from WND: ‘I could see how much stuff might go wrong’ In a development that could end up making the COVID-19 pandemic that killed millions around the world a minor footnote‚ a new study has confirmed experimentation by Chinese scientists of a mutant strain that killed ALL of the mice in a study test. 100%. […]

by Steve Watson‚ Summit News: “Very narrow national interests should not come in the way” In an appearance at the globalist World Economic Forum in Davos‚ the Director General of the World Health Organisation urged that global cooperation will be needed during the next pandemic‚ and that “national interests” hinder compliance. TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/ […]

A Prayer for Purposed PassionBy Emily Rose Massey "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect‚ but I press on to make it my own‚ because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers‚ I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead‚ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14‚ ESV). What excites you and drives your passion? Being made in the image of God means that we all have passion. The important question we must ask ourselves is: is my passion directed inward or does it fuel me to pursue Christ and His purposes? Our drive and passion for the Lord and His Kingdom are related to our devotion to Him and reveal our purpose of knowing Christ and serving Christ. Most of all‚ reading and studying the scriptures should fuel our passion because it sets our eyes upon the Lord and helps us take our eyes off of ourselves. What motivates your drive toward Christ? For the Apostle Paul‚ it was the prize of the upward call of God: "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect‚ but I press on to make it my own‚ because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers‚ I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead‚ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14‚ ESV). We can remind our hearts that if we are born again‚ Christ purchased our life for a purpose and has made us His own. He did this so that we would bear fruit for His glory. Christ reached down and rescued me‚ so I should always be reaching for Christ. We press on to make knowing Christ relationally and serving Him faithfully‚ and we must press on even more when we feel weak. We can look to Christ and ask for strength to keep going‚ and He will be faithful to give us His abundant grace. We shouldn't be entangled by our past sins‚ sorrows‚ or even successes‚ as those things will distract us and hold us back from pressing on in our race to pursue Christ and His purpose.  May the Lord give us zeal and an increased pace‚ and an increased engagement in Kingdom pursuits as we press toward the prize. Ultimately‚ Christlikeness is our prize. Let us seek the Lord and ask Him to increase our passion to become more like Him! Let's pray: Dear Lord‚ I am reaching to the upward call‚ longing to become more Christ-like in my pursuits and in the fruit of my life. Help me to see what may be hindering me from being conformed to the image of You. I do not want to resist the call of taking up my cross and following You. My flesh is weak‚ but I know that I can find strength and grace in You to keep pressing forward‚ straining for the prize. Will you please ignite a zeal in my soul for You and Your Kingdom? In my striving and running‚ I trust that You choose my pace as I move forward‚ linking arms with other believers. You empower me with Your Spirit‚ and I know You are faithful to complete the work You have started in me. In Your name‚ I pray‚ amen.  Photo credit: Unsplash.com/DaigaEllaby Emily Massey began writing short stories and poetry as a little girl‚ entered the blogging world in her early 20s‚ and published her first book in 2015. She enjoys being a stay-at-home momma while still being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Believing she has been forgiven much‚ she loves much‚ and desires to point others to Christ and His redemptive and transforming power‚ especially by sharing truth found in God's written Word. If you would like to connect with Emily‚ you can visit www.emilyrosemassey.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 Purposed Passion – Your Daily Prayer – January 19 appeared first on GodUpdates.

