It’s Wednesday, March 2nd, A.D. 2022. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Iraq has returned 120 homes to Christians
Praise God! An Iraqi Committee for Restitution of Property has returned 120 homes and properties that belonged to Christians and Sabeans in the country.
Christians began fleeing Iraq in 2003. Since then, militants and mafias have forged documents in court to take control of the Christians’ homes, shops, and properties. The Iraqi parliament committee launched last year was determined to return these properties to their rightful owners.
Iraq’s Chaldean patriarch, Cardinal Louis Sako, said the property restitution would encourage Christians to resettle in the country.
Russia launches 2 missiles into Kharkiv; Zelenskky stands tall
On Tuesday, Russia launched two missiles which hit the regional administration building in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, as well as devastating Freedom Square. Dozens of Ukrainians were killed in an instant,
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of committing war crimes because there are no military facilities in Kharkiv.
Listen to Zelenskyy’s unscripted thoughts when he, and his translator, get emotional.
ZELENSKY: “The largest square in our country, the Freedom Square. Can you imagine? This morning two cruise missiles hit this Freedom Square, dozens killed. This is the price of freedom. We are fighting just for our land and for our freedom. (translator’s voice waivers)
“Despite the fact that all large cities of our country are now blocked. Nobody is going to enter and intervene with our freedom and country. And believe you me, every square, no matter what it’s called, it’s going to be called ‘Freedom Square’ in every city of our country. Nobody’s going to break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainians!”
NATO accepting Ukrainian application to join
Ukrainian and Russian representatives held talks on Monday; however, Russian forces continue on their way to Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally requested to join the European Union on Monday. And the E.U. voted yesterday to move forward with the application. The E.U. also authorized 500 million euros worth of arms to Ukraine, the first time it has provided arms to a country under attack.
Biden offers financial assistance to Ukraine, but no military help
And, here at home, in his State of the Union Address last night, President Joe Biden devoted 11 minutes to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
BIDEN: “We’re giving more than a billion dollars of direct assistance to Ukraine. And we’ll continue to aid Ukrainian people as they defend their country and help ease their suffering.
“But let me be clear. Our forces are not engaged, and will not engage, in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine. Our forces are not going to Europe to fight Ukraine, but to defend our NATO allies in the event that Putin decides to keep moving west.
“Toward that purpose, we have mobilized American ground forces, air squadrons, and ship deployments to protect NATO countries including Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. And, as I’ve made crystal clear, the United States and our allies will defend every inch of territory that is NATO territory with the full force of our collective power. Every single inch.”
How U.S. companies & non-profits are helping Ukrainian people
U.S. companies and nonprofits are extending aid to the people of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion.
The Slavic Gospel Association has prepared 175,000 meals through its partnership with 2,300 Ukrainian and Russian pastors. (You can make a donation through SGA here). Samaritan’s Purse and World Help are also helping displaced Ukrainians. The U.N. estimates 600,000 civilians have fled the country.
And SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced Sunday he activated Starlink’s satellite internet service for Ukraine. Musk responded to a call for help from the country’s vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Court: Biden’s COVID-shot mandate for military still blocked
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday to continue blocking the Biden administration’s COVID-shot mandate for Navy personnel.
Thirty-five service members, including 26 Navy SEALs, are seeking a religious exemption from the mandate.
The decision noted, “By pitting their consciences against their livelihoods, the vaccine requirements would crush Plaintiffs’ free exercise of religion.”
U.S. Senate rejects pro-abortion bill
The U.S. Senate voted 48-46 against the deceptively titled Women’s Health Protection Act on Monday. The bill would have made the murder of unborn babies legal up to birth.
Forty-seven Senate Republicans joined by Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted down the bill.
The measure narrowly passed the U.S. House last year before its defeat in the Senate.
Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana decried the bill during the debate.
DAINES: “In this bill’s America, a baby bald eagle, or a baby sea turtle, still in its egg shell, would be protected under federal law while an unborn child at any stage of pregnancy could be brutally killed, with no repercussions for the abortionist.”
Wisdom says in Proverbs 8:36, “But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.”
COVID omicron cases dropped by 90%
New omicron cases have plummeted 90% from a January high.
On Monday, the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington finally announced their states will drop mask mandates for schools.
This week, Congress lifted its mask mandate, and the White House dropped its mandate for people with a COVID shot.
Ukrainian people have run out of Bibles
And finally, here’s some encouraging news from war-torn Ukraine.
Robert Briggs, president of the American Bible Society, wrote, “As people [in Ukraine] grapple with the unknown, many are experiencing the Bible’s message for the first time ever.”
Anatoliy Raychynets with the Ukrainian Bible Society reports that they have run out of copies of the Bible as people flock to their store in Kyiv. Anatoliy said their biggest challenge is getting more Bibles.
For a gift of $35, you can send 7 Bibles to 7 Ukrainians who want to read about God’s comfort. You’ll find a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com.
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, March 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2022. 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.
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After COVID, clergy are stepping down without replacements
The Wall Street Journal reports clergy in religious groups across the country are stepping down without replacement.
The vacuum in leadership came during the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, and many churches moving to online services.
A study by Barna last year found 38% of pastors are considering leaving the ministry. In addition, seminaries are shrinking as fewer young people are headed to seminary.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”