Dr. Terry Mortensen’s “Coming to Grips with Genesis” https://a.co/d/01ilc7i Dr. Terry Mortensen’s “The Great Turning Point: The Church’s Catastrophic Mistake in Geology” https://a.co/d/6UMmDEp
Creation or Evolution? CRPC Podcast Part 013 – WCF Chapter 4, Of Creation
…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt.
MATTHEW 26:39
Where there is no freedom of choice there can be neither sin nor righteousness, because it is of the nature of both that they be voluntary.
However good an act may be, it is not good if it is imposed from without. The act of imposition destroys the moral content of the act and renders it null and void! Sin is the voluntary commission of an act known to be contrary to the will of God. Where there is no moral knowledge or where there is no voluntary choice, the act is not sinful; it cannot be, for sin is the transgression of the law and transgression must be voluntary.
Lucifer became Satan when he made his fateful choice: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Clearly here was a choice made against light. Both knowledge and will were present in the act.
Conversely, Christ revealed His holiness when He cried in His agony, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” Here was a deliberate choice made with the full knowledge of the consequences. Here two wills were in temporary conflict, the lower will of the Man who was God and the higher will of the God who was Man, and the higher will prevailed.
Here also was seen in glaring contrast the enormous difference between Christ and Satan; and that difference divides saint from sinner and heaven from hell. The secret of saintliness is not the destruction of the will—but the submergence of it in the will of God!1
1 Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (2015). Evenings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings (p. 370). Moody Publishers.
“One like unto the Son of Man” appeared to John in Patmos, and the beloved disciple marked that he wore a girdle of gold. A girdle, for Jesus never was ungirt while upon earth, but stood always ready for service, and now before the eternal throne he stays not His holy ministry, but as a priest is girt about with “the curious girdle of the ephod.” Well it is for us that he has not ceased to fulfil his offices of love for us, since this is one of our choicest safeguards that he ever liveth to make intercession for us. Jesus is never an idler; his garments are never loose as though his offices were ended; he diligently carries on the cause of his people. A golden girdle, to manifest the superiority of his service, the royalty of his person, the dignity of his state, the glory of his reward. No longer does he cry out of the dust, but he pleads with authority, a King as well as a Priest. Safe enough is our cause in the hands of our enthroned Melchizedek.
Our Lord presents all his people with an example. We must never unbind our girdles. This is not the time for lying down at ease, it is the season of service and warfare. We need to bind the girdle of truth more and more tightly around our loins. It is a golden girdle, and so will be our richest ornament, and we greatly need it, for a heart that is not well braced up with the truth as it is in Jesus, and with the fidelity which is wrought of the Spirit, will be easily entangled with the things of this life, and tripped up by the snares of temptation. It is in vain that we possess the Scriptures unless we bind them around us like a girdle, surrounding our entire nature, keeping each part of our character in order, and giving compactness to our whole man. If in heaven Jesus unbinds not the girdle, much less may we upon earth. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.1
1 Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. Passmore & Alabaster.
2 Thessalonians 3
FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. (Unreasonable men are almost as troublesome, and quite as dangerous, as those who are really bad; and men who are false and faithless are, above all, painful to deal with.)
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (God is faithful; this is the great antidote for all the ills inflicted on us by evil and unfaithful men.)
4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (They had been hasty in expecting the Lord to come at once, he now bids them be patient in their waiting. They were to look for the Lord soberly and patiently, and not as those fanatics did who ceased from their labours and neglected their lawful callings because they deemed that the end of the world was near.)
6, 7 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; (Paul and his friends had not acted in a fanatical manner and neglected sober, orderly labour, and he quotes his own example against the disorderly ones at Thessalonica. When men or women neglect their work on the pretence of religion they are acting improperly, and ought not to be countenanced by honest Christian people.)
8–10 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (Laziness is sin. There is bread for the industrious, but none for the idle. May none in our household ever disgrace themselves and us by being sluggards.)
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Some eat other people’s bread almost all their lives. It is pleasant to help the needy, but it is a hard tax to have to support the indolent. Young people should strive to ease their parents as soon as possible of the task of supporting them, and receivers of the alms of the church should make conscience of never receiving a penny more than they absolutely need.
13, 14 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (Members of Christian churches have solemn duties to each other, for purposes of mutual discipline. If a man be regarded as a brother he is to be treated as such, but if he errs he is not to stand on the same footing as to converse and confidence as those who walk in an orderly manner. There must be love to him as a brother, but he must be made to feel that his sin grieves us.)
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. (This devout wish seems even now to whisper over this family its gentle benediction. “The Lord be with you all” is a blessing fitly falling from an apostle’s lips, and to it the holiest of men may joyfully say Amen from their very hearts.)
17, 18 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Enrich us with thy blessing Lord;
Help us to feed upon thy word;
All we have done amiss, forgive,
And let thy truth within us live.
Though we are guilty, thou art good:
Wash all our works in Jesus’ blood;
From every burden grant release,
And fill us all with perfect peace.1
1 Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (p. 723). Baker Book House.
TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Hosea 6:1-9:17
3 John 1:1-14
Psalm 126:1-6
Proverbs 29:12-14
Hosea 6:1 — We’ve read so much about judgment in the previous chapters, we have hope in this verse. Return to the LORD, and He will heal. He will bind us up.
Hosea 6:2 — While other commentators disagree, Matthew Henry sees this as pointing to the Resurrection!
But this seems to have a further reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us admire the wisdom and goodness of God, that when the prophet foretold the deliverance of the church out of her troubles, he should point out our salvation by Christ; and now these words are fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ, it confirms our faith, that this is He that should come and we are to look for no other.
Hosea 6:6 — Did you notice this continuing theme in the Bible? Jesus used this verse to argue with the Pharisees that the disciples did not violate God’s Sabbath law, only man’s Sabbath extension. Far from being “less holy,” the Pharisees were hypocrites.
Hosea 7:8 — ”A cake not turned” gives us the picture of someone “half-baked.” He is weakened but “he knoweth it not” (Hosea 7:9).
Hosea 7:13 — Notice this imagery: God redeemed them, they lie against Him. God strengthened them, and they plot evil against Him.
Hosea 8:7 — This phrase has gone into popular culture:
The phrase was famously used by Arthur “Bomber” Harris in response to the Blitz of 1940 when he said:
The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everybody else, and nobody was going to bomb them.
At Rotterdam, London, Warsaw, and half a hundred other places, they put that rather naïve theory into operation. They sowed the wind, and now, they are going to reap the whirlwind.
Hosea 9:14-17 — God takes sin seriously.
3 John 2 — Is John voicing a universal promise of the “prosperity gospel?” Does God really promise that we should be “healthy, wealthy, and rich?” Or is it just a greeting and expression of concern for his friend Gaius, similar to Paul’s request for the cloak at Troas (2 Timothy 4:13)? The key is unpacking the verse. Paul says “thou” not “you all” (or y’all as a Southerner might render it). Gaius must have been having health and financial issues, but Paul is encouraging him by recognizing that it’s more important that his soul prospers than his health prospers.
3 John 4 — In case you missed it, John is more excited that his children are walking in truth than in their financial prosperity.
3 John 9-10 — We’re still in the first century and we have serious problems in the church! Take comfort, we’re not alone in the stream of churches with problems in church history!
Psalm 126:5 — Matt Black recorded a song based on this verse:
Someone prayed for me,
They saw my agony,
And they sowed with tears of sorrow for my soul.
God did a work in me,
Sin’s record He destroyed,
Yes, they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Proverbs 29:12 — Interesting that the servants bear the guilt for the decisions of their ruler. Similarly, we bear the guilt for Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12-14).
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Isaiah 41:10
Fear of falling is wholesome. To be venturesome is no sign of wisdom. Times come to us when we feel that we must go down unless we have a very special support. Here we have it. God’s right hand is a grand thing to lean upon. Mind, it is not only His hand, though it keepeth heaven and earth in their places, but His right hand: His power united with skill, His power where it is most dexterous. Nay, this is not all; it is written, “I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” That hand which He uses to maintain His holiness and to execute His royal sentences—this shall be stretched out to hold up His trusting ones. Fearful is our danger, but joyful is our security. The man whom God upholds, devils cannot throw down.
Weak may be our feet, but almighty is God’s right hand. Rough may be the road, but Omnipotence is our upholding. We may boldly go forward. We shall not fall. Let us lean continually where all things lean. God will not withdraw His strength, for His righteousness is there as well. He will be faithful to His promise, and faithful to His Son, and therefore faithful to us. How happy we ought to be! Are we not so?
The most important fact about a believer is that they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. It’s more important that what we do vocationally, how we perform academically or in athletics, it’s more important than our martial status or the size of our financial portfolio. It’s who we are. Our identity, if we are in Christ, is one who belongs to God. And how do we know that we belong to God? We have the Spirit. Paul outlines this logically in Romans chapter 8, often called the most important chapter in all the bible. He writes, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact that Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:9-11)
To consider the theological and practical richness of our union with Christ and indwelling of the Spirit is inexhaustible. However, I want to meditate briefly on three important benefits and privileges of the reality that we have the Holy Spirit living in us.
