Photo: Alamy As New Hampshire’s GOP primary approaches‚ candidates have ramped up their appearances and spending in the state‚ including former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley‚ who sees the state as… The post Trump’s support surges in New Hampshire: survey first appeared on Right Side Broadcasting Network (RSBN).

A Prayer for CourageBy Meg Bucher "For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love‚ he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17 NLT Circling town for the several-ish time one day‚ I saw a text from my youngest daughter pop up on my dashboard alerts.  "Come to the school. I need you right now."  My daughters aren't little anymore‚ and unfortunately‚ I can't always get to them as fast as they prefer me to be there. Instead‚ I remind them to remember what I have taught them to do ...take a deep breath‚ and remember who and Whose they are. When we face fearful moments and hard days in life‚ it's easy to forget the peace we have in Christ. The strength and courage available to us are repeated often throughout the Bible!  "Don't be afraid!"  "Don't worry!"  "I will never leave you or forsake you."  "I will be with you always." When my daughter feels like she needs me right now‚ and I can't get there right away‚ those truths are rock-solid reminders to stand on. Today's verse reminds us who God is and Whose we are!  The NLT Life Application Bible explains: "God is the only one who can make us truly happy. Zephaniah points out that real joy breaks out in our lives when we live in community with God and he delights us. This happens when we follow him and obey his commands‚ and he purifies and transforms us. Then he rejoices over us with singing. If you want to be happy‚ draw close to the source of happiness by following God with all your heart. When you feel God's delight‚ you will never want to live apart from Him."  Let's choose to remember these truths in moments of fear and pain. Life is going to throw us some challenges. It's not going to be easy all of the time. But in Christ‚ we have the strength to get through it.  Let’s pray: Father‚Praise You‚ God‚ the source of our true happiness. God‚ you are living among us and in us! You are our mighty savior! You take delight in us with gladness! With Your love‚ You calm all of our fears. You will rejoice over us with joyful songs! Praise You‚ God! The truths throughout Scripture remind us who You are and that we are Your children. Thank you for adopting us into Your family and for giving us an identity that cannot be stolen or shaken. Thank You‚ Father‚ for sending Jesus to us to save us.  Father‚ when we need courage in times of fear and pain‚ let Your Holy Spirit be quick to remind us You are with us and in us and that You will never leave us or forsake us. Let us live our daily lives in obedience to You‚ God‚ not just calling on you when things are hard‚ or we feel like we need Your help. Help us to develop good habits of prayer and reading the encouraging words of wisdom in Scripture‚ Father. Create in us a desire to know more and more about You and Your plan for our lives. Facing fear is scary‚ God! We need You to fill us with supernatural courage when we are afraid! Help us to pause and press into You when life seems overwhelming‚ and we don't think we can do what is set before us.  Father‚ we pray for relief from pain today. Physical‚ mental‚ and spiritual pain is debilitating‚ and we pray for the chains of all pain to break and fall off of us today. You are mighty to save us. You calm all of our fears. Help us to remember these incredible truths‚ God‚ as we walk through a world that aims to trip us up and cause doubt and worry to flourish. You rejoice over us‚ Father. You take delight in us! You've never broken a promise. We can trust You and find true happiness as we abide in You.In Jesus' Name‚ we pray‚ Amen.  Additional Resources: NLT Life Application Study Bible‚ Third Edition‚ Personal Size Book·2020·Tyndale‚ Tyndale (page 1206) Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Kamonwan Wankaew Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ at Joy Overflowing and Sunny&;80. She is the author of "Friends with Everyone‚ Friendship within the Love of Christ‚" "Surface‚ Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity‚" "Glory Up‚ The Everyday Pursuit of Praise‚" "Home‚ Finding Our Identity in Christ‚" and “Sent‚ Faith in Motion.” Meg earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay home and raise her two daughters ...which led her to pursue her writing passion. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016‚ Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the editorial team as Editor of Christian Headlines. Meg loves being involved in her community and local church‚ leads Bible study‚ and serves as a youth leader for teen girls. 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 Courage – Your Daily Prayer – January 18 appeared first on GodUpdates.

