It’s Friday, August 23rd, A.D. 2019. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus.
By Jonathan Clark
Int’l Day to Remember Persecuted
Yesterday marked the first ever International Day for remembering those persecuted for their faith, designated by the United Nations General Assembly and recognized by the European Union.
Persecution watchdog Open Doors found over 4,000 Christians have been killed across 50 countries in their 2019 World Watch List.
Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Pastor from India survived brutal beating
Violence against Christians in India has increased by 400 percent since 2014 and continues to do so this year after the re-election of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
Faithwire recently reported about one pastor who was mercilessly beaten and left for dead, but still survived in God’s providence.
Pastor Tilak had been involved in evangelism, leading 40 families to Christ while inciting the hostility of a Hindu communist group. The group savagely beat him and left him in a ditch, telling the villagers, “See, as your Jesus was beaten and killed, so have we killed your pastor now.”
After the villagers carried Tilak back, he remarkably recovered.
Please pray for Pastor Tilak’s recovery and for the rapidly growing church in India.
This reminds us of Paul in Acts 14:19-20. “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city.”
Australian pro-lifers block pro-abortion bill – for now
Thousands of pro-life supporters gathered in Sydney, prompting Australian lawmakers on Tuesday to delay a vote on a bill that would legalize the killing of unborn babies for just about any reason up until the very day of birth.
The bill passed the lower house of parliament earlier this month, but the upper house is delaying a vote until next month due to overwhelming public outrage.
South Carolina decides to allow church to use civic center
A South Carolina town lifted a ban on a church using its civic center for worship services on Monday.
Authorities in Edisto Beach decided to end new rules after facing a lawsuit from Redeemer Fellowship of Edisto Island.
The agreement signed on Monday states, “Defendant Town of Edisto Beach covenants that it will treat ‘religious worship services’ on equal terms with other community groups.” The town also agreed to compensate the congregation with over $3,000 and cover $50,000 in legal fees.
Trump allows illegal families to stay together until court
The Trump administration has removed limits on how long undocumented migrant children can be detained by the government.
The change is set to take effect in 60 days, allowing officials to hold immigrant families together until their cases are decided in the courts.
This reverses a 1990s court agreement called the Flores Settlement which led to a 20-day limit on the detention of migrant children.
Georgia to federal judge: Don’t block pro-life Heartbeat Law
Georgia has asked a federal judge to not block the state’s heartbeat law which is set to take effect January 1, but faces a challenge to its constitutionality.
The law bans the killing of unborn babies once a fetal heartbeat is detected.
Lawyers for the state said the law, “advances Georgia’s unique and substantial constitutional interest in protecting unborn human lives, in addition to its interests in protecting maternal health, encouraging childbirth, and safeguarding the integrity of the medical profession.”
On 1-year anniversary: Thai soccer team trapped in cave reflect
And finally, last summer, 12 boys and their soccer coach were trapped for 17 days in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in the Chiang Rai Province of Thailand before an incredible three-day rescue.
Reflecting on the event a year later, one of the boys named Adun said, “I very intently prayed, and God answered me with His help. It was me and God together facing that situation, and I am thankful to Him for helping me get out of the cave.”
When asked about how to advise other teenagers going through difficult times, he said, “I would say to be patient and confident in God. Pray and wait on God with hope.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 says, “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Friday, August 23rd in the year of our Lord 2019. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.