Senate Passes Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk With National Day of Remembrance
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., designating Oct. 14, 2025, as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. The measure honors the life and legacy of the conservative leader who was assassinated earlier this month.
“Like most Americans, my wife Ann and I are completely heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and fellow patriot, Charlie Kirk, in a despicable, targeted assassination,” Scott said on the Senate floor.
The resolution is cosponsored by more than 20 senators, including Tommy Tuberville, Jim Risch, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, Ted Cruz, James Lankford and Marsha Blackburn. Congressman Jimmy Patronis is leading a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.
Scott praised Kirk as “a good man – a devout husband, father, and friend. His life was shaped by his faith and the idea that in America, debate and discussion are crucial to the betterment of our country.”
Kirk, founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, built thousands of chapters nationwide to educate students on freedom, free markets and limited government. Scott said, “Charlie inspired millions of young Americans to be involved in the future of their country and make their voices heard. He’d travel to college campuses around the nation to share ideas and talk about them.”
Scott emphasized that Kirk’s commitment to free debate set him apart. “He didn’t care if you agreed or disagreed with his ideas. He welcomed the opportunity to respectfully and peacefully debate ideas in the court of public opinion.”
Calling the assassination “a disgusting act of political violence,” Scott urged Americans to honor Kirk by continuing his mission. “We have the opportunity to carry on his memory by believing in the power of our ideas, discussion, and the values of our nation,” he said.
As the resolution takes effect, Scott asked citizens to gather in their communities to pray for Kirk’s family and the future of the nation.
Let us join together in prayer for Erika Kirk, her children and our nation as we navigate these waters of division and anger.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Rosh Hashanah 5786: The Prophetic Feast That Could Change the Church Forever
As Rosh Hashanah 5786 approaches, believers are entering a season rich with prophetic meaning. The feast of trumpets is not merely a ritual on the biblical calendar but a divine appointment calling the church to awaken, to unite and to align with God’s covenant purposes.
Rabbi Kurt Landry of House of David ministries believes this year marks a pivotal shift. “I had prophesied at Gloria Zion at House of David, that the biblical year 5786, the 6, the number of man, that it would be the release of the one new man or in Hebrew, one new humanity reformation,” Landry said.
This “one new man” vision points to Jew and Gentile becoming one in Messiah, echoing the reforming power of Martin Luther’s challenge to the church but centered on unity in Christ. “The revelation that’s coming in biblical year 5786 is the power of the one new man,” he said.
The Enemy’s Counterattack
Landry connected this prophetic word to the surge of hostility against Israel. “Look at the rise in the last 24 months of anti-Semitism in not just in Europe but in the United States,” he noted. He warned that Satan is using deception to sever Christians from God’s blessing. “Satan is trying to separate the church from his Genesis 12:3 blessing. If you’re blessing Israel, you’ll be blessed. If you’re cursing Israel, you’ll be cursed.”
This separation, he said, strips the church of its power. “The best way for Satan to stop the power in the signs and wonders and the evangelists and the outreaches is get him to curse Israel. And guess what? There is no power because God will not bless something that’s cursed.”
The Key of David
The answer, Landry explained, is found in the biblical promise to the church of Philadelphia. “In Revelation it says the church of Philadelphia has holiness, has truth and the key of David. Well, the key of David is the one new man. It’s Jew and Gentile coming together, one in Messiah. The key of David is the key to miracles.”
This church alone was promised a share in Christ’s rule during the millennial reign. That promise, he said, belongs to those who align with God’s covenant with Israel and embrace the unity of the one new man.
Landry described this Rosh Hashanah as “the most important one that I’ve ever been a part of in my life.” The trumpet blast, he explained, is more than tradition. “We believe biblically and in the Hebrew culture this is the sound of this is the voice of God. This shofar blast is going to bring Jew and Gentile, one new humanity together.”
A Call to Discernment and Focus
As the season begins, Landry urged believers to resist distractions and offenses. “Once you make a decision to do something you have to follow through,” he said.
