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Funeral

God Convicts A Christian Woman To Forgive While Singing At A Funeral

by Kriza Jo Tanduyan September 19, 2023

written by Kriza Jo Tanduyan

God convicted a Christian woman who had been carrying 5 years of bitterness. He prompted her to forgive a family member while she was singing at a funeral.

The issue of Unforgiveness

Worship leader Shermara Fletcher shared her testimony of forgiveness and grace on GOD TV Together. She experienced a breakdown in a family relationship, and her heart broke because of it. She felt misled by a family member. “I haven’t done anything. In fact, I love him. I like him,” she said. Unfortunately, Shermara carried the seeds of unforgiveness for 5 long years.

“It just showed me you can go through life. You can be doing all the right things but still have unforgiveness in your heart because somebody has wronged you,” she shared.

Fergus Scarfe, the host of GOD TV Together, asked Shermara how God released her from bitterness and unforgiveness.

GODTV (Screenshot). (2023). GOD TV, GOD TV Together. Retrieved September 19, 2023 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WLD8mRQ2Bc

God Convicts a Christian Woman

She was singing at a funeral when she felt a strong conviction from the Lord. “I heard tangibly a Rhema word if you want… ‘When you finished ministering, everyone’s blessed in this room. You need to go and forgive that person,'” she shared. So, she went and spoke to that family member and realized that there had been so much misunderstanding over the years. In fact, she created a narrative in her mind that didn’t even exist. They forgave each other and moved on with their lives. She finally felt free!

Shermara also shared a profound reminder with the GOD TV family, “As they say, forgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die… before it’s too late… have that conversation. Communicate and forgive.” She also added that bitterness kills. So, don’t allow that poison to hinder you from experiencing more of God’s love. Go and release grace to those who caused you pain.

Be inspired and watch the full testimony here.

Reference | GOD TV

Header Image: GODTV (Screenshot). (2023). GOD TV, GOD TV Together. Retrieved September 19, 2023 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WLD8mRQ2Bc

September 19, 2023 0 comments

Articles Featured

PRAY: Nepal Plane Crash Kills Atleast 69, Three Passengers Came From A Missionary’s Funeral

by Christel Berns January 16, 2023

written by Christel Berns

A recent plane crash in Nepal on Sunday is the deadliest aviation accident in 30 years in the Himalayan nation’s history. At least 69 were killed, including three passengers who came from a missionary’s funeral.

Nepal Airlines Deadly Crash

The saddening news of a Nepal Aircraft crash containing 72 passengers on Sunday broke out. According to CNN’s report gathered from Nepal’s civil aviation authority, there were 37 men, 25 women, three children, and three infants. The rest of the four were crew members of Yeti Airlines.

Photo Courtesy | Metro – EPA

A recorded video of the plane before it crashed showed the aircraft “rolling sharply as it approached the runway.” Soon after, a loud explosion could be heard. Authorities didn’t expect anyone would survive the crash. And after initial investigations, at least 69 have been reported dead.

Three Passengers Came From Christian Missionary’s Funeral

One of the passengers who passed away in the incident were Raju, Robin, and Anil. According to NDTV, the three came from the Evangelical Christian missionary’s funeral, Matthew Philip. He came to Nepal and did a mission in the country for 45 years. Unbeknownst to the three, they would soon go home to be with the Lord.

Matthew’s brother shared in an interview with PTI, “The funeral was on January 13,” he said. “Their flight was from Kochi to Mumbai and from there to Kathmandu. Deepak and Saran, could not board the ill-fated flight from Kathmandu but the other three took the flight. The news was a shock to us.”

Black Box Recovered

Currently, there is still no clear explanation for what caused the accident. But the plane’s black box has already been recovered and will be reviewed by police authorities.

Also, the Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, expressed his grief about what happened.

As many families are grieving the loss of their loved ones, let’s remember and keep them in our prayers. May the God who brings peace and comfort embrace them right now in Jesus’ Name.

Photo Courtesy | Metro – AP

References | CNN, Metro, BBC, NDTV

January 16, 2023 0 comments

Featured

Rainbow Appeared Over Westminster Abbey On Evening Of Queen Elizabeth’s Burial

by Rhoda Gayle September 21, 2022

written by Rhoda Gayle

A rainbow appeared over Westminster Abbey on the evening of Queen Elizabeth’s burial.

Queen Elizabeth

During the announcement of Queen Elizabeth’s death on September 8, the people of England witnessed a double arched rainbow over Windsor Castle just as the Union Jack flag began to be lowered at half mast in honor of the monarch’s death.

“As the flag is lowered to half-mast over Windsor Castle an incredible rainbow appears over the castle, for a few minutes and then just like that it was gone….” royal photographer Chris Jackson shared on Twitter.

