Left-wing ESPN sports commentator Stephen A. Smith ended his show Tuesday warning that the border crisis and the Democrat response to it is going to be the catalyst that gets Donald Trump re-elected to the White House this year. Saying "somebody’s got to say it‚" Smith insisted that Donald Trump...

Does anyone truly believe that former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi hasn't done any insider trading? I think the man to ask is actually billionaire Warren Buffett -- or possibly former President Donald Trump. At a rally in Mesa‚ Arizona‚ in October 2022‚ Trump said‚ “Look at her stocks....

State legislators in Kansas are highlighting one of the biggest reasons so many people dislike politicians after it was revealed they are getting a whopping 93 percent pay raise. Whatever the justification for this humongous pay increase‚ whether there is a good reason for it or not‚ Kansans are simply...

Progressives are desperately working to defend President Joe Biden -- and they're failing. Left-wing MSNBC host Rachel Maddow tried to protect the president's reputation following Thursday's release of special counsel Robert Hur’s report on his mishandling of classified documents. Hur's report said the 81-year-old Biden likely would present himself to...

Former Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has made a big announcement that won't be welcome news for the Democratic Party after he told voters he is running for the U.S. Senate. Hogan‚ 67‚ served as governor of the Old Line State from 2015 to 2023‚ and is the son of...

If one GOP representative has her way‚ the extortionists and money launderers in Congress will have to pay a heavy price. According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail‚ Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida has drafted a bill that would "require Members of Congress who advocate for providing military support...

A Prayer to Release ResentmentBy Laura Bailey “But Esau ran to meet him‚ hugged him‚ threw his arms around him‚ and kissed him. Then they wept.” – Genesis 33:4 NLT "Fairness is often my standard. Justice is God's standard‚" one of my favorite Bible teachers shared on a recent podcast. I stopped what I was doing‚ paused the recording‚ and replayed her last statement repeatedly.  There was no denying it; those words hit me right between the eyes. In an attempt to shut down any further feelings of conviction‚ choosing to ignore rather than investigate why this simple statement struck a nerve. Has that ever happened to you? Your preacher said something in service that pierced your heart‚ but rather than go deeper into the source‚ you choose to shut your Bible and don't open it back up until the following week.  A friend shared something she felt the Lord was drawing her attention. You immediately commiserate with her‚ but that would require you to make a chance‚ and well‚ you aren't ready for that-so you work to forget the conversation. You see a Bible verse posted at your doctor's office. You can't help but think that the Lord was speaking to you through the poster‚ but you shake it off as just a coincidence. Friend‚ I get it; I've been there. Shamefully‚ there have been times that I wave away the Spirit‚ knowing that He is working my heart to produce spiritual fruit‚ life-change‚ or elicit a confession. But‚ mercifully‚ there have been other times when I've leaned into the Spirit's prompting‚ working to uncover the message He wanted me to hear.  Unable to re-focus my attention through busyness‚ I plopped down in my favorite chair and snuggled in to catch up on some shows. Before I could locate the remote‚ a friend from my accountability group sent a message about the day's Bible reading. We were reading through the Bible together in our women's ministry and set up accountability groups to help us process and discuss what we've learned.  "Can y'all believe how Esau forgave Jacob and let go of all resentment towards him? Jacob didn't deserve such a warm welcome‚ but that's pretty cool that Esau let go of all resentment for the sake of the relationship."  You've got to be kidding me. Okay‚ Lord‚ I surrender.  The thing is‚ I knew what the Lord wanted to draw my attention to; I just didn't want to deal with my feelings of resentment. A few weeks prior‚ something happened between a friend and me. Only a few days after the incident‚ we'd reconciled‚ swapping "I'm sorry" and sharing forgiveness. Outwardly‚ it would appear I'd moved on‚ but inside‚ I was still annoyed. If I was honest‚ I felt it wasn't fair that my friend didn't have any consequences for her actions against me‚ yet I was still called to forgive and move on.  As I reviewed the text in Genesis about the two brothers‚ one who tricked‚ manipulated‚ and deceived the other yet was wholeheartedly forgiven‚ the Holy Spirit began to work on my heart. While God disapproved of Jacob's sin against Esau‚ it wasn't Esau's place to seek revenge–or justice. Esau was called to forgive; God is the one responsible for judgment. And why are we called to forgive even the most unjust or unfair acts against us?  Because we have been forgiven– we are sinners who openly rebelled and rejected our maker. We may never forget the sin against us‚ but we can forgive‚ trading resentment for reconciliation. I am grateful that the Lord used a social media post and a sister in Christ to grab my attention and drive me to true reconciliation with my friend. That day‚ I released a heart full of resentment that weighed me down. May we be open to the prompting of the Spirit in our lives as He continues to make us more like Christ.  Let's Pray: Heavenly Father‚ thank you for being God of abundant grace. We have received the gift of redemption‚ not because we deserve it‚ but because we are merciful and desire to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).  We ask that we freely forgive those who have wronged us. Help us to move towards reconciliation‚ leaving the "score-keeping" and "just desserts" to You who judges righteously. We pray that we can put on the mindset of Christ‚ humble ourselves‚ think of others' needs over our own‚ and be willing to forgive with the hope of forgetting the offense. Help us restore and renew broken relationships‚ doing our best to live peacefully with everyone.In Jesus' name‚ Amen. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/PeopleImages Laura Bailey is a Bible teacher who challenges and encourages women to dive deep in the Scriptures‚ shift from an earthly to an eternal mindset‚ and filter life through the lens of God's Word.  She is the author of Beyond the Noise‚ and loves any opportunity to speak and teach women of all ages. She is a wife and momma to three young girls. Connect with her on her website‚  www.LauraRBailey.com‚ Facebook and Instagram. 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 to Release Resentment – Your Daily Prayer – February 10 appeared first on GodUpdates.