January 18‚ 2024 What Are You Doing Here?BRENDA BRADFORD OTTINGER  Lee en español "There he came to a cave‚ where he spent the night. But the LORD said to him‚ ‘What are you doing here‚ Elijah?'" 1 Kings 19:9 (NLT) Like toddlers in a toy store‚ new years come bounding in‚ bursting with possibility for all that lies ahead. Some years‚ I've shown up at January's door eager to plan the year ahead. Yet when prayerfully assessing my path‚ I've realized that somewhere along life's way‚ I stepped off God's path for me and began running in my own direction. Looking back‚ those were some of the times in my life when I was in dim places of discouragement‚ longing to hear God's voice. The prophet Elijah knew this dilemma well. Elijah was speaking messages the Lord gave him and performing powerful miracles. But then he followed his fears and ran off in his own direction‚ winding up in a cave‚ longing to hear God's voice afresh (1 Kings 17-19). I love the gentle authority of God's response to Elijah's change of course: "There he came to a cave‚ where he spent the night. But the LORD said to him‚ ‘What are you doing here‚ Elijah?'" (1 Kings 19:9). Elijah explained that his life was in danger‚ and he felt he was the only remaining follower of God. "‘Go out and stand before me on the mountain‚' the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there‚ the LORD passed by ..." (1 Kings 19:11‚ NLT). Elijah witnessed a windstorm‚ an earthquake and a fire‚ but God was not in any of them. And after the fire‚ there was a gentle whisper. "Go back the same way you came‚ and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there‚ anoint Hazael to be king of Aram" (1 Kings 19:15‚ NLT). Elijah listened as the Lord's gentle whisper reassured him and gave him new hope and a fresh assignment‚ placing him back on the path set apart for him. Like Elijah‚ we can sometimes find ourselves running in our own directions‚ apart from God's path‚ and wind up in dim places of discouragement‚ longing to hear God's voice afresh. As we step onto the welcome mat of a new year‚ may we prayerfully assess our paths‚ asking God to reveal any areas where we may be running in our own direction. Oh‚ to listen for the tender voice of God saying: What are you doing here? If you sense the Lord's whisper in your spirit saying you've stepped off course‚ dear friend‚ take heart - just as God gently redirected Elijah‚ may you go back the way you came‚ back to where you last heard God speak in your life. Listen for His reassuring voice in the quiet of your time with Him; ask Him for wisdom and direction for your every step. The trustworthy Guide of your life is forever faithful to lead you well along His path‚ perfectly planned for you. Dear Lord‚ thank You for being my faithful Guide. Please help me listen for Your whisper above all else. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen.  OUR FAVORITE THINGS We all have a lot of questions ... But where can we go for answers? That's why we're hosting a series of new podcast episodes called "Ask a Theologian" on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast. In every conversation‚ you'll hear from Dr. Joel Muddamalle and Shae Hill as they tackle your most asked questions with theological insight and practical takeaways. Listen to the most recent episode here. ENGAGE For more encouragement‚ connect with Brenda Bradford Ottinger on her website or Instagram. FOR DEEPER STUDY Psalm 32:8‚ "The LORD says‚ ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you'" (NLT). In what areas of your life might God be asking‚ What are you doing here? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. © 2024 by Brenda Bradford Ottinger. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post What Are You Doing Here? –  Encouragement for Today – January 18‚ 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Steve Cortes‚ a former Trump advisor who later became a spokesman for the pro-DeSantis Superpac Never Back Down‚ wrote an op-ed saying it’s time to unify behind President Trump. “It is time to unify behind former President Trump as he leads the battle against the ruling class and the oligarchs intent on destroying the American way of life. I implore all patriotic populists to join as I pledge to do all I can to work for Trump’s cause‚ just as I proudly did in 2016 and 2020‚” Cortes wrote on RealClearPolitics. “With the America First movement acting fully in concert‚ we will win a historic electoral victory that leads to a full restoration of