"Decreeing the Word of God Over the News of the Day"
United We Stand Monday, July 3, 2023
Tonight our Lord is bringing a very special Guest Speaker to our national call!
Rafael Cruz, the father of Senator Ted Cruz, grew up in Communist Cuba and speaks passionately about the dangers we all face with the ongoing Communist infiltration in our own nation. Mr. Cruz KNOWS what it is like to live under the harsh fist of tyranny, and will bring us a message that will encourage all of us to stand strong in the days ahead.
To read more about the biography of Raphael Cruz, please go here.
Start your day with us in WORSHIP to our King! Today's selection is "I'm Going to See a Victory!" by Elevation Worship . Go here!
TODAY'S TOP STORY
Supreme Court rules in favor of Colorado graphic designer who refused to create same-sex wedding websites
Supreme Court case 303 Creative v. Elenis pitted First Amendment freedom against LGBTQ non-discrimination
The U.S. Supreme Court held that a Colorado graphic designer who wants to make wedding websites does not have to create them for same-sex marriages, in a landmark decision that pit the interests of LGBTQ non-discrimination against First Amendment freedom. In a 6-3 decision issued Friday, the high court ruled in favor of artist Lorie Smith, who sued the state over its anti-discrimination law that prohibited businesses providing sales or other accommodations to the public from denying service based on a customer's sexual orientation.
Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the majority opinion, which said that, "In this case, Colorado seeks to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance. ... But, as this Court has long held, the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong. ... But tolerance, not coercion, is our Nation’s answer. The First Amendment envisions the United States as a rich and complex place where all persons are free to think and speak as they wish, not as the government demands. Because Colorado seeks to deny that promise, the judgment is reversed," he concluded. (Fox News) Read more.
- Father God, we shout HALLELUJAH at the news of this decision! We praise You that our right to make our business decisions based upon our own values has now
been guaranteed. Thank You, Father, in Your name, amen and amen!
- "For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off." (Psalm 37:28)
TOP STORY 2
Supreme Court Rules for Christian Postal Worker
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on June 29 that a lower court applied the wrong standard in a case about whether the U.S. Postal Service violated the constitutional rights of an evangelical Christian mail carrier when the agency refused to accommodate his wish not to work on the Sunday Sabbath.
Supporters say the decision means more employers will be required by law to respect the religious beliefs of their employees by granting them workplace accommodations.
The ruling, which comes as the Supreme Court has become increasingly protective of First Amendment-based religious freedoms in recent years, interprets for the first time in many years a 46-year-old precedent known as Trans World Airlines (TWA) v. Hardison. The 1977 decision held that to reject an employee’s request for a religious accommodation under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the employer need only demonstrate that the accommodation imposes an “undue hardship” on the business. (The Epoch Times) Read more.
- Lord God, once again we offer You praise for this decision by our Supreme Court. May employees across our land now be able to put the values of their faith ahead of the needs of businesses, where applicable and manageable. Thank You, Lord, amen.
- "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face." (Psalm 11:7)
TOP STORY 3
Supreme Court Strikes Down Biden Student Loan Forgiveness Program
The Supreme Court voted 6–3 on June 30 to strike down President Joe Biden’s controversial plan to partially forgive student loans. The six conservative justices voted to invalidate the program in the closely watched case, while the three liberal justices voted to uphold it.
Biden unveiled the plan in August 2022 in a move critics decried as a constitutionally dubious attempt to help Democrats in November 2022 congressional elections. The Congressional Budget Office said the plan could cost about $400 billion, but the Wharton School estimates the price tag could blow past $1 trillion. The now-invalidated program would have canceled as much as $20,000 in loan principal for each of 40 million borrowers.
Biden denounced the ruling during a late afternoon presser at the White House hours after the decision was released. There are “millions of Americans in this country who feel disappointed and discouraged or even a little bit angry about the court’s decision today on student debt. Sixteen million people had been approved for debt relief and “the money was literally about to go out the door. And then Republican elected officials and special interests stepped in.”
“They said no, no—literally snatching from the hands of millions of Americans thousands of dollars in student debt relief that was about to change their lives,” the president said. “Today’s decision has closed one path and now we’re going to pursue another,” he said, promising to provide further student loan relief. (The Epoch Times) Read more here.