This feast of trumpets is a call to stand united, bless Israel and prepare for the return of the Lord. Now is the time for discernment, commitment and focus on what God is doing in the earth.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Woman Sells Her Soul in Blood Contract for Labubu Craze
Every generation has those who think they can play games with the spiritual realm without consequence. But God makes it clear in His Word that our actions, even those made in jest, carry eternal weight. The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” What may seem like a prank, a passing trend or even a silly indulgence can open the door to a very real enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy.
A story out of Moscow shows just how reckless this can become. As reported by Dexerto, Karina, a 26-year-old woman, agreed to sell her soul after seeing an unusual offer online. Dmitry, a marketing specialist, had posted the offer as a prank, asking if anyone would sign their soul away for cash. To his surprise, Karina accepted. According to the outlet, “26-year-old Karina signed her soul over to Dmitry in a legitimate, physical contract that she signed with her own blood. In exchange, she got a little over one grand, which she quickly spent on a collection of Labubu dolls and a concert ticket.”
Dmitry celebrated the deal online, boasting, “Bought my first soul. The contract is signed in blood. I feel like Davy Jones, no less!” The Russian Orthodox Church rebuked both parties, warning that Karina had “chosen the side of evil” and could face “moral and personal decline, illness, suffering and even death.” They added that in their interpretation, Dmitry “is now Satan, since he bought a soul.”
The church’s words may sound severe to a culture that laughs at such things, but biblically they are true. God condemns blood rituals and occult practices. Leviticus 17:11 tells us, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood,” which is precisely why blood is never to be toyed with or used in dark covenants. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns, “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”
Opening Doors to Demonic Influence
By signing her name in blood, Karina stepped into the oldest form of sorcery known to mankind: blood magic. The world may shrug its shoulders, but spiritually she entered into a covenant with evil. And the enemy never plays fair. When people make agreements like this, whether in jest or sincerity, they invite demonic influence. That can show up in oppression, torment, and in severe cases, even possession. This is not superstition. It is the reality of the spiritual battlefield.
What makes this worse is the object of Karina’s obsession. Labubu dolls have become the latest collectible craze, yet many have noted their eerie, unsettling imagery, with some calling them outright demonic. Whether or not the dolls themselves carry spiritual weight, the fact that a young woman gave up her soul for them speaks volumes. What does it say when someone values a toy collection more than their eternal destiny?
A Warning for Our Culture
This story is a snapshot of where culture is drifting. People are so hungry for meaning, identity or status that they are willing to trade the priceless gift of their soul for trinkets, experiences or fleeting attention online. Jesus asked in Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Karina’s case is a literal demonstration of this warning. She gave up her soul for dolls and a concert ticket. The absurdity only highlights the tragedy.
Christians, we must treat this as a warning. The devil disguises spiritual bondage as fun, trends or cultural fads. The world calls it entertainment. God calls it dangerous. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” We cannot afford to toy with the demonic or shrug off stories like this. They are evidence of a spiritual drift that leaves hearts vulnerable to deception and destruction.
Guard your heart. Guard your mind. Guard your words and your actions. Every decision carries spiritual consequences. Agreements matter. Covenants matter. And souls matter.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Elon Musk Pushes Back at Pope With Bible Verse in Wealth Debate
Pope Leo XIV made headlines after criticizing Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s ballooning wealth and potential to become the world’s first trillionaire. In his first media interview, the U.S.-born pontiff told Catholic news site Crux that CEO compensation has spiraled out of control compared to ordinary workers.
“CEOs that 60 years ago might have been making four to six times more than what the workers are receiving … it’s now 600 times more than the average workers are receiving,” he said, according to CNN. The pope pointed to Musk’s proposed $1 trillion pay package, adding, “Yesterday, there was the news that Elon Musk is going to be the first trillionaire in the world. What does that mean, and what’s that about? If that is the only thing that has value anymore, then we’re in big trouble.”
Musk’s Scriptural Clapback
Musk did not let the critique go unanswered. On Sunday he fired back on X with a pointed passage from Matthew 7:3-5. “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” Musk wrote.
