Worthy Brief - 1/18/2022
Friend, beware!
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Nature provides us with an illustration that closely parallels the insidious tactics employed by our adversary. According to scientists, Arctic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. To enjoy such a meal, they sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery. If the hole through which the seal gets his food is near the edge of the ice, the polar bear will take a deep breath and swim under water to its exact location. Remaining below the surface, he will then make a tiny scratching sound, imitating a fish. When the charmed seal hears this, he dives in for a quick supper, only to find himself suddenly entrapped in the huge, hungry embrace of his predator.
God has sent us forth as sheep among the wolves. There are so many theories disguising themselves as Godly. We're hungry for that meal -- but we must be wise enough to make sure it's not a trap! Keep reading and studying the Word of God! Pray and ask Him to reveal His truth.
Friend, the enemy loves to tempt us with a 'treat' so he can devour us! Don't take anyone's word but God's!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Phoenix, Arizona
Editor's Note: Our preferred social media platform is Telegram [ Follow us on Telegram ].
Tonga Hit By “Unprecedented” Volcano Disaster; Several Killed, Says Government
Tonga says it has been hit by an "unprecedented disaster," with the government confirming at least three deaths following an underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Austria, France Forcing COVID Vaccination
Austria and France are among European Union nations introducing harsh measures against those refusing to vaccinate against COVID-19.
WHO says there’s no evidence healthy children and adolescents need Covid boosters
There’s “no evidence right now” that suggests healthy children and adolescents need booster shots to supplement their Covid-19 vaccinations, World Health Organization Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said Tuesday.
Saudi-led coalition launches airstrikes on Yemen after deadly Dhabi airport attack
The Saudi-led coalition said late Monday it retaliated against the Houthi militia in Yemen after the rebels claimed responsibility for a rare drone attack that caused three oil tankers to explode in the United Arab Emirates, killing three people earlier in the day.
COVID-19: Pandemic could be over this year after rapid spread of Omicron and vaccine rollout, leading public health expert says
The rapid spread of the Omicron variant, combined with the roll-out of up to 20bn doses of vaccine means the COVID-19 pandemic could be over this year, according to one of the world's leading public health experts.
Administration says Russia could launch attack on Ukraine ‘at any point,’ as Putin thins out embassy
As reports roll in that Russia has been thinning out its presence at its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, the Biden White House is warning that it believes Russia could carry out an attack on Ukraine "at any point."
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US informs Israel it no longer supports EastMed pipeline to Europe
The US no longer supports the proposed EastMed natural-gas pipeline from Israel to Europe, the Biden administration has informed Israel, Greece and Cyprus in recent weeks.
Bennett to World Economic Forum: Iran an ‘octopus of terror and instability’
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett addressed the 2022 Davos World Economic Forum virtually on Tuesday, where he urged the international community to avoid financially supporting the Iranian regime.
Israel successfully tests Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system
Israel conducted a successful test of its Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system on Tuesday morning outside the Earth’s atmosphere, the Defense Ministry said.
Inside the United States
US Supreme Court to hear appeal from Christian football coach fired for praying on the field
The US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Friday in the case of Joe Kennedy, a Christian high school football coach who was fired from his job in Washington state because he silently kneeled and prayed on the field after games, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Employed by the Bremerton School District, Kenney was suspended in 2015 because spectators and students could see him praying.
FBI, DHS warn of threats targeting faith-based communities after Texas standoff
The Department of Homeland Security and FBI are warning faith-based communities of an increasing threat of attacks.
Supreme Court rejects bid to block mask mandate on airplanes
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a request to block a federal mask mandate for air travel.
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Christian Flag Case, Is Set to Rule on Line Between Private, Government Speech
The Supreme Court is set to rule on a case that could result in wide-ranging implications on the issues of free speech and religious freedom.
Senate Democrats will try to force ‘talking filibuster’ on two partisan election bills
Despite opposition from within their own party, Senate Democrats plan to vote on requiring a “talking filibuster” for those who want to block voting and election overhaul legislation, leadership announced Tuesday.
Christian News
South Sudan Christians Displaced After Islamists Kill Dozens
Attacks by “Islamic extremists” in a border region of South Sudan killed dozens of people and left “huge numbers of Christian villagers with nothing but their clothes,” aid workers told Worthy News.
New study shows that reading the Bible increases hope
A recent study has shown that reading Scripture on a regular basis can substantially improve people’s sense of hope, Christianity Today (CT) reports. The study was conducted by the American Bible Society (ABS) with help from Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program.
US poll shows only white evangelicals prioritize marriage and procreation for better society
A new poll by the Pew Research Center has found that, contrary to the majority of the US population, white evangelicals believe society is better off when marriage and having children are prioritized, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
Indonesia: Christian politician in custody for allegedly insulting Islam in a tweet
A Christian politician in Indonesia is in custody after being arrested for a January 4 Twitter post that was deemed offensive to Islam, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Ferdinand Hutahaean, a Democrat Party politician, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of hate speech.