Baptist Leaders Applaud Gender Decision, A Guide on Human Trafficking & Secrets About Prayer

Recent decisions by World Aquatics, requiring transgender men to compete in an “open” category rather than against women, are examples of common sense prevailing in the transgender debate, an ethics leader says.

The international governing body for swimming announced in 2022 that biological men will not be allowed to compete in women’s events. Last month, the organization said it will start a new
“open” category for transgender athletes. More details about the new competition category are forthcoming.

“It’s pleasantly surprising to see that these world bodies have acknowledged what is obviously evident to us from nature and from God’s natural law that men and women are different and they’re distinct,” said Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Other world athletic associations have taken similar steps in recent months by prohibiting biological men from competing against females, including cycling, track and field and rugby. Several states have also passed measures for college and youth athletics, requiring participants to compete against others of their biological sex.
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A guide on human trafficking by Send Relief points to two primary types of trafficking:

1. Labor trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform labor or services through the use of force, fraud or coercion.

2. Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud or coercion.

The guide on learning how to recognize and prevent human trafficking says, “Human traffickers know where our kids are hanging out.” Once they target a kid, “predators… are going to do everything in their power to try to convince young girls, young boys, to come with them and enter this particular lifestyle.”

Human traffickers target those who are most vulnerable. Children often are targeted because they are viewed as easier to control than adults would be. Find the educational piece at SendRelief.org.
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kie Bowman says God wants His people to be persistent in prayer. He writes, “Jesus anticipated one of the biggest challenges to prayer. We are too easily discouraged, and we stop praying before the answer comes. Again, in Luke we read, “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).

The phrase “lose heart” is one word in the Greek New Testament which means “a loss of courage.” It describes a defeated attitude and a hopeless outlook and is the opposite of praying with persistence. 

The answer to your prayer may not come immediately; but, as we know, “God’s delays are not God’s denials.” Since God has knowledge of all future events, since He has all power, and since He loves His people, we can persist in prayer.”