The irony was not lost on many observers. The world’s richest man quoting the Bible to rebuke the pope himself added a dramatic twist to a growing clash over wealth and power.
Musk bolstered his argument by sharing hedge fund manager Kyle Bass’ remarks on Vatican wealth. Bass claimed the Catholic Church controls nearly $2 trillion in assets, 200 million acres of global land, and more than $100 billion in investments, while enjoying tax exemptions across the world.
Vatican’s Finances Under Scrutiny
The Holy See has long faced speculation about its fortune. The Apostolic See Heritage Administration reported a $52 million profit in 2023, with assets increasing by $8 million. The pope’s personal net worth has not been disclosed, though researchers in Rome have estimated it near $1 billion. Newsweek reported that the Vatican itself is currently running a deficit.
Pope Francis, who died in April, had attempted to bring reform and transparency to the church’s financial dealings, but secrecy and speculation continue to shadow its reputation.
Tesla’s Pay Plan and Market Momentum
At the center of the storm is Tesla’s $1 trillion compensation plan. The package would pay Musk over the next decade if Tesla reaches ambitious targets in earnings, vehicle deliveries, robotaxis, and humanoid robots.
A separate filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission showed Musk spent nearly $1 billion to buy 2.57 million Tesla shares, pushing his net worth to over $430 billion. That purchase helped Tesla stock climb 4.5 percent in 2025, with retail traders on Stocktwits showing “extremely bullish” sentiment.
What the Bible Says About Wealth and Hypocrisy
The debate between Musk and the pope raises larger questions about how Christians should view money. Scripture does not condemn wealth outright but warns of its dangers. First Timothy 6:10 declares, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” At the same time, the Bible commends hard work and wise stewardship, showing us that most importantly, this is an issue of the heart.
Musk’s chosen verse strikes at another issue: hypocrisy. In Matthew 7, Jesus warns against judging others while ignoring one’s own faults. By using this passage, Musk suggested that the pope should examine the church’s wealth before condemning the riches of others.
The spectacle of a tech mogul invoking the words of Christ to challenge the head of the Catholic Church shows how faith, finance and power remain deeply entwined. Whether Musk’s retort will spark deeper reflection or simply fuel more controversy remains to be seen.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Is Candace Owens About to Be Crushed by the Curse of God?
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are taking their fight against a conspiracy theory to court. The New York Post reported that the French first lady “will present photographic and scientific evidence to a US court to prove the French first lady is, in fact, a woman.”
The evidence is part of a defamation lawsuit against cultural commentator Candace Owens, who has repeatedly claimed Brigitte Macron was born male and later transitioned.
The Macrons’ attorney, Tom Clare, told the BBC’s Fame Under Fire podcast, “There will be expert testimony that will come out that will be scientific in nature.” He added the documentation would include “pictures of Brigitte, now 72, when she was pregnant with their kids.”
Clare admitted the ordeal has been deeply unsettling for the first lady. “It is incredibly upsetting to think that you have to go and subject yourself, to put this type of proof forward,” he said. Still, he noted, “She is firmly resolved to do what it takes to set the record straight.”
Owens quickly responded with a series of posts on X after the New York Post article circulated.
“This is verifiably false. She isn’t suing me for saying she’s a man. She has never sued anyone ever for saying she’s a dude. Because she is one.”
“Pro tip, @BillAckman: most people generally accept that the New York Post is an outfit of the Mossad. If you’re going to share your text messages and send out the attack dogs, I’d reccomend choosing a different publication so that this all looks more organic.”
In another post, Owens shared a screenshot of the article’s author, highlighting his Jewish and Israeli background and previous work for Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post in an effort to bolster her claim that the New York Post was connected to Mossad.
This controversy adds to Owens’ growing reputation as one of the most outspoken anti-Israel voices in the world. She has accused Israel of “demonic” actions and immersed herself in rhetoric that many have called openly anti-Semitic.
