Worthy Brief - 7/24/2023
Friend, kiss the Son, lest he be angry!
Psalms 2:10-12 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Revelation 5:12-13 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
In the beginning of Psalm 2, David points out that the kings of the earth are against the Lord and his "anointed" [Mashiach "Messiah" in Hebrew]. David recognized the true authority of God and advises the kings and rulers of the world, as well as their subjects, to "kiss the Son, lest he be angry." The act of "kissing the Son" would be one of homage to a king, and would indicate submission to the kingship of the Son. Those who are wise will do so before the Son, the Messiah, comes to judge the world!
Men have often tried to appear holy and righteous before other men - but God is seeking those who will worship Him in "spirit and in truth". This reminds me of a story of Francois Fenelon.
In the 17th century, Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France. On one particular Sunday when the King and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, there was no one else present except the preacher, himself.
"What does this mean?", King Louis demanded.
"I had published that you would not come to church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who flatters the King," Fenelon replied.
Friend, let's be sure that our worship of God is true and faithful and that we aren't trying to please men in doing so. Serve the Lord with a Godly reverence for who He is, and what His Son has done for you, since He is worthy of your worship, and... He is looking at your heart.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, MD)
Editor's Note: We are planning our Fall Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
As Taiwan prepares for anti-invasion exercises, China sends dozens of warplanes toward the island
China sent dozens of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan, the island’s Defense Ministry said Saturday, marking a forceful display days before the democracy plans to hold military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion.
Thousands Flee Greek Wildfires As Heatwave Spreads Across World
Thousands of people have been evacuated from homes and hotels on Greece’s island of Rhodes due to wildfires as the nation deals with its most prolonged deadly heatwave on record, officials said Saturday.
Hungary Ready To Mediate In Russia-Ukraine Grain Dispute (Worthy News Radio)
Hungary says it is willing to mediate between Russia and war-torn Ukraine after Moscow walked away from a deal that allowed Kyiv to export grain through the Black Sea more safely. The announcement came after Hungary and four other European Union nations signaled that they would extend their import ban on Ukrainian grain “to protect local farmers.”
Ukraine Strikes Ammunition Depot In Crimea (Worthy News Radio)
Russia has accused Ukraine of a massive drone attack on an ammunition depot in the Crimea peninsula amid heightened tensions around Black Sea ports following the collapse of a grain deal between the two countries. The alleged attack came amid concerns that one journalist was killed and several other reporters were injured in a separate attack in Ukraine.
Worldcoin To Scan Irises Of World Population (Worthy News-Focus)
The leader of a U.S.-based artificial intelligence laboratory says he raised $115 million to tempt billions of people to have their irises scanned for a “World ID” in exchange for cryptocurrency.
EU’s Climate Chief Seeks Premier Job In Netherlands
The European Union’s climate chief Frans Timmermans said Friday that he wants to become the next prime minister of the Netherlands.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Likud, protest leaders reject labor union’s compromise overhaul bill
Speculation grew Sunday evening that the Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor federation, could announce a general strike after a compromise it had floated in an attempt to end a bitter, divisive national standoff over the government’s planned drastic overhaul of the judiciary was quickly dismissed by the ruling Likud party, anti-government protesters and parts of the opposition.
Netanyahu Receives Pacemaker in Successful Surgery as Thousands March against Judicial Reform
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery to implant a pacemaker Saturday night. He was sedated for the operation, and turned over duties to Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, chief architect of the judicial reform legislation making its way through the Knesset.
Inside the United States
Amazon Rolls Out Palm Payments Despite Concern
U.S. tech giant Amazon says it is taking cashless payments to a new level by rolling out palm-scanning payment technology across the United States, adding to concerns among privacy advocates.
Federal judge blocks Arizona law banning transgender athletes from girls’ sports teams
A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked Arizona from enforcing a law banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ school sports teams.
Cross Monument Removed by CA Town After 5 Decades: ‘They Hate It… Hate What It Represents’
A legal battle over religious freedom is underway in a small town outside of San Francisco, CA, as a small group of Christians fight to re-install a 28-foot cross removed from a parcel of land last month.
Censorship Case Involving State Collusion With Social Media Companies Could Be Heard by the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court could hear a case questioning a California agency’s coordination with Twitter to censor election-related “misinformation.”
Christian News
India Premier Condemns Sexual Assault Of Christian Women (Worthy News-Investigation)
India’s prime minister on Thursday condemned the reported sexual assault of two Christian women by Hindu men in northeast India and vowed to protect the “daughters of Manipur” state.
Idaho college town to pay $300,000 to Christians arrested for having an outdoor church service
A progressive college town in Idaho agreed to pay $300,000 to a group of Christians who were arrested for having an outdoor church service without masks during the COVID19 pandemic.
Worthy Watch
WHO Sparks Concerns About Power Grab Through Global Pandemic Treaty
The Christian Broadcasting Network detailed the World Health Organization's plans for a Global Pandemic Treaty whereby nations would surrender their sovereignty in the event of another pandemic.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Cluster Bombs
Sen. Lindsey Graham statements on the use of cluster bombs in Ukraine.