FAMILY STRUCTURE IS A KEY DRIVER OF ECONOMIC WELL-BEING

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Not every state in the U.S.A. is created equal when it comes to family flourishing. According to a new study released this week, nine of the top 10 states with the healthiest families are conservative.

At the root of what is hurting our communities is broken families,” Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue (CCV), which commissioned IFS to carry out the family structure study, told The Washington Stand.

The 2025 Family Structure Index ranks all 50 states based on three criteria: the percentage of married adults between the ages of 25 to 54, the average number of lifetime births per woman, and the percentage of children aged 15 to 17 who are living with their married parents. The outcomes tracked closely with conservative political ideology, especially in states with a strong religious base, according to Brad Wilcox, professor of sociology at the University of Virginia and a fellow at the Institute for Family Studies (IFS).

States that support strong family structures reap the rewards of lower poverty rates, better educational outcomes, and economic prosperity,” Tom Shaheen, vice president of Policy for the Pennsylvania Family Institute, told TWS.

The majority of teenagers in 17 states are raised in broken or single-parent homes. In Louisiana, barely one in three teens (35.9%) lives with his or her own parents.

Areas with fewer intact families experienced more violence. Canton, where two out of three children are raised outside wedlock, has 12 times the level of violent crime as the Columbus suburb of Dublin, where 84% of teens live with their parents.

Children raised in areas with fewer strong families and a robust culture of marriage were also less likely to graduate high school. “Comparatively high family instability across the state is undoubtedly one reason Ohio ranked 28th in on-time high school graduation,” said the CCV. “We know that states with a greater share of married parents have substantially higher graduation rates, even after controlling for states’ median income, race/ethnicity, education level, and age composition.”

Not one of the 50 states has a birthrate that meets the replacement level of 2.1. The closest, South Dakota, has a fertility rate of 2.01. Every other state’s birthrate falls below 2.0.

The Centre for Christian Virtue offers three concrete plans to strengthen families — and, unlike other think tanks, some of the steps can only be implemented by the church.

“Restoring a Hope and a Future for our children is possible. It starts with a commitment to addressing the root cause driving the challenges in our communities. Changing course will require both Church and State solutions,” says the report.

The state should eliminate marriage penalties, teach the Success Sequence in school, and promote marriage broadly in the public imagination, say experts.

The Success Sequence, created by scholars at the Brookings Institution, found that if young people graduate high school, get a job, and get married before having kids, “it is nearly impossible to live in poverty,” in CCV’s words. They also found those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder saw the greatest gains from following those steps, which sometimes lifted 99% of the population out of poverty. “Ohio should require public schools to teach the Success Sequence as part of their curriculum,” says the CCV report. “Ohio should create a public education and media campaign focused on increasing the marriage rate and promoting strong and stable marriages,” it adds.

Churches should “emphasize marriage and family,” underscore the “value of a faith-based marriage and family life,” and encourage couples to cast the burdens of marriage on Christ. “Couples who attend religious services together are significantly more likely to be happily and stably married,” notes CCV. “Churches must routinely proclaim an inspiring vision of marriage where the beauty, goodness, power, and difficulties of marriage and family life can be shared in age-appropriate ways to the entire congregation.’

The title of “The Hope and a Future Report” comes from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” The self-affirming verse has displaced the gospel message of John 3:16 as the most popular Bible verse in America.

WHY AUSTRALIA MUST GO NUCLEAR

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If we want to have a cleaner environment, we will need to address a few fundamental issues: The source of electricity and the baseload power generation infrastructure must be upgraded. And that means we need to migrate to nuclear fission. If the goal is to stop using coal and natural gas, then this is the only logical way to power economies and cleanly “fuel” EVs. The power distribution grid needs to be completely upgraded. If we all had EVs today, the power grids would collapse. It couldn’t carry the load. And our aging power grids tend to lose between 7–15% of the electricity between the source of production and your EV. This is what is referred to as transmission and distribution losses (T&D losses). That means we have to burn extra amounts of fossil fuels for each unit of electricity delivered to an end user. The power generation of major developing economies like China and India must be addressed. These countries continue to increase their use of coal, especially China, despite developed countries around the world reducing the use of coal. The U.S. private sector continues to lead the world in terms of investment and technological innovation on both next-generation forms of nuclear fission (small modular reactors, or SMRs) and nuclear fusion technology. Sadly, nuclear fusion is not even close.

