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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - OCTOBER 9, 2024
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Franklin Graham Says Americans Must Help Each Other Amid Storm Devastation, Trust in God’s Goodness
“Samaritan's Purse CEO Franklin Graham told The Christian Post that God is faithful amid suffering and that Americans must rely on each other after the recent hurricane devastation in the southeastern United States that afflicted his hometown. He also advised Americans against waiting for the government to save them in the wake of the damage from Hurricane Helene, which tore through a corridor extending from the Florida panhandle into Appalachia last week.” read more at the Christian Post
THINK.
- Some volunteers, elected officials, and whistleblowers have criticized FEMA’s response, saying it has been inadequate or even counterproductive. Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas said, “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season,” but some claim he could tap into previously unused appropriations. The biggest criticism is misplaced priorities. According to the New York Post, FEMA has committed more than $1.4 billion to help illegal immigrants over the last two years. Mayorkas said that Congress authorized that money for illegal immigrants, not hurricane recovery.
- Amid the frustration, Franklin Graham’s advice is biblical and wise. We must remember who our refuge and strength is—it is God, not the government. “Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam,” (Psalm 46:2-3). We should also be encouraged by the many Christians who are helping victims, letting their light shine to God’s glory (Matthew 5:16). More help will be needed as Hurricane Milton makes landfall shortly after this Intersect goes out.
- While we give, pray, or volunteer, we can also do something else to help. We can vote. Government inefficiency and even corruption shouldn’t shock us because we know that humans are sinful. We need leaders who will root out corruption and effectively use their legitimate powers for good, especially during disasters like this. (Romans 13:1-4)
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, thank You for helping us in our time of trouble. Have mercy on the people in Hurricane Milton’s path, and on those still recovering from Helene. In tragedy, let Your love and grace touch the brokenhearted, drawing them near to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
ACT.
Do you know someone who would appreciate a reminder to vote? Send them to myfaithvotes.turbovote.org, where they can sign up to receive a reminder and information on where to vote.
These 97 People Are Still Being Held by Hamas A Year After Oct. 7 Attacks
“Thousands of lives were forever altered and upended when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, butchering more than 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. Those hostages whom Hamas abducted and dragged to Gaza as human shields and bargaining chips quickly became a rallying cry. Israelis and supporters of Israel around the world plastered their images on posters so no one could forget their names and faces. Now, a year since the war in Gaza began, 97 hostages are still being held by Hamas.” Read more at New York Post
THINK.
- Are all the remaining hostages alive? Of the 97 hostages that are being held, 64 are believed to be alive, which means 33 are deceased. There are four American citizens among the living, and three Americans among the deceased. As of this writing, Hamas has not agreed to release the remains of the deceased to their families.
- Where does the war stand? Israel continues to intercept rocket fire from both Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip as well as Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. And this past week, in a dramatic escalation of the conflict, Iran launched over 180 missiles toward some of Israel’s largest cities. With rocket fire continuing to fly and ground operations underway in both Gaza and Lebanon, a resolution to this conflict is not near.
- What is the United States’ response one year later? The State Department recognized the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack in a press briefing this week and placed emphasis on the negative consequences the attack has had on the Palestinian people in the region. And the Department of Defense released the following statement on Monday: "The Department of Defense will not flinch in our commitment to Israel's security, to combatting terrorism by Hamas…, to deterring further aggression from Iran, and to working with our allies and partners to promote stability and peace in the Middle East." Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris told CBS News that she will continue to encourage Israel to agree to a ceasefire.
PRAY.
Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). We pray for the hostages who are still alive and their families. May You sustain and comfort them in their fear and grief. And we pray for all those involved who do not know You as their Savior. May this unspeakable tragedy lead them to You. Amen.
ACT.
As things in the Middle East intensify, Israel desperately needs the support of the United States. Using this My Faith Votes tool, send a message to your members of Congress, asking them to publicly and proudly stand with Israel.
Georgia Supreme Court Temporarily Reinstates Heartbeat Law
“Georgia’s highest court ruled Monday that a state law protecting unborn babies from abortion after about six weeks in the womb, or roughly when a heartbeat can first be detected, would remain in place. That decision came days after a lower court ruled that the statute is unconstitutional. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney struck down the protective measure last week, calling the measure arbitrary.” Read more at World
THINK.
