peter 1:3-4
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 
 

Romans 8:9
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 
 

John 17:5
And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. 
 

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 
 

1 Corinthians 15:42-44
So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 
 

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 
 

Colossians 1:15-16
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 
 

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 
 

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25 Faith Strengthening Christian Quotes

Believing in God has a fundamental impact on your life and is not easy. It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. At the same time, being a devoted believer in Christ will encourage you to let go of sin and to start living a righteous life. It will help you to behave with integrity, kindness, and moral righteousness in a world that is filled with wickedness, deceit, and greed and in the end, such a life finds its reward in Christ as he is more than enough for us. To celebrate the joy of being a Christian and to celebrate Jesus, we’ve compiled the following selection of inspiring faith-strengthening Christian quotes.

  1. “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us”- Augustine
  2. “He who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures. To him, death is loss. He who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; he’s moving daily toward his treasures. To him, death is gain.” —Randy Alcorn
  3. “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” —Hudson Taylor
  4. “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” —Corrie ten Boom
  5. “Christ literally walked in our shoes.” —Tim Keller
  6. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” —Jim Elliot
  7. “Remember who you are. Don’t compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth.” —Lysa Terkeurst
  8. “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” —Francis Chan
  9. “The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm.” —Matt Chandler
  10. “You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.” —John MacArthur
  11. “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.’” —Billy Graham
  12. “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” —Mother Teresa
  13. “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile” — Max Lucado
  14. “Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one” —A.W.Tozer
  15. “God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.”  —Tony Evans
  16. There is no one who is insignificant in the purpose of God.” —Alistair Begg
  17. “If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.  It is we, of course, to whom things look ‘little’ or ‘big’.” —Elisabeth Elliot
  18. “Relying on God has to start all over everyday, as if nothing has yet been done.”  —C. S. Lewis
  19. “Your potential is the sum of all the possibilities God has for your life.” —Charles Stanley
  20. “The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” —Helen Keller
  21. “Continuous effort — not strength nor intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential.” —Winston Churchill
  22. “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” —Chuck Swindoll
  23. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” —John Piper
  24. “God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  25. “The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.” 
    ? Martin Luther
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Justin Bieber Drops a Kanye Bombshell as He Opens up about Leading Worship

“I like making the music that I make,” Bieber said when asked if he would be recording a worship album.

Justin’s has immersed himself in religion in recent years, attending both Churchome and Hillsong services, and now it looks like he’s taking on a bigger role.

On Wednesday night Justin Bieber led worship at a Churchome service in Beverly Hills. Clips from the performance went viral on social media.

He wrote,

Sang at church last night. God is pulling me through a hard season. Having trust in Jesus at your worst times is the absolute hardest. But he is faithful to complete what he started. I also want to thank my wife for being such a huge support in my life through this season ”¦ it says in the Bible count it ALL JOY when you face trials of various kinds. Sounds insane considering when u face trials u feel terrible. But if we are grateful and worship god for what we do have in that season there is so much power in that”¦ whatever pain you are going through just keep telling yourself THIS WONT LAST! Love you guys we in this together

According to TMZ, pastor Judah Smith explained to the congregation that it was time for Bieber to help lead the flock in song after years of being a worshipper.

Bieber says his breakout moment was part of a larger message he wants to spread.

The 25-year-old has been open about his faith – particularly in recent years – attending services at Churchome and Hillsong.

In the caption to an Instagram post featuring a few clips from the evening, Bieber alluded to some recent struggles in life during this “hard season”, but also said he is leaning on his faith to get him through. He also encouraged others who are experiencing difficult times to rely on Christ.

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Beauty, Joy And Praise For Ashes, Mourning And Heaviness

It’s All About Your Attitude

We’ve all been burnt by life. Everyone has experienced hurt and disappointment. But God doesn’t want us to sit in the ashes of the past; He wants to trade our brokenness for healing. He wants to give us beauty for our ashes. The key is that we have to be willing to give up the ashes in order to receive the beauty. You can’t have both, because the old has to go before the new can come.

Today, are you willing to trust God with your past ashes? Are you willing to let go of the pain, to forgive others and yourself so you can move forward into God’s beautiful freedom? Don’t waste another day sitting in the ashes of disappointment and hurt. 

Today, the past is over, but your future remains. Let God give you joy instead of mourning, praise instead of heaviness and let Him make something beautiful out of the ashes of your life today and always!

“…he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness…”

(Isaiah 61:3, TLB)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for promising to sweep away the ashes, mourning and heaviness from my past, and give me something beautiful and joyful to look forward to. Father, I give them up to You, and receive Your healing and restoration in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Hong Kong protests: How Hallelujah to the Lord became an unofficial anthem

Hong Kong protests: How Hallelujah to the Lord became an unofficial anthem

“Hallelujah to the Lord” is now the unofficial anthem of crowds protesting against the controversial proposed law that would allow people accused of crimes in Hong Kong to be extradited to the mainland. The hymn was picked up by other protesters – soon even non-Christians were singing it.

Fears and uncertainty

If enacted, this controversial bill will permit authorities to detain and extradite people who are wanted in territories where Hong Kong does not have extradition agreements. Many fear that the bill will restrict citizens’ rights.

“The Church has taken a particular interest in fighting the bill. “

On June 9th, Patrick pastor of Yan Fook Church, which is home to about 10,000 members that normally sides with the government made a comment on its Facebook page calling for the extradition bill to the shelved. Edwin Chow, 19, acting president of the Hong Kong Federation of Catholic Students, told the BBC. “There’s only one line: ‘Sing Hallelujah to the Lord’.” And Yan Fook Church isn’t the only Christian group that has publicly announced its opposition to the extradition bill.

