Laura Perry Smalts says she spent nearly a decade living as a transgender man named Jake before ultimately leaving that identity and returning to her Christian faith.
Her story began with years of confusion about her identity, followed by hormone treatments and surgeries as she attempted to live as a man.
But Laura says those changes did not bring the peace and fulfillment she was searching for.
Eventually, she returned to Scripture and began seeking God in a completely different way.
She says encountering the love of Christ changed the direction of her life.
Today, Laura shares her testimony through churches, conferences, interviews, and her ministry with her husband, seeking to help others who are struggling with questions of identity and faith.
Her testimony points to a central message of the Gospel.
Our deepest identity isn’t something we have to manufacture.
It is found in the One who created us.

Christian whistleblower nurse Vanessa Sivadge has secured a settlement with Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) that requires the hospital to establish what her attorneys describe as the first free “detransitioner clinic” in the United States.
The clinic, scheduled to open by the end of October, will provide free care for at least five years to patients up to age 21 who underwent transgender procedures at TCH or elsewhere and are experiencing fertility, endocrine, psychiatric or other long-term health complications.
The settlement follows Sivadge’s allegations that TCH committed Medicaid fraud related to transgender treatments for minors. Sivadge, who was fired after speaking out and requesting a religious accommodation, said her Christian faith motivated her whistleblowing.
Reflecting on the outcome, she said, “America’s First Detransitioner Clinic… It’s extraordinary. It’s unprecedented. It was worth it.” She added, “It’s over. I won. To God be the Glory.”
Image: Vanessa Sivadge

DAILY MANNA 2026 DEVOTIONAL

DATE: SUN, AUG 02, 2026

TOPIC: NOTHING WITHOUT HIM

KEY VERSE:
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - (John 15:5).

READ: John 15:1-5 (KJV)

MESSAGE:
Humanity has witnessed incredible feats over the centuries, especially in the fields of science and technology. While these developments have improved the standard of living across the world, it has equally fuelled or, at the most, reinforced atheistic and contemptuous dispositions of despisers of God. Some folks, indeed, think that God should completely stay away from the affairs of earthlings. They can boast of transgender surgery that changes sex identity at birth to something that God did not intend, all in an attempt to part ways with Him. Unknown to such warped minds, they are only trying to deform or alter what God has created. The effective way of parting ways with God would have been to create their own man or woman before meddling with their features, but not from the dust of the soil which He created. This is simply impossible!

Our Lord Jesus Christ was unequivocal about man's grave inability to exist or function without Him. Just as man and his habitat could not have come into existence without Him, so we would always lean on Him, not only for sustenance, but also for survival. We live at the pleasure of God. Our breath comes from Him. Nature, through its atmosphere, land, vegetation, oceans, and rivers, from which we draw what we consume in food, manufacturing, and industry, belongs to Him. The feeble man is humiliatingly overwhelmed by his Creator.

Thus helplessly exposed, man must not be arrogant or presumptuous because of any inventions, whose feats and contraptions are toys as they stand in contrast to the great galactic formations overlooking our planet. We must revere the One Who brought them forth. It's contemptuous to contemn Him by telling Him we have had enough of Him, and that we can take care of ourselves.

Everyone needs God and His unfailing love and laws more than ever before to deliver them from the trap and deadly consequences of sin. We need more of Christ's presence to dominate our souls, government structures, homes, schools, public places, and worship centres. We need His peace in a troubled world on the brink of collapse. We need Him also to usher us into the hereafter of eternal joy.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Our attachment to Christ makes life become more meaningful and fulfilling

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
John 4-5

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Good morning, brethren.
1. Morning devotion for today.