Access to the presence of God
Central to life under the Old Covenant in Israel was the mobile tabernacle and eventual permanent temple in Jerusalem. It was the place where a holy God promised to dwell with his unholy people. The civil and religious life of God’s people revolved around intricate ceremonial legislation and regulations. What is often missed when contemplating those ceremonial laws is that beauty of the fact that God was going into great detail to provide and explain how a rebellious and spiritually adulterous people can access His presence. He had promised the patriarch Abraham that he “would be God to you and to your offspring after you” (Gen. 17:7) Remarkably, because of the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ and his promise to send his paraclete to apply the work of that redemption to His elect, the very temple of God is now the heart of every believer. Astoundingly, Jesus told his disciples that it was better for them (in every sense) that he go away and send the Holy Spirit. How can that be so? How could they, and by application all of us, know and love Christ better if he is in heaven rather than on earth? The answer is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the person of the trinity who gifts us with regeneration and makes us alive in Christ through faith. We would not be saved and reconciled to God were it not for the Holy Spirit. We know Jesus Christ more intimately and powerfully than his earthly disciples did because of the indwelling of the Spirit. We don’t have go to Jerusalem to meet with God. Thanks to the Spirit, we have divine access to the Trinity any time and any place. The temple of God through the Holy Spirit is our very own bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19) Years ago, when I was living and ministering in another state, I was invited to a dinner at the Governor’s mansion. It was an honor to be invited and attend the residence of the state’s chief executive. And yet such an honor pales in comparison to the King of heaven and earth taking up residence in our own hearts.
Guarantee of our resurrection
Paul in Romans 8 suggest an enormous rationale for our assurance and hope in eternal life. That same spirit who now lives in us, Paul says in v. 11, is the same spirit who raised Christ from the dead. That same Spirit who was present at Jesus’ baptism and temptation, who caused the conception of Christ in his virgin mother’s womb, and whose power brough him back to life three days after his crucifixion is the one who will raise us also. If the Spirit accomplished that for the Son, will he not also accomplish the fruit of that salvation for which the Son suffered and died (our own resurrection to eternal life)? So, as a Christian I can rest well knowing that one day the Holy Spirit of God will raise my flesh from death and crown me with glory and everlasting life, just as He has done to our elder brother. I don’t have to look to my actions to find comfort and hope. I don’t put my faith in my faith. In fact if I’m looking at myself at all, I’m looking in the wrong place. The Spirit of Christ is the only guarantee we need. And he is willing and able. He “who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Enabling power to mortify sin and please God
Earlier in v. 8 of Romans 8, Paul utters a startling and somber truth that anyone who is in the flesh cannot please God. No matter how noble our efforts, or civically recognized our behavior and contributions to the welfare of this world and others, apart from the Spirit of life, we will never do anything that pleases the Lord. But the fact that as Christians we have the Holy Spirit, our capacity to please our heavenly father has changed. As Paul says “the Spirit is life because of righteousness”. The indwelling spirit has broken the bonds of slavery to sin, and instead made us slaves to Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews writes a benediction asking the Spirit of God to “equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ..” (Heb. 13:21) Left to ourselves, we cannot do anything of spiritual good or benefit. Our efforts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6) But thanks to the Holy Spirit now living inside of us, we are equipped for any good deed and work. This after all, is our very purpose in life. We were created in Christ Jesus for these very good works (Ephesians 2:10). But we could never glorify God or enjoy Him forever, if he had not sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to bring not only his cleansing forgiveness in justification, but also his enabling power to defeat sin in our sanctification.
These great truths not only assure us of our past and present salvation, but also flood our hearts and minds with hope that our glorification is just as secure. Thanks to God tabernacling among us, we have access to His presence, a guarantee of our future bodily resurrection, and are equipped to die to sin and live to righteousness.
https://gentlereformation.com/2024/12/06/the-immeasurable-privilege-of-the-indwelling-of-the-spirit/
As a new Christian many years ago my focus on following Jesus started out with using my perspective to try to walk with God. Fast forward to today and as a disciple of Jesus for 43+ years I have learned through my diligent study of the Scriptures that to use my man centered perspective to carry out the will of God is not only foolish but destined to fall short of our need to do all to the glory of God.
As an example, as a new believer, I fell pray to the trap of being more concerned about my own victory over sin than about the fact that my sins grieved the heart of Jesus. For you see when it comes to sin we are commanded to abstain from all forms of it, in obedience to the Word of God. I like how Jerry Bridges put it: “God wants us to walk in obedience—not victory. Obedience is oriented toward God; victory is oriented toward self.”1
I am so excited that today I try to make all of my decisions based on God’s perspective, because I know He always has my back and works all things for good and His glory – and what can be better than that!
Another example concerning how to view things from the lens of God concerns my pursuit of holiness. Again Jerry Bridges adds important insight here: “We are 100 percent responsible for the pursuit of holiness, but at the same time we are 100 percent dependent upon the Holy Spirit to enable us in that pursuit. The pursuit of holiness is not a pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps approach to the Christian life.”2 Bridges then goes on to add: “It’s not just try harder. But it’s going through the Bible and seeing what God requires of us in the way of obedience to him and likeness to his character, and then setting ourselves to doing that. But at the same time recognizing that we are absolutely dependent upon the Holy Spirit to enable us.”3
Understanding that while I am responsible for pursuing holiness, that without the help of the Holy Spirit, this would be impossible, helps me to focus more on God and my need to be totally dependent on Him in this pursuit.
Two final examples on the need to view things from God’s perspective and not from our own earthly perspective concern the areas of contentment and performance.
