Mar. 7, 2016
BLOOMBERG
Nancy Reagan, the former actress and first lady who nurtured the political career of husband Ronald Reagan, and was remembered for her unstinting devotion to the president as well as efforts to battle drug abuse and Alzheimer’s disease, has died. She was 94.
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned an Alabama court order that had prohibited a lesbian from having contact with the three children she adopted and helped raise in neighboring Georgia while in a long-term relationship with their biological mother.
Wall Street’s average bonus fell 9 percent to $146,200 in 2015, the biggest drop since 2011, according to estimates by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
Iron ore soared the most ever after Chinese policy makers signaled their willingness to buttress economic growth, boosting the outlook for steel consumption in the top user and igniting speculation that some investors who’d bet against the market had been caught out.
The world’s food bill just fell $9 billion from a previous estimate as a glut of oil and ships cut transportation costs, adding to an oversupply of everything from grains to sugar, according to the United Nations.
Mario Draghi is about to attempt his 11th round in the European Central Bank’s epic fight against the threat of deflation.
German factory orders fell for a second month in January in a sign that a global slowdown and weak domestic pricing power may be hurting Europe’s largest economy.
AP Top Stories
Iran has sentenced billionaire tycoon Babak Zanjani, reportedly one of the country’s richest men, to death, convicting him of corruption after a long trial on accusations he fraudulently pocketed $2.8 billion.
Navy SEAL teams don’t have enough combat rifles to go around, even as these highly trained forces are relied on more than ever to carry out counterterrorism operations and other secretive missions, according to SEALs who have confided in Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. After SEALs return from a deployment, their rifles are given to other commandos who are shipping out.
North Korea threatened “indiscriminate” nuclear strikes against South Korea and the US mainland, as the two allies prepared to kick off large-scale joint military drills on Monday.
Two maintenance workers have been charged with the death of a woman whose body was found after she was trapped in an elevator for a month in central China.
An Australian woman accused of fanning hatred of foreigners in Singapore on her website said Monday she would plead guilty to sedition, an offence punishable by jail.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives are losing support ahead of elections in three German states on Sunday that are shaping up as a litmus test of her migrant policies.
Jimmy Carter announced Sunday that he no longer needs treatment for cancer, less than seven months after revealing he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain.
Apple Inc customers were targeted by hackers over the weekend in the first campaign against Macintosh computers using a pernicious type of software known as ransomware, researchers with Palo Alto Networks Inc told Reuters on Sunday. Ransomware, one of the fastest-growing types of cyber threats, encrypts data on infected machines, then typically asks users to pay ransoms in hard-to-trace digital currencies to get an electronic key so they can retrieve their data.
Two French teenagers suspected of trying to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group returned home Sunday night, two days after they went missing, officials said.
The man who found a wing fragment of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 that disappeared nearly two years ago on a beach in the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion has found more mysterious debris, a square-shaped gray item with blue border, in nearly the same spot.
Ecuador’s Tungurahua volcano exploded, sending ash column up to 2,500 meters into sky.
Staff and PTA members at New York City’s P.S. 75 are dealing with a deluge of threatening phone calls, profanity-laden emails and violent social media posts after conservative bloggers published an article calling a student-made fundraising project an example of left-wing indoctrination. The article, which appeared on Fox News host Sean Hannity’s website, blasted the school for this student-produced mural of a U.S. flag overlaid with foreign ones, accompanied by the caption “We Pledge Allegiance To An International Flag.”
BBC
A former Nigerian chief of defense has been accused of stealing $20m (£14m) from the air force and buying a mansion.
Venezuelan officials are investigating the disappearance of up to 28 miners from the southern state of Bolivar.
China’s ruling Communist Party said it punished nearly 300,000 officials last year for corruption. Some 200,000 officials were given what was called “light punishment”, while more severe penalties were taken against a further 80,000.
Tunisian security forces have killed 28 militants after they launched a cross-border raid from Libya, the government said.
WND
Lawmakers in West Virginia shot down their Democratic governor’s attempt at clamping Second Amendment rights, voting to overturn his veto of a bill that gives all residents age 21 and over the right to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Isis is indoctrinating children from birth through an extremism-based education similar to that taught by the Nazi regime in a bid to create a generation “more lethal than themselves”, a study has revealed.
UK – Women whose babies develop fatal defects in the early stages of pregnancy will be given advice on going ahead with the birth so the NHS can harvest their organs.
According to US Navy, US naval strike group John C. Stennis completed routine operations in the South China Sea.
The US naval strike group John C. Stennis completed routine operations in the South China Sea, challenging territorial claims by China in what the United States and other nations consider international waters, the US Navy said in a press release on Monday.
What Do Israelis Really Think About Trump, Clinton and Bernie?
Trump is seen by many as the most “Israeli” candidate, sharing the sometimes grating characteristics that Israelis are known for – aggression, bluntness, and arrogance, among others. The traits, while many view them negatively, indicate strength and toughness, qualities Israelis believe are necessary for wading into the Middle East conflict.
Beware Twitter Users: Your Tweets Help The Government Predict The Future
Everything that people used to keep to themselves in previous generations, is now willingly shouted into the internet abyss for all to hear. Social media users often feel free to share their most controversial, subversive, and inflammatory thoughts on a platform that could reach millions of people.
Swedish Liberals Propose Abortions for Men
The youth wing of Sweden’s Liberal Party has proposed that men who don’t want to be fathers are allowed a “legal abortion,” the Aftonbladet newspaper reported.
Messianic Soldiers In The Israeli Army: Bolder Than Ever About Their Faith
From the survey results, it is clear that openness about Yeshua (Jesus) in the Israeli army is indeed the new “normal”. Of those Messianic soldiers asked by KNI, a remarkable 96% say that their fellow soldiers know of their belief in Yeshua as the Messiah.
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary: It is Genocide. Say so!
Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have until March 17th to issue a determination that ISIS’ attacks on Christians in the Mideast are genocide. Time is running out. The foot-dragging and hesitancy of this administration in calling it genocide is inexplicable. Why do they have to be prodded to do what is right?
Judge Napolitano: Grand Jury May Soon Indict Hillary
FOX News posted a video by Judge Andrew Napolitano (shown) to its website Thursday where the judge lays out the details for his belief that Clinton will be indicted in the coming weeks.
