‘Why do we allow them in our country?’
Source: INGERSOLL: We Know Why Democrats And The Media Hate ICE, And It Has Zilch To Do With ‘Empathy’
Rep. Ilhan Omar is now under federal scrutiny as House Republicans investigate how the far-left lawmaker and her family allegedly amassed millions of dollars in wealth while she served in Congress.
It can be recalled that House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer dropped a bombshell, suggesting that far-left Rep. Ilhan Omar sits “at the top of the suspect list” in the sprawling Minnesota fraud scandals involving taxpayer-funded daycare and healthcare programs.
According to a new report from Fox News’ Jesse Watters and Kevin Cork, the House Oversight Committee is now probing how the Somali-born Congresswoman and her husband, Tim Mynett, managed to skyrocket from near-bankruptcy to a staggering net worth of roughly $30 MILLION in just one year.
More from Fox News:
Rep. Ilhan Omar’s net worth has swelled to as much as $30 million in just one year, her congressional financial disclosures reveal.
The 2025 disclosure, first reported by the Washington Free Beacon, shows that Omar and her husband, Tim Mynett, have a net worth ranging from $6 million to $30 million, despite claims earlier this year that she was “not a millionaire.” The vast majority of the wealth comes from Mynett’s two companies, a winery in California and a venture capital firm.
Disclosures from the end of 2023 showed that those ownership stakes were valued at just $51,000, and they grew little in 2024.
[…]
She hit back on claims about her personal wealth in February, encouraging critics to “try checking my public financial statements.”
Mynett’s firm, Rose Lake Capital, is valued between $5 million and $25 million according to the 2025 disclosure, while the winery, eStCru Wines, is valued between $1 million and $5 million.
During a Fox News segment, senior national correspondent Kevin Corke explained that Oversight investigators are probing Omar’s skyrocketing family wealth in the aftermath of the massive Somali social services fraud scandal that exploded in her Minnesota district.
It can be recalled that the $30 million venture capital firm run by Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband, Tim Mynett, has quietly removed the names and bios of its top officers and advisors from its website.
According to a bombshell report from the New York Post, Rose Lake Capital, founded by Mynett in 2022, scrubbed the details of nine key figures between September and October 2025.
Oversight Chairman James Comer confirmed his legal team is considering the extraordinary step of subpoenaing Omar’s husband over what lawmakers describe as deeply suspicious business activity.
The post Ilhan Omar UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION as House GOP Probes How She Made MILLIONS While in Congress appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
(ANALYSIS) Buckle up, readers, because we’re about to do a deep dive into an important but difficult-to-grasp concept in the social sciences. It’s called age-period-cohort (APC) effects. Let me start by showing you a simple graph.
All I’m doing here is comparing attendance in the first year of the General Social Survey (1972) to its most recently released data from 2024.
You can see that I’ve broken the sample down into five age buckets, ranging from 18–29 years old to those who are at least 75. What do you notice? Well, the first thing that jumps out to me is that religious attendance has dropped significantly in the 2024 data compared to the same age buckets in the survey from the early 1970s.
For instance, among 18–29 year olds in that early survey, just 19% said they attended religious services less than once a year. For that same group in the 2024 data, almost half were in the never/seldom category. An increase of thirty percentage points.
That’s a universal finding, by the way — no matter what age category you compare, the 2024 sample is significantly less religiously active.
But, of course, that’s not the only way to look at this graph. You could simply compare the age buckets in the 1972 data against each other and do the same with the results from 2024. What you find there is that younger folks are much less religiously engaged than older ones.
In 1972, a 75-year-old was about 20 points more likely to be a weekly attender than an 18–29-year-old. In the 2024 result, the gap was 23 percentage points.
You can read the rest of this post on Substack.
Ryan Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, a pastor in the American Baptist Church and the co-founder and frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a more general audience. His research focuses on the intersection of religiosity and political behavior, especially in the U.S. Follow him on X at @ryanburge.
https://religionunplugged.com/news/the-generational-collapse-of-american-religion
I recently wrote about what is often presented as a newer expression within the visible Church titled, Christian Nationalism: Why You Should Ask Questions, a movement which has been forming some religious affiliations and partnerships that the Bible warns us ought not be.
Christian Nationalism is often described as falling along a spectrum, but when defined by its own leaders and theological advocates, it takes the focus off the mission of the Bride of Christ and places it elsewhere. It’s a specific identity as well as a theological and political ideology that seeks to ‘bring the Kingdom of God to earth’ — language commonly used within dominionist and Kingdom Now circles — through coercive laws and cultural dominance to bring about a so-called Golden Age of Christian dominance before or (in a growing normalcy of cases) “so that” – Christ can return. Bringing Christ back as king of our political cause is the Dominionism’s end game.
This is NOT about patriotism, or voting and standing up for what’s right and against what’s wrong. We all should do this in obedience to God. Christian Nationalism is about control and coercion, which is opposite from spreading the Good News of the Gospel.
Religious syncretism is the blending of theological beliefs and practices. Ecumenicism, or ecumenicalism (both terms are commonly used), is about people and organizations. It refers to efforts aimed at visible unity across Christian traditions. However, in its modern expressions — particularly in political and cultural movements — it often extends beyond Christianity itself, blending believers with non-Christians, adherents of other religions, and even false teachers within the visible church. All with the intention of promoting the need to gather under a single banner of faith for the purpose of unity around a political or moral cause rather than shared biblical doctrine.
Religious syncretism and ecumenicism are simply not compatible with true Christianity. In fact, any modification to our biblical mission for the sake of a “better” outcome is not just a dangerous path. It is spiritual adultery. That may sound like divisive rhetoric, but Scripture itself uses this language, not as an insult, but as a warning meant to call God’s people back to faithfulness.
2 Kings 17:35-36 warned the Israelites, “You shall not fear other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them, but you shall fear the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice. And the statutes and the rules and the law and the commandment that he wrote for you, you shall always be careful to do.”
Deuteronomy 12:29-31 says, “When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? — that I also may do the same.’
You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. “
Keep in mind that the Roman Empire famously tolerated a wide array of cults and mystery religions, provided they did not challenge imperial authority. Christianity was not left unscathed. The Apostles and the earliest generations of believers not only spread the Gospel but also labored diligently to guard its doctrinal integrity against syncretism and compromise.
The temptation and threat of syncretism is still with the church today. Non-Christian philosophies and movements — such as Marxism, existentialism, New Age spirituality, Word of Faith teaching, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), and others — have repeatedly sought to harness the moral authority and cultural power of Christianity in order to advance agendas foreign to the Gospel. Ecumenical Syncretism continues to be a powerful tool to separate God from His people by redefining faithfulness as unity, obedience as activism, and truth as consensus. And right now we are seeing this happen among certain groups aligned with Christian Nationalism who are joining hands with leaders and organizations in order to gather in faith under the banner of Christian unity to take back our nation and our world for Christ. And as great as that might sound to our ears, this is not our biblical mission.
These alliances have been forming for decades, but they have accelerated dramatically in the period following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was the founder of Turning Point USA, or TPUSA, which many discernment ministries and critics have identified as operating within a Christian Nationalist framework focused on political issues and advocacy. It also has a religious arm called TPUSA Faith.
This organization has exploded with new chapters and conferences not only in the United States, but also around the world.
One positive outcome is that in the weeks and months since Charlie was killed, many people who’ve never committed to attending church before are now very interested in learning about Jesus and seeking out churches to attend – and that is a good thing. Praise God that He has drawn so many to hear the Gospel. In the media, this has been referred to as the “Charlie Kirk Effect.” There’s no way to verify the numbers of new attendees filling the pews, but you can see the swell of participation in the TPUSA events – especially at the memorial service late last year. The organization says it has more than doubled in size since last September after Charlie was killed. 4,000 new churches have joined their network and 200,000 individual people have signed up to join TPUSA Faith.
Many are calling this phenomenon a revival. True revival is accompanied by belief in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and repentance. The fruit of that faith takes some time to develop, and we do want to be careful about labelling any event a revival. But God can and does use tragic events for His good purposes, and we want to – in all humility – thank Him for loving humanity while we were still sinners, and saving His children for His own. Our faith is rooted in the proclamation of the Gospel, the teachings of Scripture as 100 percent true, and personal transformation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Many sincere Christians support TPUSA believing they are defending truth and liberty. However, beneath the surface of its political messaging are theological influences and patterns that deserve careful scrutiny — specifically Dominion theology, New Apostolic Reformation or NAR influence, and a growing ecumenical blurring of doctrine.
The concern I have is the ecumenical nature of TPUSA’s events, tours, and partnerships, which often feature speakers and collaborators from diverse religious backgrounds and prioritize conservative political alignment over theological agreement. We’ve seen this on display at major gatherings such as AmFest 2025, the Courage Tour (promising a Third Great Awakening), pastors’ summits, the upcoming Make Heaven Crowded tour, and similar events.