I exercise several days a week in a downtown park with a group of men. One day‚ I complained to my workout partner that I didn’t get much out of it. He responded‚ “Well‚ it’s possible you didn’t get much out of it because you didn’t put much into it.” Ouch. But he was right. The way we experience corporate church worship can follow the same pattern. We can get so little out of it because‚ frankly‚ we put so little in. We’re physically present but spiritually disengaged. Disengagement in worship has been a great sin among God’s people from the beginning. God said through the prophet Isaiah‚ “This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips‚ while their hearts are far from me‚ and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men” (Isa. 29:13). And 700 years later‚ Christ reiterated Isaiah’s words: “In vain do they worship me” (Matt. 15:9). What more awful assessment could a person hear from the One he presumes to worship than that it was all in vain? Yet each of us is probably more guilty of this vanity than we’d like to admit. It’s easy to go through the motions of worship without engaging our hearts. Here are five rules of engagement that can help us put more into corporate worship. 1. Prepare in advance. Sundays may be a day of rest for believers‚ but I’m convinced it’s the day Satan works hardest. If he can’t stir up discord in the home‚ he’ll at least help you forget where you left your keys before you leave for church. He may not be able to keep your body out of church‚ but he’ll do his best to keep your heart anywhere else. We can’t prevent every problem‚ but a little preparation goes a long way. Logistically‚ do what you can to minimize issues: lay out your clothes and your offering check in advance‚ and eat breakfast so your belly doesn’t speak louder than the preacher. Satan may not be able to keep your body out of church‚ but he’ll do his best to keep your heart anywhere else. For spiritual preparation‚ the more you seek the Lord through the week‚ the more you’ll understand and profit on Sundays. This is why our church makes Scripture passages and songs for Sunday available in advance. Review those so you’re familiar with them and ready to meet with God before you arrive at church. Our hearts are more easily set aflame in worship when the coals are already hot. 2. Remember that God is the object of our worship. We say the reason we gather in worship is for God‚ but how often do our post-worship reflections betray our true mindset? Did I enjoy the sermon? Was it my style of music? Was there anyone I was glad to see? Such questions‚ common to most of us‚ reflect Martin Luther’s observation that man is “curved in on himself.” When we’re so curved in that what matters most is our own experience‚ we miss the blessing of being caught up in the wonder of One infinitely greater than ourselves. When we make worship about our experience rather than God’s glory‚ we insert ourselves into the place of God—as if his only role is to entertain us. We must remember the object of our worship is God. He looks beyond the outward appearance to the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). 3. Be a participant‚ not a spectator. What happens every fall Saturday in college football stadiums around the country? As someone quipped‚ 80‚000 people desperately in need of exercise stand around watching 22 people desperately in need of rest. Churches tend to model this same approach. Prior to the Reformation‚ worship was vicarious: a congregation gathered to watch the clergy do the spiritual work. But even today‚ many churches are vicarious: we simply show up to watch a praise team or listen to a preacher. We aren’t called to be spectators; we’re called to be participants. As we gather in worship‚ we’re showing up for work‚ and we ought to be fully engaged—heart‚ soul‚ mind‚ and strength—in praising the living God. So what does a participant in worship do? Fight distraction: Whether the potential distraction is your rumbling belly‚ the totally out-of-style dress the woman in front of you is wearing‚ or the man singing off-key behind you‚ worship God as you offer him your attention span. Sing heartily: God created your voice and he’s pleased when your heart overflows through it—even if it doesn’t sound great. One day‚ we’ll all be able to hear one another with the same sanctified ears God receives our praises with today. In the meantime‚ remember the only thing that can make our voices acceptable to God is what Jesus did for us. Engage with the sermon: Don’t be passive as the Word is preached. I pay attention most when I’ve read the passage in advance‚ have my Bible open the whole time‚ and take notes. You may have different practices‚ but the result must be the same: as the seed of the Word is sown‚ it finds soft ground in a ready and receptive heart. Take the sermon with you: Your work isn’t done when you exit the church doors. Matthew Henry speaks with great wisdom: “Do we think when the sermon is done‚ the care is over? No‚ then the greatest of the care begins.” Just as my workout partner challenged me to invest more so I’d get more out of the exercise‚ we should honestly ask ourselves‚ Do I come to participate in worship‚ or do I see myself as a spectator‚ standing by as others do the work? 4. Be a relentless encourager. Hebrews 10:25 is frequently used as a reminder of the necessity of corporate worship‚ and that’s right‚ but we often neglect verse 24: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” One of the chief reasons we gather is to encourage. What does it mean to encourage one another? It means being intentional to care for one another’s souls and point one another to Jesus. A ministry of encouragement is an unsung ministry‚ but as a pastor‚ I can’t think of a greater gift I’d urge my people to cultivate and deploy in the church. 5. Actively seek out visitors. Most of us know how intimidating it can be to visit a new church‚ and the warmth of the people can make or break the visit. We’ve had many guests over the years‚ and the most common remark they make is how warmly they were welcomed. Unless you’re one of those few who thrive on meeting new people‚ seeking out visitors can be difficult. Uncertainty and insecurity abound: Have I met him before? Will she think I’m weird if I just go strike up a conversation? Don’t let insecurities prevent you from doing what God intends and visitors need. Go‚ introduce yourself (even if you’ve met before and forgotten his name). Ask someone who’s alone to sit with you. Introduce a visitor to someone else. A ministry of encouragement is an unsung ministry‚ but as a pastor‚ I can’t think of a greater gift I’d urge my people to cultivate and deploy in the church. You may also want to set an extra place or two at the lunch table so you can invite guests. No matter your church’s shortcomings‚ if you feed people‚ they’ll keep coming back. Good food covers a multitude of weaknesses. I realize all this can be overwhelming‚ especially if your pattern has been to disengage in worship. Old habits die hard. But remember‚ this is why Jesus came. As he told the Samaritan woman in John 4:23‚ the Father is seeking worshipers. Jesus didn’t come only to give us eternal life; he came to give us his Spirit to stir us from within so we could present worship that pleases his Father. What the Father seeks‚ the Spirit will enable to the glory of the Son. So let’s worship God this Sunday.

