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Worthy Brief - 2/10/2022

Friend, a flower for you!

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

I heard a story about a man who was imprisoned during Napoleon's reign. While sulking in his dungeon one day, he etched on the wall the words "Nobody Cares".

A few weeks later, through a crack in the dungeon floor, a little green shoot sprang forth, reaching toward the tiny ray of sunlight that came from his small prison cell window. The prisoner began giving a portion of his daily water to the little shoot and it began to grow. One morning the man awoke to a beautiful flower. A tear rolling down his face, he crossed out the words, "Nobody Cares" and replaced them with "God Cares."

The story goes on to tell that His devotion to the flower was reported to the Empress Josephine. She was so very moved that she convinced Napoleon to set the man free.

How many times do we feel like "Nobody Cares"? God has planted little shoots of hope in each and every one of our difficult circumstances -- do you know that? Perhaps we're stepping on them, not even noticing they exist. Perhaps we're pulling the shoots before they spring forth into beautiful flowers.

Friend, God wants us to be released from our prisons of despair. Look around! See what God has planted since the beginning of time especially for us today. Be encouraged!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Dallas, Texas

Editor's Note: We'll be speaking in Oklahoma this weekend and in Texas the following weekend! If you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.

Editor's Note: Our preferred social media platform is Telegram [ Follow us on Telegram ].

Around the World
Iran unveils new missile said to put Israel, US regional bases within range
Iran unveiled a new missile on Wednesday with a reported range that would allow it to reach both US bases in the region as well as targets inside its archfoe Israel.
Myanmar Army Kills Residents In Christian Area
Residents in a mainly Christian area of Myanmar’s eastern Kayah State were still searching for answers Wednesday after the ruling army allegedly killed and tortured up to eight civilians.
Hungarians Protest Trial Of Christian Finish Leaders
Hungarians will rally at Finland’s embassy in Budapest against the trial of two Finnish Christian leaders who may face jail for sharing Biblical views on homosexuality, organizers say.
Canadian truckers inspire anti-vaccine mandate protests in France
Inspired by the Freedom Convoy of Canadian truckers protesting their government's vaccine mandate, a group of protesters gathered together in France Wednesday for a "Convoi de la Liberté" of their own.
North Korea claims it can hit US, ‘shake the world’ with missile after month of increased testing
North Korea on Tuesday touted its military capabilities, including a missile it claimed could strike the U.S. and "shake the world."
Warning: ‘War In Ukraine Threatens World Food Supplies’
War in Ukraine could have a disastrous impact on food supplies to Africa and the Middle East, impacting millions, including persecuted and impoverished Christians, Worthy News established Tuesday.
Madagascar Cyclone Kills 21, Leaves Homes and Lives in Ruins
Residents of a coastal town in Madagascar that was battered by Cyclone Batsirai over the weekend were left picking through the wreckage of their homes on Monday, collecting soaking wet clothing and anything else worth salvaging.
Canada ‘Freedom Convoy’: Ottawa police arrest 7, threaten charges for others caught bringing fuel to truckers
Canadian police announced Monday that seven people have been arrested and more than 100 have been issued tickets in connection to "demonstration-related enforcement" in Ottawa.
East Africa drought: UN warns of looming humanitarian crisis as millions in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia face severe hunger
Millions of people are facing severe hunger in the Horn of Africa due to record droughts, the United Nations has warned.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel set to legalize cannabis
Justice Minister Gideon Saar on Wednesday published a draft list of proposed new temporary regulations that will decriminalize recreational cannabis use in Israel.
Anti-aircraft missile fired from Syria towards Israel, IDF attacks targets in Syria
Sirens were sounded in the Wadi Ara and Samaria areas overnight Tuesday, shortly after 1:00 a.m. Israel time.
Israel’s Future Submarines Seen as Key Development Towards Regional Naval Ascendency
The announcement on Jan. 20 by the Israeli Defense Ministry and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of the procurement of three new advanced submarines for the Israeli Navy marks a key milestone in the evolution of Israel’s fleet, which will consist of six submarines.