And to close out this devotion I would like you to really meditate on these two additional quotes from, you guessed it, Jerry Bridges. Both of the quotes below give us great examples of how important it is to focus on God as both the source and the substance of a vibrant daily relationship with Jesus.
“Contentment is one of the most distinguishing traits of the godly person, because a godly person has his heart focused on God rather than on possessions or position or power.”4
“The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of on my own performance is a very freeing and joyous experience. But it is not meant to be a one-time experience; the truth needs to be reaffirmed daily.”5
1 The Pursuit of Holiness Quotes by Jerry Bridges
2 Dick Staub Interview: Jerry Bridges Is Still Pursuing Holiness – Christianity Today
3 Dick Staub Interview: Jerry Bridges Is Still Pursuing Holiness – Christianity Today
4 A Model of Contentment (Philippians 4:10-23) – Iron 2 Iron Ministries
5 TOP 25 QUOTES BY JERRY BRIDGES (of 178) | A-Z Quotes
The post God’s Perspective Verses Man’s Perspective appeared first on Bible Apologetics – A DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
Reason 1: “The search for stability. People are hungry for tradition and rootedness and groundedness. People want something that isn’t changing.” – Gavin Ortlund
Free Christmas Playlists and much more! – Home for Christmas Channel: https://bit.ly/4eEsY1F
Message Description:
The long awaited arrival of the Messiah broke the separation between men and women, Jews and Gentiles, saints and sinners, and the then and now.
New 2025 Leather Devotional, “Living in HIs Light”: https://bit.ly/3YVW72M
Reach the World Day: https://bit.ly/4eEsYyH
Source: Call Him Messiah | Dr. David Jeremiah | Matthew 1:1-17
Israel reportedly strikes sensitive weapons in Syria as Islamist rebels capture city of Hama
Israeli airstrikes destroyed caches containing advanced weapons in northern Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Islamist rebel groups advancing there, according to Syrian reports, cited by Army Radio The overnight airstrikes hit areas that at the time were still controlled by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad,
The Rapidly Shifting Syrian Civil War And The ‘Burden Of Damascus’
This last week, Syria blew up. It has always been a powder keg with so many antagonistic groups living in the nation. So, while it wasn’t a surprise, it was important. I’m sure many are confused about who is who in Syria, and, even more so, how it all relates to Bible prophecy. It’s a mishmash of people who hate each other and who can’t seem to put their differences aside and unite in order to attack a common enemy
‘Predetermined conclusion’? Amnesty Int’l alleges Israel committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza, Israeli branch rejects report
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oren Marmorstein slammed the report, stating, “The deplorable and fanatical organization Amnesty International has once again produced a fabricated report that is entirely false and based on lies.”
IDF warns soldiers against travel abroad due to legal actions by pro-Palestinian groups
Israel Defense Forces advised a group of around 30 soldiers who served in the Gaza Strip against traveling internationally due to fears of legal action by pro-Palestinian groups filing complaints against them for alleged war crimes. In at least eight cases, soldiers who had already traveled abroad to countries such as Cyprus, Slovenia and the Netherlands, were contacted by Israeli authorities and ordered to leave after authorities discovered legal filings initiated against the soldiers.
Female IDF observers will be given weapons
The plan, which will be implemented in 6 weeks, will provide each IDF observer with a Tabor-type weapon. The decision comes after criticism that the female observers were left unarmed close to the Gaza border when Hamas invaded.
French government collapses after National Assembly ousts Prime Minister in no confidence vote
The French government collapsed Wednesday after its lower house of parliament voted to oust Prime Minister Michel Barnier, The motion makes Barnier the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic.
Syrian rebels capture key city of Hama in fresh blow to Assad
The fall of Hama, which was in government hands throughout the civil war triggered by a 2011 rebellion against Assad, will send shockwaves through Damascus and fears of a continued rebel march south.
Bill Clinton: Young Americans can’t believe what Arafat walked away from
“When I tell young people in America who say they are super sympathetic with the Palestinians – “And I tell them what [the late PLO leader Yasser] Arafat walked away from, and they can’t believe it.” “I said, ‘Oh yeah, he walked away from a Palestinian state with a capital in East Jerusalem, 96% of the West Bank, 4% of Israel to make up for the 4% that the settlers occupy that were beyond the borders in the 1967 war.’ I go through all the stuff that was in the deal, and – it’s not on their radar screen. They can’t even imagine that happened.” a poignant message for Palestinian Arabs: “You walk away from these once-in-a-lifetime peace opportunities, and you can’t complain 25 years later.”
Israel warns Iran against sending help as Syrian army defenses crumble
“The IDF is monitoring events and preparing for any scenario, both offensive and defensive,” a statement from the assessment read. “The IDF will not allow threats near the Syria-Israel border and will act to thwart any threat to the citizens of Israel.” It is still unclear how Iran will act amid this rebellion. The IDF is on high alert for any outcome, including the collapse of Syria.
