Worthy Brief - 11/22/2023
Friend, cheer up!
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
In her book, Let Me Be a Woman, Elizabeth Elliot records the story of a friend who had great difficulty accepting the looks God had given her. While everyone this girl knew had grown beautiful golden hair, hers was black. And while they were all still growing, she had stopped. She grew to be only about four feet ten inches tall.
Eventually, she reached the country to which God had called her to be a missionary. One day, she stood on the wharf in Shanghai and looked around at the people to whom He had called her. "Every single one of them," she said, "had black hair. And every one of them had stopped growing when I did." She was able to look to God and exclaim, "Lord God, You know what You're doing!"
Friend, are you struggling with something specific today? Have you been asking, "Why Lord?!" Whether we realize it or not, God knows what He's doing! We may not understand it today -- but He has known these things from the very beginning. And He really is carrying out His great plan in us! Cheer up! God is preparing His vessels for GREAT things!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, MD)
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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.
BRICS Calls for a ‘Sustained’ Ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict
China's Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, and other BRICS leaders expressed condemnation for "acts of violence" affecting both Palestinian and Israeli civilians amid the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. This stance was conveyed through a joint statement released on Tuesday.
Attack on US Air Base in Iraq Leaves 8 Injured; Air Force Retaliates Against Iranian-Backed Militia Group
U.S. forces targeted Iranian-supported militias responsible for firing a short-range ballistic missile at the al-Asad air base in Iraq on Monday. The attack led to eight injuries among U.S. troops.
U.S. Warns Iran on Sending Short-Range Missiles to Russia
U.S. officials expressed concerns on Tuesday that Iran is gearing up to supply Russia with sophisticated short-range ballistic missiles for its military operations in Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
South Africa Votes To Close Down Israeli Embassy
South Africa’s Parliament voted to close down Israel’s embassy in Pretoria after President Cyril Ramaphosa accused the Jewish nation of committing “genocide” in Gaza.
Cashless System Being Developed as IMF Releases Virtual Digital Currency Handbook
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has launched a virtual handbook on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to serve as a reference guide for Central Banks, aiming to facilitate the implementation of CBDCs and the transition towards a cashless society. However, concerns have been raised about potential heightened government interference in individuals' personal finances.
Secular Groups Petition to Cease Christian Prayers in Australian Parliament
As the parliament resumed this week in Australia, a coalition of pro-secular Australian organizations initiated a petition on the Australian Parliament House website calling for the removal of Christian prayer from its longstanding tradition.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel’s Government Agrees On Hostage Deal; First Group To Be Freed Thursday
Israel’s government has agreed on a controversial deal with Hamas that would ensure the release of more than 50 hostages, mostly women and children, within four days in exchange for a pause in the fighting and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
US: ‘Gaza Hostage Deal Near’ As Fighting Continues
U.S. President Joe Biden said Monday that he believes a deal “is near” to free hundreds of Israeli and other hostages held by Hamas in Gaza although deadly clashes continued, including around a hospital.
Inside the United States
Report: Economic recession coming for the U.S.
A new economic analysis of the U.S. economy projects a recession around the corner.
Missouri Supreme Court Rules Against Abortion Ballot Language
The Missouri Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for a proposed ballot initiative that sought to enshrine abortion into its state constitution in 2024.
Connecticut: Satanic Temple Plans After-School Club for Elementary School Children beginning December
Much to the dismay and anger of local parents and faith leaders, The Satanic Temple (TST) anti-God activist group is planning an after-school club for elementary school children in Lebanon, Connecticut, beginning December 1, the Catholic Vote reports. TST is based in Salem, Massachusetts, but has chapters across the US.
Christian News
China: Police Raid Christian Mission Center, Arrest and Detain Leaders
Police in China raided a long-persecuted Christian mission center in Chengdu, Sichuan province earlier this month, arresting a number of church leaders and continuing to detain two of them, China Aid reports.
Pakistan: Christian Man Murdered by Islamic Neighbor
Amid the ongoing violent persecution of believers in Pakistan, a young Christian man was murdered by a Muslim neighbor in Punjab Province earlier this month for no apparent reason other than his faith in Christ, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
Nigeria: Fulani murder Pastor-farmer, kidnap his wife in Kaduna state
Suspected Fulani Islamic terrorists earlier this month killed a pastor-farmer and kidnapped his wife amid ongoing murderous attacks on Christian rural communities in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Worthy Watch
Former Israeli PM Ehud Barak Tells CNN Israel Built Bunkers Under Hospital
Former Israeli PM Ehud Barak told CNN that the bunkers currently used by Hamas for weapon storage and military headquarters under Shifa Hospital were constructed by Israelis over 20 years ago, predating Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
South African Parliament Votes to Close Israel Embassy
South Africa's Parliament has approved a motion calling for the closure of the Israeli embassy in Pretoria.