MD.i. MORNING TEA
THE WORD FOR TODAY
SUNDAY AUGUST 2, 2O26.
"TAKE THE PLUNGE (2)"

‘…Underneath are the everlasting arms...’ Deuteronomy 33:27 NKJV

PICTURE THIS: A father and his two small children are playing. He’s in the swimming pool, and he invites them to run and jump into his arms. One does, the other doesn’t. The one who doesn’t, watches gleefully, applauds, and jumps up and down. But when her dad invites her to do the same she shakes her head and backs away. Is that you? Living on the edge of the pool, never taking the plunge, happy to experience life vicariously through others? Preferring to take no risk, rather than any risk? For fear of the worst, you never enjoy the best. You say, ‘But I’m not sure what I’m jumping into!’ Read this: ‘Underneath are the everlasting arms.’ Foolishness is closing your eyes and jumping before you know there’s even water in the pool, or that your father has said, ‘Come, I’ll catch you.’ Faith is knowing that the only way to conquer your fear of the water is to take the leap, because the One who is calling you has been there for you from the moment you became His child. Nothing is more important to Him than your safety, the development of your faith, and your total success in life. God told Joshua, ‘…arise, go over this Jordan…to the land which I am giving Eunice Gankpe …Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:2, 7 NKJV). Note the words, ‘Arise, go, be strong.’ In other words: take the plunge!

Bible In A Year: Deut 28-29, Matt 13:47-58, Ps 119:1-8, Pro 17:3. Courtesy: Grace So Amazing Foundation

*To partner with us, kindly refer to page 9 of the hard copy edition or simply send us a WhatsApp message/call on +2348128000068.*.

MD.ii. [01/08, 8:46 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DAILY ANNA - (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR ADULTS)

SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST, 2026```

*NOTHING WITHOUT HIM* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

```TEXT:JOHN 15:1-5```

```KEY VERSE:``` _*"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (JOHN 15:5).*_

*Humanity has witnessed incredible feats over the centuries, especially in the fields of science and technology. While these developments have improved the standard of living across the world, it has equally fuelled or, at most, reinforced atheistic and contemptuous dispositions of despisers of God. Some folks, indeed, think that God should completely stay away from the affairs of earthlings. They can boast of transgender surgery that changes sex identity at birth to something that God did not intend, all in an attempt to part ways with Him. Unknown to such warped minds, they are only trying to deform or alter what God has created. The effective way of parting ways with God would have been to create their own man or woman before meddling with their features, but not from the dust of the soil which He created. This is simply impossible!*

*Our Lord Jesus Christ was unequivocal about man's grave inability to exist or function without Him. Just as man and his habitat could not have come into existence without Him, so we should always lean on Him, not only for sustenance, but also for survival. We live at the pleasure of God. Our breath comes from Him. Nature, through its atmosphere, land, vegetation, oceans, and rivers, from which we draw what we consume in food, manufacturing, and industry, belongs to Him. The feeble man is humiliatingly overwhelmed by his Creator.*

*Thus helplessly exposed, man must not be arrogant or presumptuous because of any inventions, whose feats and contraptions are toys as they stand in contrast to the great galactic formations overlooking our planet. We must revere the One Who brought them forth. It's contemptuous to contemn Him by telling Him we have had enough of Him, and that we can take care of ourselves.*

*Everyone needs God and His unfailing love and laws more than ever before to deliver them from the trap and deadly consequences of sin. We need more of Christ's presence to dominate our souls, government structures, homes, schools, public places, and worship centres. We need His peace in a troubled world on the brink of collapse. We need Him also to usher us into the hereafter of eternal joy.*

✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _*Our attachment to Christ makes life become more meaningful and fulfilling.*_

```THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:``` *JOHN 4-5*


Nothing Without Him
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[01/08, 8:46 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

_*HIGHER EVERYDY: (A DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR YOUTHS)*_

✍🏽🏻‍ 🏽🛰

```SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST, 2026```

*BURNING BUSH* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

```TEXT:EXODUS 3:1-10```

``` MEMORY VERSE:``` _*"And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I" (EXODUS 3:3-4).*_

*The burning bush symbolises the condition of the children of Israel in Egypt. God appeared to Moses miraculously to draw his attention to the suffering of His people in the hands of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.*

*Moses turned aside to see the burning bush, and God spoke to him about the affliction of His people and sent him to deliver them from Egypt. Sinning youths are expected to turn to God for their salvation without delay.*