This willingness to partner with false teachers, as defined by Scripture rather than political alignment, and join hands with speakers who are not people Christians should be listening to, all in the name of a political win or a cultural victory, is hugely concerning.
When political activism masquerades as a kingdom mission, when political success becomes framed as obedience to God, Christians are quietly lulled away from the Gospel and toward a humanistic power-centered Christianity – which is no Christianity at all.
Turning Point USA added a new chapter in 2021 called Faith. Its mission is to “equip the faith community to be culturally and civically engaged like never before, by inspiring and empowering pastors and their congregations to stand for the biblical values that our nation was founded upon” (TPUSA Faith mission statement). TPUSA Faith’s political goals have increasingly been framed in spiritual and prophetic terms, TPUSA Faith leaders have used language such as, “Taking back the nation,” “Spiritual warfare for America,” and “God’s mandate for cultural control.” While these phrases may appear patriotic, this language does not come from the Bible — it comes from dominionist, Kingdom Now theology within the NAR. And it is being normalized thanks to this growing organizational network of powerful voices and platforms.
The Book of Revelation gives us a prophetic warning about the rise of a one-world religious system in the last days, symbolized by the harlot in Revelation 17. This system represents a false, apostate religion that deceives the world and aligns itself with political powers, having the power to lead millions to forsake the Gospel truths and follow deceiving spirits. It warns that there will come a time when the world gives up the true exclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ for another gospel, a more inclusive gospel suited for the one-world religion. While Christians can debate the specifics of end-times events, Scripture clearly teaches that any religious system aligning with political powers at the expense of the Gospel risks deceiving millions.
When Turning Point USA announced its 2025 tour schedule, discerning Christians began to notice the list of influential guest speakers with a diversity of faith values. Catholics, Mormons, Hindus, a host of NAR leaders, and even agnostics were all joining together in the name of religious unity.Click to enlarge
While participation in political events alone does not imply wrongdoing, the blending of these speakers on the same platform under the banner of a common unity in faith can blur theological distinctions that Scripture calls Christians to uphold.
The term Unity is biblical — but it only applies to unity grounded in the truth of Scripture! Unfortunately, Christians are increasingly being urged to set aside doctrinal differences and unite across theological lines for political or cultural goals. They’ll begin to treat discernment as “division.” As a result, many Christians react strongly — sometimes with protest — when church leaders or discernment ministries warn against ecumenical syncretism.
In the wake of Charlie’s death, TPUSA’s ecumenical Christian Nationalist efforts have accelerated, and I worry for the many young people who are not grounded in the Word of God, that they will fall into the trap of a false religion. Without solid biblical teaching, they may be drawn into movements that compromise the exclusivity of the Gospel. What makes this appealing is that many of the causes these faith organizations champion—such as opposing lawlessness and immorality — align with concerns many Christians, including me, share. It is important to speak out and vote accordingly. But the people and the organizations Christians partner with to do this matters. It matters to God that we not link arms with anyone who brings a different Gospel, even for causes we consider morally good — because God calls us to faithfulness first and foremost.
This is pragmatism: attempting to achieve what we believe is the best outcome, rather than faithfully obeying Scripture and leaving the results in God’s hands.
The Roman Catholic Church, and leaders who identify as Roman Catholic. In a nutshell: Roman Catholicism disagrees that our authority about God’s nature and character come from Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), and they add the Pope along with church traditions as having equal authority. They also hold doctrinal positions such as veneration of and prayer to Mary and other church leaders who have died, purgatory, works-based righteousness, and the belief that the Eucharist becomes the actual body of Christ. All this to say that the Roman Catholic presence at TPUSA’s faith-based events is a serious concern. Mixing faith and political zeal almost always leads to compromising the Gospel
Some of the Catholic speakers and panelists who have appeared at TPUSA events include: Father Will Schmidt; Kelsey Reinhardt, President & CEO of CatholicVote; Cindy Ketcherside from the Catholic Action Network; and Jack Posobik, a Catholic speaker at several events.
We’ve also seen media personalities bring their platforms to the stage, like Michael Knowles and Megyn Kelly.
And they are also bringing elements of worship and prayer, as if everyone on stage prays to the same God of the Bible. Jack Prosobiec even entered the AMFest stage holding up a rosary and leading Latin prayers.
There was also a eucharistic adoration ceremony at one of the breakout sessions. And as a side note, Charlie Kirk baffled his followers last year when he tweeted that he hoped the new pope would bring about a golden age: “I pray the new Pope will help usher in a new Golden Age of Christianity. If the new Pope defends the faith, defends the West, defends biology and eternal truths, I will be his biggest fan.”
And it was just one week before his murder that Charlie Kirk reportedly confessed to a Catholic Bishop that he was an admirer of the Catholic church, and responded to speculation that he was contemplating converting to Catholicism, saying, “I’m this close.” There is also his podcast in which he said that evangelicals don’t venerate Mary enough. So yes, there has been a muddying of the waters for a long time now, and it is confusing.
If AmFest and all these other events were just about politics and political activism – fine, but these gatherings do have a faith purpose, and the fact that TPUSA is doing this under the banner of Jesus Christ — seems to me like they are using Jesus for power and clout.
TPUSA has partnered with several prominent Mormons (LDS), including Glenn Beck, Senator Mike Lee, Governor Spencer Cox, Representative Andy Bigg, and former Representative Jason Chaffetz. Charlie Kirk publicly praised Mormonism, stating in interviews that America needs a “strong Mormon church” for its moral values, despite theological differences.
TPUSA’s alliances with Mormons are often justified as shared conservatism, but they extend to joint political rallies and faith-based initiatives.
TPUSA events have also featured speakers from non-Christian faiths, including Vivek Ramaswamy (Hindu), Ben Shapiro (Jewish), and a rabbi leading a Shabbat dinner at AmFest.
There’s also a significant NAR influence at these events. Many NAR leaders at TPUSA events promote the Seven Mountain Mandate, one of the Hallmarks of the New Apostolic Reformation. The mandate claims that God wants Christians to take control of 7 areas of influence in our culture: The Economy, Government, Media, Arts/Entertainment, Education, Family, and the Church. Not to be merely an influence, but to control and reclaim those areas by force for Christ, as mentioned earlier. The Seven Mountain Mandate sounds compelling because it promises that your career, your influence, even your position can have eternal impact. It feels ambitious and spiritual, like you’re high up in God’s grand, kingdom-level plan. But here’s the danger: it shifts the church’s focus from surrendering to Christ to human control of an earthly kingdom, from obedience to ambition. Success becomes cultural influence, not faithfulness to the Gospel.
One more thing: keep your eye on a man named Rob McCoy. He is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of TPUSA Faith, and is widely recognized for teaching the Seven Mountain Mandate and promoting dominionist perspectives within the NAR. He has been influential in encouraging TPUSA’s integration of Christian faith with social conservatism and political activism.
TPUSA Faith’s Biblical Citizenship classes encourage churches to engage politically, often partnering with NAR figures like Lance Wallnau, who is recognized as one of the key founders of the modern Seven Mountain Mandate teaching. Additionally, events like the Courage Tour blend revival-style worship with political speeches, featuring eclectic mixes of Protestants, Catholics, and Charismatics.
And its affiliations with platforms like FlashPoint are tied to Kenneth Copeland’s Word of Faith ministry.
Our ultimate goal should be the glorification of God’s holy name. And, that cannot be done by partnering with groups whose beliefs or practices diverge from Scripture. We should be cautious of any group that compromises in this manner just so they can achieve a worldly goal.
Whether TPUSA is knowingly acting with hidden agendas disguised as patriotism, or simply advancing its mission under the guise of patriotism, this raises serious concerns for Christians seeking to maintain doctrinal integrity. The blending of political activism with faith-based initiatives has created a complex situation requiring careful discernment.
Ecumenical Syncretism compromises on core doctrines by watering down the exclusivity of Christ as the only way to salvation. When you partner with groups like Catholics or Mormons or Hindus, it implies theological equivalence – as in we are all the same. But we are not the same. This just undermines Sola Fide (faith alone) and Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).
Scripture warns against alliances with unbelievers or false teachers, and as 2 Corinthians 6:14 reminds us, “What fellowship has light with darkness?”. Platforming anyone with a different gospel risks apostasy. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns that, “a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Many ecumenical movements start with noble intentions, such as seeking to protect or improve society, but history shows that compromising core doctrines often leads to unintended doctrinal drift and – in some cases – a deconstruction of faith entirely. Christians must continually test all partnerships and initiatives against God’s Word to ensure faithfulness and avoid compromise.
Source: https://bereanresearch.org/a-biblical-warning-about-tpusa-dominionism-and-false-unity/
Well, if this isn’t just a perfect picture of the Left, I don’t know what is.
Shocking undercover video obtained by Townhall shows judges in Ohio immigration courts can be bribed to keep illegal aliens in the United States.
