Worthy Brief - 9/29/2016
Friend, what are you doing with your blessing?
Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
When we read this passage of Scripture, the first thing that probably comes to mind are all the promises that God gave to Abraham and the nation of Israel. But it occurred to me that there is a bigger lesson that we can learn here.
We tend to focus on the part of that scripture where God does the blessing -- but why did He bless Him? The answer lies in the passage! The Lord told Abraham: "I will bless you --- and you shall be a blessing." Abraham was blessed so that he could be a blessing!
The same is true today. The Lord has done so much for us! He has blessed us with so many things, the most important of which is His mercy in that He died for sinners like us! He has bestowed us with so much grace! He has allowed us to come into His Kingdom and be a part of the great things He's doing! What we have received should not only be for our own enjoyment but for the salvation of a dying world around us!
Friend, God gives freely to us so that we may give freely to others! Let's not be afraid to give out the blessings God has granted us! Share God's goodness! To whom much is given, much is required!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: We are hoping to come to the United States this upcoming January-March 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.
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
U.S. deploys more troops to Iraq for showdown with Islamic State
The U.S. and Iraq took a big step closer to a showdown with Islamic State fighters Wednesday as the Pentagon announced that 615 more U.S. soldiers are heading to Iraq in anticipation of the battle to liberate Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city.
Kerry threatens Russia with end to joint Syria diplomacy
Secretary of State John Kerry threatened on Wednesday to end all cooperation between the United States and Russia to stop Syria’s civil war, unless Russian and Syrian government attacks on Aleppo end. More than 250 people are believed to have been killed in the besieged city in the last week.
Saudi Arabia has ways to hit back at 9/11 lawsuit effort
Saudi Arabia and its allies are warning that U.S. legislation allowing the kingdom to be sued for the 9/11 attacks will have negative repercussions.
Pentagon to send additional 600 troops to fight IS in Iraq
The Pentagon will be sending about 600 more ground troops to Iraq to help Iraqi forces oust Islamic State militants from the contested city of Mosul, officials said Wednesday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hamas calls for 'day of rage' Friday to mark year since start of terror wave
Hamas announced a "day of rage" on Friday to mark one year since the start of the latest terror wave unleashed by the Gaza-based terror group against Israeli targets.
French Jews feel they can give their children a better future in Israel
The number of French Jews immigrating to Israel rose from 1,900 in 2011 to nearly 8,000 last year, said Jacques Canet, president of La Victoire, the great synagogue of Paris. He said the country's 500,000 to 600,000 French Jews -- the third largest Jewish population in the world -- 'feel threatened.'
Inside the United States
Congress rebukes Obama, rejects his 9/11 lawsuit veto
President Obama lost his first veto fight with Congress on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate voted overwhelmingly to override his objection to a bill that would allow families of the Americans killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to sue the government of Saudi Arabia.
NYT: Papers Backing Clinton Hit With Flood of Cancellations
Newspapers that have broke with tradition to endorse Democrat Hillary Clinton are paying a price - in subscriptions, the New York Times reported.
Creepy clown sightings in 10 states giving police departments problems
Creepy clown sightings in more than 10 states have been giving police departments fits as they investigate recent reports of costumed cutups lurking near apartment buildings, standing on street corners or driving around in groups trying to lure children.
California suspends business ties with Wells Fargo
California, the country's largest issuer of municipal bonds, is banning Wells Fargo (WFC) from underwriting state debt and administering California's banking transactions for 12 months, effective immediately.
Congress approves stop gap spending bill, averts government shutdown
The U.S. Congress approved on Wednesday a stop-gap spending bill that avoids a government shutdown as well as spends more than a billion dollars to fight Zika.
Pentagon Warns Congress Is Allowing Disclosure of Classified Intel, Arrest of U.S. Troops
Defense Secretary Ash Carter is warning Congress that its efforts to pass new contested legislation would lead to the disclosure of highly sensitive classified intelligence and open up U.S. troops to prosecution by foreign entities, according to a communication sent by the Pentagon leader to a top lawmaker and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Orlando Terror Attack 'Triggered' by Pentagon Drone Strike
The domestic terrorist behind the Orlando nightclub massacre was motivated by a Pentagon drone strike in Iraq a month before the shooting, according to police transcripts made public last week.
U.S. Politics
State Department to release Clinton emails just before election
The State Department said Wednesday it will process an additional 1,850 pages of Hillary Clinton’s secret emails and release the parts that can be made public on Nov. 3, just ahead of the election.
How Trump lost $800M since last year
Donald Trump's brands have lost $800 million over the past year, according to BBC report published Thursday. The Republican nominee's substantive losses are due to the 'softening' of New York City's property market and contracts lost due to his presidential candicacy.
Clinton Privately Opposed Major U.S. Nuclear Upgrade
Hillary Clinton privately told supporters this year that she would likely scrap a major upgrade to the United States' nuclear weapons program, according to leaked audio of her remarks.
Christian News
Idea of 'Safe Zone' for Iraqi Christians is Introduced in D.C. Meeting
A 'safe zone' to protect the persecuted Christians in Iraq sparked a lot of interest when it was proposed during a recent meeting in Washington D.C., participated in by Iraqi Christians, Yazidis and members of other religious minorities.
Christians 'Crushed Under Steamroller' and 'Hung on a Cross Over Fire' in North Korea
A new report released last week by the British-based human rights advocacy organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide has revealed more horrific details on how the authoritarian North Korean regime tortures, mutilates and kills Christians.