January 19‚ 2024 In the Empty Nest‚ You Can Find Your Empty "Next"JENNIFER DUKES LEE Lee en español "Since my youth‚ God‚ you have taught me‚ and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray‚ do not forsake me‚ my God‚ till I declare your power to the next generation ..." Psalm 71:17-18 (NIV) I stood in our living room‚ remembering the sweet voices that used to reverberate there - voices that belong to the ones who call me "Mom." In that moment‚ I could practically feel the rough‚ prickly twigs of this new empty nest. My children did what children do - they grew up. But as happy as I was for them‚ I worried this change in our family dynamic would create a vacuum‚ sucking up the center points on which our daily lives seemed to pivot. What would be next? How would this change my marriage? That was two years ago. Today‚ I am filled with confidence and joy. While God created my husband and me to be parents‚ parenting isn't our only gig. In the middle of our empty nest‚ we found our empty "next‚" a space ready to be filled by obedience to God in new ways. He has plans for us‚ and He has plans for you too. Take a look at Psalm 71:17-18 for reassurance: "Since my youth‚ God‚ you have taught me‚ and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray‚ do not forsake me‚ my God‚ till I declare your power to the next generation ..." First‚ these verses remind us that God has been guiding us since we were young. Second‚ we can remember His past deeds and tell others about them. Finally‚ when our hair turns gray - even if‚ like me‚ you use a little bottle of color to cover your silver wisps of wisdom - we can say to God‚ Don't forget about me! I'm still here! Friend‚ He hears you. The empty nest isn't a place to confine us; it's a place to refine us. Life is far from over. Your greatest days may well be ahead of you. In fact‚ this is true no matter what new season you're facing - a season of singleness or marriage‚ parenting or empty nesting‚ restarting your career or retiring. God is faithful through every life change. Maybe the time you once spent supporting your kids' hobbies becomes time to nurture relationships‚ grow your faith‚ take a class - or goodness‚ take a well-deserved nap! As for my husband and I‚ we've been dreaming about our future. We've reignited a sense of spontaneity. We've enjoyed befriending our adult children. In a funny twist‚ after my little birdies took flight‚ I became mildly obsessed with a new hobby: bird-watching. None of it's easy at first‚ but here's the truth: You'll find God inside your empty nest‚ helping as you spread your own wings even as you dwell in the shadow of His wings. God‚ thank You for sheltering us with Your broad wings. Grant us space to grieve what’s behind us and anticipate what's ahead. Give us courage to explore fresh ways of living. Overflow us with peace instead of dread. May we find feathers to soften this nest where we dwell with You. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS If you are processing a new stage of your life‚ check out Jennifer's bestselling guided journal‚ Stuff I'd Only Tell God‚ which walks you through thinking about your past‚ present and future in a healthy‚ God-honoring way. ENGAGE For more encouraging content‚ connect with Jennifer at @JenniferDukesLee on Instagram. FOR DEEPER STUDY Isaiah 48:17‚ "This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer‚ the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God‚ who teaches you what is best for you‚ who directs you in the way you should go'" (NIV). How does this passage encourage you as you think about your future and/or the future of the young people in your life? We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2024 by Jennifer Dukes Lee. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post In the Empty Nest‚ You Can Find Your Empty “Next” – Encouragement for Today – January 19‚ 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Pole vaulter Shawn Barber‚ a former Olympian and Canadian pole vault record holder‚ has passed away from medical complications. Barber‚ 29‚ was a three-time NCAA champion and 2015 world champion. Barber’s cause of death hasn’t been disclosed. He reportedly was experiencing health issues. Shawn Barber dies at 29. Another athlete dead. pic.twitter.com/wWzZAe61uO — Informed NJ Nurses (@InformedNJNurse) January 19‚ 2024 Breaking: world champion pole vaulter‚ barely 29‚ dies at home after medical complications‚ and they say he’d been ill lately. He was one of the top athletes in the world. Reportedly he was fully vaccinated. #Quebec #Canada #DiedSuddenly #Death #Barron #Canadian #Athlete… pic.twitter.com/2wGKRtyNta — Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News (@unhealthytruth) January 19‚ 2024 TMZ reports: Barber‚ while at the University of Akron‚ won back-to-back NCAA indoor championships