*Believers are expected to respond to the call of God to reach out to sinners around them. Jesus has commanded all believers to go into all parts of the world to preach the gospel to every creature. The big question is: Are there youths who are ready to turn aside like Moses did to hear the call of God?*

*Our society is burning with young boys and girls who have lost the true meaning of life. God is calling on Christian youths to use the gospel to deliver sinners from eternal damnation in hell. Give your life to your Creator, and answer His call to save your generation.*

```QUOTE:``` _*Answer His call.*_

```CHALLENGE:``` _*Answer God's call to preach the Gospel.*_

🏽🏽 ```PRAYER:``` _*Lord, give me the grace to preach the gospel to others.*_


Burning Bush
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[01/08, 8:46 pm] Pastor Attah: ```DEEPER CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRY```

_*(SINCERE MILK: Children Daily Devotional Guide 2⃣0⃣2⃣)*_

🏼🏼‍‍🏼‍🏼‍🏼‍

```SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST, 2026```

*CHILDREN UNLIKE THEIR FATHER* 🫵🏽🏽‍🏽‍🏽🏽‍🏽

```JOHN 8:39-44```



```Key Verse:``` _*"They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham" (John 8:39).*_



Has someone ever told you that you resemble one of your parents? That can only happen if that person has known your parents before. However, that remark may only be true about your physical appearance, but not in your conduct.

There are some children, of course, whose physical appearance and conduct are entirely different from those of their parents. That means, good and godly parents can produce bad and wicked children, like the case of Eli and his sons.

Jesus knows who Abraham was (John 8:58). The Lord said He could not see any part of the character of the children of Israel that resembled that of Abraham they claimed to be their father. How could they claim to be children of Abraham who feared, obeyed and loved God, and yet go against the way and the will of God? Jesus concluded that they were children of the devil and not of Abraham (John 8:44).

One's behaviour betrays him or her. No one can hate Christ, disobey His word, reject Him as Saviour and even want to kill Him, and claim to be a child of God. There are many people who use religion as a cover-up to hate and reject Christ. That is because they do not know the true God at all.

*Are you one of those children who say they are children of God, friends of Jesus, but their behaviours are sinful and ungodly? It is only through your Christ-like and righteous life that others can know whether you are a true friend of Jesus or not.*