U.S. energy technologies are aggressively “doing something about it” rather than just talking about it over tea parties. Fortunately, the Trump administration is very pro-nuclear as a source of energy, which has not been the case in the U.S. for decades. We can also expect to see some major regulatory changes that will safely streamline the regulatory process for developing and commissioning nuclear fission reactors.

In summary, we need to follow America’s lead. Dutton has seen the light, and we should give him the reigns at the next election. What he proposes is the best and least expensive power generation option for Australia, particularly using the existing transmission lines by converting coal-fired plants to nuclear. Labour’s renewables with solar and wind are not a viable option, and from my standpoint, wind turbines are an eyesore.

AMERICA’S ONLY HOPE IS REVIVAL

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Listen to Jonathan Cahn’s prophetic message at the National Gathering of Prayer on February 6th, 2025 with Members of Congress. It was a Call and Charge to the American people for repentance and prayer. Unless the nation turns back to God the reprieve it has received with the election of President Trump will be temporary. Revival is needed and that will only come with repentance and prayer.

INTRODUCING AI – GROK 3

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GROK means to truly and purely understand something. This video will blow your mind as to how quickly Grok 3 was developed. An important step was to improve the computers doing the work. It thinks like a human with unlimited intelligence.

xAI, the Elon Musk-led AI company, has launched its latest Grok 3 chatbot. Musk has described the Grok 3 as the “Smartest AI on Earth.” It succeeded the Grok 2, which was launched in August of last year. During the launch, Musk showcased the capabilities of the latest chatbot, which included advanced reasoning, text-to-video conversion, and self-correction mechanisms. In benchmarks, Grok 3 outperforms Gemini-2 Pro, DeepSeek V3, and OpenAI’s GPT-4o in math, science, and coding.

The pace of technological change is staggering, and governments and learning establishments can’t keep up. Governments have been unable to cope with the changes due to climate change and the energy transition to renewables, let alone the impact of LGBTQ and diversity issues. Chaos and lawlessness will only increase, setting the stage for the Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast. Biblical end times prophecies are playing out exactly as prophesied. Proof the Bible was constructed by God. There are over two thousand prophecies of Jesus’ second coming to Earth to restore righteousness and establish His Millennial Kingdom. This Earth has another 1000 years with Jesus ruling and reigning from a new Jerusalem. Israel, the nation God established for His purposes will finally fulfill its destiny as the lead nation of the world.

WE CAN THANK GOD THAT HE DOES NOT ANSWER ALL OF OUR PRAYERS

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Here is a great article by Randy Alcorn entitled “God Is Just as Good When He Doesn’t Do What We Want” in Patheos on February 20, 2025.

There is a great phrase many say: “God is good.“ That is certainly true and an appropriate thing to proclaim. However, many of us say it routinely only when life goes our way. “Traffic was easy today, I made all the lights, and I wasn’t late for work or class—God is good!” When we hear that God has healed someone, inevitably someone says, “God is good.“ True enough.

But when God chose not to answer our prayers for my wife Nancy’s healing after 4 1/2 years of almost never missing our evening prayer time, does that mean God was, in our case, not good? Of course not. God is good not only when He does what we want but also when He doesn’t. This is when people who lose their faith are right in losing it because they are losing a faith that is not a true biblical faith.

As long as we hold on to vestiges of prosperity theology (which teaches that God will bless with material abundance and good health those who obey Him and lay claim to His promises), we set ourselves up to lose our faith, and perhaps ultimately to walk away from God. Because if God has to do what we want in order for us to be happy, then He is not our master but our servant.

I believe prosperity theology is from the pit of Hell. It confuses and misleads people about God and what He has and has not promised. When my friend Greg was dying when I was 16 years old and he was 18, I thought I knew beyond any shadow of doubt that God would heal Him. I claimed the reality of that healing, fully expecting it. When he died, I learned the painful lesson that we do not necessarily get our way when we pray.

