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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - JULY 31, 2024
In this week's Intersect, read about:
IDF Conducts Strike in Beirut Targeting Commander Behind Attack on Children's Soccer Field
“The Israel Defense Forces announced that they carried out a strike in Beirut on Tuesday targeting the commander accused of orchestrating the recent attack on a children's soccer field. In a post on X, the IDF said that its forces ‘carried out a targeted strike in Beirut, on the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians.’" read more at Fox News
THINK.
- The article says this strike comes in response to the deaths of 12 children and teens in a rocket attack on the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend. That horrific attack cut short Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. last week.
- Last Wednesday, Netanyahu spoke to a joint meeting of Congress, urging both Republican and Democratic leaders to provide more support to Israel. “This is not a clash of civilizations. It's a clash between barbarism and civilization. It's a clash between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life,” he stated. “For the forces of civilization to triumph, America and Israel must stand together."
- During Netanyahu’s speech, protestors in D.C. burned American flags, expressed support for Hamas, and at some points engaged in violence against the police. Dozens of Democrats boycotted the speech, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer notably refused to shake the Prime Minister’s hand, and Vice President Kamala Harris, instead of attending in her role as President of the Senate, chose to attend a campaign event. She briefly met privately with Netanyahu after his meeting with President Biden. Netanyahu also met with former President Trump on Friday.
- An Israeli official said, "When our enemies see the U.S. and Israel are aligned it increases the chances for a hostage deal and decreases the chances for a regional escalation. When there is such daylight, it pushes the deal further away and brings a regional escalation closer.” Believers must take to heart Jesus’ words to not be alarmed by wars, but to continue to proclaim His gospel and be faithful and wise servants, ready for His return. (Matthew 24)
PRAY.
Pray for the families of the children who were killed in the attack last week. Pray for wisdom for Prime Minister Netanyahu and all Israeli officials as they respond. Pray for our elected leaders to stand with Israel. Pray for strength for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are ministering in Israel.
ACT.
When it comes to standing with Israel and many other issues in this election, the voice of the church is essential. September 15, 2024, is Voter Registration Sunday. We have all the tools you need to conduct a voter registration drive at your church. Visit VoterRegistrationSunday.org and download your church toolkit today!
National Debt Surpasses $35 Trillion
“The U.S. national debt exceeded $35 trillion for the first time on Monday. It first exceeded $34 trillion 209 days ago. Adding another trillion to the debt in 209 days is actually a slightly slower pace than previous trillions. It took 111 days to go from $33 trillion to $34 trillion, and 93 days to go from $32 trillion to $33 trillion.” read more at National Review
THINK.
- As the article states, it took 192 years, from 1789 to 1981, to accumulate the first trillion dollars of national debt. Now, we’re adding trillions within months. Shocking. To put it into more tangible terms, The vast majority of Americans’ income taxes are now being swallowed up just to pay interest on the country’s national debt. Economist E.J. Antoni reports that based on the Fed’s June numbers, interest on the national debt is the equivalent of 76% of all personal income taxes collected by the government.
- JPMorgan Chase has issued a warning to investors, Elon Musk sounds the alarm that “America is going bankrupt,” but politicians are quiet on the dire issue. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump have said little about the nation’s deficits on the campaign trail. Debt was not mentioned in the new Republican platform, and we have yet to see what Democrats will say in their upcoming convention and platform. Deep differences between Republicans and Democrats on policy priorities and resistance within both parties to enacting cuts to the biggest drivers of the national debt — Social Security and Medicare — have made it difficult to reduce America’s borrowing.
- This article shares important charts, providing context on the situation. “The election is less than 100 days away, and we’re projected to add another $1 trillion more in debt even during this short period,” said Michael Peterson, the chief executive of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which promotes fiscal restraint. “We can’t keep pretending this is not a problem.” It’s an election issue and this should be a factor in how we vote.
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, forgive us for being unwise stewards of the blessings You have given our nation. We pray that our elected and appointed officials humbly seek Your wisdom in these matters. Let us have a heart for our children and grandchildren’s future and give each of us wisdom in this election year. In Jesus’ name, amen.
ACT.
Casting a vote can feel like an insignificant action toward tackling $35 trillion, but it is vitally important. Take the pledge here to be an informed and prayerful voter. Specifically, pledge to:
- Educate yourself on the candidates and issues from a biblical perspective.
