Worthy Brief - 11/22/2017
Friend, can we be trusted?
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
"On Sunday, believers arrived at a house church in the Soviet Union in small groups throughout the day so not to arouse the suspicion of KGB informers. They began by singing a hymn quietly. Suddenly, in walked two soldiers with loaded weapons at the ready.
One shouted, "If you wish to renounce your commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!" Two or three quickly left, then another. After a few more seconds, two more. "This is your last chance. Either turn against your faith in Christ," he ordered, "or stay and suffer the consequences."
Two more slipped out into the night. No one else moved. Parents with children trembling beside them looked down reassuringly, fully expecting to be gunned down or imprisoned. The other soldier closed the door, looked back at those who stood against the wall and said, "Keep your hands up--but this time in praise to our Lord Jesus Christ. We, too, are Christians. We were sent to another house church several weeks ago to arrest a group of believers." The other soldier interrupted, "But, instead, we were converted! We have learned by experience, however, that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted." (From "Living Above the Level of Mediocrity," by Chuck Swindoll).
Wow. Can you imagine being faced with a decision to run or die for our faith? We are living in a day where this could very well become reality! But how many of us would be willing to stand?
Friend, let's start deepening our relationship with the Lord today because when you come to a place where you are willing to die for the Lord ... then how much easier is it to live for Him!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Editor's Note: Just a reminder, we'll be ministering in the Arkansas / Florida area next week. 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.
Single U.S. airstrike wipes out 100 terrorists in Somalia
A single American military airstrike killed at least 100 fighters allied with the Somali-based terror group al-Shabab, the Pentagon revealed Tuesday, adding to an escalating body count as the Trump administration ramps up its counterterrorism campaign in the West African nation.
Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump discuss Syria, Ukraine, North Korea in hour-plus call
US President Donald Trump described the conversation with the Kremlin chief as a 'great call' and said the two leaders spoke 'very strongly about bringing peace to Syria.'
Putin’s plan to end Syrian war strengthens Russian influence in Middle East
Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed President Trump by phone Tuesday on Moscow’s plans for ending Syria’s 6-year-old civil war, a development that likely will keep U.S. foe Bashar Assad in power in Damascus and underscores Russia’s growing influence in the Middle East.
On surprise Russia trip, Assad and Putin talk post-war Syria
On a surprise trip to Russia, Syria’s Bashar Assad discussed potential new peace initiatives for post-war Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin who declared that Russia’s two-year military campaign in Syria is wrapping up, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
Suicide bomber kills 50 in Nigeria in mosque attack
A suicide bomber killed at least 50 people in northeastern Nigeria on Tuesday (November 21) in an attack on a mosque which bore the hallmarks of a faction of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
US carries out air strikes against Islamic State in Libya
The US military said on Tuesday that it had conducted two air strikes against Islamic States militants in Libya in the past few days.
US sanctions 13 Chinese and North Korean organizations
The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions against 13 Chinese and North Korean organizations Washington accused of helping evade nuclear restrictions against Pyongyang and supporting the country through trade of commodities like coal.
Lebanon’s Saad Hariri returns to Beirut amid Saudi resignation saga
Saad Hariri returned to Lebanon late Tuesday for the first time since he stunned his country by announcing from Saudi Arabia that he was quitting as prime minister more than two weeks ago.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu presses Putin on keeping Iran out of Syria
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone about a ceasefire deal in the Syrian civil war and Iranian presence near Israel’s borders with the war-torn country, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
US investigator Mueller probing Kushner’s contacts with Israelis — report
US special counsel Robert Mueller’s team is investigating senior White House adviser Jared Kushner over contacts with Israeli officials, according to a Wall Street Journal report Tuesday.
Disagreements emerge between Hamas and Fatah
A second round of reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas, attended by representatives of other Palestinian Arab organizations, began in Cairo on Tuesday.
Inside the United States
GOP includes money for Trump’s border wall in Senate spending bill
Senate Republicans included $1.6 billion for the first installment of President Trump’s border wall in the new homeland security spending bill they released Tuesday, keeping the president’s marquee immigration promise on track.
Fusion GPS paid journalists, court papers confirm
Newly filed court documents confirm that Fusion GPS, the company mostly responsible for the controversial 'Trump dossier' on presidential candidate Donald Trump, made payments to three journalists between June 2016 until February 2017.
Second federal judge blocks Trump's transgender military ban
A federal judge in Maryland issued a second order on Tuesday blocking President Trump from implementing his ban on transgender military service.
FBI investigating Democrat US Rep. Brady over payment to challenger
The FBI has reason to believe U.S. Rep. Bob Brady unlawfully concealed a $90,000 payment made by his campaign to get an opponent to quit a 2012 primary race, according to court documents that confirm the Philadelphia Democrat is under investigation in a widening campaign finance probe.
Christian News
Five Christians Killed, Five Others Missing in Muslim Herdsmen Attacks in Nigeria
Five Christians were killed and five others are missing after attacks by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s Plateau and Benue states in the past two weeks.
Is a Door Opening for Christianity in Saudi Arabia?
Stunning political developments in Saudi Arabia have some wondering if the strict Muslim-ruled Kingdom could become more tolerant of Christianity.
US tells Sudan to ‘immediately suspend’ church demolitions
The US Deputy Secretary of State has called on Sudan to 'immediately suspend' its demolition of churches and to hold a roundtable discussion with Christian leaders to resolve disputes.
Algerian church closed for ‘illegally printing Bibles and material intended for evangelism’
A church in Algeria’s north-western town of Aïn Turk (15km from Oran city) has been closed down by local authorities.