Worthy Brief - 7/29/2016
Friend, are you feeling worn out and weary?
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Since I started Worthy News in 1999 there is one thing I have not seen in 17 years -- a day that there wasn't news to cover! I've not taken a so-called vacation since I started the ministry -- yet I don't feel worn out or weary. One day I was pondering to myself and thought, "why don't I feel worn out?"
Many people take vacations because they're exhausted from working, and need an extended rest to be restored and revitalized. Yet, ironically, more often than not, when they return home, they feel the need for another break to recover from the vacation they just took! Something is missing ... and I think it has to do with the essence of Yeshua's (Jesus) invitation, "Come unto me..."
Our relationship with Yeshua contains a promise of rest. His yoke is not a heavy yoke of "religious" performance, but an invitation to an intimate relationship which is restful and truly empowering. His joy will be our strength, and serving Him in that relationship will not make us weary or worn out, but actually invigorate, revitalize and re-energize us IF we are doing it with His help, His power.
When Yeshua was here on earth He was surrounded by those who were constantly in need. He faced harsh opposition, and rarely found any privacy. And even in those private times, when he secluded himself for rest -- we read that He didn't sleep, but rather He prayed through the night. Yeshua found His deepest rest in the presence of His Father.
Friend, now, there's nothing wrong with vacations, and we all really do need to disconnect from our work routine from time to time, but are you feeling worn out or weary, or even close to "burn-out"? Then it's time to renew and refresh your relationship and allow Yeshua to give you His rest. Wait on the Lord, He will renew your strength, and His rest will restore your weary soul, revitalize your body, and empower you to continue in the vision and calling He gave to you. Find your rest in Him this weekend!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
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Around the World
Iran threatens to shut off Strait of Hormuz
Iran has threatened once again to close the Strait of Hormuz if the nation faces military action by its “enemies.”
EU free movement cannot stay the same, UK says
British leader Theresa May has said free movement of EU workers to Britain cannot continue as in the past, while visiting Slovakia and Poland on Thursday (28 July).
Syria's Nusra Front splits with al-Qaeda
A senior al-Qaeda figure has urged the group to do what is necessary to protect the 'holy struggle of the Syrian people.' Washington voiced skepticism over the split, saying it could be an exercise in rebranding.
Merkel rules out migrant policy reversal after attacks
Recent attacks in Germany involving asylum-seekers would not change its willingness to take in refugees, Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.
French ID Second Church Attacker
The prosecutor's office identified him as Abdel-Malik Nabil Petitjean following DNA tests. A security official confirmed that he was the unidentified man pictured on a photo distributed to police four days earlier with a warning that he could be planning an attack.
China, Russia plan joint military drills in South China Sea
China's military said Thursday it will hold joint exercises with Russian forces in the South China Sea, following a recent arbitration ruling that rejected Beijing's claim to almost the entire strategic body of water.
Second church attacker also known as potential militant, say French police
The French prosecutor's office on Thursday named the second attacker in the murder of a priest at a Normandy church as Abdel Malik Nabil Petitjean, a 19-year-old native of the eastern French region of Vosges.
North Korea: U.S. has crossed red line; relations on war footing
North Korea's top diplomat for U.S. affairs told The Associated Press on Thursday that Washington 'crossed the red line' and effectively declared war by putting leader Kim Jong-un on its list of sanctioned individuals, and said a vicious showdown could erupt if the U.S. and South Korea hold annual war games as planned next month.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
State Dept. criticizes Israeli settlement expansion, demolitions
The Israeli government’s plans to build new units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and a spate of home demolitions in Palestinian areas over the past week have drawn sharp criticism from the Obama administration.
Hamas ready to pounce on weak Fatah in local elections, experts say
The Hamas terror group in control of the Gaza Strip is poised to make a power play using one of its most potent weapons -- the ballot box.
At DNC national security night, Israel is notable for its absence
The speakers mentioned IS. They mentioned Iran. But there was nary a peep about another big I: Israel.
Kerry to meet Palestinian leader Abbas in Paris on Saturday
Kerry will meet in Paris on Saturday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss efforts to move toward a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the State Department said on Thursday.
Inside the United States
Police, protesters at DNC praised for restraint, courtesy
They came. They protested. They got their message out. And now that they're headed home, thousands of protesters who came to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention say they're leaving in peace thanks to a hands-off approach by police that led to fewer than a dozen arrests over four days of demonstrations.
Northern California wildfire continues to grow
The wildfire in Northern California has grown to scorch nearly 30,000 acres, destroy 51 structures and killed one person, fire officials said Thursday.
FBI probes hacking of Democratic congressional group
The FBI is investigating a cyber attack against another US Democratic Party group, which may be related to an earlier hack against the Democratic National Committee, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
US intelligence chief: not ready to identify who is behind DNC hack
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, speaking about the hack of Democratic Party emails, said on Thursday the US intelligence community was not ready to 'make the call on attribution.'
U.S. Politics
Hillary Clinton seeks unity as nation's first major female presidential candidate
Seeking to lead a nation that is "cleareyed about what we are up against" but unafraid of the challenge, Democrat Hillary Clinton made history Thursday, becoming the first woman to accept the nomination of a major political party for president of the United States.
DNC: Disunity, High-Octane Liberalism, and Dark Days for Pro-life Democrats
The Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia started with disunity on 'steroids' and moved on to adopt the most liberal platform in its history, CBN News Chief Political Correspondent David Brody said on Thursday's 700 Club.
#DemExit begins as Hillary Clinton coronation draws to close
Hours after Hillary Clinton gave her speech Thursday accepting the Democratic presidential nomination and capping the national convention, thousands in the rank and file planned to quit the party in a #DemExit protest.
Bill Clinton Appears to Nod Off During Hillary's Speech
Did Bill Clinton fall asleep during his wife Hillary's speech accepting the Democratic nomination for President of the United States? The above clip sure looks like it.
Clinton still doesn't have a simple message for her candidacy
For Hillary Clinton, finding thousands of words for her speech Thursday accepting the Democratic presidential nomination will be easy. Distilling her campaign to a simple few will be harder.
Christian News
Anne Graham Lotz Spearheads Plan for Worldwide Revival
Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, is inviting people from all nations and languages to join together in the reading of God's Word to stir a worldwide revival.
Christians Killed in 2016 So Far Almost Equal to Entire 2015 in Nigeria
The Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans has called on the Nigerian government to end the growing slaughter of Christians at the hands of radical Islamists in the country, arguing that such a massacre should not be the Christians' 'portion in Jesus' name.'
Copts attacked, forced to settle for nothing, in absence of Egyptian justice
Eight Christian homes were attacked and an equal number of Copts were detained after Muslims in an Egyptian village went on a rampage following rumours of a house church being built.
Fresh attacks on Christian villages in Benue, Central Nigeria
A fresh attack in the central Nigerian State of Benue by suspected Fulani herdsmen has left at least 14 dead in the predominantly Christian area of Gaambe-Tiev - the same place that has seen violence for over a month now.