by Jonathan Cook, The Unz Review: Israelis dance in the streets, the White House hails a ‘daring’ operation, Rishi Sunak expresses relief. How carnage in Gaza has become the new normal Israel hasn’t just crossed the Biden administration’s pretend “red lines” in Gaza. With its massacre at Nuseirat refugee camp at the weekend, Israel drove a bulldozer […]

A Prayer to Get Rid of All BitternessBy Kristine Brown "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior." (Ephesians 4:31 NLT) Bitterness. It can creep into our minds undetected. It may start with one small thought but left unchecked, bitterness can maneuver its way into our hearts and make itself at home. Many things can trigger bitterness. Like coming face to face with someone who wronged us in the past. Recalling the hurtfulness for which they never apologized or even acknowledged. We sometimes bury bitter feelings so deep that we think we've rid ourselves of them. But then, that person or memory pops up, and the bitterness we once felt comes back with a vengeance. Over time, the small seeds of bitterness can develop roots and begin to grow. God directs us in his Word to get rid of bitterness. Our Heavenly Father understands how destructive it can be to our lives. Bitterness also affects those around us, spilling out on our families, friends, and coworkers. But God's direction is clear; he wants us to live free from the entanglement of bitterness. The apostle Paul instructed the church at Ephesus to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior" (Ephesians 4:31). Paul's encouragement to live as children of Light inspired Jesus' followers through building his church, and that instruction still holds true for us today. We cannot shine the Light of Jesus Christ to a dark world if we're holding on to bitterness. In my personal experience, bitterness has often sprouted because of a perceived wrong. When I felt like I'd been treated unjustly, that lingering resentment fed the root of bitterness and helped it grow. I've even become bitter over unanswered prayers. Times when something horrible happened in my circumstances, and I questioned why God didn't do something to stop it. The Expositor's Bible Commentary says bitterness is "the spite that harbors resentment and keeps a score of wrongs." So if bitterness keeps score, then according to the truth of 1 Corinthians 13, we could say that the opposite of bitterness is love. "It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged" (1 Corinthians 13:5). Wouldn't I rather harbor love than bitterness? The answer is yes, yet I know getting rid of bitterness takes an intentional commitment to seek God's ways and the leading of the Holy Spirit in my everyday life. I cannot get rid of bitterness if I've given it a place to thrive. To break free from bitterness, I must pull it out from the roots and replace it with the good things of God. Romans 5:5 reminds us of this truth: "For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Once we get rid of all bitterness, along with the other traits described in Ephesians 4:31, we will be prepared to display those good qualities Paul described in the very next verse. "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) As we pray today's prayer to get rid of all bitterness, let's open our hearts to God and ask for a fresh filling of his love.  Let's pray:Dear God,Lately, I've felt bitterness invading my mind and heart. I've entertained bitter thoughts and let them affect every area of my life. Forgive me for allowing bitterness to take root. Help me get rid of all bitterness so that I can display kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness toward others. Thank you for helping me recognize bitterness so I can bring it to you and ask you to cleanse my heart. Thank you for teaching me through your holy Word how destructive bitterness can be to my life and those around me. Today, I get rid of all bitterness and release my hurt over perceived wrongs against me. Pour out your unending love into my life, Lord. I choose to live free from bitterness.In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang For more spiritual growth resources, check out the 5-day email devotional, How to Be Free from Bitterness, by today's devotion writer, Kristine Brown. Learn more about women in the Bible and find encouragement to help you "become more than yourself through God's Word" at Kristine's website, morethanyourself.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 to Get Rid of All Bitterness – Your Daily Prayer – May 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Where do you seek your approval? June 17 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest."We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than human beings!" – Acts 5:27-29 One morning at his normal 8:30 AM staff meeting, President Harry Truman was brought a lavender envelope with a regal wax seal and flowing purple ribbons. Opening it, the President found a letter from the King of Saudi Arabia. The salutation began, "Your Magnificence..." Truman had a good laugh, and joked with his staff that that's how he wanted to be addressed from then on. Not long after, however, Truman supported the United Nations' admission of 100,000 Jews into Palestine. He soon afterward received another letter from the King. This one was on regular letterhead and began, "Dear Mr. President..." It's amazing how quickly the people who revere and respect you can quickly change their attitudes when they discover they disagree with you. But it's in that moment we can make the decision to stand for what we believe is right, or seek the approval of man. You can't follow Christ and please everyone. In fact, the Bible guarantees that when we put Christ at the center of our lives, we're going to lose the support of some. Make the right decision. Follow Christ first and foremost and seek your approval from Him! Prayer Challenge Ask God to give you the strength to follow Him first and foremost and seek your approval from Him alone! Questions for Thought Have you ever been rejected by someone for taking a stand you know was right? In times when you're rejected for your faith, what does God's Word say to you about who you are in His eyes? