Worthy Brief - 3/16/2020
Friend, crisis ahead!
Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
As we've been watching the news recently, it seems the word of the hour is crisis! It seems everywhere we turn we hear it -- it's a "financial crisis", a "political crisis" -- international, environmental, spiritual crisis!
I came across an interesting fact recently. The Chinese word for crisis is composed of two symbols. They represent two words: danger and opportunity. Hmm. I like that.
When we're in the midst of all these crises, it's tempting to focus on the danger. While it's important to be aware of the danger, we must be even more keenly aware of the opportunities it brings!
Friend, God is allowing this world to be shaken a little today. Let's prepare ourselves to be a means of peace and light and strength to those who are afraid. Let's not grow weary in well doing – there's so much work to be done!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Baltimore, Maryland
Editor's Note: Watch George's latest video update: Cycles, Patterns, and the Corona Virus! Also, be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel.
Editor's Note: If you have a prayer request, or if you'd be interested in becoming an intercessor, be sure to visit the Worthy Prayer Team!
Putin Formally Signs Off on Constitutional Changes That Allow Him to Extend Power
Vladimir Putin has formally signed off on constitutional amendments that would allow the Russian leader to run again for president in 2024, the Interfax news agency reported on March 14.
WHO: Europe Replaces China as Epicenter of Virus Pandemic
The World Health Organization says Europe has replaced China as the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.
Iran’s 'Worst Nightmare' Coming True: Middle Eastern Shiites Rise Up Against It
The regime in Tehran is in lots of trouble these days. As U.S. sanctions tighten, at least a quarter of Iran’s oil rigs are now out of action, 'dealing a potentially long-term blow to its oil industry.' The coronavirus 'has now spread to every province in the country and people are fearful that the true scale of the outbreak is even worse than is being disclosed.'
Iran Coronavirus Death Toll Passes 600, Syria Shuts Schools
Iran said Saturday the coronavirus outbreak has killed another 97 people, pushing the death toll in the country to 611, as war-ravaged Syria announced a number of strict measures despite the government saying it has no confirmed cases.
Trump to extend coronavirus travel ban to UK and Ireland
The Trump administration will extend a 30-day ban on travel from European countries to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gantz receives unexpected majority, tasked with forming Israeli government
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will task Blue and White leader Benny Gantz with forming the next government, after the leftist former IDF chief gained a majority of seats in the Knesset with unexpected support.
Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Closed as Precaution against Coronavirus
Islamic religious authorities have closed the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus. However, outdoor prayers will still be permitted outside the two shrines housed in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu weighs new, stricter measures to halt coronavirus pandemic
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting at his office in Jerusalem late on Saturday afternoon to discuss further, more stringent measures Israel may take to halt the coronavirus pandemic.
Netanyahu sparks privacy scare with move to track corona patients’ phones
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday announced that Israel would begin using advanced digital monitoring tools to track carriers of the coronavirus, raising major privacy concerns and prompting accusations of mass surveillance.
Israel coronavirus cases climb to 164; nearly 40,000 in quarantine
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel climbed to 164 on Saturday, up 21 from Friday, with nearly 40,000 currently in home quarantines according to the Israeli Health Ministry. Of those with the virus, two are still in serious condition, 10 are in moderate condition, and four have recovered.
Inside the United States
Federal Reserve cuts rates to zero and launches massive $700 billion quantitative easing program
The Federal Reserve, saying 'the coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries, including the United States,' cut interest rates to essentially zero on Sunday and launched a massive $700 billion quantitative easing program to shelter the economy from the effects of the virus.
U.S. House passes package to provide coronavirus relief; Senate up next
The U.S. House early Saturday passed bipartisan legislation in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus Pandemic Prompts US National Emergency
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency, clearing the way for more federal aid to stream to states and cities to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Stock market soars nearly 2,000 points, U.S. equities more than 9 percent after emergency declaration
At the close of business Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,985 points to 23,186, nearly recouping Thursday’s more than 2,300-point loss. The S&P 500 gained 228 to 2,709 and the Nasdaq Composite was up by 672 points to 7,874.
Mexico considering restrictions on US border amid coronavirus fears
Mexico could consider measures at its northern border to slow the spread of the coronavirus into its relatively unaffected territory, health officials said on Friday, with an eye to containing a US outbreak that has infected more than 2,000 people.
Christian News
Three-Self Church in China becomes secret house church
A church in China formerly part of the government-recognized Three-self branch of churches was shut down, propelling around 200 believers to begin to meet in secret.
Finnish MP under investigation for supporting biblical view of sexuality
A Finnish Member of Parliament is under investigation for expressing the biblical view of sexuality in a series of television interviews, police charging her with "hate speech" in a case that civil liberties groups are seeing as a harbinger of ill-fortune for free speech.
Many more Christians killed in Nigeria than was once thought
A Nigerian civil society grouped has traced the genocidal activities of Muslim groups in that country and found that earlier estimates of the numbers of Christians killed over the last few years were far too modest.
President Trump Declares This Sunday a National Day of Prayer
President Donald Trump declared Sunday, March 15, as a National Day of Prayer.
All 16 Dead Sea scroll fragments at DC museum revealed as fake
The 16 Dead Seas scroll fragments housed at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, are forgeries, museum officials said Friday.