Thursday, November 9th, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Jonathan Clark
Christian Families in Pakistan Flee After Violent Threats on Social Media
Five Pakistani Christian families fled their homes last Friday after a boy from one of the families was falsely accused of blasphemy against Islam on a Facebook page, reports the World Watch Monitor.
The social media post asked locals to “burn his church and give him the death penalty.” A mob formed that day, but local police say the situation is “under control.”
Pakistan has the most severe blasphemy laws in the world and is ranked fourth on Open Doors 2017 World Watch List of worst countries for Christian persecution. Christians make up about 1.5 percent of Pakistan’s population, but more than a quarter of the country’s blasphemy cases have been against Christians in the last couple decades. Please pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ.
Six Senators Ask That Pakistan Be Designated a “Country of Particular Concern”
Six U.S. senators, including Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio, wrote to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last month asking him to designate Pakistan as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations.
The senators cited the 2017 United States Commission on International Religious Freedom report on Pakistan. The study exposed the violence, deaths, imprisonments, destruction, and forced marriages perpetrated against Christians in Pakistan.
The report also recommended the U.S. government urge Pakistan to pass a law recognizing Christian marriages and to prevent forced marriages and conversions.
Prime Minister of Hungary Speaks on the Importance of the Reformation
As Christians around the world celebrated the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses last week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressed his people on the importance of the Reformation. He acknowledged the “Christian government of faith leading Hungary” as a “manifestation of God’s mercy.”
Orbán stated, “The Reformation also taught us . . . that which serves the glory of God is the best for the people.”
Orbán looked for a “future in which the glory of God is . . . served by every form of work: from street sweeping to the country’s governance. Sincere worship for God and service for men.”
Drug Use Among British Children Higher Than Ever
Britain’s National Health Service found more kids than ever are taking various forms of drugs, reports The Christian Institute.
The report showed 25 percent of 11 to 15-year-olds have been on drugs up from 11 percent in 2014.
Anastasia de Waal, Deputy Director of the think tank Civitas, said, “Drugs are blighting young people’s lives as well as fueling crime.” Others are calling for legal “drug rooms.”
2 Peter 2:19 warns, “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”
Germany to Pass Measure to Recognize “Intersex” Gender on Birth Registrations
On Wednesday, Germany became the first European nation to recognize gender confusion on their birth registrations.
A high court ruled legislators must pass a new measure by 2018, offering an “intersex” gender option, reports Fox News.
White House Issues Statement to Commemorate Victims of Communism
On the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, the White House issued a statement Tuesday in commemoration of the National Day for the Victims of Communism.
The statement said “oppressive communism” has killed over 100 million people and “robbed innocent people of their God-given rights of free worship.”
The statement came while President Trump visited South Korea and commemorates those who continue to suffer under communism.
South Carolina Governor Supports Personhood Act
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster met with dozens of Christian pastors at the Nehemiah Prayer Breakfast last Tuesday, reports Personhood South Carolina.
Board members of Personhood SC were present and thanked Governor McMaster for pledging to sign the Personhood Act of SC into law that would define and defend all human life beginning at conception.
The governor was asked if he thought that restoring the rights of the unborn in South Carolina, beginning at fertilization, should be the GOP’s highest legislative priority. Here was his supportive response.
“I would say there should be none higher than life. I can’t imagine anything any higher than that. I mean, there are a lot of important things. But, life, yes that should be the highest.”
Man Who Stopped Texas Church Shooter Says He’s Not a Hero
Stephen Willeford of Sutherland Springs, Texas — located 40 miles outside San Antonio — has been hailed as a hero after stopping the deadliest church shooting in American history on Sunday that claimed the lives of 27 people and injured dozens more.
When Willeford heard the rapid gunshots from First Baptist Church nearby, he quickly loaded his rifle and confronted the shooter, Devin Kelley, shooting him twice which stopped the attack. After Willeford got into the car of a second Good Samaritan named Johnnie Langendorff, they pursued Kelly at speeds of 95 miles per hour for 10 miles before Kelly took his own life after crashing.
Willeford spoke with KHBS in an emotional interview.
“I was scared for me, I was scared for every one of them, and I was scared for my own family that just live less than a block away. I’m no hero. I am not. I think my God, my Lord protected me and gave me the skills to do what needed to be done. And I just wish I could’ve gotten there faster.”
Psalm 18:32, 35 declares, “It is God who arms me with strength . . . You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up.”
Closing Line
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, November 9th in the year of our Lord 2017. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldView.com. I’m Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.