Worthy Brief - 6/26/2020
Friend, bring forth treasure!
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.
When the apostle Paul compared our lives to clay pots, he focused not on the earthen vessels, but rather the contents of those vessels. Jars of clay deteriorate over time, become chipped, cracked, and eventually broken. However, the real value of those ancient pots was not in the clay containers themselves, but in what they contained.
We human beings tend to focus on the frailties and imperfections of our decaying "vessels", looking, characteristically, on the outward form rather than the substance within. But the inward reality is what matters to God, and ultimately, to us as well, since that reality is His living Presence within us; a treasure of wisdom, power, and love with inestimable value.
Friend, the Lord's evaluation of us is not by outward appearance, which is corruptible and deteriorates with time. His indwelling Spirit, His Living Word, and the dynamic intimate relationship into which He invites us--- are where the real treasure lies!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Little Rock, Arkansas
Editor's Note: We'll be ministering in Kansas over the weekend. Contact george [at] worthyministries.com for more information.
Editor's Note: Read about our new project, Taking the Camp in our first blog post -- Beginning of a Journey
Investors/lenders urged to help Africa as new study forecasts shrinking economies in 2020
According to a new study, many African nations struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic may find themselves defaulting on debt repayments, DW reports. Weak currencies, higher interest rates, and reduced oil prices could result in African governments losing an estimated US$45 billion in revenue this year alone, the study found.
North and South Korea Remember the 70th Anniversary Of Devastating War
North and South Korea on Thursday recalled the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War that left millions of soldiers and civilians dead, injured or missing, and ravaged much of the Korean Peninsula.
Russia Votes On Controversial Constitution Changes
Russia has begun a week-long vote on constitutional reforms that could allow President Vladimir Putin to rule until 2036.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Belgium votes today on whether to recognize a Palestinian state and on whether to threaten Israel with sanctions
Belgium’s Chamber of Representatives will vote today on whether to recognize a Palestinian state and on whether Israel should be threatened with economic sanctions if it unilaterally annexes parts of the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Archaeologists find remains of Christian settlement in Galilee
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has published a report on its finding an ancient Christian settlement in northern Israel in 2007, CBN News reported. Located in the Galilee area, the rural settlement was likely destroyed during the Persian conquest in 613 AD, the IAA report says.
Inside the United States
US House Passes Democratic Police Reform Bill as Impasse Deepens
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a sweeping Democratic police reform bill on Thursday, sending the measure to the Senate despite opposition from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress.
U.S. GDP fell at a 5% rate in the first quarter, and the worse is likely on the way
The U.S. economy shrank at a 5.0% rate in the first quarter with a much worse decline expected in the current three-month economic period because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump signs executive order to strengthen foster care, bolster faith-based partnerships
President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to strengthen the nation’s foster care system which calls on states and cities to work with faith-based and other charities at a time when organizations that uphold traditional views of marriage are facing increasing hostility from Democratic lawmakers and left-leaning groups.