Photo Courtesy: Twitter | Chris Jackson

Rainbow

And on Sunday, on the evening of the Queen’s final farewell, another rainbow appeared over Westminster Abbey. People who witnessed the rainbow were in awe of the sight.

“The most incredible rainbow over the Palace of Westminster on the eve of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral,” government official Joe Porter wrote on Twitter.

Many are calling it a sign from God. A sign of his love and comfort over the people of the United Kingdom amidst the mourning. The country may have lost its Queen, but the Lord is reminding them that they still have Him as their King.

“What a sign of God’s love for the people of the UK and His faithfulness,” Jodie Hughes wrote on her Facebook.

Westminster Abbey

She also noted that the Lord is calling the people of the United Kingdom into His heart during this shifting time.

“God is so kind and faithful, and very good at broadcasting what He wants to say. In this case, God is making it abundantly clear He has not forgotten his promises to you UK. He is brooding over you and tenderly calling you to His heart. The Lord wants you to know He is your secure place in shifting times.”

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Reference: Facebook | Jodie Hughes Revivalist

September 21, 2022 0 comments

Articles

TobyMac Opens About How God’s Love Made Son’s Death ‘Bearable’ On Thanksgiving Week

by Rhoda Gayle November 27, 2019

written by Rhoda Gayle

TobyMac tweets images of Truett’s funeral and opens-up about how God’s love made his son’s death bearable on Thanksgiving week.

Truett’s Death

This year’s Thanksgiving is different from previous Thanksgivings for the McKeehan family. In October this year, the McKeehan’s unexpectedly lost their firstborn, Truett Foster McKeehan, at the age of 21.

Thanksgiving

The Christian rapper recently posted an emotional message during this week’s Thanksgiving holiday that included photos at his son’s funeral. A month after Truett’s death, TobyMac expressed his thanksgiving to the Lord for the “overwhelming love” that He has poured upon them.

“Such overwhelming love has surrounded us this last month,” TobyMac wrote in a Tweet. “As we mourn our firstborn son, God has poured out His love on us through people.”

God’s love

Toby McKeehan, popularly known as TobyMac, also thanked everyone who has been by their side through the toughest season of their lives.

“He has loved us through you….your kind acts and words and prayers and thoughts and songs and poems and teachings and gifts and meals and time and expertise and travel have made death bearable. You have been God’s light to us in our darkest days. Comfort to our broken hearts,” he added.

The award-winning artist also shared how they’ve been encouraging themselves to believe in the promise of God.

God’s promise

Thanksgiving

“We’ve been encouraging ourselves to stand on this…the place of death is actually where all that we believe is most significant. That God has the power to do what he promised, defeat death and give life to anyone who believes,” he shared.

Despite mourning the passing of their son, the McKeehans are still thanking the Lord for His kindness.

“So from the valley of the shadow of death we pray a flood of thankfulness will rise this week. Thankfulness to a kind God who is not afraid.”

Reference: Tweeter | TobyMac

November 27, 2019 0 comments

News

Stephen Hawking – How Should We Respond to the Death of the Well-Known Atheist?

by Al Gibson March 14, 2018

written by Al Gibson

Stephen Hawking (1942 – 2018) was an internationally-renowned physicist, best-selling author, the subject of two major motion pictures and something of a medical phenomenon. It’s not surprising therefore that his death has made global headlines. He received many accolades in life and gave many disabled people hope as they saw how he bravely faced motor neurone disease.

Professor Hawking’s death, coming soon after the passing of the world-renowned evangelist, Billy Graham, makes me wonder how the faith community should respond to the death of a well-known atheist. Though we don’t agree with Prof Hawking’s science or beliefs we can still pay tribute to him. Of course his earthly achievements cannot compare with the eternal fruit of the ministry of Rev Graham, but some immediate parallels between the two men spring to mind.

One is great for sharing his belief in God and the other is known for sharing his disbelief. Upon his death, one was surrounded by friends and family and a global community of believers assured of his eternal future. The other, leaving a large following behind who have no belief in the afterlife and have to come to terms with life’s brevity and the stark finality of a life that is over.

Despite having been given only two years to live, Prof Hawking courageously held on to his life and continued to speak to a global audience through his famous voice synthesiser. You could say he was a brilliant mind imprisoned in a failing body and though we may not agree with his science and certainly oppose his atheism, we can still admire his immense bravery and resilience.

The film, The Theory of Everything tells part of Prof Hawking’s life story, how he was a professor at Cambridge and had to come to terms with one of the worst possible diagnoses anyone could bear to receive. You can imagine the day he was told as a young man that he would gradually lose the ability to move his body, entirely, leaving him unable to do anything for himself.

Living with motor neurone disease

The film records the love story of Prof Hawking and his first wife, Jane as well as the tragedy of his failing health. It records how he had to learn to use a spelling board to communicate until he received a computer with his now famous built-in voice synthesiser. This is what he used to write his book, A Brief History of Time.

