Devotional

America’s Rededication to God at 250 Years

This past Sunday was a pivotal shift for the United States of America which mostly went unnoticed. I even admit that while in my calendar it was later in the day that I absorbed its impact. President Trump proclaimed May 17, 2026, as a day of rededicating our nation back to God in a National Day of Prayer. Many Christian patriots rallied at the capitol mall in person and others online.

Think back to how many times in the old testament where Godly leaders made rededication a priority. I recently read Nehemiah Chapter 8 which was a great example of this. It takes place after the exiles returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt its walls. When Ezra read the Book of the Law from daybreak to noon, all the people listened intently. They were so cut to the heart with guilt and remorse that they began to grieve and weep aloud. What a perfect example of true national humility. In Chapter 9, we learn how they confessed their sins and that of their ancestors, then spent time worshipping God.

We are, likewise, called to humble ourselves and pray for our nation:

Let’s not take our freedoms for granted, including our freedom to worship Jehovah God without persecution and to share His gospel with others. Time is of the essence believers. If you truly believe Jesus is returning at any time, and possibly today, who around you have you been afraid to share your faith with? What's holding you back? 

Our rededication call to action today is:

Repent….personally and for our nation.

Pray….for God’s mercy and grace. 

Act….as you have been commissioned by Christ to share His good news.

Additional Resources:

Tim Scott Speech: The most inspirational message for me from the rededication was that of Senator Tim Scott, who opened up with ‘how many of you love Jesus?’. His plea for Jesus over both life and nation will inspire you.

Billy Graham Institute: Check out this One Nation Under God 50 day prayer initiative leading up to July 4th, where a different pastor from each state prays daily.

Dr. William Federer Sermon: “Are you Guilty By Simply Doing Nothing’ sermon will both educate and motivate you.  He provides an amazing history lesson that breaks down the difference between a kingdom versus a republic, the vital role the church had in establishing America, and why it’s anti-Christian for Christians who remain silent.

Eric Metaxas Interview: This short interview stresses the importance of knowing the history of the US as a nation founded under God, which we need to educate ourselves and others.

Tech Update

GLP-1 Science

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is a natural metabolic hormone produced by your gut in response to eating food.  In a healthy body, natural GLP-1 tells your pancreas to release insulin which tells your brain you are full and slows down digestion.

However, natural GLP-1 is incredibly fragile because an enzyme in your body called DPP-4 breaks it down within minutes.

The "science" of medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound is that scientists re-engineered this hormone to make it look-alike but structurally modified so that the DPP-4 enzyme cannot destroy it. Instead of natural GLP-1 lasting 2 minutes, these synthetic versions last for days or even a full week.

GLP-1 science isn't about "burning fat" through a chemical reaction, instead it’s about rewriting the hormonal and neurological signals that dictate how much you want to eat, how fast you digest it, and how your body processes the energy afterward.

The Brain: Rewiring Appetite and Curing "Food Noise"

The most profound effect of GLP-1 drugs happens in the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that regulates appetite and energy balance.  The medication binds to GLP-1 receptors in the brain, sending a powerful, continuous signal that you are full.  We all experience ‘Food Noise’, or mental chatter about what to eat next, cravings, etc. GLP-1 drugs quiet this neural circuitry, reducing reward-seeking behavior and cravings for high-fat, high-sugar foods.

The Stomach: Mechanical Fullness

GLP-1 medications slow down gastric emptying—the rate at which food leaves your stomach and enters your small intestine.  Because food physically sits in your stomach for a longer period, your stomach stretch receptors stay activated.  This physical fullness sends a secondary signal to your brain saying, "We physically cannot fit any more food right now."

The Pancreas & Liver: Blood Sugar Mastery

GLP-1 drugs were originally invented for Type 2 diabetes. When blood sugar rises after a meal, natural GLP-1 prompts the pancreas to release insulin to lower it. Crucially, this process is glucose-dependent—if your blood sugar is already normal or low, the drug won't force more insulin release. Glucagon suppression tells the pancreas to stop releasing glucagon (a hormone that signals the liver to dump stored sugar into the bloodstream).

