August 4, 2023

Quote of the day:

"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergy or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth."

- John Wesley

August 4, 2023

Today’s Headlines:

Idaho City Settles With Wrongly Arrested Church Attenders

The city of Moscow, Idaho, has reached a settlement with three Christians who sued the city after being arrested for not wearing masks during an outdoor gathering with other believers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Gabriel Rench, along with Sean and Rachel Bohnet, claimed their First and Fourth Amendment rights were violated during the arrest in September 2020. The charges were based on the city's health ordinance, which required individuals ‘not of the same household to remain six feet apart from each other or wear a face covering.” The case was later dismissed by a judge who found that the arrests should not have occurred, regardless of the ordinance's interpretation. As part of the settlement, the city's liability insurance provider will pay $300,000, and all claims against the city and its employees will be dismissed. The church pastor's family is still involved in a legal battle with the city authorities over related issues.

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The Remnant’s Response:

Too many churches and Christians, often exclusively citing Romans 13:1-2 as their reason, acquiesced to authorities during the Covid-19 pandemic. We should be thankful for courageous men and women who stood up to government overreach by appealing to the higher calling of obedience to Christ, and we should also be thankful for a constitution that, when rightly applied, leads to protections. While we can be thankful that the courts acknowledged the wrongdoing, our confidence should come not from us being awarded settlements, but from our confidence that faithfulness is its own reward (Daniel 3:17-18). Our job is to fear God rather than men (Acts 5:29). We are not commanded to stand strong because it is easy, but because it is our calling (2 Timothy 3:12). When there is no blessing of a “settlement,” the remnant should settle for persecution and the promise of a coming reward (Matthew 5:13).

We would be naive to believe that the governments interfering with constitutionally protected freedoms - specifically the right of churches to gather and worship - will remain isolated to “health emergencies”. If we do not stand up to the earliest threats of our freedoms, we will soon find ourselves slaves to eager tyrants. The greatest protection against tyranny is a nation of principled men.

We owe a great debt to our principled founding fathers who understood the cost of living underneath ‘sovereigns’ who did not fear God or man. The words of Thomas Paine, which our emerging nation needed to hear in 1773, need to be heard in our eroding nation today: “Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”

Too many people living today have obtained their freedoms too cheaply and as such, think freedom is not to be highly rated.

Before “e pluribus unum” was adopted as the motto placed on our nation's seal, Benjamin Franklin proposed using “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Though it was not used on the nation's seal, it was later adopted by Thomas Jefferson on his own seal.

Canadian PM Separates From Wife

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, announced their separation after being married for 18 years. This decision has led to discussions about Trudeau's political future, as his poll numbers have been declining. Despite this, insiders believe Trudeau remains determined to lead his Liberal Party into a fourth election. Trudeau's father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, also went through a separation while in office. Trudeau seems committed to continuing his political journey.

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The Remnant’s Response:

God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), but He does not hate divorcees (Psalm 86:15). God hates divorce because He loves people. Marital failure is a source of great sadness to a nation, men, women, and especially to children (Malachi 2:13-15). No amount of success in our professional or public life will ever make up for failure in the home. Be “famous at home.” Whenever we abandon God’s design for flourishing, we inevitably flounder. God warns us that the reason for our loneliness, dysfunction, anxiety, sadness, and lack of peace is that we pursue our own strategies for prosperity. To the remnant of Israel who returned from exile but did not return to honoring Him, He said, “You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes” (Haggai 1:5).

Whatever your perspective is on Trudeau’s policies - many of which are obviously contrary to God’s Word - the proper response to this story is sadness and prayer for the restoration of His will in Canada and the Trudeau family, and for obedience and faithfulness in ours. God hates sin (Psalm 5:4), but He does not hate sinners (Romans 5:8). While we do not know the circumstances that led to the Trudeau’s separation, we do know the only one delighted in the destruction of God’s design is the devil. It is a good reminder to ‘be of sober spirit, on the alert’ because ‘our adversary, the devil, prowls about,’ seeking another marriage ‘to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8). As you finish reading this, stop and pray. If you are married, ask the Lord where you can grow as a spouse. Remember your vows. What God has joined together, let no man tear apart (Matthew 19:6).

TSwift Is Generous

Taylor swift gave away a combined $50 million worth of bonuses to her Eras Tour crew. The international tour made headlines when it “broke the internet” with fans waiting hours in virtual lines just for the chance to snag tickets. Since the 52-stop US tour started it has remained completely viral on social media platforms. The tour has broken and set several records, with her opening night in Glendale, AZ making history as the most-attended female concert ever. The cheering and movement of her fans in Seattle, Washington at Lumen field set off seismic activity. Swift has blown away fans preforming 44 songs, three nights in a row, several times in the pouring rain. Experts predict that Taylor is positioned to profit personally nearly $13 million a night on the tour. The bonuses offered at the end of the US leg of her international tour included $100,000 bonuses to the drivers of her trucks and buses alone.

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The Remnant’s Response:

How we use money determines whether it is a means of grace or a source of trouble and temptation in our lives. In a parable Jesus told, an unrighteous steward was praised for the wise way he uses money to curry favor with others (Luke 16:1-8). Our world marvels when others are generous and celebrates when individuals use their wealth to bless others. It appears Taylor did just that, and it is apparent that those who believe in Christ should do the same. Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The Proverbs say, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person prospers; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed," (Proverbs 11:24-25). Certainly, Taylor Swift stands to gain more than she has given (a projected $1 billion) from her work on the Eras tour alone, but we applaud that she is enjoying the blessing of giving to others. You likely won’t make as much as Taylor this year, but you likely can make more of the opportunities you have to bless others today.

Other news you should know:

⛪️ In the spirit of the Idaho story above, go see this movie if it is playing near you.

🚔 Ex-NBA player sentenced to 10 years in prison for health care fraud.

🐈 Hot take… Dogs > Cats… but this police officer thinks differently.

🏛️ The 2 expelled members of “The Tennessee Three” won back their seats.

📣 New burp world record.

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