- And Lord, we now see "strike three" with last week's decisions by the Supreme Court. This promise by Joe Biden was clearly a scheme to grab votes in the next
election, but this scheme has failed. As it has been siad, he should never have made this promise in the first place, as it went beyond the boundary of presidential authority. Thank you, O Lord, for this Supreme Court, that is willing to reign in a government that has been out of control. In Your Name, Holy One, we offer this prayer, amen and amen!
- "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!" (Psalm 150:6)
TOP STORY #4
This is not a Normal Court: Biden Slams Color-Blind SCOTUS Decision to End Affirmative Action
It didn't take long for The White House to come out swinging against the racists on the Supreme Court who dared to disallow race-based decision-making on college admissions.
"The court has effectively ended affirmative action in college admissions," the president raged "and I strongly, strongly disagree with the court's decision."
Biden added that equal opportunity "is not everywhere across this country."
College and universities "should not abandon their commitment to ensure student bodies of diverse backgrounds and experience," he adds - seemingly telling them to ignore SCOTUS' ruling. As Charlie Kirk noted, he appears to be openly calling on universities to defy the ruling by lumping race into the new catch-all term: "adversity".
As Noah Rothman noted, "Did President just make make institutionalized racial discrimination against Asian-Americans a campaign platform?"
"The truth is," Biden repeats three times, "we all know it -- discrimination still exists in America."
Indeed - and SCOTUS just ruled against that discrimination being used against smart white kids wanting to get into the Ivy League. (ZeroHedge) Read more
- Lord God, we praise You and we agree with this statement made last week by Joe Biden: "The court has effectively ended affirmative action in college admissions,"
We thank you that students who are working to enter into college will no longer be judged by the color of their skin, but according to the work they have done in high school. Thank You, Lord, for this breakthrough for the youth in our nation, in Your Name, amen and amen.
- "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
FOCUS ON ISRAEL
1. Israel warns Hezbollah: 'We will remove the tents, even at cost of confrontation' - Israel National News
The tension on Israel's northern border is increasing amid the erection of two tents by the Hezbollah terror organization in the Har Dov enclave on the Blue Line, and the defense establishment has passed a message on to the terror organization's leaders, stating: "We will remove the tents, even at the risk of a confrontation," Channel 12 reported.
According to the report, Israel's message comes one day after Lebanese MP from Hezbollah, Mohammad Ra'ad, refused the UN's request to remove the tents which were erected on Israeli territory, stating, "If the enemy doesn't want war, then it is better that it remains silent."
Amid the complex security situation, an argument arose in the IDF over the needed plan of action. Before a military action, the government wishes to solve the issue through diplomatic channels, with the US, France, and UNFIL - the temporary UN force in Lebanon. The coming days will prove crucial for the two sides, being characterized by international attempts to bring to an agreement. (Read more)
2. ‘Shut up or declare war’ – Hezbollah won’t remove outpost in Israeli territory - World Israel News
A Lebanese Hezbollah MP told local media that the terror group refuses to dismantle an outpost it established in Israeli territory, and that Jerusalem could declare war should they want to clear the encampment.
“The enemy is demanding the removal of the two tents and prefers that the resistance do it because it doesn’t want to enter into an undesirable war,” Muhammad Raad, a member of Hezbollah’s political faction in the Lebanese parliament, told local Arabic-language media.
“If you don’t want war, shut up and walk back [the demand],” he added.
Several weeks ago, operatives from the Hezbollah terror group set up several tents on the Israeli side of the Blue Line border between the two countries. (Read more)
3. Hezbollah said to evacuate one of the 2 tents it set up on Israeli side of Blue Line - Times of Israel
The Hezbollah terror group has removed one of two tents set up in an area along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel, according to several Hebrew-language reports late Sunday evening.
According to the Ynet news site, the same number of Hezbollah fighters remains on the Israeli side of the contested area, but they have now been condensed into the remaining tent, while the second one was moved to the Lebanese side.
The Walla news site reported that Israeli officials believe Hezbollah is seeking to quietly avoid an armed confrontation with Israel by moving the tent. Israeli officials did not immediately confirm the reports on Sunday evening. (Read more)
4. Israel to procure third F-35 squadron, eventually bringing fleet to 75 - Times of Israel
The Defense Ministry and military on Sunday said Israel would be procuring a third squadron of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States.
The additional 25 aircraft would bring the Israeli Air Force’s F-35i fleet to 75 in the coming years.
