Quote of the day:

 "Prayer is not the foe to work; it does not paralyze activity. It works mightily; prayer itself is the greatest work."

_{- E.M. Bounds}

Today’s Headlines

Armenians Flee, Fearing Ethnic Cleansing

The ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (a disputed region between Azerbaijan and Armenia), numbering around 120,000, are leaving for Armenia due to their reluctance to live under Azerbaijani control and fears of ethnic cleansing. This situation follows the recent defeat of the Karabakh Armenians by Azerbaijan in an ongoing conflict dating back to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Although Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, it had previously operated autonomously beyond Azerbaijan's control.

The conflict in this region has historical roots, with the First Karabakh War in the 1980s and '90s resulting in significant casualties and displacement. The recent Second Karabakh War in 2020, backed by Turkey, ended with a Russian-brokered peace deal that Armenians feel Moscow has not sufficiently upheld. The mass exodus of Karabakh Armenians to Armenia could potentially shift the geopolitical balance in the region, where various powers, including Russia, the United States, Turkey, and Iran, have interests.

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The Remnant's Response

One of the great mysteries (Deuteronomy 29:29) to finite man is how a good and sovereign God could allow evils such as child sacrifice, child abuse, starvation, slavery, war, or ethnic cleansing to continue to exist when He clearly could stop them. But this mystery is solved for careful students of the bible.

1. God’s word makes it clear that our world is no longer “Edenic” because we have all rejected the One who created it (Genesis 2:17).

2. We can take great comfort in knowing that our merciful God is heartbroken by our current circumstances. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) is not only the shortest verse in our English bible, it is one of the most comforting. The same Jesus who wept is a conquering King who could and did do something about the cause of His (and our) mourning (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 15:57).

3. We know that just because God has not yet eradicated the evil that haunts us does not mean He cannot or will not. In fact, we are clearly told that He will (Revelation 21:4).

Every member of the remnant is a “displaced person” (1 Peter 1:1) suffering at the hands of the enemy who wants to kill and destroy us (John 10:10). Praise be to God that our soon and coming King (Revelation 22:12-13) will quickly “state the case in order” before the eyes of the wicked (Psalm 50:21).

Adam Schiff Under Scrutiny

Adam Schiff, a 12-term member of the House of Representatives, is now running for Senate. He is facing scrutiny over support for earmarks in his campaign. (Earmarks give money from the federal government for specific local projects.)

While advocating earmarks for local causes such as homelessness and drug treatment programs, Schiff has been accused of securing substantial earmarks for corporate beneficiaries, including defense companies in his district, which adds a scandalous dimension to his record.

Notably, Schiff directed millions of dollars to defense companies like Smiths Detection and Phasebridge, Inc., both of which had ties to a lobbying firm, PMA Group, known for its connections to influential lawmakers. Schiff received campaign contributions from the PAC and family members of the PAC owner/founder, raising concerns about potential pay-to-play politics.

Schiff's campaign defends his record, emphasizing his ability to bring resources to California. His dispute with rival Katie Porter over earmarks, particularly in the defense sector, highlights their differing approaches to government spending and ethics. This debate takes center stage in their high-stakes Senate primary.

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The Remnant's Response:

A land where "rulers are rebels and companions of thieves," where "everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards" (Isaiah 1:23) is a land sure to incur the wrath of God and man (Isaiah 1:24). There is a reason God, in His wisdom, advises us to pick leaders who are "free from the love of money" (1 Timothy 3:3) and who are not "fond of sordid gain" (1 Timothy 3:8).

While Schiff is the latest to be accused, he is likely not the only one that should be. When wicked men rule, people groan (Proverbs 29:2), and there is plenty of groaning when Americans are asked about their government. Groaning, however, is not a strategy. Neither is outrage. Or indifference. Repentance is (2 Chronicles 7:14).

In a land where the people elect government officials, the people get what they deserve (Galatians 6:7). As C.S. Lewis has said, we cannot "laugh at honor and be surprised to find traitors in our midst." America has lost its ability to blush at sin (Jeremiah 6:15), and the way back for America starts with a wayward church getting busy "doing the work of an evangelist and fulfilling its ministry" (2 Timothy 4:5).

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Alabama Map Rejected by Supremes

The Supreme Court has rejected Alabama officials' request to use a congressional map drawn by GOP state lawmakers for the upcoming elections. This decision upholds a lower court's ruling that had blocked the district lines due to potential violations of federal law. Work creating a new congressional map will continue under the guidance of a special master appointed by a federal district court. This development is part of an ongoing dispute over Alabama's congressional map, with arguments centering on whether the GOP-drawn boundaries violated the Voting Rights Act.

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The Remnant's Response:

Moving "boundaries" for personal gain is something God pays attention to, and so should we (Proverbs 22:28). What used to involve moving stones, which marked ancestral pastures or farming lands and was therefore akin to stealing from others, has morphed in our day into redrawing lines so we can steal power and influence. God was especially offended when it was done to widows and orphans (Proverbs 23:10), individuals who are representative of the weak and easily oppressed in society. Both Republicans and Democrats have adopted the practice of "gerrymandering" districts for the purpose of gaining more seats in the House of Representatives or state legislatures so they can further their power.

Any honest person who looks at most states' congressional districts will say they are not drawn with honest intent. Claiming the right to move boundaries makes sense when your "gang" has the power but inevitably leads to clamoring about the abuse of power when you are on the other side of the move. It is why wise people live by Jesus' golden rule: "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you" (Matthew 7:12) and not the world's golden rule "he who has the gold makes the rules".

Until we learn not to move the "boundaries" of wisdom our King has given us, everything we do will only result in us stealing the joy He intended for us from ourselves (John 10:10). The remnant knows that God's boundaries are not burdensome; they are blessings, and they gladly live within them (1 John 5:3).

Other news you should know

🛕 After 12 years the largest Hindu *pagan* temple is set to open.

✊🏻 Biden joins picket line with Auto Workers outside Detroit.

🎙️ The debate is on… tonight the second republican debate takes place & in November, Desantis will take on Newsom.

🏈 First kickoff attempted by female in a HBCU game.

🧑🏻‍⚖️ The “Art of the Steal”, NY state Judge rules Trump defrauded banks, insurance companies, and others. (Tune in Friday to learn more)

 Remnant Resources: Weekly Picks

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