April 23, 2026
Virginia voters pass democrat-skewed redistricting measure, the US-Iran ceasefire hangs on by a threat, and national leaders (including President Trump) read the Bible for all the nation to see
Let’s jump into this week’s edition!
Table of Contents
Real News
Virginia Voters Approve Democratic Redistricting
Virginia voters narrowly passed a Democratic-backed constitutional amendment (51.5%-48.5%) allowing the Democrat controlled General Assembly to bypass the bipartisan redistricting commission and enact a new congressional map.
This mid-decade redraw, set to apply for the 2026 midterms (and through 2030), is projected to transform Virginia’s current 6-5 Democratic edge in its 11 U.S. House seats into a 10-1 advantage. Analysts expect it could flip up to four Republican-held districts by making them more Democratic-leaning.
The development intensifies national redistricting battles, serving as a Democratic counter to Republican-led map changes elsewhere.
Timeless Truth
Proverbs 20:10 says “Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.”
While yes, the whole redistricting conversation is extremely tricky to navigate, this is a clear example of an unequal measure. In a state where 49% of the population voted against it, not only will they be underrepresented but they will not have any representation in a state which used to be one of the most even states in the nation.
Yes, Republicans have done the same thing in other states. And it is still wrong. Voting maps should not be drawn in such a way that they favor a certain party, race, or demographic. This is the textbook example of partiality (Proverbs 11:1).
Leviticus 19:15 says “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
God does not honor nations who distort justice (Deuteronomy 25:13-15).
We must pray that our leaders would pursue justice and equal measures (Micah 6:8). We must pray that in this mid-decade redistricting effort that districts would be redrawn fairly and without any partiality (Deuteronomy 16:20). We must pray that Christians would rise and ensure that our nation is one of justice and not corruption (Deuteronomy 16:19).
Shaky US-Iran Ceasefire Extended
President Trump has extended the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire, reversing his recent statement that doing so was unlikely. He cited Iran’s “seriously fractured” government and a request from Pakistani leaders, which caused him to pause potential strikes until Tehran submits a unified proposal.
Peace talks in Pakistan have stalled, with Iran resisting further negotiations while the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz remains in place. Recent U.S. seizures of Iranian vessels have also heightened tensions. The standstill has triggered a surge in oil and gas prices.
Timeless Truth
1 Thessalonians 5:3 perfectly sums up the conflict with Iran: “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”
As of last Friday, the US and Iran were in a “good” place and the Strait of Hormuz was open, but by Saturday it was closed again and the US and Iran tensions flared.
This war has taught us that we live in a constant state of false security and that if we place our trust in the things of this world, we will always be washed around.
Iran is obviously without a leader. The reason the US and Iran have not come to an agreement is because many people within their government are vying for power and putting out contradictory statements (Proverbs 11:14 & Mark 3:24-25).
This reminds me of Judges 21:25 “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” The value of a good leader in a turbulent time cannot be understated (Proverbs 28:2).
We must pray that the US and Iran would come to an agreement quickly (Proverbs 16:7). We must pray that a wise and righteous leader would be raised up in Iran (Proverbs 21:1 & Proverbs 29:2). We must pray that the people of Iran would not have to continually suffer for the bad decisions of their leaders (2 Chronicles 7:14).
America Reads the Bible
"America Reads the Bible" is a historic week-long event started on April 18 in Washington, D.C., at the Museum of the Bible and will go through April 25.
Nearly 500 participants including faith leaders, politicians, celebrities, and everyday Americans are publicly reading the entire Bible aloud from Genesis to Revelation.
It celebrates America's 250th anniversary and aims to highlight the nation's biblical foundations, encourage spiritual renewal, and inspire a return to God's Word.
President Trump read 2 Chronicles 7:11–22 from the Oval Office. Other notable figures involved with the event are Allie Beth Stuckey, Pete Hegseth, Susie Wiles, Eric Metaxas, Franklin Graham, and more.
Timeless Truth
This event is such a beautiful display of Christians appealing to God on behalf of their nation (Daniel 9:19 and Jeremiah 29:7). Praise God for this!
2 Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
It’s a beautiful thing to see the Body of Christ unified in washing our nation in the water of the word, while also appealing to God so that He would heal our land (Ephesians 4:3-6 & Ephesians 5:26-27).
God is the only One who can save our land, but we must do the work of repenting for the sins of our nation and calling more to repentance.
Isaiah 55:11 says “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Our nation will be changed because of the diligence of the Church in calling her back to God.
The Lord is not finished with America (Psalm 33:12).
We must pray that our nation would humble itself and turn to God so that he might heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). We must pray that our leaders would lead us in righteousness and towards a nation repentance (Proverbs 14:34). We must pray that revival would sweep our nation and that all would come to be saved (Psalm 85:6 & 1 Timothy 2:4).
Behind the Feed
I was listening to a Josh Howerton Podcast this week and he said something very profound that more Christians, including myself, need to understand.
He pointed out that the Bible is both a mirror and a lens. James 1:23 says “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror.” Acts 17:11 says “Now the Berean Jews… received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
As Christians who want to faithfully interact with the world around us, we MUST use the Bible as a lens (this is what TTM is all about). BUT if we only use the Bible as a lens and not a mirror, then we are missing half of the picture.
The Bible illuminates not just the darkness in the world around us, but also the darkness within ourselves, our sin nature. We can’t be people who have a Biblical stance on every issue but have hearts far from conviction.
Allow the Word of God to deal with your heart this week!
Stay up to date
⭐️ Looking to grow in the fear of the Lord and prepare for the return of Christ? Check out John Bevere’s books: the Awe of God and the King is Coming!
🎙️ Great podcast from Josh Howerton about Tucker Carlson’s claims about Islam
🎥 Allie Beth Stuckey and David French have an interesting conversation about politics and Christianity
👀 Check out this interview I did where I discuss all things politics
📖 Tolkien’s advice on how to handle evil and war
🏥 Hospitals backing off gender-affirming care for minors
🏛️ Southern Poverty Law Center Indicted for funding extremist groups
Final Exhortation
Even though the times around us seem incredibly tumultuous, we should be encouraged that there is a remnant in this nation who are dedicated to praying and calling on the name of the Lord on behalf of our nation. 1 Kings 19:18 “Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Take heart, the battle is not lost (Romans 8:31).
Father, I thank you for this week. I ask you, Lord, that you would hear the prayers and cries of our nation, that indeed you would heal our land. I ask, God, that you would encourage the reader and remind them that you are not finished and still have work left to be done. I thank you, Lord, that you would continue to purify us in your holiness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.