Worthy Brief - 11/16/2022
Friend, the Father's love is unconditional!
Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
As we continue in our study of the parable of the Prodigal son, let's focus on the central figure in the story -- the father. The father is much like the helpless parent whose unending love is neither understood nor appreciated by either son. He allows his sons to make their own decisions, despite how bad those choices may be. No matter what terrible wrong they may commit, he loves them -- a perfect picture of the love of our Heavenly Father has for his children.
Notwithstanding the father's love, the younger son wants to see him dead, so he can receive his inheritance, while the elder son is self righteously preoccupied with the "good standing" he has "earned". Their father's unconditional love for them is completely beyond their comprehension.
The younger son begins to understand his father's love only after his rebellion bears its bitter fruit, he is desperate, helpless and humbled, and finally returns desiring just to be a servant -- yet upon his return he experiences the love of his father who prepares a kingly feast for him and restores him as a son.
What happens in the heart of the elder son is uncertain. He has been working in the field seeking to earn his father's love and acceptance. So he explodes with self-righteous anger when his father prepares a feast for his undeserving delinquent brother. Since his understanding of love is conditional, he can't believe that his father would reward his brother's behavior -- and he jealously wonders why his Dad has never lavished him this way. No hint of love or joy over his brother's repentance or his father's relief when he returns. Instead, he calls him the "son of his father" (Luke 15:20) and is filled with bitterness and accusation. Perhaps it amazed him to begin to realize that his father's love had all the time been unconditional and freely given without measure simply because they are his sons. We can only hope he finally softened under that realization.
Friend, God is not just a "loving" God -- the scripture says that "God IS love" [1 John 4:6]. When we fully realize that His love cannot be earned but is freely given, then we will serve our Father because of His love for us! With so much work to be done, let's be sure we're working in and out of love -- and not because we're trying to earn it!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas)
Baltimore, Maryland
Join us on an epic, life changing journey through Israel, through the eyes of those who are well acquainted with the culture, the people and the Land. This is not your average Israel tour— bring your family, bring your friends, and experience the REAL ISRAEL with George and Baht Rivka as your personal hosts.
We are planning our Winter Tour across the United States 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.
Check out our unique Worthy App, which allows you to follow our news instantaneously and directly access over 50 news sources with 24/7 coverage. Download from Apple App Store (for Iphones) or download our Android version.
Suspected Russian Missiles Enter NATO State Poland, Killing Two; U.S. Concerned
U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he spoke with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda to express “deep condolences for the loss of life in Eastern Poland,” where two people were killed in an alleged Russian missile strike.
World population reaches 8 billion with continued increase predicted
The United Nations predicted in a recent report that the world population would reach eight billion people on November 15 this year and around 9.7 billion in 2050, the Associated Press reports.
Israeli-led study show dramatic decrease in sperm count worldwide
A new peer-reviewed study by Israeli and US scientists shows that sperm counts worldwide have fallen by 62 percent since 1973, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Iran may use mass executions to quell anti-hijab protests across country, human rights group warns
An Iranian court has issued the first death sentence related to the months-long anti-hijab protests, prompting fears of mass executions to quell the unrest.
G20 Tensions Over War In Ukraine (Worthy News Radio)
Leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) plan to condemn the war in Ukraine, despite objections from Russia. A draft statement was leaked to the media at the G20 summit, which began Tuesday on Indonesia's resort island of Bali.
Biden Claims “No New Cold War” With China
U.S. President Joe Biden pledged Monday there would be no "new Cold War" with China after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, though both sides offered different views on their talks.
Turkey Detains Scores Of People Over Deadly Istanbul Blast
Turkish police have arrested 47 people over the explosion in central Istanbul that left at least eight people dead and 81 others wounded, police said Monday.
Moscow Denies Russian Foreign Minister Rushed To Hospital
Moscow on Monday denied Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was hospitalized for heart problems after arriving in Bali, Indonesia, despite several Indonesian officials confirming the treatment.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Mobilizes Against UN Resolution Calling for Probe of Israel’s ‘Occupation’ in Judea, Samaria
"A prize for terrorist organizations and their campaign against Israel.” That is how outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid characterized a vote last week in the United Nations.
Inside the United States
U.S. Senate poised to vote on protection for same-sex marriage
The U.S. Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote Wednesday on the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify same-sex marriage rights.
New York Fed announces test of digital dollar with major banks
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and major banks will launch a three-month test of a digital dollar in hopes of studying its feasibility.
FBI Director Refuses To Answer Whether Agency Had Sources ‘Dressed As Trump Supporters’ In J6 Riots
FBI Director Christopher Wray refused to answer multiple questions Tuesday from a Republican congressman concerning whether FBI sources were embedded among Jan. 6 protesters during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.
Nevada Supreme Court rejects petition to stop hand count of county ballots
The Nevada Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a petition to stop the hand counting of midterm ballots in the state's Nye County.
Democrat Overturns Republican Victory in House Seat After Recount – Wins by 1 Vote
The power given to every American voter was displayed in New Hampshire on Monday with a recount showing the candidate who trailed on Election Day winning her state House seat by one vote.
Georgia judge strikes down six-week abortion ban, declaring it unconstitutional
A Superior Court judge in Georgia on Tuesday overturned the state's ban on abortions after six weeks, saying it violated the U.S. Constitution.
Texas governor declares invasion at border, invokes constitutional powers in historic action
Frustrated by an unending crisis fueled by drug and human trafficking at the southern border, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared his state was under an invasion and invoked special powers granted under the U.S. and Texas constitutions.
Suspect Detained After U.S. University Shooting Kills 3
A student is in custody after three football players were fatally shot on the University of Virginia (UVA) campus Sunday night, the latest mass shooting to hit the United States.
Christian News
58 US churches vote to disaffiliate from United Methodist Church over LGBTQ stance
As the US United Methodist Church continues to lose congregations over its acceptance of same-sex marriage and ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, 58 churches in Louisiana officially disaffiliated from the denomination at the weekend, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Algeria has closed 16 evangelical churches in crackdown on proselytization
A major new report shows the government of Algeria has closed down 16 Evangelical churches in the past year as part of a crackdown on proselytization and perceived blasphemy against Sunni Islam, the Christian Post (CP) reports.