A few hours after he laid his dad to rest in 2019‚ Tim Alberta recounts‚ a family friend and elder at his father’s church wrote him a handwritten letter accusing him of treason. He was allegedly part of an evil plot to undermine God’s ordained leader. The explicit suggestion of the letter was that he could restore himself by using his journalistic talents to expose “the deep state.” It wasn’t just the timing of the letter that felt inappropriate but the certainty and strength of the position. The Kingdom‚ the Power‚ and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism is a New York Times bestseller‚ national conversation starter‚ and journalistic exposé. But it’s more. Alberta is a Christian and a pastor’s son‚ so his personal connection injects intimacy into his exploration of faith—a faith that’s often at odds with the teachings of Christ. Through vivid portraits of believers‚ Alberta paints a picture of a faith tarnished by fear‚ a promise distorted by partisan subterfuge‚ and a reputation marred by scandal. Part memoir and part cautionary tale‚ Alberta’s book brims with righteous anger and dissatisfaction. He depicts an American church seeking to embrace right-leaning politics and Jesus in equal measure. It’s meant to be a warning against political idolatry at a time when the political temperature only seems to be getting hotter. However‚ the book is imprecisely argued and fails to offer a positive solution beyond Christians retreating from cultural engagement. Problematic Definition Alberta‚ a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of the bestseller American Carnage‚ hinges his book on one question: Who are evangelicals? He defines them as essentially synonymous with politically conservative Christians‚ a group he critiques yet with whom he shares some theological views. According to Alberta‚ “‘Evangelical’ became shorthand for ‘conservative Christian’ during the Moral Majority era.” Eventually‚ it became synonymous with “white conservative Republican” (11). While this politicized meaning prevails culturally‚ it seems reductive and doesn’t reflect the doctrinal distinctiveness of evangelicals. Alberta states‚ “I’m no theologian” (3). His lack of theological awareness shows up as he engages in a debate that requires some understanding of his own presuppositions and those of whom he’s examining. He’s clear throughout the book about his favored group‚ which he generally paints positively‚ but it doesn’t seem like he’s done the work to fully understand those he critiques. For example‚ Alberta makes broad statements like this: “From a purely organizational standpoint‚ Christianity is in disarray” (439). Such sweeping claims would be difficult to defend and they tend to undermine his substantive critiques. Evaluating evangelicalism requires grappling with its diversity of views. Alberta is rightly disturbed by the syncretism of a politician telling his followers to “put on the full armor of God and take a stand against the left’s schemes” (257) or a pastor praying for his “state be turned red with the blood of Jesus‚ and politically” (252)‚ but many churchgoing evangelicals don’t fit neatly into his right-leaning‚ obsessively political box. Evaluating evangelicalism requires grappling with its diversity of views. While Alberta spotlights vocal conservatives‚ studies suggest the overall level of political engagement may be just as high‚ if not higher‚ among left-leaning evangelicals. Alberta’s focus on politically engaged subgroups risks committing the fallacy of composition‚ attributing the actions and beliefs of a few to the entire evangelical population. Additionally‚ he fails to distinguish the way nonchurchgoing people who claim to be evangelical distort the discussion. Alberta isn’t alone in his generalizations‚ but it’s discouraging when that error comes from a self-identified insider who claims to want to make things better. Unfriendly Fire At times‚ Alberta is unmerciful with his subjects. This isn’t surprising given his raw experience with his father’s right-leaning church. However‚ this leads him to create caricatures and impugn motives. People who lean in Alberta’s direction are “learned and well-read‚” while those who disagree offer “adolescent commentaries” (321). The pastor whose preaching he likes is presented with sage-like veneration. The casual repetition of pejorative descriptions undermines Alberta’s points‚ even when his criticisms are valid. Alberta doesn’t fairly evaluate doctrines with which he disagrees. For example‚ he asserts that the biblical case for restricting women from the pastorate is “thin and unconvincing” (386). He fails to genuinely engage with Scripture or historical theology. Somehow‚ for thousands of years‚ the majority of Christians have been convinced and found biblical support for this position‚ but many readers wouldn’t know based on this telling. In the end‚ Alberta’s book doesn’t stand or fall solely on the issues he’s raised or the arguments he makes. The Kingdom‚ the Power‚ and the Glory will also be judged by the way it makes its arguments. Though Alberta doesn’t make this point‚ he illustrates the fact that what we say and how we say it are both vitally important. Spiritualized Politics In multiple cases‚ Alberta sets up false dichotomies that highlight his preferred positions. He writes‚ “The crisis of American evangelicalism comes down to an obsession with [a] worldly identity. . . . Instead of fleeing the temptation to rule all the world‚ like Jesus did‚ we have made deals with the devil” (13). Undoubtedly‚ political engagement can become a form of idolatry. Yet Alberta seems to assume a particular political theology—one with an anabaptistic flavor—and conclude the only real alternative is idolatry. Ultimately‚ the only remedy for idolatry of any sort is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only grace can melt hardened hearts and establish Christ-centered priorities in lives and communities. Political views are complex‚ and solutions imperfect‚ but the kingdom of God stands eternal (Eph. 3:21). Our fractured nation needs the hope only the Prince of Peace can provide. Only grace can melt hardened hearts and establish Christ-centered priorities in lives and communities. By assuming the “faithful presence” model as the primary alternative to extremism (443)‚ Alberta glosses over other legitimate forms of Christian cultural engagement. The book concludes by quoting 2 Corinthians 4:18‚ where Paul states‚ “The things that are seen are transient‚ but the things that are unseen are eternal.” The message seems to be that Christians should abandon the politics of this world for spiritual concerns. This‚ however‚ ignores the ways believers have historically worked to end slavery‚ care for orphans‚ and abolish foot binding. Many of the social goods normalized in the West are the result of Christians being politically active‚ often in ways that seemed uncouth and inconvenient to the surrounding culture. Alberta’s focused criticism of the political right isn’t surprising given the vocal extremism from some within evangelical churches. Those who already have a negative view of evangelicals will find more support for their dislike. Readers unaware of the most egregious issues will benefit from reading this book to understand the concerns some evangelicals (many of them politically conservative) have about the current climate of the political right. But this book will join a host of others criticizing evangelical Christians with little advice to offer beyond being quiet or leaning politically left.