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Worthy Brief - 3/19/2020

Friend, just say NO!

Psalms 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Two hunters came across a bear so big that they dropped their rifles and ran for cover. One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave. The bear was in no hurry to eat, so he sat down between the tree and the cave to reflect upon his good fortune. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the hunter in the cave came rushing out, almost ran into the waiting bear, hesitated, and then dashed back in again. The same thing happened a second time. When he emerged for the third time, his companion in the tree frantically called out, "Woody, are you crazy? Stay in the cave till he leaves!" "Can't," panted Woody, "there's another bear in there!"

Do you ever feel like fear is giving us the run around? Although there are a lot of scary things going on in the world these days and perhaps even in our own personal lives, God has not called us to live in fear. He’s has called us to stand strong in His confidence, knowing that He is in control! He’s called us to live lives full of power, love and a sound mind!

Dr. E. Stanley Jones said "I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt, and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath--these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely--these are my native air."

Friend, let's say no to fear! Let’s determine to put our hope in the Lord once again today!

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!

Around the World
European Central Bank announces €750B coronavirus stimulus
The European Central Bank (ECB) announced an economic stimulus program worth €750 billion Wednesday night.
Researchers say Japanese flu drug 'clearly effective' in treating coronavirus
Early trials have shown that a Japanese flu drug is effective in treating the coronavirus, according to reports on Wednesday.
Oil falls 24% in 3rd worst day on record, sinks to more than 18-year low
Oil dropped 24% to a more than 18-year low on Wednesday as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sap demand for crude, and as rising worries about a global recession lead to fears of longer-term demand destruction.
U.S., Canada to close border
The U.S. and Canada will close their border to non-essential traffic to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Coronavirus cases top 200,000 worldwide, death toll passes 8,000
The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus worldwide has now surpassed 200,000, according to Johns Hopkins University, while the death toll has topped 8,000.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel seals its borders to all foreigners amid coronavirus outbreak
Israel announced Wednesday that it was barring all foreigners from entering the country to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Israel starts surveilling virus carriers, sends 400 who were nearby to isolation
The Health Ministry announced Wednesday it has begun using mass surveillance tools to retrace the movements of coronavirus carriers and has already informed 400 people in contact with them that they must enter quarantine.
Police told to prepare for ‘inevitable’ nationwide lockdown
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has instructed the Israel Police to prepare for a complete lockdown of the country, calling such a move 'inevitable.'

Inside the United States
President invokes Defense Production Act, closes border with Canada, initiates other measures
Referring to the fight against the novel coronavirus as a war, President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) to help protect the country.
Trump to seek $500 billion in direct payments to Americans
Saying that 'in a sense' he is 'a wartime president,' President Donald Trump wants Congress to approve $500 billion in new spending to send money directly to American households reeling from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Trump signs coronavirus aid package with paid sick leave, free testing
President Trump on Wednesday signed into law a multibillion-dollar emergency aid package aimed at helping Americans impacted by the coronavirus.
Markets close down, wiping out nearly all gains of Trump presidency
U.S stocks closed markedly lower Wednesday — with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing nearly all gains since President Trump's inauguration.
Okla. Senate Passes Bill to Ban Abortion Once Baby's Heartbeat is Audible
The Oklahoma Senate voted (36-8) last Thursday to prohibit abortion as soon as a baby's heartbeat can be heard and/or as soon as a baby's brainwaves are present, which is usually around six weeks into pregnancy. The bill is now in the Oklahoma House, which is majority Republican, and it is expected to pass.
Magnitude-5.7 earthquake shakes Salt Lake City, closes airport
A strong magnitude-5.7 earthquake struck the Salt Lake City area on Wednesday, shaking buildings, closing the airport and cutting power to thousands.

Christian News
Ex-Terrorist Leads Indonesia's Christian Convert Movement
The married-father-of-three has come a long way since he nearly blew up a Protestant church in Jakarta. Author Ahmad Quraisy, which isn’t his family name, was a commander of the feared Islamic State of Indonesia (NII), an Indonesian militant group. But the former Islamic terrorist now leads an underground movement in Indonesia converting Muslims to Christianity or, in his words, 'personal faith in Christ.'
Gospel Spreads as Coronavirus in Indonesia's Jungle Villages
They suggest their faith in Christ spreads as fast as the new coronavirus. Pentecostal pastors of several Muslim dominated jungle villages in Indonesia’s South Sumatra province report church growth. That’s despite local protests, poverty, and occultism. 'I even received one hundred boxes of tiles from the village chief to complete our church building,' explains Pastor Frani Pondaag.
Lou Engle Calls Christians to Global 3-Day Esther Fast to End Coronavirus Starting Today
Christians are responding to the global spreading of the coronavirus with a new fasting and prayer movement.
Like It or Not – Churches Plunge Into Online Ministry
Churches across the country are grappling with an immediate need to provide online ministry at a time when meeting face-to-face is considered risky at best and life-threatening at worst.