Worthy Brief - 5/26/2023
Friend, chag sameyach! (Happy Holiday!)
Acts 2:1,4 And when the day of Pentecost (Shavuot) was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In Israel, the celebration of Shavuot began last night. Most Christians would recognize this as the celebration of Pentecost in Acts 2. However, the very first Shavuot took place fifty days after the Israel crossed the Red Sea. It was on this day according to Jewish tradition that the law was given on tablets of stone.
Fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus, Shavuot was celebrated again when the Holy Spirit was poured out and the law of God became written upon the hearts of men. Just as God had promised in Ezekiel and in Jeremiah -- the law of God shall be written upon your heart.
Shavuot is both a celebration of the God's faithfulness in the early harvest and an anticipation of the abundance of the final harvest yet to come. Just as three thousand Jewish people came to faith in Messiah on this day a couple thousand years ago, the day will soon come when the fullness of the Gentiles will be completed and then "all of Israel shall be saved!"
Friend, let's celebrate how the Lord has provided for us today and be assured that this is only a glimpse of our awaited home in glory -- a home that the Lord has spent thousands of years preparing for us!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna
(Dallas, Texas)
US Fears Ukraine War Spreading To Russia
The United States expressed concern Thursday about growing evidence that U.S. military equipment provided to Ukraine is used to carry out attacks inside Russian territory amid fears it could lead to a nuclear confrontation.
Netherlands Seizing Land Of Putin’s Ex-Son-in-Law (Worthy News-Investigation)
Dutch prosecutors have seized a plot of land near the capital Amsterdam that belongs to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s former son-in-law, an investigation revealed Thursday.
Iran unveils new ballistic missile with 2,000 km range
Iran has unveiled the Khaibar, a new ballistic missile that has a range of 2,000 km and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, i24News reports. Iran has increased the scope of its ballistic missile program despite the concerns of Western powers, and following the collapse of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Iran nuclear deal.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel: Knesset passes national budget, judicial reform back on the agenda
Israel’s religious-nationalist governing coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was able to pass a two-year budget in the Knesset on Wednesday, clearing the way for renewed government efforts at introducing highly controversial judicial reforms, Reuters reports.
Israeli scientists make breakthrough in Autism Spectrum Disorder research
Researchers in Israel have discovered there is a direct connection between levels of nitric oxide (NO) in the brain and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and this may lead to potential new treatments not only for ASD but for other psychiatric and neurological conditions as well, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Israel more than doubled strikes on Iranian targets in Syria, defense minister claims
Israel's defense minister Monday said that Israel's new government has greatly increased the number of strikes on Iranian targets since taking office late last year.
Inside the United States
McCarthy threatened with GOP rebellion over rumored debt-limit deal with Biden
House Republicans left Washington on Thursday without a deal on the debt limit and with a brewing revolt against Speaker Kevin McCarthy because of a rumored compromise with President Biden.
Musk’s Neuralink cleared for human test of brain implants
Elon Musk's brain-implant company Neuralink on Thursday said it had received the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval to launch its first in-human clinical study.
SCOTUS reins in state property tax practices
The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled unanimously that states may not keep the excess proceeds from selling a property seized to satisfy delinquent taxes.
Target market value drops $9 billion in a week amid boycott over pride offerings
Retail giant Target has lost billions in market value amid public outcry over its offering of LGBTQ-themed clothing for children.
Christian News
Gunmen Attack Sudan Churches As Conflict Escalates
The Sudanese Council of Churches has condemned attacks on church leaders and church buildings as the conflict in Sudan rapidly escalates.
Australian Missionary Released After 7 Years In Captivity
An Australian missionary doctor is recovering after being released by Islamic militants who held him for seven long years in West Africa, Worthy News learned Thursday.
Pakistan:Two Christian youths charged and detained for alleged blasphemy
Police in Lahore, Pakistan, have charged and detained two Christian youths for allegedly committing blasphemy, a crime which carries the death penalty, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.