The Pour Over Today - Possible Ceasefire Agreement, DOJ Reports, Wildfires Update, & More I 01.15.25

Episode Date: January 15, 2025

Today, we’re talking about a possible ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas; the release of two DOJ reports; an update on the California wildfires; and other top news for Wednesday, January 15th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! The Voice of the Martyrs: vom.org/TPO Parenting with Ginger Hubbard: https://links.thepourover.org/ParentingwithGingerHubbard The Bulletin: MoreCT.com/BulletinPodcast Upside: https://links.thepourover.org/Upside Cru: give.cru.org/pour LMNT: https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast Hello Fresh: https://hellofresh.com/pourover10fm

Today's episode is brought to you by our lead sponsor, Crew. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the poor over today. Here's the quote of the day, When there's something in the word of God that I don't like, The problem is not with the word of God, it's with me. R.C. Sproul Let's get started with some espresso shots. A deal to wind down the war in Gaza is reportedly close. After a year of stop-and-start talks mediated by U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, representatives from Hamas accepted a draft agreement for a six-week ceasefire deal yesterday. Israel's negotiators also said it's ready to close the deal.

Now, it's up to leadership on both sides. Under the plan, Hamas releases 33 humanitarian hostages—women, the ill, the elderly—while Israel partially withdraws from Gaza and releases hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations will then begin for the release of remaining hostages, about 60, at least 34 of whom are presumed dead, and a permanent ceasefire, with Israel's military moving into buffer zones in Israeli border towns. Negotiators hope they can wrap up before the inauguration of President-elect Trump, whose Mideast envoy has already joined talks. The gospel is scandalous because God's heart is for everyone—terrorists, prisoners, prime

ministers, and presidents, and those who passionately disagree with you about what justice looks like—to know Him. He sacrificed His Son because He loves His enemies. Ask Him to help you love yours. 1 John 4, 8-11 says, The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way.

God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. The DOJ released two special counsel reports this week.

Monday, Special Counsel David Weiss's final report on his investigation into Hunter Biden's federal tax and gun charges was released. In it, Weiss defended his decision to prosecute the president's son, which President Biden called a miscarriage of justice, saying the six-year probe was thorough and impartial. Hunter was convicted in both cases, but pardoned by President Biden in December. Yesterday, the DOJ released part of former President Council Jack Smith's final report on his two year investigation into President-elect Trump, a 174 page document alleging Trump obstructed 2020 election

results. The report, which Trump lawyers called a politically motivated attack, said that the DOJ had sufficient evidence to sustain a conviction at trial had Trump not won re-election in November. Here's a verse to consider whether you think justice won out or fell short. Therefore, the Lord is waiting to show you mercy and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy."

Isaiah 30, 18. Winds continue to worsen LA County's wildfire crisis. The National Weather Service extended the area's extreme fire danger warning through today, citing the potential for 70-plus mile-per-hour Santa Ana winds. So far, 24 people have been confirmed dead and 23 remain missing. Currently, 92,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, and 90,000 are in warning zones as international support arrives, including firefighters from Mexico, Canada, and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, L.A.'s district attorney warned businesses and landlords against illegal price gouging, promising prosecution for violators. He also cautioned residents to avoid scams targeting insurance claims and government benefits. Homeowners filed lawsuits Monday against Southern California Edison, accusing the utility company of failing to de-energize equipment during red flag warnings. The CEO of SCE's parent company said investigations are underway. are underway. Prayer is powerful and effective. Pray for God to move in power in the midst of the suffering

and the massive recovery effort. If you're able to do more, check out the giving opportunities we've shared on our Instagram. James 2, 16 and 17 says, If one of you says to them, Go in peace, stay warm and be well fed, but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it?

If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it?

If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? If you you says to them, go in peace, stay warm and be well fed, but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith, if it does not have

works, is dead by itself. With over 1,000 translations and every type of decorative edition, it's easy to forget how many people can't even get their hands on a single copy of the Bible in their native language. That's why we've partnered with Cru. Cru has missionaries in almost every country, but they need more Bibles. One missionary said, I've never seen such a thirst

for the word of God in my country. Let's quench that thirst. For just $24 a month, you can provide three people with Bibles every month. As a bonus, CREW will provide meals to 12 hungry individuals through their humanitarian ministry and send you a free TPO coffee mug. Simply text POUR to 71326 or visit give.crew.org. Again, that's texting P-O-U-R to 71326 or give.cru.org. addresses only. In other brews, here's a wrap-around of updates. The White House announced student loan cancellation for more than 150,000 borrowers on Monday.

In 2023, SCOTUS struck down Biden's new federal forgiveness program. Now, the administration is expanding existing debt forgiveness programs, with this latest wave targeting borrowers with disabilities, public servants, and students from schools that cheated borrowers. Biden administration forgiveness now totals $4.2 billion for more than 5 million Americans.

North Korea's ramping up military activities. South Korea says its neighbor launched its second missile test of the year on Tuesday. Several short range ballistic missiles landing in the Sea of Japan. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, growing evidence suggests North Korean suicide soldiers are killing themselves to avoid capture.

Ukraine says 3,000 of the 11,000 soldiers deployed from Pyongyang have been killed. A Kentucky federal judge ruled that the Department of Education's recent Title IX changes as unconstitutional. The new policy, which adds protection to transgender students, has already been challenged. Judges have halted the changes in 26 states, and many states have sued the department. The judge claims the updated policy would turn Title IX on its head by redefining sex to include gender identity. Macy's, Kohl's, and Joanne have had better days. Macy's, Kohl's, and Joanne Fabrics announced store closures amid ongoing financial struggles.

Macy's will shutter 66 locations by May as part of its profitability strategy. Kohl's will close 27 stores by April after 11 consecutive quarters of Fisco-L's, and Joanne's is buttoning up the liquidation of six locations after its 2024 bankruptcy. China is reportedly considering a contingency plan for Elon Musk to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations if SCOTUS upholds the looming divest or ban law. TikTok's parent ByteDance dismissed the claim as pure fiction. Meanwhile, U.S. scrollers bracing for the app's potential demise are flocking to Red Note, another Chinese-owned social media platform often dubbed China's TikTok.

And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a five star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We appreciate your support and hope you have a great day. We'll see you on Friday. day. Hosts Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Mole share conversations with fascinating

guests encouraging you to consider the world around you through the intersection of faith, culture, and spiritual formation. Join the conversation by going to MooreCT.com slash Bulletin Board.