In a joint statement, the Defense Ministry and Israel Defense Forces said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved the recommendation proposed by IDF chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi; the director general of the ministry, Eyal Zamir; and chief of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, to procure the third F-35i squadron. (Read more)
5. Israel Concerned over ‘Waves of Antisemitism’ in Riot-Torn France - Jewish Press
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed “deep concern” over what he called “manifestations and waves of antisemitism washing over France” as thousands of rioters tear apart the country.
During his opening remarks on Sunday at the weekly government cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel is “witnessing attacks against Jewish targets and we condemn these attacks. We support the French government in its fight against the scourge of antisemitism.”
Rioters Desecrate Holocaust Memorial
French rioters desecrated a Holocaust memorial in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Friday night as the violence escalated following the death of a 17-year-old Arab teen identified only as “Nahel” earlier in the week. The teen was shot and killed by police on Tuesday after attempting to flee during a traffic stop. (Read more)
7. Friday Prayer Points - Intercessors for Israel Go here
The Daily Brief
1. Justice Clarence Thomas Proves Yet Again Why He’s The ‘All Time Greatest’ - The Daily Wire
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas dropped a must-read concurring opinion in the high court’s decision striking down affirmative action, praising American exceptionalism, deriding victimhood, and even taking aim squarely at fellow Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson’s dissent.
Having been born into poverty in the Deep South during the Jim Crow Era, Thomas has a poignant and powerful perspective on the issue. In the opinion released Thursday, he pulled no punches.
“The great failure of this country was slavery and its progeny,” Thomas wrote. “And, the tragic failure of this Court was its misinterpretation of the Reconstruction Amendments, as Justice Harlan predicted in Plessy. We should not repeat this mistake merely because we think, as our predecessors thought, that the present arrangements are superior to the Constitution.”
Thomas went on to say that the ruling helps move America closer toward a more perfect union that lives up to its promise, despite past racism.
“While I am painfully aware of the social and economic ravages which have befallen my race and all who suffer discrimination, I hold out enduring hope that this country will live up to its principles so clearly enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States: that all men are created equal, are equal citizens, and must be treated equally before the law,” he said. (Read more)
- Thank You for this opinion by Justice Thomas. Give him favor, Lord.
- "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!" (Psalm 90:17)
2. Violence Spiralling Out of Control in France: Massive Police Deployment Fails to Quell Burnings - Breitbart
The French government is considering “all options” including a nationwide state of emergency after another night of violence which saw hundreds of arrests and injured police officers, and thousands of fires, including many symbols of the state including town halls, schools, post offices, and buses destroyed.
Some 40,000 police officers were deployed across France on Thursday night in an attempt to forestall a third night of violence triggered by the death on Tuesday of a delivery driver at the hands of a police officer in a Paris suburb after he refused to comply with a traffic stop. Yet the enormous show of force by the French state failed to prevent even greater levels of destruction.
- We pray for France. May peace reign and the violence stop.
- "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." (11 Thessalonians 3:16)
3. Google Drops Anti-Christ Drag Show after Christian Employees Speak Out - CalebParke.com
Google was forced to back off sponsoring the "pride and Drag Show" Tuesday featuring "Peaches christ" at the LGBTQ+ bar Beaux in San Francisco after a petition was sent to HR claiming religious discrimination, CNBC reports.
"Their provocative and inflammatory artistry is considered a direct affront to the religion beliefs and sensitivities of Christians," the petition reads about the drag performer who describes himself as a "cult leader."
Peaches christ, the stage name for 49-year-old Joshua Grannell, shared a post from the Satanic Temple called the "Gender Affirmation Ritual Series DRAG: Dressing Ritual to Affirm Gender-Expression."
The employees complained that the event violated one of Google's event guidelines which bans sexually explicit activity.
Without referencing the petition or responding to their demand for an apology, Google spokesperson Chris Pappas told CNBC it no longer categorized the drag show as a company-recognized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) event.
He said the team that planned the final drag event did so "without going through our standard events process." (Source: - CalebParke.com) Read more here.
- Thank You, Lord, that Google dropped their sponsorship of this drag show.
- "Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong." (Isaiah 1:16)
4. Republicans Gut Biden’s Trans Extremism in Woke-Crushing Military Bill - The Washington Stand
Most veterans are horrified the words even have to be uttered, but apparently, nothing’s off limits under Joe Biden’s radical excuse for Pentagon leadership. “DRAG SHOWS HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR MILITARY,” Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.) tweeted in all caps — not for the first time. “How many times do we have to say it?” Several, it appears. But thanks to House and Senate Republicans, the GOP is doing more than saying it. They’re fighting it.