Muslims In Brooklyn Take Over City Street With ‘Prayer Service’ In Show Of Force And Intimidation
The real question you need to be asking is not why are Muslims praying, why are the praying on a public sidewalk, shutting the entire street down in the process? Isn’t that what their mosques are for, to assemble in large groups and pray to their god? Why is this being done in large numbers outside?
Report: ISIS gunmen stage mutiny, kill local commander in de facto capital
According to the reports, Abu Ali al-Tunisi, the commander of the military wing of ISIS’ northern Syria branch, was killed by his former charges. The incident was apparently precipitated by growing tension within the military wing over divisions of powers on the ground as well as the distribution of profits.
Seething fury led up to Revolutionary War Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2016/03/seething-fury-led-up-to-revolutionary-war/#v5Plim78WbCXepA3.99
“If we submit to these regulations, all is gone. … Our forefathers passed the vast Atlantic, spent their blood and treasure, that they might enjoy their liberties, both civil and religious, and transmit them to their posterity. … Now if we should give them up, can our children rise up and call us blessed?”
Indonesia leader calls on Muslim world to unite on Palestine
-Indonesia’s president on Monday urged a summit of Muslim nations to be part of the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rather than part of the problem.
Jews fear as neo-Nazis gain support in Europe
The Our Slovakia party gained 14 parliamentary seats in Slovakia’s recent elections, taking its place at the National Council for the first time. The far right extremists scored 8 percent in an election that failed to produce a majority result. European Jewish Congress President Dr. Moshe Kantor explained that hate-groups disguised as democratic parties are entering European parliaments.
China angered by planned U.S. export restrictions on ZTE
China’s Foreign Ministry expressed anger on Monday at the U.S. Commerce Department’s plans to place export restrictions on Chinese telecoms equipment-maker ZTE Corp for allegedly violating U.S. export controls on Iran. The restrictions will take effect Tuesday, Reuters has learned, and apply to any company worldwide that wants to ship American-made products to ZTE Corp in China. Those companies are not the target of the export curbs on ZTE.
Migrant crisis: EU rift on Balkan route as summit starts
The EU has begun a crucial summit on the migrant crisis, but a rift has already emerged on the closure of the main route through the Balkans. A draft communique had revealed the EU was about to declare the route “now closed”, but the German government rejected this as “speculation”. Turkey is also attending the summit, which is tackling Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War Two.
Tunisia kills militants near Libya border
Tunisian security forces have killed 21 militants after they launched a cross-border raid from Libya, the government says. Fighting followed an attack on an army base and a police station in the eastern town of Ben Guerdane. Four civilians were also killed in the clashes, according to the interior ministry.
Rare 2,500-year-old woman’s seal from First Temple period unearthed in Jerusalem
Who was Elihana bat Gael? An exceptional woman during Jerusalem’s First Temple period, some 2,500 years ago, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). A rare seal bearing her name was recently unearthed in a large ancient building during excavations carried out in the Giv’ati parking lot at the City of David, in the Jerusalem Walls National Park, the IAA announced on Sunday.
Federal Judge May Release New Documents Related To Obama’s Targeted Assassination Program
On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen McMahon ordered the Obama Administration to hand over three documents related to the targeted assassination program for the court’s review and possible release to the public. The three documents relate to the law and policy that govern the controversial program.
Will Russia End Up Controlling 73% of Global Oil Supply?
Russia has played a master stroke in the current oil crisis by taking the lead in forming a new cartel, but it’s a move that could spell geopolitical disaster. The meeting between Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela on 16 February 2016 was the first step. During the next meeting in mid-March, which is with a larger group of participants, if Russia manages to build a consensus—however small—it will further strengthen its leadership position.
ISIS Suicide Bomb Kills At Least 70 South Of Baghdad
A truck bomb at an Iraqi checkpoint south of Baghdad killed at least 60 people and wounded more than 70 on Sunday, medical and security officials said, and Islamic State claimed responsibility for the blast.
Mysterious repeating signals arriving from deep space
Researchers just announced the discovery of radio signals from beyond our galaxy that are behaving in strange ways. Fast radio bursts—or FRBs—are very rare, very quick blasts of radio waves originating billions of light years
N. Korea threatens pre-emptive nuclear strike on South, US
North Korea threatened “indiscriminate” nuclear strikes against South Korea and the US mainland, as the two allies prepared to kick off large-scale joint military drills on Monday.
New Proposal to Divide Jerusalem Unites People Against It
A new plan on how to divide Jerusalem’s Jewish and Arab neighborhoods has had the peculiar distinction of uniting people against it.
Headlines – 3/7/2016
Ahead of Biden visit, Netanyahu rejects speculation of pending collapse of US-Israel ties
Netanyahu: Biden visit reflects strength of ties between US and Israel
Tehran’s ‘destabilizing activities’ on the agenda for Biden’s visit to Israel
New Proposal to Divide Jerusalem Unites People Against It
Most Israelis consider Jerusalem divided, poll finds
Haim Saban: Donald Trump is ‘Dangerous’ to Israel and Hillary Clinton would be wonderful for Israel
Surveillance cameras to be installed on Temple Mount
Settlers to Germany: We won’t label our products
Nasrallah: Arab regimes have never done anything for the Palestinians
‘In next war, Hezbollah will fight inside Israel’
Shin Bet nabs Palestinian suspected of recruiting terrorists in Cairo
Egypt Says Muslim Brotherhood, Backed by Hamas, Killed Top Prosecutor
Report: Egypt imposes entrance ban on Hezbollah’s leaders following Gulf’s declaration
Turkish opposition newspaper turns pro-government after state takeover
Syria ‘cease-fire’: Lull before the storm
ISIS branch calls on Muslims to kill ‘Russian apostates’, vows to attack Putin
Islamic State truck bomb kills at least 60 people south of Baghdad
Trump Says Anti-Torture Laws Put US at Disadvantage
Merkel deputy slams Donald Trump as ‘threat to peace’
Merkel Lauds Clinton, Brushes Off Trump Attacks Over Refugees
UK sends boats to Aegean Sea ahead of EU migrant crisis summit
Afghan president: IS being wiped out in Afghanistan
1 dead, 2 injured in Sydney shooting & 7-hour hostage situation
N. Korea threatens pre-emptive nuclear strike on South, US
South Korea and US set for ‘largest ever’ war games
Philippines impounds North Korean ship as part of new U.N. sanctions
China halts cash flow to North Korea – media
Apple users targeted in first known Mac ransomware campaign
Hillary Clinton: Email controversy ‘moving toward a resolution’
American Way: the struggle to stop Donald Trump is going to be mean and dirty
Mitt Romney won’t rule out accepting GOP nomination at contested convention
Are Secret Societies Elite Plotting Against Donald Trump?
