Friday, April 13th, in the year of our Lord 2018
By Jonathan Clark
Number of Christians in Gaza Drops Below 1,000
A priest in Gaza is concerned that the number of Christians there has decreased to just fewer than 1,000 people.
The World View spoke to William Stark of International Christian Concern about the difficult living situation in Gaza.
“The Gaza is a pretty difficult place to live generally. It has an embargo in travel restrictions both from Egypt and Israel on Palestinians that live in the Gaza generally because Hamas is currently the government there. And that’s led to a lot of really difficult socio economic situations for Palestinians living in the Gaza.”
Stark said Christians there are concerned about the nearby presence of the Islamic State.
“It’s not that they’ve experienced persecution from their Muslim neighbors yet, but there is also a fear that ISIS, which is actually operating just south of the Gaza on the Sinai Peninsula, in Egypt. It’s feared that they will turn north and start targeting Christians within the Gaza Strip as well.”
Continue to pray for a shield of protection around our brothers and sisters in Christ in these countries and that they would remember the words of Romans 8:31—if God is for them, who can be against them?
Christians in Egypt Have Joy Despite Persecution
Despite bombings and continual persecution, church leaders in Egypt report the mood among Christians is very good.
Pastor Sameh Hanna of the Evangelical Church in Cairo said that while many hear the “earthly news” of “a bombing here or there,” the “heavenly news” most are not hearing about is “the multitude coming to the knowledge of Christ from every background. So this brings joy to us.”
Kenya May Become Second African Nation to Legalize Homosexuality
Religious leaders in Kenya are concerned the country may become the second African nation, after South Africa, to decriminalize homosexual relations ahead of a court ruling on April 26, reports Religion News Service.
Retired Kenyan bishop Julius Kalu with the Anglican Church stated, “We are concerned about [a] move to legalize the acts. We still believe in the Bible. The Bible is above our cultures and does not allow it. So we must stand for that truth.”
Atheist Becomes Head Chaplain in Britain’s National Health Service
Twenty-eight-year-old Lindsay van Dijk is the first atheist to become a head chaplain in Britain’s National Health Service as more hospital patients are asking for non-religious guidance.
Oddly enough, Van Dijk now leads a group of Christian chaplains, hoping she can help patients make sense of their lives, but without God.
Psalm 10:4 declares, “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”
London High Court Rules to Take Alfie Evans Off Life Support
On Wednesday, a high court in London ruled that 23-month-old Alfie Evans will be taken off life support.
Alfie was born healthy, but developed a rare brain disease since December 2016. Medical professionals have said they don’t think brain recovery is possible. But Alfie’s parents say they have evidence of cognitive improvements and are appealing the ruling to seek medical services abroad for their son.
Yesterday, police actually prevented Alfie’s parents from leaving Alder Hey Children’s Hospital with their son, despite a legal document from the family’s lawyer saying they were free to do so. Hundreds of protesters came out to support the family.
Sign the petition to save Alfie Evans.
Germany Works to Return Refugees to Their Home Countries
Germany is now working to send tens of thousands of asylum seekers back to their homes.
Development Minister Gerd Müller told the newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine the government would be spending over $600 million to fund jobs and training programs in refugee home countries.
Multiple States Work to Ban Biblical Counseling on Sexuality
In the last couple of weeks, the states of Washington, Maryland, Colorado, and California have moved forward with laws to ban therapists from counseling individuals away from homosexuality and gender confusion.
California’s ban is the most expansive, labeling such Biblically-based counseling on sexuality as “fraudulent”.
Isaiah 10:1 says, “Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression.”
Petition to Pull “13 Reasons Why” Collects 30,000 Signatures
The American Family Association has collected 30,000 signatures in a petition for Netflix to pull “13 Reasons Why” which is about to begin its second season in a series depicting teen suicide.
The Christian group points out that multiple teenagers have taken their lives after watching the series.
President Trump Signs the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act
And finally, President Donald Trump signed the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act, H.R. 1865, into law on Wednesday. Several websites have already removed sections of their sites that support prostitution.
Trump also announced that April 2018 is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. He said “all children are blessings from our Creator . . . endowed from conception with value, purpose, and human dignity.”
Closing Line
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this non-superstitious Friday, April 13th in the year of our Lord 2018. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldView.com. I’m Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
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Fulani Herdsmen Killed 225 Christians Last Month
Muslim Fulani herdsmen have outpaced Islamic Boko Haram militants in killing Nigerian Christians last month.
The herdsmen carried out 27 attacks, killing 225 Christians, destroying many homes, and displacing thousands of families.