Anti-Israel activist students face suspension at GMU, UMN for damaging campus
Anti-Israel activists were suspended for protests and vandalism that caused damage at George Mason University (GMU) and The University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN) in recent weeks, according to activist groups. The coalition for Students for Justice in Palestine chapters in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV SJP) announced on Tuesday that the GMU SJP had been received an interim suspension on November 8 and two of its student leaders were given trespass notices barring them from campus for four years.
Amnesty International genocide allegations are ‘unfounded,’ US State Dept. says
“People are entitled to draw their own conclusions. We disagree with the conclusions of such a report,” the State Department Deupty Spokesperson said. The State Department maintained it’s continuing to find that allegations of Israel committing genocide in Gaza are unfounded as Amnesty International released its report on Thursday claiming there’s enough evidence that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians.
Canadian Jewish Doctors Decry Rise of Antisemitism in Medicine, Consider Leaving Country
Antisemitism in Canada risks chasing Jewish doctors not only out of their field but also out of the country, according to multiple reports. “Antisemitism in Canadian health care has intensified dramatically since Oct. 7,” Dr. Ayelet Kuper, chairwoman of the Jewish Medical Association of Ontario (JMAO), said on Wednesday during a press conference held in Toronto to raise awareness of the problem. “This is not an isolated issue — when any group faces discrimination, it impacts the foundation of trust and safety in our health care system.”
Boston official who called Oct. 7 a ‘military operation’ under federal investigation
Fernandes Anderson, a Democrat whose 7th District includes Roxbury and parts of the South End and Dorchester, issued a reaction on social media on Wednesday after initial reporting of an FBI investigation, the nature of which is unclear. “My job is to show up and to fight for you,” she wrote. “I will continue to do just that; the people’s work.”
Sa’ar warns: ‘This is likely the last chance to prevent Iranian nuke’
He asked his fellow ministers to “Please note: Israel has been attacked from all these fronts, as well as from Iran and Iraq—most are countries with which we do not even share a border. Israel has not initiated attacks on any front; we have only responded to them.””What is common to all these terror proxies? All have been supported, funded, trained, equipped, and directed by Iran,” he noted.
Aftershocks are ongoing after a major earthquake struck off California’s coast
As of Thursday afternoon, the USGS forecasts up to 130 aftershocks with a magnitude of 3 or higher within the next week and a 53% chance of aftershocks larger than magnitude 5.
Blowing snow, blustery winds, bitter cold: Gnarly winter weather grips swath of the U.S.
Blowing snow could prompt power outages and snarl travel across a swath of the nation’s northern tier, and it’s so cold in the South that iguanas could start falling from trees in Florida as waves of gnarly winter weather continue their unrelenting assault Thursday.
Storm Darragh forecast to bring very strong winds, possible power outages across Ireland and UK
The storm is set to impact Ireland and the UK from Friday, December 6 into December 7. Darragh follows Storm Bert, which caused devastating floods in parts of South Wales and South West England in late November. Darragh is expected to produce less rainfall but more severe winds, unlike Bert.
Police release new photos as they search for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO
Police released new photos Thursday of a person wanted for questioning. The images, showing an unmasked man in the lobby of a Manhattan hostel, add to a collection of photos and video that have circulated since the shooting — including footage of the attack itself, as well as still frames of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand.
Deadly outbreak of Marburg, or ‘bleeding eye virus,’ leads to travel advisory
Health officials continue to monitor a Marburg virus outbreak – also known as “bleeding eye virus” – in Rwanda, which has sparked concerns about a potential spread outside the country. The U.S. State Dept issued a travel advisory, recommending travelers exercise “increased caution” in Rwanda due to the outbreak. “Travelers may be subject to additional health screenings when entering and exiting Rwanda.”
Syrian insurgents capture central city of Hama in severe setback to the Syrian president
Syrian insurgents swept into the central city of Hama on Thursday, and government forces withdrew, dealing another major blow to Syrian President Assad days after insurgents captured much of Aleppo, the country’s largest city. The stunning weeklong offensive appeared likely to continue, with insurgents setting their sights on Homs, the country’s third-largest city. Homs, which is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Hama, is the gate to the capital, Damascus, Assad’s seat of power and the coastal region that is a base of support for him.
Israel Preparing for Possibility of Syrian State Collapse
Israeli leaders and military officials are reportedly engaged in high-level briefings over fast-moving events in Syria, which have seen Turkish-backed Islamists based in Idlib rapidly capture the major cities of Aleppo and Hama in less than a week. Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi are carefully monitoring the situation across the border as the jihadists move south. “The IDF is following events and is preparing for any scenario in attack and defense,” the military said.
A Reset for America
Trump’s team understands that it is impossible to tax our way out of this situation. The only path forward is to grow the economy faster than the debt. Once we turn that corner, the problem begins to address itself. I’m not saying it’s going to be all smooth sailing. True reform is always a challenging process. There will almost certainly be more inflation on the horizon (but not nearly as bad as if Kamala had won). This is an unavoidable consequence of decades of reckless government spending. Still, the outlook for the nation has improved dramatically since November 5th. We have a rare chance to make meaningful, lasting change in America.
