“Modern Christians hope to save the world by being like it, but it will never work. The church’s power over the world springs out of her unlikeness to it, never her integration into it.”

A.W. Tozer

Table of Contents

1. SCOTUS Ruling on VA Voting

2. Friday Good News

3. Reformation Day

4. Other news you should know

5. Remnant Resources

SCOTUS Ruling on VA Voting

The Supreme Court allowed Virginia to temporarily proceed with purging around 1,600 people from its voter rolls, a move Republicans argue prevents non-citizens from voting. This provisional decision will apply to the upcoming election but leaves the case open for further review. Justices Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson dissented, while voting rights groups and the Justice Department opposed the purge, citing concerns that it could disenfranchise eligible voters. The issue centers on identifying non-citizens through DMV records and aligns with federal restrictions on removing voters close to elections.

If it is true, as Joseph de Maistre asserted, "that a nation gets the government it deserves," then it is also true that a nation should make sure only its citizens are allowed to vote. If non-citizens can vote in an election, then it is not the nation that chooses its leaders but potential foreign actors who cannot be assumed to have the same motivations as citizens (Leviticus 20:23). God warned His people against "multi-culturalism," reminding Israel that there is to be "one regulation for you, whether a resident foreigner or a native citizen" and to remember that there are some world views that are "abhorrent to the Lord" (Leviticus 24:22).

While it is wrong to take advantage of someone because they are a foreigner in the land (Exodus 22:21), it is not oppressive to ask them to abide by the laws of their new land (Leviticus 18:26) and for obvious reasons, the law of most lands is that only citizens can participate in elections. 

While the SCOTUS decision is encouraging, it is not encouraging that many who have been born and raised in our country advocate for values or are supportive of candidates who embrace ideas that are "abhorrent to the Lord." It is just as important to purge Americans of deadly philosophies and political ideologies as it is to purge the voter rights of non-citizens (Joshua 24:15). While it is the job of the state to make sure only its citizens vote, it is the job of the church to train them to vote in a way that will lead to the state being blessed (Matthew 28:19-20). We can be thankful Virginia has secured the right to purge its voter rolls, but we must remain passionate about purging sin from rolling through the hearts and minds of men (Romans 12:1-2).

_{By: Todd Wagner}

Friday Good News

The Concert for Carolina, organized by Luke Combs and Eric Church, raised a staggering $24.5 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Held at a sold-out Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, over 82,000 fans packed the venue, with additional funds generated from livestream tickets. The lineup featured big names like James Taylor, Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow, and Keith Urban, with special appearances from Nicole Kidman and Dolly Parton, who donated $1 million to the cause.

Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole provided the stadium free of charge, covering all expenses to maximize donations. Proceeds will support Combs' chosen charities, including Samaritan's Purse and local food banks, while Church's foundation will fund a home-building initiative, Blueprint for the Blue Ridge, in Avery County, NC.

Good news often gets lost in the flood of worry and negativity, but stories like this remind us that God's light still shines in dark times (John 1:5). We are all His image-bearers (Genesis 1:27), and through His common grace, we're empowered to reveal His goodness (Romans 2:4).

Scripture urges us to "mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15), but our compassion is not meant to end on itself (1 John 3:18). The Lord commands us to "seek the welfare of the city… and pray to the Lord on its behalf" (Jeremiah 29:7). We are called to be salt and light, preserving what's good and illuminating what's true (Matthew 5:13).

Ultimately, actions rooted in love and obedience serve as a testimony to God's work within us (John 15:8). As Paul writes, we are created in Christ to do good works, "which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). This story illustrates exactly what it means to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father (Matthew 5:16).

_{By: Jamie Wilder}

SCOTUS Ruling on VA Voting Rights

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby sparked controversy by suggesting on a podcast that sexual intimacy, whether in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, is not sinful if within a committed relationship. His comments reflect a shift towards blessing same-sex couples in civil partnerships, aligning with the Church of England's recent but divisive Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF). Evangelicals, particularly the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), expressed shock, calling Welby's stance a departure from traditional Christian doctrine. Lambeth Palace clarified that Welby was sharing his personal view, not an official doctrinal change, and emphasized ongoing church discussions on the matter.

While we should not be surprised, it still comes as a shock to hear that the head of the Church of England has made such comments regarding sexual sin. However, this is a congregation that has already accepted LGBTQ pastors living together (in platonic relationships) and ordained Lesbians as Bishops.

The decision, provided it ultimately aligns with the Archbishop's comments, could potentially split the Anglican Communion in much of the same way that the embrace of homosexuality has split the global Methodist church over the last few years. Opposition within the Communion is fierce. Sadly, the opposition has expressed its dissatisfaction by focusing on the departure from Church doctrine and not on the deviation from Scripture.

Scripture is our inerrant guide to living in ways that emulate Jesus and honor God (1 Peter 1:16), and it is clear that all sexual immorality, including homosexuality, is sinful (Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9). Embracing clear sin (while dismissing God's Word as irrelevant) is a microcosm of today's church: living in iniquity and disbelief.

Paul makes it clear that the sure result is that God will give evildoers over to even more wicked and depraved sins (Romans 1:26-27). The church's leaders – pastors and teachers – are judged by God with a stricter standard (James 3:1), and those who have exchanged the authority given by God for the approval of the culture will be judged more harshly.

_{By: Ken Teaff}

Other news you should know

🐿 Insta famous squirrel seized by NY state authorities.

👿 Tucker Carlson discusses spiritual warfare, claims he was mauled by a demon.

😬 Colorado Secretary of State (D) Jena Griswold's office "accidentally" posted passwords for Colorado voting systems online. They were visible online for months.

🚛 You have to admit this campaign has had some viral moments.

🦈 Imagine being bitten by a shark, twice, 11 years apart.

🇦🇫 To be clear, things have not gotten better.

🏆 Dodgers won the World Series on Wednesday Night, their 8th as a club.

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