Worthy Brief - 2/3/2023
Friend, it is finished!
Hebrews 4:3-4 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.
For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.
The creation of the world was completed by God in 6 days. He rested on the 7th day, and sanctified it, the Sabbath, Shabbat. When Yeshua died for the sins of the world his followers hurried to take Him down from the cross so they would not violate the commanded time to rest. [Luke 23:54-56] So the Messiah completed His work of redemption just before entering into Shabbat. As He died, He said, "It is finished!" [John 19:30] Finishing His work and entering the grave opened the way for humanity to enter His rest, the rest He entered after creating the world.
Friend, Yeshua's "It is finished" is your invitation into His REST. Take time this Shabbat to refresh your awareness of it, the rest that belongs to those who truly believe. Cleanse your conscience through confession, and examine your relationships, knowing His forgiveness is able to restore you completely to peace, joy, and love. Shabbat Shalom!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas)
Daytona Beach, Florida
Registration is closing soon! Join us on an epic, life changing journey through Israel, through the eyes of those who are well acquainted with the culture, the people and the Land. This is not your average Israel tour— bring your family, bring your friends, and experience the REAL ISRAEL with George and Baht Rivka as your personal hosts.
IAEA report chides Iran for undeclared change to Fordow uranium enrichment set-up
The UN nuclear watchdog chided Iran in a confidential report seen by Reuters on Wednesday for making an undeclared change to the interconnection between the two cascades of IR-6 centrifuges enriching uranium to up to 60% purity at its Fordow plant.
China clones 3 “super cows” that can produce 54 tons of milk a year; plans herd of 1,000
China has claimed to have successfully cloned three “super cows” that are larger and produce more milk than common cows.
Senators want to block Turkey F-16 sale until NATO expansion succeeds
More than a quarter of the Senate sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday threatening to tank a $20 billion arms sale that includes 40 Lockheed Martin Block 70 F-16 fighter jets and upgrades to Turkey’s current fleet so long as Ankara continues to block Sweden and Finland from joining NATO.
UK: House of Lords approves criminalizing prayer outside abortion clinics, pro-life groups outraged
In a move that UK pro-life advocates have described as an “assault on civil liberties,” the House of Lords this week passed a Public Order amendment to criminalize actions, including prayer, conducted outside abortion clinics that might deter women from terminating their pregnancies, Christian Today reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran officially blames Israel for drone attack on defense site, vows to retaliate
Iran has, for the first time, officially blamed Israel for a drone strike on a key defense facility in the city of Isfahan, filing a complaint with the United Nations Security Council about the “terrorist attack” launched by the Jewish state and saying it reserves its “legitimate and inherent right” to retaliate.
Chad Becomes Latest Muslim Nation to Open Embassy in Israel
Chad's President Mahamat Deby is in Israel to inaugurate his country's embassy in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan, scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Biden Admin Announces $50 Million in New UNRWA Funding
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday announced $50 million in new funding for a UN agency that is dedicated solely to the descendants of Palestinian refugees and which has been widely denounced for propagating antisemitism, eliciting rebuke from a top Senate Republican.
Inside the United States
President Biden Attends Prayer Breakfast As Nation Seeks Direction (Worthy News In-Depth)
With the nation in turmoil over deadly shootings, massive illegal migration, reports of fraud, and military missions abroad, a prayer breakfast was underway Thursday attended by U.S. President Joe Biden, on Capitol Hill, America’s heart of democracy.
US House approves bill to end COVID-19 national emergency immediately
The Republican-led US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bipartisan resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency immediately, rather than wait for the Biden administration’s expiration date of May 11.
Christian News
European Parliament event highlights Christian persecution worldwide
The ongoing crisis of Christian persecution worldwide was highlighted at the European Parliament last week, at a special presentation of the Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) of the top 50 countries where believers are most persecuted, European Times reports. Open Doors is an international NGO that monitors persecution levels and helps persecuted Christians around the world.