A Prayer for Hope and Renewal This Easter SeasonBy Ashley Moore "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‚ ESV What comes to mind when you hear the word hope? For me‚ I often think about specific outcomes first.I hope I get this opportunity. I hope we get there on time. I hope things work out for them.  While these statements emulate hope in one way‚ they are short-sighted for the hope Paul described in our key verse. Paul used the word hope here as a descriptor for God‚ the God of hope. A God who can fill you with joy‚ peace‚ and belief. A God who puts His Spirit inside of us‚ enabling us to believe and empowering us to hope. Not just once but to abound in a state of hopefulness. In other words‚ Paul is describing a hope that endures. It is not a fleeting feeling that we get when things go our way. To abound in hope is to be okay even when things don't go our way.  I don't know about you‚ but I have a hard time with this. I can quickly despair when life isn't unfolding as I envisioned. Imagine the disciples when the man they followed around for years‚ hanging on His every word‚ believing He was the God of the universe in human flesh‚ died a publicly horrific death. Hope is not exactly what comes to mind when I think about Christ’s crucifixion. But without despair‚ there is no need for hope. Without the darkness‚ there is no need for the hope of light. And without death‚ there is no need for the renewal of life. This is what Paul meant. He wasn't saying‚ everyone cross your fingers and hope for the best. He was saying God is hope‚ and because God is hope‚ we can have all the hope we need from Him. The message of Easter is this: God allowed the worst thing that could have happened to happen. God died while we were all in sin and separated from Him. From our vantage point‚ that sounds pretty hopeless. But that's not it. He used the worst thing that could have happened to accomplish the best thing we’ll ever talk about and experience. His death served as our perfect sacrifice‚ atoning for our sins. The best part is He didn't stay dead! Jesus conquered sin and death. He overcame the worst thing that can happen to us (eternal separation from God) by allowing the worst thing to happen to Him in our place.  He rose from the grave‚ showing His despairing disciples and all future followers that with Him‚ we are victorious over our most hopeless situations.  Now‚ that is real hope. That is hope that‚ despite these certain circumstances going perfectly as planned‚ we know we can be okay. The worst has been taken care of‚ and if that's the case‚ instead of worrying‚ we can experience joy and peace. May that give you hope and renewal this Easter season.  Let's pray: Jesus‚Thank you for Easter. Thank you for a yearly reminder of your death‚ burial‚ and resurrection. Thank you for Winter and how it shows us the death necessary for Spring and new life. Lord‚ you know how desperately we need reminders because we often get fixated on temporary circumstances. We allow things that don't go as planned to zap our joy and belief and cause us to despair. But that's not what you want for us! You are the God of hope. Lord‚ forgive us when we forget and unbelief takes over. Or when we make having hope insignificant. Jesus‚ renew us with your hope. Fill us with your joy and peace. Lord‚ this Easter‚ may the significance of the gospel become the best news to us again in a fresh way. May we never grow weary of hearing and sharing what you did for us! Lord‚ may we abound in real hope despite all circumstances. Teach us to be okay‚ even when it looks like things are not okay. In Jesus' name‚ amen. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Jon Feingersh Photography Inc Ashley Moore is a writer and host of be the twopodcast. She is known for her relatability and for passionately writing and speaking about mental‚ emotional‚ and relational health from a biblical worldview. She has written for Kingdom Edge Magazine‚ Guideposts‚ Crosswalk‚ The Secret Place‚ enLIVEn‚ The Bubbling Brook and more. If Ashley isn’t writing‚ you can find her with her husband‚ three children‚ and two floppy-eared Goldens on their south Georgia farmland. The best way to connect with Ashley is to grab a free devotional or Bible study and join her newsletter at free.ashleynicolemoore.