Religion on the forefront of Hong Kong’s protests

On June 11th, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong issued an appeal to the government requesting the government not pass the Extradition Bill “hurriedly before adequately addressing the queries and worries of the legal sector and of the general public.”

Not only is this a show of devotion to Jesus in the midst of tumult and political tyranny, but the singing of this worship song also offers the community a level of immunity, thanks to a Hong Kong law of public assembly that makes exceptions for religious gatherings.

In these volatile days of Chinese agents, facial recognition and mass arrests, this protection is a welcome comfort for the Christian community, who not only stand in unity with their fellow protesters but also solidarity with the much-persecuted Christian community back in mainland China.

On Sunday, Melissa Strzala posted another awe-inspiring video on Facebook revealing the ‘Great Awakening’ happening in China.

“The below video is very special to me,” added Strzala. “It gives me chills every time I watch it. Thousands of Hong Kong citizens are singing their Hallelujah anthem in defiance of Communist China. It’s truly a Great Awakening happening in China. It’s exciting!”

Watch the video in full below, and be sure to SHARE it with your friends to rally them around this cause in prayerful support: 

https://twitter.com/alessabocchi/status/1164887032004526080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1164887032004526080&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftruth4freedom.wordpress.com%2F2019%2F08%2F28%2Fchristian-hong-kong-protesters-turn-out-in-thousands-sing-famous-hymn-in-defiance-faithwire%2F

Christians make up some 11 per cent of the population but they remain influential, especially among the elite — pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam is herself a devout Catholic.

Hong Kong has about 480,000 Protestants and 380,000 Catholics — including Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Non-Christians have also come to be familiar with Christian culture due to Christian-run schools, hospitals and charitable groups.

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God Stoops to Listen

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Isaiah 57:15.

The verse before us today has always been a favourite with me. But, to be honest, I had never really taken any time to look at the context. It is one of those verses that when you read it you think ‘Hmmm, yep! That’s important.’

When Christians go before God instead on with God reason becomes blinded, unless every action and work is under the yoke of Christ. We inhabit time. The Bible says our life here is like a mere breath, like a vapour, a passing shadow. Yet God inhabits eternity. There has never been a time when He did not exist. He is without beginning or end. Yesterday, today and tomorrow is alike to Him. He is outside of time and sees and knows all.

“Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”

2 Corinthians 6:17

God is now working for His people, but how many do not recognize the work of God.

Drawing aside the veil which conceals the glory of God, it shows Him in His place, high and holy, and lifted up, not in a state of solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy, happy beings, every one waiting to bear the message, to do His bidding–all heaven is in active communication with every part of the universe through a variety of channels, and that holy One is actually stooping, bending from His throne, listening to every sound uttered, observing the movements of every earthly power.

“To think that the highest Being is condescending to the lowliest, approving and condemning every action which is enacted.”

God is interested in the oppressed, and sends angels placed in connection with truth and righteousness to engage in the work in connection with the gospel for man that has corrupted his whole mind and thoughts. Unless man becomes righteous, he will forever be lost. There is a work to be done in our world, but if the way of the Lord is not distinctly followed, to put him in the way of life through conversion, there is reason to be afraid lest Satan shall take the place of Jesus in the weary soul.

Satan is playing a game of life for the souls of men and women for whom Christ has died. In our zeal to do a work for the Lord, we must be sure we are not going before Christ, in the place of following after Christ.

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The Word This Week — AGAPE: A LOVE THAT GIVES AND DOES NOT EXPECT IN RETURN

Many people these days only give to get. They won’t do a thing without wanting something in return. The way to tell how mature you are is by the way you treat people who can’t do anything for you. We can all be kind to the leadership so we can get a promotion, or more money. We can all be friendly to the popular person at school so they will like us and be our friend.

If we’re going to live the Christian way God intended, we’ve got to learn to be good to everyone, not expecting anything back. Jesus said, “when you do good to the least of these, you’re doing it unto Me.” When you do good to those who can’t pay you back Jesus says “you’ve done it unto Me.” When you go out of your way to befriend the person that everyone shuns, Jesus says, “you’ve done it unto Me.”

Today, instead of looking down at the parking attendant who may have given you a ticket, why don’t you take time to see how they’re doing? That person at the office that others ignore or shun, why don’t you reach out to them and share the love of Jesus? We build the kingdom of God one life at a time. Show His love, show His goodness, and tell people about salvation through Christ. As you reach out and help others, just like a boomerang, that help will come right back to you, from God, (however that should not be your motivation), and you’ll move forward into the blessing and destiny He has prepared for you.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, I desire to always honour You. Father, help me to be a more mature Christian, blessing those who can’t bless me back. Please show me the needs of the people around me. God, help me to treat them the way You would treat them. Show me how to help others rise higher and sow good seeds into them, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Absolutely Living Life

We fight for the smallest of things in the big  scheme of things really. We fight for fare pricing, discounts on things that really don’t matter in the end.

When it comes to life, we lose our fight. Neglect sets in. We lose friends. Not by choice, but because we have nothing left to contribute to the relationship. We basically checkout of life. We maintain. We merely exist.

That’s not the way that God intended for us to live. Abundant life. Thats rigbt, life to fhe full till it overflows. What kind of life is this? What does the abundant life feel like, look like?  How will we know when we’ve achieved it?

I don’t have the answers. All I know is that he said he came that we might have it. And I want it.

Lord, show us how to live, the abundant life.

 

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