March 20, 2024

Squatters in NYC, Idaho Laws, and Israel Update

March 20, 2024


March 20, 2024

“The measure of your spirituality is not how much of the Bible you know, but how much you live.”

Donald Whitney

Squatters in NYC

Adele Andaloro found squatters inside an inherited family home who refused to leave, taking advantage of New York's laws, giving squatters rights after just 30 days. Despite entering her property with her deed in hand and finding people inhabiting the space with her belongings inside, police warned her against changing the locks and removing people from inside her home, resulting in her arrest for unlawful eviction when she did so. Even though the squatters were unable to provide any documentation that would suggest they belonged in the house, it was Andalaro who was handcuffed and hauled away from her home. The owner now has to navigate landlord-tenant court to regain possession of her house and exonerate herself from the charges.

Nations without laws, nations with unenforced laws, and nations with unwise and unjust laws are nations that will soon be themselves "evicted" (Deuteronomy 8:20). As GK Chesterton once said, "If you will not have rules, you will have rulers." God's Word is clear about the wickedness of stealing others' property (Deuteronomy 27:17) and the woe that comes upon people who make unjust laws (Isaiah 10:1-2). 

Augustine was right to say "an unjust law is no law at all" and Martin Luther King was wise to declare, "One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws." 

The insanity of this story is illustrative of the dysfunction which plagues America. Indeed, "if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do" (Psalm 11:3). We now live in a country where cities declare themselves "sanctuaries" for the lawless, where members of the law enforcement community proudly declare they will not prosecute individuals for thefts and where stores fire employees who make an effort to stop individuals who steal. When a nation does not honor God, it becomes "futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart is darkened," and they soon rightly receive "the due penalty of their error" (Romans 1:21, 27).

Until we return to the "ancient paths" (Jeremiah 6:16), we will continue to travel down the broad road to destruction (Matthew 7:13). The job of the remnant is not to throw our hands up in disgust or bury our heads in despair. Outrage is not a strategy, and surrender to foolishness is not the way of the wise (Ephesians 4:26-27). Speak up, friends; do not be dismayed at the names you are called when you embrace the Word of God or expect the Word of God to dismay you (Jeremiah 1:17).

By: Todd Wagner

Idaho Trans Bill

The Idaho State House recently approved a bill barring the use of Medicaid or state insurance for transgender surgeries or hormone therapies, along with forbidding their provision in state-owned facilities. Sponsored by Representative Julianne Young, the bill argues against taxpayer funding for what it deems controversial medical interventions. The measure now awaits a Senate vote after passing through committee. Similar laws exist in nine states, with three restricting coverage for minors. Previously, Governor Brad Little signed a bill shielding minors from transgender medical interventions, though a court injunction halted its enforcement.

The law, functioning as a teacher, guides us towards righteousness (Romans 7:12), reveals our sinful nature (Romans 3:20), and emphasizes the importance of faith in every aspect of our lives (Romans 14:23). Forcing taxpayers to contribute to state-subsidized practices that lead to self-destruction is devoid of love, justice, and compassion, undermining moral principles, societal responsibility, and conscientious laws (1 Peter 2:14).

​​God is good to not only give His people divine grace but to offer to all people His common grace (Acts 17:25). The way that leads the remnant to blessing is the same way that will lead our unbelieving neighbors to freedom when they humble themselves before truth (James 1:25). Legislation, therefore, should transcend individual preferences, aligning with the divine order established by God (Proverbs 3:5-6), and promoting the flourishing of both believers and non-believers alike. The remnant needs to continually advocate for the goodness of God’s way and pray and work so that the laws of the land are informed by the God whose law is love (1 John 5:3).

By: Jamie Wilder

Israeli Forces at Hospital

The Israel Defense Forces launched a raid on Gaza City's Shifa Hospital early Monday morning, targeting senior Hamas officials suspected of using the hospital for planning terror activities. During the operation, a senior Hamas commander, Faiq Mabhouh, was killed. Additionally, one Israeli soldier lost his life.

The conflict involved the IDF partaking in gunfire exchanges with Hamas both inside and near the hospital. By evening, the IDF reported approximately 40 Hamas gunmen had been killed.

A trademark of wickedness is to hide behind the "protection" of the weak and innocent (Proverbs 6:16-18, Psalm 37:12, 14, Micah 2:1-2). Evil is worth every effort to destroy (Romans 12:21, 13:4) and while there are highly complex decisions to be made when civilians, women, children, and other vulnerable individuals are involved, to look the other way while evil advances is detestable leadership in and of itself (Psalm 64:5, Psalm 83:1-5, Proverbs 31:8-9, Jeremiah 5:25-29).

The innocents surviving the crises in Gaza desperately need relief (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3). Tragically, oppression, war, death, famine, and worse are a reality in our world (Matthew 24:6-8, John 16:33a). Some may not ever have relief on this side of heaven, and even more tragically, without Christ, relief will not be waiting for the unredeemed on the other side (John 3:18, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). Pray for the Lord to use this continued sadness, and the desperation surely felt by those suffering in Gaza, to cause the lost to turn to Him as only He can.

May the wicked be moved to radical repentance (Ezekiel 33:11) or met with a quick end, for vengeance is His, and he will not let the wicked go unpunished (Deuteronomy 32:35, Psalm 37:13).

By: The Remnant News Team

Other news you should know

🧑🏻‍⚖️ This Obama-appointed judge made a bold ruling.

🛂 Hours after SCOTUS okays Texas immigration law, the U.S. Court of Appeals restored the original hold.

🤠 We’re not trying to brag, but… Texas forever.

🏈 More of this in the NFL, please.

🇳🇬 More than 100 kidnapped.

🇭🇹 A thousand Americans are waiting for rescue.

💸 Trump unable to make $464 million bond.

🎓 Alabama Republicans voted to ban state funding for DEI at public universities.

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