A Prayer for a Life of Joy and PeaceBy Chelsey DeMatteis  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing‚ so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13 There is something incredibly beautiful that happens when we allow the joy and peace of God to be what we live from. If we're being completely honest‚ we tend to live from places of business‚ angst‚ control‚ chaos‚ or fear‚ just to name a few. But‚ when we encounter someone who has a heart marked by Christ's joy and His promise of peace‚ there is a tangible difference. Their presence is an invitation to exhale‚ to feel safe‚ and to feel softened by the love of the Lord. I'm reminded of the season in my life when this peace and joy seemed like a distant‚ far-off‚ "someday" dream of mine to attain. My life was so contrary to peace. My habits and choices revolved around trying to fill time so that I never had to sit with the reality of what life was turning out to be and all the questions I had looming in my head. I was incredibly anxious once I was alone‚ it was the hardest part of the day for me (and if that’s you right now‚ please know I’m praying for you). One night‚ with the smallest mustard seed of faith‚ I cried out to God and asked Him what He wanted for my life. I knew this couldn’t be the plan He had for me. My anxiety‚ my loneliness‚ and my fear of the future didn’t align with the life I knew to be true of God.  However‚ I was very new to my faith during this time. I didn’t know tons of scripture‚ my Bible had verses lumped together instead of individually listing them‚ but I did have a heart that wanted to God more deeply and experience Him. In that moment‚ all I knew I could do was cry out to the One who told me to bring everything to Him. I knew from the little scripture I had read that He wanted me to experience real joy‚ peace‚ hope‚ and an abundant life in Him. In what felt like one of the longest moments of my life‚ His peace washed over me in my tiny studio apartment. I knew my Father saw me‚ and I knew He wanted to speak to my heart. Jesus wanted to heal my anxiousness‚ He wanted to remove the pang of loneliness‚ and He wanted to wash away the fear that entangled my heart.  We see Romans 15:13 is written by Paul. He’s writing about Christ being the hope of both the Jews and Gentiles. Paul had first-hand experience with the Savior stopping him in his tracks and rewriting the story of his life. Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus‚ and Jesus met me in my tiny apartment. I’m sure you’ve experienced this too. It’s in these encounters that we’re met with the opportunity to embrace the gift of grace God wants to give us. Within that gift is the invitation to have His joy and His peace. I pray that you and I would be people who are marked with His joy and live from a place of His peace.  Let’s pray: Heavenly Father‚ thank you for being the One who pursues our hearts and gives us the greatest invitation. I ask‚ Lord‚ that I would be a follower who lives my life being filled by your joy‚ living from a place of peace. Help me steward these gifts to others as they encounter me. Make me available to those hurting and desiring to be filled with the good gifts you offer. Draw me nearer to you‚ in Jesus’ name‚ amen.  Photo credit: ©GettyImages/torwai Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him‚ Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women’s Journey Magazine‚ Crosswalk.com‚ and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @livingwithlesspodcast and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week‚ she gives you practical‚ real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day‚ click below! Now that you’ve prayed‚ are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for a Life of Joy and Peace – Your Daily Prayer – February 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1776 - 1st volume of Edward Gibbon's seminal work "The Decline and Fall of Roman Empire" published 1933 - First issue of American news magazine "Newsweek" is published 1940 - Altmark Incident: Crew of the British destroyer "Cossack" board German "Altmark" in Jøssingfjord‚ Norway‚ releasing 299 British prisoners after hand-to-hand fighting with bayonets and the last recorded Royal Naval action with cutlass 1956 - Ice Pairs Championship at Garmisch won by Schwarz and Oppelt of AUT 1969 - Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash record an album; it is never released 1976 - Macau adopts constitution (Organic Law of Macau) 1986 - 1st Francophone Summit convenes at Versailles 1996 - Garry Kasparov defeats chess-playing computer Deep Blue 4-2 2012 - The President of Germany‚ Christian Wulff‚ resigns over a corruption scandal 2013 - 5 people are killed and 11 are injured after a gas explosion destroyed an apartment complex in FrenÅ¡tát pod RadhoÅ¡tÄ›m‚ Czech Republic More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1854 - Britain recognises independence of Orange Free State (South Africa) 1878 - 1st telephone exchange in San Francisco‚ California