Worthy Brief - 12/8/2025
Friend, when identity becomes calling!
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
If you’re just joining us on this journey, welcome. I’ve just completed a month-long series exploring our identity in the Messiah -- who we are because of His finished work, His love, His calling, and His transformative grace. We discovered that identity is not something we earn; it is something we receive. It is not fragile; it is rooted. It is not changing; it is anchored in the eternal purposes of God. But now we turn a corner, because identity is never meant to be the destination. It is meant to be the foundation. Identity is not the finish line -- it is the starting gate. And now that we know who we are in Messiah, we step into the next essential revelation: identity becomes calling.
Paul urges us in Romans 12:1–2 to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. He calls us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so we may walk in the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Mercy comes first -- God reveals who we are; surrender follows -- we offer Him our whole lives; transformation unfolds -- our minds are renewed; and calling emerges -- we step into His will. Identity is the soil; calling is the fruit. You cannot live out your purpose until you’ve embraced your identity, and you cannot fully walk in your identity until you surrender to your calling.
Identity demands a response. When God reveals who you are, He is inviting you into something greater. If you are beloved, live loved. If you are chosen, walk set apart. If you are redeemed, stop living like a captive. If you are His workmanship, step into the works prepared for you. If you are a temple of the Spirit, honor the Presence you carry. If you are a new creation, walk as one whose old life has died. Identity is a holy summons -- calling you away from the patterns of this world, into the renewing power of the Spirit, into a life of worship expressed not merely in song, but in surrender.
Friend, your identity in Yeshua (Jesus) was never meant to sit unused like a forgotten gift. It was meant to shape how you think, how you speak, what you pursue, what you refuse, and how you live your life before God and before the world. In the Kingdom, identity is always connected to assignment. You are not just saved -- you are sent. You are not just forgiven -- you are formed. You are not just redeemed -- you are recruited into God’s purposes. And now begins the journey of walking this out in practical, daily obedience, letting the truth of who you are ignite the life you are called to live.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George & Baht Rivka (Jacksonsville, FL)
Christians ‘Praise God’ Amid Indonesia’s Deadliest Flooding In Years (Worthy News In-Depth)
The stench of death is never far away. Yet a Christian community on Sumatra island, overlooked by Muslim authorities, found reasons to “praise God” over the weekend as they received food, medicines, and other goods to cope with the aftermath of Indonesia’s deadliest flooding in years.
US Envoy Says Ukraine Peace Deal “Really Close” As Fighting Continues (Worthy News Radio)
A senior U.S. official has expressed cautious optimism that negotiations to end the war in Ukraine may be nearing a breakthrough, even as violence continues across several front-line regions.
Contact Restored With Imprisoned Russian Journalist Nika Novak After Days of Silence
Contact has been restored with imprisoned Russian journalist Nika Novak through her lawyer after more than a week of “alarming silence,” Worthy News learned Sunday, easing fears among colleagues and relatives that she had been secretly transferred or harmed in Russian custody.
India And Russia Expand Defense And Energy Pact Despite Rising US Tariffs And Ukraine War Tensions
India and Russia have agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, trade, energy — including nuclear power — as well as critical minerals and high-tech manufacturing, despite mounting U.S. pressure and punitive trade measures.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Says Iran-Directed Hamas Network in Turkey Quietly Moved Hundreds of Millions to Terrorist Activities
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet on Sunday unveiled what they say is a sophisticated, Iran-directed Hamas financial network operating from inside Turkey, funneling vast sums to the terrorist group as it seeks to rebuild and expand its capabilities.
Netanyahu Says Cease-fire With Hamas Nearly Ready to Enter “More Difficult” Second Phase
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on December 7 that the U.S.-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is close to completing its first stage and is expected to transition soon into a “more difficult” second phase centered on disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip.
Hamas Leader Mashaal Rejects Trump Peace Plan, Calls for Israel’s Destruction at Istanbul Conference
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal on Saturday again called for Israel’s destruction, publicly rejecting U.S.- and U.N.-backed demands that the Iranian-supported terror group disarm and accept a demilitarized Gaza under the terms of President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and transition plan.
Inside the United States
White House: More Than 60,000 Smuggled Children Located Under Trump Administration
White House border czar Tom Homan said on Dec. 7 that the Trump administration has located more than 60,000 children who were illegally smuggled into the United States—many of whom were rescued from sex trafficking, forced labor, and other forms of abuse.
Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano Roars Back To Life (VIDEO)
Hawaii’s Kīlauea volcano has roared back to life, hurling red-hot lava nearly 1,000 feet (about 300 meters) into the air and sending a towering plume of ash and volcanic gases to more than 20,000 feet (over 6,000 meters), officials and eyewitnesses said Sunday.
Illegal Immigrant Charged In Violent Charlotte Light Rail Stabbing
U.S. President Donald J. Trump expressed outrage Saturday about “illegal migrants” after a Honduran man was accused of stabbing a passenger on a light rail train in the city of Charlotte in the U.S. state of North Carolina — the second such attack there in less than a year.
Christian News
Catholic Priest Abducted in Northern Nigeria as Christian Kidnappings Surge
A Catholic priest remained missing in northern Nigeria Thursday after being abducted from his residence in Kaduna State, Worthy News learned.
Prominent Pakistani Pastor Shot Dead After Surviving Earlier Assassination Attempt
A funeral was underway in Pakistan on Saturday for a prominent Gospel preacher who was shot and killed in a Friday attack, less than three months after he survived another assassination attempt by suspected Islamic extremists, friends told Worthy News.