Global fears as markets lose faith in central banks
Stocks almost erase 2016 losses as bulls charge
Iran economy minister: 0il sales to reach 2 million barrels per day soon
Will Russia End Up Controlling 73% of Global Oil Supply?
Southeast Asia to Witness Total Solar Eclipse Next Week
Mysterious repeating signals arriving from deep space
‘Unusual event’: Oconee nuclear reactor shut down after transformer explosion & fire
Oklahoma Takes Action On Fracking-Related Earthquakes – But It’s Too Late, Critics Say
Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador erupts to 28,000ft
Colima volcano in Mexico erupts to 18,000ft
Chirpoi volcano on the Kuril Islands erupts to 20,000ft
Sheveluch volcano on Kamchatka, Russia erupts to 14,000ft
Strong storms bring evacuations and rescues in California
Colorado Looks to Broaden Therapists’ Power to Prevent School Shootings
Oklahoma Senator Introduces Bill to Criminalize Abortion as First-Degree Murder
Pro-Abortion Activists Upset over New York Times Cover Photo Featuring Pro-Lifers
Australian government commits to gay marriage vote this year if it wins election
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Dead at 94
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan’s legacy: Bringing allure, activism and astrology to the White House
Netanyahu Eulogizes Nancy Reagan – ‘A Great Friend of Israel’
Chuck Pierce Speaking Directly for God – Add This To Your Bible
Rick Warren: People might not go to Heaven if you don’t tithe
Bethel’s Medical Healing Conference to bring army; activate impartation
Andy Stanley Apologizes for Saying People Who Go to Small Churches Are Selfish
Mark Driscoll responds to ‘false and malicious’ allegations in lawsuit
100K Fill Up AT&T Stadium for Harvest America 2016; Thousands Accept Christ
Pastor shot at church after delivering opening prayer at Ted Cruz Rally
White House: ISIS extermination of Christians can’t be called genocide yet
Abortion Clinic Owner: “… Jesus…Would Hold Women’s Hands” as They Abort Their Baby
The Briefing
1) 2016 Republican presidential race reaches level of unprecedented coarseness and crudeness
A National Descent, New York Times (James Poniewozik)
Trump show too juvenile for Jerry Springer, Financial Times (Demetri Sevastopulo)
The GOP vulgarians, Washington Post (E.J. Dionne Jr.)
2) Georgia’s Republican governor pledges to veto religious liberty bill on religious grounds
Nathan Deal makes a forceful, biblical case against Georgia’s ‘religious liberty’ bill, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Greg Bluestein)
3) US Military to begin recruiting women for combat, ignoring physiological differences
Military Beginning to Recruit Women for Combat Jobs, ABC News (Lolita C. Baldor)
A Draft for Women?, Weekly Standard (John McCormack)
4) Former First Lady Nancy Reagan dies at 94, leaving influential yet complex legacy
Nancy Reagan, an Influential and Protective First Lady, Dies at 94, New York Times (Lou Cannon)
Nancy Reagan turned to astrology in White House to protect her husband, Los Angeles Times (Shelby Grad and David Colker)
In other news…
Babies’ organs ‘could save 100 lives a year’, The Sunday Times (Elizabeth Beynon)
The Right to Abortion—and Religious Freedom, The Atlantic (Stephanie Russell-Kraft)
ZeroHedge Frontrunning: March 07
- Trump or Cruz? Republicans face tough choices as primary race churns forward (Read More)
- The Week the Republican Party Melted Down (Read More)
- Rust Belt Could Be Donald Trump’s Best Route to White House (Read More)
- China’s Leaders Put the Economy on Bubble Watch (Read More)
- Top Chinese Official Rebutts Soros Prediction for Hard Landing (Read More)
- China Plans Income-Tax Overhaul to Bolster Consumption (Read More)
- Oil jumps as sentiment boosted; analysts warn of glut (Read More)
- The Odd Couple: Merkel, Tsipras Fate Tied Over EU Refugees Deal (Read More)
- As Read More: The Treasury Market’s Big Short Is in 10-Year Notes, Repos Show (BBG)
- China angered by planned U.S. export restrictions on ZTE (Read More)
- Europe Faces Pension Predicament (Read More)
- The ETF Files: How the U.S. government inadvertently launched a $3 trillion industry (Read More)
- Draghi Aims ECB’s Killer Blow in 11th Round Versus Deflation (Read More)
- European Central Bank Faces Questions Over Which Bonds to Buy (Read More)
- Russia offers access to its Syria bases to help deliver aid (Read More)
- In JPMorgan Fintech Bunker, Coders Are Too Focused for Foosball (Read More)
- BASF shares fall after report it is weighing DuPont bid (Read More)
- Wall Street vets battle BP in fallout over Canada refinery (Read More)
Mid-Day Digest
March 7, 2016
THE FOUNDATION
“I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.” —George Washington (1789)
Farewell, Nancy
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Former First Lady Nancy Reagan died Sunday at age 94. Coming so close on the heels of the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, it feels that yet another tangible connection to the Reagan Era has been lost, and we mourn it.
According to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, “Mrs. Reagan will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, next to her husband, Ronald Wilson Reagan, who died on June 5, 2004.”
The Foundation also recounted:
After leaving the White House on January 20, 1989, Mrs. Reagan established the Nancy Reagan Foundation to continue her campaign to educate people about the serious dangers of substance abuse. In 1994, the Nancy Reagan Foundation joined forces with the BEST Foundation For A Drug-Free Tomorrow and developed the Nancy Reagan Afterschool Program, a drug prevention and life-skills program for youth.
For ten years, Mrs. Reagan’s priority was caring for her husband at home as he battled Alzheimer’s Disease. Following his death in 2004, she was devoted to projects related to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, where she served on the board of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and promoted her husband’s legacy of leadership and freedom.
Nancy Reagan brought beauty and a decorum to the White House and never forgot that it wasn’t actually her house. “Families think about coming to the White House for years,” she once said. “They plan for it, they save for it, they look forward to it, and it means so much.” The White House belongs to the American people, and Nancy knew it, which is why she protested if events closed portions of the White House to public viewing.