American greatness‚” he added. “It’s time to unite and coalesce behind Donald John Trump. Failure in November would result in an America that’s unrecognizable. The path to restoration will be led by President Trump‚” Cortes wrote on X. It’s time to unite and coalesce behind Donald John Trump. Failure in November would result in an America that’s unrecognizable. The path to restoration will be led by President Trump. My new article:https://t.co/adpHKq6RmA pic.twitter.com/vN5ZmJULn9 — Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) January 17‚ 2024 Investigative journalist Laura Loomer had two words for Cortes. “My first F*** YOU of the morning is going out to DeSantis PAC Spokesperson Steve Cortes‚” Loomer wrote. “Steve made money‚ fame and fortune by going on War Room with Steve Bannon where he pretended to be a Trump supporter‚” she continued. “Then‚ when things got hard for Trump and he was under attack‚ Steve Cortes abandoned Trump and became the Spokesperson for Ron DeSantis’s SUPER PAC @NvrBackDown24. He endorsed Ron DeSantis for President on May 9‚ which was 2 weeks before Ron DeSantis filed to run for President. That is proof that there was illegal coordination between Ron DeSantis’s campaign and the Super Pac‚ which means Steve Cortes is dirty‚” she added. Loomer continued: Ron was actively planning on running for President while he was running for re-election as Governor and Steve was well aware of that because for over a year‚ arrangements were being made to transfer funds from Ron’s state PAC to a Presidential PAC‚ which was named Never Back Down. Steve made A LOT OF MONEY working with Never Back Down and betraying Trump. In July 2023‚ he even acknowledged that DeSantis’s campaign was “way behind Trump”‚ but he stayed on board and enabled DeSantis so he could make more money. Meanwhile‚ it’s now January 17th‚ which means @CortesSteve had 6 months to tell people to support Trump and not support DeSantis‚ but he didn’t because he wanted to soak up every last penny of that DeSantis PAC money at Trump’s expense. Steve Cortes is a grifter‚ and sources tell me he’s been blowing up the phones of people who work for Trump‚ begging for another chance and trying to get a job with Trump. If Steve knew DeSantis was behind Trump in July ‚ how come he didn’t call for everyone to unite behind Trump 6 months ago???? Because it was all about getting rich. DeSantis and his PAC have wasted over $300 MILLION‚ which was used to pay PAC and campaign staff‚ and Steve knows that’s money that should have been used to support Trump. But because Steve is a disloyal sleaze ball‚ he took the money and never supported Trump. Now that the Iowa Caucus is over and everyone realizes how much the media has been lying about how much “people like @RonDeSantis”‚ every grifter and their mother is coming back groveling. F*** you‚ Steve. You aren’t getting anywhere near President Trump ever again and I am going to make sure everyone knows how much of a liar you are. You should have been publishing your article the day @RonDeSantis filed to run‚ but instead‚ you took his money and attacked Trump. We will never forgive you for it. And no‚ we won’t thank you for your disingenuous article. Please‚ do Trump a favor by GOING AWAY‚ and please stay away from him and his family. I’m going to make a personal complaint to @TeamTrump if I ever see you trying to show your face at another Trump event or Mar a Lago. I will make it my personal mission to make a public complaint and fuss about this act of disloyalty if you think that we are going to forget about what you did to Donald Trump. You don’t get to come back. You can give Trump your money and your vote‚ but you don’t get any more access. You can’t get back on the Trump Train‚ but you can push it from behind. You made your bed. Now go sleep in it. My first FUCK YOU of the morning is going out to DeSantis PAC Spokesperson Steve Cortes. @CortesSteve Steve made money‚ fame and fortune by going on War Room with Steve Bannon where he pretended to be a Trump supporter. Then‚ when things got hard for Trump and he was under… https://t.co/tGNqVR7wG8 pic.twitter.com/Y9pv40M44i — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) January 17‚ 2024 Cortes wrote at RealClearPolitics: I believed that Republican voters were ready for a new post-Trump chapter of the America First movement. I now believe I was wrong. Those of us who backed Ron DeSantis – or the other Republican candidates – should read the room. Former President Trump winnowed