Worthy Brief - 11/7/2017
Friend, don't get too comfortable!
Exodus 5:18-23 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks." The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us." Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O LORD, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.
The story of the Exodus is a story of miracles – yet in the beginning when Moses first appeared before Pharaoh to deliver the children of Israel from 400 years of slavery, the Israelites were severely tempted and became angry because of the initial hardships that were laid upon them.
They leveled their anger at Moses because suddenly they were told that they would have to gather their own straw for making bricks. They were concerned about offending their slave-masters, fearing that they would slay them.
The Israelites were so accustomed to their slavery that they didn’t want their lives disrupted despite the fact that freedom was at hand. Resigned to this miserable life, they utterly failed to apprehend or appreciate the freedom that was soon approaching. Yes, there was a temporary price: increased hardship and great pressure would set the stage for their final deliverance.
The same can happen to us. It has often been said "The darkest night is just before the dawn"...
Perhaps the enemy senses his impending defeat and pulls out all the stops to prevent it. Perhaps the Lord loves a good story with a really dramatic and climactic ending and great glory for His Name...in any case --
Friend, don't let yourself remain accustomed to any form of bondage – seek and believe for the freedom that God has given us through His Son. Expect a life of great victory over sin and demonic oppression - Why? Because that is His promise to us!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Baltimore, Maryland
Editor's Note: Just a reminder, we'll be ministering in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area this weekend. Be sure to check out our schedule for more details!
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.
A Saudi-orchestrated resignation throws Lebanon into turmoil
Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s abrupt resignation over the weekend was bizarre even by the often twisted standards of Lebanese politics: He made the surprise announcement from the Saudi capital in a pre-recorded message on a Saudi-owned TV station.
Purge of Saudi princes, businessmen widens, travel curbs imposed
A campaign of mass arrests of Saudi Arabian royals, ministers and businessmen expanded on Monday after a top entrepreneur was reportedly detained in the biggest anti-corruption purge of the kingdom’s affluent elite in its modern history.
Islamic State claims attack on TV station in Afghan capital
Militant group Islamic State on Tuesday claimed responsibility for an attack on a television station in Kabul, in which gunmen disguised as police killed a security guard and opened fire on staff, the latest assault on media workers in Afghanistan.
Australia gonorrhoea cases surge 63%
The number of cases of gonorrhoea in Australia has soared by 63% in the past five years, a new study has found.
Trump ready to use full range of military force to stop a N. Korean attack
US President Donald said on Tuesday that the United States is prepared to use the full range of military force to stop a North Korean attack, but said he was focused on using 'all available tools short of military action' to prevent conflict.
Saudi Crown Prince says Iran supply of rockets is military aggression
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday that Iran's supply of rockets to militias in Yemen is an act of 'direct military aggression,' Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
German army 'plans for break up of the European Union' in war game scenario
The German army has war-gamed the break up of the European Union in study of security crises that could face the country by 2040.
Saudi Arabia intercepts 'missile' fired from Yemen
Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a “ballistic missile” north-east of the capital, Riyadh, on Saturday after it was launched from Yemen, Saudi state media reported. 'Saudi air defence intercepts ballistic missile northeast of Riyadh,' it said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Sisi reiterates commitment to Israeli-Palestinian peace during Abbas visit
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged that Egypt will continue its efforts to resume peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, according to a statement from Sisi’s office Monday.
UN launches ‘unprecedented’ $1.3 billion legal campaign against Israel
The United Nations has earmarked some $1.3 billion to fund Palestinian legal campaigns against Israel and to support the creation of an independent Palestinian state, in what experts are calling an unprecedented act singling out the Jewish state at the world body.
Islamic Jihad says Gaza blast death toll rises to 12, vows to continue developing tunnels
A Palestinian militant group in the Gaza Strip on Friday said that five more of its members, who were previously thought to be missing, died when Israel destroyed a cross-border tunnel earlier this week, raising the number of deceased in the incident to 12.
Inside the United States
Atheist Church Shooter Threatened Mother-in-Law, Received Bad Conduct Discharge
CBN News is learning more about the gunman who opened fire inside First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas Sunday, killing 26 people and wounding 20 more in the deadliest church shooting in U.S. history.
Russia dossier investigators suspect reporters were paid to spread collusion claims
The role of reporters is taking on added importance in federal court battles over the infamous Russia dossier that leveled unverified charges of collusion against the Donald Trump campaign.
Comey draft statement on Clinton emails called her actions 'grossly negligent,' new memos show
Newly reported memos to Congress released Monday showed that language was softened between an early draft and the final copy of former FBI Director James Comey’s statement closing out the Hillary Clinton email case.
Trump wants $4 billion more for missile defense, citing North Korea
U.S. President Donald Trump asked Congress on Monday for $4 billion to support missile defense to counter the threat from North Korea, just ahead of his first visit to South Korea since taking office in January.
Obama hid Al-Qaida Threat, Iran Link
The killing of America’s archenemy, Osama bin Laden, by a Navy SEAL team in 2011 was a campaign coup for Barack Obama, who hailed it during his reelection bid as proof that the U.S. had al-Qaida 'on the run.'
Air Force admits bureaucratic error allowed Texas shooter to buy gun used in mass shooting
The man who police say shot and killed 26 people in a Texas church was able to purchase firearms because the Air Force failed to enter his assault conviction into a federal database.
Christian News
Christian Missionary Killed in Nigeria
The British government on Monday announced the death of one Christian missionary who had been abducted in Nigeria last month and said three other missionaries had been freed.
Following Shooting, Texas Attorney General Says Church-Goers Should be Armed
After a deadly mass shooting at a Texas church, the Texas Attorney General has said American Christians should arm themselves when they go to church.
Hindu Extremists Beat Pastor Unconscious in Southern India after 'Miraculous' Conversions
Weeks after a pastor led five families to faith in Christ in southern India, masked men on motorbikes intercepted him on his way home from worship and tried to kill him, sources said.
Shooting Outside Fresno Church Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Injured
Fresno police say a suspect, 64-year-old Manuel Garcia, waited for services to end before opening fire on his estranged wife, 61-year-old Martha Garcia, and her 51-year-old boyfriend who she went to church with.
Texas Church Attack: Security is 'Probably on the Mind of Every Pastor'
Churches are some of the most vulnerable places on the planet when it comes to crime, security experts say.
US church shootings: Incidents from Sutherland Springs to Charleston
A gunman opened fire in a shooting at a Texas church on Sunday.