Worthy Brief - 9/27/2017
Friend, come just as you are!
1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
This Friday night people from around the world will celebrate Yom Kippur. In Israel, nothing, absolutely nothing is open -- no radio, television or cable, even the street lights don't work!
In the days of the Aaronic priesthood, every year at this time, the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people. He would strip himself of all his priestly garments and would come into the presence of God in a simple white garment.
Each of us who knows Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah belongs to a royal priesthood. We are called to enter the presence of God -- but in order to do that, we need to strip ourselves -- strip ourselves of our pride, our egos, our worries, our concerns. And we must come humbly into the presence of God in the simplest way -- as a little child.
Friend, the blood of Yeshua -- our sacrificial lamb -- covers us so that we too can enter into the Holy of Holies. And all ministry begins there, where we meet the Lord face to face in worship and prayer. Let's enter into his presence today and renew our minds and hearts with His agape love and the joy of His awesome salvation.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Editor's Note: We are coming to the United States this Winter/Spring for a cross country speaking/music tour. If you want to hear timely word from Worthy News Founder and Director, George Whitten and powerful Israeli Worship Music from Baht Rivka Whitten, Lazman Hazeh Music, as well as testimony of life and ministry in the Land, make sure to book soon for your Congregation, Conference, Church, Home Fellowship or Israel focused Event. We hope to hug you! Please send an email to george [ @ ] worthyemail.com for more information.
Trump: military option for North Korea not preferred, but would be 'devastating'
President Donald Trump warned North Korea on Tuesday that any U.S. military option would be 'devastating' for Pyongyang, but said the use of force was not Washington’s first option to deal with the country’s ballistic and nuclear weapons program.
Emmanuel Macron says Britain could be part of reformed EU after Brexit
Emmanuel Macron has signaled Britain could be part of a reformed European Union after Brexit.
Iraqi Kurdish leader says 'yes' vote won independence referendum
Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said on Tuesday that Kurds had voted “yes” to independence in a referendum held in defiance of the government in Baghdad and which had angered their neighbors and their U.S. allies.
Spain to deploy police to prevent Catalan independence vote
Police will be deployed at polling stations to prevent people from voting in the Catalan independence referendum, the Spanish government has confirmed.
Pentagon: 44 percent of Puerto Ricans lack clean drinking water
Puerto Rico’s electricity systems are badly damaged after Hurricane Maria, and nearly half the U.S. territory’s residents lack drinking water following the storm, the Defense Department reported Tuesday.
Iran points at US and warns of new nuclear arms race
Iran’s deputy foreign minister pointed at the United States in warning on Tuesday that a new nuclear arms race and new competition to modernize nuclear weapons are starting.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Turkey’s Erdogan threatens ties with Israel over support for Kurds
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said Israel should 'review' its support for Iraqi Kurdish independence, warning the Jewish state’s support for the bid could negatively affect diplomatic ties between Ankara and Jerusalem.
In unsubtle critique, Israel gifts UNESCO Arch of Titus replica
Israel handed a replica of a frieze from the Arch of Titus to the head of UNESCO, using the monument commemorating Rome’s victory over Jerusalem for a not-so-subtle critique of the organization’s resolutions that ignore Jewish links to the holy city.
Inside the United States
Senate GOP shelves Obamacare repeal
Senate leaders on Tuesday canceled plans to vote on an Obamacare repeal this week, marking a third straight failure for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and fellow Republicans who have been unable to fulfill their campaign promise.
Trump cuts Obama’s refugee target in half, takes more Christians than Muslims
President Trump, in just eight months in office, has succeeded in upending U.S. refugee policy, cutting by more than half the 110,000-refugee target that the Obama administration had bequeathed him and dramatically shifting the demographics of who is accepted.
Health insurers face key Obamacare deadline Wednesday
Insurers face a key deadline Wednesday to finalize contracts with states about how much they will charge customers who buy Obamacare plans.
Meeting with economists and blue-collar workers, Fed Chair Janet Yellen talks of economic uncertainty
In a speech Tuesday marked by large doses of both statistics and humility, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet L. Yellen said that the economic outlook is highly uncertain, suggesting that the central bank will proceed slowly in raising interest rates and scaling back easy-money policies.
Moore Wins Alabama Senate Runoff Election Over Trump-Backed Candidate
Former Alabama Chief Supreme Court justice and conservative firebrand Roy Moore defeated Republican Sen. Luther Strange (Ala.) on Tuesday in Alabama's special primary runoff.
MSNBC Cuts Off Moore Victory Speech Because He’s Talking About God
MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell cut off the victory speech of Roger Moore on Tuesday night because he was talking about God.
Embarrassment as Washington Post corrects its 'scoop' about Obama, Facebook and Russia
The Washington Post has made a correction to an explosive cover story that undermines the entire premise of Monday’s front-page article headlined, 'Obama sought to prod Facebook on Russia role.'