Ronald and Nancy Reagan loved each other deeply — he used to say he missed her even “when she’s just in the next room.” For her part, she wanted “everyone to feel about Ronnie the way I do” — that is, a profound love. Indeed, in 1998, she said, “When I say my life began with Ronnie, well, it’s true. It did.”
Now that her life is completed, we’re grateful that it did begin, and we’re thankful for her part in the Reagan Revolution.
TOP RIGHT HOOKS
Cruz Closes the Gap
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On Saturday, voters in four states — Kansas, Maine, Louisiana, Kentucky — made their pick for the next Republican nominee for president. Ted Cruz won Kansas (by a “yuge” margin) and Maine, while Donald Trump won Louisiana (barely) and Kentucky. Trump leads the GOP pack with 384 delegates, but Cruz has accelerated to a close second with 300.
This has raised even more questions about the viability of the campaigns of Marco Rubio and John Kasich. On Saturday, Trump called on Rubio to drop out of the race — naturally. However, it appears Rubio will stay a bit longer. Puerto Rico held its primary Saturday, and Rubio snatched all of the island’s 23 delegates, winning an amazing 74% of the vote. But the deciding moment in the Rubio campaign will come in the Florida primary on March 15. If Rubio loses his home state, his chances of getting the nomination drop to roughly zero. If he wins, he might be a shot. Plus, he stops Trump from taking the 99 delegates at stake in the winner-take-all primary.
Kasich, too, signaled he’d fight until his home state of Ohio holds its primary Mar. 15. Kasich’s top strategist, John Weaver, said: “No candidate is currently on track to win the nomination outright. Our campaign is built for the long-term.” Built to lose just about everywhere, including Ohio.
Meanwhile, the results for Louisiana’s primary indicate that the Trump wave might be breaking. Although Trump won, he won because his supporters voted early. Voters who spend more time making up their minds and weighing facts like the fraud at Trump University supported someone else. This is a trend that occurred in other primaries, and a trend that could diminish Trump as the race goes on. As Yogi Berra, who knew a thing or two about playing another game where teams could win with singles or home runs, said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Trump Avoids Grassroots Conservatives
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Thousands of activists convened in National Harbor, Maryland, over the weekend to hear grassroots leaders speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Current GOP presidential contenders Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Donald Trump were invited and all but one took time away from the campaign trail to make an appearance. Their speeches included, among other topics, ways to liberate the economy and empower individuals through free market reforms, strengthening America’s military prowess, the Supreme Court vacancy and making an impact at the local level.
Rubio emphasized individual Liberty and Providence — “this nation was founded on a powerful, spiritual principle that our rights do not come from government” — and reminded us how to achieve the American Dream: “Free enterprise is the best economic system in the history of the world because it’s the only system where you can make poor people richer and you don’t have to make rich people poorer.” Cruz said, “I believe, like Ronald Reagan, in peace through strength. I actually think the weakness of Barack Obama invites military conflict and it encourages our enemies.” And Kasich made a point of advocating personal responsibility. “Don’t wait for somebody to come and fix the problems where you are,” he advised. “Fix them yourself. Send education, welfare, infrastructure, health care for the poor, and job training, all back to where you live, and you’ll have more power because we have to run America from the bottom-up. That’s what works.”
Most tellingly, however, is who those in attendance didn’t get to hear — Donald Trump. On Friday, CPAC wrote on Twitter that he would not be participating despite having been scheduled to appear: “Very disappointed @realDonaldTrump has decided at the last minute to drop out of #CPAC — his choice sends a clear message to conservatives.” Trump didn’t show up for CPAC because he didn’t want to be booed or walked out on — a clear indication that he knows his pandering views, which are clearly at odds with conservative principles, would not be well received. It remains to be seen what impact his decision will have on upcoming primaries. But suffice to say, Cruz did better than expected on Super Saturday. An omen? We’ll see.
BEST OF RIGHT OPINION
- Peggy Noonan: The Republican Party Is Shattering
- Ken Blackwell: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary: It Is Genocide. Say So!
- Jeff Jacoby: Samantha Power’s Squandered Moral Authority
For more, visit Right Opinion.
FEATURED RIGHT ANALYSIS
Won’t Get Fooled Again?
By Arnold Ahlert
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Two of history’s most famous uprisings — the French and American revolutions — were both precipitated by people whose anger and frustration with the status quo could no longer be contained. However, those revolutions produced dramatically different results. While Americans pursued the organization of a new country, the French pursued bloody payback against their aristocracy. And while there is little doubt that “off with their heads!” was emotionally satisfying, such blood lust is even more grotesque in comparison to the noble ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence, and the ensuing creation of the Constitution and our great republic.
A funny thing happened last Thursday night at the schoolyard brawl promoted as a Republican presidential debate. In between Donald Trump assuring us the size of his manhood was sufficient and taunting Marco Rubio by calling him “Little Marco,” the casino mogul offered his supporters a substantially different take on the H-1B visa program than his previous stance on the issue. When pressed by Megyn Kelly about the difference between what was on Trump’s website, which says expanding H-1B visas would “decimate American workers,” and his enthusiastic support of those visas during a previous debate, Trump had this to stay:
“I’m changing. I’m changing. We need highly skilled people in this country. And if we can’t do it, we’ll get them in. And one of the biggest problems we have is people go to the best colleges … as soon as they’re finished, they get shoved out. They want to stay in this country. They want to stay here desperately. They’re not able to stay here. For that purpose, we absolutely have to be able to keep the brainpower in this country.”
Kelly followed up, “So you are abandoning the position on your website?”
“I’m changing it,” Trump replied, “and I’m softening the position because we have to have talented people in this country.”
After the debate, Trump “clarified” — i.e., reversed — his position once again:
“Megyn Kelly asked about highly-skilled immigration. The H-1B program is neither high-skilled nor immigration: these are temporary foreign workers, imported from abroad, for the explicit purpose of substituting for American workers at lower pay. I remain totally committed to eliminating rampant, widespread H-1B abuse and ending outrageous practices such as those that occurred at Disney in Florida when Americans were forced to train their foreign replacements. I will end forever the use of the H-1B as a cheap labor program, and institute an absolute requirement to hire American workers first for every visa and immigration program. No exceptions.”
Thus in the space of two days, Trump hardened, softened and re-hardened his position on the issue. In leftist precincts, when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton went from favoring the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed during the Clinton administration to declaring their support for same-sex marriage, such change is known as “evolving.”