- Pray for wisdom and discernment in your voting decisions.
- Engage in respectful dialogue with others about the importance of voting your faith.
- Encourage fellow believers to participate in the democratic process.
- Trust in God's sovereign plan for our nation regardless of the election outcome.
Protests Erupt in Venezuela as Questions Grow over Strongman Maduro’s Victory
“Protests broke out in several Venezuelan cities on Monday after authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro was formally declared a winner by the county’s electoral authority in a presidential race marred by accusations of electoral fraud.” read more at CNN
THINK.
- Nicolás Maduro’s presidency has been marked by severe poverty resulting from his socialist policies. Several exit polls predicted over 60% of the vote to go to his opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez. Yet Maduro was declared the winner with 51% of the vote, even though Gonzalez said 70% of the tally sheets show Maduro losing in a landslide. The CNN article reports that the opposition said its witnesses (poll watchers) were denied access to the National Electoral Council (CNE) headquarters as votes were being counted, and alleged that the electoral authority had prevented more votes from being processed. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “We have serious concerns that the result announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.”
- This election may greatly affect our own country. Over the past decade, 7.8 million people have fled Venezuela, many of them ending up in the U.S. According to Axios, Maduro's re-election and the ensuing political unrest could exacerbate the refugee crisis in the final months before the U.S. election.
- What’s happening in Venezuela may be blatant, but it is not unique. Man’s fallen nature makes rulers want to hold onto power, even by corrupt means. That is why My Faith Votes supports efforts to promote accountability and transparency to safeguard our elections here in the U.S. Nothing can be taken for granted.
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, we pray for peace and for the truth to be acknowledged in Venezuela. Help those who are suffering under the socialist regime. We pray for justice now but set our hope ultimately in the King of kings who will judge the nations with perfect justice at His return.
ACT.
Did you know you can apply to be a poll worker for elections in your area? This is a critical position to make sure elections are conducted fairly. Use this link to sign up and find information on training, hours, compensation, and more for the upcoming election.
Biden Proposes Term Limits, Code of Conduct to Rein in 'Extreme' Supreme Court
“President Joe Biden on Monday proposed sweeping changes to the U.S. Supreme Court that he said were needed to rein in a conservative-led court that was being weaponized to undermine established civil rights principles and protections. Biden said he would work with Congress to enact a series of reforms, including term limits and a binding code of conduct, but immediate opposition voiced by Republicans in Congress means the proposals have little chance of enactment.” read more at Reuters
THINK.
- The White House announced the major changes Biden is pushing in this fact sheet and in this Op-Ed. Biden proposes “three bold reforms”: a constitutional amendment that could limit presidential immunity, Congress to approve term limits for the justices, and to establish a code of ethics for the nine justices. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, also endorsed the proposals.
- In his announcement, Biden is joining progressives who believe the Supreme Court has grown “too conservative and too powerful”, especially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Six of the nine justices were appointed by Republican presidents. But does this attempt to enact change in the Supreme Court reflect the will of the people or is it an attempt to change the structure to reflect disagreement with current rulings?
- House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the proposed changes to the Supreme Court, calling it a “dangerous gambit.” Democrats wanted to change a government structure that had performed well for more than two centuries just because they disagreed with several of its recent decisions, he said. He promised the proposals would die upon arrival at the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
PRAY.
Lord, You established the standards for justice as the author and definer of the entire universe. We pray that judges and justices will be Godly (Ps 37:4-5), Wise (Ps 2:10), Righteous (Ps 19:9), and Trustworthy (Deut 1:16). We pray that judges and justices understand that one day, they will stand before You, the Eternal Judge. Like King David may they be able to say - Judge me, O LORD, For I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the LORD; therefore, I shall not slide (Ps 26:1).
ACT.
Today, we see everything that has to do with life and godliness being arbitrated through the court systems. The courts have come to have so much influence over our daily lives, and judges need our prayers. Download and share this free resource we’ve created for you that helps you understand and pray for the American Justice Systems.
My Faith Votes— is a ministry that motivates, equips, and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, fail to vote in presidential elections. My Faith Votes is on a mission to change this statistic by helping Christians act on their faith and vote in every election. When we pray unceasingly for our nation, think biblically about the issues, and vote consistently in every election the impact of Christians taking action from the local to the state and federal level will be unprecedented.
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