It doesn’t mean God does not answer prayer; it doesn’t mean that God is not honored by our prayers. It certainly does mean that we need to be careful when we claim Christ has promised things, because when we proclaim false promises, we misrepresent Him, undermine His truths, and distort the reality of how He loves His people.

WALKING WITH JESUS

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“All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

What an amazing Scripture: Jesus says, all things have been handed over to Him by His Father and Jesus makes the decision as to who will get to know our Heavenly Father (anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him). Also, look at the invitation Jesus gives us:

  • Come to Me
  • Recover your life
  • Real rest
  • Walk with Me and work with Me
  • Watch how I do it
  • Keep company with Me

I feel odd about writing this, but it looks like Jesus wants to hang out with us. At the same time, I am reminded of the Scripture: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” Psalms 111:10. A healthy respect, knowing Jesus is God, is required.

Also, understanding the role of the Holy Spirit as our counsellor, teacher, comforter, and helper is important in understanding our relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell our spirit. Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to live the Christian life. If we allow Him to guide our steps each and every day, we will be in a good relationship with Jesus and our Heavenly Father. The apostle Paul gives us good advice:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

THE BATTLE WAGES FOR THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF AMERICANS

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Worcester, located about 35 miles west of Boston, is the second-biggest city by population in the state, with just over 200,000 residents. The City Council passed a resolution, titled “Sanctuary City for Transgender and Gender Diverse People“. It prevents the city from cooperating with federal or state policies deemed harmful to trans-identified individuals and ensures access to healthcare, housing, education and employment without discrimination.

While critics have argued the resolution defies federal law and fails to protect youth, approximately 200 people, activists and residents, showed up for the council meeting to support the resolution, many of them speaking out — some even singing — during the five-hour public meeting. 

Among those who spoke out in favor of the resolution was Julie Payne-Britton, a pastor at the Hadwen Park Congregational Church, which is affiliated with the progressive United Church of Christ. Payne-Britton, who identifies as a disabled, cisgender lesbian, sported a clerical collar as she told council members that if Jesus were at the meeting, He would be “dressed in full drag.”

“The Jesus I know would be dressed in full drag and serving face, or handsome as a trans man, or wrapped in the garb of a non-binary person who knows one gender is way too small to capture their gloriousness,” Payne-Britton claimed. “The Jesus I know would be at this mic with a trembling voice and a shaking body and tears that will not be held back crying, ‘make this city safe for my child.’”

Another speaker, a blue-haired, white-gloved man in drag who identified as “Dee Dee Delight” spoke about being “afraid” of President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring federal agencies to recognize only two sexes — male and female — and a second order prohibiting trans medical operations for anyone younger than 19.

“I need the city to protect me because the federal government won’t. And if you think you’re afraid of Trump, you should see how afraid of Trump I am,” the speaker said. 

After identifying as “multiply disabled,” the speaker, standing in front of a sign that read “Silence = death,” issued what appeared to be a threat against the council.

“If you say you’re afraid of Trump and that’s why you don’t want the city to be a safe space for [trans] people, you better prepare for [trans] people to make this a very unsafe space,” said the person.

A short time later, a black female activist warned the council about “strong, queer” transgender-identified people who “will collect you with the quickness.” 

Another activist wearing a wig screamed at the city council, “How many of my friends have to die before you do anything?”

The City of Worcester has folded to the increasingly threatening demands of LBTQ proponents. The battle is escalating. Fortunately, we know how the story ends, Jesus returns to put things right.

TURNING AWAY FROM GOD – AN APOSTATE CHURCH

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“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22

Many people who declare themselves Christians today and attend church know about God and Jesus. This does not necessarily mean that they are true Christians. People may outwardly reform and escape from the open corruptions that prevail around them or that they have themselves practised but still have no true grace at heart. Neither does “through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesses Christ” imply that they were true Christians and had received the Holy Spirit. There is a knowledge of the doctrines and duties of religion, which may lead sinners to abandon their outward vices, which has no connection with saving grace. They may profess religion and may know enough of religion to understand that it requires them to abandon their vicious habits, but they have never received the Holy Spirit, which enables them to live the Christian life.