opens with 18 phones 1916 - Sigmund Romberg‚ James Hanley‚ Harold R. Atteridge and Edgar Smith's musical "Robinson Crusoe Jr"‚ featuring Al Jolson‚ opens at the Winter Garden Theatre‚ NYC; runs for 139 performances 1924 - American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller sets 100m world freestyle record 57.4s at Miami‚ Florida 1928 - American brothers‚ Jennison and John Heaton fight out the top placings in the cresta (now known as skeleton) at the St. Moritz Winter Olympics; Jennison takes the gold by 1.0s 2020 - Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledges $10 billion to help fight climate change More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1850 - Anton Urspruch‚ German composer‚ born in Frankfurt (d. 1907) 1892 - Theodor Plievier‚ German writer (Des Kaisers Kulis [The Kaiser's Coolies]; Stalingrad)‚ born in Berlin‚ German Empire (d. 1955) 1906 - Ramon Tapales‚ Filipino composer and conductor‚ born in Baybay‚ Philippines (d. 1995) 1934 - Alan Bates‚ British actor (Zorba the Greek; An Unmarried Woman; The Rose)‚ born in Allestree‚ Derby‚ England (d. 2003) 1969 - Levon Kirkland‚ American NFL linebacker (Pittsburgh Steelers)‚ born in Lamar‚ South Carolina 1971 - Jeremy Edwards‚ British actor (Holby City)‚ born in London‚ England More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1609 - Ferdinando I de' Medici‚ Grand Duke of Tuscany‚ dies at 59 1924 - Henry Bacon‚ American architect (Lincoln Memorial)‚ dies at 57 1970 - Alfred Newman‚ American film music arranger‚ conductor and composer‚ winner of 9 Academy Awards (The Robe; How The West Was Won; Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing)‚ dies at 69 1985 - Wanda Perry‚ actress (Roberta‚ Death of a Salesman)‚ dies at 67 1993 - Alfredo de Leon‚ leader (Philippines Red Scorpio Gang)‚ killed 2021 - Gianluigi Saccaro‚ Italian fencer (Olympic gold épée team 1960; silver épée team 1964; bronze épée 1968)‚ dies at 82 More Famous Deaths »

Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during an event this week that he does not believe that men with gender dysphoria should be allowed to compete against women in sports. Kennedy made the remarks during an event with WNBA Star Angel McCoughtry when asked what he would do about the trans issue if he became president. “I don’t think somebody who is born a biological male should be competing in consequential women’s sports‚” Kennedy said. “Oh‚ if it’s an in-house league‚ or something like that‚ and it’s all — but if it’s a competition when  there are scholarships at stake‚ where people are on career paths‚ or career trajectories‚ it’s not fair.” “My uncle Ted Kennedy was the author of Title IX‚ he fought for years to make sure that women’s sports were available in colleges‚ that they’re given equal attention as male sports‚ and he wanted to give female athletes a chance to compete‚” he continued. “I have right now a niece who is going to Boston College‚ who is on a softball scholarship. And her twin works from my campaign — Jackson‚ who is Cheryl Hines’ niece and nephew‚ and they’re twins. And when she was growing up‚ I would take her brother Jackson on all of our ski trips and take her to Cape Cod during the summer. She never came with us‚ because she was practicing her sport‚ because she was planning a career. And to me‚ it would be very‚ very unfair to her if a boy walks off a neighboring baseball field and comes onto her field and says‚ ‘I’m now going to compete against you.’ I don’t think that’s right. I don’t think that’s what we [intended].” “At the same time‚ I want to say this‚ we all should have compassion for people who have who have gender dysphoria‚” he concluded. “And we need to respect people’s choices. And we need to support people. And we need to end any kind of bullying. But there’s also common sense that says‚ you know‚ a male who’s born male and has these biological advantages should not be able to compete in female sports.” WATCH: WNBA Star Angel McCoughtry Asks RFK Jr for His Position on Trans Athletes Competing in Women’s Sports “I don’t think somebody who is born a biological male should be competing in consequential women’s sports…We all should have compassion for people who have gender… pic.twitter.com/34WYVEIucu — Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) February 16‚ 2024