The footage was posted to X on Tuesday morning.
The video sheds light on the underground business of smuggling illegals into the US, helping them get jobs and bribing immigration judges to rule in their favor.
A woman identified as Patricia “Pat” Golder claimed in the video that she takes some of the money given to West African migrants in exchange for her bribing judges to rule in their favor.
An undercover reporter was introduced to Golder by a woman named Cindy Reis.
“She gets them their papers. She does,” Reis told the reporter as she introduced him to Patricia Golder. “He knows about Mulberry Street.”
“I try to work with them the best I can,” Golder said.
Golder told the reporter that some of the migrants “have papers” and some don’t. She said she helps the illegals get jobs but would not name the companies because of “the threat of ICE.”
Later on in the video, Golder discloses that she visits judges at bars and restaurants.
“If I can get to the judge. You know, that’s the only person you want to talk to is the judge,” Golder says with a smile on her face.
“Wait, say that again?” the reporter said.
“If I can get to the judge it’s okay. I make conversation with them,” Golder said.
“If the judge says, “Yeah, Okay, $50,000 I send everybody to you,” she said.
“I go to the bar like everybody drink. Spot the judge. I say, ‘You work on this date?’ He’s like, ‘let me see my calendar’…give me my $50G’s,” she said.
“The judge says that?” the reporter asked in disbelief.
“He ain’t scared of nothing,” Golder said. “How they live, they pay bills just like me and you. C’mon, man.”
More from Townhall:
In exclusive footage obtained by Townhall, evidence has emerged suggesting that migrants from the West African nation of Mauritania are exploiting the U.S. immigration and asylum system in Lockland, Ohio, raising serious questions about the integrity and oversight of the process.
The footage includes allegations that some migrants are being coached on how to navigate the asylum system, encouraged to fabricate claims to meet legal thresholds, and informed — according to sources on the ground — that favorable rulings can be secured through illicit means. These claims point to systemic vulnerabilities that make the immigration system susceptible to abuse and corruption.
At the center of the operation is Patricia Golder, who, according to the footage, has turned the alleged manipulation of the asylum process into her business. Golder says she takes a portion of the pay given to the Mauritanian migrants in exchange for helping them navigate the system, and she claims she can bribe judges to rule in the migrants’ favor. The footage also suggests that many of the migrants involved neither embrace nor intend to adopt core American values, even as they access public resources designed to protect legitimate asylum seekers.
The post Shocking Undercover Video Shows Judges in Ohio Immigration Courts Can be Bribed to Keep Illegals in the US appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
After watching Democrat-run cities crumble into dysgenic cesspools of crime, homelessness, and open-air drug use for years, President Donald Trump is finally doing what needs to be done.
President Trump announced he has signed a historic Executive Order to bring back mental institutions and insane asylums to America.
No more “catch and release.” No more allowing dangerous, mentally unstable individuals to terrorize innocent families on the subway or set up encampments in front of our businesses.
Speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room to mark his first year back in office, Trump didn’t mince words about the sheer necessity of this move.
Trump:
“You’ve got to get rid of your sanctuary cities, and I hope our people know that we’re not going to pay sanctuary cities. We’re not going to pay them anymore.They are sanctuaries for criminals. They hold criminals. We’re not going to pay. They can sue us and maybe they’ll win, but we’re not giving money to sanctuary cities anymore as of the beginning of the month.
We began the process of eliminating cashless bail. Well, cashless bail is where it all started. It’s a disaster. And then other places—I don’t know if it started in New York. I remember it starting in New York. Somebody comes in, murders somebody, and they let them out. No bail, no nothing. Basically, cashless bail means you just get the hell out. And they go outside.
We have one case where a guy murders somebody, gets released, and goes out and murders somebody—two people in one day. No, we’ve got to get rid of cashless bail. They’ve got to pay. You’ve got to have bail. There’s a reason for bail. Long tested.
I signed an executive order to bring back mental institutions and insane asylums. We’re going to have to bring them back. Hate to build those suckers, but you’ve got to get the people off the streets.”
For four years under the previous administration, we watched as the mental health crisis was ignored in the name of “equity.” They closed the hospitals, defunded the police, and let anarchy reign. Now, Trump is reversing the decay.
The post President Trump Signs HISTORIC Executive Order to Bring Back Mental Institutions and ‘Insane Asylums’ – “Hate to Build Those Suckers But You’ve Got to Get the People Off the Streets!” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax for an interview on Monday.
During their discussion Secretary Noem announced that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Tim Walz RELEASED 490 murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers onto the streets.
The Democrat leaders did this INSTEAD of handing them over to ICE. Who in their right mind would support this?
Secretary Kristi Noem: “We have a National Targeting Center that identifies those who’ve committed crimes. So they’ve done something in this country or in their home country that has been criminal charges against them, or they’ve been convicted. Many times, these individuals are in jails or prisons in some of our states already that we just want those local law enforcement officers to turn over to us.
“For example, one of the things we’ve asked Governor Walz for, and Mayor Frey, is to give us the criminals you have in jail. They’ve released 490 murderers, and rapists, and drug traffickers onto their streets, rather than just give them to us—and that’s what I don’t understand.”
That is TREASON! There is no other way to put it.
Angry Democrats support this!
Via Rapid Response 47.
The post Secretary Noem: Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey Have Released 490 Murderers, Rapists, and Drug Traffickers onto their Streets Rather than Turn Them Over to ICE (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic lawmakers once again called on the Department of Justice to reign in ICE officers, fearful that mass deportations will make illegals afraid to vote.
“I am afraid that if we don’t end these ICE raids soon, illegal aliens will be too afraid to illegally vote in our elections,” Senator Chuck Schumer said. “That’s why I’m calling on our president to step in and do the right thing by no longer executing the law.”
According to sources, undocumented migrants are much less likely to vote as a result of ongoing ICE arrests and may not even bother voting at all if they get deported.
“We have to put a stop to ICE or we’re through!” warned Representative Ilhan Omar. “Everyone knows real Americans won’t vote for us.”
As Democratic lawmakers continue to wrestle with the president over mass deportations, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has already hit the streets to get out the vote among the illegal community well ahead of the midterms.
“Voting in free American elections is not just an American right, but a human right!” the congresswoman said. “It’s, like, literally in the Constitution.”
At publishing time Democrats took to the streets to protest the deportation of another several thousand of their voters.
AI won’t take these jobs!
https://babylonbee.com/news/dems-warn-ice-crackdowns-will-make-illegal-immigrants-afraid-to-vote/
I regret to inform you that irony is now officially dead.
Yes, these are the same positions the Left has spent the last decade calling:
Clinton says Americans are “rightly disturbed” by illegal immigration.
Obama says criminals should be deported and people who cross illegally should be sent back.
Meanwhile, the same media class that once applauded these speeches now insists those exact ideas are too dangerous to even debate.
The video helpfully intercuts all of this with clips of Trump raising his eyebrows and smirking.
Which feels less like propaganda and more like a documentary.
There are so many layers here.
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Pastor Dean Dwyer from Australia talks with David about the slide in Christian ‘values’ and increased violence from pro-Palestine groups down under.
The stage is being set for one of the most dramatic years of civil unrest that any of us have ever seen. In major cities all over the United States, vast numbers of far left activists are being recruited for “rapid response teams” that seek to disrupt ICE operations as much as possible. Of course when members of these “rapid response teams” confront ICE officers, violence often erupts. We have already seen so many examples of this, but there is no way that the left is going to back down now. Instead, they plan to take things to an entirely new level in the months ahead.
Of course it is against the law to try to prevent federal law enforcement officers from carrying out their duties, but these far left radicals don’t seem to care.
In New York City, an “army” of over 4,000 anti-ICE activists is currently being created…
New York City socialists are mustering an army of more than 4,000 anti-ICE activists to form “rapid response” battalions and obstruct the feds in an expected imminent crackdown on illegal migrants in the Big Apple.
Mayor Mamdani’s comrades with the DSA outlined the mission Thursday at a monthly meeting of their Immigrant Justice Working Group in the swanky Midtown digs of the Chinese Communist Party-linked People’s Forum, where photos of communist idols Fidel Castro and Che Guevara decorate the walls.
In Chicago, more than a dozen “rapid response teams” have already been formed…
In Minnesota, a “centralized rapid response network” was developed long before the current violence erupted…
During the months preceding the surge of ICE agents to the Twin Cities, local people and organizations created a relatively centralized rapid response network, in which observers would submit sightings with varying levels of substantiation to an admin on a mass text system. As soon as admins could intake, reformat, and verify the reports, they would blast it out on the system and people nearby would converge. This seemed to work for turning people out to major operations, like a raid on an apartment complex, but began to falter as ICE experimented with faster, more lightweight operations.
Many of these anti-ICE activists are hardcore radicals that are not afraid to use force.
