Quote of the day:

"Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God's will.”

_{- Dietrich Bonhoeffer}

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Today’s Headlines

Texas Attorney General Trial

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, pleaded not guilty on the opening day of his impeachment trial, marking the first such trial for a statewide officer in over a century. Paxton faces 16 articles of impeachment where he is primarily accused of abusing his office for personal gain, including alleged assistance from an Austin real estate investor with home renovations and an extramarital affair.

The trial is a unique test for Texas Republicans, who hold significant power in the state, and could have broader implications for the party's future. Ironically, Republican politicians have been leading the impeachment against him. The trial began with most Republican senators voting to move forward, rejecting attempts to dismiss the case. While Paxton had some support among a core group of six senators, most Republicans did not consider the trial a "sham."

The trial is expected to last up to a month, with potential removal from office if convicted on any article by a two-thirds Senate majority. Paxton's allies are rallying, but his future remains uncertain.

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The Remnant's Response:

A land absent “the judge and prophet, the diviner and the elder” (Isaiah 3:2) is a land under judgment where “the people will be oppressed each one by another” (Isaiah 3:5). When a land loses confidence in its leaders it is on the brink of self-destruction. Trustworthy leadership, a fair and impartial justice system and a discerning and moral citizenry are necessary pillars of a healthy society; or more simply put, “righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

One form of sin that is a disgrace to any people is hasty judgement. When anyone gives an answer “before he hears” it is a “folly and a shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13) Texans should be glad that its highest ranking law enforcement officer can be held accountable and they should be slow to rush to judgment before the case against him is fully made and rightly heard. It is a sign of great foolishness when people are hardened in their opinion before all the facts are presented (Proverbs 18:2). It is not a good sign heading into this impeachment process that citizens on both sides of the political spectrum are already convinced of what a “just” verdict will look like. The remnant should pray that the Texas Senate leadership, who are charged with being the jury in this trial, and a watching citizenship, will “do good, seek justice and reprove the ruthless” (Isaiah 1:17). Whatever is believed about the political motivations for Paxton’s impeachment, we can pray the Lord protect‘s us from embracing any form of injustice by making hasty statements about innocence or guilt and also pray that we are free from the temptation of wanting others to turn a blind eye toward corruption in friend or foe (Leviticus 19:15).

Federal Judge Blocks Texas Age Porn-Verification Law

A federal judge has ruled against a Texas law requiring age verification for access to pornographic websites. The law, which had been challenged in court, sought to mandate age verification mechanisms on adult websites to prevent minors from accessing explicit content.

One primary concern the federal judge highlighted was the potential threat to the online user's privacy. The proposed age-verification tool relies on government-issued identification, which is traceable, raising concerns about the privacy of individuals accessing adult websites.

The ruling may have implications for other states as similar laws have been proposed in Louisiana, Utah, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

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The Remnant’s Response:

We now have so embraced our sin that protecting the right of adults to wound their hearts in private is more important than protecting children from being exposed to that which is vile, destructive, and dangerous. It is a wicked society that embraces its right to rebel over the well-being of its children. Indeed, like Israel in the time of its judgment, “the shameful thing has consumed the labor of our fathers since our youth” (Jeremiah 3:24). There is only one thing for us to do, “Let us lie down in our shame, and let our humiliation cover us, for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day. And we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God” (Jeremiah 3:25).

We cannot expect the Lord to take kindly to yet another stumbling block we “gift” to our children (Matthew 18:6).

The problem highlighted in this story is our love of sin more than our fear of God. We live in a land that disregards the law of God, so we will increasingly disregard the laws written to restrain sinful men (1 Timothy 1:9-10) and increasingly make laws (or rulings on the law) that celebrate and encourage sin. This is the path to great sadness and woe (Isaiah 5:20). Instead of training children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6), we are protecting our right to go astray at the expense of our children.

What is the remnant to do?

1. Lead by example. (Ephesians 5:1-4)

2. Reprove, warn and evangelize. (Ephesians 5:5-6)

3. Remain steadfast and committed to excellence. (Ephesians 5:7-10)

4. Reprove, warn and evangelize. (Ephesians 5:11-14)

5. Lead by example. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Let us be reminded that the Lord would have us focus more on our responsibility to be faithful than fretting over the wicked’s failed judgments.

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Big IPO

British chip designer Arm is pursuing an IPO to achieve a valuation of over $52 billion, making it the largest IPO of the year. Arm's owner, SoftBank plans to sell about 10% of shares at $47 to $51 per share. Tech companies, including Apple and Nvidia, intend to purchase shares worth up to $735 million. Despite a lower initial valuation estimate, strong demand during Arm's roadshow could increase the price. The IPO allows SoftBank to reduce its Arm stake and gain funds for tech startup investments, aligning with its AI investment focus.

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The Remnant's Response:

Just like we can become weary at all the bad news (see Friday’s discussion of ‘compassion fatigue’), it is easy to become numb to the constant celebration of the latest wealth accumulation. But God’s word reminds us that our greatest pursuit should be seeking righteousness (Matthew 6:33) and wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-10).

While wealth is not a sin (Job 1:1-3) and excellent work should be celebrated (Proverbs 22:29), we are too watchful when it comes to seeking after the riches that will take wings (Proverbs 23:4-5). Wise men pray for God to give them neither poverty nor riches and purpose to pursue the Lord over comfort and wealth. If you want to invest wisely today, spend more time with faithful believers building walls against sin than with financial advisors focused on finding provision on Wall Street.

Other news you should know

🌵 Stranded Man. Thousands stranded at desert festival.

🍹 Jimmy Buffett dies at 76 from rare cancer.

🇺🇦 Ukraine replaces defense minister. 

☕️ Don’t throw your coffee grounds away.

🏆 Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour movie breaks record for single day sales with $26 million in first day.

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