Worthy Brief - 9/23/2019
Friend, softer is better!
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes.
How often, in all the issues we have to deal with talking with people, we know or we feel we are right; our idea, our position, our interpretation is it, and we're ready to fight for it. Forget the fact that we may not be, or that there might be something we're completely ignorant of. The truth is that sometimes we know better, and sometimes we don't.
But the scripture teaches us, and I've learned from experience (most of the time), that arguing, forcefulness, and violence in my own voice are almost guaranteed to start a futile and ugly war of words. People are naturally defensive, and often, naturally offensive. But I can be the one to break the pattern...with a gentle answer.
Friend, if my heart attitude is “Come, let us reason together, hear each other out, respect each other, speak softly, and trust the Lord for the outcome", and my tone of voice carries that spirit, I can actually help the other person to calm down and prevent a war. The fruit of the spirit is.....self control. What a blessing! Do you want to start a fight.....or finish one? Give a gentle answer today and see what the Lord does!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Editor's Note: We've added a short three week tour of the United Kingdom in just a few weeks. This will be our first tour of the UK, and if you'd like us to minister at your congregation or home fellowship, be sure to let us know ASAP. This will be a very limited time, as we need to arrive in the States by the beginning of November. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce that after months of development, we've finally finished the Worthy Prayer Team. If you have a prayer request, please let the Prayer Team know.
Editor's Note: We're starting to schedule our Winter tour of the United States. 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.
Hundreds Of Egyptians Protest Against Government, Demand Sisi Resignation
Rare antigovernment protests have broken out in several Egyptian cities, with demonstrators calling for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to step down.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard ready for 'any scenario' as tensions escalate
Iran will hit back against any aggressor and seek to destroy it, the elite Revolutionary Guard warned Saturday.
Hong Kong Protesters Trample Chinese Flag and set Fires
Protesters in Hong Kong trampled a Chinese flag, vandalized a subway station and set a fire across a wide street on Sunday, as pro-democracy demonstrations took a violent turn once again.
Hezbollah says Iran would destroy Saudi Arabia in any war
Lebanon's Hezbollah warned Saudi Arabia on Friday against betting on a war against Iran because it would destroy the kingdom and said Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates should halt the conflict in Yemen to protect themselves.
Iran Says It Will Hold Naval Drill With Russia, China ‘Soon’
Iran said it will stage a naval drill with Russia and China in international waters after the U.S. announced plans to send troops to the Middle East, according to Tasnim, a semi-official news agency.
After US sends troops to Mideast, Rouhani warns foreign forces to ‘stay away’
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the presence of foreign forces creates 'insecurity' in the Gulf, after the US ordered the deployment of more troops to the region.
White House mulling military options against Iran ranging from cyberattacks to war
A White House meeting Friday will see Pentagon officials present President Trump with 'a broad range of military options' targeting Iran, AP reports.
Pentagon to send troops to bolster Saudi defenses after attack
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday approved sending American troops to bolster Saudi Arabia's air and missile defenses after the largest-ever attack on the kingdom's oil facilities, which Washington has squarely blamed on Iran.
Saudi Arabia drone attacks - Johnson refuses to rule out military action
Britain has formally identified Iran as being behind drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabian oil fields, raising the chance of the UK joining military efforts in the Middle East.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
'Deal of the Century' to be significantly delayed
In the weeks before the elections, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and other senior officials estimated that the so-called 'Deal of the Century', as the US peace plan for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) has come to be known, will be published very close to election day.
Syria Ups Military Presence Along Israeli Border
The Syrian army sent military reinforcements consisting of tanks, vehicles, soldiers, ammunition, and weapons to the towns of Jamlah and Aabdyn near the Syrian border with the Israeli Golan Heights for unknown reasons, reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Saturday.
Israel begins cutting Palestinian electricity in West Bank, citing debts
Israel’s national electric company said Sunday it has begun reducing power supplies to Palestinian areas of the West Bank due to a financial dispute.
Rivlin to complete talks with parties ahead of decision on designated PM
President Reuven Rivlin on Monday will finish his round of consultations with representatives of all newly elected Knesset parties, after which he will have to make a decision on whom to task with forming the next government.
Inside the United States
U.S. Army banks on artificial intelligence to beat China and Russia
A key piece of the Pentagon’s plan to beat China and Russia in the high-stakes artificial intelligence race lies inside a research facility along the Allegheny River here, where a small but select U.S. Army team has been tasked with creating the weapons, vehicles and sensors needed for 21st-century combat.
Alabama High School Students Defy Prayer Ban, Recite Lord's Prayer at Football Game
The Christian student population at an Alabama high school is fighting back against an atheist group after complaints were made about a pre-game prayer amplified through a loudspeaker.
'Jesus Loves You': Federal Judge Rules for Student Who Gave Out Valentines with Bible Verses
A federal judge has ruled in favor of a student who passed out valentines to fellow students and staff featuring Bible verses with inspirational messages and was told by the taxpayer-funded state college, she must stop because she had defied school policy.
Christian News
Pastor escapes Eritrean prison camp to tell of hardships facing believers
An escapee of Eritrea’s prison camps and pastor recently spoke with persecution relief agency Barnabas Fund about the horrible conditions facing imprisoned believers there.
Wheaton students sue Chicago for undermining free speech, evangelism
Four Wheaton college students are protesting a decision by the city of Chicago to restrict free speech and put a stopper in their evangelism.
Trump to give 'historic' religious freedom speech at United Nations; evangelical leaders invited
The White House announced that President Donald Trump will give a speech on religious freedom next Monday at the United Nations headquarters in New York City and will host a special event to be attended by evangelical leaders and religious freedom advocates.