Worthy Brief - 1/4/2022
Friend, get the real thing!
1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!
Perhaps you’ve seen pictures or have even visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, what many believe to be the last standing Wall of the Second Temple. But people come from all over the world to pray there and put their prayer notes into the cracks between its stones. Believe it or not, I’ve actually come across a few websites which advertise their desire to receive your faxed prayer requests -- and for a low, low fee of 29.99, will take and put them into the cracks of the wall for you!
This is a very nice gesture and all ---- but who needs it? God is ALIVE! He hears us whenever and wherever we call!
When Solomon set out to build the first temple, the Lord told Him that He cannot be contained in a manmade structure. He is infinite and all-encompassing! He’s not in a wall or any other man-made object! And amazingly, infinite as He is, He promises to draw near to us as we draw near to Him!
God wants to have a deep and intimate relationship with us. He wants us to experience the life-changing power of His healing and deliverance in our lives. In the words of Keith Green, “Going to church doesn’t make us a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes us a hamburger”!
Friend, let’s not get distracted by the man-made ways people try to connect with God – let’s cry out for intimacy with Him right here and right now. And let’s also not forget to pray for revelation for all who seek Him – that they would see the truth of the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus).
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Phoenix, Arizona
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COVID Pass Injected As Microchip Raises Concerns (Worthy News In-Depth)
A Swedish firm producing injectable microchips for humans entered the New Year wishing that its product would be used globally as a COVID-19 health pass, despite worries among Christians.
Trump Endorses Hungary’s Prime Minister
In a controversial move, ex-U.S President Donald J. Trump has endorsed Hungary’s hardline prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who seeks a fourth consecutive term in office.
Biden: ‘Decisive Response If Russia Invades Ukraine’
U.S. President Joe Biden promised Ukraine that the United States and its allies would, in his words, "respond decisively" if Russia moved to invade its pro-Western neighbor. Biden made the pledge in a New Year's phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Iran Nuclear Negotiations to Continue in Vienna
Negotiations resume Monday in Vienna about restoring the 2015 international agreement that limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, after the parties took a break for the new year.
Saudi defenses intercept, destroy five drones targeting the kingdom
Saudi Arabian air defenses intercepted and destroyed five drones launched by the Yemeni Iran-aligned Houthi movement toward the kingdom, the state news Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
Five Global Powers Pledge to Avoid Nuclear Conflict
Five world powers have agreed to work together to stop the further spread of nuclear arms and to avoid nuclear conflict, according to a joint statement.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Tens of thousands race for fourth COVID shot as Israeli campaign blazes ahead
Thousands of people in Israel got their fourth dose of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Monday, as the country became the first in the world to begin distributing extra boosters to its elderly population and health workers.
Inside the United States
Winter Storm Hits Eastern US, Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
A winter storm has brought snow and fierce winds to the U.S mid-Atlantic states and parts of the South, leading to power outages for hundreds of thousands of people and the closure of federal government offices in Washington.
Federal court sides with Navy SEALs seeking religious exemption to COVID-19 vaccination order
The Defense Department can’t punish Navy SEALs and others who have religious objections to receiving a mandated vaccine against COVID-19, a federal district court judge ruled Monday.
FDA backs Pfizer boosters for more teens as Omicron surges in US
The United States is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the Omicron surge, with the Food and Drug Administration allowing extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12.
Christian News
Myanmar: Burmese Army continues to burn churches and homes in Christian state
Myanmar’s Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) is continuing to burn down homes and churches in Thantlang in the Christian majority state of Chin, even though the military has already killed or driven out the town’s Christian residents, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Afghan Christian refugees speak of their fear and anxiety
A family of Christian refugees who escaped Afghanistan after the Taliban took over last August has been speaking about their fear of being murdered before they could flee, and of anxiety about their uncertain future, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. The family’s full name cannot be given for security reasons.
Alabama: Pastor’s wife killed by stray bullet during Bible study in Mobile County
A pastor’s wife in Mobile County, Alabama was killed during a Bible study last week when a stray bullet shot from outside went through a door of the church she was in and hit her in the chest, Christian Today (CT) reports. Police have arrested and charged an Alabama woman with murder and shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Uganda: New Christians driven from their homes by Islamic extremists
Brand new Christians in eastern Uganda came under severe attack last month, as Muslim neighbors destroyed their crops and drove them from homes upon hearing of their conversion from Islam to Christ, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Christians in Uganda have come under increasing attack from Islamic extremists, even though Muslims make up only 12% of the population.