the field effortlessly and then crushed the remaining three candidates in Iowa. He leads in the polls everywhere else. It is time to coalesce and unite behind the clear preference of the GOP grassroots‚ Donald John Trump. We do not have the luxury of further internal strife and instead must gird for an epic battle this autumn against our opponents who are inflicting daily damage upon America. Any further time‚ capital‚ and effort spent attacking the frontrunner‚ especially with Democratic Party-like talking points‚ only dilutes the power of our cause as we head toward November. Why do these patriotic voters rally so overwhelmingly to Trump? Clearly‚ they admire the resilience of this outsider who is so reviled by the ruling class that has nothing but contempt for everyday Americans. Voters still see in Trump a fighter and champion for the forgotten and ill-used citizens of the United States. Americans also rally to his side as he faces an onslaught of corrupt persecutions from politicized‚ dirty prosecutors and undemocratic efforts to remove his name from state ballots. We confront a perilous moment in U.S. history. Our country suffers from sky-high violent crime‚ the ravages of an effectively open border‚ a subversive educational system‚ and the anxiety of an economy that punishes workers – all brought about‚ deliberately‚ by Joe Biden and his allies. At such a flashpoint in history like this one‚ political unity among conservatives is an imperative. A second Biden term would risk the permanent loss of our republic as we know it. Moreover‚ the very plausible scenario of Vice President Kamala Harris taking over for a weakened Biden makes the already troubling outcomes even more bleak. Cortes stepped down from his spokesman position for Never Back Down in October 2023. BREAKING: Spokesman Steve Cortes has left Ron DeSantis's 'Never Back Down PAC'. Read more: https://t.co/wGPVituUmv — Raheem. (@RaheemKassam) October 10‚ 2023 From The Hill: Former Trump adviser Steve Cortes has stepped down from his position at the super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) presidential bid Never Back Down‚ according to a statement from the group. “Steve launched his own show and left his role as a spokesman for Never Back Down‚” said Erin Perrine‚ communications director for Never Back Down. “He will continue to support Governor DeSantis in his personal capacity.” Cortes’s exit from the pro-DeSantis group comes as former President Trump continues to dominate Republican presidential primaries roughly three months out from the Iowa Caucuses. DeSantis has yet to gain traction in most primary polling. The Real Clear Politics average shows the former president at 57.4 support‚ while DeSantis comes in at 12.6 percent. Cortes endorsed DeSantis in May before the governor formally announced his presidential bid. He previously served as a senior adviser to former President Trump’s 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns and was a frequent pro-Trump voice on cable news. “Governor Ron DeSantis represents the best possible option to win the presidency in 2024 and to govern as a highly capable‚ patriotic populist leader‚” Cortes wrote in a Newsweek op-ed announcing his endorsement earlier this year.

Ronald Powell‚ a former New Orleans Saints linebacker‚ has died at 32. Powell was the top-ranked recruit in his 2010 class. His cause of death wasn’t disclosed. “Today we mourn the loss of Ronald Powell- a father‚ a brother‚ and a son who was loved and cherished by so many. We send comfort to all those who knew Ronald‚” the NFL Players Association’s Former Players wrote on social media. Today we mourn the loss of Ronald Powell- a father‚ a brother‚ and a son who was loved and cherished by so many. We send comfort to all those who knew Ronald. #RIP pic.twitter.com/p4ZZLNYNTO — NFLPA Former Players (@NFLPAFmrPlayers) January 16‚ 2024 NBC News reports: Powell was a fifth-round draft pick out of the University of Florida in the 2014 NFL draft‚ Sports Illustrated reported. He had 11 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss with the Florida Gators‚ according to the sports magazine. The team said it was saddened to learn about his death. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones‚” the Gators said on X. Powell played in 14 games for New Orleans as a rookie‚ according to Sports Illustrated. After he suffered a knee injury‚ he was on the practice squads for three teams over the next few years before he exited the league. We’re very saddened to learn about the passing of former Gators player Ronald Powell. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/3a55C4cHWn — Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 16‚ 2024 Ronald Powell‚ former NFL linebacker‚ dead at 32 https://t.co/0rLCQYrmWU pic.twitter.com/NtkS6aW5aO — New York Post (@nypost) January 16‚ 2024 Former NFL linebacker Ronald Powell‚ the top H.S. recruit in the 2010 class‚ has passed away at 32. All we know https://t.co/Rl3QgukGlZ pic.twitter.com/89OuHYx70S — TMZ (@TMZ) January 17‚ 2024 WPTV added: Powell began his football career at Rancho Verde High School in California‚ where he became a 5-star recruit and top of his class. Upon graduating‚ he committed to the Florida Gators. Powell played three seasons for the Gators between 2010 and 2013. He sat out the 2012 season with a torn ACL. Powell was picked up by the Saints in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft and played 14 games for the team. Powell’s former college football teammate Junior Galette spoke out about his passing on X. “I love you forever ’til we meet again‚” Galette wrote. “An excellent father‚ respected brother and a loving son.” Powell signed with the Orlando Apollos before the start of the 2019 season but was waived before the Alliance of American Football ceased operations. The sports world also mourned the sudden passing of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic due to a heart attack. NBA Assistant Coach Dead At 46 Following Heart Attack

1776 - James Wright‚ Royal Governor of Georgia‚ is placed under house arrest by Major Joseph Habersham 1840 - The Electro-Magnet‚ and Mechanics Intelligencer‚ 1st US electrical journal‚ appears 1919 - The Paris peace conference (aka the Versailles peace conference) opens to draw up the treaties formally ending the Great War (WWI) 1941 - World War II: A counter-offensive is launched by the British against the Italians in East Africa 1962 - Southern University‚ Baton Rouge‚ closed due to demonstrations 1964 - Plans for World Trade Center announced (NYC) 1977 - Pakistan cricket all-rounder Imran Khan takes 6 for 63 in the Australian 2nd innings for a match total of 12 to lead his side to an easy 8 wicket 3rd Test win in Sydney 1979 - Peter Jenkins finishes "A Walk Across America" at Florence‚ Oregon 1995 - Kumble takes 16-99 in match for Karnataka v Kerala 1997 - Boerge Ousland of Norway becomes the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unaided More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1908 - Frederick Delius' "Brigg Fair" premieres in London 1915 - Train crashes at Colima-Guadalajara Mexico‚ about 600 die 1992 - Comedian Pat McCormick injured in a car accident 1992 - 43rd NHL All-Star Game‚ Spectrum‚ Philadelphia‚ PA: Campbell beats Wales‚ 10-6; MVP: Brett Hull‚ St. Louis‚ RW 2001 - New York's Mike Richter picks up his 267th career NHL win to become the winningest goaltender in team history; passes Ed Giacomin; Rangers beat the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs‚ 2-1 in overtime 2004 - NFC Championship‚ Lincoln Financial Field‚ Philadelphia: Carolina Panthers beat Philadelphia Eagles‚ 14-3 More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1903 - Berthold Goldschmidt‚ German-British opera composer (Beatrice Cenci)‚ born in Hamburg‚ German Empire (d. 1996) 1919 - Juan Antonio Orrego-Salas‚ Chilean composer‚ born in Santiago‚ Chile (d. 2019) 1962 - Dito‚ Portuguese soccer defender (17 caps; Braga‚ Benfica‚ Vitória Setúbal) and manager (Portimonense‚ Moreirense)‚ born in Barcelos‚ Portugal (d. 2020) 1964 - Jane Horrocks‚ British actress (Little Voice‚ Corpse Bride‚ Absolutely Fabulous)‚ born in Rossendale Valley‚ Lancashire‚ England 1979 - Leo Varadkar‚ Irish politician (Prime Minister‚ 2017-)‚ born in Dublin‚ Ireland 1986 - Eugene Lee Yang‚ American filmmaker and internet personality (Buzzfeed‚ The Try Guys)‚ born in Waco‚ Texas More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1677 - Jan van Riebeeck‚ Dutch founder of Cape Colony (Cape Town)‚ dies at 57 1859 - Alfred Vail‚ American inventor and early telegraph pioneer‚ dies at 51 1954 - Sydney Greenstreet‚ British actor (Casablanca‚ Maltese Falcon)‚ dies at 74 1978 - Walter H. Thompson‚ English Scotland Yard detective‚ bodyguard of Winston Churchill‚ dies of cancer at 77 1996 - Leonor Fini‚ Argentine artist‚ dies at 87 2021 - Perry Botkin Jr‚ American arranger‚ composer ("Nadia's Theme")‚ and producer (Incredible Bongo Band)‚ dies at 87 More Famous Deaths »