Watchdog Alert: Wars

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Here is Jesus, in Matthew 24:6-7, teaching his disciples about the end times. But also encouraging them to ‘see that ye be not troubled’.

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” (KJV)

Russia–Ukraine Conflict

“Ukraine hit by multiple Russian strikes amid US-led push for end to war”
Multiple Russian strikes — the largest this month — struck Ukraine amid ongoing diplomatic efforts spearheaded by the U.S. following meetings between President Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders.
From Al Jazeera

“Russia-Ukraine exchange fire after Trump-Zelenskyy meet: Moscow launches biggest attack on Kyiv in August; Volgograd governor says oil refinery on fire”
After a Washington summit between Trump and Zelenskyy, intense exchanges of fire ensued. Moscow launched its most significant August assault on Kyiv, and an oil refinery in Volgograd reportedly caught fire amid the clashes.
From The Times of India

“In Donbas, Ukrainians hold out as Russia besieges, bargains for their land”
Despite relentless Russian pressure in eastern Donbas, Ukrainian defenders and civilians remain fiercely resistant to ceding territory. Even after setbacks, such as the fall of Chasiv Yar, key strongholds like Kramatorsk and Slovyansk hold firm, underscoring both tactical resilience and deep national resolve.
From The Washington Post

Israel–Hamas Conflict

“Israel is evaluating a Hamas proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and partial hostage release”
Israel is reviewing a deal from Hamas offering a 60-day truce and the release of 28 hostages (10 alive, 18 deceased) in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, including women and minors. Egypt and Qatar are mediating, but Israel continues demanding full hostage release and is advancing plans for a ground offensive in Gaza City amid escalating violence.
From Reuters

“Qatar urges a Gaza ceasefire after ‘positive response’ from Hamas”
Hamas has positively responded to a ceasefire proposal that includes a 60-day truce, phased hostage releases, and steps toward peace negotiations. Israel, however, has not yet replied. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire, with high death tolls and limited aid access.
From AP News

Prince Phillip’s ‘Haunting Desolation’

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In an excerpt from The Crown, Season 3 Episode 7 (“Moondust”) – a monologue delivered in the show by Prince Phillip the during his moment of mid-life crisis, speaking to a gathering of priests at St. George’s House, the writer and actor capture the essence of a meaningless existence as opposed to the wonder and ecstasy of knowing God.

“My mother died recently. She saw something was amiss. She saw that something was missing in her youngest child, her only son. Faith. ‘How’s your faith’, she asked me.

I am here to admit to you that I’ve lost it. And without it, what is there? The loneliness and emptiness and anticlimax of going all the way to the moon and finding nothing but haunting desolation, ghostly silence, gloom. That is what faithlessness is.

As opposed to finding wonder, ecstasy, the miracle of divine creation, God’s design and purpose.”

Supplication In The Spirit: Part 1

Steve Sann1 Comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is the first part in a new series on prayer called ‘Supplication In The Spirit’ by Steve Sann.

Praying for the Specifics

While working at home late one evening, in my early ministry years, I picked up the phone to be startled by the panicked voice of one of our youth leaders. In the background were the uncontrollable screams of his wife. Whatever launched her into hysterics, it was clear she was beyond reasoning, incommunicative.

Staggered and dazed, I didn’t know what to do. The man was pleading with me to take charge, “cast out the spirits or whatever,” and then thrust the phone to his wife. On the other end was the voice of a young woman in unreserved confusion. Trying to calm the situation was futile, as she would have none of that! Yet, through the melee that followed, a half-hour later, we were able to finally disconnect in some semblance of peace. I fell back into my office, shaken and perplexed.

Not long afterward, my wife appeared at the door, returning home from an event across state. Foregoing the usual courtesies, studying my face, she quizzed me: “Is there something strange going on here?” She explained: “While on the highway home, a picture of our house flashed into my mind. Suddenly I saw up on the side of the house the reflection of flashing red emergency lights! I began praying in the spirit like ‘a house-a-fire’ for whatever the situation was here at home!” She sighed, “I didn’t stop until a half-hour later when I sensed the emergency had passed.”

“Supplication” is exactly that: coming before God with a specific list of needs for ourselves and others. It may be that God gives you the specifics, expecting you to pray for another. Or, you may be listing to God for the needs of which you are already aware. Either way, when we bring specific needs before God in tongues, we are fulfilling, by definition, “supplication in the spirit.”

In today’s prayer publications, seldom a word is mentioned regarding supplication in tongues. Yet, as you may recall, in Ephesians 6, it was reinforced to make unfailing supplication in the spirit: Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Twice in this one verse are we told to supplicate, always and with all perseverance, for all the saints. If supplication is this important, God confirming it with repeated absolutes, we can be confident we know what and how to carry it out effectively.

They Said It: Os Guinness

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I’ve recently read ‘The Call’ by Os Guinness, and I highly recommend it. Guinness has a remarkable ability to communicate profound truths in a very understandable and beautiful way.

Here are some of my favorite Guinness quotes.

“Calling is a ‘yes’ to God that carries a ‘no’ to the chaos of modern demands. Calling is the key to tracing the story line of our lives and unriddling the meaning of our existence in a chaotic world.”