Inside the United States
Three quarters of Americans believe ‘Defund the Police’ caused violent crime wave, poll finds
Three out of four Americans say defunding police departments has contributed to the rise in violent crime across the country, according to a new poll.
Congress moves to ban members from trading stocks as Pelosi drops opposition
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders have greenlighted a plan to craft legislation that would prohibit members of Congress from trading stock, after months of resistance to a ban by Pelosi, CNBC confirmed Wednesday.
Republican senators warn Biden they could block new Iran nuclear deal
As talks to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal restarted in Vienna Tuesday, US President Joe Biden was reminded of another obstacle, this time at home, to a smooth return to the agreement.
DHS issues terrorism advisory against ‘offenders’ who spread ‘misinformation’ about election fraud, COVID-19
The latest U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terrorist advisory bulletin says Americans who express concerns about election fraud or COVID-19 restrictions could be potential threats to domestic security.
U.S. plans to roll out COVID-19 shots for children under 5 years in February
The U.S. government is planning to roll out COVID-19 shots for children under the age of 5 as soon as Feb. 21, according to a document from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
US Trade Deficit Skyrockets to All-Time High During Biden’s First Year in Office
The U.S. trade deficit of 2021 hit record levels, nearing $1 trillion. This comes despite the Biden administration’s promises to improve the economy and bolster American manufacturing.
Washington State: Bill to scale back life in prison draws fire from victims, prosecutors, GOP
Washington State Democrats have been taking steps for several years to reduce the prison population due to high operating costs and a strong belief in second chances.

Christian News
’Iran Christian Converts Face Islamic Lessons’ Prompting Prayers
Advocates defending Christian converts in Iran appealed for prayers Wednesday as authorities forced ex-Muslims to attend Islamic classes and abandon their faith in Christ.
Nigerian missionaries lead to Christ the men who wanted to kill them
A group of missionaries from the Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network (AMEN) in Abuja, Nigeria have told how, believing they were about to be murdered, they led to Christ the very men who had come to kill them, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Tonga Christians say God protected their nation from volcanic eruption more powerful than Hiroshima
Tongan Christians have publicly given thanks to God for saving their South Pacific island kingdom when a massive volcanic eruption, which NASA experts say was hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb, poured over the tiny nation on January 15, Christianity Today (CT) reports. Given the intensity of the eruption and the potential for destruction, many say it is a miracle that the number of casualties was not exceedingly higher than three.
Bangladesh: 91 year-old Christian murdered in suspected revenge attack
A 91-year-old Christian villager was drugged and killed in southern Bangladesh last month, in what is believed to have been a revenge attack on his family for giving evidence in a rape case against a Muslim man, Asia News reports. The killing of Malkam D’Costa at his home in the village of Padrishibpur, Barisal triggered angry protests among local Bangladeshi Christians, who say they are persecuted as a minority faith group in their Islamic-majority country.
North Korea: Letter to advocacy group offers rare insight into life for Christians
Offering a rare glimpse into the life of Christians in secretive, isolated North Korea, advocacy group Open Doors UK recently shared a letter from an underground church leader who was exiled to do hard labor in a remote village without the possibility of returning home, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. North Korea is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians: Open Doors describes the level of persecution there as “extreme.”
India: Police officer believed to have burned down church in Chhattisgarh state
Christians from India’s Koya tribal community in Kistaram village, Chhattisgarh state believe the head of their local police station is responsible for burning down their church in the early hours of 5 February, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Alberta caves to Canada trucker protests, ends vaccine passports
A Canadian province has conceded to nationwide demonstrations by the nation’s truckers and will abolish vaccine passports immediately and end most COVID-related restrictions by month’s end.
Kidnappers Free Nigerian Priest, Cook Killed
Nigerian priest Joseph Danjuma Shekari was free Tuesday after suspected Islamic gunmen briefly abducted him from his parish house in northern Nigeria, church sources said.