We Are the Book of Revelation Generation – Are You Ready?
Many people seem to have a fundamental misunderstanding regarding where we are in the grand scheme of things. We are not living at a time of endless peace and prosperity. Instead, we are living in a time of war, famine, pestilence, and major natural disasters. We really are living in the end times, and the coming year is going to be filled with crisis after crisis. All of human history has been building up to this last chapter, and it’s time to ask if you are ready for what is to come.
Syrian rebels capture second major city as army withdraws from Hama
Commentary: How Global Conflicts Helped Reignite Syria’s Civil War
Iran claims successful launch in space program believed to improve Tehran’s ballistic missiles
US intel: Hezbollah looking to rebuild after losing half of its weapons stockpiles
IDF says top commander in Hamas internal security forces killed in south Gaza airstrike
Israeli official: Egypt has proposed hostage deal with extended truce, not end to war
Smotrich said to tell Civil Administration of ‘great opportunity’ to annex West Bank
Analysis: Trump nominations set stage for fresh clash between annexation, normalization backers
Bill Clinton: Young Americans shocked to learn Arafat turned down Palestinian state
Political and security instability fears top Israeli investor concerns, survey finds
Melbourne synagogue sustains severe damage in predawn attack by masked arsonists
Three Major Brands Halt Advertising on Amazon’s Twitch amid Antisemitism Controversy
US, Japan, Philippines Conduct Exercises in South China Sea
South Korean Ruling Party Demands Yoon Step Down
South Korea’s ruling party leader calls for suspension of president over martial law attempt
Russian general warned US about hypersonic missile test in Mediterranean
Blinken, Russia’s Lavrov Clash on Ukraine at Security Meeting
Trump’s plan for Ukraine comes into focus: Territorial concessions but NATO off the table
Ukraine Sanctions Georgia Leader, Some Government Members
Globalist French Government Falls: The Rise of Conservatism in Europe
Democrats pressed Capitol Police to show favoritism to officer who killed J6 protestor, memos show
John Fetterman says Hunter Biden, Trump both deserve pardons after ‘politically motivated’ trials
Currency Markets on Edge Amid Political Turmoil, US Jobs Report
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Bitcoin storms above $100K as Trump 2.0 fuels crypto euphoria
Trump says ‘you’re welcome’ after bitcoin leaps over $100,000
Billionaires’ Wealth Doubles to $14T in 10 Years: UBS
Dem Sen. Murphy: We Should ‘Come After Elon Musk’ He ‘Made His Fortune Off of Taxpayers’
Mike Johnson is aiming to ax 75 percent of all federal agencies with Elon Musk’s help
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Sen. Blackburn Set to Introduce DOGE Acts
Rep. Dan Meuser: Dems Welcome to Join DOGE in Making Cuts
Dem Rep Ro Khanna ‘ready to work with DOGE’ Musk, Ramaswamy to ‘slash waste’
Dem Rep. Zoe Lofgren Claims a Department of Government Efficiency is ‘Unconstitutional and Illegal’
Report: MSNBC President Rashida Jones Eying Exits After Ratings Implode Following Trump 2024 Win
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Meta admits to ‘unfairly’ removing ‘harmless content’ from Facebook
European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses
7.0 magnitude earthquake reported off Northern California coast, tsunami warning canceled
5.6 magnitude earthquake hits near Nikolski, Alaska
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Cloud and AI are ‘fundamentally changing’ ability to forecast weather, NOAA chief says
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Actress dies after consuming amphibian’s venom at spiritual cleansing retreat
Ohio elementary school allows Satanic Temple to offer ‘religious’ instruction to students
Italian police arrest nun over links to mafia
Chilling: Muhammad Becomes Most Popular Boys’ Name in Britain For First Time in History
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Cuba: Donald Trump’s Mass Deportation Promise an ‘Unrealistic’ Bluff
Democrats Tell Biden to Get as Many Migrants Possible into U.S. Before Leaving Office
KC will pay $850,000 to firefighter who says he didn’t get promotion because he’s white
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Federal Appeals Court Upholds Idaho’s First-in-the-Nation Abortion Trafficking Law
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Torrent of Hate for Health Insurance Industry Follows C.E.O.’s Killing
Taylor Lorenz seemingly celebrates death of UnitedHealthcare CEO, gets defiant in face of backlash
Manhunt Continues for UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer
Healthcare Industry Rethinks Risk After Murder of UnitedHealth Exec
Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters and Sean Hannity bring Fox News viewers their fresh takes on the top news of the day.
“From The Patriot Post (patriotpost.us)”.
“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” —George Washington (1748)
Douglas Andrews, Thomas Gallatin, & Nate Jackson
For the Executive Summary archive, click here.