Since synthetic GLP-1 rewrites the hormonal and neurological signals going to your brain it’s akin to treatment for mental health.  Apart from the medical benefits for diabetes one should question the need of using synthetic GLP-1 for weight loss when you can seek other ways to rewire your mind, especially mental transformation as found in scripture and enabled by God:

Note: This article is based on research and opinion, and not intended as medical advice.

Financial Update

GLP-1 Market Boom

I’ve had the opportunity to speak with numerous believers over the next topic, and the consensus I am left with is, well, controversial and nearly split down the middle. So I’ll let you draw your own conclusion.

If you haven't heard someone talking about Ozempic or Wegovy yet, you will soon. These weight loss drugs are reshaping obesity treatment, and creating one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets in history.

The GLP-1 weight loss drug market is expected to grow at 12.4% annually through 2033, reaching $185 billion. Around 10 million Americans currently use these medications, with projections showing 25 million users by 2030 (a 250% increase in a few short years).

What changed? These aren't typical diet pills. Wegovy showed nearly 10% weight loss over two years, while Zepbound demonstrated over 20%. For people with obesity-related health issues, these results are life-changing. Prices are dropping too, Costco now sells Wegovy for $499 monthly, down from over $1,000.

The biggest shift? Pills instead of shots. Novo Nordisk won FDA approval for the first GLP-1 pill in December 2025, with Eli Lilly's oral version expected this year. Many people who refuse weekly injections will consider daily pills.

For curious investors, the play is straightforward. Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) makes Ozempic and Wegovy. Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) makes Mounjaro and Zepbound. Semaglutide products (Novo's drugs) dominated the market with 52.83% revenue share in 2025, but Lilly is gaining ground fast with stronger weight loss results. Supply chain issues have plagued both companies. And there's real competition coming, as multiple pharmaceutical giants are developing their own versions.

You can also invest through healthcare ETFs like the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) or iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE), which include both companies along with broader pharmaceutical exposure.

GLP-1 medications have known side effects like nausea and bowel changes, but the biggest risk is the potential long-term unknowns including those offered in the Health Nuggets section below. 

But here's where faith and finance intersect uncomfortably. Is obesity a disease requiring medical treatment, or are we medicating away personal responsibility? Does helping people lose weight and reduce diabetes risk honor the body as God's temple, or does it enable avoiding harder lifestyle changes?

These aren't easy questions. For some, these drugs provide genuine medical relief from metabolic dysfunction. For others, they've become vanity prescriptions driven by celebrity culture. The Bible calls us to steward our bodies well, but different people will land differently on whether that means using these medications.

Health Nuggets

GLP-1 Risks

GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound) are effective for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, but like any powerful medication, they come with a spectrum of risks. 

Common Side Effects

Because GLP-1 medications work partly by slowing down how fast your stomach empties, the most common side effects happen in your gut. For most people, these are mild to moderate and peak when first starting or increasing the dose.  They include: Nausea and Vomiting; Bowel Changes (diarrhea or severe constipation); Acid Reflux and Bloating; Fatigue and Hair Loss.

Rare but Serious Medical Risks

While rare, there are severe complications that require immediate medical attention, including:  Severe Gastrointestinal Issues like stomach paralysis or intestinal blockages; Pancreatitis; Gallbladder Problems; and Acute Kidney Injury.

Lifestyle & Long-Term Risks

GLP-1s are generally designed to be chronic, long-term therapies - costly to consumers and beneficial to the pharmaceutical companies that make them. Clinical data shows that the vast majority of people who stop taking the medication eventually regain a significant portion of the weight they lost if they do not maintain permanent lifestyle changes.  Most concerning is that while people easily regain fat this is not the case for regaining the lean muscle mass they had before taking the medications.

This great video by Dr. Eric Berg, reveals how GLP-1 works in your body and natural alternatives to consider.

Note: Health Nuggets are opinions and not medical advice.

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