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 Hope and Renewal This Easter Season – Your Daily Prayer – March 23 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Passengers on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282‚ which made an emergency landing in January due to a blown out door plug‚ received a letter from the FBI. The agency identified the passengers as victims of a possible crime. “This comes after reports that Boeing is STALLING the investigation into what actually caused this malfunction‚ by refusing to hand over key documents and the names of those who worked on that particular plane. Boeing has even gone so far to say that important data relating to this has been overwritten‚” journalist Nick Sortor wrote. JUST IN: The FBI has contacted passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX which lost a door mid flight in January identifying them as “possible victims of a crime.” This comes after reports that Boeing is STALLING the investigation into what actually caused this… pic.twitter.com/5sC6KCyDan — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 22‚ 2024 Attorney Mark Lindquist‚ who represents passengers on the flight in litigation against Boeing and Alaska Airlines‚ shared the letter with NBC News. “I’m contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime‚” a victim specialist with the FBI’s Seattle division wrote in the letter‚ according to NBC News. NEW: Passengers of the Alaska Airlines flight that was forced to make an emergency landing when a door panel fell off midair have received a letter from the FBI identifying them as victims of a possible crime. https://t.co/khvUzJKyRT — NBC News (@NBCNews) March 22‚ 2024 “All 171 Passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9‚ which experienced a midair door blowout at 16‚000 feet in January 5th‚ have been contacted by the FBI. The agency identified them as possible victims of a crime and confirmed to passengers that it has opened a criminal investigation‚” Rawsalerts wrote. #BREAKING: Passengers onboard the terrifying midair door blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight were told by the FBI that they may be victims of a crime⁰#UnitedStates | #USA ⁰⁰All 171 Passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9‚ which experienced a midair door… pic.twitter.com/GctCwBGOyL — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 22‚ 2024 Per NBC News: The specialist says that the FBI launched a criminal investigation into the incident‚ which “can be a lengthy undertaking‚” adding that the agency can’t tell the passengers about its progress at this time. The specialist also encouraged passengers to contact an email address with the alias “AlaskaFlightVictims” with any questions or comments. People who received the letter will be updated on the case by email‚ or through a victim notification system‚ the specialist said. NBC News has reached out to the FBI for additional information. Last week‚ the DOJ opened a criminal investigation into the door plug blowout on the Boeing 737 Max 9 plane‚ a person familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News. Lindquist said he was pleased that the DOJ is investigating the near-disaster. FBI tells Alaska Airlines passenger onboard disastrous flight that saw door plug blown out mid-air they may be ‘victim of a crime’ https://t.co/AuOhVwHleG pic.twitter.com/MnW8Dbd1Ue — New York Post (@nypost) March 22‚ 2024 From the New York Post: Mark Lindquist‚ an attorney representing some of the passengers who have decided to sue Boeing and Alaska Airlines in the aftermath‚ said the letter was “encouraging” because “it validates their sense that this was a severe event that should not have happened.” Boeing declined comment Friday and Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to requests from The Post. However‚ the airline told the Seattle Times that it is “fully cooperating” with the Department of Justice investigation — and “do not believe we are a target of the investigation.” Federal investigators have claimed that four bolts that were meant to secure the door plug were never installed on the plane when it rolled out of Boeing’s assembly plant late last year. Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration also discovered dozens of issues involving Boeing’s 737 MAX jet production process in the aftermath of the tumultuous flight‚ including mechanics at one of its key suppliers using a hotel key card and dish soap as makeshift tools to test compliance. It found that Boeing failed 33 out of 89 product audits — a review of specific aspects in the production line — with a total of 97 counts of alleged noncompliance‚ according to the New York Times. Following these reports‚ the Department of Justice announced earlier this month that it launched a criminal investigation into Boeing.