Nate Jackson
After the assassin’s bullet came within an inch of taking Donald Trump’s life in July, some Trump Deranged folks on the Left mused that it was a pity the would-be killer missed. When a masked shooter did not miss on Wednesday in New York City, taking the life of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a targeted ambush killing, some on the Left once again expressed solidarity with the murderer.
Few Americans would rank insurance companies high on their favorites list, but to express smug satisfaction with the murder of a human being — in this case, a husband and father of two boys — is jarring. Is that really where our culture is?
Former Washington Post and New York Times “journalist” Taylor Lorenz posted, “People have very justified hatred toward insurance company CEOs because these executives are responsible for an unfathomable amount of death and suffering. As someone against death and suffering, I think it’s good to call out this broken system and the people in power who enable it.”
She later piled on, writing, “I hope people learn the names of all of these insurance company CEOs and engage in very peaceful letter writing campaigns so that they stop ruthlessly murdering thousands of innocent Americans by denying coverage.” She added the non sequitur, “Healthcare is a human right. We need universal healthcare now.” (We do have universal healthcare. The argument is over who pays for it.)
To be fair, Lorenz is an attention seeker who’s trying to build her own personal brand after being dumped by the Post earlier this year. But she’s hardly alone.
Anthony Zenkus, a social work professor at Barack Obama’s alma mater, Columbia University, mocked, “Today, we mourn the death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, gunned down…. wait, I’m sorry — today we mourn the deaths of the 68,000 Americans who needlessly die each year so that insurance company execs like Brian Thompson can become multimillionaires.”
Zenkus describes himself in his X bio as a “Commie” who’s “anti-violence.” Except when the victim of violence is a filthy capitalist, apparently.
So it went all over social media with random lefties saying similar and far worse things, such as pondering whether informing other insurance CEOs “you’re next” might be “an actionable threat.” What is this, 1793 France?
Sickeningly, the UnitedHealthcare Facebook post mourning Thompson’s death currently has over 76,000 “haha” reactions.
None of these clowns had even heard of Brian Thompson until news broke of his murder. All they think they need to know is that insurance companies are bad because we don’t live in a socialist utopia in which everyone can get every drug, checkup, and procedure they need or desire without receiving a bill for services. While leftists routinely deny actual rights like free speech and the right to bear arms, they have falsely redefined “rights” to include services provided by others. They must also think that plantation owners had a right to have their cotton picked.
Because Thompson made over $10 million a year running a large company that didn’t rubber stamp every single claim, these Jacobins reason that he deserved to die.
It does seem as though the murderer had this in mind. Bullet casings recovered at the scene were inscribed with the words “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” which certainly indicates that the killer had a beef with UnitedHealthcare’s coverage.
He’s still at large, though authorities continue collecting and releasing more information about him, including pictures from security cameras. It’s only a matter of time before he’s captured.
In the meantime, the big picture is two-fold.
First, there are indeed huge problems with the American healthcare system. I don’t have the space here to delve deeply, but just to name a few things: Insurance should not be tied to employment. It should not be subsidized or mandated by the government (all ObamaCare did was take a broken system and force everyone to participate in it). Insurance should not cover routine care in full because that’s no longer insurance against perceived risk; it’s just a subsidy program to cover predicted expenses. That’s why premiums are so maddeningly expensive, and it’s why auto insurance doesn’t cover oil changes. Health insurance gatekeepers are why you can’t go to the doctor and see a price list for services, which is practically criminal.
None of those problems are specifically the fault of one CEO. They’re systemic problems that go back decades, and left-wingers have zero real solutions.
Many Americans are ticked off at insurance companies for what, most of the time, feels like a scam. Even there, however, a survey last year found that only 3% of Americans rate their health insurance as “poor,” while 81% rate it as “excellent” or “good.” In any case, it should go without saying that murder is not a solution to any dissatisfaction.
Second, this reveals the deep sickness of leftist ideology. Whereas they think this CEO deserved to be shot in the back and killed simply because he’s a wealthy CEO, they also believe their favored identity groups can do no wrong. “If you work within a system that the hard-Left deems morally praiseworthy or you’re a member of a ‘morally praiseworthy group,’ you can literally do anything,” wrote Ben Shapiro. “If your grievance aligns with the view of the Left as they deem in any way legitimate, you can do anything.”
That’s why loonies are blocking the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to protest in favor of the murderous jihadis of Hamas.
It’s also why a young Marine veteran named Daniel Penny is, today in New York City, still awaiting a jury verdict in a trumped-up murder case. Penny acted as a Good Samaritan to protect his fellow subway passengers from a violent, homeless man named Jordan Neely. When Neely died after Penny’s intervention, all the Left — including Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg — needed to know was that Penny is white and Neely was black. They judged him guilty a long time ago.
My prescription for left-wingers is to do some serious soul-searching and try to express some grace for fellow human beings.
Follow Nate Jackson on X/Twitter.
Tomorrow, we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor, which President Franklin Roosevelt called “a date which will live in infamy.”
