Worthy Brief - 10/27/2023
Friend, are you feeling worn out and weary?
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Since I started Worthy News in 1999 there is one thing I have not seen in 22 years -- a day that there wasn't news to cover! I've not taken a so-called vacation since I started the ministry -- yet I don't feel worn out or weary. One day I was pondering to myself and thought, "why don't I feel worn out?"
Many people take vacations because they're exhausted from work, and need an extended rest to be restored and revitalized. Yet, ironically, more often than not, when they return home, they feel the need for another break to recover from the vacation they just took! Something is missing ... and I think it has to do with the essence of Yeshua's (Jesus) invitation, "Come unto me..."
Our relationship with Yeshua contains a promise of rest. His yoke is not a heavy yoke of "religious" performance, but an invitation to an intimate relationship which is restful and truly empowering. His joy will be our strength, and serving Him in that relationship will not make us weary or worn out, but actually invigorate, revitalize and re-energize us IF we are doing it with His help, His power.
When Yeshua was here on earth He was surrounded by those who were constantly in need. He faced harsh opposition, and rarely found any privacy. And even in those private times, when he secluded himself for rest -- we read that He didn't sleep, but rather He prayed through the night. Yeshua found His deepest rest in the presence of His Father.
Friend, now, there's nothing wrong with vacations, and we all really do need to disconnect from our work routine from time to time, but are you feeling worn out or weary, or even close to "burn-out"? Then it's time to renew and refresh your relationship and allow Yeshua to give you His rest. Wait on the Lord, He will renew your strength, and His rest will restore your weary soul, revitalize your body, and empower you to continue in the vision and calling He gave to you. Find your rest in Him this weekend!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, Maryland)
Editor's Note: If you're interested in supporting Israel, Worthy Ministries has established a dedicated Israel Fund. Click here for more information.
Editor's Note: Watch George's latest messages: Simchat Torah War - Part 5: Answering Reader Questions | Simchat Torah War Part 4: Is this the Psalm 83 war? | The Simchat Torah War -- Part 3: How will you pass the Israel test? | The Simchat Torah War -- Part 2 | The Simchat Torah War ... is this a water breaking moment? | The Kingdom, Marriage, and the Feasts of the Lord
Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out!
Editor's Note: We are planning our Winter Tour so 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.
Russia says it rehearsed ‘massive’ nuclear strike
Russia has rehearsed its ability to deliver a "massive" nuclear strike, the Kremlin says.
Leaders Of Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad Meet In Lebanon
Leaders of the terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, all groups funded by Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, met on Wednesday in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is located.
WHO Chief Seeks To Amend Global Health Regulations Ahead Of ‘Next Pandemic’
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Thursday that he wants to amend global health regulations as part of an international response to “protect the world” from the next pandemic.
Ukraine Evacuates 1,000 Children From Frontlines As Fighting Intensifies (Worthy News Radio)
Ukraine says it has begun the forced evacuation of around 1,000 children from areas near the front line as Russia intensifies attacks. However, invading Russian troops also struggle to remain in their positions.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF carries out most extensive ground incursion into Gaza Strip since war began
The Israeli military said its troops and tanks briefly entered northern Gaza overnight into Thursday, hitting several terrorist targets as a wider ground incursion loomed after more than two weeks of heavy air raids.
Israel To Use ‘Sponge Bomb’ In Gaza
Israel’s army has reportedly been testing new chemical devices to seal off gaps or tunnel entrances where fighters may be hiding ahead of a ground offensive into Gaza.
Hundreds Of Hamas Fighters Trained In Iran
There were fresh concerns about the safety of Israeli soldiers entering Gaza on Thursday after reports that hundreds of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters received “specialized combat training” in Iran to prepare them for the October 7 “Black Sabbath” massacres in Israel.
Inside the United States
Senate passes amendment to ban federal mask mandates on commercial flights and public transit
The Senate passed an amendment banning federal mask mandates on commercial airlines and public transportation in an appropriations bill Wednesday.
New York Supreme Court rules NYC must reinstate workers fired for noncompliance with COVID-19 vaccine mandate
The New York Supreme Court has ruled that NYC municipal workers who were fired for refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 during the pandemic must be immediately reinstated, and with back pay, the New York Post reports. Tuesday’s ruling followed a lawsuit filed earlier this year by 16 former Sanitation Department workers who were fired in February, and only applies to them.
Newly Elected House Mike Johnson Asks For Prayers After Massive Maine Shooting
Newly elected U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged prayers for those suffering after a mass shooting in the U.S. state of Maine killed at least 18 people.
Two Maine Mass Shootings Kill 22 (Update)
At least 22 people are dead and another 50 to 60 people injured in two mass shootings in the U.S. state of Maine, multiple law enforcement sources said Wednesday.
Christian News
‘We Are Really in a Move of God’: Free Chapel ‘Revival Services’ Extended Through Sunday
A special revival service is heading into its fourth night Thursday with plans to go through Sunday, as hundreds are traveling to Gainesville, Georgia to be a part of a "move of God" taking place at Free Chapel Church.
North Carolina: Thousands are saved and healed in Mario Murillo tent crusade in Winston-Salem
More than 8,000 people participated in a four day campaign that ended Wednesday, as evangelist Mario Murillo held a 4-day Gospel and healing crusade in Winston-Salem, NC. It began on Sunday Oct. 22nd and ended Wed. Oct. 25th.
Church of England prayers of blessing for same-sex couples may not be in use until 2025
A senior Church of England Bishop has said it is possible the prayers of blessing for same-sex couples approved by the General Synod in February may not be ready for use until around 2025 as there remain disagreements to be ironed out, Sky News reports.
Nigeria: Christian chemistry student abducted by Muslim group seeking her forced conversion to Islam
A campus watchdog group has warned that staff at Nigeria’s Kaduna State University assisted in the kidnapping and forced conversion to Islam of a female Christian student, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
Ukraine: Lawmakers vote to ban Orthodox Church connected to Moscow
Ukrainian lawmakers have given overwhelming approval to the first reading of a bill that would ban the minority Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) on the alleged grounds that it has collaborated with Russia amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reports. The bill passed by 267-15 votes in favor.