```rayer:``` _*Lord, in all my desires and lifestyle, help me to be like You.*_ 🏽

``` Further Reading:``` *Titus 1:14-16*



Children Unlike Their Father
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[01/08, 8:46 pm] Pastor Attah: *MEDITATIONS ON DAILY ⓂANNA*


SUNDAY, 2ND AUGUST, 2026

*ABIDING IN CHRIST: THE SECRET OF A FRUITFUL LIFE*

*TEXT:* JOHN 15:1–5

1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

*TimelessTruth:*
_Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord._ (1 Corinthians 15:58).

*INTRODUCTION*

George Washington Carver (1864–1943), the renowned agricultural scientist and devoted Christian, transformed farming in the southern United States by encouraging crop rotation and better soil management. He often spent time in prayer before beginning his research, believing that wisdom came from God. Carver once remarked, "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour." One of the lessons farmers understand is that a branch separated from the vine cannot bear fruit, regardless of how healthy it once appeared. Its life depends entirely upon its connection to the vine. The branch does not struggle to produce fruit; it simply remains connected, and the life of the vine flows through it.
Jesus used this familiar agricultural picture in John 15 to teach one of the greatest truths of the Christian life: fruitfulness is the result of abiding in Him. *"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.*
( Jeremiah 17:7–8)
Our effectiveness in Christian living does not depend upon our talents, education or strength, but upon our continual fellowship with Christ.
His followers, are not merely to admire the Vine, but to abide in it. The Christian life is not sustained by occasional moments of devotion, but by a continual relationship with Christ. The branch has no independent life. Its strength, nourishment and fruitfulness all come from the vine. Likewise, believers flourish only as they remain connected to Jesus through faith, obedience, prayer and His Word.
This passage challenges us to examine our lives:
Are we merely attached to Christ outwardly or are we truly abiding in Him?
Are we busy with religious activity while neglecting personal fellowship with the Saviour?
Is the fruit of the Spirit becoming increasingly evident in our character and conduct?
God is more concerned with fruitfulness than mere busyness. A fruitful life glorifies Him, blesses others and bears lasting eternal value. When difficulties come, remember that the Father's pruning is not punishment, but preparation. He lovingly removes what hinders growth so that we may bear more fruit. May we daily abide in Christ, depend upon His strength and allow His life to be seen through ours.

*1. The Source of Fruitfulness*

a. Jesus identifies Himself as the True Vine and His Father as the Vinedresser.
Jesus alone is the true source of spiritual life and lasting fruit. The Father lovingly removes unfruitful branches and prunes fruitful ones to increase their productivity.
b. God's purpose is not merely that believers exist, but that they bear much fruit for His glory. God desires every believer to grow spiritually. His discipline and pruning are expressions of His love, preparing us for greater usefulness.

*Questions*

Am I allowing God to remove attitudes, habits or priorities that hinder my spiritual growth? Is my life producing spiritual fruit that brings glory to God?

*2. The Secret of Fellowship*

a. Jesus calls His disciples to remain in Him continually.
The disciples had been made clean through Christ's teaching. Abiding is a daily, deliberate choice to remain in close fellowship with Christ.
*Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving*
(Colossians 4:2).
b. Spiritual life flourishes through constant dependence upon Jesus. A fruitful Christian life is maintained by regular prayer, Bible study, worship and obedience.

*Questions*

What practical habits help me remain closely connected with Christ each day. Am I spending time with Christ consistently or only when difficulties arise?*

*3. The Strength of Dependence*

a.Jesus declares that apart from Him, believers can do nothing of eternal value. Every ability for effective Christian living comes from Christ.
Apostle Paul declared: *“I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)* Fruitfulness begins when believers surrender completely to Christ's leadership.
b. Those who abide in Christ bear much fruit because His life flows through them.
Lasting spiritual success is not achieved through self-effort, but through continual dependence upon Christ.

*Questions*

Am I relying on my own strength or on Christ's power in my daily life and ministry? Can others see evidence of Christ's life and character in me?

*Prayer Points*

1. Lord Jesus, help me to abide in You daily through prayer, obedience and Your Word.
2. Father, produce in my life the fruit of the Holy Spirit that glorifies Your name.
3. Lord, give me grace to accept Your loving discipline so that I may become more useful in Your service.
4. Heavenly Father, keep me from relying on my own strength and teach me to depend entirely upon Christ.

*Hymn:* I am Thine Oh Lord.

*THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:* JOHN 4-5.

2. Morning Prayer for today.

MP.i. Morning Prayer

This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ⏤ Psalm 118:24

The soul needs Sabbath to rest and recharge. ⏤ Wesley L. Duewel

O God, we thank You for this holy Sunday. It is Your day, honored and made sacred by You from the beginning. It was made even more holy by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is full of holy hopes as it reminds us of the eternal rest in Heaven. We thank You for all that this day means to us in our personal lives and for the blessings it has brought to our home. We thank You for its quiet rest, that we can cease from our weekday toil and spend the day with You.

