Just sharing.

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Venezuela Capture​

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The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise raid.​

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So, what happened?
Explosions were reported in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and various military facilities just before 2 a.m. local time Saturday.​

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President Trump confirmed Maduro was seized during a “large-scale strike,” saying special forces breached steel doors of a “heavily fortified location” within “a matter of seconds.” Maduro and his wife were choppered to a U.S. Navy vessel, then flown to New York (see their journey), where they were indicted for narco-terrorism, drug conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses.​

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Trump said no Americans were killed, and Secretary of State Rubio stressed that the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela but with drug trafficking organizations.​

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Back up. Why did the U.S. want Maduro?
It’s been brewing for a while.​

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In 2020, U.S. federal prosecutors charged Maduro with “narco-terrorism,” accusing him of helping run the Cartel de los Soles, a drug-trafficking network that allegedly moved massive amounts of cocaine into the States. ​

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Maduro remained in power after a contested 2024 election, and in August, the Trump admin raised the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million for violating U.S. narcotics laws.​

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How are people responding?
Pretty mixed.​

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Colombian President Petro expressed “serious concern” over the strike, and other critics called Maduro’s capture “an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Starmer said the U.K. would “shed no tears” for the end of Maduro’s regime, and videos of Venezuelans worldwide taking to the streets to celebrate Maduro’s capture quickly began circulating.​

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What’s next?
It’s a bit hazy.​

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Venezuela’s VP, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as acting president, but President Trump has said that the U.S. will take control of Venezuela’s oil and “run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.”​

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Maduro is expected to appear in court in New York tomorrow.

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PRAY WITH US
King of kings, You sit enthroned over all creation, and nothing in this world happens apart from Your hand. When world events shock us, settle us with reminders of Your sovereignty. King of glory, give Venezuelan and American leaders the wisdom to make decisions that bring glory to You and good to Your people. King of peace, help American and Venezuelan leaders seek peaceful resolutions. ​

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And when those around us are overwhelmed by today’s events, help us to lovingly share the peace that comes from knowing You as our good, almighty, eternal Lord and Savior.
Amen.​

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New Year, New Dollar​

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Wall Street is ringing in the new year by reading some year-end economic reports.​

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Here’s how things are looking: ​

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• The average 30-year mortgage dropped to 6.15% in December (down from 7% last January), reflecting multiple cuts made by the Federal Reserve
• Jobless benefit claims dropped below 200,000 in December, a positive sign after unemployment ticked up to 4.6% in November
• The greenback is mounting an early 2026 comeback after the dollar value dipped more than 9% in 2025 compared to other currencies

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There’s more to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its December Jobs Report on Friday, and President Trump has said he will announce his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell later this month. Powell’s term ends in May.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Regardless of whether the broader economy is struggling or thriving, Christians should seek to give generously of their time, talents, and resources to those in greater need. Reach out to your local church to see where help is needed.​

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He hears our Prayers.​

"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

1 Peter 3:10-12 NIV


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Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened,
that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear:

But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and
your sins have hid his face from you,
that he will not hear.

Isaiah 59:1,2 KJV


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Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.

James 5:16 RSV


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If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:8-9 NASB


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Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.