Friday, December 9th, in the year of our Lord 2016

By Emily Swanson

Obama Tries to Stop States from Defunding Planned Parenthood

President Barack Obama is making one last attempt to save Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortion provider, before his term ends on January 19th. The Conservative Tribune reports that Obama has put forward a rule, in spite of Congress, that would stop state governments from defunding the abortion giant.  

Assyrian Bishop Obtains Freedom for 200 Christians Kidnapped by ISIS

An Assyrian Christian bishop is a modern-day hero for 200 Christians who were kidnapped by ISIS in February of 2015. Christian Headlines reports that Bishop Mar Afram Athneil was able to raise $11 million to buy their freedom by February of 2016. Now, people are still marveling that they were able to do it without any aid from the government.

Matthew 19:26 says, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’”

However, others wonder how ISIS might use that very money to kidnap or kill more Christians.

Nepalese Christians Charged with Evangelizing Children Acquitted

Eight Nepalese Christians who were under fire for passing out Christian literature were verbally acquitted on Tuesday, reports Morning Star News. They had been charged with trying to convert children to Christianity after they were found distributing pamphlets about Christ in a Christian school. The small books were used as part of a counseling program for children traumatized by the earthquakes. This is encouraging news, despite the effort of the Nepali Government to suppress evangelism.

Keep praying that the constitution would be changed in order to make it more possible for Christians to share the gospel.

Solomon Islands Hit with 7.8 Earthquake

A 7.8 earthquake struck the edge of the Solomon Islands yesterday morning. The nation is made up of hundreds of islands in the South Pacific and make up part of the “Ring of Fire,” which is an area known for seismic activity.

Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Sends Chaplains to Cities Facing Tragedy

When tragedy struck two American cities recently, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (www.billygraham.org/rrt) deployed crisis-trained Christian chaplains to offer emotional and spiritual care. Jack Munday talked to The World View.

“In response to the devastating fire in the warehouse during this party in Oakland, California – which we’re now hearing there are 36 fatalities – the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deployed an initial team of two to do an assessment. Since that time, we now have five chaplains there, on the ground, in the streets, ministering to those who are grieving. It’s our prayer that they will find hope during this most devastating time as we’re there working with government leaders and the church community as well.”

Munday explained how the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team offers hope in the midst of hopeless situations.

“The purpose of having chaplains there at a disaster – whether it be at the warehouse fire in Oakland, California or the fires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee – is to provide what we refer to as emotional and spiritual care. When the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team responds to disasters, in all cases we are clearly identified as chaplains to have a ministry of presence, to come alongside of people, to let them know that God hasn’t forgotten them, that God is here to comfort them in such a time as this. We always find that people really do appreciate having those crisis-trained chaplains available to grieve with, to talk with, to share their story with, to demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ as people grieve, and to know that they’re not alone.”

Astronaut John Glenn Passes Away at 95

U.S. astronaut John Glenn made a mark on the world of exploring space, and his legacy will live on long after he died yesterday at the age of 95. Glenn was most well known for being the first American astronaut to fly around the earth in 1962.

Filmmaking Group Opposes Law That May Compel Them to Film Homosexual Weddings

A Christian Minnesota filmmaking group is confronting a law that could potentially force them to provide services for homosexual weddings. Carl and Angel Larsen of Telescope Media Group, supported by Alliance Defending Freedom, do not want to have to video a wedding that would glorify homosexuality. Their goal is to use their gifts and talents to glorify God alone!  

Galatians 1:10 says, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

Conjoined Baby Girls Successfully Separated After Parents Refused Abortion

Christian Headlines shared a sweet story of two baby girls, conjoined at birth. Eva and Erika had been joined since birth, but after a 17-hour surgery, the girls were successfully separated.  

Their mother Aida said, “I have faith in God, and I know that if it’s meant to be, it will be.” This was after the doctors recommended an abortion of the girls. Instead, Aida and Arturo trusted God, and God has worked out all things for good.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

Listener Feedback on The World View

What specifically do you like about The World View? Email me a 2-10 sentence explanation with your full name, city, and state to adam@TheWorldview.com.

Dan and Nicole Mishchenko of Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada wrote, “Our family enjoys listening and reading The World View because it gives a fresh, Christ-centered perspective on the headlines.  Being Canadian, we receive much of the same news, but with a different slant (to say it mildly). The World View helps us to keep our eyes on Jesus through the ups and downs of our world. Thank you for all you do to help us, and especially our kids, keep Christ at the center of everything that is happening around us.”

And that’s the World View in Five Minutes.