U.S. Senators stood in solidarity on Friday in condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in a remote Arctic prison. Navalny‚ a frequent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin‚ was in prison after being convicted on charges of “extremism” and sentenced to 19 years. Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said that Navalny felt sick after going on a walk‚ and soon after‚ lost consciousness and died. Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) posted on X: “Putin’s regime is pure evil. Putin’s cronies murdered Alexei Navalny for having the courage to stand up for freedom.” “The death of Alexei Navalny is yet another heartbreaking reminder of who Vladimir Putin is: a bloodthirsty tyrant who thinks he can get away with anything‚” said Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA). “It’s another reason why we must continue to stand with the cause of freedom in opposition to Putin’s brutality.” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) wrote: “Alexei Navalny died as he lived: a champion of the Russian people and a brave voice of dissent in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. President Biden pledged ‘devastating’ consequences should Navalny die in prison; now he must follow through. America can’t afford another erased red line.” “Putin is a bully and attempting to send a chilling effect to his opponents and the world. His aggression stems from a simple fact: he is paranoid and a coward‚” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS). “This announcement comes as world leaders are convening today to discuss how to confront Russia. Putin has proven he will stop at nothing to silence opposition voices. We will not be deterred from our commitments and if anything‚ this murderous regime strengthens our resolve. We will not stop calling for the release of Vladimir Kara-Murza and others still falsely imprisoned.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) posted on X: “I urge all elected officials/political leaders to denounce Putin’s killing of a political foe. It’s contrary to what America stands for FREEDOM we ought to be unified against Putin &; his cronies” Navalny had been sentenced to prison in 2021 after returning to Moscow from Germany‚ where he was undergoing treatment for poisoning from a nerve agent that was blamed on the Kremlin. The Kremlin has denied any responsibility for his poisoning‚ but United States intelligence officials have said they believe Russia was responsible. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Navalny frequently faced criminal charges during his career in Russian politics‚ which he said were motivated because of his opposition to Putin. Navalny founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation‚ which was dissolved in Russia in 2021‚ to expose corruption by high-ranking Russian officials and challenge the United Russia Party’s control over the country’s political system. Other responses from U.S. Senators included: I’m saddened to see reports of Alexei Navalny’s death. He was a tireless fighter for freedom and democracy in Russia. His death is a reminder of the true nature of the Putin regime. — Senator Deb Fischer (@SenatorFischer) February 16‚ 2024 For years Alexei Navalny stood up to Putin’s regime with courage &; defiance. He paid for it with his life. Navalny’s death is a tragic reminder of the depths to which Putin will go to silence his critics — but Putin will learn that you can’t kill the hunger &; quest for freedom. https://t.co/ZU3BxGyq47 — Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) February 16‚ 2024 There is a pattern whereby dictators—be they Putin‚ Ortega‚ or Maduro—eliminate their opposition. Although they try to present themselves as reasonable to the West‚ eliminating political opponents reveals their true colors. Navalny’s death is the latest example. — U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy‚ M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) February 16‚ 2024 Alexei Navalny was a warrior for democracy and transparency against a murderous dictator. We can all learn from his bravery. His death is a stark reminder of our obligation to stop Putin and stand up for democratic values and freedom. — Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) February 16‚ 2024 Make no mistake — Putin removes his opposition because he fears them. Alexei Navalny spoke up for freedom. In Navalny’s death‚ Putin has immortalized one of his staunchest critics. — Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) February 16‚ 2024 The death of Alexei Navalny is another reminder of the brutality and evil nature of Vladimir Putin’s regime. His death must not dim the hopes of millions of Russians who yearn for freedom. — Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) February 16‚ 2024 RELEASE: Sen. Cruz Issues Statement After Russian Regime Announces Death of Dissident Alexei Navalnyhttps://t.co/4nX7xDKbG1 pic.twitter.com/lRnIm77U3t — Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) February 16‚ 2024 Navalny laid down his life fighting for the freedom of the country he loved. Putin is a murderous‚ paranoid dictator. History will not be kind to those in America who make apologies for Putin and praise Russian autocracy. Nor will history be kind to America’s leaders who stay… https://t.co/wKnOIcrEi3 — Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) February 16‚ 2024 Moving to hear from Yulia Navalnaya just moments after she and the world learned of her husband’s death in a Russian prison. As she reminded global leaders‚ we need to hold Putin to account and counter authoritarianism in Russia and beyond. pic.twitter.com/JIvWdUvu3j — Senator Brian Schatz (@SenBrianSchatz) February 16‚ 2024