In the first major showdown over Biden’s wildly woke policy, conservatives came out swinging with amendments to gut the extreme ideology infecting our ranks. “I think it’s time for us to do something, to make our voice known that … we will not let this happen in the U.S. military,” Alford insisted in the House Armed Services Committee mark-up for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “Woke ideology … [has] no place in our military. Zero. Bupkis. That’s not the way to recruit.
Call it what you want, Republicans say, but whatever it is, it’s incapable of finding and retaining good men and women to serve. “We’ve reached a critical point, a critical juncture in our nation’s history,” Alford told Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on “Washington Watch.” “With recruitment falling, [we missed] our mark in the Army by 25% last year. The Navy [is] just barely meeting its goal. The Marines did meet their goal. But as we’re facing this [persistent] threat from communist China, we need every able-bodied American who wants to sign up to be in our military to do so. Only 9% of Americans, young people, want to join the military.”
And there’s a reason for that, he continued. “We’ve lost a sense of patriotism in our country. But also the woke indoctrination of our young people is creeping into our military. The drag shows that we’re seeing on naval asset ships and on military bases, and also [these] digital ambassadors [who are] trying to recruit people into the military who agree with their woke lifestyle. We need to put an end to that. And last Wednesday, I’m proud to say I was part of a team of Republicans who did something about it.” (Read more)
- We pray for our military. We pray strength in the numbers of people who want to join and that the drag shows will end.
- "In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ” (1 Chronicles 11:2)
5. House Oversight Committee Just Went Nuclear on 'the Bidens' - PJ Media
Another Hunter Biden message has been released, and this time it shows him doing business in the name of the Bidens with a Chinese Communist Party intelligence operative. This was a few short months after Joe Biden left his vice president's job.
Even after Hunter Biden's attorney claimed the sweetheart plea deal was a "global" agreement, which meant that prosecutors would stop looking into his hinky deals, the House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said they would keep pursuing leads. And oh, have they.
Over the weekend we learned about the WhatsApp message that serves as evidence of Hunter Biden shaking down a Chinese energy company, CEFC, whose board includes a leader of the Chinese Communist Party's spy agency. Hunter's message mentioned that his father was "in the room" with him and "sitting next" to him as he commanded a $5 million payday. (Read more)
- Father, we pray justice be served for Hunter Biden for his crooked ways.
- "Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent." (Deuteronomy 16:19)
6. More Evidence against Hunter Biden Is Coming; as Whistleblowers Call Out Merrick Garland - Breaking Christian News
During a recent interview on NewsmaxTV, Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the chair of the House Oversight Committee, disclosed that he possesses further evidence concerning Hunter Biden, which will be made public soon. This revelation comes after whistleblower allegations against the Biden family broke last week. (Screengrab image: AG Merrick Garland)
Comer made the revelation while discussing recent denials by Attorney General Merrick Garland of the allegations made by two IRS whistleblowers, who said that the Department of Justice stymied the investigation of Hunter Biden.
Garland had claimed that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss had full authority to investigate Hunter Biden as he saw fit. But according to testimony from whistleblower Gary Shapley, an IRS agent, Weiss said he was not the deciding official on whether charges against Hunter Biden would be filed. Shapley testified that Weiss told agents he wanted to file charges against Hunter in Washington, DC, but "the Biden-appointed DC US Attorney Matthew Graves would not allow him to charge in his District."
"He just stood up and lied to the American people. Merrick Garland has destroyed the reputation of the Justice cabinet. He has destroyed the reputation of justice in America. He needs to go," Comer told Newsmax. (Read more)
- We pray that justice will be served for Attorney General Merrick Garland and that he will be held fully accountable for his actions!
- “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd," (Exodus 23:2)
7. Indiana Supreme Court Rules Abortion Ban Is Constitutional - The Virginia Star
The Indiana Supreme Court issued a decision Friday that said the state’s abortion ban was constitutional in a 4-1 ruling, according to the text.
Senate Bill 1 was signed into law in 2022 and prohibited abortion with limited exceptions in the case of preventing “serious health risk of the pregnant woman or to save the pregnant woman’s life,” if the child is diagnosed with a “lethal fetal anomaly” or rape or incest, according to the bill’s text. The law was quickly halted by a lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood Great Northwest before being vacated by the state Supreme Court, which ruled that the law did not violate the Indiana Constitution.