You know who else “evolved” considerably in the last few years? A GOP establishment handed two mandates by their base in 2010 and 2014, with the primary goal in both cases of putting a halt to the expansion of progressive ideology. And both times the establishment GOP not only failed to do so, but actually accommodated that expansion in a number of ways that infuriated the base, perhaps none more so than funding the Obama’s constitutionally dubious effort to unilaterally legalize millions of illegals.
It was anger over that betrayal that led directly to the rise of Donald Trump. The very same Donald Trump who catapulted himself into the hearts and minds of millions primarily because he was willing to take the hardened positions of “building a wall” on our Southern border and putting a stop to the “decimation” of the American worker.
I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
No, no!
The above is the penultimate verse of one of The Who’s greatest songs, “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
One would have to be living under the proverbial rock not to get the idea that Americans are as furious and frustrated with the status quo as they have ever been. They see a cabal of government officials and crony capitalist insiders more than willing to deal cards to the average American from the bottom of the deck, whenever it suits their purposes. Moreover, those Americans are not remotely in the mood to be lectured by members of that same cabal, or a gaggle of media pontificators, all of whom are aghast that a “Cossack” like Trump can withstand their oh-so “enlightened” vitriol.
And now that same base is telling them all in no uncertain terms: lecture us all you like, make any promises you want, and even offer an occasional apology — but we won’t be fooled again.
While snobbish presumptuousness has driven Americans toward, not away, from Trump, the question must nonetheless be asked: Are they actually getting what they want with Trump, a la the American revolution? Or, much like the French revolution, do they want change without much thought as to what that change actually engenders once it has occurred?
Trump has certainly fashioned himself a reputation for being an outsider, and there is no doubt he initially gave the base what it wanted. At the same time, one is hard-pressed to imagine a billionaire who boasts about spreading money around with both parties to get what he wants can stand completely apart from those insiders, especially those with whom he has done such business.
But forget Trump for a moment. Does the Republican base itself still have conservative principles? Or has the anger and frustration whose chief objective is to take a wrecking ball to the status quo supplanted them?
In the coming months, the nation will learn the answer to that question. But if this revolution is not about conservative principles, then an uncomfortable question arises: If principles are irrelevant, then what makes the base’s abandonment of them more legitimate than their abandonment by the establishment GOP the base despises for doing so? Trump is certainly indicating a newfound “flexibility” on a pretty important issue. How much more flexibility will be countenanced, simply for revolution’s sake?
Only Americans themselves know the answers to those questions. But if they’ve learned nothing else in the past eight years they should be well aware that flowery campaign slogans, such as “hope and change” or “make America great again,” will be followed by something concrete. A lot of Americans now admit they were fooled by Barack Obama.
The last verse of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is only two lines, but they pack a considerable wallop:
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss.
The only “lecture” you’re getting from us? Know exactly what it is you want before casting your vote, because the election of a new president — driven solely by anger and frustration — would be a disaster.
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MORE ORIGINAL PERSPECTIVE
- ANALYSIS: Clinton’s Libya Problem
- Trump to Military: You Will Obey Me
- Democrats’ Faith in Flint
- Did Clinton Aides Illegally Share Passwords?
- Memo to America: Our History Makes Us Exceptional
- Sen. Ernst Describes REAL State of National Security
TOP HEADLINES
- Clinton Authored 104 Classified Emails
- Wounded Warrior Project Rocked by Fundraising Scandal
- Britain’s NHS to Harvest Babies’ Organs
For more, visit Patriot Headline Report
OPINION IN BRIEF
Peggy Noonan: “I think we are seeing a great political party shatter before our eyes. I’m not sure I see a way around or through. … Everything got stretched to the breaking point the past 15 years. Party leaders and thinkers should take note: It’s easier for a base to hire or develop a flashy new establishment than it is for an establishment to find itself a new base. Even if the party stays together with a Trump win, what will it be? It will have been reconstituted. Yes, it will be a formal and proactive foe of illegal immigration, and it will rethink its approach to entitlements, but it will also be other things. What? We are in uncharted territory. But the point is fissures and tensions simmering and growing for 15 years burst through, erupted. The establishment was slow to see what was happening, slow to see Mr. Trump coming, in full denial as he continued to win. Their denial is self-indicting. They couldn’t see his appeal because they had no idea how their own people were experiencing America.”
SHORT CUTS
RIP: “If either of us ever left the room, we both felt lonely. People don’t always believe this, but it’s true. Filling the loneliness, completing each other — that’s what it still meant to us to be husband and wife.” —Nancy Reagan
The Gipper: “I more than love you, I’m not whole without you. You are life itself to me. When you are gone I’m waiting for you to return so I can start living again.”
Braying Jackass: “Nancy Reagan had an undeniable knack for inviting controversy. There were her extravagant spending habits at a time of double-digit unemployment, a chaotic relationship with her children and stepchildren that could rival a soap-opera plot, and the jaw-dropping news that she had insisted the White House abide by an astrologer when planning the president’s schedule.” —Washington Post’s Lois Romano
Fantasy island: “Overall, America’s business has now created new jobs for 72 straight months, six straight years of job creation — 14.3 million new jobs. In fact, our businesses have created jobs every single month since I signed that job-killing Obamacare bill. … I don’t expect that these facts and this evidence will convince some of the politicians out there to change their doomsday rhetoric, talking about how terrible America is. … The fact of the matter is, is that the plans that we have put in place to grow the economy have worked. They would work even faster if we did not have the kind of obstruction that we’ve seen in this town to prevent additional policies that would make a difference.” —Barack Obama
The BIG lie, part I: “I know some of the parents from Sandy Hook. I want people in this audience to think about what it must feel like to send off your first grader, little backpack maybe on his or her back and the next thing you hear is that somebody has come to that school using an automatic weapon, an AR-15 and murdered those children.” —Hillary Clinton, deliberately conflating automatic with semiautomatic
The BIG lie, part II: “Congress has looked into [Clinton’s email scandal]. The Justice Department has looked into it, and they’ve cleared her.” —Rep. Joaquin Castro
Late-night humor: “The Google search ‘How to move to Canada’ started trending after Donald Trump’s impressive showing on Super Tuesday. Or as Canadians put it, ‘Great, now we need to build a wall.'” —Jimmy Fallon
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis!
Managing Editor Nate Jackson
Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform — Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen — standing in harm’s way in defense of Liberty, and for their families.