May You make this a day of real blessing to us. May Heaven’s windows be opened, and may holy blessings be poured upon us. Bless our home life today. May we grow closer together as a family. May our affection be sweetened. Fill our hearts with Your love—then we will love each other as we should. Bless our home conversation. May it be beneficial to us, ministering grace to our hearts, and may it be worthy of the day. Help us to shut out of our lives anything that is worldly or unworthy of You. May Your Spirit fill our home, bringing gentle, enriching influences.

Bless our worship in Your house. Go with us and help us to honor You in the public services. Open our eyes to see wonderful things in Your word. Sanctify the worship and instruction we receive in the sanctuary. May we be so blessed in our hearts by waiting on You that we will be ready for good service all week.

Help us also to be a blessing to others today. Fill us with Your Spirit so that every life that touches ours will receive a blessing from us.

We ask all these Sunday blessings from Your hand, humbly, faithfully, and joyfully, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/28/morning

#taptapstudio
#youdevotion.

Is the tide turning on the transgender movement ?
A pro-life center helped this woman to de-transition.
( a report from The 700 Club tv show )

A NUGGET OF TRUTH.
WHO ARE THE TRUE PEOPLE OF GOD?
(A Lengthy Biblical And Historical Investigation).

In an age where rhetoric and emotions often determine people's beliefs, one of the most countercultural things that anyone can do is to objectively look at the evidence, regardless of how it makes them feel. It is also important to remember that things are not often what they seem, that history is not always what we have been told, and that the truth will always be hated by the world. Today, we must abandon political correctness and oversensitivity to learn the truth about one of the most consequential questions of our time: Who are God's chosen people?

Many believe that the Jews are God's chosen people and that God intends to bless the Jews and the state of Israel at some point in the future because He obligated Himself to do so with Abraham. One reason people think this makes sense is that they believe today's Jews are direct descendants of Abraham. Many Christians even believe that the Zionist state of Israel and anyone calling themselves a Jew today have a special place in God's heart, and therefore we as non-Jews need to bless and honor these people more than others, lest God curse us or withhold His blessings. These and many similar attitudes must be tested thoroughly with Scripture and with history. After all, when the devil tempted Christ in the desert, he did so by twisting God's word to suit his agenda. This is why we must exercise discernment and test all things.

To understand who God's chosen people truly are, we must begin with Abraham. The Jewish Almanac of 1980 makes a critical observation: strictly speaking, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew. The word "Jew" originates from one of the tribes of Israel named Judah, and the term refers to people who lived in or were from Judah, the territory that the tribe of Judah received as their inheritance. This means that those before the territory of Judah was created were not Jews. Moses was not a Jew, nor was Jacob, Isaac, or Abraham. Abraham was a Hebrew, a descendant of Eber, and he was promised to be the father of many nations, not just one nation or group of people.

This distinction is vital because it reveals that God's covenant with Abraham was never intended to be limited to a single ethnic lineage. A careful examination of the biblical record shows that from the very beginning, God intended His covenant community to be inclusive, based on faith rather than bloodline. Abraham's household was large, numbering well over a thousand people, and he taught all within his household, regardless of their origin, to follow the Lord. The direct physical descendants of Jacob who entered Egypt numbered only seventy, yet at the Exodus, Israel numbered over two million people. This astonishing growth cannot be explained by biological reproduction alone. The Scriptures record that a "mixed multitude" went up with Israel out of Egypt, and these foreigners were fully integrated into the covenant community, partaking equally of God's promises.

Throughout Israel's history, this pattern continued. Joseph married an Egyptian, Moses married a Midianite, Caleb was a Kenizzite, Rahab was a Canaanite, Ruth was a Moabite, and Uriah was a Hittite. These individuals were not biological descendants of Abraham, yet they were counted among God's people because they joined themselves to the Lord in faith. King David himself was only partially Israelite by ancestry, being descended from Ruth the Moabite. In the time of Esther, we read that "many of the people of the land became Jews," indicating that conversion and incorporation into the covenant community was a regular occurrence.

This understanding transforms our perspective on what it meant to be part of Israel. In God's eyes, true membership in Israel depended not on ancestry but on faith. The Apostle Paul acknowledges this when he points out that out of the whole nation of Israel during the time of Ahab, only seven thousand had remained faithful to God, and it was they who constituted the true Israel. Biblically, Israel was a spiritual community to which people were added or removed with no consideration of ancestry or race.