On Saturday, Senate candidate Jake Lang was viciously assaulted by a “large leftist mob”…
Social media is being flooded with multiple instances of conservative commentators, protesters and also unaffiliated bystanders being assaulted and some nearly killed. This includes former J6 prisoner and “controversial” Florida Senate candidate Jake Lang, who was rushed by a large leftist mob, cornered, beaten and reportedly stabbed.
Lang was attacked following a speech he gave a the Minneapolis City Hall for his “March Against Fraud”. There were no Minneapolis police to be found during the incident. Lang was struck over the head several times with various weapons, and had to be hospitalized for severe lacerations and cranial bleeding. Keep in mind, this attack was for Lang simply giving a speech.
Whether or not one agrees with Lang’s views on immigration and race, he has the right to voice them without being nearly murdered.
Lang should be very thankful that he was not killed.
It could have happened so easily, because these radicals are not messing around.
On Sunday, anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota stormed a Baptist church…
One of the members of the church posted after the incident, “ICE protestors invaded my church this morning. They stormed in right as the sermon started, surrounded the congregation, and started shouting obscenities and their disgusting slogans. As the children started crying, this seemed to enrage one man even more and he started screaming about how we are ‘privileged pigs.’”
“It’s hard to know what to say or do in a situation like this but the congregation began to pray, read Scripture, and sing. Eventually we were told to move to another part of the church and the protestors were cleared out,” the person added. “I don’t know what kind of person can do something this disordered and evil but I keep thinking Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Pray for Minnesota.”
How would you respond if this happened in your church?
With the way that things are going in this country, that could really happen.
Shockingly, Don Lemon was actually “embedded with the protesters” as they came storming into the church…
Former CNN host Don Lemon had been embedded with the protestors as they stormed the church, claiming that he was “not part of the activists, but we’re here just reporting on them.” As the activists shouted and interrupted the service, Lemon said, “so this is what the First Amendment is about, about the freedom to protest.” The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division is investigating potential violations of the FACE Act in response to the incident, which prohibits obstructing, injuring, or intimidating people who are exercising their First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of worship.
Don Lemon seems to think that he will be able to avoid prosecution by claiming that he was simply “reporting” on the protest.
We’ll see how that works out.
Another one of the individuals that stormed the church is a member of a school board in St. Paul, and she claims that she would do it again if given another opportunity…
Chauntyll Allen, leader of Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, who was among the group, tells TMZ … the jarring protest inside the church was necessary to make clear to the parishioners that having a pastor who is also an ICE official is unacceptable.
Chauntyll, who’s also a St. Paul School Board member, argues the community is being ripped apart by ICE … so the group disrupting a church service — and upsetting some parishioners — in comparison is pretty small potatoes.
The protesters have been dragged by people on the Right for going inside the church … but Chauntyll tells us she doesn’t think a line was crossed … and she would do it again if given the opportunity.
This is how crazy things have become.
The streets of the Twin Cities have been turned into a war zone, and the police are just standing aside and watching.
On Monday, a crowd of anti-ICE women stormed a Target in St. Paul and demanded that ICE agents be prevented from using the store’s bathrooms…
An incident like that is pretty funny, but what isn’t funny is that some anti-ICE radicals are now starting to break out their guns.
In fact, one anti-ICE protester in St. Paul was just filmed carrying around a rifle…
Disturbing footage out of St. Paul, Minnesota, shows a rotund man standing guard in a neighborhood armed with a rifle, a wild escalation in leftists’ protest tactics against ICE.
The footage, seen over 7.6 million times as of writing, features a man armed with a rifle and a suppressor, as he tells reporters he’s protecting his community.
“Do you live in the neighborhood?” a reporter asks him.
“Yep, this is my block. This is my area. I don’t go into other people’s neighborhoods and try to intimidate them, right? I protect my people.”
Meanwhile, 1,500 U.S. troops have been ordered to get ready for a potential deployment to the Twin Cities…
The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 troops to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, as the state reels from intensifying anti-ICE protests after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good.
President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to the unrest, and two battalions of the 11th Airborne Division were placed on prepare-to-deploy orders in case he does so, two defense officials told NBC News.
So what happens if anti-ICE radicals start taking shots at U.S. soldiers that have been deployed to Minnesota and those soldiers start firing back?
Once Americans begin killing Americans in the streets, things could spiral out of control very rapidly.
Of course the truth is that people are already getting hit by bullets.
Just last night, two police officers in Portland were shot as an anti-ICE mob rioted at an ICE facility in Portland…
On Monday, January 19, 2026 at 8:21 p.m., Portland Police Officers assigned to North Precinct responded to the area of Northeast 21st Avenue and Northeast Clackamas Street to a report of a threat with weapon call. Officers arrived and located the suspect on Northeast Clackamas Street between Northeast 16th Avenue and Northeast 17th Avenue.
The suspect fired shots at the officers, striking two of them. The officers were transported to the hospital by ambulance, treated, and their conditions are stable.
The suspect ran off and numerous officers set up a perimeter around the area in an effort to contain the suspect.
This is just the start of the chaos.
The radical left’s “rapid response teams” aren’t going to back down.
Neither will the Trump administration.
Widespread civil unrest is in our immediate future, and it isn’t going to be pretty.
***People in more than 100 different nations are exposed to the truth through Michael Snyder’s Substack each week. When you choose to become a paid subscriber you make yourself part of that effort. It is when times are the darkest that the most light is needed, and those of you that are paid subscribers make this operation possible.***https://michaeltsnyder.substack.com/embed
Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
About the Author: Michael Snyder’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com. He has also written nine other books that are available on Amazon.com including “Chaos”, “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing. You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter. Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites. These are such troubled times, and people need hope. John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.
The post All Over America, Thousands Of Radicals Are Being Recruited For “Rapid Response Teams” That Are Designed To Swarm ICE appeared first on End Of The American Dream.
Did you know that more stores were closed in the United States last year than ever before? More than 8,000 stores were permanently shuttered in 2025, and it appears that 2026 will be even worse. U.S. consumers have very little discretionary income to spend these days, and empty stores litter the landscape. If you live in a relatively prosperous area in our “K-shaped economy”, there may be just a few empty stores where you live. But if you live in a depressed area of the country, you may be faced with constant reminders of our retail apocalypse because there are abandoned stores virtually everywhere that you go. The wealthy are still spending lots of money at retailers, but things have gotten very tight for the rest of us. As a result, we are witnessing a tsunami of store closures that is unlike anything that has ever happened in the entire history of our nation.
Coresight Research is reporting that a whopping 8,234 stores were permanently closed in the United States in 2025…
Data shared with Daily Mail last month shows 8,234 US stores permanently closed last year – a staggering figure that marks a fresh blow to brick-and-mortar retail.
That’s 12 percent more than last year’s total of 7,325 closures, according to Coresight Research, and the highest number ever recorded.
We set the bar really high in 2024, and then we smashed that number by 12 percent in 2025.
Is that a good sign for the U.S. economy or a bad sign?
Needless to say, if the U.S. economy really was in good shape thousands of stores wouldn’t be closing.
And the number of store closings is a figure that government bureaucrats have no way to manipulate.
Stores either stay open or they get closed.
The fact that so many are being closed says a lot about where things are heading.
And this month there have been all sorts of signs that America’s “retail apocalypse” is getting even worse.
For example, Francesca’s has suddenly announced that all locations will be permanently closed and all inventory will be liquidated…
Nationwide women’s clothing brand Francesca’s has begun the process of closing all store locations, Women’s Wear Daily reports.
A customer service representative told the outlet the company was “liquidating our inventory and closing soon.” Francesca’s didn’t confirm the news publicly or provide any further details.
The company, which began in Houston in 1999, lists more than 450 locations across 45 states on its website. As of Monday, the site was advertising “last chance” warehouse clearance sales.
Francesca’s says it employs more than 3,400 associates.
Over 450 more stores are gone.
Just like that.
Meanwhile, the parent company of Value City Furniture has decided that now is the time to permanently close all 89 of the stores that it runs…
The parent company of Value City Furniture announced it would be closing all of its stores after nearly 80 years in business.
American Signature Inc.’s decision comes after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2025, according to The Street.
A press release from the company stated that liquidation sales started on Jan. 10, 2026, at the company’s 79 Value City Furniture stores and 10 American Signature Furniture locations.
Value City Furniture was an institution when I was growing up.
I can still remember the television commercials.
But now in the blink of an eye it is gone.
This is what the economic environment is like in 2026.
Macy’s was once a retail behemoth, but it is currently closing 14 stores as part of a plan to shutter approximately 150 locations by the time we reach the end of this calendar year…
Macy’s announced that it’s closing more than a dozen additional stores in 2026 as it pushes forward with plans to shutter underperforming locations to boost profitability.
Approximately 14 stores are slated to close during the first fiscal quarter as part of its “Bold New Chapter” turnaround strategy, which includes shuttering about 150 underperforming locations by the end of 2026.
