Worthy Brief - 8/24/2020
Friend, approach the season of repentance!
The Hebrew calendar month of Elul began last Friday night. Each day during the month of Elul, a shofar blast is sounded to announce the coming month of Tishrei – wherein the festival of Yom Teruah – the feast of trumpets-- takes place, calling for all people to repent. Elul, therefore, is identified as a month during which a serious emphasis is placed on personal self-examination and repentance, an end-of-the year opportunity to set our lives in order before Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashana), the days of Awe, and finally, Yom Kippur. Chronologically, Elul begins 40 days before Yom Kippur.
The number "forty" throughout the Bible consistently denotes a season of probation, trial or testing. For example, Yeshua fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before he was tested by Satan; the children of Israel wandered 40 years in the desert; Goliath tormented Israel 40 days before David stood up to the giant; God caused the rains to come down 40 days and 40 nights during the days of Noah, to name a few examples.
We in the Body of Messiah may also sense and identify with this season on the Lord's calendar if we choose, to initiate a time of self-inspection and reflection.
The Hebrew calendar extends to all of us an invitation to concentrate on and pray about the particular areas of our lives which need attention, adjustment, or even elimination. We can be sure that our Lord will honor and respond to a humble self-inquiry along the line of Psalm 139:23-24:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if any wicked way is in me; and lead me in the way everlasting."
Friend, while this ought to be an attitude we walk in all year round, perhaps a particular emphasis on it during this season will please the Lord, and prepare us for the times ahead.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Canton, Ohio
Editor's Note: We also will be in Ohio this week. If you know of any opportunities to minister or would like to catch us while we are on the road, please let us know by contacting george [ @ ] worthyministries.com!
Iran official says sabotage caused fire at Iran's Natanz nuclear site
A fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility last month was the result of sabotage, the spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation told state TV channel al-Alam on Sunday.
Iran unveils two new missiles as UN fails to extend expiring arms embargo
Iran announced Thursday that is has unveiled two new missiles, each of which has been named after a senior military official killed in US drone strikes this year, Fox News reports. The announcement follows a United Nations Security Council vote in which only the Dominican Republican backed a US request to extend an arms embargo on Iran which expires in October; the embargo will therefore not be extended.
NATO Denies Assembling Troops At Belarus Border
Member states of the NATO military alliance are denying allegations by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that their troops are preparing to invade Belarus. The wrangling came ahead of Sunday's expected massive protests against the authoritarian head-of-state.
Belarus Detains Key Opposition Leaders As Unrest Spreads
Authorities in Belarus have detained the leader of striking factory workers and several opposition figures for rallying against the country’s autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko.
Poisoned' Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Rushed To Berlin Hospital
Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been airlifted from Russia to a hospital in Berlin for suspected poisoning.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Likud, Blue and White back compromise to avoid elections
The political crisis that could lead to a fourth election in 19 months being initiated Monday night appeared on its way to being resolved on Saturday night, when both Likud and Blue and White accepted a compromise.
Israeli laser system shoots down 32 explosive balloons from Gaza
Using the Lahav Or (‘Light Blade’) combat laser, Israel intercepted 32 explosive and incendiary balloons fired by terrorists from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, as seen in this video released by Israel’s Border Police.
Inside the United States
Marco, Laura approaching Gulf Cost as rare double tropical threat
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is off to a record-setting pace, and the two systems tracking across the basin could set another first in hurricane records dating back into the 1800s.
California Wildfires Burn Million Acres; Trump OKs Disaster Aid
Some of the largest wildfires ever in the Western U.S. state of California continued to rage Saturday, charring 1 million acres (4,046 square kilometers) in one week.
Trump: FDA approves 'powerful' new treatment for COVID-19
President Donald Trump announced Sunday a new therapeutic that helps treat many individuals who have contracted COVID-19.
House passes $25 billion Postal Service bailout that would block reforms
The House passed a $25 billion bailout of the financially troubled United States Postal Service that would block reforms or changes to service.
U.S. home sales spike 24.7% in July, another record
U.S. home sales rose an unprecedented 24.7% in July, extending a rebound in June after the coronavirus pandemic all but froze the housing market this spring.
'Not a protest': Armed 'anarchists' descended on Denver Police Headquarters
Dozens of armed “anarchists” descended on the Denver Police Headquarters late Saturday and damaged buildings, set fires and injured an officer, city officials said Sunday. A dozen people were arrested.
Disney introduces its first leading LGBTQ character who also dabbles in witchcraft
Disney has introduced a leading animated LGBTQ character, who also dabbles in witchcraft, CBN News reports. The new leading character is Luz Noceda, who appears in Disney Channel’s “The Owl House” series. Disney has presented LGBTQ characters before, but they previously had relatively minor roles.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Idaho law banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports
An Idaho law that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports has been temporarily blocked by a federal court, CBN News reports. US District Judge David Nye said Idaho’s Fairness in Women's Sports Act "stands in stark contrast to the policies of elite athletic bodies that regulate sports both nationally and globally.”
Christian News
Los Angeles County requests John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church to be fined and held in contempt of court
Los Angeles County filed a request Wednesday for John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church to be held in contempt of court and to be fined $20,000, CBN News reports. The complaint comes after the church held three indoor services on Sunday, in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.