As we move through biblical history, the term "Jew" becomes increasingly complex. After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they eventually formed two kingdoms: Israel in the north, composed of ten tribes, and Judah in the south, composed of Benjamin and Judah. The people of the northern kingdom were Israelites, not Jews, and many of the most prominent figures in Scripture came from these non-Jewish tribes. Samson was from Dan, Deborah from Ephraim, Gideon from Manasseh, Elijah from Gad or Manasseh, Joshua and Samuel from Ephraim, and Moses and Aaron from Levi. All of these biblical heroes were Israelites, not Jews.

When the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom in 722 BC, the ten tribes were dispersed and assimilated among the nations, effectively ceasing to exist as a distinct people. The southern kingdom of Judah survived for another century and a half before being conquered by the Babylonians. After the Babylonian exile, a remnant returned to the land, but by this time, the territory had been occupied by various pagan tribes, including the Edomites. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, and had a long history of hostility toward Israel. They had allied with Nebuchadnezzar during the Babylonian invasion and rejoiced at Jerusalem's destruction.

A critical development occurred in the second century BC when the Hasmonean dynasty, led by John Hyrcanus, forcibly converted the entire Edomite nation to Judaism. This was the only case of forced conversion in Jewish history, and it brought into the Jewish community a people who were not only not descended from Judah but who were traditionally enemies of Israel. The Edomites became fully integrated into Jewish society, and from them came the notorious Herodian dynasty that ruled Judea at the time of Christ.

By the time of Jesus, therefore, those who called themselves Jews were a complex mixture of genuine descendants of Judah, descendants of the other tribes who had survived, and large numbers of converts from various pagan nations, including the Edomites. This historical reality explains why the Gospel of John often distinguishes between "the Jews" who opposed Jesus and the faithful remnant who followed Him. It also explains why the Apostle Paul identifies himself as a Hebrew and an Israelite rather than simply as a Jew.

The complexity only increases when we consider developments after the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70. Following the failed Jewish revolts against Rome, the Jewish population was scattered, and all records of genealogies were destroyed. Today, it is impossible to reliably trace ancestry back to the biblical Israelites or even to the tribe of Judah.

One of the most significant events in this regard was the conversion of the Khazar kingdom to Judaism in the eighth century AD. The Khazars were a Turkic people who ruled a large territory in what is now eastern Ukraine and southwestern Russia. Their conversion to Judaism was a political decision, and the entire ruling elite and many of their subjects adopted the Jewish religion. When the Khazar empire was destroyed, its people dispersed throughout Eastern Europe, and their descendants became a significant portion of what is now known as Ashkenazi Jewry.

While some scholars debate the extent of Khazar ancestry among modern Jews, the historical fact remains that a large-scale conversion of a non-Semitic people to Judaism occurred, and these converts and their descendants became part of the Jewish community. This means that many people who call themselves Jews today have no biological connection to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but are rather descendants of Turkic converts.

Many argue that the Jews are still God's chosen people because God owes them the land He promised thousands of years ago to Abraham. But careful study reveals two significant problems with this argument. First, Abraham was not a Jew, nor were Isaac or Jacob. God made the promise to the Hebrews who eventually became the Israelites, not to the Jews. Second, these land promises were fulfilled long ago.

The biblical record is explicit on this point. In Joshua 21:43-45, we read that "the Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. And the Lord gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and not one of all their enemies stood before them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hand. Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass". During the reign of Solomon, the boundaries of his empire matched exactly the area of land described by God to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21. The land promise was fulfilled in its entirety.

The covenant of land was conditional upon obedience, as God had made clear from the beginning. Because the Israelites repeatedly rebelled, intermarried with pagans, and abandoned God's laws, they lost the land. God's judgment was just, but it did not nullify His promises. The greatest blessing God promised Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed, was fulfilled in Christ through the gospel, and this is why the Church, not any ethnic group, is the true body of chosen people.

The prophecy of Daniel 9 provides a clear timeline for when Israel's role as God's chosen nation was to be fulfilled. The prophecy states that "seventy weeks are determined upon thy people," referring to Israel, not Judah alone. These weeks represent years, giving a total of 490 years during which God's purposes for Israel as a nation would be accomplished.

Historical and archaeological evidence aligns this prophecy precisely with the coming of Jesus Christ. The starting point was the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, which is generally understood to be the decree of Artaxerxes in 445 BC authorizing Nehemiah to rebuild the city walls. From this date, the prophecy of sixty-nine weeks (483 years) leads directly to the time when the Messiah would appear.

