Worthy Brief - 2/14/2024
Friend, be His friend!
James 2:20-23 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God.
Looking at the relationship between “love and affection” ("chiba" in Hebrew) and “obligation” ("chova" in Hebrew), we find another closely related word, “chaver”, one of the Hebrew words for “friend.” Friends are people with whom we share love and affection and also a sense of obligation. Our God and Father wants us to be His friends, to share love and affection with Him, and to carry the sense of responsibility and obligation which friendship requires.
Abraham was a friend to God. He believed and trusted His Friend, but he also came to share the awesome responsibility of that friendship. Abraham's Friend, the Lord Himself, asked Abraham to become a living picture of His relationship with His own Son, Yeshua, (Jesus), by offering his own beloved son Isaac on an altar at Mount Moriah. Abraham's response to his Friend's request expressed a level of commitment to the friendship which was probably unprecedented in all human history since the time of Adam.
Friend, as we consider these Hebrew words and their common roots, we begin to see that Biblical language expresses profound realities and carries meanings that resound through history. And we find that the God of all creation desires an intimate friendship with human beings He created and loves. But that friendship involves degrees of commitment, which test the very frontiers of a relationship. If you are on one of those frontiers, you may count yourself blessed. Not everyone is called "a friend of God."
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out!
Editor's Note: We are planning our Winter Tour so 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.
Air Force and Space Force Announce Major Overhaul to Confront China
In a major reorganization announced by the U.S. Air Force and its newly established subsidiary, Space Force, the U.S. Air Force Combat wings will be transformed into "units of action" designed to fight better if a war breaks out with China, the Washington Times reported.
Worried Indonesia Christians Pray For Elections; Prabowo Leading In Presidential Polls
Representatives of Indonesia’s minority Christians tell Worthy News they are concerned about their future if a radical Muslim candidate wins Wednesday’s presidential vote.
British Military Thinktank Warns Of Dangerous Decade
An influential British military think-tank warns that tensions around the world signal "what is likely to be a more dangerous decade."
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu Tells Biden: Hostage Exchange Sought, However Hamas’s Demands Are Unacceptable
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to US President Joe Biden in their conversation on Sunday that, contrary to what has been reported and interpreted by the Israeli media, he is genuinely interested in negotiating a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Nevertheless, Netanyahu emphasized that any agreement must be feasible for cabinet approval, according to American and Israeli officials who are familiar with the details of their discussion.
13 Arab Israeli Bedouin Honored For Heroism In Saving Israelis On Oct.7
The Israeli Arab Bedouin community was described as the “pride of Israel” during a ceremony held Monday to honor 13 civilian Bedouin who risked their lives to save an untold number of Israelis during the Oct. 7 genocidal attack by Hamas, the Jerusalem Post reports. The ceremony took place at the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem and was attended by numerous Israeli public figures, including government ministers.
Inside the United States
U.S. House Votes To Impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas
The U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday voted to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the border crisis. Mayorkas becomes the first sitting cabinet member to be impeached in U.S. history.
Abbott: Texas National Guard Continuing To ‘Hold The Line’ At The Border
While much attention has focused on Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, National Guardsmen are continuing to deploy border security efforts across Texas’ 1,254 shared border with Mexico.
President Biden Says Trump ‘Bows For Russian Dictator’; Urges Trump Allies To Pass Security Package
U.S. President Joe Biden has accused his predecessor, Donald J. Trump, of “bowing down” to “Russian dictator” Vladimir Putin amid signs that the House won’t pass the $95 billion package voted for Tuesday by the Senate.
US Senate Passes $95 Billion Ukraine, Israel Aid Package
The U.S. Senate passed a $95 billion national security package early Tuesday to aid Israel, Ukraine, and other U.S. allies early Tuesday after a months-long debate.
Christian News
Support For Israel Has Dropped Dramatically Among Young US Evangelicals, Survey Shows
A newly published survey shows that support for Israel dropped by a dramatic 50% among young American Evangelicals in just three years between 2018-2021, the Jerusalem Post reports. The data is consistent with the outpouring of anti-Israel sentiment that was unleashed worldwide, including in the US, following the Oct. 7 attack on the Jewish state by the Hamas Palestinian terror group.
Uganda: Muslims Beat Evangelist Unconscious, Burn His Home
Muslim extremists in eastern Uganda beat a Christian man unconscious, and then torched his house, after seeing him setting up for a Gospel event near their village last month, Morning Star News reports. Christianity is legal in Uganda but believers have come under increasing violent persecution from radicalized Muslims, with those who left Islam for Christ being particularly vulnerable to attacks.