Read Time: 5 min 59 sec | Listen to Podcast

WORLD NEWS

Israel’s Southern Neighbor

It was a deadly weekend in Gaza.

Strikes across the enclave reportedly killed scores of people Saturday, including 87 in a northern Gaza residential area. Israel disputes the high death tolls of the Gaza health ministry, saying Israel uses “precise” strikes and does “everything possible to avoid” civilian harm. The IDF says it’s targeting Hamas in the north (and south) to prevent fighters from regrouping. 

Earlier Saturday in southern Gaza, Israeli planes dropped leaflets with a picture of Hamas’s recently killed leader Yahya Sinwar alongside the message, “Hamas will no longer rule Gaza.”

Stateside, officials are investigating a pro-Iran group’s leak of “top secret” U.S. intelligence about Israel’s plans to retaliate against Iran following the October 1 missile barrage. The documents, legitimized by U.S. officials, indicate Israel is moving weapons ahead of a military strike. 

__

Verse to consider when a conflict drags on and on… “Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans. Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated—it can only bring harm. For evildoers will be destroyed, but those who put their hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
Psalm 37:7-9 (CSB) (read full passage)

WORLD NEWS

Israel’s Northern Neighbor

Israel has deployed thousands of troops north into Lebanon, which functions as Hezbollah’s HQ.

After a two-week search in southern Lebanon’s dense brush, Israeli forces uncovered a network of tunnels used by Hezbollah. The tunnels were packed with weapons caches and rocket launchers; Israel says the tunnels could’ve allowed Hezbollah to launch a deadly raid similar to Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. 

While weakened, Hezbollah has kept up attacks on Israel.

Saturday morning, a drone hit Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s vacation home in Caesarea; neither the Prime Minister nor his wife were at the residence, and there were no casualties. In a post on X, Netanyahu blamed “Iran’s proxy Hezbollah” for the “assassination attempt,” vowing that anyone targeting Israeli citizens will “pay a heavy price.”
 
__

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
War puts the evil of this world on full display and reminds us of the dire need for the ultimate redemption of this world. Jesus came as light to shine in the darkness. Pray that the Middle East would experience the darkness-penetrating light of Christ.

“That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” 
John 1:5 (CSB) (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Unstuck in Cambodia

Cambodia is still reeling from the genocide that happened there a half-century ago. In the 1970s, the dictator Pol Pot slaughtered nearly three million people, targeting religious minorities, “intellectuals” (anyone wearing glasses counted), and professionals (doctors and lawyers).

The loss of a generation left the nation poverty-stricken, stuck in a cycle of low literacy with limited health care.

OneHope is bringing the light of Christ to the darkness. They’re reaching children and youth with lessons on health and sanitation while sharing Scripture in a life-changing program. Get OneHope’s powerful Scripture book into their hands.

A $33 gift brings Scripture to nearly 100 young Cambodians. TPO is matching the first $1,000 given through this link!

SPORTS

Top Teams

One thing’s for sure… nothing’s guaranteed in sports. 

Midway through the season, college football’s top teams continue shuffling. This weekend, top-ranked Texas fell to #5 Georgia 30-15 in a game that saw its fair share of controversy—like Longhorn fans littering the field with trash protesting a (later overturned) pass interference call. For the first time since 2012, Oregon is now #1.

In MLB, the top-ranked teams did advance. The Yankees and Dodgers will meet in the World Series for the 12th time, after the Yankees eliminated the Guardians Saturday and the Dodgers defeated the Mets last night. Game One will be Friday night in LA.

Finally, the WNBA has a new champion after the New York Liberty—in its 6th finals appearance—earned its first-ever WNBA title with a thrilling win over the Minnesota Lynx in OT. 

__

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Following a team that wins a championship is thrilling, but it always ends. Eventually, your champion loses again. However, God’s glory will never be challenged and it never ends. Jesus is the center of a glory powerful enough to light the new heavens and new earth eternally.

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” 
Revelation 21:23 (CSB) (read full passage)

Elon Musk has upped the ante. He’s paying registered voters in Pennsylvania $100 to sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments and choosing one signatory every day until Election Day to win $1 million. Critics question whether Musk’s cash incentive is legal, saying it is dangerously close to paying people to register to vote (a federal crime).
 

A ferry dock collapsed in Georgia on Saturday, killing seven. Crowds were gathered for a cultural celebration on Sapelo Island when a gangway suddenly plunged 20 partygoers into the water. Three people remain in critical condition, and seven people (ages 73-93) died of suspected drowning. Officials are investigating how the gangway, built in 2021, failed.
 

Cuba has gone dark. Much of the country, including its capital, Havana, has been without power for days after its ailing electrical grid––described as “prehistoric” by Fidel Castro in 2006––finally collapsed. It’s unclear when power will be restored. Cuba is also bracing for Hurricane Oscar, which is bearing down on the island after making landfall in the Bahamas.
 

Walmart says opioid-related lawsuits are officially out of stock. The retail giant reached a $123 million settlement (paid by insurance, not out of Walmart’s registers) over allegedly mishandling prescription opioids under the Controlled Substance Act. The settlement, filed Friday, is subject to court approval and does not require any admission of liability; Walmart “expressly” denies wrongdoing. 
 

King Charles clicked his heels and headed to Oz on Friday; it’s his first trip to an overseas realm since becoming King and marks his biggest post-cancer-diagnosis excursion. The Sovereign's presence reignited controversy over Australia’s royal connections; about ⅓ of Aussies approve of the constitutional monarchy, ⅓ are keen for an independent republic, and ⅓ say it’s a sticky wicket.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Making a van Gogh really come alive…

How We’re Growing Green
Upside*

As you’re diving back into the swing of things this fall… don’t let the green in your bank account dwindle like the green on those trees.

Get some extra cash back—fast—with Upside.

The Upside app gives you opportunities to earn before filling up your tank, going out to eat, or shopping for groceries. The app is super easy to use, and top earners get up to $300 back every month!

Download the FREE Upside App and use promo code POUROVER to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas.

What We’re Signing Up For
Max Lucado’s “What Happens Next” Bible Study*

It’s easy to think this world is spiraling out of control and become anxious about what comes next. Rest assured that nothing happening surprises God, and we aren’t in the dark either. God’s Word is our map… but sometimes we need a guide. 

Let Max Lucado guide you through what God said would happen in the end times and how to view those events through the eyes of faith, not fear.

Sign up for the free six-part “What Happens Next” video study and unlock access to free downloads and an online Bible study community. This study starts today, but there's still time to join, so register today!