The Theory of Everything is a heart-rending story and I am not surprised that British actor, Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of Prof Hawking, as well as a Golden Globe and Bafta. I am amazed that despite being given two years to live, Prof Hawking managed to live another 50 and was able to hang on despite huge obstacles until the age of 76. Lesser men would have given up long before and he didn’t.

Perhaps he was hanging on because he did not believe in life after death and he knew that was all he had been given. Unfortunately, life can be very hard for some people and Prof Hawking seems to have had it much harder than most. Yet he never gave up. For this reason, I admire him. If only more Christians, including myself, could be as tenacious as he was.

Stephen Hawking on God

Prof Hawking is known for many quotable quotes. Writing about his death The Independent says that “he dismissed the comforts of belief in the afterlife, and said that he expected nothing to greet him after he died. ‘I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail,’ he said. ‘There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark’.”

As believers, we know this is not the case. What we believe in is not fiction, but a very real, down-to-earth relationship with God, whereby we can be assured of our eternal future. Another of Prof Hawking’s quotes provides some hope he may have found this out for himself before it was too late. “God may exist, but science can explain the universe without the need for a creator,” he said in a CNN interview. “The scientific account is complete. Theology is unnecessary.”

I hang on to those three words. Prof Hawking’s first-wife Jane is a Christian and she must have prayed for him, for years. He did at least acknowledge that God may exist. My hope is that he discovered that God does indeed exist, even if it was in his dying moments and that he surrendered his life to Jesus. He wouldn’t have even needed his voice synthesiser to articulate the words, ‘Save me Jesus’. They could just have come from his heart. I am convinced that in keeping with Scripture, anybody who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13). That is what happened to the thief on the Cross. And Jesus told him, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

How Should We Respond to Prof Hawking’s Death

The obvious answer is with compassion for his family, including Jane who is a believer. We should also show our respect for his courage. It is also a time to affirm our own beliefs in God. Several Christian leaders have been quick to do this in the media.

British Christian leader, Krish Kandiah who is often seen on GOD TV said: “Sad to hear about the death of #StephenHawking he was living proof that greatness comes in all shapes and sizes and that disability is no barrier to genius.”

Justin Brierley, who hosts a radio series that puts Christians up against atheists each week for robust debate, made an appropriate tweet shortly after the announcement of Prof Hawking’s death which provides an appropriately-worded conclusion for this post:

“Whatever he eventually made of the God question, there’s no doubt that we’ve lost one of the most brilliant minds who helped us to make sense of the world we live in #RIPStephenHawking.”

Justin is the Theology and Apologetics Editor for Premier and presenter of the Unbelievable radio series. He has written a book entitled, Why After 10 Years of Talking with Atheists, I am still a Christian. If you would like to learn how to interact better and debate with your atheist friends, I highly recommend Justin’s podcast.

March 14, 2018 1 comment

Articles

Finishing Strong: GOD TV CEO, Ward Simpson shares his thoughts on Billy Graham’s Funeral

by Ward Simpson March 1, 2018

written by Ward Simpson

Finishing Strong: GOD TV CEO, Ward Simpson shares his thoughts on Billy Graham’s Funeral

“The elders who direct the affairs of the Church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)

On March 2nd, the day of Billy Graham’s funeral we take time out to honor one of the greatest evangelists of our time. For this reason, I have interrupted GOD TV’s usual schedule to broadcast Billy Graham’s funeral LIVE at 12.00 pm Eastern (17.00 GMT)

We know that our viewers around the world have been impacted by his far-reaching ministry and would all love to attend his funeral if they could. Giving our viewers the opportunity to watch the service on GOD TV is the next best option. A front row seat!

More importantly, since one of the main pillars of GOD TV is ‘SOULS’ we see this not simply as a funeral, but as a great opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

This is also a time and opportunity to show the world how we love, honor, respect, and treat the generals in God‘s Kingdom. This is in keeping with 1 Timothy 5;17 which tells us that those who preach and teach God’s Word are worthy of double honor.

GOD TV stands with the global Christian community in extending double honour to Rev Graham. We thank God for his life and will continue to preserve his legacy. We pray that God will raise up many more Billy Grahams in the years to come as we pursue revival across every form of media.

Finishing Strong

Finally, this funeral is a time of celebration for the Body of Christ worldwide. It is a time of reflection for each of us. A time of encouragement to inspire, excite us and motivate us towards finishing strong as Rev Graham finished strong.

We are taking this opportunity to show the world a vivid picture of the race we are all called to run. The marathon that is set before each and every one of us as believers. Rev Billy Graham is a genuine example of a man who ran the marathon, who ran the race and finished well.

This article was written by Ward Simpson, who leads the global GOD TV network. Ward is the host of many GOD TV broadcasts including his series Today With Ward. A leader at Brownsville, his passion is souls, Israel and revival.

March 1, 2018 0 comments