A Maryland town has suspended its entire police force‚ leaving residents confused and wondering why. “The small town of Ridgely‚ located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore‚ announced it was suspending officers of the Ridgely Police Department‚ leaving other public safety agencies to fill the void‚” Fox News reports. Maryland town suspends its entire police force‚ leaving residents to wonder why https://t.co/YgZWPRNigV — Fox News (@FoxNews) March 22‚ 2024 “What’s very concerning is that they didn’t communicate with us in an honest and open way‚” one resident said‚ according to Fox News. “Treat us with respect. We’re adults — thinking‚ rational adults who deserve the truth‚” she added. BREAKING: Maryland town suspends its entire police force‚ leaving residents to wonder why. pic.twitter.com/MvkxSD30S6 — The General (@GeneralMCNews) March 22‚ 2024 Per Fox News: Last week‚ officials said on the Ridgely’s website that the town’s three-member commission had “suspended with pay the entirety of the Ridgely Police Department‚” and that the Office of State Prosecutor is investigating potential wrongdoing. “It doesn’t add up‚” said Gennie Woo‚ a business owner in downtown Ridgely since 1983. “Everybody is skeptical about what happened. We just want to know how and why.” The department’s website says it employs half a dozen officers to service its population of about 1‚600 residents. The Washington Times reports the entire police department is suspended with pay “this month pending an investigation by state prosecutors.” The town commissioners didn't say what the Ridgely Police Department was being investigated for. https://t.co/3rei1NLvun — The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 22‚ 2024 From The Washington Times: On Wednesday‚ town officials approved a deal wherein the Caroline County Sheriff’s Department will provide law enforcement for Ridgely in the interim. “We cover the town when their police is off the clock. We provide them with backup. We’re familiar with the citizens‚” Caroline County Sheriff Donnie Baker told The Star Democrat. The town commissioners didn’t say what the Ridgely Police Department was being investigated for. Including its chief‚ the department employed at least six people before the suspension‚ according to the RPD website. The department hasn’t posted anything publicly regarding the suspension or the investigation by the Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor. On Friday‚ the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook that the suspension was temporary and that its agreement with Ridgely officials‚ which begins April 1‚ includes “an additional 35 hours per week above and beyond normal patrol hours‚” along with deputy availability for emergencies. For now‚ Ridgely residents are left wondering what exactly is going on.

Guillermo Denis Beltrán‚ a 24-year-old Colombian striker‚ died after collapsing during training with his Bolivian club. He reportedly died of “respiratory arrest.” “Colombian Guillermo Denis Beltrán (24)‚ youth player from #AtléticoNacional ‚ died today in Bolivia. He collapsed in training with #RealSantaCruz ‚ he was taken to a hospital where they tried to revive him‚ but it was not possible‚” Pipe Sierra wrote (translated). El colombiano Guillermo Denis Beltrán (24)‚ canterano de #AtléticoNacional‚ falleció hoy en Bolivia. Se desplomó en un entrenamiento con el #RealSantaCruz‚ fue llevado a un hospital donde intentaron reanimarlo‚ pero no fue posible. Así pudimos conocerlo con @alexpiratacabo pic.twitter.com/S4deeOOB5e — Pipe Sierra (@PSierraR) March 22‚ 2024 “The Real Santa Cruz Sports Club reports the sensitive death of our player Guillermo Denis Beltrán‚ friend‚ teammate and a great professional. We pray to the Lord to have him in his holy glory‚” Club Deportivo Real Santa Cruz announced (translated). Comunicado oficial El Club Deportivo Real Santa Cruz informa el sensible fallecimiento de nuestro jugador Guillermo Denis Beltrán‚ amigo‚ compañero y un gran profesional. Rogamos al señor tenerlo en su santa gloria. pic.twitter.com/IcaKCfkais — Club Deportivo Real Santa Cruz (@Real_Santa_Cruz) March 22‚ 2024 From the Associated Press: A player collapsed and died while training with his Bolivian top-flight club Real Santa Cruz on Friday. Real Santa Cruz said Colombian striker Guillermo Denis Beltrán died of respiratory arrest. He was 24. Beltrán’s teammates said he felt nauseous and fell to the ground shortly after. Club doctors called an ambulance after their first efforts to revive him. “He was training as usual and then he collapsed. They tried to resuscitate him but he died as he was being moved to a clinic‚” Real Santa Cruz director Adolfo Soria Galvarro said. The club is in Santa Cruz de la Sierra‚ a city 850 kilometers (530 miles) east of the capital La Paz. Beltrán is the fourth footballer to collapse on the pitch within one week. 34-year-old Makhehlene Makhaula‚ a South African professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for South African Premier Division club Orlando Pirates‚ collapsed Saturday. “World Football‚ unfortunately‚ has been subject to so many distressing scenes on the pitch over the last few years‚” a commentator said. WATCH: Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula collapses on field yesterday‚ listen again to the stunned announcer: "World football‚ unfortunately‚ has been subject to so many distressing scenes on the pitch over the last few years" Maybe this announcer is brand new on… pic.twitter.com/V1S7C42E1j — aussie17 (@_aussie17) March 18‚ 2024 24-year-old Javier Altamirano‚ Chilean footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Argentine Primera División side Estudiantes de La Plata‚ and the Chile national football team‚ collapsed on the pitch Sunday and suffered a seizure. WATCH: Oh my god‚ second footballer collapsed on live TV in two days. Estudiantes’ Javier Altamirano suffers a seizure during match against Boca pic.twitter.com/hVw8ulwffy — aussie17 (@_aussie17) March 18‚ 2024 Ahmed Refaat‚ a 30-year-old Egyptian professional footballer‚ collapsed on the pitch during a contest between his club‚ Modern Future FC‚ and Ittihad‚ suffering an apparent cardiac arrest. Refaat‚ a former international teammate of Mohamed Salah‚ reportedly stopped breathing “for more than an hour.” Medical personnel rushed Refaat to a hospital and placed him in an intensive care unit. WATCH: Wow! 3rd footballer collapsed on live TV this week! 30 year old Egyptian National Footballer Ahmed Refaat collapsed on the pitch during a match between his club Modern Future FC and Ittihad. The Egyptian international suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital.… pic.twitter.com/qXcZLdvtM4 — aussie17 (@_aussie17) March 20‚ 2024

The U.S. federal government entered a partial shutdown after the Senate failed to pass legislation before the 12:01 a.m. deadline Saturday. However‚ the shutdown is expected to be brief and make little impact. Senate leaders are expected to finalize a deal within the next several hours. Just in: The U.S. government has entered a partial shutdown after the Senate failed to pass a $1.2 trillion funding bill before midnight. However‚ Senate leaders say they are expected to finish funding the government within the next several hours. pic.twitter.com/bYCjLw9PGt — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 23‚ 2024 The House of Representatives voted on Friday to pass a $1.2 trillion spending package. The House Just Passed a Ridiculous $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill — Here’s The Full List of Republicans Who Betrayed You According to NBC News‚ the bill funds the "departments of State‚ Defense‚ Labor‚ Health and Human Services and Homeland Security‚ among others." 🚨#BREAKING: The Partial U.S. government shutdown has started a deal is reportedly expected to pass within hours pic.twitter.com/ct7iIrDCkP — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 23‚ 2024 From NBC News: But amid Republican demands for amendments‚ the Senate was unable to reach an agreement to hold a speedy vote ahead of a midnight deadline to fund those departments. The Senate indicated it has sufficient support to get the bill across the finish line following a 78-18 procedural vote on Friday that advanced the measure. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer‚ D-N.Y.‚ announced just before the deadline that both parties have an agreement to vote on multiple amendments and then final passage of the bill early Saturday morning. Barring unforeseen problems‚ the shutdown would have very little impact. If it dragged on through Monday‚ it would trigger furloughs and suspension of various federal services‚ with “essential” workers like air traffic controllers and TSA agents working regardless. "It’s been a very long and difficult day‚ but we have just reached an agreement to complete the job of funding the government‚" Schumer announced on the Senate floor just before midnight. "It is good for the country that we have reached this bipartisan deal." BREAKING: U.S. GOVERNMENT ENTERS SHUTDOWN AS SENATE FAILED TO PASS $1.2 TRILLION BILL BY DEADLINE Republican demands for amendments are allegedly the reason for the issue. If the bill doesn't go into effect by Monday‚ all federal services falling outside the scope of… pic.twitter.com/BEidx7pwec — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 23‚ 2024 Per CNN: The Senate has reached a last-minute agreement to vote on the government funding package tonight‚ and avert a shutdown‚ after an hours-long standoff over amendment votes. Republicans were demanding votes on controversial amendments that could put some vulnerable Senate Democrats in tough spots. The agreement includes up to 12 amendment votes‚ followed by final passage. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began with a quorum call to give members time to get to the floor‚ and urged members to vote quickly once the vote series begins. Of course‚ many people argued to shut down the government. Vote NO. Shut it down. No more. https://t.co/vEfIbOAbbL — Lara Logan (@laralogan) March 21‚ 2024 The United Stares government is a crime syndicate They stopped working for WE THE PEOPLE a long time ago. SHUT IT DOWN pic.twitter.com/trHKcjPBbu — 𝕄𝔸𝔾𝔸 𝑵𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒚 Ù† â™± (@45LVNancy) March 22‚ 2024 Read what's in the $1.2 trillion spending package below: You Won’t Believe The WOKE GARBAGE Included In The Ridiculous $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill This story is developing. 