Emphasizing the transformative power of responding to God’s call over worldly distractions, this quote captures Guinness’s central theme of purpose amid chaos.

“We are not primarily called to do something or go somewhere; we are called to Someone. We are not called first to special work but to God. The key to answering the call is to be devoted to no one and to nothing above God himself.”

This profound line shifts the focus from vocation or activity to relationship—underscoring devotion to God as the ultimate calling.

“Freedom is not the permission to do what you like. It’s the power to do what you ought.”

Guinness masterfully reframes freedom—not as license, but as responsible empowerment to do what’s right.

“I live before the audience of One—before others I have nothing to gain, nothing to lose, nothing to prove.”

A succinct, soulful declaration of living for divine approval alone. It reflects deep humility and singular devotion.

Watchdog Alert: Middle East Update

Rick Tryon1 Comment

Bible Rebel continues to keep a watchdog’s eye on events in the Middle East and around the globe, bringing the latest news summaries to our readers.

Iran Faces Existential Choice Between Diplomacy and Defiance

Following a brief but intense 12-day conflict in June 2025—marked by Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites—Iran’s leadership finds itself weighing a critical decision. Internal consensus appears to be shifting toward renewed nuclear diplomacy with the U.S., deemed essential for regime survival amid economic struggles, power blackouts, and public unrest. Hardline resistance remains strong, and external threats loom if Iran resumes uranium enrichment.
From Reuters.

Israeli Military Plans Major Gaza Operation Amid Intensifying Conflict

On August 13, 2025, Israel’s chief of staff approved the core strategy for a new Gaza offensive, intensifying tensions with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The conflict has escalated into Gaza City, with allegations of scorched-earth tactics and civilian casualties—at least 25 people were killed while seeking aid. Meanwhile, international debate unfolds over post-war governance: Hamas has hinted at relinquishing control to a technocratic body, while the Palestinian Authority insists on authority in Gaza conditional on Hamas’ disarmament.
From The Guardian.

Australia Endorses French–Saudi Peace Plan, Backs Palestinian State Recognition

Australia has publicly supported a French–Saudi peace initiative aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict and announced its intent to formally recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly. The plan, also backed by the UK and the Arab League, stresses disarmament of Hamas and the release of hostages. However, Saudi Arabia insists on significant Israeli concessions before normalizing relations, making implementation challenging.
From The Australian.

Middle East Crude Oil Benchmarks Spike Amid Russia Tensions

Spot premiums for major Middle Eastern crude benchmarks—Oman, Dubai, and Murban—have climbed, driven by growing U.S. threats toward Russia. Markets are responding to the heightened geopolitical instability and potential supply risks, with Arab Gulf oil alternatively gaining in global value amid rising uncertainty.
From TradingView.

Watchdog Alert: What Are Those Methodists Up To?

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I keep seeing various memes and comments about the state of American (and European) churchianity that focus one an interesting theme: if the Apostle Paul were alive today we’d all be getting a letter. I love it.

Bible Rebel keeps a watchdog’s eye on news and events from the world of faith and religion and brings that content to our readers.

United Methodist Church Aims to Close Churches That Have Disaffiliated

Date: June 12, 2025
Summary: The UMC is planning to close church properties that have formally disaffiliated from the denomination. This move comes amid broader shifts and divisions following doctrinal disagreements.
From https://www.wtvm.com

Legal Victory for UMC in Dispute with Southern Methodist University

Date: Last month (June/July 2025)
Summary: The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference is a third-party beneficiary in its case against Southern Methodist University, allowing the breach-of-contract suit to proceed over control of governance.
From Chron

Growth in Global Methodist Church Three Years After Split

Date: 3 days ago (around early August 2025)
Summary: Following the 2022 schism, the Global Methodist Church (GMC) has seen significant growth. At First Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, worship attendance rose by 15% in the first year, another 13% the next, and over 10% this year. Meanwhile, UMC adopted a new inclusive mission statement and launched a “queer theology” course.
From CBN

Global Methodist Church Launches the Jethro Project Ministry

Date: August 4, 2025
Summary: The GMC introduced the “Jethro Project,” a ministry mobilizing retired—or “senior”—clergy in the Upper Midwest to pray for congregations, facilitate retreats like “Let’s be Methodist Together,” and support recruiting and cross-cultural coaching.
From Global Methodist Church

They Said It: Edmund Burke

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They Said It is a regular feature from Bible Rebel, highlighting quotes from various folks on various topics of interest and relevance to our readers. 

My favorite quote from Edmund Burke is, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”

Here are some more gems from the 18th Century Anglo-Irish philosopher, politician, and deep thinker.

“Man is by his constitution a religious animal. Atheism is against not only our reason, but our instincts.”

— Quoted in various writings and speeches

Burke argues that belief in God is a natural and essential part of human nature.

“Christianity is the most refined and exalted religion that ever enlightened the world.”

Burke praises Christianity as the highest expression of religious truth and moral guidance.

“People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors. Besides, the science of jurisprudence… and the principles of a Christian religion, form together the education of a gentleman.”

— From “Reflections on the Revolution in France” (1790)

He connects Christianity with tradition, virtue, and civic education.

“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

While this quote is often attributed to Burke and does not explicitly mention God, it reflects his Christian worldview, especially the idea of moral duty and divine accountability in the face of evil.