Worthy Brief - 10/19/2017
Friend, long time - no hear!
1 Kings 19:11-12 Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
An Indian was walking in downtown New York City alongside a resident friend. As they approached a busy street corner in the center of Manhattan, the Indian seized his friend's arm and whispered, "Wait. I hear a cricket." "Come on!", the city boy sneered, "This is downtown New York -- how could you possibly hear a cricket?" His friend persisted however, "No - seriously, I do!"
As cars were roaring, horns honking, people shouting, brakes screeching, cash registers clanging, subway clamoring and people bustling about, the Indian began leading his friend along slowly, every now and again stopping and turning his ear toward the seemingly noiseless sound. At last, the Indian insisted they were near and proceeded to follow the sound across the street and toward a small dark corner next to a graffiti covered wall. There, he bent down to a minuscule tuft of grass and pulled out the cricket. "I told, you", he said, "I heard a cricket."
Astounded, the New Yorker marveled "How could you have heard that cricket in the middle of all this noise?" "Well", said his foreign friend, "My ears are different from yours. It simply depends on what you're listening to. Here, let me show you what I mean." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of change --a couple of quarters, three or four nickels, and a dime and a few pennies. "Now," he said, "watch this." He held the coins waist high and dropped them to the sidewalk. At once, every head within nearly a block turned around and looked in the direction of the Indian.
"You see, It all depends on what you're listening to."
To what sounds are our ears trained to listen? Are they trained to hear the sound of money, of gossip, of complaining, of worldly things or are they trained to hear the still small voice of the Most High, directing and advising us in the way we should go?
Friend, let's ask the Lord to train our ears to hear the things of God today. We need to be listening for His direction in the hustle and bustle of this noisy and influential world or we will surely go astray!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Editor's Note: We have our preliminary schedule online. Be sure to check it out and see where you can meet us on the road! There are still a few holes we are hoping to fill along the way. If you would like to us minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or host a Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyemail.com for more information.
Terrorist groups planning another 9/11-style attack, top US official warns
Islamic State and other terrorist groups are planning to target aircraft as they aim to carry out another major attack on the scale of 9/11, a top US security official has said.
Haley to UN Security Council: Don't turn a blind eye to Iran
The UN Security Council must not ignore Iran's aggressive behavior, its ballistic missile testing and its violation of this body's resolutions regarding its military activity, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Wednesday.
Spain to trigger direct rule over Catalonia as deadline passes
The Spanish government is to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy and impose direct rule after the region’s president refused to abandon the push for independence that has led to Spain’s biggest political crisis for 40 years.
U.S. wants quick vote on Syria chemical weapons inspectors
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said Wednesday the United States is circulating a resolution that would extend by another year the work of inspectors seeking to determine who is behind chemical weapons attacks in Syria.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu and Putin Discuss Iran Nuclear Program, Syria in Phone Call
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Iran nuclear program, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
US demands Hamas renounce violence, disarm before unity deal
The United States called Thursday for the Hamas terror group to disarm and renounce violence before being allowed to implement a highly touted unity deal with Palestinian rival Fatah, in a first detailed response to the agreement.
8 European countries demand Israel pay for West Bank structures it destroyed
Eight European Union member states are demanding that Israel pay them back for the demolition and confiscation of buildings and other installations constructed for the benefit of Bedouin encampments in Area C of the West Bank by the EU’s mission in Israel.
Inside the United States
US judge orders government to allow abortion for undocumented teen
A 17-year-old immigrant who was detained after entering the country illegally should not be 'obstructed' by government officials from having an abortion, a US federal judge ruled on Wednesday in Washington DC.
Obamacare deal hits the skids in Senate
A bipartisan deal to fund Obamacare payments stalled in the Senate Wednesday after President Trump derided the payments as 'bailouts,' but Republicans behind the package are trying to keep the deal alive.
84 Children Rescued, 120 Human Traffickers Arrested Across U.S., FBI Says
The FBI rescued 84 children from the grips of a multi-state human trafficking ring and arrested 120 traffickers Wednesday, announcing the successful sting in a statement.
FDA approves revolutionary cancer gene therapy
U.S. regulators approved on Wednesday a new therapy for a type of lymphoma, which was developed by Gilead Science Inc’s Kite Pharma, marking the second approval for this potentially revolutionary approach to fighting cancer.
Death toll from San Diego hepatitis A outbreak rises to 19; more than 500 cases confirmed
San Diego’s hepatitis A outbreak added another death Tuesday, pushing the total to 19 as the number of confirmed cases passed 500.
Trump’s former aides caught up in Russia election mess begin to fight back
Former campaign aides to President Trump have begun to fight back against what they consider libelous allegations in the Russia election saga.
Christian News
Chinese House Church Leaders and Toddler Arrested After Singing in Public Park
A Chinese house church pastor, her daughter, and her young grandson have been arrested, weeks after being accused of overstepping the country’s newly tightened religious restrictions.
Christian Persecution Hits All-Time High Worldwide: Report
The persecution of Christians is now "worse than at any time in history," according to a report by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, which states that not only are Christians more persecuted than any other faith group, they are also experiencing the worst forms of persecution.
Federal court rules World War I memorial cross must be torn down
Back in 1925, the American Legion erected a memorial in Bladensburg, Md., to honor the memory of 49 men who perished during World War I.
Good without God? More Americans Say Amen to That (Link is now Fixed!)
For the first time, a majority of Americans — 56 percent — say it is possible to be a good person without a religious belief.