Worthy Brief - 6/23/2022
Friend, stop looking back -- look ahead!
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Some time ago, I wrote a devotional about not worrying for tomorrow because tomorrow holds its own worries. But it occurred to me recently, that just about as often as we worry for tomorrow, we fret about yesterday. How many times do we find ourselves saying, "I wish things could be the way they were, I wish I was younger, I wish I could fit into those jeans again, I wish I didn't make that terrible mistake ... you fill in the blank"?
The Lord doesn't want us constantly looking back at what once was. Our enemy does -- he wants us to feel discouraged and helpless and ruminate over and over on what we can never change. Sure, if we need to repent or make something right, we ought to go ahead and do it. But God doesn't want us drowning in self-pity or regret about past mistakes, or hopelessly longing for what can never be again . He wants us to look ahead. He wants us to say, "Forget what was -- the future is where my destiny lies and I will meet the Lord there in His purposes for me." That's faith. And it's well based in everything Yeshua (Jesus) has done for us, promised us, and called us to.
Friend, so, let's stop looking back in fear or bondage to the past -- it's long gone already. Let's move ahead and press toward the new things that the Lord has for us in our lives. Our God is always making things new, and redeeming what was before.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Baltimore, Maryland
Editor's Note: Download the Worthy Ministries App for your phone! Download from Apple App Store (for Iphones) or download our Android version.
Russia FM in Iran for talks on boosting cooperation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Iran on Wednesday for talks on boosting trade and energy cooperation as the two countries grapple with Western economic sanctions.
Jordan, Saudi Arabia support efforts to prevent a nuclear Iran
Jordan and Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday that they support international efforts aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Egypt, Lebanon and Syria sign gas import agreement
Lebanon, Syria and Egypt signed an agreement on Tuesday to transfer 650 million cubic meters of gas per year from Egypt to Lebanon through Syria.
Ukraine bans primary opposition party, seizing all its assets and money
Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice has announced an official ban on the country’s main opposition party and seized all its assets.
PM: Sri Lanka Unable To Buy Oil As Economy Has ‘Collapsed’
Sri Lanka’s prime minister has told Parliament of his indebted nation that the economy has “collapsed” and that the government cannot buy oil.
Afghanistan Quake Kills Nearly 1,000
A powerful earthquake has killed nearly a thousand people and left hundreds injured in eastern Afghanistan, authorities say.
Hungary Opens Route For Ukraine Food Amid Starvation Fears
Hungary says it wants to open a route for food produce from wartorn Ukraine as starvation looms for hundreds of millions of people.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Court upholds Arkansas law allowing state to reject business that boycotts Israel
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld an Arkansas law that requires state contractors to pledge they are not boycotting Israel or to give state entitles a 20% discount if they don’t agree with the pledge.
Inside the United States
Defying Senate GOP, House Republicans won’t back gun bill
House Republicans have vowed to oppose the bipartisan gun control bill that was sanctioned by Senate GOP leaders who lined up the needed support for it to pass in the upper chamber as soon as Thursday.
California Poised To Ban Police From Arresting Prostitutes
The California state legislature sent a bill to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk that would prohibit police from arresting individuals suspected of prostitution Monday.
Christian News
Ancient Christian relics found under historic church in Iraq
Six ancient Christian stone reliquaries and several manuscripts in Syriac and Aramaic languages have been discovered under a historic church in Mosul, Iraq, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Worthy Watch
Fed Chairman: Inflation Was High Before the War in Ukraine
"No. Inflation was high, certainly before the war in Ukraine broke out," stated Fed Chairman Powell when asked about the primary driver of inflation.
Pfizer CEO: “Almost Certain” for a Yearly COVID Shot
“Do you think we're going to get updated mRNA vaccines every season that will be directed to each new variation of the Coronavirus. And will we have to take those shots every year?” “I'm almost certain about it…”, responded Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer.
Worthy Insights
The Space Force Gets Its Own Spy Agency
The U.S. Space Force announced that the service’s new intelligence agency, the National Space Intelligence Center, will see its first day in operation on Friday, according to the center’s deputy director.