Gratitude is important. God wants us to be thankful everyday for the blessings that He so freely gives us. But you know what else is important? Joy. God also wants us to feel the joy that comes with His blessings. Joy from knowing that our Father in heaven, through His unmerited love, sent His Son to die so that we can live. God calls us beloved, righteous, and His. He blesses us abundantly not because He has to, but because He wants to. And knowing this, should light up our hearts with great joy!
Trump Becomes First President Since Eisenhower To Change Faiths While In Office
While many people in the country identify themselves as Christians, more are becoming nondenominational. Now president Trump can be added to that list. Once considered a Presbyterian, Trump says that meeting many amazing spiritual leaders as president, has opened his mind to other church denominations. Read more about his faith decision here.
Three Dead As Woman Beheaded In Knife Attack In France
Two women and one man were killed in in a brutal knife attack in the French city of Nice. At the Basilica of Notre-Dame where the victims were getting ready to attend mass, the suspect burst in and carried out the murders. This is the second suspected Islamist extremists attack on French soil in less than two weeks. Read more about the gruesome assault here.
Social Media CEO’s Brought In To Testify Before Congress
During a virtual hearing held on Wednesday, Senator Ted Cruz, among others expressed concern about the ability of Facebook, Google, and Twitter to influence elections. Calling out their anti conservative bias, Cruz calls these social media entities the greatest threat to free speech in America. Read about this hearing here.
Teacher Giving Zoom Class Saves Grandparent
When first-grade teacher Julia Koch got a call about a computer glitch from Cynthia Phillips whose granddaughter was in her class, she knew there was a more serious issue. While communicating, Koch noticed Phillips was slurring and mixing up her words. After recognizing the symptoms of a stroke, the teacher leapt into action, alerting authorities who called 911. Read more about this hero here.
I did not always enjoy reading the book of Revelations. At first it was scary to me and then as I have grown in my faith in Him, I see it in a whole new way. He is our Kinsmen-Redeemer! Read more here.
Jesus is life. He is the Fountain of life, the Sustainer of life, and the Source of life. And because of His great love for both us and the Father, He willingly left His place at the right hand of God to pay our sin debt with His precious blood. With His death and resurrection, Jesus forever conquered death and darkness. And when we receive Him into our hearts as our Savior, He gathers us into His life giving light. Never again will we be in darkness, for when Christ calls us His own, He shines brightly upon us for all eternity.
For those of us who are privileged to be in God’s eternal presence one day, our hearts will naturally praise and honor Him. We will know that He completes us. Our joy and fulfillment will be complete and all that we have we will gladly lay at his feet. Read more here.
There’s nothing better than standing in the light of the sun, and feeling the warmth of its rays upon our skin. But beyond the warmth, it also produces valuable Vitamin D that our bodies need to function. As Christians there’s nothing better than standing in the light of the Lord and feeling the warmth of His love and grace. When we walk in obedience to God, the fellowship we experience with Him and fellow believers nourishes our soul. And through the precious blood of Jesus, we are healed of our sins.
Poland’s Top Court Bans Abortion Of babies With Birth Defects
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal struck down a law allowing abortions of babies with birth defects, citing Poland’s constitution. Following the ruling, abortions will now only be permitted in Poland in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s health and/or life are at risk. While prolife groups praise this decision, prochoice groups say it endangers women’s health. Read more about the ruling here.
Pope Francis Elects First Black American Cardinal
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C. will be America’s first Black Cardinal. The 72 year old said he was both grateful and humbled, as he thanked Pope Francis for opportunity to serve the church in this greater capacity. With his appointment, Cardinal Gregory now becomes the highest ranking black prelate in the country. Read more about his promotion here.
Churches Attacked In Nigeria
In Nigeria, as 12 pastors and more than 400 Christians gathered at church to pray for peace, they were attacked, beaten and shot at with guns by suspected Muslim mobs. On the same day, other churches in the area were burned and vandalized. Despite this persecution, the churches refuse to be silenced in their faith. Read more about this attack here.
5th Grader Trying To Get Meals To People In Need Before Thanksgiving
Texas fifth grader, Orion Jean, has a heart as big as the Lone Star state. Seeing all of the hurting families in his area, Orion has set a goal to get 100,000 meals to hungry people before Thanksgiving. This amazing young man says, now more than ever, kindness is important. Read more about Orion and his charity here.
I was once very much like the church of Sardis; busy, busy, busy…I was looking good on the outside; doing all the right things, but I was dead spiritually and didn’t even know it, until The Lord moved me thousands of miles away from everyone and thing, except my husband, and sat me down to have a talk. Read more here.
Throughout the New Testament Jesus warns of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They were big on talking the talk, but not walking the walk. They hid behind masks of righteousness while living lives of sin. They became detestable to the Lord, for the hypocrisy of their words and actions caused others to turn away from the faith. But Jesus warns that no one can hide from God. He sees behind the mask. And everything once concealed will be one day be laid bare by His revealing light.
Here we are in America, just days away from the presidential election of 2020. One major issue for me is how Godless our society is. Yet it is so easy to become absorbed into the world’s standards. Christian standards at times seem to be on a sliding scale. Read more here.
