July 17th, 2023

American Reserves Activated, OTC Birth Control, Loneliness in Leadership

July 17, 2023

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Quote of the day:

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

- CS Lewis

July 17th, 2023

Today’s Headlines

American Reserves Activated

Following the Russian invasion, the U.S. deployed an additional 20,000 troops to Europe, raising the total number of troops on the continent to over 100,000. Among them are new rotations of 10,000 troops stationed in Poland, which has emerged as a hub for supporting and assisting Ukraine.

Currently, there is no clarity on whether the troops will actually be deployed and when such deployment might occur. The Pentagon has emphasized that the order only makes reserves available in case the United States European Command (EUCOM) deems them necessary.

This recent development comes shortly after President Biden's controversial decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. Despite NATO leaders' reluctance to provide a clear timetable for Ukraine's membership, this action undoubtedly aims to signal solidarity with Ukraine.

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The Remnant’s Response:

Conflict is a reality in a fallen world. All conflict is the result of sin (James 4:1-2). How we respond to conflict, whether personal, communal, or between nations, determines our future. God's word warns us to consider the likely outcome of the battle before engaging (Luke 14:31-32). The decision for any commander-in-chief to send troops into harm's way is heavy and, at times, unavoidable (Ecclesiastes 3:8). War inevitably leads to the loss of life, but so does the appeasement of evil. God is long-suffering, but any student of the bible knows He eventually proactively moves against evil, and history as we know it ends with our Lord Jesus making war on all who deny His Kingship (Revelation 19).

Government "does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil" (Romans 13:4). We are called to remain vigilant, be prepared for battle (Psalm 144:1), and be slow in our declaration of war (Proverbs 20:18).

We live in a land where we get to elect our leaders, make disciples and raise up godly leadership. Therefore, we are especially accountable for the decisions our leaders make. While we do not have enough of the facts or details to determine if troops should be deployed into the Ukraine/Russia conflict, we do have the necessary information to pray, raise up, lead, and vote in a God-honoring way. We should demand that our leaders are held accountable. Unwise, evil, unspiritual, weak, and/or ill-motivated governmental leadership is a form of judgment on a land (Isaiah 3:1-5).

If all the professing Christians in our country voted, volunteered, and led the way we are commanded to, our nation would not be so violently opposed to the will of God today. While we pray for and demand accountability from our leaders, let's give them an example to follow (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Over the Counter Birth Control

Late last week, the Federal Drug Administration approved the first over-the-counter birth control medication, Opill. Opill is the first of its kind: a once-a-day, no-prescription-required pregnancy prevention method. In order to receive FDA approval, the makers of Opill had to demonstrate that their product was effective, safe, and user-friendly. Opill is expected to be available to the public early in 2024 and will be sold at drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, and online.

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The Remnant’s Response:

While birth control isn't directly addressed in Scripture, the sanctity of life, the blessing of children, and the importance of spiritual and physical multiplication are emphasized. Scripture urges believers from the beginning to "be fruitful and multiply," (Genesis 1:28) to "not awaken love before its time," (Song of Solomon 8:1) and to view children as a "heritage from the Lord... a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3-5). There may be acceptable reasons for a couple to not want to immediately or continually have children but any that are informed by the thought that children are a burden as opposed to a blessing cannot be among them.

The Remnant today can consider the words of the prophet Jeremiah to exiled Israel in Babylon, "marry and have sons and daughters, find wives for your sons... so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease" (Jeremiah 29:6). There has never been a more important time for believers to take the responsibility of increasing in number more seriously. The world desperately needs godly men and women to conceive, give birth to, and raise godly children. Additionally, many are unaware that a significant portion of contraceptives on the market are abortifacient, causing abortion at the earliest stages of life, including fertilization and sometimes implantation. Any form of abortifacient birth control should be intolerable for those who honor life.

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Pastors Feel More Loneliness & Less Support

Barna Research Group released a new study that reveals a concerning trend among pastors: they report feeling increasingly lonely and isolated, with 65% experiencing such emotions. Only 49% of pastors feel well-supported by those around them. However, there were a few positive notes found: pastors prioritize family and maintain positive relationships, with 41% practicing Sabbath with their family and 77% spending quality time with their children. Moreover, 80% of pastors feel known by someone outside their home and church setting.

Another noteworthy finding is that fewer pastors seek personal spiritual support from peers or mentors, with only 22% receiving such support regularly. Alarmingly, 65% of pastors are not utilizing professional mental health services, indicating a lack of help-seeking behavior compared to the general population.

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The Remnant’s Response:

This survey from the Barna group answers why the church in America is filled with people who are lonely, isolated, and struggling to embody the health and strength God intends. Jesus reminds us that, “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40). If our spiritual leaders are not living authentic lives where they model the wisdom of seeking and receiving personal spiritual support from others, you can be sure they will lack the confidence to encourage others to.

Paul wrote, "The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Based on the above survey, close to 80% of pastors are unable to say the same to their faith community today. "Mental health" comes from abiding with Jesus and walking in His steps. Mental health comes when we think rightly and live rightly (Romans 12:2). The Lord warns us against living isolated lives (Proverbs 18:1) and encourages us to seek help from spiritually mature people when we are 'sick', which certainly includes depression and loneliness. This "help-seeking behavior" was modeled by Jesus, who sought encouragement, prayer, and help from others, in addition to seeking the Father (Matthew 26:26-35). The fact that most pastors (and 'parishioners') don't feel the freedom to do so today is an indication of how unbiblical in practice most 'church attending' Christians have become (Matthew 15:8).

Yes, pastoring is a public vocation in an environment with increased cultural polarization, financial pressures, high expectations, criticism, and spiritual warfare. Though pastors are required to be mature in their faith, they still desperately need prayer, encouragement, and the freedom to acknowledge weakness, confess sin, be known, and be forgiven. Any believer who fails to do these things will not prosper in the long run. Pray for a revival in pastors' souls and minds, that they may be well-equipped and refreshed for their calling (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Other news you should know:

🎾 20 year old, Carlos Alcaraz, hands Novak Djokovic his first centre court loss in 10 years and takes home the Wimbledon trophy.

🚫 The Biden administration takes another crack at cancelling $39 Billion in student debt for more than 804k borrowers.

👮‍♀️ Long Island serial killer, subject of the 2020 Netflix movie “Lost Girls” was arrested on Thursday night of last week.

😬 A recent study found that 33% of student loan borrowers spent money they thought they wouldn’t have to pay back.

🎥 Hollywood is shutting down as screenwriters and actors go on strike.

🥵 Heat wave results in warnings issued for more than 110 million people across the U.S.

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