But at least Macy’s is doing better than Saks.
Earlier this month, Saks Global made headline news all over the globe when it announced that it would be filing for bankruptcy…
Saks Global – the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman – filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, marking a low point for the nation’s biggest luxury department store conglomerate.
The firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which indicates a need for new ownership as debt impedes operations. Stores will remain open, but some locations may shutter as part of the reorganization.
I don’t know how a turnaround is going to be possible.
The company has been churning through hundreds of millions of dollars, but things just keep going downhill.
Of course just about every retailer that is dependent on mall traffic is hurting these days.
In fact, one of the most popular stores for plus-size women’s apparel has been rapidly shutting down locations…
A popular mall merchant continues closing “underperforming” locations as it aims to shutter hundreds of stores.
Torrid, a retailer of plus-size women’s apparel, announced in August 2025 it had closed 57 stores towards its plan to shutter 180 stores for the year. More recently, individual store closings are continuing, including a Connecticut location that is shutting down this month, The Street reported.
When I was a teenager, going to the mall was the thing to do.
But who has the money to shop at the mall at this stage?
Yes, the wealthy still have lots of money to spend, but the middle class is evaporating right in front of our eyes.
GameStop once thrived selling video games to middle class kids, but now they plan to close over 470 stores in 2026…
GameStop is closing more than 470 stores nationwide to start 2026.
While the Texas-based video game retailer has not released a list of which stores are closing, the GameStop website lists hundreds of locations as closed. A spokesperson for GameStop did not respond to a request for the full list.
Unless some sort of a miracle happens, we are going to shatter the all-time record for store closings that we just set in 2025.
The numbers don’t lie.
We really are in the midst of a horrifying retail apocalypse.
So I would encourage you to visit your favorite stores while you still can, because more of them could suddenly disappear at any time.
Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
About the Author: Michael Snyder’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com. He has also written nine other books that are available on Amazon.com including “Chaos”, “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing. You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter. Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites. These are such troubled times, and people need hope. John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.
The post Empty Stores Everywhere! America’s “Retail Apocalypse” Is Already The Worst In History, And There Are Signs That It Is Getting Even Worse… appeared first on The Economic Collapse.
Obamacare abused by brokers to sign up millions for healthcare without their consent or knowledge. As a result, insurance companies reaped windfall profits, at the expense of taxpayers.
In exchange for gift cards, millions of Americans were unwittingly signed up for Obamacare by brokers who scalped their vital information and enrolled them in plans where premiums were paid by the American people, a research group says.
“The government was sending massive checks to insurance companies who were making windfall profits on behalf of people who didn’t use any health care,” Brian Blase, president of Paragon Health Institute, a healthcare policy group told Just The News.
A 2021-2022 expansion of Affordable Care Act subsidies, passed through budget reconciliation, made coverage fully subsidized for individuals claiming incomes in a specific range. Paragon Health Institute investigated and estimated that by 2025, at least 6.4 million more people were enrolled in these zero-premium plans than were actually eligible.
Zero premium means the enrollee did not pay for the plan — it was paid via subsidies funded by taxpayers.
According to Blase, unscrupulous brokers and enrollment agents exploited the system by advertising cash gift cards and free coverage, collecting personal information from callers, and enrolling them — often without their knowledge or consent, including fictitious individuals.
Many of the enrollees never realized they had coverage because the government paid the full premium directly to insurers, which in turn paid substantial commissions to the enrolling entities. In 2024, 40% of people in fully subsidized plans used no healthcare services at all—2.5 times higher than typical rates—resulting in significant government payments to insurers for largely unused coverage.
Making matters worse, the insurance companies aren’t even providing value, says Blase. “85% of all the [insurance company] revenue now comes from the taxpayer, so they don’t have incentives to offer products that are low-priced, that appeal to patients.”
“Their primary client now is the United States Treasury, and they’re so dependent on the federal government for their revenue source, that’s why insurance companies are spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying Congress to continue this gravy train of these enhanced Obamacare subsidies.”
As the rest of the country learns of what appears to be historic levels of fraud and waste in the state of Minnesota, the policy group says that it’s not just Minnesotans who are footing the bill: it’s the rest of the country too. And it all ties back to federal-state entitlement partnerships that weigh lightly on the state and heavily on the nation.
“When states spend $1 of their own money, they’re able to get $9 from the federal government. So, all of this waste in Minnesota, the vast majority is paid by taxpayers outside the state of Minnesota, and the fraud is not dissimilar,” according to Blase.
Blase, who has been addressing fraud in entitlement programs for nearly a decade in numerous capacities, is sounding the alarm on the lopsided responsibility and the outsized fraud that has become an unsustainable burden on the American people, particularly in Medicaid.
One remedy for Medicaid, as well as other programs, is to shut off the federal spigot. According to Blase, “It’s the essential step. The federal government is bankrolling the fraud, waste and abuse in the states, and as long as states can draw on an open checkbook from Washington, they don’t have incentives to make sure that dollars are appropriately spent.”
Referencing the daycare fraud unfolding in Minnesota, Blase criticized the federal government’s lack of oversight. “We shouldn’t have to rely on amateur investigators going into daycare finding out that there’s no children there. The government has access to this data, they know where there are areas that have seen explosive spending.”
Blase also sounded the alarm on states like New York and California. In New York, there has been an unprecedented spike in Medicaid-funded home health aides, who are often family members taking care of relatives, which, Blase says, also creates fertile ground for fraud. In California, fraud has found a home within the hospice care industry.
Amanda Head is the White House Correspondent at Just The News. Follow her on X.
Following the incident over the weekend when Don Lemon joined leftist protesters to invade a Minnesota church service, churches around the country are looking for ways to avoid suffering the same fate.
The Babylon Bee is here to help churches in need by listing the following ways to ward off rioters:
Follow the tips listed above to keep your church rioter-free every Sunday. What are other go-to ways to keep protesters out? Post your ideas in the comments.
AI won’t take these jobs!
Join RSBN LIVE as President Trump begins his trip to Switzerland with a busy Morning, addressing WEF and participating in a CEO Reception. Tune in at 8:00 am ET on January 21, 2026
Source: LIVE: President Trump Delivers a Special Address to the World Economic Forum & More – 01/21/26
President Trump Takes Over the Press Briefing to Celebrate A Successful First Year January 20, 2026
Source: FULL: President Trump Takes Over the Press Briefing to Celebrate A Successful First Year – 01/20/26
In Somali Fraud Scandal, Republicans Probe Evidence of a Blue State Election Scheme
As the magnitude and complexity of Minnesota’s Somali immigrant welfare fraud scandal come into clearer focus, Republicans in Congress are more boldly talking about it being part of a larger scheme by Democrats to use illegal immigrants and purported refugees to hijack federal elections and manipulate apportionment that determines Americans’ congressional representation and federal funding.
Surging billionaire wealth leads to ‘dangerous’ political risks, Oxfam warns as Davos forum opens
The collective wealth of the planet’s billionaires soared to a record level in 2025, charity Oxfam reported Monday, warning of “highly dangerous” political consequences as the global elite gathers for the World Economic Forum.
After WEF cancels his appearance at Davos, Iranian FM Araghchi blames Israel, US pressure
The World Economic Forum on Monday withdrew a previously extended invitation for Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to attend the summit in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF also announced the decision in a post on social media, writing, “Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year.”
Greenland’s prime minister says nothing is ruled out
It is unlikely that the United States will use military force to take over Greenland, Greenland’s government said at a press conference.
Update on the Iranian People’s Revolution: ‘Brave People, They Have No Fear Left’
According to journalist and founder of Tousi TV—Mahyar Tousi—the revolution to overthrow the brutal and oppressive regime in Iran continues, despite the increasing numbers of citizens killed by the IRGC, and despite the regime’s desperate attempt to convince the rest of the world that everything is fine, and protests are over in Iran.
Exclusive: Bombshell Footage Claims Judges Can Be Bought With Bribes in Ohio Immigration Courts
At the center of the operation is Patricia Golder, who, according to the footage, has turned the alleged manipulation of the asylum process into her business. Golder says she takes a portion of the pay given to the Mauritanian migrants in exchange for helping them navigate the system, and she claims she can bribe judges to rule in the migrants’ favor. The footage also suggests that many of the migrants involved neither embrace nor intend to adopt core American values, even as they access public resources designed to protect legitimate asylum seekers. “She gets them their papers. She does,”
The liberal world order appears to be coming to an end
Francis Fukuyama declared the “End of History” in 1989, stating that Western liberal democracy had become the final form of human government. However, by 2026, the liberal world order appears to be coming to an end, with countries like China and the US disregarding international law and pursuing their own interests. A new world order, possibly based on multipolar realism, may replace liberalism, where nations prioritise their own power and interests over idealistic notions of cooperation and democracy.
