“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”

^{John Piper}

Table of Contents

1. National Guard in NYC

2. State of the Union

3. Healthcare Hack

4. Other news you should know

5. Remnant Resources

6. Share this newsletter

National Guard in NYC

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the deployment of 1,000 State Police and National Guard members to patrol New York City subway platforms and conduct bag checks in response to escalating subway crimes. This initiative, coordinated with Mayor Adams and transit authorities, aims to address a surge in crime. Hochul's strategy includes legislative proposals to ban transit assault convicts and bolster mental health support. While many commuters welcome the measures, some critics raise concerns about potential rights infringements and racial profiling. The move echoes Adams' earlier decision to augment the subway force by 1,000 officers. Despite skepticism, Hochul emphasizes the urgency of subway safety amidst rising crime rates.

While there is speculation that the Governor's actions may be more motivated by undisclosed intelligence agencies providing warning of an impending terroristic threat rather than her stated reason for addressing a surge in crime (Proverbs 25:3), which may have been given to reduce panic, it is clear that we have a significant problem in our cities (2 Chronicles 15:5).

Over the past few years, there has been a growing number of pundits claiming an increase in law enforcement is a form of racially motivated oppression and, therefore, contrary to pursuing true justice. This is despite the reality that creating safe and secure environments is a fundamental aspect of justice and good governance (Proverbs 11:10). The explosive combination of societal rejection of God's good way, the increasingly popular call to "defund the police," and the growing number of district attorneys who choose to not prosecute laws already on the books when police officers do make arrests, has brought and will continually bring, greater chaos to our land not justice (Galatians 6:7-8).

History shows that waves of chaos increase a citizenry's willingness to grab onto anything that will offer them any possibility of peace- even at the expense of precious freedoms and rights. The same mistake Israel made in their land we are making in ours (1 Samuel 8:10-18). When a nation rejects a good and benevolent God, it will soon be ruled by bureaucrats, lawmakers, and tyrants who are always ready to offer themselves as solutions to a scared public. This never ends well (Jeremiah 17:5-6).

We need leaders who call men to repent of their wicked ways (Isaiah 1:16-17) and who are willing to respond with clarity if they do not (Numbers 25:11-13). The pattern of good leaders is found in David's words: "Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, so as to cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity (Psalm 101:8) not in the miasma of culture killing organizations epitomized by the likes of the Black Lives Matter movement and other progressive elitists (Mark 8:15).

It is long past time for the remnant to see the spiritual death that is plaguing our land and lead in doing the spiritual work that will heal it (Jeremiah 29:7-9).
_{By: Todd Wagner}

State of the Union

Last night, President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union address. Supporters hope his speech resonated with voters, having been encouraged that he appeared up to the task, engaging both parties and tackling his over-one-hour-long speech with energy. Biden placed a significant emphasis on critiquing “his predecessor,” foreign policy, basic party platforms (abortion, immigration, LGBTQ rights), and addressing concerns about his age and fitness for office. Senator Katie Britt (AL) delivered the GOP rebuttal.

Tragically, President Biden’s administration has been marked by ideals, policies, and agendas that have pursued, upheld, and promoted a culture of death for our nation and citizens. While Biden and the democratic party alone are not the sole reason for the moral and cultural decay that is the state of our nation, their leadership, and the agendas they herald, are reminiscent of Judges, where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). This of course does not bode well for our nation (Proverbs 14:12). President Biden closed his address appealing to the preservation of “the soul of our nation,” but we are a nation that has lost its soul. The way back for America is to do more than put “In God we trust” on our currency, to do more than sing “God Bless America” at sporting events, it is to heed God’s advice to “humble [your]selves and pray and seek My face and turn from [your] wicked ways” so He can “hear from heaven… forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

_{By: Kirby Mankin and Todd Wagner}

Healthcare Hack

In the wake of a significant data breach in late February impacting Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, U.S. health officials are calling for immediate action from insurance companies.

The hack disrupted administrative functions for hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, and millions of patients. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has requested insurers to waive prior authorizations and Medicare's contractors to accept paper bills. These measures aim to alleviate administrative issues stemming from the breach. HHS expects UnitedHealth to ensure continuity of operations for healthcare providers.

The attack underscores the growing threat of "cyberattacks" worldwide, with last year seeing one in three Americans affected by data breaches.

While the world's systematic processes are what they are, and modern technologies increasingly dominate how our life is lived, it is the responsibility of us all to seek and apply both spiritual (James 1:5) and practical wisdom (Proverbs 22:3) when it comes to the vulnerabilities they create. Being prayerful about what information you present to the online world, researching how companies plan to keep data secure, and staying informed on stories such as this are all part of the wisdom and prudence required as we navigate the uncertain waters of 21st-century technologies.

While it may be unrealistic, if not impossible, to avoid some of the new trouble found in our increasingly complex world, it is not impossible to have peace (John 14:27) when you trust in and walk with the One who has overcome it (John 16:33).

Evil men can hack whatever database you have your information in, but nobody can take your name out of the only database that truly matters (Revelation 3:5).

_{By: The Remnant News Team}

Other news you should know

❄️ Fans face amputations from frostbite.

🛢 Discovery in South China Sea.

💸 Liberty University hit with $14M fine.

📢 A new report clears police of missteps in Uvalde.

🍔 Burgers this expensive in 2024?

🐋 Whale not seen in 200 years spotted in New England?

Remnant Resources

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