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post Where Do You Seek Your Approval? – Senior Living – June 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer to Get Rid of All BitternessBy Kristine Brown "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior." (Ephesians 4:31 NLT) Bitterness. It can creep into our minds undetected. It may start with one small thought but left unchecked, bitterness can maneuver its way into our hearts and make itself at home. Many things can trigger bitterness. Like coming face to face with someone who wronged us in the past. Recalling the hurtfulness for which they never apologized or even acknowledged. We sometimes bury bitter feelings so deep that we think we've rid ourselves of them. But then, that person or memory pops up, and the bitterness we once felt comes back with a vengeance. Over time, the small seeds of bitterness can develop roots and begin to grow. God directs us in his Word to get rid of bitterness. Our Heavenly Father understands how destructive it can be to our lives. Bitterness also affects those around us, spilling out on our families, friends, and coworkers. But God's direction is clear; he wants us to live free from the entanglement of bitterness. The apostle Paul instructed the church at Ephesus to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior" (Ephesians 4:31). Paul's encouragement to live as children of Light inspired Jesus' followers through building his church, and that instruction still holds true for us today. We cannot shine the Light of Jesus Christ to a dark world if we're holding on to bitterness. In my personal experience, bitterness has often sprouted because of a perceived wrong. When I felt like I'd been treated unjustly, that lingering resentment fed the root of bitterness and helped it grow. I've even become bitter over unanswered prayers. Times when something horrible happened in my circumstances, and I questioned why God didn't do something to stop it. The Expositor's Bible Commentary says bitterness is "the spite that harbors resentment and keeps a score of wrongs." So if bitterness keeps score, then according to the truth of 1 Corinthians 13, we could say that the opposite of bitterness is love. "It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged" (1 Corinthians 13:5). Wouldn't I rather harbor love than bitterness? The answer is yes, yet I know getting rid of bitterness takes an intentional commitment to seek God's ways and the leading of the Holy Spirit in my everyday life. I cannot get rid of bitterness if I've given it a place to thrive. To break free from bitterness, I must pull it out from the roots and replace it with the good things of God. Romans 5:5 reminds us of this truth: "For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Once we get rid of all bitterness, along with the other traits described in Ephesians 4:31, we will be prepared to display those good qualities Paul described in the very next verse. "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32) As we pray today's prayer to get rid of all bitterness, let's open our hearts to God and ask for a fresh filling of his love.  Let's pray:Dear God,Lately, I've felt bitterness invading my mind and heart. I've entertained bitter thoughts and let them affect every area of my life. Forgive me for allowing bitterness to take root. Help me get rid of all bitterness so that I can display kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness toward others. Thank you for helping me recognize bitterness so I can bring it to you and ask you to cleanse my heart. Thank you for teaching me through your holy Word how destructive bitterness can be to my life and those around me. Today, I get rid of all bitterness and release my hurt over perceived wrongs against me. Pour out your unending love into my life, Lord. I choose to live free from bitterness.In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang For more spiritual growth resources, check out the 5-day email devotional, How to Be Free from Bitterness, by today's devotion writer, Kristine Brown. Learn more about women in the Bible and find encouragement to help you "become more than yourself through God's Word" at Kristine's website, morethanyourself.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 to Get Rid of All Bitterness – Your Daily Prayer – May 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

At the end of a fundraiser on Saturday night studded with Hollywood celebrities, former President Barack Obama took President Biden’s hand and guided him off the stage. As the band played and Obama waved to the audience, Biden faced the audience with his hands clenched, only turning to leave when Obama took his hand to lead him off. So embarrassing. The Democrats can’t let this go on, surely? pic.twitter.com/ptCtWBbFfh — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 16, 2024 Last week, at the G-7 summit, Biden was standing with other leaders who were facing forward when he started wandering off to the side, forcing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to cross in front of the other leaders and go retrieve him. WHAT IS BIDEN DOING? pic.twitter.com/iY33K2srII — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 13, 2024 Also at the G-7 summit, Biden awkwardly pressed his forehead into the forehead of Pope Francis, leaving the Pope befuddled. Milei’s reaction to Biden getting in too close to the Pope is incredible. pic.twitter.com/ktdywb5Kq2 — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 15, 2024 Hours before the Hollywood fundraiser, First Lady Jill Biden addressed a group of roughly 250 seniors in Phoenix, Arizona, and attempted to allay any fears about her husband’s age, saying, “Joe and the other guy are essentially the same age so let’s not be fooled. … Biden is a healthy, wise, 81-year-old ready to work every day to make our future better.” In Special Counsel Robert Hur criminal investigation of Biden, the report stated, “Mr. Biden’s memory was significantly limited, both during his recorded interviews with the ghostwriter in 2017 [with whom he shared classified materials], and in his interview with our office in 2023 … We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” Recordings from when Biden was interviewed by the ghostwriter in 2017 showed that even then, he was “struggling to remember events and straining at times to read and relay his own notebook entries,” the special counsel said, adding that even back then he was showing signs of “diminished faculties and faulty memory.” Ryan Saavedra contributed to this report. Related: Special Counsel: Biden Has ‘Significantly Limited’ Memory, Didn’t Remember When He Was VP Or When Son Died