Praise the Lord! What another beautiful day to give God praise and thanks. Let the high praises of God be in our mouths as we make a joyful sound to Him today.
Government officials in Houston, Texas are currently in a bitter legal battle with pastors there, after new laws were proposed giving these officials the right to demand sermons to examine whether they discriminate against homosexual and transgender persons.
This is only one of several new proposals attempting to tackle discrimination towards the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities in America’s fourth largest city. The measures were partly approved in June by Annise Parker, the city’s mayor. However, since then they have encountered serious opposition in religious circles. Those who are opposed to the new measures have now formed a coalition and filed a suit against the city and Ms Parker. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a US law firm representing four pastors, argues that the measures are “overbroad, unduly burdensome, harassing and vexatious.” ADF lawyer, Christina Holcomb, called the actions “an inquisition designed to stifle any critique”.
Now what are we to make of these actions? They are no more than the fulfillment of the Scriptures which predict the severe persecution that the church will encounter in these last days. We must therefore brace ourselves and be prepared to be imprisoned, beaten and even killed because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We must never compromise!
SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK
1. CHOIR WILL MINISTER AT CHRISTIAN UNITY
Today, 3:00 p.m.
2. BAPTISM CLASS
Today, 5:00 p.m.
3. THE KING’S DAUGHTERS MEETING POSTPONED
Meeting moved to next Sunday, October 26th,
6:00 p.m. due to Singspiration at Christian Unity Church.
4. WARFARE PRAYER & FASTING
Wednesday, 12:00 noon—Lunch Hour Warfare
Prayer. 5:30 p.m.—“Times of Refreshing”.
5. CHOIR PRACTICE
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
6. PRAYER HOUR
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.
7. NEXT SUNDAY
• Worship & Ministry, 9:00 a.m.
• Baptism Service, Lindberg Bay following service
• G.I./N.I. Meeting, 5:00 p.m.
• King’s Daughters Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
KINGDOM MEN CONFERENCE COMING SOON…
…to Frenchtown Evangelistic Assembly
November 9th-11th, 2014
Topic: Living a Balanced Christian Life
Speaker: Pr. Lennox Zamore of
Ebenezer Baptist Church
WARNING AND RESPONSE
WHEN A DANGEROUS BLIZZARD HIT COLORADO SPRINGS IN LATE OCTOBER 2006, RESIDENTS HAD PLENTY OF WARNING. WEATHER FORECASTERS BEGAN PREDICTING THE STORM 36 HOURS BEFORE IT ARRIVED.
ON A WARM, SUNNY AFTERNOON PEOPLE SWARMED INTO GROCERY STORES TO BUY SUPPLIES, WHILE TIRE SHOPS WORKED OVERTIME TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR WINTER TREADS. EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE COMING STORM. EVEN BEFORE THE SNOW BEGAN, SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BE CLOSED FOR THE DAY. WHEN THE STORM HIT WITH BLOWING SNOW AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES, MOST PEOPLE WERE SAFE AT HOME, NOT TRYING TO GET TO WORK OR SCHOOL.
WHEN WE BELIEVE A WARNING, IT AFFECTS OUR BEHAVIOR. IT’S TRUE IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE, INCLUDING OUR WALK OF FAITH. PAUL WROTE TO THE CHRISTIANS IN THESSALONICA, REMINDING THEM THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD WOULD COME UNEXPECTEDLY, LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT (1 THESS. 5:2). HIS CALL TO ACTION URGED THEM TO AVOID SPIRITUAL LETHARGY WHILE REMAINING ALERT AND SELF-CONTROLLED (V.6).
PAUL’S CHALLENGE ECHOED JESUS’ OWN WORDS URGING HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE WATCHFUL AND READY, “FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COMING AT AN HOUR YOU DO NOT EXPECT.” (MATT. 24:44).
IF WE BELIEVE OUR LORD’S WORD ABOUT HIS COMING, HOW WILL IT AFFECT OUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS TODAY? – David McCasland
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MEDIA MINISTRY
World Overcomers: WSTA 1340 AM station: Sundays at 12:30 p.m. & Tuesdays at 6:00 a.m.