Her comments reflect a dangerous trend that Scripture warns of. God’s covenant with Abram, before he was renamed Abraham, still rings true:
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your family, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless them who bless you and curse him who curses you, and in you all families of the earth will be blessed’” (Gen. 12:1–3).
The Question
As Owens continues to curse Israel with her words, one cannot help but ask: Will the Lord use the Macrons to bring down Candace Owens?
We do not yet know the answer. Time will tell how the case unfolds. But one thing is certain: prophecy warns that the world will turn against Israel in the last days, and we are watching those warnings come to pass right before our eyes.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Knowledge Is Exploding and So Is Prophetic Fulfillment
A heritage of pastors and peacemakers
Pastor James Kaddis says his roots shaped his prophetic lens. “I am the first generation to be born in the United States of America. My parents were both born in Egypt,” he said. “My grandfather was a pastor in Egypt for 65 years… they were oftentimes the ones that were actually making peace.” He added that his grandfather “every single day… prayed that somebody from his bloodline would become a pastor,” and “almost to the day that he passed away” Kaddis began teaching the Word.
Called young and forged fast
In an exclusive interview with Charisma Media, Kaddis said he was saved at 16 and quickly sensed a call to teach. “Within a couple of months, I just have this desire to want to start teaching the Bible,” he said. “By the time I was 18, I was already serving in ministry full time.” A love for languages and prophecy followed: “I’m a kind of a language guy. Language doesn’t come very hard for me.”
What began as tech to study Scripture became a parallel career. “I was one of like 1,000 court recognized computer forensics experts,” Kaddis said, explaining that he later served as a municipal police department’s chief information officer. He emphasized he was “more on the networking side,” not programming, but the tools sharpened his ministry.
Where we are in Revelation
Asked to place the moment, Kaddis did not hesitate. “We’re definitely at the tail end of what I would call chapter three,” he said. “By the time we get to Revelation chapter four, the church is raptured.” The signs, he argued, are converging fast: “Right now we’re beginning to see the orchestration of so many things going on geopolitically… which tells us that the rapture has to be near.”
The modern Tower of Babel
Kaddis warned about a new unity of language created by AI. “We are building a modern day Tower of Babel,” he said. “AI has, in essence, completely eliminated the inability to be able to communicate with other people in other languages.” He called it fertile ground for deception and idolatry. “We’ve seen these AI Jesus. We’re seeing all kinds of crazy things that are going on right now that are just brutally demonic.”
For Kaddis, the deeper danger runs through the heart. “AI is part of a conglomerate of tools that are ruining the collective consciousness of humanity,” he said. He urged pastors to resist shortcuts. “I think it’s just idiotic to say, ‘Here chat, GPT make me a sermon’… It’s terrible. It’s shameful.” At home he is firm about screens. “I will never, ever allow a single one of my children to have more than a certain amount of screen time a week, not a day.”
Why prophecy content exploded
The COVID era pushed his message daily. “The Lord had told me that day, I want you to make a video every day, and you’re never going to stop,” Kaddis said. As fear swept the world, he saw how easily populations could accept control. “We always wondered, How in the world will it be that people will be in line to take the mark… You realize very quickly that it’s going to happen easily, because the fear of death makes people do some of the craziest things in the world.”
The Temple Mount is the flashpoint
Kaddis traced the mount from David and Solomon to today, then issued a stark reminder. “That temple is being built for the Antichrist,” he said of a future Third Temple. The pace of news stuns him. “The Temple Mount might be the most consequential news that we’re seeing right now,” he said. “Now we’re getting one story out of the Temple Mount every six minutes sometimes.”
What once seemed impossible now moves into view. “We are watching it all form,” Kaddis said, citing shifts in Saudi messaging about Jerusalem, Syria’s turmoil, Turkey’s ambitions and Russia’s positioning near the Golan. He sees a rising commercial system that echoes Revelation’s warnings.
Knowledge increasing and tools accelerating
Quoting Daniel’s promise of increased knowledge, Kaddis applied it to prophetic understanding. “It’s about the knowledge of Bible prophecy increasing,” he said. Technology multiplies access. “What used to take me literally six months to be able to see now takes me six seconds.”
