Worthy Brief - 12/15/2016
Friend, in the midst of it all ...
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
When Daniel was in the midst of the lion's den…God was with him. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the midst of the fiery furnace…God was with them. It would have been perfectly easy for God to immediately transport these saints out of their difficulties, but no, He chose instead to be with them in the midst of their trials. God chose to reveal His power through the trials instead of exercising His power to remove them.
Trials and difficulties are simply a part of life and quite honestly, the longer I walk with the Lord the bigger these trials become. But how do we react when our faith is challenged by these adversities? James 1:2 says to count it all joy! What could possibly be joyful about difficult situations? Painful, yes...but joy??
Yet, somehow, I do find joy in knowing, and even sensing that God is with me in the midst of my problems -- in the midst of my trials. He did promise never to leave or forsake me; and as I look over my life, I find it to be absolutely true...no matter what crazy situation I'm in, God is with me.
Friend, we all have this decision: either to complain because of the trials we're enduring...or to prayerfully lift our souls before him (Psalm 25:1) ...and rejoice in the midst of our troubles -- knowing, believing, and even feeling, that God is with us, now...always...all the way!
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
White House: Iran's nuclear marine vessels don't violate deal
The White House on Tuesday downplayed a directive from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to local scientists to start developing systems for nuclear-powered marine vessels.
U.S. fears boost in Islamic State firepower after Palmyra's fall
U.S. commanders are weighing possible airstrikes against Islamic State militants who recently recaptured the Syrian city of Palmyra, driven by concerns the group may have obtained surface-to-air missiles in the city and will use them against the U.S. and its coalition allies.
Islamic extremism in Germany,' intelligence report finds
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar are supporting extremist Islamic groups in Germany, according to a leaked intelligence report.
Vladimir Putin the world's most powerful person: Forbes
Russian President Vladimir Putin again leads Forbes' list of the world's most powerful people, followed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the No. 2 spot.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinians preparing new Security Council draft
The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations has reportedly circulated a new draft of a resolution condemning Israel settlements that they hope to bring to a vote before US President Barack Obama leaves office next month.
Khamenei: The Zionist regime won't exist in 25 years
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday that Israel could be destroyed within 25 years through a united 'Palestinian struggle', PressTV reports.
Inside the United States
Okla. Supreme Court Tosses Pro-Life Hospital Privileges Law
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has thrown out a law requiring doctors at abortion clinics to have hospital admitting privileges.
Senator Recommends Criminal Investigation Into Planned Parenthood
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has asked the FBI to start a criminal investigation into Planned Parenthood.
Execs representing a whopping $3 trillion just walked into Trump Tower
President-elect Donald Trump's mega technology summit in New York on Wednesday hosted leaders of companies that have a combined market value of more than $3 trillion.
Yahoo discloses new data breach affecting one billion accounts
Yahoo Inc said on Wednesday that it has identified a new system breach that occurred in August 2013 and involved data associated with more than one billion user accounts.
'11th hour power grab': Obama mandates state funding for Planned Parenthood
President Obama is delivering a generous parting gift to Planned Parenthood in the form of a rule prohibiting states from divesting millions of dollars from the nation's largest abortion provider.
Fed vote unanimous for interest rate increase; expects 3 hikes in '17
As expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve voted Wednesday to raise key interest rates by a quarter point -- just its second rate hike in the last 12 months.
Obama blocks states from withholding Planned Parenthood funding
The Obama administration moved Wednesday to prevent states from cutting off federal funding to Planned Parenthood, possibly preventing President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress from defunding the organization.
Christian News
ACLJ Launches Global Campaign to Free Imprisoned American Pastor
The American Center of Law and Justice (ACLJ) has launched an international campaign to free an American pastor imprisoned for his Christian faith in Turkey.
'There's so many people dead': Charleston church member recounts 911 call
From under the table where she hid, the grandmother could see the boots of the man who walked among them, his gun trained on parishioners who could not escape execution.
Republican-led Congress disappoints advocates of religious freedom
The Republican-led Congress has shirked its duty to help people of faith exercise their beliefs in public under an administration that is hostile to their conscientious objections, advocates for religious freedom say.