Worthy Brief - 3/21/2023
Friend, our crown awaits!
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
In 490 B.C., the Athenians won a crucial and decisive battle over the forces of King Darius I of Persia, on a plain near the Greek coastal town of Marathon. Upon delivering the important message of their victory, the Greek soldier who came to tell the good news died -- he had completed the 26 mile course running and bearing good news, and did it totally unreserved until the moment he died. Today marathons are run all over the world, commemorating that very event 2500 years ago.
Anyone who has run a marathon can tell you how difficult the race is. No matter how good you are, how well trained, how prepared, there are times in the race you just want to quit. But those who persevere till the end receive a prize. Back in King Darius' day, one would win only a crown made of laurel leaves. Today, athletes compete for trophies and medals. But in God's race, we win something far more precious -- a crown that is incorruptible.
Friend, I bet you're tired today. You are overworked, overstressed, overwhelmed ... DONE! Be encouraged! Just when you think you can’t run any further, you can! C'mon! Press through and press on for the great prize! God is with us, strengthening our feeble knees and moving us in the right direction!
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: This week's episode of Worthy Wrap-Up has been posted on our YouTube Channel: Riots, Wars and Rumors of Wars, and the Coming New Currency
Russian Cruise Missiles Destroyed In Crimea
Ukraine’s defense ministry says Russian cruise missiles for use by Moscow’s feared Black Sea Fleet had been destroyed in another setback for Russia’s military.
Montenegro’s Leader Wins First Round of Presidential Poll Amid Turmoil (Worthy News Radio)
Montenegro's long-serving incumbent will face a political newcomer in a runoff presidential election next month amid political turmoil. No one won in the first round of voting on Sunday at a time of uncertainty over the future direction of the small Balkan nation.
Fed, Central Banks Announce Emergency Cash Measures Sunday
The U.S. Federal Reserve on Sunday said it had joined with the Bank of Canada, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, and Swiss National Bank in a coordinated action to enhance the provision of liquidity through the standing U.S. dollar swap line arrangements.
Vaccine Makers Prep Bird Flu Shot for Humans ‘Just in Case’; Rich Nations Lock in Supplies
Some of the world's leading makers of flu vaccines say they could make hundreds of millions of bird flu shots for humans within months if a new strain of avian influenza ever jumps across the species divide.
Australia: Millions of dead fish wash up in New South Wales state
Australia’s New South Wales state is battling to deal with millions of dead fish which have washed up in a phenomenon scientists say was caused by recent widespread flooding and hot temperatures, the Washington Examiner reports.
China’s Xi Visits Russia’s Putin After War Crimes Indictment
China’s President Xi Jinping is on his first trip to Russia since the country invaded Ukraine last year, with Moscow hoping the visit gives a diplomatic boost to President Vladimir Putin, who is building an anti-Western bloc.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu’s Likud faction votes to approve ‘softening’ of judicial reform
The Likud and Religious Zionist Party (RZP) approved on Monday evening a "softened" version of the bill to change the Judicial Appointments Committee, which enables the coalition to appoint two High Court justices per Knesset term without the approval of the opposition, the parties announced in statements on Monday evening.
Netanyahu’s government revived Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, PA official says
Palestinian officials on Monday expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the security summit with Israel in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, while Hamas and other Palestinian factions continued to criticize the Palestinian Authority for participating in the gathering, held under the auspices of the US Representatives of Jordan and Egypt also took part in the summit.
Inside the United States
Federal judge blocks key parts of California handgun law
A federal judge on Monday blocked key provisions of a California law that drastically restricts the sale of new handguns in the state, saying parts of the legislation violate the Second Amendment.
Biden signs bill ordering declassification of intelligence on COVID, Wuhan lab
President Biden signed a bill Monday that requires the director of national intelligence to declassify information about the origins of the coronavirus and potential links to a lab in central China.
Wyoming passes law banning sale and use of abortion pills
Wyoming has passed a first-of-its-kind law explicitly banning the sale and use of abortion pills that are commonly prescribed and taken to terminate early pregnancies, the Associated Press reports.
Christian News
Nigeria: 10 Christians slaughtered ahead of gubernatorial election in Kaduna state
Ahead of an important gubernatorial election which made for an especially tense political atmosphere, a further 10 Christians in Nigeria’s Kaduna state were hacked to death by militants armed with machetes last week, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Mozambique: US missionary pilot and SA volunteers released from prison while criminal investigation continues
While they must remain in Mozambique pending further criminal investigation, an American missionary pilot and two South African volunteers from the US-based Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) have been released from a four-month prison term in war-torn Mozambique, the Christian Post (CP) reports.