It’s Wednesday, September 13th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Nigerian Muslim terrorists killed two Christians, kidnapped six others
On Sunday, Muslim terrorists killed two Christians in Nigeria’s Taraba State. They also wounded several others and kidnapped six people.
This is just the latest of many attacks on Christians in the African nation. Last year, Nigeria led the world in terms of martyred and abducted Christians.
Megan Meador with Alliance Defending Freedom said, “There are more Christian martyrs in Nigeria than anywhere else on Earth! Ninety percent of Christians who have been killed for their faith, over the last year, have been murdered in Nigeria.”
Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Mexico’s Supreme Court decriminalized abortion
Mexico’s Supreme Court decriminalized abortion last Wednesday in a landmark ruling.
It stated, “The First Chamber of the Court ruled that the legal system that penalizes abortion in the Federal Criminal Code is unconstitutional, since it violates the human rights of women and people with the capacity to gestate.”
Twelve of Mexico’s 32 states have already legalized abortion.
The ruling comes as other Latin American countries have lifted restrictions on abortion in recent years. These include Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador.
Mexico is new top trading partner with U.S.A.
Speaking of Mexico, the country has replaced China this year as the top trading partner for the U.S.
Bilateral trade between America and Mexico totaled $263 billion during the first four months of this year. Tense relations between China and the U.S. coupled with pandemic-era supply chain disruptions made way for Mexico’s rise as a manufacturing alternative to China.
Back in 2000, Canada used to be the top U.S. trading partner followed by Mexico and China. Now, Mexico-U.S. trade is 15.4 percent of all goods exported and imported by the U.S., followed by Canada at 15.2 percent and China at 12 percent.
Court: White House and federal agencies not allowed to suppress online free speech
Last Friday, a U.S. federal appeals court upheld a ruling that prohibited the White House and federal agencies from using social media companies to suppress free speech.
The ruling found the White House had coerced companies like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to remove alleged “misinformation” about COVID-19 and the 2020 presidential election.
The latest ruling stated, “We find that the White House, acting in concert with the Surgeon General’s office, likely (1) coerced the platforms to make their moderation decisions by way of intimidating messages and threats of adverse consequences, and (2) significantly encouraged the platforms’ decisions by commandeering their decision-making processes, both in violation of the First Amendment.”
Post-pandemic church trends are positive
The Hartford Institute for Religion Research released a report entitled, “Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations.”
The study noted several positive trends since the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendance is on the rise, income has seen an uptick, volunteer participation figures are increasing, and conflict levels within congregations are decreasing.
The study also noted the challenge of aging demographics among clergy and congressional members. Since 2020, 54% of congregations report having declined in attendance; 12% report being stable; and 33% report growth.
Teen U.S. Open victor publicly prayed to God
And finally, 19-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff won the U.S. Open on Saturday.
It’s her first Grand Slam title and the first time a U.S. teenager won the event since Serena Williams did in 1999.
After the historic victory, Gauff knelt down to pray. She also told reporters about her faith in God.
REPORTER: “What does it mean to win your first Grand Slam title on home soil?”
GAUFF: “Oh my goodness. It means so much to me. I feel like I’m in a little bit in shock in this moment. You know that French Open loss was a heartbreak for me. But I realized, you know, God puts you through tribulations and trials. And this makes this moment even more sweeter than I can imagine.”
REPORTER: “We saw you say a prayer, get on your knees. You have a lot of faith. How important has that been through this journey for you?”
GAUFF: “Oh, it’s been so important. You know, I don’t pray for results. I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all. And whatever happens, happens. I’m so blessed in this life.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, September 13th in the year of our Lord 2023. 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.