Justice Derek R. Molter wrote the majority opinion and agreed that Indiana law protected a woman’s right to abortion when her life was at risk, but acknowledged that in all other areas the
“General Assembly otherwise retains broad legislative discretion for determining whether and the extent to which to prohibit abortions.”
“The providers brought a ‘facial’ challenge to the entire law, so they had to show a reasonable likelihood of success in proving there are no circumstances in which any part of Senate Bill 1 could ever be enforced consistent with Article 1, Section 1,” Molter wrote. “Because there are such circumstances, the providers cannot show a reasonable likelihood of success on their facial challenge. We, therefore, vacate the preliminary injunction.” (Read more)
-Thank You Lord for this abortion ban in Indiana! We pray that it holds strong.
- "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” (Genesis 18:19)
8.The US flies nuclear-capable bombers in a fresh show of force against North Korea - AP
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States flew nuclear-capable bombers to the Korean Peninsula on Friday in its latest show of force against North Korea, days after the North staged massive anti-U.S. rallies in its capital.
The long-range B-52 bombers took part in joint aerial drills with other U.S. and South Korean fighter jets over the peninsula, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said in a statement. The bombers’ flyover is the latest in a series of temporary U.S. deployments of strategic assets in South Korea in response to North Korea’s push to expand its nuclear arsenal.
Two weeks ago, the U.S. deployed a nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korean waters for the first time in six years. The USS Michigan’s arrival came a day after North Korea resumed missile tests to protest previous U.S.-South Korean drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal.
On Sunday, June 25th, more than 120,000 North Koreans participated in mass rallies in Pyongyang to mark the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War. During the rallies, officials and residents delivered speeches vowing “merciless revenge” against the United States over the war while accusing the U.S. of plotting an invasion on North Korea. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for peace with North Korea. Bring calm to their protests against the United States. May "cooler heads" prevail in all of their decision making.
- "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)
Summary: Good News from Last Week
Published by Gary Bauer
Campaign for Working Families
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Black Lives Matter leaders and organizers can be sued by police officers for injuries they sustained during violent BLM protests.
The North Carolina Supreme Court reinstated voter ID laws.
The marketing geniuses responsible for Bud Light’s Dylan Mulvaney meltdown are reportedly unemployed.
Disney has lost nearly $900 million on its last eight films. Clearly, the woke agenda and progressive pontificating aren’t paying dividends for the House of Mouse.
The National Hockey League dropped its requirement that teams wear so-called “Pride” jerseys.
Google dropped its sponsorship of a drag queen show featuring “Peaches Christ” after Christian employees at Google spoke out in protest. Activism matters!
Speaking of activism, there’s been a 40% drop in corporate talk about “Pride” this year, the first decline in five years. Your voice is being heard!
Campaign for Working Families
PO Box 1222
Merrifield, VA 22116-1222
And Now . . . Lion of Judah: ROAR!!!!
"The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man;
He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war.
He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud;
He shall prevail against His enemies."
(Isaiah 42:13)
The Good News Corner
Operation Underground Railroad':
6,000 Trafficking Victims Rescued,
True Story Hits Big Screen
Tim Ballard is a former federal agent on a mission to end human trafficking around the world. His Operation Underground Railroad organization has helped rescue at least 6,000 survivors and arrest more than 5,000 involved in the crimes. Now actor Jim Caviezel is bringing Ballard's story to the silver screen. It's called "Sound of Freedom" and it hits theaters nationwide on the Fourth of July.
CBN's Efrem Graham sat down with Ballard for a closer look at the story behind the new movie. "A few years into their endeavor, I believe it was December of 2017, they showed up and said, 'Hey we are going to film this summer. And we need to pick someone to play you,' which I never let my mind go to that place because that's a strange question," Ballard recalls. "Right out of the gate, I knew who I wanted. 'If this is a real question, the answer is Jim Caviezel'," he told the producers. "I don't know these actors. I know Jim Caviezel loves Jesus. And that's the only real requirement I have," he said. (CBN) Watch Interview>
- Abba, we PRAISE You for the "Sound of Freedom" movie that will be seen across America on July 4th! In Jesus Name, we declare that this release will bring righteous-anger among God's people to dismantle sex-trafficking of children! Continue to bless "Operation Underground" for saving innocent lives. Release Your Warrior-Angels and bring strategies to the Ecclesia for demolishing this demonic cabal by the BLOOD of Jesus Christ!-Amen
- "Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble." (Exodus 15:6-7)
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
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