Sovereignty in the chaos and hope in the rapture
Kaddis urged believers to reframe the moment. “The chaos is a function of the orchestration of God’s complete sovereignty,” he said, pointing to Joseph’s story. Far from fear, he points to hope. “The beautiful part about the Rapture is you don’t die,” he said. “You literally go right into the state of eternity.”
Kaddis ended with a charge for all Christians to watch and be ready. “This is the most exciting time in the world to be alive in human history,” he said. “Think that through… and recognize that God has this immense, incredible plan for you.” The signs are in the headlines. The hour is late. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and live ready.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Exposed: The Shocking Truth About Why So Many Christians Are Spiritually Weak
Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons believers have. Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing” and to make our requests known to God. Through prayer we cast our burdens upon the Lord, resist the schemes of the enemy, and receive peace that surpasses all understanding. It is not optional for the Christian life but central to spiritual strength and renewal.
A Conversation on Prayer and Healing
In a recent episode of Good Morning LIVE, host James Epperly sat down with Dayne Kamela, founder of the online community Lit with Prayer and author of Choose Prayer, Not Despair. Kamela explained how prayer became the foundation of his walk with Christ and the key to overcoming seasons of despair. “The first thing that I started to do was pray,” he said. “Prayer for me seemed like something that wasn’t too difficult because I could just talk to him.”
Kamela shared how prayer transforms the mind and emotions. “If I know that I can like the Bible says in Romans 12:2 to not conform to the patterns of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, this amazing soul that God has given me I can choose to direct it into the presence of the Lord through prayer,” he explained. Through this act believers find freedom from fear, anxiety, and despair. He added, “Prayer in my opinion is one of the most powerful ways to do that as a believer because you don’t just get to talk to him, thank him, give him glory. You also get to walk in the authority that you’ve been given as a believer.”
Kamela emphasized that prayer is not about formulas but about a real relationship with God. “I have a heavenly father who loves me so much, but he also wants a relationship with me,” he said. “In order for a relationship with him to be built, I need to spend time with him. Look at the best relationship you have in your life that was not built in a week, a month, or even a year. It was built over years of time, effort, and patience.”
For those who feel distant or spiritually dry, Kamela gave practical encouragement. “Don’t even worry about all the different things you have to do when you pray. Just come to him with an honest heart. Tell him everything that’s on your mind. He wants to know everything.” He reminded listeners that prayer is not about feelings but faith. “There’s times I pray where I don’t feel anything, but I’m not there to get something from God. I’m there to do something that is so important to protecting me, to giving me great peace.”
Kamela’s story shows us all what Scripture has declared all along. Prayer brings us into the presence of God, renews our minds and equips us to withstand the enemy’s schemes. Without prayer we are exposed to the attacks of the devil, but with it we walk in the strength and peace of Christ.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
This Ancient Letter Holds the Key to Unlocking True Freedom in Jesus
Evangelist and pastor Daniel Kolenda says the book of Galatians is packed with layer upon layer of truth that can transform lives right now. “It’s like drinking out of a fire hose of revelation,” he said, describing how the letter’s meaning unfolds when you slow down and read it closely. “If you get the multiple layers of meaning that are packed into every verse, you come away with almost information overload.”
Kolenda shared these insights in a recent Charisma Media interview, where he discussed his new book Furious, his sermon series on Galatians and why he believes the gospel must remain central in the life of every believer.
Why Galatians Gripped Him
Kolenda started preaching verse by verse through Galatians at Nations Church in Orlando, Florida because the text “was so capturing me.” He called Paul’s letter “unfiltered,” “controversial,” and “stimulating,” adding that to reduce it to a dry commentary felt wrong. “It is I think it’s Paul’s most raw letter,” he said. “To write a commentary about it just felt like I wasn’t doing it justice.”
The series’ impact surprised him. “I never had such a response to any kind of a sermon series as I had to the book of Galatians,” he said. “People were coming up to me every week saying like, ‘This is mind-boggling. This is transformational.’”
