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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - OCTOBER 25, 2023
ELECTION ALERT: Those of you in KY, LA, NJ, OH, PA and VA have important elections coming up in November. We have helpful election fact sheets specifically for your state. Make sure you save and share these resources as you prepare to vote. Visit My Voter Hub and click on your state to get started.
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Federal Judge Blocks Colorado from Enforcing Nation's First Law Banning Abortion Reversal Treatments
“A federal judge has blocked the state of Colorado from enforcing a new law that bans the use of abortion pill reversal treatments. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico granted the preliminary injunction in favor of Bella Health and Wellness late Saturday on the grounds that the law infringes upon the Englewood faith-based clinic’s rights to free speech and religion.” read more at Denver 7
THINK.
- The Colorado law at issue, SB23-190, labels a "medication abortion reversal" as "unprofessional conduct," and healthcare professionals can have their medical licenses revoked for providing a woman with progesterone to save her unborn baby. "Colorado is forcing women to continue unwanted abortions and punishing the doctors who help them safely continue their pregnancies," a lawyer with the Becket Counsel, which is defending Bella Health and Wellness, stated.
- Most healthcare professionals who provide the abortion pill reversal treatment hold religious convictions about the sanctity of human life, and many operate out of faith-based pro-life pregnancy resource centers. “It seems clear then … that the burden of this prohibition would primarily fall on religious adherents,” the judge wrote. Colorado has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. In other good news, the Georgia State Supreme Court upheld the state’s six-week abortion ban on Tuesday. This will save countless unborn lives.
- Historically, we have seen many pro-life wins and losses in state legislatures and the courts. But a new battlefield is in state constitutions, putting the question directly to the voters. On November 7, Ohioans will decide whether to enshrine Issue 1, a so-called right to abortion, in their state constitution. This is the first time a pro-abortion measure could be enshrined in a state where the governor and state legislature are pro-life. It would nullify pro-life laws including Ohio’s heartbeat law and partial-birth abortion ban. It is so consequential that Republican Governor Mike DeWine is urging voters to vote “no” on Issue 1. If Issue 1 succeeds in Ohio, we can expect similar constitutional amendments to be proposed in other pro-life states.
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, we praise you for a victory for life in Colorado and Georgia. In Ohio, we earnestly pray for You to convict the hearts of voters regarding Issue 1. Let them see how their vote is a decision for life or death for many unborn children made in Your image. Please awaken Your church to the urgency of this hour and the power of their decision on November 7. In Jesus’ name, amen.
ACT.
We are calling upon you to do two things:
- Remind your family and friends in Ohio that early voting is underway until November 5, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 7. If they need an absentee ballot, they must apply by October 31. Share our helpful 3-page resource listing important dates and an explanation of the issues on their ballot.
- Commit to praying for voters in Ohio as they cast their votes. You can pray county-by-county by going to our website here. Over 14,000 prayers have been made for this election, and we are encouraging more Christians to enter this spiritual battle with us.
Hundreds Arrested After Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Flood Cannon Rotunda, Capitol Complex
“Hundreds were arrested Wednesday after pro-Palestinian protests broke out on Capitol Hill, with demonstrators flooding into the Cannon House Office Building and large crowds gathering with flags and signs around the Capitol complex. The Cannon House Office Building holds several House Committee and congressional offices. By 2:30 p.m., its rotunda was full of protestors singing and chanting ‘ceasefire now’ and ‘free Palestine.’” read more at Fox5
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- The truth about Hamas, as Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a founding Hamas leader, revealed, is that “They don’t care for the Palestinian people. They do not regard the human life.” On a personal note, our CEO, Jason Yates, has two nieces who were flown out of Israel along with other Americans on a flight provided for free by Glenn Beck’s organization, Mercury One, to get people out of harm’s way.
- Given the atrocities committed by the terrorists, why are many people condemning Israel? Remember that this is first and foremost a spiritual battle. Satan hates God’s plan to redeem the world through faith in Jesus the Messiah, and He hates Israel, from whom “their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.” (Romans 9:5) Because Satan is the great deceiver, we should expect deceptive narratives to be propagated. It is our responsibility to stand for truth.
- President Biden has asked Congress for $106 billion in emergency funding for Israel, Ukraine, and the illegal immigration crisis, along with humanitarian aid to Gaza, which some are concerned would inevitably free up more resources for Hamas. Last week, Biden traveled to Tel Aviv to address the nation of Israel, saying, “The State of Israel was born to be a safe place for the Jewish people of the world…. And while it may not feel that way today, Israel must again be a safe place for the Jewish people. And I promise you: We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that it will be.” While I do not often agree with the President, I agree with this statement. We have the responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable for continuing to support Israel’s right to exist in the land God gave them.
