It’s Wednesday, June 19th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Muslims killed 80 Christians in Congo, Africa
Muslim militants killed at least 80 Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a string of attacks earlier this month. The Islamic State took responsibility for the violence.
Open Doors, a persecution watchdog group, noted that the attacks are becoming more aggressive in targeting Christians. The group said, “Christians are forced to flee, and some churches in the affected villages have closed as a result of the latest attacks.”
The central African nation is ranked 41st on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most dangerous to be a Christian.
Franklin Graham defines Biblical marriage in Birmingham, England
Evangelist Franklin Graham continued his God Loves You Tour in the U.K.
Over 8,000 came to hear him preach in Birmingham last Saturday. It was his first time in the Midlands, although his father, Billy Graham, had preached in the area some 40 years earlier.
Franklin Graham had planned on preaching in Birmingham and seven other U.K. cities in 2020. However, many venues canceled his events at the time for his support for Biblical marriage.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:3-5, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine … and they will turn their ears away from the truth. … But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
To his credit, Franklin did not shy away from calling sin sin.
Listen.
GRAHAM: “Let me say something about sex. God created sex. He wants us to enjoy sex, but sex is to be used in a marriage relationship between a man and a woman. (clapping) That’s the way God designed it.
“There may be people here tonight that are guilty of sexual sins. I’m here tonight to tell you God will forgive you. There may be people here tonight you’ve stolen, you’ve lied, you’ve cheated all your life. I’m here tonight to tell you God will forgive you tonight if you repent and turn from your sins.
“How about murder? ‘Franklin, we lock up murderers around here. We don’t just let murderers walk around.’ Really? How about abortion? In God’s eyes, it’s murder. Now, you say, ‘But Franklin, it’s legal.’ Okay. But I’m here to tell you tonight that God views it as murder. You may be guilty of having an abortion. Okay. I get it.
“But I’m here to tell you tonight: God loves you. And He’ll forgive you tonight. But you’ve got to come to Him by faith in His Son Jesus Christ. Tonight, you can have that guilt, and that shame you have felt. He’ll take that all away. He’ll give you a new heart. He’ll change your life. He’ll cleanse you tonight.”
NATO increases their military spending
Countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are upping their military spending.
A record 23 out of 32 NATO member nations met the military spending goal of the alliance this year. That goal is two percent of a country’s Gross Domestic Product. The number of members meeting the goal more than doubled compared to last year.
Western countries have increased military spending especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
House passes $900 billion defense bill which blocks tax-funded abortions
In the U.S., the House of Representatives approved the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
The nearly $900 billion spending bill passed 217-199.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “This year’s [National Defense Authorization Act] will refocus our military on its core mission of defending America and its interests across the globe, fund the deployment of the National Guard to the southwest border … and strengthen our nuclear posture and missile defense programs.”
The bill also blocks the Pentagon from using taxpayer dollars for abortions. However, the bill would also need to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Biden’s new path to citizenship for 500,000 illegals
President Joe Biden announced a new path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.
The program will be open to illegal immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens and have lived in the country for at least 10 years. This could affect 500,000 people. The program will also be open to about 50,000 children who have parents that are U.S. citizens.
The announcement comes after the Biden administration restricted illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, seeking asylum.
Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks for guns
Last Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a Trump-era ban on bump stocks. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives banned them in 2018.
The ruling defined a bump stock as an accessory to a gun that allows shooters to fire semiautomatic firearms at rates approaching those of some machineguns.
The court ruled that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms exceeded its authority by classifying semiautomatic rifles with bump stocks as machine guns.
Americans becoming more liberal
A new Gallup survey found that Americans are identifying with liberal social values more and more. Social issues included sexually perverted lifestyles and the murder of unborn babies.
Thirty-three percent of Americans have liberal views on social issues now, up from 24% in 2000. Thirty-two percent of Americans say their views are conservative, down from 39% in 2000. Those with moderate views similarly dropped from 38% to 32%.
Boston Celtics coach’s T-shirt: “But first, let me thank God.”
The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 on Monday to win their 18th NBA championship.
The basketball team now holds the record for the most championships.
Joseph Mazzulla coaches the Celtics. At 35, he’s now the youngest coach to win a championship since 1970. His post-game interview T-shirt read, “BUT FIRST … LET ME THANK GOD.”
Mazzulla told NBA TV, “We are exactly where we’re supposed to be. And God always has us where we’re at. And you’ve just got to be patient, take your time, and use all the pain and all the stuff that you’ve been through in life for the next opportunity.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
11 Worldview listeners donated $3,380
Toward our $63,000 goal by this Saturday, June 22nd – the three-week mark, 11 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate.
Our thanks to Diane in Apache Junction, Arizona who gave $20, Linda in Mesa, Arizona who gave $25, as well as Henry in Tazewell, Virginia and Richard in Livonia, Michigan – both of whom gave $50.
We appreciate Faith in Coeur D Alene, Idaho who gave $75, Daniel and Cindy in Cypress, Texas who pledged $10/month for 12 months for a gift of $120, and Ben in Stowe, Pennsylvania who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300.
And we are grateful to God for Diana in Glendale, Arizona who gave $400, Nicki in Carthage, Missouri who pledged $35/month for 12 months for a gift of $420, Susanna in Mineral Springs, North Carolina who pledged $60/month for 12 months for a gift of $720, and Foston and Tanya in Raleigh, North Carolina who pledged $100/month for 12 months for a gift of $1,200.
Those 11 donors gave $3,380. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (sound effect of drum roll) $45,840.16 (audience cheering)
Toward this Saturday, June 22nd’s goal of $63,000, we need to raise $17,159.84.
We need 8 people to pledge $100 per month for 12 months, 6 people to pledge $50 per month for 12 months, and 12 people to pledge $25/month for 12 months.
Will you step up to the plate? Please go to TheWorldview.com, click on “Give,” select the dollar amount you’d like to donate, and click on the recurring monthly tab if that’s your wish.
Ask God what He wants you to give to this newscast that proclaims Jesus Christ as our standard for truth.
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Wednesday, June 19th, in the year of our Lord 2024. 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.