From Pulpit Series to Page-Turner
That response pushed Kolenda to craft Furious, a novelized journey through Galatians. He imagined being in the room as Paul dictated the letter to a scribe. “Imagine that we could sit in the room and listen to that conversation and hear a dialogue between the scribe and between Paul,” he said. Storytelling, he believes, helps readers absorb doctrine at a heart level. “By the end, they have effortlessly absorbed not only the book of Galatians, but the heart of the Apostle Paul himself and of the gospel.”
The Gospel Is Not an Add-On
For Kolenda, the gospel is central to everything he does. “Our primary ministry focus is Africa where we do massive gospel crusades,” he said. “We’ve seen over a 100 million documented salvations.” That urgency shows up in his preaching and pastoring. “Somewhere in there, I’m going to make sure that the gospel comes into play,” he said.
Kolenda highlights the drama behind Paul’s famous line, “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?” He explained that “bewitched” points to a real superstition in Paul’s world. “The Greek word there is the word that is used in Greek for a superstition that was very common in the Greco Roman world at that time called the superstition of the evil eye,” he said. He noted hints that Paul suffered eye trouble and may have flipped an accusation of cursing back on legalists. “What Paul is saying to the Galatians now is he’s taking that accusation and he’s turning it back on them.”
The Deadly Drift of Legalism
Legalism, Kolenda warned, blinds believers to the cross. “What it does is it robs the cross of its glory and its power,” he said. “If you are trying to be made right with God through the law, you have been cut off from Christ.” He sees the same drift today in subtle and overt forms. “There is a movement of people that are trying to persuade even gentile believers that if they really want to please God, what they have to do is return to the law of Moses,” he said. “People they fall for this.”
The problem, he stressed, is not learning about Jewish roots or attending a seder. “It becomes a way to get to God outside of the cross,” he said. “And there is no other way.”
Grace Is Not License
Rejecting legalism does not mean anything goes. “The gospel doesn’t say, ‘Okay, Jesus saved you. Now live however you want,’” Kolenda said. The change is internal and profound. “When you put your faith in Christ, something amazing happens in your life,” he said. “The Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside of you.” Citing Galatians, he added, “If you are led by the spirit, you’re not under the law.”
Real holiness flows from union with Christ. “A vine doesn’t produce fruit by squeezing and by just grunting and trying to push fruit out,” Kolenda said. “The branch connected to the vine and the fruit effortlessly as a result of the exchange of life.” That, he said, is the Christian life. “We are now connected to God by the Holy Spirit and there is a source of life now that flows into us.”
God Sets the Table
Kolenda offered a simple invitation to those who feel stuck in spiritual striving. “Christianity is the only religion where God spreads a table in front of his people,” he said. “God provides the solution for us. And this is the gospel.” Trusting the finished work of Jesus changes everything from the inside out. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation,” he said. “If you will look at the world through the eyes of Jesus, everything will become new.”
Kolenda hopes readers fall in love with grace and stay centered on the cross. “What I pray it does for readers is that they read a novel,” he said. “It’s an entertaining interesting story. And by the end, they have effortlessly absorbed not only the book of Galatians, but the heart of the Apostle Paul himself and of the gospel.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Luigi Mangione Case Shows How Courts Are Fueling End Times Lawlessness
A New York judge has thrown out the most serious charges against Luigi Mangione, the accused assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, in what the New York Post called a “massive blow to prosecutors.” Judge Gregory Carro rejected claims that Mangione could be charged as a terrorist, tossing out the top counts of “murder in the first degree as an act of terrorism and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism” against the 27-year-old Ivy League graduate.
Carro explained in his ruling, “The People presented sufficient evidence that the defendant murdered Brian Thompson in a premeditated and calculated execution. That does not mean, however, that the defendant did so with terroristic intent.” The decision keeps alive Mangione’s second-degree murder charge but leaves him eligible for parole if convicted.