PRAY.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Pray for rescue for the captives and comfort for the families grieving the loss of loved ones. Pray for wisdom for Israel and the world leaders who support them and pray that truth would be known, and deception would not cloud people’s judgment. Pray for protection for innocent civilians in Palestine who are often used as human shields by Hamas. And pray that God would give believers in Jesus–both Jews and Arabs–grace and courage to shine as lights in the darkness.
ACT.
For a helpful biblical explanation of the history of Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinians, I encourage you to watch this viral sermon by Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia. Then, consider sharing it to help spread truth and counter lies.
Mike Johnson Wins House GOP's Latest Speaker Nomination
“House Republicans selected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as their next speaker nominee, hoping to end the weekslong saga that has left the lower chamber at a standstill. Johnson won the nomination after three rounds of voting on Tuesday evening, making him the fourth House Republican to be elected speaker-designate in the last three weeks. The victory comes just hours after Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) withdrew as the speaker nominee after it became evident he could not secure the 217 majority votes needed on the floor." read more at The Washington Examiner
THINK.
- Who is Mike Johnson? Before his election to Congress in 2016, Johnson served as a national spokesman for Alliance Defending Freedom and was a trustee of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). He holds a FRC Action score of 99.4% related to votes on federal legislation affecting family values.
- The Speaker is the political and parliamentary leader of the House. The Constitution mandates the office, but the House and Speakers have defined its roles over time. Some Speakers have aggressively pursued a policy agenda for the House while others have, in the words of former Speaker Schuyler Colfax of Indiana, “come to this chair to administer [the] rules, but not as a partisan.” Regardless, the Speaker — who has always been (but is not required to be) a House Member and has the same duties to his or her local constituents as the other 434 Members — is at the levers of power and is the second in the U.S. presidential line of succession behind the Vice President. The Speaker is simultaneously the House’s presiding officer, party leader, and the institution’s administrative head, among other duties.
- It’s easy to think that our current political disagreements are at their worst, but there is nothing new under the sun. Elected as a representative to the first U.S. Congress in 1789, Frederick Muhlenberg, a minister, was chosen to be the first Speaker of the House. While Speaker, he also became the first signer of the Bill of Rights. Muhlenberg was elected to the next three congresses, serving again as Speaker during the Third Congress. In 1796, Muhlenberg cast the tie-breaking vote as chairman of a House committee to ratify the Jay Treaty, in an effort to improve post-war British-American tensions. Muhlenberg’s vote ended his political career because the treaty was unpopular with many Americans, so much so that Muhlenberg was stabbed by his own brother-in-law over his vote. He survived the attack but was not nominated to the next Congress.
- Remember this wisdom from President James Garfield: “[N]ow more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…” May we demand the latter.
PRAY.
Pray for those serving in the House of Representatives. Ask the Lord to open their eyes to the truth of the Gospel and receive Christ as their Savior. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide them in making prudent and wise decisions on behalf of “We the People.”
ACT.
Who was the longest-serving Speaker? How many Speakers have there been? Who was the youngest Speaker? Brush up on your history and find out these interesting facts here.
2,000 Make Commitments to Christ in Mississippi Crusade
“Nearly 1,400 people heeded evangelist Rick Gage’s appeal to commit their lives to Christ in a Mississippi crusade attended by some 17,000 people over four days. The evangelistic crusade concluded Wednesday night with an estimated 10,000 people packed shoulder to shoulder in an open-air amphitheater just outside of Jackson. Gage, head of GO TELL Ministries in Duluth, Ga., said more than 2,000 people made decisions for Christ during the crusade.” read more at The Christian Index
THINK.
- The idea for a crusade in the Jackson Metro area began years ago when members of New Liberty Church and Leesburg Church in Mississippi took their students to Go Tell Ministries summer camps. Conversations about a possible crusade then grew into last week’s culminating events. The crusade brought over 300 churches across multiple denominations together in the Jackson area.
- God is moving in the South! Last week, more than 3,000 people, mostly teenagers, attended a revival gathering organized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at a high school football stadium in Arkansas. And last month, over 1600 chose to follow Christ at similar events throughout Georgia.
- In a chaotic and noisy world filled with disheartening news, it’s important to remember to keep the main thing the main thing: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17) Are you living each day in light of eternity?
PRAY.
Pray for these new brothers and sisters in Christ! Pray for God to remind you of the truth of His Gospel and its power to transform your life, our communities and our nation.
ACT.
We know from Scripture that a house built on sand and unbiblical principles will reap disorder and disaster. The object of our faith is a powerful and good God who created every person, invented the institution of the family, established the creation of the church, and didn’t forget to offer guidelines for government (Romans 13). Download our free 14-day family devotional to help understand a biblical perspective on voting and government. It serves as a reminder that our faith should influence all areas of our lives.
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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