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Franklin Graham Says Future President Must Listen to Military Leaders or Risk Islamists Taking Freedom Away
Evangelical pastor Franklin Graham has said that amid increasing terror threats, the next president of the United States must listen to the wisdom of military leaders “for the sake of the future of this country,” as Islamists “hate” Americans and the freedom we enjoy.
Pin-Sized Bible Created Through Nanotechnology Provides New Religious Jewelry
Innovators have been applying nanotechnology to science, medicine and industry for decades, but an entrepreneur now found a way to turn it into a religious fashion statement and practical way to carry around the Bible. Israeli Ami Bentov founded the idea to mass-produce silicon chips containing the entire Bible, and sell them as pieces of religious jewelry, such as lapel pins, necklaces, crosses and Stars of David.
Jerry Bridges’ Pursuit of Holiness Has Come to an End
The beloved Navigators author and Bible teacher died Sunday.
Harvest America 2016 Will Tonight Take Place in 100,000 Capacity Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Livestreamed to 6000 Locations
Evangelist Greg Laurie and an army of volunteers are hoping that Harvest America at the 100,000 max-capacity ATT Stadium in Arlington, Texas, streamed live to more than 6,000 host locations in the U.S. and worldwide, and broadcast live on cable TV on Sunday will usher thousands into a relationship with Jesus and become perhaps the largest Christian outreach in history.
Harvest America 2016’s Greg Laurie: I Will Talk to the Cynical Individual Even if 60,000 Attend (Sneak Peek)
Harvest America 2016 may draw up to 60,000 people between the main stage at ATT Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the thousands of simulcast locations Sunday evening, but the massive evangelism event’s founder Greg Laurie says that he will focus on an individual come time to step into the pulpit and preach.
Andy Stanley Apologizes for Saying People Who Go to Small Churches ‘Are So Stinkin’ Selfish’
Andy Stanley issued an apology on social media for a recent sermon in which he said that people who go to a small church &are so sticking selfish.&
Did 20th Century Theologian GK Chesterton Foresee Rise of Trump in 2016?
The late British author and theologian G.K. Chesterton may have predicted the societal mindset that allowed the possibility of a Trump presidency.
Watch 2,000 Years of Religious History in 90 Seconds
&The Spread of the Gospel& illustrates the last 2,000 years of the spread of Christianity in an animated, 90-second map.
Billy Graham Tells Believers: Whatever You Fear, Turn It Over to God
Christians must ask God for help in confronting their fears, the Rev. Billy Graham advises, suggesting that Christians stop wallowing in their fears and turn them over to God.
Is Easter a Pagan Holiday?
There has been an increasing trend among evangelicals to shun Easter as allegedly being derived from a pagan source. Explore the history here!
The Daily Discovery (March 7, 2016)
ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:
(Click title to go to full article)
Evangelicalism’s Got Talent (Part 1) – “Not long ago I listened to a panel discussion of well-known pastors discussing the merits, if any, of establishing new churches whose primary shepherd/preacher is heard and known only by live-streaming video. Those in favor offered two main reasons: It works! Patently faster than other numerically-driven approaches, the live-stream messages of admired preachers draws more people from, well, wherever they were before. Only some men have the kind of giftedness to “bring it powerfully” in the pulpit, and so we should maximize their outreach potential through technology.”
Evangelicalism’s Got Talent (Part 2) – “In part 1 of this two-part series, I mentioned that there are two issues that that cause me to think that evangelicalism is being duped when it comes to how we evaluate effective ministries and preaching. As I explained, the first of those two is that we make wrong assumptions about what it means to be a ‘gifted’ preacher. In this post, I want to address how those faulty assumptions about giftedness lead to an errant view of expository preaching.”
Alistair Begg on Trump – “Having just recently concluded a teaching series on Daniel, these words are helping us as a congregation to maintain our equilibrium in the current political chaos. Last week, Susan and I attended a Republican presidential debate. The moderator had his hands full attempting to maintain some semblance of order as the five presidential hopefuls re-enacted a playground brawl. In the audience, George H. Bush, a humble, well-respected president, provided a striking contrast to the arrogant bluster of the frontrunner, Donald Trump. This morning’s newspapers predict the battle still to come between Hillary and Donald.”
10 Reasons Easter Giveaways are Unwise – “We are nearing the day many Christians look forward to all year. Yes, there’s the somber reflection and penitence of the Passion week, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus to celebrate on Easter Sunday, but there’s also some fabulous cash and prizes. Every year some churches seek to outdo themselves — and their local competition — by luring unbelievers (and I suppose interested believers) to their Easter service(s) with the promise of big shows and in some cases big giveaways. One guy in Texas made national news a couple of years ago for giving away new cars. More and more churches each year are dropping prize-filled Easter eggs out of helicopters to gathered crowds below. Local churches with more modest budgets sometimes promise door prizes like iPods or iPads or gift certificates to local restaurants.”
Cruz, Rubio, Trump, and the Moment of Truth – “Now is the moment: Do these candidates actually care about doing what’s best for the country, or do they only care about themselves running the country? If Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio care about what’s best for the United States of America, Marco Rubio should suspend his campaign this week, and Ted Cruz should extend to him a hand of fellowship. We would then have a Cruz/Rubio ticket 8 months before the election, plenty of time to go after Donald Trump and win the republican nomination for President.”
SERMON:
Nate Pickowicz – The Royal Burial (John 19:38-42)
VIDEOS:
If the earth isn’t young, the Bible is wrong.
Relationships with Unbelievers
“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus. It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur
Christianity Without Repentance Isn’t Christianity
The word repent is one that doesn’t sit too well with many people around the world. What is intended to be a gift and opportunity to encounter the grace of God has now become something individuals cringe at when hearing. I blame those wielding bullhorns and picket signs for the mess that has become of repentance. And while this liturgical experience may have a bad reputation due to the idiotic actions of others, we must understand that repentance itself one of the most vital parts of the Christian faith. Without it, a relationship with God isn’t possible.
Repentance is all about turning away from our fleshly desires, and instead clinging to the beauty and supremacy of God’s will. There is nothing to be ashamed about in admitting you’ve messed up. Repentance bridges the gap between our failures and God’s forgiveness. That’s the beauty. It’s the gateway to new life and an unrelenting relationship with God.
https://www.churchleaders.com/article-headlines-widget.html
You and I must stop viewing repentance as a burdensome I have to, and instead realize it’s an undeserved I get to. We must understand how lucky we are to have a loving God who gives us the opportunity to admit our failures and choose to turn away from our selfish ways. Repentance is a gift not a burden. There is an unfathomable liturgical experience when one finds the humility to turn from their ways and seek forgiveness in the grace of God.