Note: The liberal world order is also known as the “international rules-based order” or “liberal international order.” While international institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation were established as the blueprint for the liberal world order, the system was really powered by the United States.
Trump reveals US knows location of last hostage
During his remarks, Trump mentioned one hostage whose remains have not yet been returned, Ran Gvili, and suggested he may have been located. “There is one left. We think we know where he is,” Trump said. Following Trump’s comments, the family issued a statement welcoming the indication that progress may be possible, while urging that no further stages of the deal move forward until he is brought home.
‘Gaza is ours’ – Israeli minister denounces Trump plan, calls to shutdown US army base in Israel
A senior Israeli government minister openly rejected President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan on Monday, marking a rare public split between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition and the Trump administration. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionist Party) called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip, promote mass Arab migration out of the area, and resettle the Strip. “Mr. Prime Minister, it’s either us or them,” Smotrich said.
Hamas weighs moving senior officials out of Gaza
Sources in Hamas say the group is quietly weighing a dramatic step it has long rejected publicly: allowing some of its senior figures to leave the Gaza Strip as talks move toward the next phase of the ceasefire process. The report, published by the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat and cited in Israel by Walla, claims that a number of prominent Hamas political and military officials in Gaza are making arrangements for what was described as a coordinated “safe exit” from the enclave.
Israel gearing up for a ‘surprise war,’ says IDF chief
Israel is undertaking preparations for a possible military strike by a hostile power, the IDF chief of staff said Monday. Lt.Gen Eyal Zamir, the commander of the Israeli military, visited the headquarters of the Home Front Command on Monday, together with Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shai Kalper and additional commanders. During the meeting, Zamir hinted that Israel could face a “surprise” attack by Iran as tensions between the two countries remain high. “We are fully prepared defensively for every scenario,” Zamir said.
Don’t Be Fooled, We Live In A Time Unlike Any Other In Human History
I often hear statements such as, “Today is no different than any other time in history; The most telling difference between today and no other time in all of Church history is this: since 1948, Israel has existed as an independent nation capable of entering into the covenant with antichrist that will start Daniel’s seventieth week. The extensive preparations for another temple and animal sacrifices also tell us that we live in the shadow of the rapidly approaching Tribulation period.
Trump to hold signing ceremony at Davos for Gaza Board of Peace
A signing ceremony for President Donald Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace will be held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, Axios reported on Tuesday.The signing ceremony for the board’s Charter, set to be held at the Davos Congress Center with the participation of heads of state, is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. EST), according to the U.S. news website, which shared a copy of the official invitation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among the some 50 leaders invited to join the board, which Trump will chair.
Iran expert, Dr. Thamar E. Gindin: ‘Iranians immensely disappointed by Trump’s promises’
‘The Iranian people went to the streets to protest and risked their lives because of Trump’s promises. Even if he bombs Iran now, it’s too late for thousands of families.’
As Trump’s Board of Peace gains global backing, Europe remains cautious over Gaza plan
US President Donald Trump continues to recruit world leaders to his Board of Peace (BoP), as more than ten countries have signed on to President Trump’s council for Gaza. At this stage, only some of the participating countries have issued public statements confirming that their leaders will join the council, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Morocco, Hungary, and Canada. “UAE President Abdullah bin Zayed emphasized that the United Arab Emirates’ decision reflects the importance of fully implementing President Donald J. Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which constitutes a critical step toward realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” said a statement released by the Emirati Foreign Ministry. Western diplomats told The Jerusalem Post that all other Gaza-related initiatives are on hold pending the BoP announcement.
‘Take Back Our Country’: Anti-Regime Protesters Hack Iranian State TV, Showing Clips Of Exiled Crown Prince
Iran’s state television broadcast was hacked amid a near-total internet blackout, with video clips of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi and images of ongoing anti-government protests briefly airing on multiple channels. Pahlavi used the opportunity to call on the Iranian military to break with the Islamic Republic and to side with protesters who have been demonstrating against the regime.
Sweden invited to Trump’s peace council
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s (M) office confirms that an invitation has been received. “We have not taken a position on it yet. Right now the issue is being discussed with our European friends,” the Prime Minister’s press secretary, Tom Samuelsson,
Shallow M5.6 earthquake kills one and damages dozens of homes in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
A shallow 5.6 earthquake struck near Barishal, Gilgit-Baltistan on January 19, damaging multiple homes, killing one person, and injuring two. Multiple landslides were also reported, with debris blocking multiple routes across the region and surrounding areas. The earthquake occurred within Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Pamir collision zone, part of the broader India–Eurasia plate convergence system.
Virginia Democrats Pass Amendment for Abortions Up to Birth
Virginia Democrats pushed through a radical constitutional amendment to enshrine abortions up to birth in the state constitution, sending the measure to voters in a November referendum after party-line votes in the General Assembly. Republicans opposed the amendment and attempted to preserve parental consent laws or ensure care for babies born alive, but these were rejected by extreme Democrats who want no limits on killing babies before birth.
VICTORY: Texas School District Cancels CAIR-Linked Islamic Games; Patriot Pressure Works
Texas patriots exposed and defeated an attempted infiltration: A public school district nearly rented taxpayer-funded grounds to CAIR-sponsored 2026 Islamic Games—until relentless reporting, lawmaker outrage, and state terror designation forced GCISD to cancel the event entirely, proving vigilance stops radical agendas from taking root in our children’s schools.
Empty Stores Everywhere! America’s “Retail Apocalypse” Is Already The Worst In History, And There Are Signs It Is Getting Even Worse…
More stores were closed in the US last year than ever – over 8,000 – and it appears 2026 will be worse. Consumers have very little discretionary income to spend, and empty stores litter the landscape. If you live in a relatively prosperous area, there may be just a few empty stores. But in a depressed area, you may be faced with abandoned stores everywhere. We’re witnessing a tsunami of store closures unlike anything that’s ever happened in the history of our nation.
All Over America, Thousands Of Radicals Are Being Recruited For “Rapid Response Teams” That Are Designed To Swarm ICE
The stage is being set for one of the most dramatic years of civil unrest we’ve seen. In major cities in the US, vast numbers of far-left activists are recruited for “rapid response teams” that seek to disrupt ICE operations as much as possible. When members of these “teams” confront ICE officers, violence often erupts. We’ve seen many examples, but the left is not going to back down now. Instead, they plan to take things to an entirely new level.
The liberal world order appears to be coming to an end
By 2026, the liberal world order appears to be coming to an end, with countries like China and the US disregarding international law and pursuing their own interests. A new world order, possibly based on multipolar realism, may replace liberalism, where nations prioritize their own power and interests over idealistic notions of cooperation and democracy.
Hearing for High Court case to compel New Zealand government to release the Pfizer covid vaccine contract schedule for June
Erika Whittome is taking the New Zealand government to the High Court to challenge the decision to withhold the contract with Pfizer for the supply of Covid-19 vaccines. The Government has refused to release the contract, citing various reasons, despite numerous requests under the Official Information Act (i.e., Freedom of Information).
Netanyahu: No Turkish, no Qatari troops in Gaza reconstruction efforts
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said there would be no Turkish or Qatari troops deployed to Gaza as part of Phase 2 of the Trump administration’s Mideast peace plan. Speaking at a Knesset debate on “violence and crime in the Arab sector” within Israel, Netanyahu acknowledged the dispute between his gov’t and the Trump administration over post-war management of Gaza.
Teacher Imprisoned for Refusing to Use Student’s “They/Them” Pronouns
The dispute originated when Burke objected on religious grounds to address a ‘transitioning’ student by a new name and the pronoun “they,” arguing that complying with this request would violate his Christian beliefs and constitutional rights. He’s spent 560 days in prison since then and racked up €225,000 in court fines. As of yesterday, he’s back in Mountjoy prison again.
WARNING: Turkey’s Military Mosques Invading America – ‘Barracks for Faithful Soldiers’ Just Like Europe
“America is rolling out the red carpet for our own conquerors, welcoming Turkish gov’t-funded mosques as ‘cultural centers’ while Erdogan openly calls assimilation a crime against humanity and frames the faithful as his soldiers.” Erdogan continues to fund and build massive complexes on American soil – barracks disguised as mosques, enforcing Turkish identity over American values, and building unassimilated communities just miles from our capital.