The seventy weeks conclude with the cutting off of the Messiah and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The critical turning point comes in AD 34, when Stephen was stoned and the apostles were dispersed from Jerusalem to spread the gospel to the nations. Shortly afterward, Paul was converted and Peter received his vision about the Gentiles. The time for the Old Testament system had passed, and with it, the special status of physical Israel as God's chosen nation had come to an end.

One of the most remarkable pieces of evidence that the Jews were not God's chosen people after the time of Christ comes from their own rabbinic literature. The Talmud records in Yoma 39b that for forty years before the destruction of the Temple, the signs that the Jews had relied upon for centuries to confirm God's forgiveness of their sins no longer occurred. The lot that should have come up in the High Priest's right hand did not, the crimson wool that should have turned white remained red, and the western lamp of the candelabrum would not stay lit.

Counting inclusively, forty years before the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 brings us to AD 31, the exact year that Jesus was crucified. For forty years, God was giving the Jews a clear message that their sacrifices were no longer accepted because the true Sacrifice had been offered. In the spirit of their fathers, most of the Jews remained stiff-necked and were judged in AD 70 when the Temple was destroyed. The Temple was not rebuilt because there was no more need for it. The time for physical Israel as an outward demonstration of God's electing purpose had come to an end.

Zionism, the political movement that led to the creation of the modern state of Israel, was not a religious movement but a secular, nationalist one. It emerged in Europe in the late nineteenth century, spearheaded by Theodor Herzl, an atheist or agnostic Jew. Herzl's vision was not for a religious state governed by biblical law, but for a secular Jewish state that would serve as a haven for Jews from persecution.

This secular origin is significant because it demonstrates that Zionism was not a fulfillment of biblical prophecy but a political project. Herzl himself had little interest in the religious aspects of Judaism and was primarily concerned with nationalism and state-building. The state that was eventually established in 1948 was similarly secular in character, with its founders being largely atheist or agnostic.

The creation of the state of Israel was not the result of divine intervention but of political maneuvering. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, the British Mandate, the support of the Rothschild banking family, and the geopolitical interests of Western powers all played crucial roles. The transfer of large numbers of Jews to Palestine was facilitated by agreements with Hitler's Germany, which sought to deport Jews from Europe rather than see them remain.

The New Testament reveals that the Old Testament system of physical Israel was a type and shadow of a greater spiritual reality. The tabernacle, the priesthood, the sacrifices, and the nation of Israel itself were all foreshadowing the coming of Christ and the establishment of His church. When Christ came, He fulfilled what these types had pointed toward, and the physical reality gave way to the spiritual.

This is why the Apostle Paul writes that not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and that the true children of God are the children of the promise. In Galatians 3:16, Paul explains that the promises made to Abraham were made to his offspring singular, who is Christ. If we are in Christ, then we are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise. There is no promise to anyone who is outside of Christ.

In Romans 4:11-12, Paul writes that the covenant of circumcision with Abraham was made so that those in the future who would not be circumcised could be counted as righteous by faith as children of Abraham. This is the New Covenant announced in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promised to write His law on hearts rather than on tablets of stone. This covenant is not determined by fleshly lineage but exclusively by the work of God to give people a new heart.

The Apostle Peter appropriates the language of the chosen people when he writes to believers: "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" (1 Peter 2:9). This language, originally used of Israel in Exodus 19:5-6, is now applied to the church, the body of believers from every tribe and nation. Paul calls this new spiritual reality "the Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16.

What then does it mean to be chosen by God? The New Testament reveals that God's electing purpose has always been sovereign and unconditional. Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them, and that all whom the Father gives to Him will come to Him. This electing purpose was established before the foundation of the world, based not on human merit or effort but on God's own will and pleasure.

The true people of God are not those who can trace their physical lineage to Abraham, but those who have been given new hearts and new spirits by God, who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and who place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This group includes people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, and it excludes anyone, regardless of their ancestry, who does not have faith in Christ.