The basic definition of repentance is: to turn away from something or change your mind. Nothing more and nothing less. Repentance is all about seeking forgiveness for the mistakes and downfalls we’ve found ourselves in the middle of. When we repent, we are telling God we put his will above our own.
Repentance itself was never meant to be promoted in a way of fear-mongering and hate, but instead of love and excitement for the life and grace that God brings when we decide to turn away from our selfish ways (Acts 3:19).
“Repentance grows as faith grows. Do not make any mistake about it; repentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No; it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself. God’s little children repent, and so do the young men and the fathers. Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.” —Charles Spurgeon
Let’s take a moment to renew the way we see repentance. 
The post Christianity Without Repentance Isn’t Christianity appeared first on ChurchLeaders.com.
Check out
Blogs
So Andy Stanley Thinks I’m Selfish | Gentle Reformation
Kyle Borg responds to Andy Stanley’s criticism of small churches. And on the same subject, here’s Andy Did It Again and Dear Andy Stanley, Please Be the Small Church’s Ally, Not Our Enemy
Your Single Most Important Habit | Desiring God
David Mathis recommends one habit that could transform your whole Christian life.
4 Words that Give a Well-Rounded Picture of Counseling in the Church | Counseling One Another
Paul Tautges says that “The meanings and uses of these words help us to envision a well-rounded ministry that is geared toward helping people change.”
The Value and Labor of Women in the Church | Gentle Reformation
“If we are going to be biblical about the role of women in the church, we could start by being more vocal in our thankfulness for what they add to the work of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.”
Exercise and Brain Size
“A recent study published online in the journal Neurology shows a link between physical fitness levels in middle-aged adults and brain size later in life.”
Pastoring Dementia Patients
“I was with some local pastors this morning, thinking through dementia and dementia care in our churches. The following points came out of our discussion. Hope they help.”
New Book
Do Ask, Do Tell, Let’s Talk: Why and How Christians Should Have Gay Friends by Brad Hambrick
Kindle Books
Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber $0.99. “Surprised by Oxford is the memoir of a skeptical agnostic who comes to a dynamic personal faith in God during graduate studies in literature at Oxford University.”
God’s Unfailing Purpose: The Message of Daniel by Michael Barrett $0.99.
And a couple of non-Christian books that look like good reads. I try to read books like these that are reflecting and influencing the culture in order to help me be more effective both in personal conversations with non-Christians and also in finding illustrations and points of contact in my preaching and writing. You’ll also find some helpful common grace truths here and there. Read them through biblical spectacles.
Life Is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment by Peter Buffett $1.99.
The Sustainable Edge: 15 Minutes a Week to a Richer Entrepreneurial Life $0.99.
Blog Video
David Brooks and Miroslav Volf: A Conversation on Character, Flourishing & the Good Life
Links I like
Kindle deals for Christian readers
Crossway is offering a number of books by John MacArthur for $2.99 this week:
Jerry Bridges (1929-2016)
Jerry Bridges suffered a major cardiac arrest on Saturday, and went home to the Lord on Sunday night. I am extremely grateful for how the Lord has used his writing in my life and in the lives of so many.
It’s a Fact, Eh?
Tim talks about Canadians and money—specifically, why we’re obsessed with how our dollar fares against America’s.
The Politics of Porn
Samuel James:
If pornography kills love and worships (fantastical) power, then it’s time to start asking whether a culture drowning in its mire is being primed for the politics of ruthless authoritarianism. If the age of Tinder chases out love and chastity, marriage and faithfulness, might it also chase out things like liberty, dignity, and sacrifice?
5 reasons to rethink long engagements
Matthew Herriman:
In today’s culture, many couples choose to have lengthy engagements, using the extra time for wedding planning, financial planning and relationship building. Though these are important aspects of the engagement period and though every engaged couple has differing circumstances, I’m wondering if it’s time for us to rethink the idea of long engagements. I’m extremely grateful for godly mentors in my life who helped me think through this all-too-common practice. Faithful Christians might disagree on this, but I think there are four reasons to rethink a long engagement.
5 Easy Ways to Be Generous Without Using Money
Art Rainer:
But generosity is not just about money. God has created us to be generous with all our resources. So while you work to free up your finances, here are five easy ways to be generous without using money.
Study Your Bible to Think Biblically
“It is impossible for us to think wholesomely unless we are thinking biblically. And it is difficult for us to think biblically unless we’re studying our Bibles.”
Your Single Most Important Habit
David Mathis offers an interesting take:
While I cannot commend one keystone habit that will make the difference for every believer, I do want to speak up on behalf of one weekly habit that is utterly essential to any healthy, life-giving, joy-producing Christian walk: corporate worship. And it is all too often neglected, or taken very lightly, in our day of disembodiment and in our proclivity for being noncommittal. In fact, I do not think it is too strong to call corporate worship the single most important habit of the Christian life.
A La Carte (March 7)
There are lots of Kindle deals today. Crossway has 4 books by John MacArthur at just $2.99 each: Ashamed of the Gospel, Fool’s Gold, Think Biblically!, and The Second Coming. Zondervan has the Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible discounted to $6.99 per volume: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5. The New Matthew Henry Commentary is $3.99 and the NIV Zondervan Study Bible is $4.99. Also consider Understanding the Bible by John Stott ($2.99); The Erosion of Inerrancy by G.K. Beale ($2.99); The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary ($7.99); and The Zondervan Dictionary of Biblical Imagery ($3.99).
The Man Who Made a Million Empires
I consider Sid Meier to be one of the greatest game designers of all time. For that reason I thoroughly enjoyed this rare profile of him.
6 Areas of End Times Agreement
Chris Brauns: “While there are many different interpretations of how events of the end times will unfold, orthodox, Bible-believing Christians passionately agree about the most important matters. Here I point out six end times areas of agreement about which the Bible is explicit…”
Why It Hurts So Much to Step on a LEGO
Here is a scientific explanation of why it hurts so bad when you step on that little piece of LEGO.
Inject Your Prayer List with Life
I think we can all identify with this: “My praying through a list of names and needs often feels more like reading a shopping list than meaningfully communing with the Father in heaven.”
