Worthy Brief - 12/3/2018
Friend, celebrate His promise this Chanukah!
John 10:22-23 At that time the Feast of Dedication (Chanukah) took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.
John 10:28-31 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.
As Chanukah, the feast of dedication, began last evening, I'm often surprised how many people don't realize that Yeshua (Jesus) celebrated Chanukah. In the gospel of John, it was during this winter feast that He was questioned as to whether He was the Messiah or not, and His amazing responses provoked His questioners to threaten to stone Him. But one of His statements contains a promise which ought to motivate us to the deepest dedication, and most profound gratitude:
"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
What an amazing assurance we have there!
Friend, during this season of re-dedication, let's remind ourselves of these precious words of Yeshua and rejoice in the fact that we've been given eternal life and that no one can take away from us! For the Lord said it himself on Chanukah -- and that's certainly a promise to celebrate!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Baltimore, MD
Editor's Note: We have our prelimary schedule online. Be sure to visit us when we tour the States!
We have a few more dates to fill for our winter tour to the States. If you would like to us minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or host an Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
Iran vows to continue with missile tests despite US accusations
Iran said Sunday that it would continue to develop its missile program after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused the Islamic state of testing a medium-range ballistic missile capable of 'carrying multiple warheads,' which he said could strike 'anywhere' in the Middle East and even parts of Europe.
U.S., China agree to trade war truce
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a truce between the two countries' trade war after a meeting Saturday at the G20 summit in Argentina.
France: Macron holds crisis talks after worst urban riot in 50 years
The French government did not discuss the possibility of declaring a state of emergency to prevent future riots at 'yellow-vest' protests across the country, an Elysee Palace spokesman said on Sunday.
Syria says US-led coalition fired missiles on its positions
Syria's state news agency says the U.S.-led coalition has fired several missiles at Syrian army positions in the country's east, causing material damage.
UK’s May presses on with Brexit plan after another minister quits
British Prime Minister Theresa May said Saturday she was determined to win lawmakers’ backing for her Brexit deal, after a minister who quit her government said her divorce agreement would leave Britain outnumbered and outmaneuvered in future negotiations with the European Union.
Iran navy launches stealth warship in the Gulf
Iran's navy on Saturday launched a domestically made destroyer, which state media said has radar-evading stealth properties, as tensions rise with arch-enemy, the United States.
Special report: How Iran spreads disinformation around the world
A Tehran-based agency has quietly fed propaganda through at least 70 websites to countries from Afghanistan to Russia. And American firms have helped.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Police recommend bribery charges against Netanyahu in telecom-media Case 4000
In a bombshell announcement that could once again threaten the stability of the government, the Israel Police announced on Sunday that it was recommending bribery charges against both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, in the Bezeq corruption probe, known as Case 4000.
From Hezbollah's perspective, Israel is ready to attack
There was a lot of noise over nothing on Israel's northern front over the weekend; while the media was abuzz over a number of incidents and reports, nothing significant actually changed on the ground.
Report: Russia completes Syrian air defenses, troubles Israel, U.S.
Russia has completed a comprehensive air defense system in Syria that constrains the United States' ability to operate in the country and in the eastern Mediterranean, according to a new report published by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.
Tehran-Beirut cargo flight sparks concerns Iran arming Hezbollah more easily
An Iranian cargo plane allegedly transporting advanced weaponry to the Hezbollah terror group was spotted flying directly from Tehran to Beirut on Thursday morning, hours before Israel allegedly conducted airstrikes on pro-Iranian targets in Syria.
Inside the United States
7.0 magnitude earthquake hits Alaska, damaging homes and roads
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Alaska on Friday shook buildings, damaged highways and prompted a tsunami warning that was later canceled.
Trump would 'absolutely consider' delay on government shutdown
The White House and congressional negotiators are considering a bill that would delay a government shutdown after the death of former President George H.W. Bush.
Former president George H.W. Bush’s state funeral set for Wednesday; he will lie in state at U.S. Capitol
Former president George H.W. Bush will lie in state next week at the U.S. Capitol, giving the American public an opportunity to bid farewell to the 41st president, and then will be honored with a state funeral Wednesday morning at the Washington National Cathedral before being returned to Houston for burial.
Trump to notify Congress in 'near future' he will terminate NAFTA
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he will give formal notice to the U.S. Congress in the near future to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), giving six months for lawmakers to approve a new trade deal signed on Friday.
Michigan to be first Midwest state to allow recreational pot
Michigan clears a threshold this week as the first state in the Midwest to allow marijuana for more than just medical purposes. In the Nov. 6 election, voters by a wide margin endorsed recreational use by adults who are at least 21. The move comes 10 years after voters approved marijuana to alleviate the effects of certain illnesses. Many supporters believe that decadelong experience, as well as similar legalization efforts in other states, led to victory at the ballot box.
Dozens of tornadoes reported in Illinois, at least 30 injured
More than a dozen tornadoes struck the state of Illinois, injuring at least 30 people and damaging hundreds of cars and structures.
Christian News
Newly discovered caves may hold more Dead Sea Scrolls
Archaeologists believe a pair of recently discovered caves at the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found may contain additional religious texts from antiquity.
2,000-year-old ‘Pilate’ ring just might have belonged to notorious Jesus judge
An intriguing 2,000-year-old copper alloy ring bearing the inscription 'of Pilatus' may be only the second artifact testifying to the historicity of the infamous Pontius Pilate. Unearthed 50 years ago, the ring was overlooked until recently, when it got a good scrub, and a second look.