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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - DECEMBER 20, 2023
Next Wednesday, December 27, the Intersect will be taking a Christmas break, but we will be back on January 3. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas with friends and family as you celebrate Christ’s birth!
In this week's Intersect, read about:
U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Important Abortion Pill Case
“The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to hear an important case regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) removal of important safety regulations on chemical abortion drugs. The court will hear arguments over whether the FDA illegally lowered safety standards around mifepristone – the first of two drugs commonly used in a ‘chemical abortion.’” read more at The Daily Citizen
THINK.
- The Biden administration and the manufacturer of mifepristone have asked the justices to overturn a lower-court ruling that would make it more difficult to obtain the medication, which is part of a two-drug regimen used in more than half of all abortions in the United States. Mifepristone starves a baby in the womb until the child dies. It doesn’t treat a disease. It also poses a serious – even fatal – threat to the women who take it.
- Last April the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that full access to the abortion pill mifepristone could continue as a lawsuit worked its way through the lower federal courts. Now, the high court will review an August ruling from a federal appeals court that upheld a lower court's restrictions to mifepristone, which include removing access to the medication by mail and shortening the timeframe for when the pill can be consumed from 10 weeks to seven weeks. The federal appeals court found the FDA didn't follow procedures when loosening regulations.
- Numerous pro-life organizations, including My Faith Votes, had urged the Fifth Circuit to uphold a district court ruling that rescinded the FDA’s approval of mifepristone entirely. Unfortunately, their ruling did not go that far but the case is now in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court to decide.
- Dr. Ingrid Skop, a board-certified OB/GYN related to us in an interview that she has personally treated many women for complications from the abortion pill regimen. “The evidence that abortion pills are dangerous is overwhelming—and by approving them, the FDA chose a radical political agenda over women's health,” she wrote. Her extensive research on the harm caused by the abortion pill, as well as the real-world data ignored by the FDA, formed the basis of the primary scientific amicus brief filed in the lawsuit that the Supreme Court will now hear. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the case in the spring, with a decision likely in late June.
PRAY.
Join me in praying that in the months to come the Supreme Court will listen fairly and rule rightly in this case. More importantly, pray for the killing of children through any type of abortion to stop.
ACT.
My Faith Votes has a group marching at the upcoming annual National March for Life in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 2024. If you’re in the area, please join us! We’ll provide pro-life signs to carry. Please let us know if you can join by filling out this form.
US Homelessness Up 12% From 2022, Hits Highest Level Since 2007
“New data shows homelessness increased over the last year and reached its highest level since federal housing authorities began keeping a point-in-time count of homelessness in 2007. On Friday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its annual Homeless Assessment Report with point-in-time (PIT) estimates…The report found that over 653,100 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2023 – an increase of 12%, or 70,650 more people, compared to 2022.” read more at Fox Business
THINK.
- Who is homeless? The increase in people who are homeless includes teenagers, senior citizens, families, veterans, and illegal immigrants. Where are they? The increase occurred across the country, both in big and small cities and rural communities. Some areas, however, reported a decrease, including Dallas, Texas, Sonoma County, California, and Newark and Essex County, New Jersey.
- Why are they homeless? There is no single answer. The problem is specific to each individual. But the federal government thinks several factors have contributed to the rise in homelessness: rising housing costs; limited affordable housing units; the opioid epidemic; and the expired pandemic-era aid. The massive increase of illegal immigrants also contributed. In 2015, the Department of Housing and Urban Development found that at least 25 percent of the US homeless, or 140,000 people, were seriously mentally ill, and The National Coalition for the Homeless has found that 38 percent of homeless people are alcohol-dependent, while 26 percent are dependent on other harmful chemicals.
- One of the four core pillars of My Faith Votes’ mission is compassion and support for those in need. The Body of Christ is uniquely equipped to meet not just physical needs, but spiritual starvation. The statistics are disturbing, but they reveal the breadth of the mission field.
PRAY.
Ask the Lord what you can do to minister to those in need. The next time you see a homeless person, pray for him or her. If you would like prayer about anything, or you know someone who needs prayer, send us your prayer request at the link here. It’s our honor to pray for God to fill the needs of hearts that are having a hard time right now.
ACT.
As you celebrate the arrival of our Savior who was born in a manger, consider how to minister in His name to your neighbors in need. Perhaps it’s volunteering at a homeless shelter or food pantry or donating to a ministry. You never know what God will do when you pray and step out in faith!