The Chang Tang-Pa
You may enjoy this photo essay from what must be a lost and unreached people group.
We’re Called to Make Disciples, not Simply Converts
R.C. Sproul: “Discipleship is a lifelong experience of learning the mind of Christ and following the will of Christ, submitting ourselves in complete obedience to His lordship. Thus, when Jesus tells us to go to all nations, we are to go into all the world with His agenda, not our own.”
This Day in 1802. 214 years ago today, “in Washington, D.C., the first Baptist church was organized with six charter members. Their first pastor Obadiah Brown was hired five years later, and Brown remained in that pulpit while involving himself in every important local Baptist program for the next 43 years!” *
Articles on Singleness, Dating, and Marriage
Here’s a roundup of some of the best articles on singleness, dating, and marriage.
The Dark Side of International Adoption
Amy Medina has begun what sounds like an important series on international adoption.
The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Christian Headlines Daily –
http://www.christianheadlines.com/
Our Time is Short
What is The Gospel?
God made everything out of nothing, including you and me. His main purpose in creation was to bring him pleasure.
The chief way in which we as humanity do this is through loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
Instead of this, we have sinned against our loving Creator and acted in high-handed rebellion.
God has vowed that he will righteously and lovingly judge sinners with eternal death.
But God, being merciful, loving, gracious, and just, sent his own son, Jesus Christ, in the likeness of man to live as a man; fulfilling his perfect requirements in the place of sinners; loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
And further, his son bore the eternal judgment of God upon the cross of Calvary, as he satisfied the eternal anger of God, standing in the place of sinners. God treated Jesus as a sinner, though he was perfectly sinless, that he might declare sinners as perfect.
This glorious transaction occurs as the sinner puts their faith (dependence, trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ as their substitute. God then charges Christ’s perfection to the sinner, and no longer views him as an enemy but instead an adopted son covered in the perfect righteousness of his son.
God furnished proof that this sacrifice was accepted by raising Jesus from the dead.
God will judge the world in righteousness and all of those who are not covered in the righteousness of Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, will be forced to stand on their own to bear the eternal anger of God.
Therefore, all must turn from sin and receive Christ Jesus as Lord.
What Is the Gospel?
There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the gospel to you when they tell you, ‘you can have a purpose to your life’, or that ‘you can have meaning to your life’, or that ‘you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.’ All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the gospel.
The gospel is called the ‘good news’ because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness–or lack of it –or the righteousness of another. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn’t concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith–and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him–and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity.
The Gospel In A Nutshell
Now, with regard to this rule of faith—that we may from this point acknowledge what it is which we defend—it is, you must know, that which prescribes the belief that there is one only God, and that He is none other than the Creator of the world, who produced all things out of nothing through His own Word, first of all sent forth; that this Word is called His Son, and, under the name of God, was seen “in diverse manners” by the patriarchs, heard at all times in the prophets, at last brought down by the Spirit and Power of the Father into the Virgin Mary, was made flesh in her womb, and, being born of her, went forth as Jesus Christ; thenceforth He preached the new law and the new promise of the kingdom of heaven, worked miracles; having been crucified, He rose again the third day; (then) having ascended into the heavens, He sat at the right hand of the Father; sent instead of Himself the Power of the Holy Ghost to lead such as believe; will come with glory to take the saints to the enjoyment of everlasting life and of the heavenly promises, and to condemn the wicked to everlasting fire, after the resurrection of both these classes shall have happened, together with the restoration of their flesh. This rule, as it will be proved, was taught by Christ, and raises amongst ourselves no other questions than those which heresies introduce, and which make men heretics.
Tertullian, “On Prescription Against Heretics,” Chapter XIIl
The Gospel on 5 Fingers
If you picked up a hitchhiker (not that I recommend doing that) and he saw a Bible on your car seat and said, “I’ve heard about this thing called the Gospel – can you explain it to me before you drop me off in one minute up the street?” What would you say?
Can you explain the gospel in 30 seconds? In one minute? In five minutes?
Here’s one way I have found helpful. The five main components of the gospel can be remembered on 5 fingers of one hand. Here they are:
1) Jesus’ birth
2) Jesus’ life
3) Jesus’ death
4) Jesus’ resurrection
5) Jesus’ ascension
Obviously each point can be elaborated on depending on how much time you have. Here’s the short version:
1) Jesus’ birth – Jesus, God himself, the creator of the universe, the Messiah, became a human being – took on flesh, and was born of a virgin.
2) Jesus’ life – Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to his Father. Though he was tempted in every way as we are, he never once sinned.
3) Jesus’ death – on the cross, Jesus himself took all our sins and paid for them. God the father counted all our sins to Jesus as if he himself had personally committed them. Then Jesus bore God’s wrath towards sin – the punishment we deserved – as a substitute for us.
4) Jesus’ resurrection – within 3 days, Jesus rose physically from the dead, proving that his sacrifice for sins have been accepted by God, since the punishment for sin was death. Jesus was seen by numerous people after he rose including 500 at one time (1 Corinthians 15).
5) Jesus’ ascension – Jesus ascended physically into heaven where he reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords. And someday he will return to the earth.
That’s the gospel, the good news, and if we believe in Jesus Christ and this good news and call upon him he will save us from our sins and give us eternal life.
That’s a simple way to remember the gospel – five fingers. Even a child can do it. So ask God to give you opportunities to share his good news today.
Ready to start your new life with God?
Who do you think that I am?
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well.
Consider what the Bible says about Him: Read more
Resource Links
CanIKnowGod.com is a website inspired by LifesGreatestQuestion.com, with new content, images, audio and video that will help you understand more about who God is and how to know Him. The site is mobile responsive and has an infinite scroll which makes for a very user-friendly experience. After you indicate a decision on CanIKnowGod.com, you are directed to a page that details what it means to have a new and transformed life through Jesus Christ. There’s even a Facebook page for daily updates, encouragement and scripture sharing.
Look to Jesus
Have you ever felt a little lost and wished there was a quick-start guide to your relationship with God? This is it!
30 Day Next Steps
John Beckett, a leading Christian businessman, has written a series to read over 30 days for new believers.
New Believers Guide
The New Believer’s Guide is a series of articles designed to show you how to walk in the new life Christ has given you— a life of faith and freedom.
Jesus Booklet
Jesus is the Savior of the world. Discover who Jesus is today in this series.
About Christianity
Know Jesus Christ and your life will be transformed
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— Augustine
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