1752 - Pope Stephen II elected to succeed Zacharias‚ dies 2 days later 1861 - London's 1st tramcars‚ designed by Mr Train of NY‚ begins operating 1931 - Indian independence fighters Bhagat Singh‚ Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar are hanged after conducting an assassination and a bombing. Their request to be shot by a firing squad is refused. 1933 - Kroll Opera in Berlin opens 1950 - "Great to Be Alive" opens at Winter Garden Theater NYC for 52 performances 1980 - PGA Tournament Players Championship‚ Sawgrass Country Club (Ponte Vedra Beach‚ Florida): Lee Trevino wins by 1 stroke ahead of runner-up Ben Crenshaw 1981 - US Supreme Court upholds law making statutory rape a crime only for men 1988 - Geffen Records releases "Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm"‚ Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell's 13th studio album 2019 - More than 130 Fulani people killed in Ogossagou‚ Mali‚ in attack by Dogon hunters‚ prompting government ban on the hunters 2023 - Canada records record population growth (+2.7%)‚ adding 1 million people in 2022‚ mostly through immigration More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1630 - French troops occupy Pinerolo Piedmont 1933 - Kroll Opera in Berlin opens 1973 - After a 5½ year run soap "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" ends 1980 - 18-year old American tennis star Tracy Austin wins her only WTA Tour Championship; upsets Martina Navratilova in the final 6–2‚ 2–6‚ 6–2 in NYC 2015 - British entertainer James Corden becomes the host of "The Late Late Show" on CBS; hosts the program through 2023 2021 - First ever tweet by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey "just setting up my twttr" sells for $2.9 million in digitally autographed version More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1937 - Craig Breedlove‚ American auto racer (5 x world land speed record holder; first to reach 500mph (800km/h) and 600mph (970km/h)‚ born in Los Angeles‚ California (d. 2023) 1971 - Alexander Selivanov‚ NHL right wing (Tampa Bay Lightning)‚ born in Moscow‚ Russia 1975 - Rita Grande‚ Napoli Italy‚ tennis star (3rd round 1996 Aust Open) 1976 - Dougie Lampkin‚ English motorcycle trials rider (7 x world outdoor champion; 4 x indoor world champion)‚ born in Silsden‚ England 1981 - Tony Peña‚ Jr.‚ Dominican baseball player 1990 - Eugenie‚ Princess of York and daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson‚ born in London More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1962 - Josef van Schaik‚ Dutch lawyer and politician (Vice-Premier of Netherands)‚ dies at 80 1995 - Alan Barton‚ English singer (Smokie‚ Black Lace)‚ dies in a bus crash at 41 1995 - Russell Reading Braddon‚ Australian author‚ dies at 74 2001 - Rowland Evans‚ American news reporter (CNN-Evans and Novak)‚ dies at 79 2021 - Julié Pomagalski‚ French snowboarder (World C'ship gold snowboard cross 1999)‚ dies in an avalanche at 40 2022 - Madeleine Albright (née Korbell)‚ American diplomat (UN Delegate‚ 1993-97)‚ and 1st female US Secretary of State (1997-2001)‚ dies of cancer at 84 More Famous Deaths »

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Angels dominate popular culture. But how much of the discussion about angels is real? How much is a myth? The Bible gives some clear ideas about angels and their roles and how they affect our everyday lives.