This is not replacement theology, as it is often accused of being. The church did not replace Israel; rather, the church is the fulfillment of Israel. It is the spiritual reality that the physical Israel was designed to foreshadow. Just as Christ came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, so the church is not a replacement for Israel but its fulfillment. Dispensationalism and Jewish-focused futurism are the true replacement theologies, for they replace the elect bride of Christ with a political state, replace the spiritual temple with a physical building, and replace the gospel of grace with identity politics based on ethnicity.

If the Jews of today are God's chosen people, one would expect them to exemplify the character that God desired for His set-apart people. Yet the evidence points in the opposite direction. Surveys indicate that Israel is among the least religious nations in the world, with a significant percentage of the population identifying as atheist. The founders of the Zionist movement and the early leaders of Israel were largely atheist or agnostic. David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin, and many others who shaped the modern state had no interest in biblical religion.

The state of Israel has also become a center for cultural movements that are directly contrary to biblical values. Tel Aviv has been called the gay capital of the world, and the promotion of transgender ideology is prominent in Israeli society. The very symbol that the Zionist movement adopted to represent itself, the Star of David, is not of biblical origin but was a pagan occult symbol appropriated by Kabbalists in the sixteenth century. The biblical prophets condemned the Israelites for taking up the star of their pagan gods, yet this very symbol now represents the modern state.

If these are God's chosen people, they are a strange representation of His character. The true people of God, by contrast, are those who have been transformed by the Holy Spirit, who love God and keep His commandments, and who are being conformed to the image of Christ. They are not perfect, but they are being sanctified by the Spirit, and their lives bear witness to the power of the gospel.

Conclusion

The evidence from Scripture and history is clear. The people who live in the state of Israel today are not the biblical Jews, nor are they God's chosen people. The biblical Israelites were a covenant community defined by faith, not ethnicity, and they fulfilled their purpose when the Messiah was born and accomplished His work of redemption. The land promises to Abraham were fulfilled long ago, and the covenant with physical Israel ended with the coming of Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant.

The term "Jew" has undergone so many transformations over the centuries that it no longer refers to a people who can be reliably traced back to the tribe of Judah. Mass conversions, forced conversions, and the destruction of genealogical records have made it impossible to establish any certain connection between modern Jews and ancient Israelites. The Zionist movement was a secular political project, not a fulfillment of prophecy, and the state it created is a political entity like any other, with no special claim to divine favor.

God's chosen people today are those who have been chosen by Him before the foundation of the world and given to Christ, those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and placed their faith in Jesus, those who are being conformed to His image and are awaiting His return. They come from every nation, including Israel, but they are defined not by their physical ancestry but by their spiritual rebirth. They are the true Israel, the Israel of God, and to them belong the promises of Abraham, fulfilled in Christ and applied by the Spirit.

We must therefore reject the false narrative that the modern state of Israel or the people who call themselves Jews today have any special place in God's plan. This narrative is not supported by Scripture, is contradicted by history, and leads people away from the true gospel of grace. Instead, we must embrace the biblical teaching that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, but all are one, and that the true children of Abraham are those who share his faith, not those who share his blood. This is the truth that sets us free, and it is the truth that we must proclaim without compromise.

Gospel Angels Broadcasting

4 OH. https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/ohio-supreme-court-hears-transgender-youth-healthcare-case

I don’t have much sympathy for picky panhandlers. Yesterday after getting a bus ticket printed out at Union Station, someone approached me asking where I was going. I suspected this was a beggar who might’ve been transgender (I couldn’t determine what sex this person was). I replied, “Why do you want to know?” No particular reason was given. After I revealed my destination, this person asked for a few dollars to get something to eat. I replied, “I don’t have any money for you, but I got some snacks on me. I can offer you something to nibble on.” This person then asked, “What do you have?” I replied, “Does it matter?” It’s one thing if they have missing teeth or cannot eat certain things for dietary reasons. However, I perceived an entitlement attitude from this person. He/she changed their mind about the snacks after I offered a tract. Minutes later, I noticed this person walking around with food from Raising Cane’s. It appeared he/she was genuinely hungry, but I have no regrets not helping him/her. There are numerous food banks, soup kitchens, and other places Americans can go to receive assistance. I’ve seen too many “hungry” beggars trying to get money for drugs or alcohol. Still, I’m willing to interact with them because they are opportunities to share the gospel.