Worthy Brief - Christian Newsletter » Newsletters » 2020 » August » Worthy Brief - 8/26/2020

Worthy Brief - 8/26/2020

Friend, step out!

Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

When Jim Burke became the head of a new products division at Johnson & Johnson, one of his first projects was the development of a children's chest rub. The product failed miserably, and Burke expected that he would be fired. When he was called in to see the chairman of the board, however, he met a surprising reception. "Are you the one who just cost us all that money?" asked Robert Wood Johnson. "Well I just want to congratulate you. If you are making mistakes, that means you are taking risks, and we won't grow unless you take risks!" Apparently, Mr. Johnson wasn’t joking! Years later, Johnson & Johnson remains one of the largest multi-national manufacturers of pharmaceutical, diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical, personal hygiene, baby and biotechnology products.

Likewise, we believers are called to take some risks so that God’s Kingdom may grow! So often, we cower at the opportunities He makes available because we are too afraid things won’t go the way hope and others might be disappointed or sneer at our failure. But God wants us to go forth boldly, sometimes taking a risk or two, so that we may accomplish great things for Him! Yes, sometimes we’ll get it wrong and there may be a hard lesson to learn. But we will learn-- and eventually great things will happen as result of our courage and persistence!

Friend, the time is short and there is so much work to do for the Kingdom! We cannot afford to stand in the sidelines any longer! Let’s ask the Lord to cause to us have courage and go in boldness! God’s Kingdom won’t grow unless we start taking some risks!

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!

Around the World
Belarus Detains Opposition Leaders After Rally Against President
Authorities in Belarus have detained two leading opposition activists following the most massive rally so far against President Alexander Lukashenko.
UN security council rejects US call for sanctions against Iran
The president of the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday rejected the Trump administration’s demand to restore all U.N. sanctions on Iran, a move that drew an angry rebuke from the U.S. ambassador who accused opponents of supporting “terrorists.”

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
National Security Adviser to lead Israeli delegation to UAE next week
An official Israeli delegation led by National Security Adviser Meir Ben Shabbat is set to travel to Abu Dhabi next Monday, following the announcement of normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
Abbas: Normalization between Arabs, Israel won’t achieve peace
Normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab countries will not achieve peace and stability in the region, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday.

Inside the United States
Evangelical University President Falwell Resigns Over Sex Scandal Allegations
The leading evangelical college in the United States, Liberty University, says it has accepted the resignation of its embattled president Jerry Falwell Jr. over alleged sexual relations that are not in line with the institute`s teaching.
New video shows sworn testimony of Planned Parenthood officials admitting to harvesting fetal tissue and organs
A newly unsealed video confirms Planned Parenthood staff altered abortions methods in order to remove fetuses whose organs were preserved intact and could be sold for profit, the Federalist reports. Released by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) Monday, the video shows testimonies given under oath by Planned Parenthood officials describing the harvest of fetal organs and tissue. Federal law prohibits partial-birth abortions and the removal of live babies with intent to kill them during delivery for harvesting organs.
Tennessee school district causes concern by asking parents not to listen to their children’s virtual classes
A Tennessee school district has been criticized for asking parents to sign a form agreeing to stay out of earshot during their children’s online classes, on the grounds that parents might overhear confidential information, Fox News reports. Following significant pressure, Rutherford County Schools then changed course and now allows parents to be present, with teachers’ permission.
Hurricane Laura Could Make US Landfall as Category 3 Storm
The storm system known as Laura became a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to intensify as it hits warmer water, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest forecast.
Hillary Clinton to Biden: Don't concede if the election is close
Hillary Clinton is predicting Donald Trump's reelection effort will be a messy affair, and the former Democratic candidate has some advice for Joe Biden: If the race is close, don't concede.
Police, Protesters, Clash for 2nd Night in Kenosha, Wisconsin Over Police Shooting
Police used tear gas to subdue protesters in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin Monday as people took to the streets for the second straight night after the shooting of a Black man by police on Sunday.
Ohio Republicans draft articles of impeachment against GOP governor for coronavirus restrictions
Three Ohio Republican lawmakers are moving ahead with a bid to impeach the state's GOP governor regarding how he's handled the coronavirus pandemic.
'He’s taken on the swamp': Jim Jordan touts Trump's outsider achievements
Rep. Jim Jordan, a top Republican and one of President Trump’s staunchest allies in Congress, promoted Trump as a tough, outsider president who cares about people.

Christian News
Prosecuted Pentecostal Pastor and Wife Flee Iran
A prominent Pentecostal pastor and his wife have fled Iran after their appeal against a 15-year combined prison sentence for Christian activities failed, rights activists and family confirmed late Tuesday.
Thousands Of Christians Fearful As India Faces 12th Anniversary Of Deadly Attacks
The 12th anniversary of one of India`s deadliest attacks against Christians is marked by concerns that thousands have not yet returned to their homes for fear of reprisals. Additionally, authorities are declining to investigate hundreds of cases, religious rights investigators told Worthy News.
New poll finds most pastors are concerned about young people in their church
A new study shows that 85% of pastors are very worried that youth and young adults in their church are spending too much time watching screens on electronic devices, CBN News reported Monday. The poll was released by the Barna Group, and aimed to examine how pastors should disciple young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 86% of churches that responded said they were concerned about their young people having increased online access, but have no strategy to manage the situation.