The Post reported that prosecutors had argued Mangione’s act was intended to intimidate the public, but the judge disagreed, writing, “The defendant’s apparent objective, as stated in his writings, was not to threaten, intimidate, or coerce, but rather, to draw attention to what he perceived as the greed of the insurance industry.” Yet by definition, domestic terrorism is the committing of terrorist acts in one’s own country against fellow citizens. Does the cold-blooded execution of a healthcare CEO outside an investor conference not fit that definition? Many would argue that it does.
Here lies the hypocrisy. Courts and government officials in recent years have been quick to expand the label of domestic terrorism to ordinary citizens, parents speaking at school board meetings, or protestors who step out of line. Yet in a case where an Ivy League graduate planned and carried out an assassination meant to send a political message, the court dismissed the very idea of terrorism. Justice is not only uneven but inverted.
This case exposes a troubling pattern across America’s courts. Violent offenders are having their charges reduced while citizens who step up to protect others, such as Daniel Penny, find themselves crushed under the weight of the justice system. The prophet Isaiah warned of days like this: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” (Isa. 5:20).
Scripture is clear that God hates both the acquitting of the guilty and the condemnation of the innocent: “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord detests them both” (Prov. 17:15). When courts release criminals or downplay their crimes while punishing those who act in defense of others, they are participating in an inversion of justice that the Bible warns against.
Jesus Himself warned that “because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12). That lawlessness is not just seen on the streets but in the courts where justice is perverted. This rising lawlessness points us toward one of the greatest prophetic signs of the end times. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2 about the coming of “the man of lawlessness, the man of perdition,” also known as the Antichrist.
Every time a criminal is excused while righteousness is punished, America edges further toward the climate in which the Antichrist will be revealed. The church must not grow numb to this trend. We must rely on the Holy Spirit and biblically empowered discernment so that we are not swept away by deception. As courts bend justice, God’s people must stand firm in the truth, knowing these things were foretold and point to Jesus’ soon return.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories Explode After Charlie Kirk Assassination
The assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has not only shocked the nation but also unleashed a wave of misinformation and conspiracy theories. In the days following the tragic shooting, speculation fueled by viral clips and social media posts led many down paths of confusion and false accusations.
One of the most prominent examples involved 71-year-old George Zinn who was detained in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. According to police documents, Zinn began screaming, “I shot him – now shoot me,” while officers held him down. Video of the incident circulated online leading some to believe authorities had already apprehended the real suspect. However, as the Guardian reported, “Police contend that Zinn subsequently admitted that he was not the shooter and did not know who was – and he purportedly claimed that he had acted how he did to draw attention away from the real killer in hopes of becoming ‘a martyr’ for Kirk.”
The confusion surrounding Zinn’s arrest was compounded when authorities later revealed he faced charges of obstruction of justice and possession of child abuse material. His case, though sensational, had no connection to Kirk’s actual assassination. Police ultimately identified and arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the real suspect.
Another conspiracy theory spread online after images surfaced of a man in a white shirt, white hat and sunglasses standing next to Kirk with a cell phone. Social media users alleged this man was complicit in the assassination. Those accusations were quickly dispelled when Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek confirmed he was that man standing with his close friend in support. Turek’s team addressed the rumors directly in a public statement:
“The viral accusations against Dr. Frank Turek are categorically false. Dr. Turek was at Utah Valley University as part of Charlie Kirk’s team, standing with him as a close friend and mentor. Their bond was marked by deep respect and unwavering support. Like everyone, we want Charlie’s assassin brought swiftly to justice, but reckless and false accusations only distract from the truth and dishonor Charlie’s memory.”
The viral accusations against Dr. Frank Turek are categorically false. Dr. Turek was at Utah Valley University as part of Charlie Kirk’s team, standing with him as a close friend and mentor. Their bond was marked by deep respect and unwavering support. Like everyone, we want… pic.twitter.com/NonSR8A9OR
The rush to judgment in these cases highlights how easily false narratives can spiral in moments of crisis. This horrific event shows how important patience, discernment and temperance are during such a volatile time in American history. People are angry and many are grieving but in the midst of all of it God is right here with us, capable and willing to take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it into something good.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
