Worthy Brief - 8/5/2022
Friend, through the trials -- it is well with your soul!
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
A few days ago I received a very detailed call from a friend dealing with trials that seem nearly impossible to bear. Often the best thing a friend can do is simply listen, and while doing just that I was reminded of Horatio Spafford.
Horatio Gates Spafford was a 43-year-old Chicago Businessman who suffered financial disaster in the great Chicago fire of 1871. He and his wife, still grieving the death of their son who had died shortly before the fire, were in great need of a retreat, and decided to take their remaining children to England for a vacation. Their friend Dwight L. Moody would be preaching in evangelistic campaigns there that fall, and so Spafford arranged to send his wife and four daughters ahead of him on the SS Ville du Havre. He planned to follow in a few days.
During the voyage on the Atlantic Ocean, the Ville du Havre was struck by an iron sailing vessel and sank within 12 minutes. Two hundred twenty-six lives were lost – including the Spafford’s four daughters. When the survivors were brought to shore at Cardiff, Wales, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband two words: "Saved alone."
Spafford booked passage on the next ship. As they were crossing the Atlantic the captain pointed out the place where he thought the Ville du Havre had gone down. That night, Spafford penned the following words:
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Spafford lost his business and his children but found comfort in His savior.
Friend, this world has been called a "veil of tears", not without reason. The weight of anguish and sorrow is incalculable and may feel utterly unbearable at times. Who can understand how Horatio and his wife bore up under their excruciating losses? Yeshua (Jesus) can, because He himself bore far greater agony and sorrow, and because He rescued us from an eternity of it. If you truly know Him you also can sing, "It Is Well With My Soul."
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Nashville, Tennessee
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.
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Around the World
US Condemns China Missile Launches, Orders Aircraft Carrier Group Toward Taiwan
The White House condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) launch of 11 ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan Thursday. The administration also said that it would move an aircraft carrier strike group into the region to defend its partners and allies.
Iranian officials openly discuss country’s ability to make nuclear weapon
Iran has for the first time spoken openly about its potential to make a nuclear weapon, and officials discussed the ability to make such a weapon "at will."
Iranian satellite set to be launched into space by Russia next week
Russia will launch an Iranian remote sensing satellite into orbit next Tuesday, the two countries confirmed, two weeks after President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran.
China’s Military Moves To Taiwan After Pelosi Visit
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has left Taiwan after a visit that angered China and prompted a military response.
Britain’s Central Bank Announces Biggest Rate Hike In 27 Years; Warns Of Recession
The Bank of England (BoE) raised interest rates by the most in 27 years on Thursday and warned a prolonged recession is on its way.
US Senate gives overwhelming approval to Finland/Sweden NATO applications
The US Senate on Wednesday voted 95-1 in overwhelming approval of the applications by Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Axios reports. NATO was established in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, Canada, Italy, and France, to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.
Explosions In Ukraine As Concerns Mount Over Suffering Civilians
Explosions have been reported in the south and east of Ukraine as the ongoing Russian invasion of the country continued despite a mounting death toll on both sides. The clashes came as advocacy group Amnesty International expressed concerns about how Ukrainian forces are trying to stop the invasion.
Iran has installed three IR-6 centrifuges at enrichment plant
The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog said in a report to member states Wednesday that Iran has finished installing three advanced IR-6 centrifuges at its Natanz fuel enrichment plant, Israel Hayom reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF said to fear Temple Mount clashes on Tisha B’Av may ignite already-tense Gaza
Fears of clashes on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount during Sunday’s Tisha B’Av fast day have reportedly led Israel’s political and security echelons to keep widespread road closures along the Gaza border in place through the weekend.
Hezbollah video threatens Israel’s Karish gas field
A video produced by the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah and released on July 31 threatened the Karish offshore natural gas and oil field in the northern part of Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Israel: Archaeologists begin dig where Biblical Joshua is believed to be buried
Israeli archaeologists have begun excavating a site in the West Bank that is believed to be where the Biblical Joshua lived and was buried, the Jerusalem Post reports. Known as Khirbet Tibnah, the excavation site is located in southwest Samaria and is believed to have been inhabited from the Bronze Age until the beginning of the Ottoman rule.
Inside the United States
Judge rules transgender surgeries must be covered by Medicaid
A federal judge ruled this week that the state of West Virginia must allow transgender patients covered by Medicaid to receive gender transforming surgeries, reasoning that individuals with a gender dysphoria diagnosis must be treated the same as those suffering from other medical conditions.
Democrats block measures to stop gain-of-function research
Senate Democrats on Thursday declined to offer unanimous consent to two measures to stop gain-of-function research, a process now infamous over its alleged connection to the spread of COVID-19.
U.S. Ran $200 Billion Trade Deficit With Communist China in First Half of 2022
The United States ran a merchandise trade deficit of $200,096,600,000 with the People’s Republic of China in the first six months of this year, according to data released today by the Census Bureau.
Kari Lake wins GOP nomination for governor, completing sweep for Trump-backed candidates
Kari Lake has won the Republican nomination for Arizona governor, climbing past her opponent’s early lead and securing the nomination with the help of votes cast on election day.
NASA releases astonishing image of Cartwheel Galaxy taken by James Webb Telescope
NASA on Tuesday released a spectacular image of a Cartwheel Galaxy that was taken by the James Webb Space Telescope, the Washington Examiner reports. Released on Tuesday, the image reportedly gives scientists new information about how stars are born and about the black hole at the core of the galaxy.
Biden Signs Pro-Abortion Executive Order, Defying Church
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a new executive order on Wednesday that he said aims “to protect access to reproductive healthcare” after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion.
Christian News
Nigeria: Four children among seven Christians murdered
As the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria continues, four children were among seven Christians murdered by suspected Fulani jihadists in Nigeria’s Plateau state on Sunday, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Nigeria ranked number one in the world last year for Christians murdered by Islamic terrorists on account of their faith.
Worthy Watch
Senator Cruz Grills FBI Director Wray Over FBI Entrapment
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday, Senator Ted Cruz grilled FBI Director Christopher Wray concerning reports that the special agent accused of orchestrating the entrapment of a group charged with trying to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during the 2020 election was promoted since then and now runs the FBI's Washington D.C. field office which now overseas the January 6 case.