For more of today’s columns, visit Right Opinion.
Non Compos Mentis
“Every medical treatment has a risk, even taking aspirin.” —Sonia Sotomayor on “gender-affirming care” for minors
For the Record
“The ‘gender-affirming’ bit is meant to establish the legitimacy of a minor’s potentially fleeting but passion-fueled self-conception. Transgenderism in kids cannot be an ephemeral thing produced by a mercurial mind — it must be the fruition of a destiny conferred at birth. The ‘care’ part is self-explanatory. What kind of ghoul would deny ‘care’ to the deserving and needy?” —Noah Rothman
“The Left is desperate to create new categories of oppression, which has culminated in ‘trans kids’ — a purely ideological phenomenon that is justified post hoc through fake ‘medical necessity.’” —Chris Rufo
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a threat to the revolving door and the eye-opening profits of the health care industry.” —Armstrong Williams
“Biden announced that American taxpayers — you and me — are giving $1 billion to help the people of Angola who have been ‘displaced from their homes’ because of climate change. Biden says the people of Angola are suffering from climate change. WRONG! They are suffering from a corrupt government and failed socialist policies. And why do we owe anybody money for ‘climate change’? We should bill them for most of what they have because it was invented or built in America!” —Gary Bauer
“If Hunter’s last name weren’t ‘Biden,’ special counsel David Weiss would never have let him get away with failing to register as a foreign agent or avoid paying millions in taxes that flowed from his foreign arrangements. If your name isn’t Biden, don’t try writing off your hookers and crack as tax deductions.” —David Harsanyi
“There are two big problems for those who push the politics of economic redistribution. First, the United States already has a highly redistributive tax system. Second, the United States already has highly redistributive economic policies.” —Michael Barone
Pardon This
“President Biden’s pardon of his son will contribute to the growing cynicism many have about politics, politicians and Washington.” —Cal Thomas
“Democrats are now viewing the presidential pardon as a license to commit crimes, playing the victim when those targeted by their misdeeds want justice.” —Charlie Kirk
“Joe Biden’s sleazy, deceitful, unprecedented, sweeping pardon of his son Hunter is the quintessential ‘norm’ shattered — the very thing Uncle Joe purported to stand against for years.” —Josh Hammer
And Last…
“Under President Trump, we will take a blowtorch to the administrative state and reduce the size and scope of government.” —Speaker of the House Mike Johnson
For more of today’s memes, visit the Memesters Union.
For more of today’s cartoons, visit the Cartoons archive.
“From The Patriot Post (patriotpost.us)”.
$2 Trillion that’s the amount some think could be cut from the Federal budget and that’s the mission of a new White House group initiative under the incoming Trump administration. Although the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah seems to be holding, many Northern Israelis displaced by the war don’t feel safe moving back to their homes. Australia passed a law banning social media for children under age 16. During the last year, we’ve brought you multiple reports of disturbing issues surrounding the United Nations relief and works agency. We’re just two weeks away from college football’s first ever 12-team playoff.
Want more news from a Christian Perspective? Choose to support CBN: https://go.cbn.com/ugWBn
CBN News. Because Truth Matters™
Source: Mission to Cut Federal Budget by $2 Trillion | CBN Newswatch – December 6, 202
The liberal politician discussed the matter on The View on Thursday and admitted that the case against Trump was politically motivated.
Trump was convicted of falsifying business records in New York and was originally scheduled to be sentenced in November. The judge indefinitely delayed the sentencing to give him time to argue for the conviction to be overturned.
Speaking to The View host Joy Behar, Fetterman said, “I think that it’s undeniable that the case against Hunter Biden was really politically motivated but I also think it’s true that the trial in New York for Trump was political as well, too.”
https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1864761946840666122
“In both cases I think a pardon is appropriate and I really think collectively that America’s confidence in these types of institutions have been damaged by these kinds of cases, and we cannot allow these types of institutions to be weaponized against our political opponents,” Fetterman continued.
Earlier this week, Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, of three charges relating to a 2018 gun purchase plus any crime he may have committed in the last decade.
In a statement about the pardon, Biden claimed that the prosecution had been politically motivated.
“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” Biden claimed.
The post Fetterman Wants Trump Pardoned — Says New York Case Against Him Was Politically Motivated (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
With over $1 billion that’s just … nowhere to be seen, it seems like the Kamala Harris presidential campaign was just a massive money-laundering scheme, with some extra maniacal cackling and creepy husbands thrown in.
Source: “Call Her Daddy” podcast host blasts Kamala Harris for spending $100,000 on “cardboard” set
Photo Credit: Pxhere
How long will it take to undo decades of leftist indoctrination? Maybe shorter than you think.
Source: America’s Tipping Point
When it comes to digital ID, there is no public consensus, only collusion. There is no choice; only coercion and contradiction to confuse our cognition toward total control.
Source: World Economic Forum pushes digital ID for global metaverse governance: report
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