A US-controlled rival to the UN: Inside Trump’s Board of Peace
Azerbaijan accepts Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace
Israel’s Netanyahu accepts invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace
Trump says ‘we think we know’ location of Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza
Senior Hamas officials planning ‘safe exit’ from Gaza Strip, Saudi media outlet reports
Month after Bondi Hanukkah attack, Australian MPs pass stricter gun, hate crime laws
Iranian soldier sentenced to death for refusing to fire on protesters during nationwide unrest
Tehran Remains Under Martial Law After Savage Crackdown on Protests
Iranian FM: Tehran will fight back ‘with everything we have’ if Iran comes under US attack
Trump Calls Syria’s Jihadi President Ahmad al-Sharaa as Kurds Denounce Beheadings, ISIS Prison Break
Syria’s ceasefire with Kurds appears to crumble as clashes resume, ISIS prisoners escape
US forces seize seventh sanctioned tanker linked to Venezuela in Trump’s effort to control its oil
Britain approves ‘mega’ Chinese embassy in London despite national security fears
Norway Notifies Citizens Their Homes and Vehicles May Be Seized in Case of War Against Russia
Macron wears sunglasses, makes joke about world stability at Davos
Air Force One returns to Joint Base Andrews after experiencing ‘minor electrical issue’
Trump departs for Davos forum again after switching to new plane
Report: Trump to Dominate World Stage at Davos as He Rocks Global Order
Gavin Newsom Fumes at Davos About European Leaders ‘Rolling Over’ for President Trump
Swiss agitators torch US flag, target American businesses ahead of Trump’s trip to Davos
EU Chief Declares Greenland Sovereignty ‘Non-Negotiable’ in World Economic Forum Address
Trump’s Greenland threats spark outrage from EU and test longtime NATO alliance
Trump jabs European leaders over Greenland as Davos becomes emergency summit
Trump Taunts Allies With Leaked Texts, Memes, and Trash Talk in Late-Night Greenland Blitz
First calls for a boycott of the World Cup over Trump’s Greenland threats
Canada prepping response to hypothetical US invasion, report says
Prime Minister of Greenland Warns Population to Prepare for a Possible US Military Invasion
Wall Street’s fear gauge jumps amid Greenland tariff tensions
Japanese bonds hit record high – sending shockwaves through global debt markets
More than 8,000 US chain stores closed up shop in 2025 – heralding a ‘retail apocalypse’
Trump rips ‘crooked’ Ilhan Omar as House ramps up investigation into exploding net worth
Republican Blasts ‘Immoral’ Trump Actions After Issuing Impeachment Warning
James Comer Rejects ‘Ridiculous Offer’ by Clintons of Unofficial Interview
Comer rejects Clintons’ interview request, schedules contempt vote for Wednesday
Clinton spokesman lashes out at Comer over Epstein probe as contempt vote nears
Biden’s FBI paid anti-Trump ‘Sedition Hunters’ as informants in J6, Arctic Frost probes, memos show
Mediaite: Trump Teams Up With MAGA Reporter to Resurrect Bonkers 2020 Election Conspiracy Theory
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But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (1:5–8)
A fourth means to perseverance in trials is a believing heart, a comprehensive phrase that summarizes these four verses.
The first requirement for such belief is godly understanding. Especially when they are going through trials, believers need a special measure of understanding to help them through, and that need should drive them to ask of God to supply that understanding and wisdom. Strong, sound faith is not based on feelings but on knowledge and understanding of the promises of God’s truth, which is spiritual wisdom.
When believers face times of testing—whether physical, emotional, moral, or spiritual—they have special need of God’s wisdom. At such times one should remember the words of Solomon: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Prov. 3:5–7). He goes on to say of godly wisdom that “her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace” (v. 17). Later in the epistle of James, God’s heavenly wisdom will be described as “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (3:17).
In Job’s final response to his friends and would-be counselors, who had given him much foolish advice, he comments:
But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, “It is not in me”; and the sea says, “It is not with me.” Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, nor can silver be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx, or sapphire. Gold or glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; and the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the sky. Abaddon and Death say, “With our ears we have heard a report of it.” (Job 28:12–22)
Then, after discounting all of those false and futile sources of wisdom, Job says simply, “God understands its way, and He knows its place” (v. 23). God, and God alone, is the source of wisdom. It was this truth that caused Paul to pray to God for believers to be granted wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment (Eph. 1:17–18), as well as discernment (Phil. 1:9; cf. Col. 1:9–10). That is also James’s point.
It should go without saying that trials should enhance our prayer life, as we turn to the Lord for guidance, strength, patience, and wisdom. And when we ask of God, our heavenly Father, for His wisdom, James assures us that, far from being miserly in dispensing that gracious gift to His children, He gives to all generously and without reproach. It is the Lord’s loving desire to impart divine understanding abundantly to His faithful saints. That is surely one of the most beautiful and encouraging promises in all of Scripture.
Let him ask translates an imperative verb in the Greek. James is not giving personal advice but a divine command, and therefore our calling on the Lord for wisdom is not an option. It is mandatory. And if a believer who is being tested is not driven to the Lord and does not develop a deeper prayer life, the Lord is likely to keep the test active and even intensify it until His child comes to the throne of grace—until he makes his “ear attentive to wisdom,” and inclines his “heart to understanding” (Prov. 2:2). And “if you cry for discernment,” Solomon continues, “if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God” (vv. 3–5; cf. Job 28:12–23; Matt. 13:44–46).
Although God has wisdom in abundance (Rom. 11:33) and is infinitely more willing to impart His wisdom than we are to ask for it, He nevertheless expects us to ask Him for it. It is not something that the Lord will impress on an unwilling heart and mind. “ ‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart’ ” (Jer. 29:11–13). Jesus calls on us to call on Him, promising that “whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). To reinforce the promise, He says again, “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it” (v. 14).
Generously translates haplōs, which carries the idea of singleness of heart, of doing something unconditionally, without bargaining. The only condition is that we ask. When we simply come in our trials to God asking for His help and wisdom, He immediately and single-mindedly gives it to us generously. That divine liberality is expressed in Jesus’ beautiful promise:
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (Matt. 7:7–11)
Reproach translates a participial form of a verb that means “to upbraid, to severely reprimand.” In Matthew 5:11 it is rendered “cast insults,” or “revile” (KJV). The term is used in Matthew 11:20 of the Lord’s reproach of the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, of whom He said, “It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you” (v. 22); and of Capernaum, who, He warned, “will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day” (v. 23).
But the Lord will never cast even the mildest reproach on a child of His who comes seeking wisdom in time of trouble and testing. He will not remind us of how undeserving and unworthy we are, obvious as that might be. Nor will He chide us for not asking sooner, fully understanding that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38). Without hesitation, reluctance, or reservation, His divine wisdom will be given to us in generous abundance. He will say to us, in effect, what He said to His people Israel through the psalmist, “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Ps. 81:10).
James next turns from the willing Father to the waiting child, making clear that the Lord requires the right kind of asking, which must be in faith without any doubting (cf. v. 8). In other words, it must be a request backed by genuine trust in God’s character, purpose, and promises.
Some Christians simply doubt that God will give them what they need, and rationalize their doubt in countless ways. They believe they are undeserving, which is true, but, as already pointed out, irrelevant. Or they may think their needs are not worthy of God’s attention, which also is true but irrelevant, for, in His boundless grace and love, He sovereignly chooses to take great interest in things that, in the grand scheme of things, seem utterly insignificant. Other Christians are inclined to dispute with God, wondering why He allowed a calamity to come upon them in the first place or why He doesn’t provide them a way out.
A request that does not take God at His word, that doubts either His ability or His trustworthiness, is presumptuous and worthless and is an affront. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him,” the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). As Paul admonishes, we are “to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension” (1 Tim. 2:8). We are to remember Jesus’ promise: “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matt. 21:21–22). Reinforcing those words of Jesus, Paul assures us that “my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
The believer who doubts, however, is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. His request is not really a request at all, because he foolishly and disdainfully does not believe it will be honored by God. Among other things, such a person is terribly immature, like a child, “tossed here and there by waves.” Tragically, that immaturity leads to the even greater danger of being “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14). When God is not trusted, the only course is to go from bad to worse to worse still.
Such a person cannot expect that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is like ancient Israel, whom Elijah rebuked, saying, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). He becomes a Laodicean, a sham Christian who is “neither hot nor cold,” whom the Lord “will spit … out of [His] mouth” (Rev. 3:16).
Simply put, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Although he claims to be a believer, his action reveals he is an unbeliever. When he goes through a severe trial, he turns to human resources rather than singularly trusting the Lord for answers and for help. Or he becomes bitter and resentful and seeks no help at all. He does not renounce God, but he acts as if God doesn’t exist, doesn’t care, or isn’t capable of delivering him from trouble. He knows something of God’s Word and of God’s love, grace, and providence; but he refuses to avail himself of those divine resources. As James points out later in the letter, that person’s problem, of course, is sin. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you,” he admonishes. “Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (4:8). There the “double-minded” are called “sinners,” a term used only for unbelievers (see comments on 4:8).
Regardless of how he may view himself, the double-minded person is trying to serve two gods, which, as the Lord declares, is impossible. “Either [you] will hate the one and love the other, or [you] will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24). In his classic allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan calls such a man Mister Facing Both Ways. That feat is just as impossible spiritually as it is physically. “A friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4); and, conversely, a person who is truly a friend of God is an enemy of the world. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut. 6:5, emphasis added). There is no other way to truly love Him, trust Him, or serve Him.
MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1998). James (pp. 35–39). Moody Press.
James says the goal of trials is “that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (1:4–5). The goal, says James, is that we “lack nothing” spiritually. But to turn tests into maturity, the one thing you must not lack is wisdom. God intends trials to produce endurance and maturity. But trials do not always lead to spiritual growth. Suffering can create fear, despair, a determination to “look out for number one,” or anger toward God. Abundance (which is also a trial) can lead to selfish indulgence. Therefore, James now says, we need to ask God for wisdom, so we can gain from trials. In James’s words, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (1:5).
James encourages prayer with four successive phrases in verse 5. He says we should ask God (1) who gives (2) generously (3) to all (4) without finding fault. Each element merits our consideration.
First, James 1:5 literally reads, “Let him ask the giving God.” It matches the final statement “and it will be given to him.” James labels the Lord “the giving God.” When God gives, he acts according to his nature or character.
Second, James says God gives to all “generously.” The word literally means “simply.” Simplicity is generous in this sense: the simple gift is a pure gift. It neither returns a favor previously given nor expects a favor in return. The simple gift neither pays back nor expects a payback. That is, God’s gifts do not become debts. He delights in giving; it is his nature to give without calculating the return.
Third, the Lord gives “to all.” That is, he does not play favorites. God is generous to all his children.
Fourth, God gives “without finding fault” (NIV) or, better, “without reproach” (ESV). It is possible, even easy, to give and to add a reproach. We can say, “Yes, I can loan you more money, but what happened to the money I gave you last month?” We can say, “Yes, I will help you get ready for your trip, but you should have started preparing two weeks ago.” That is giving with reproach. But God gives without adding a rebuke; he simply gives.
ASKING IN FAITH
Still, when we seek God’s gifts, we must ask in faith, wholeheartedly seeking God, fully expecting to receive wisdom from him. James says that anyone who asks “must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” As James does so often, here he harkens to a teaching from Jesus, who says, “If you have faith and do not doubt … you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matt. 21:21–22; cf. Mark 11:22–24).
God does give some gifts to his enemies (Matt. 5:45), but James promises nothing to the man who doubts even as he asks. The doubter asks God for aid, but before he finishes his prayer, he thinks, “This will never work.” He vacillates, tossing from one idea to the next, with no more stability of direction or purpose than a wind-whipped wave.
James sees doubt as the opposite of faith: “He must believe and not doubt.” The doubter is called double-minded and unstable, and he should expect to receive nothing. Like unbelievers, doubters cannot assume God will give them anything.
Our culture often views doubt as a noble thing. Philosophers such as Descartes use doubt as an organizing principle for their investigations, and popular culture often views doubters as courageous loners. But the Bible never views doubt as an activity or condition that is good in itself. Certainly, the Psalms encourage believers to take their questions to God when he is hidden or when evil seems stronger than good (Pss. 22; 73). And we must admit our doubts in order to seek the truth. Further, Jesus was always tender with doubters: he was patient with John the Baptist, when he asked if Jesus was indeed the Messiah (Matt. 11:1–12); he was forbearing with “doubting Thomas” (John 20:24–29); and he showed mercy to the father who said, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 ESV). Still, doubt is never intrinsically good. If doubt leads to a blessing, it is the result of the honesty of the doubter and his or her willingness to accept God’s answers. Doubters must be willing to leave their questions behind and trust God with a whole heart.
But the book of Acts commends Peter for refusing to hesitate or doubt when God gave him a hard command (10:20; 11:12). More to our point, Paul (like James) contrasts faith and doubt (using the same term, diakrinō) in Romans 4:20 (cf. Rom. 14:23). He says Abraham “did not waver [same word] through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith … being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (4:20–21). Clearly, Abraham had some moments of doubt (Gen. 12:2–3; 17:17–18), but over the years, he displayed a consistent faith in God. James is not teaching that only perfectly confident prayers will be answered. But God does want us to trust him consistently. We do not shift ceaselessly, like the swells of waves out in the ocean. We seek God for wisdom every day.
After James exhorts the church to view trials as a blessing and to seek wisdom to make them so, he briefly addresses the trials of riches and poverty. We have already made a few comments on James 1:9–11, but a point or two remains.
Doriani, D. M. (2007). James (R. D. Phillips, P. G. Ryken, & D. M. Doriani, Eds.; pp. 24–27). P&R Publishing.
a. Need
The clause if any of you lacks wisdom is the first part of a factual statement in a conditional sentence. The author is saying to the reader: “I know you will not admit it, but you need wisdom.” James tackles a delicate problem, for no person wants to hear that he is stupid, that he makes mistakes, and that he needs help. By nature man is independent. He wants to solve his own problems and make his own decisions. Eighteenth-century German theologian John Albert Bengel put it rather succinctly: “Patience is more in the power of a good man than wisdom; the former is to be exercised, the latter is to be asked for.” Man has to overcome pride to admit that he needs wisdom. But wisdom is not something he possesses. Wisdom belongs to God, for it is his divine virtue. Anyone who admits the need for wisdom must go to God and ask him. James appeals to the individual reader and hearer. He writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom” (italics added). This approach is tactful, for he could have said, “Everyone lacks wisdom.” But by saying “any of you,” James gives the reader a chance to examine himself, to come to the conclusion that he needs wisdom, and to follow James’s advice to ask God.
b. Request
The believer must ask God for wisdom. James implies that God is the source of wisdom. It belongs to him.
What is wisdom? Both the Old and the New Testaments seek to explain this term. Solomon expresses it in typical Hebraic parallelism. Says he, “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov. 2:6). Solomon equates wisdom with knowledge and understanding.
Also, the New Testament states that the Christian receives wisdom and that knowledge comes from God (see, for instance, 1 Cor. 1:30). True, we make a distinction between wisdom and knowledge when we say that knowledge devoid of wisdom is of little value. Observes Donald Guthrie, “If wisdom is the right use of knowledge, perfect wisdom presupposes perfect knowledge.” To become mature and complete, the believer must go to God for wisdom. God is willing to impart wisdom to anyone who asks humbly. God’s storehouse of wisdom is infinite, and he will give this gift “generously to all without finding fault.”
c. Gift
God is not partial. He gives to everyone, no matter who he is, because God wants to give. Giving is a characteristic of God. He keeps on giving. Every time someone comes to him with a request, he opens his treasury and freely distributes wisdom. Just as the sun continues to give light, so God keeps on giving wisdom. We cannot imagine a sun that fails to give light; much less can we think of God failing to give wisdom. God’s gift is free, without interest, and without the request to pay it back. It is gratis.
Moreover, God gives “without finding fault.” When we ask God for wisdom, we need not be afraid that he will express displeasure or will utter reproach. When we come to him in childlike faith, he will never send us away empty. We have the assurance that when we ask for wisdom, it “will be given” to us. God never fails the one who asks in faith.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, pp. 37–38). Baker Book House.
One of the most wonderful joys in the Christian life is delighting in the holiness of God. Of all the attributes of God, His holiness, is the one I find myself attracted to the most because when I think of God, the first thing I think about is His absolute holiness. While I am not one for making New Year’s resolutions, I as making delighting in God’s holiness something I want to do more and more of in 2026.
My prayer for 2026 echoes that of Randy Alcorn when he prayed: “Oh, God show me more of Your holiness. Show me more of my sinfulness. Help me to hate sin and to love righteousness as You do. Grant me a deeper conviction of sin and a more thorough spirit of repentance. And make me holy as You are holy.”1
And in order to do this I am committing to following the advice of Andrew Murray who shared: “Nowhere can we get to know the holiness of God, and come under His influence and power, except in the inner chamber. It has been well said: ‘No man can expect to make progress in holiness who is not often and long alone with God.’”2
My friends if you are like me I get so busy trying to do things for God that I don’t spend enough quality time alone with Him just getting to delight in Him. Well, this needs to go, because I am learning that delighting in God and His holiness is something too precious to miss out on. Not only that but I believe that the more we delight in God the more we will want to do things to please Him and as we get more glimpses into His holiness, the less we will ever want to sin and bring reproach to His name. What I am trying to say is that the more we desire God, the less we will desire the things of this world and this is one of the best ways to become more holy.
I like what Jerry Bridges shares here: “God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, but He does require that we be serious about holiness, that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.”3
My challenge to you is, if you truly want to experience real joy in life then take this journey with me and develop a vibrant and God seeking daily quiet time alone with Jesus. I don’t know about you but I am excited about this deeper walk with the Lord in 2026.
If anyone has some special experiences with their own quiet time I would love to hear about it.
And remember what it says in (Psalm 37:4): “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
1 Inspirational Quotes on Holiness (bibleportal.com)
2 Inspirational Quotes on Holiness (bibleportal.com)
3 Inspirational Quotes on Holiness (bibleportal.com)
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