Worthy Brief - 3/6/2023
Friend, it's not numbers ... it's power!
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Continuing our exciting account of the Moravian Revival I have to highlight the minuscule quantity of saints involved. This was, in proportion to its astounding effect, a very small group, a little church. Yet the amazing demonstration of God's principle of power through unity re-echoes the events at Pentecost when 120 believers also were in profound unity waiting on the Lord. It wasn't the numbers, but the removal of contention and division that paved the way for a 100-year revival.
This apparent recapitulation of the biblical Pentecost was noted and described by John Greenfield, a Moravian historian:
“The spiritual experience of the Moravian Brethren bears a striking resemblance to the Pentecostal power and results in the days of the Apostles. The company of believers both at Jerusalem and Herrnhut numbered less than three hundred souls. Both congregations were humanly speaking totally devoid of worldly influence, wisdom, power and wealth. On both of these small and weak congregations God poured out His Holy Spirit and endued them with power from on high. At once these believers, naturally timid and fearful, were transformed into flaming evangelists. Supernatural knowledge and power seemed to possess them.”
It was not a massive spiritual army that led this movement – but a contingent of determined souls in spiritual unity seeking God.
Friend, both Pentecost and the Moravian revival were sovereign works of God with untold temporal and eternal effects. Yet we can be encouraged that human vessels were prepared and endued for these mighty outpourings and the works which flowed from them. Though our times are increasingly evil, and even because they are, we must find our way to unity and spirit filled communion with one another, no matter whatsoever the size or numbers of our fellowship.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas)
Baltimore, Maryland
Editor's Note: Latest YouTube Video: Is it time for the spring rain? George Whitten dives into the current events in Russia, Ukraine, and Israel. He goes into detail about the events taking place in the Asbury Awakening and postulates from the Bible whether or not we are at the last great move of God.
Russian Forces Encircle Ukraine’s Bakhmut City (Worthy News Radio)
The chief of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner says his fighters have practically encircled Bakhmut, the eastern Ukrainian city the Kremlin has been trying to seize for months. But as Stefan Bos reports, Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in the streets as Moscow doesn't control the eastern city yet.
Belarus Jails Belarus Nobel Peace Winner For 10 Years; Others Also Sentenced
A court in autocratically-ruled Belarus has sentenced Ales Bialiatski, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in November, “to 10 years imprisonment,” said Viasna, the rights group he helped found.
Orbán: ‘Hungary Dragged Into War’
Hungary’s nationalist prime minister has accused the United States and the European Union of dragging his nation into war.
Death Toll Greece Train Crash Rising To Nearly 60
Authorities in Greece say at least 57 people are now known to have died in the nation’s deadliest train disaster and one of the worst in Europe in years.
U.S., South Korea to revive large-scale military drills amid North Korea threat
The United States and South Korea will revive a massive springtime joint military exercise this month, both countries announced Friday, returning to a scale not seen in five years in response to growing missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.
Panama rejects same-sex marriage in landmark court case; not a ‘human right’
Panama’s Supreme Court has ruled against same-sex marriage, saying that it is not a human right, closing the door to establishing the practice through judicial ruling.
Russia and Iran secret nuclear deal would allow uranium transfers to Tehran’s illicit weapons program: sources
Amid the International Atomic Energy Agency’s disclosure this week that the Islamic Republic of Iran accumulated near weapons-grade enriched uranium for its alleged nuclear weapon program, Fox News Digital has learned that Iran has allegedly secured secret deals with Russia to guarantee deliveries of uranium.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Anti-judicial reform protesters defy police, block major roads in Tel Aviv
Israelis demonstrating in Tel Aviv on Saturday night against the government’s judicial reform plan defied police orders and attempted to block major roads and highways, leading to limited clashes.
Top U.S. general in Israel for talks on regional security issues
he top U.S. military officer, Army General Mark Milley, arrived in Israel on Friday for talks with his Israeli counterparts on regional security issues.
Inside the United States
Now that pandemic aid has vanished, bankruptcies are on the rise
The end of federal pandemic aid is putting many Americans and businesses under mounting financial pressure, leading to a spike in bankruptcies.
US Senate Allows Foreign Nationals, Illegal Aliens, to Vote in Local D.C. Elections
Because the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate failed to block it, a new District of Columbia law will allow non-citizens -- foreign nationals and illegal aliens -- to vote in local elections.
Christian News
Egypt Removes Adopted Baby From Christians
Christians have launched a campaign for a 5-year-old Egyptian Coptic boy who was reportedly taken away from his adoptive parents by Egyptian authorities at age four and forced to become a Muslim.
Revival Goes Nationwide, Hits Theaters After ‘Jesus Revolution’ Film as Well as ORU, Portland, Ohio State
The move of God that began as the Asbury Awakening is becoming increasingly decentralized as it spreads across the country. It's popping up in all types of spots, from secular colleges to theaters to youth events to special church services, with passionate responses to God's outpouring of His Holy Spirit.
Suffering Churches Help Earthquake Victims
Suffering churches in one of the areas hardest hit by last month’s devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria are still “delivering aid and letting people know they are not forgotten,” a spokesperson said Thursday.