- What are the details of the case? In 2019, Georgia’s governor signed a “heartbeat bill” into law—declaring that an abortion cannot take place once a baby’s heartbeat is detected. This past month, a county judge in Georgia ruled that the law was unconstitutional. The state is now appealing that ruling and asked the Supreme Court in Georgia to allow the heartbeat bill to go into effect while the state waits for a ruling on its appeal. The Georgia Supreme Court granted the state’s request.
- What happens if the State fails to win its appeal? If the appellate court sides with the county judge, abortion will be legal without limitation up to fetal viability. However, it is important to know that fetal viability is not an objective measure; it cannot be precisely determined. Instead, a baby’s ability to survive outside the womb is often left to the discretion of the treating physicians. If Georgia’s heartbeat bill is struck down on appeal, doctors in Georgia would have the power to determine who lives and who dies based solely on their personal judgment or predictions.
- Ten states have abortion initiatives on the ballot this election: New York, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and South Dakota. Each of these measures, if passed, would dramatically expand abortion “rights” in their respective states—often allowing abortion at any time for any reason. Given many of these initiatives seek to modify the states’ constitutions, the law would be virtually irreversible once codified. That is why it is critical for voters to vote “NO” on these measures.
PRAY.
Thank the Lord for this decision in Georgia. Ask God to give the lower court wisdom and discernment as it reviews this case and pray unceasingly for a culture of life to take root in America so that the lives of innocent babies in the womb might be protected.
ACT.
We are just under one month away from Election Day! Have you started researching the candidates and propositions on your ballot? My Faith Votes’ My Voter Hub is here to help with everything from researching candidates to evaluating ballot measures to locating your nearest polling place. Visit MyFaithVotes.org/MyVoterHub to take advantage of this election resource today!
Virginia School Board Pays Over $500K to Teacher Fired Over Pronouns
“The West Point School Board settled a religious liberty lawsuit on Monday with a former French teacher fired for refusing to use students’ pronouns for religious reasons. The district agreed to give Peter Vlaming $575,000 in damages and legal fees after the case spent five years in court, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom, the legal advocacy group that represents Vlaming. The board also agreed to clear Vlaming’s termination from its records and adopt Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s education policies on free speech and parental rights, a move separate from the settlement agreement.” read more at WORLD
THINK.
- This is an encouraging victory that can affect other teachers! According to Alliance Defending Freedom, Vlaming simply referred to all students by name so that he wouldn’t have to violate his conscience by using a pronoun inconsistent with a student’s sex. Yet even that was not acceptable to the school board. However, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that religious liberty can’t just mean, “keep your religion to yourself.” Rather, it “includes the right to speak or not speak and to act or not act based upon one’s religious sincerely held opinions or beliefs.”
- Christian teachers (and teachers of all religions) should remember this case and be unafraid to live according to their conscience, even at work. However, not every school board respects the First Amendment. On November 5th, you may have a school board seat on your ballot. Do you know if the candidates will protect religious liberty for everyone in your schools? My Voter Hub, one of the resources we provide, is a good starting point for your research because it includes a list of every candidate on your ballot.
- We should also think about the effect religious liberty in schools has on the students. They will see more viewpoints and beliefs—not just a government-approved one. They will be able to consider those viewpoints and decide what they want to believe. When we stand up for religious liberty, we honor God, who desires that we seek Him and find Him, and gives us the freedom to do so (Acts 17:27).
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, thank You for your loving heart towards children. Help our schools to be places where the truth is not suppressed. Help each of us to be a godly influence in the lives of the young people with whom we come into contact. In Jesus’ name, amen.
ACT.
If you are a grandparent, we want to inspire and equip you to have a lasting impact on your families and our nation! My Faith Votes Board Chairman, Sealy Yates, has created a unique Action Guide for Grandparents to build a legacy of faith. If you are not a grandparent, consider sharing this with a grandparent in your life or community.
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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Always grateful to read MFV’s Intersect. Encouraging, enlightening, edifying my faith to pray, think and act. To God be the glory!