Worthy Brief - 12/14/2016
Friend, Emmanuel (God with us)!
Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not leave you, nor forsake you.
Moses was used mightily by the Lord, yet we all know he had his inadequacies and limitations too. Still he was the vessel through which God chose to work through as He carried out the plagues over Egypt, divided the Red Sea and miraculously led and fed the children of Israel for forty years. That's pretty big stuff. Can you imagine having to be Moses' successor after all that? That's exactly what Joshua had to do. I can't even begin to imagine what Joshua was thinking at the time -- How can I possibly live up to Moses? But the Lord comforts and reassures Joshua and says, "as I was with Moses, so I will be with you!"
Those words for Joshua are also for us today. You know why? All the men and women who have done great things for the Lord were just ordinary men and women --- with a great God. The same God who walked with Moses, Elijah, Daniel and all the great men and women of God -- is with us today! Not only is He with us, He is FOR us too!
Friend, let's walk in confidence! God is with us! He will never leave us nor forsake us! In His presence and with His power, let's expect to do great things for the Kingdom today! God loves to show off his supernatural power through us ordinary people!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Wilmington, NC
Editor's Note: Let President-Elect Trump know the Importance of Israel: Sign our Petition!
Editor's Note: We are on a cross-country speaking/music tour this winter and early spring in the United States! If you see that we will be close to your area and you want to hear a timely word from Worthy News Founder and Director, George Whitten and powerful Israeli Worship Music from Baht Rivka Whitten, Lazman Hazeh Music, as well as testimony of life and ministry in the Land, we invite you to join us -- or even invite us to speak/sing at your Congregation, Conference, Church, Midweek Meeting or Israel focused Event, especially if you see a free date on our way! We hope to hug you! Send us an email to george [ @ ] worthyemail.com for more information. Check out our calendar and see if we're speaking near you!
Around the World
Fall of Aleppo marks new, uncertain phase of Syrian civil war
The rout of Syrian rebels by the Russian-backed forces of President Bashar Assad in the city of Aleppo likely marks the beginning of the end of the civil war that has ravaged the country for more than 5 years and led to the unprecedented slaughter of hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped by the fighting.
Iran to work on nuclear-powered vessels after U.S. 'violation' of deal
Iran ordered its scientists on Tuesday to start developing systems for nuclear-powered marine vessels in response to what it calls a U.S. violation of its landmark 2015 atomic deal with world powers.
Islamic State claims responsibility for Egypt church bombing
The Islamic State claimed Tuesday it was behind a church bombing in Egypt and said it plans to target more Christians there in the future.
US to halt some arms sales to Saudi, citing civilian deaths in Yemen campaign
The United States has decided to limit military support to Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen because of concerns over widespread civilian casualties and will halt a planned arms sale to the kingdom, U.S. officials told Reuters.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
PA government: Prosecute Israel for 'war crimes'
The Palestinian Authority (PA) government on Tuesday called for Israel to be prosecuted for alleged 'war crimes' against Palestinian Arabs.
Iranian President Rouhani: 'Jihad Against Tel Aviv Only Recourse for Palestinians'
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that because the 'Zionist regime and its supporters' have paved the way for terrorism throughout the Middle East -- causing Muslim states to be preoccupied with their own internal woes -- the only recourse for the Palestinians was jihad against Tel Aviv, the semi-official state news agency Fars reported.
Netanyahu praises Trump's pledge to open US Embassy in Jerusalem
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented Tuesday on recent statements made by US President-elect Donald Trump's senior aide Kellyanne Conway reiterating her boss's plan to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, describing the idea as 'great.'
Hamas official says group is now 'leading' missile-maker in Arab world
A senior Hamas official said that the terror group has built a so-called 'real army' to fight Israel and that it has become the leading manufacturer of missiles in the Arab world.
Inside the United States
Ohio Gov Signs Abortion Bill Banning Operation After 20 Weeks
Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill into law Tuesday that effectively bans abortions for women who have been pregnant for at least 20 weeks, according to a new report. The Republican also vetoed the so-called "Heartbeat Bill," which outlaws abortions if a heartbeat can be heard, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Mayor: Gatlinburg wildfires caused $500M in damages
Officials at a Tuesday news conference laid out a time line of fighting the wildfires that spread to Gatlinburg, killing 14, causing the evacuation of 14,000 and damaging more than 2,400 structures. The fires caused more than $500 million in damages.
Dow Flirts With 20,000 as Stocks Rise, Gold Falls Ahead of Fed
Global stocks advanced, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging toward 20,000 on speculation that the Federal Reserve's expected rate increase is a signal of confidence that the world's largest economy is strengthening. The dollar and Treasuries were little changed.
Soros-Backed Efforts Challenging Va. Voter ID Law Rejected By Federal Court
A federal appeals court on Tuesday issued an opinion saying that Virginia's voter identification law is constitutional and does not violate the Voting Rights Act.
Christian News
Christians are least educated religious group in U.S., report says
Christians are by far the largest religious group in the United States, but a review of data suggests they are the least educated religious group in the country and that there are large gaps in education level between other religious groups.
Two Christian Pastors Facing Death Penalty in Sudan for Their Faith: Global Petition
Time is running out for two Christian pastors facing a possible death penalty in Sudan, the American Center for Law and Justice is warning as it launches a global petition asking the world to help save the two men.
Mainstream Media Shocked at Role Religion Plays in People's Lives
Journalists don't 'get religion' and the role it plays in people's lives, according to Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The New York Times.
Christian Governor's Trial Tests Religious Tolerance in Indonesia
A Christian governor in the world's largest Muslim nation is standing trial on charges of blasphemy.
'Revival Is on the Way:' Ted Cruz Joins Prayer Battle in the Capitol
Donald Trump's former rival and 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz recently held a prayer meeting with conservative pastors and members of Congress on Capitol Hill.