Worthy Brief - 10/10/2016
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.
Tomorow 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
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. Navy ship targeted in failed missile attack from Yemen: U.S.
A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer was targeted on Sunday in a failed missile attack from territory in Yemen controlled by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, a U.S. military spokesman told Reuters, saying neither of the two missiles hit the ship.
Germany: US-Russia tensions 'more dangerous' than Cold War
The mounting tensions between the United States and Russia have created a situation that is 'more dangerous' than the Cold War, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in an interview published Saturday.
Turkey suspends 13,000 police officers, shuts down TV station
Turkish authorities suspended nearly 13,000 police officers, detained dozens of air force officers and shut down a TV station on Tuesday, widening a state-ordered clampdown against perceived enemies in the wake of July's failed coup.
Hurricane Matthew creates 'record-breaking' flooding
Hurricane Matthew was leaving behind record-breaking flooding Saturday as the center of the storm moved out into the Atlantic Ocean, dragging bands of heavy rain with it across eastern North Carolina.
Russia deploys nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad
Russia has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in its western-most region, Kaliningrad, which borders on Nato members Poland and Lithuania.
Ethiopia declares state of emergency amid protests
Ethiopia has declared a state of emergency following months of anti-government protests by members of the country's two largest ethnic groups.
This Was the Week the World Got Really Anxious About Globalization's Future
Weak global trade, fears that the U.K. is marching towards a hard Brexit, and polls indicating that the U.S. election remains a tighter call than markets are pricing in have led a bevy of analysts to redouble their warnings that a backlash over globalization is poised to roil global financial markets--with profound consequences for the real economy and investment strategies.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Worshippers flock to Jerusalem ahead of Yom Kippur
Thousands of Jews have been attending the traditional Selichot (penitential) prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem in recent days, ahead of the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.
Palestinian government delays elections by four months
The Palestinian government decided on Tuesday to delay the first municipal elections in a decade, originally scheduled for October 8, by several months. This announcement comes a day after the Palestinian High Judicial Council ruled that elections could only take place in the West Bank and not in Gaza.
Terrorist used his final day of freedom to kill
The terrorist who carried out a deadly shooting attack in Jerusalem Sunday morning, leaving two dead and five injured was supposed to begin a four-month prison sentence the same day for attacking a police officer.
Decorated police officer, former Knesset worker murdered in Jerusalem attack
First Sergeant Yossi Kirma, a 29-year-old police officer from the town of Mevaseret Zion, is the Special Patrol Unit officer killed in Sunday morning's terrorist shooting attack in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife, his parents , and two siblings. He recieved decorations for his work preventing a stabbing attack.
Inside the United States
New fault discovered in southern California near the San Andreas
Scientists' knowledge of the geology of southern California has been shaken up by the discovery of a new faultline that runs parallel to the San Andreas.
3 Quakes Recorded off Oregon Coast, No Tsunami Warning
Three earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 4.1 to 4.8 occurred several hundred miles off the Oregon coast on Sunday, but none triggered tsunami warnings.
U.S. Politics
Clinton: Trump is unfit to serve; Trump: She's heading to jail
The gloves came off in the second presidential debate, as Donald Trump suggested Hillary Clinton belonged in jail while she said he was unfit to serve unlike any previous Republican nominee.
Trump May be Speeding Up Evangelical Break with GOP
In an election year that has been far from usual, many are speculating that Republican candidate Donald Trump is accelerating the split between evangelicals and the rest of the GOP constituency.
Leading GOP pollster: Grassroot Republicans have had enough
Donald Trump has insisted he will never quit the race for the US presidency, in spite of an outcry over lewd comments he made in 2005 about groping women. The Republican pollster Frank Luntz has been testing the mood of voters on the desirability or not of Mr Trump standing aside in a Twitter poll. He told Newshour's Julian Marshall Mr Trump's comments had the potential to turn 'everyone' against him.
Why Republicans can't easily dump Trump off the ballot
The GOP is stuck with Donald Trump -- but that isn't stopping weary Republicans from looking at every way possible to remove him from the top of the ticket.
Evangelical leaders stick with Trump, focus on defeating Clinton
Leaders of religious conservative groups largely stood behind Donald Trump on Saturday, the day after vulgar sexual comments he made about women surfaced online, but some expressed concern that the U.S. Republican presidential nominee's remarks could depress evangelical turnout on Election Day.
Trump, Pence vow to fight on together after emergence of damaging tape
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and running mate Mike Pence indicated Saturday that they would fight their election campaign to its conclusion next month, despite calls by prominent Republicans for Trump to withdraw from the race after the emergence of a damaging audio tape.
Christian News
Owning a Bible Could Land You in Prison in This Country
Christians across Uzbekistan are being imprisoned for owning Bibles.
Burning of Pastor's House in Zanzibar, Tanzania Leaves Family of 11 Homeless
A pastor, his wife and their nine children have been sleeping on the floor of their small church building on the island of Zanzibar since Muslim extremists set their house on fire in August.
Church in Northern Kenya Fearful after Gruesome Attack on Christians
Church members in a northeastern town in Kenya fear for their lives after Islamic extremists targeted Christians in a grenade and gun attack early Thursday morning (Oct. 6) that killed six people, sources said.