Los Angeles considering buffer zone for protests near houses of worship; State Department issues report on religious persecution; How bitterness ruins ministry

Good News for Today

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on Wednesday, June 26, said she is exploring the idea of buffer zones around houses of worship in response to a pro-Palestinian protest at a synagogue on Sunday but said that placing regulations on masks at public demonstrations — at this point — would likely not hold up in court.

There were pro-Palestinian protesters who had their faces covered on Sunday, and by Monday at a press conference, Bass said she would examine a number of issues, like requiring permits for protests and regulating “people wearing masks at protests.”

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Millions continue to suffer religious persecution globally, with wars and civil conflicts exacerbating already existing ills in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the U.S. State Department documented in its 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom.

The report on 199 countries and territories attempts to present a nonbiased overview of persecution by governments, extremists and members of society, relying on information from government officials, religious groups, nongovernmental organizations, journalists, human rights monitors, academia, media, and others.

Concurrently, the report notes advances in religious freedom and the United States’ commitment to continue advancing the freedom that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken deemed “an essential part of what it means to be human: the ability … to decide on our own what we believe or don’t believe without fear of repression.”

Escalations of religious persecution amid wartime and civil conflicts were noted in several reports including Israel, the West Bank and Gaza; Ethiopia, Haiti, Niger, Russia, Ukraine, Sudan, Mali and other countries.

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In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Jonathan Hayashi asks what knocks people our of ministry? He acknowledges immorality or financial greed play a role, but he wrestles with how bitterness affects those trying to minister to others.

“Bitterness is scary because it can eat you for lunch, like cancer taking up your whole body. The greatest weapon to battle against the root of bitterness is trusting in the sovereignty of God.

How should pastors respond against bitterness in their hearts?

Our faith in Christ must triumph over our feelings in self. The best way to counter bitter thoughts is to trust and embrace the comfort you find in the glorious doctrine of God’s sovereign grace.

Why? Satan only has certain limits, like in the story of the Book of Job. He is not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent like our Creator God. The book of Hebrews says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb 13:5). God, in his infinite love, does not unfriend us or walk out on us because we mess up.”