It’s Thursday, March 13th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Pakistani police rescue abducted 12-year-old Christian girl
A 12-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan reunited with her parents last week after being abducted by a Muslim neighbor. Saba Shafique was abducted back in January and forced to marry her abductor.
Saba was beaten and locked in a room until police recovered her. She is glad to be reunited with her family.
Sadly, such forced marriages affect hundreds of girls from religious minorities in the Islamic country every year, reports Morning Star News.
Pakistan is ranked 8th on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
Devout British Christians gave 11% of income to charity
The Christian charity Stewardship released their latest Generosity Report on Christians in the United Kingdom.
The study found the average monthly giving for Christians equated to 5% of their income. That’s twice the national average.
Christians who attend church and read the Bible at least once a week give even more, donating 11% of their income. That’s almost five times the national average. The study also found such committed Christians experienced the most joy when giving compared to those who attend church and read the Bible less frequently.
2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Stocks rose with lower inflation
In the United States, U.S. stocks rose yesterday after February’s inflation report showed signs of slowing price increases.
The consumer price index rose 0.2% last month, putting February’s annual inflation rate at 2.8%. That’s down from 3% in January.
Stocks rallied at the news after a couple of days of losses. Markets have fluctuated in the face of President Donald Trump’s tariff escalations with countries around the world.
However, Trump did not rule out a recession for the U.S. during an interview on Fox News. Instead, he signaled a period of transition.
TRUMP: “There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing. And there are always periods of — it takes a little time. But I think it should be great for us.”
Chase will no longer discriminate against conservatives, Christians
A major bank has changed its Code of Conduct to protect against political and religious debanking.
JPMorgan Chase stated in a letter last week that it will not discriminate based on religious affiliation or religious views. Conservative and religious groups have complained in recent years that Chase has canceled their banking services.
Following the updated Code of Conduct, Jeremy Tedesco with Alliance Defending Freedom said, “This is a major victory for free speech and religious freedom in the marketplace. … We expect Chase’s new policy to set the standard for the rest of the financial industry.”
Pro-abortion activist paid $10,000 fine for vandalizing pro-life center
Officials in Florida have exacted a $10,000 fine from a pro-abortion activist associated with Antifa.
Gabriella Oropesa worked with several other activists to vandalize pro-life pregnancy centers in the Sunshine state in 2022. They spray painted threatening messages on the facilities like “YOUR TIME IS UP!!” and “WE’RE COMING for U.”
Oropesa also faces up to 10 years in prison.
Dept. of Education to cut staff by 50%
The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday it plans to reduce its staff by 50%. Impacted staff will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said, “Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.”
This will cut the Department’s workforce from 4,133 workers to 2,183 workers.
9% of Americans have interactive spiritual relationship with God
And finally, Dr. George Barna released a new report on Americans minimizing the role of God in their lives.
Only 40% of U.S. adults believe God exists or influences human lives. Sixteen percent say God is the most important element of their lives, and 9% say they have an intimate and interactive spiritual relationship with God.
Among self-identified Christians, only 20% describe their relationship with God as intimate and interactive and nearly one-third do not believe He is actively involved in every aspect of their daily existence.
In Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus said, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, March 13th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or 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.