in 2014 and 2015‚ and the 2015 outdoor championship. Shawn also placed first in the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and the Pan American Games that same year. He also set the Canadian indoor record with a vault of 6 meters in 2016 … a record that still stands ’til this day. Barber also in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro … where he placed 10th in subpar weather conditions. WATCH: Shawn Barber‚ world champion pole vaulter‚ dead at 29 https://t.co/IG8aC6vsEc pic.twitter.com/YkwmMgdQk5 — New York Post (@nypost) January 18‚ 2024 Canadian world champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber dies at 29 from medical complications https://t.co/zAlkgZCsVj — Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) January 19‚ 2024 From the Associated Press: Barber died Wednesday at home in Kingwood‚ Texas‚ his agent‚ Paul Doyle‚ confirmed to The Associated Press. A cause of death was not yet known. Barber had been experiencing health issues. “More than just an incredible athlete‚ Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself‚” Doyle said Thursday. “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.” The sports world mourned the sudden passing of several other individuals this week. Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic passed away following a heart attack he suffered during a team dinner Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. Milojevic‚ 46‚ was hospitalized Tuesday night and died Wednesday morning. NBA Assistant Coach Dead At 46 Following Heart Attack Ronald Powell‚ a former New Orleans Saints linebacker‚ died at 32. Powell was the top-ranked recruit in his 2010 class. His cause of death wasn’t disclosed. Former NFL Linebacker‚ Top High School Recruit Dies At 32 Mike Dickson‚ a legendary tennis correspondent‚ reportedly collapsed and died at the Australian Open. Dickson‚ 59‚ passed away on Wednesday. 59-Year-Old Tennis Reporter Collapses And Dies At Australian Open

1885 - Battle of Abu Kru (Battle of Gubat)‚ Sudan: British Desert Column defeat Mahdist forces: 121 British and untold Mahdists killed 1903 - French newspaper L'Auto announces new 5-stage‚ long distance bicycle race‚ "Tour de France" 1918 - Soviets disallow a Constitution Assembly 1950 - Maiden flight by Canada's Avro Canada CF-100 military plane 1971 - "No‚ No Nanette" opens at 46th St Theater NYC for 861 performances 1991 - Iraq files SCUD missiles at Tel Aviv and other cities in Israel during the Gulf War 1992 - Cerebral Palsy telethon raises $23.5 million 1994 - -36°F (-38°C) in New Whiteland‚ Indiana (state record) 2003 - NFC Championship‚ Veterans Stadium‚ Philadelphia: Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Philadelphia Eagles‚ 27-10 2023 - Cyclone Cheneso makes landfall in northern Madagascar‚ killing at least 25 people and leaving about 40‚000 homeless More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1511 - Italian city Mirandola surrenders to the French 1806 - United Kingdom re-occupies the Cape of Good Hope following victory in the Battle of Blaauwberg over French vassal‚ the Batavian Republic. Establishes British rule in South Africa. 1949 - Cuba recognises Israel. 1966 - British composer Michael Tippett's cantata "Vision of St Augustine" premieres in London 1994 - -36°F (-38°C) in New Whiteland‚ Indiana (state record) 2001 - Cult film "Donnie Darko" written and directed by Richard Kelly‚ starring Jake Gyllenhaal premieres at the Sundance Film Festival More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1848 - Matthew Webb‚ English long distance swimmer who was first to swim unassisted across the English Channel‚ born in Dawley‚ England (d. 1883) 1924 - Jean Francois Revel‚ French philosopher and author (Ni Marx ni Jesus)‚ born in Marseille‚ France (d. 2006) 1931 - Ron Packard‚ American politician (Rep-R-CA‚ 1983-2001)‚ born in Meridian‚ Idaho 1936 - Elliott Schwartz‚ composer‚ born in New York City 1936 - Ziaur Rahman‚ Bangladeshi military officer and President of Bangladesh (1977-81)‚ born in Bagbari‚ Bengal Presidency‚ British India (d. 1981) 1974 - Walter Jones‚ American football offensive tackle (Seattle Seahawks)‚ born in Aliceville‚ Alabama More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1647 - Johan van Beverwijck‚ Dutch physician (Treas of Ongesontheyt)‚ dies at 52 1956 - Charles Dingle‚ American actor (The Little Foxes)‚ dies at 68 1969 - Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau‚ American jazz guitarist and double-bassist‚ dies at 80 1970 - Hal March [Harold Mendelson]‚ American comedian‚ actor and TV host ($64‚000 Question; Outrage)‚ dies of lung cancer at 49 1997 - Adriana Caselotti‚ voice of Snow White in Disney's animated film‚ dies at 70 2008 - Suzanne Pleshette‚ American actress (The Birds; The Bob Newhart Show - "Emily")‚ dies at 70 More Famous Deaths »