House Votes to Formally Approve Biden Impeachment Inquiry
“The House of Representatives voted to approve a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. In September, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) directed three House committees to begin an impeachment inquiry against Biden. Wednesday’s party-line vote elevates the inquiry and grants the investigators’ increased subpoena authority. Republican lawmakers allege that while serving as Vice President, Biden used his position to enrich himself and his family through influence peddling schemes overseas involving his son, Hunter Biden.” read more at AllSides
THINK.
- What is an impeachment inquiry? It is an investigation of possible wrongdoing by a federal official. In this case, whether the President of the United States engaged in corruption and bribery while Vice President. The inquiry began in September at the direction of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, but with the vote last week, the entire House Republican conference now formally supports it. The inquiry could result in a vote to impeach the president—which would result in a Senate trial for possible conviction, although conviction would not occur in a Democratic-majority Senate.
- Why conduct a vote? Republicans moved to formalize the inquiry partly because the White House has not provided all the documents they have asked for. The White House argued that without a vote of the House, the investigating committee could not legally compel them to provide documents or testimony. Republicans also subpoenaed Hunter Biden to appear for a closed-door deposition last week before the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees. Instead of testifying, Hunter Biden made a statement outside the Capitol, denouncing it as “beyond the absurd.” The House voted later that evening to approve an impeachment inquiry.
- What should we consider? President Biden called the inquiry a “baseless political stunt.” House Democrats and many mainstream media outlets claim the Republicans have not produced evidence of wrongdoing by the President. It’s helpful to look at what has been uncovered. Republicans argue it is suspicious enough to warrant further investigation, which is the purpose of an impeachment inquiry. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stated, “We can’t prejudge the outcome; the Constitution does not permit us to do so. We have to follow the truth where it takes us.”
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, give our elected officials wisdom in this investigation and in all their work. Let them be guided by a righteous desire for truth and justice. Let this situation turn out for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ACT.
As a small way to say “thank you” for reading the weekly Intersect, we’re giving away five PRAY, THINK, VOTE t-shirts for free to the first 5 people that reply to this email. Simply reply with your address, preferred size and color and I’ll send you a shirt in the mail! You can see what they look like here.
Satanic Temple Display at Iowa Capitol Spurs Outrage, Debate, Prayer
“While it’s not unusual for nativity scenes to make the news around Christmastime, a different form of public display inside the Iowa state capitol building has made headlines in recent days. The Satanic Temple placed a statue of the pagan idol Baphomet and other satanic paraphernalia in the building’s rotunda near the capitol’s annual nativity scene.” read more at The Daily Article
THINK.
While it has generated controversy, responses have varied. Governor Kim Reynolds called it “absolutely objectionable” while asking for prayer over the building. Representative Jon Dunwell gave an informed and viral Christian response. Michael Cassidy—who ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in Mississippi last year—responded by tearing down and beheading the idol. He’s since been charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief.
How was this statue allowed? Iowa state law allows any religious organization to have a display. The Satanic Temple, founded in 2013, is recognized as a religion by the US government. They are not the same as the Church of Satan. Most members are atheists who use Satan as an excuse for freedom from religious rules. The Baphomet statues have been erected in different states and localities to stir controversy among governments (and Christians) that they feel are violating the separation of church and state by allowing Christian religious displays on public property.
What has gotten lost in the controversy is that equal representation for satanic groups isn’t the point they’re trying to make by placing their idol on capitol grounds. They aim for shock and repulsion from Christians. Michael Cassidy's reaction was highlighted by the media as the larger story, making him the villain, not Satan.
What the national media didn't show you was another reaction. The largest group ever to pray at Iowa’s Capitol gathered to display the Nativity and pray. Their response to the goat idol chaos is an example of how we can bring light into the darkness and fight the battle with the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-19).
PRAY.
Pray for opportunities to show and share the hope of the Gospel with others. Pray about inviting a friend, co-worker, or neighbor to a Christmas Eve church service with you.
ACT.
Do you know the significance of the swaddling clothes Jesus was wrapped in as a baby? Watch this 2-minute fascinating explanation. It happens to be our most-watched video ever with nearly 3 million views on social media!
My Faith Votes—is a nonpartisan movement that motivates, equips and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. By partnering with national faith leaders, My Faith Votes provides resources to help Christians Pray, Think, and Act to create an America where God is honored in the public square.
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