Jesus’s parable of the ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom, their Saviour, Jesus Christ, should be a wake-up call for the church. Only half of them were saved and had oil (Holy Spirit) for their lamps. This parable is a picture of the church before Jesus returns. It is sobering as it says that all ten virgins were sleeping at the time of His arrival, and only half were saved.

We are living in the Biblical prophesied end times before Jesus’ second coming. Much of the denominational/institutional church has compromised with the world on homosexuality, gay marriage and transgenderism, just as Jesus prophesied. A great falling away, an apostate church.

Are you even aware of what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth? This Earth has another 1,000 years before God destroys it with fire. After Jesus raptures His Saints to join the resurrected Saints, He will pour out His wrath upon an unrepentant world with Trumpet (Revelation 8 & 9) and Bowl judgements (Revelation 15 & 16). Jesus then returns with the glorified Saints to usher in Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom.

IS AMERICA ON THE BRINK OF ANOTHER JESUS REVOLUTION?

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I have just come across an interesting article by Pastor Greg Laurie, Is America on the Brink of Another Jesus Revolution? Greg is pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii. He is an evangelist, best-selling author and producer of the movie “Jesus Revolution,” a feature film about his life during the Jesus Revolution in the 1960s/1970s that was shown in theatres across Australia in 2023.

A few days ago I posted an article God is loosening Satan’s hold on America. It is obvious from this article that Greg Laurie is observing the same signs.

“There’s a new wind blowing across America. It’s a wind of freedom, optimism, hope, and yes, patriotism. What’s even more remarkable is that this movement isn’t just being carried by the older generation — it’s gaining momentum among the young. I haven’t seen anything like this in decades. The last time I felt such cultural stirring was during the Jesus Movement when an entire generation found hope and transformation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That was when I personally came to faith in Christ, and it was the start of a movement that changed countless lives. In fact, a powerful movie was made about it, Jesus Revolution. Could we be on the brink of another Jesus Revolution in America? I pray so — a revival where hearts are turned back to God, lives are transformed, and the very foundation of our nation is restored. For far too long, we’ve endured constant negativity from pundits and the cultural wrecking ball of woke ideology. Academia, media, and entertainment have worked tirelessly to dismantle the values that built this great nation. This ideology has become a runaway train, barrelling through our institutions and preying on our most vulnerable — our children.

We saw this on full display at the Washington Cathedral, where a female Episcopal bishop told President Trump that trans and gay children are living in terror. Let’s pause for a moment: there are no “trans children.” What we’re witnessing isn’t a biological reality but a social contagion — a dangerous movement aggressively marketing gender dysphoria to impressionable young minds. Irresponsible parents and educators are subjecting kids to a Frankenstein-like social experiment, claiming boys can be trapped in girls’ bodies and vice versa. Let’s be clear: that’s not science — it’s madness. The truth is this: we are all created in God’s image — male and female. This beautiful design isn’t something to be reimagined by the latest cultural trends but embraced as the gift it is. But here’s the good news: things are changing in America, and they’re changing for the better. It’s time to rebuild. Like Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, we must rise to the challenge and restore the spiritual foundation that has been eroded. Nehemiah faced opposition, ridicule, and even threats, but he pressed on. Why? Because he knew the task was worth it. And so must we.

Yes, we want America to be strong again. We want it to be prosperous, healthy, and great again. But most of all, we need America to be godly again. George Washington put it best in his Farewell Address: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” When a nation strays from its biblical roots, it’s time to rebuild. While we can’t plan or manufacture a revival, we can prepare the ground for one. Or, as I like to say, we can “pre-prayer” the ground. God has given us a recipe for revival in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Our part as believers is to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from sin. God’s part is to hear us, forgive us, and heal our land.“

THE TEMPLE PROPHECY

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Everyone is talking about the major moves President Trump is making with Israel, Gaza, and Benjamin Netanyahu… But this video reveals something deeper behind the scenes many have missed that clearly shows Bible Prophecy will soon be fulfilled! Jesus is on the way! A huge revelation awaits.. don’t miss this!