Worthy Brief - 12/15/2021
Friend, raise your expectations!
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.
Charles Spurgeon wrote "Prayer pulls the rope below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly. Others give but an occasional pluck at the rope. But he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might."
Some might take this to mean that we need to beg and plead desperately for God to answer our prayers. I don't think so.
I believe that we must pray, expecting for God to bring the answer and do the work because, among many other reasons, He is faithful, just and loves us with an everlasting love!
Friend, raise your expectations today! Expect God to do something great and we'll believe along with you to see mighty breakthroughs!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Pahrump, Nevada
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Around the World
2015 nuclear deal no longer sufficient for reality of Iran in 2022, IAEA chief says
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Tuesday that the restrictions faced by his inspectors in Iran threaten to give the world only a “very blurred image” of Tehran’s program as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
WHO Warns Omicron Could Overwhelm World
The chief of the World Health Organization says the new coronavirus variant Omicron could overwhelm hospitals worldwide.
Holland to have new coalition government after months of deadlock
The Netherlands is finally set to have a new governing coalition made up of four Dutch parties, including incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte's VVD party, after the March general election resulted in months of gridlocked negotiations between the country’s many political parties, DW reports. Rutte, who will become Europe’s longest-serving Prime Minister, led the country in a caretaker capacity during the intervening months since the election.
Belarus Jails Opposition Leader For Challenging President Lukashenko
A court in Belarus has sentenced an opposition leader who wanted to run against the country’s autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko in elections to 18 years imprisonment.
European Powers Warn Iran Nuclear Talks Nearing ‘End Of The Road’
Three European powers said on December 14 that talks with Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal are “rapidly reaching the end of the road,” while Tehran accused Western powers of playing a “blame game."
NASA craft ‘touches’ sun for 1st time, dives into atmosphere
A NASA spacecraft has officially “touched” the sun, plunging through the unexplored solar atmosphere known as the corona.
Iranian ‘Drone Armies’ Step Up Attacks on US as Nuclear Talks Languish, GOP Lawmakers Say
Iranian "drone armies" are behind a surge in attacks on U.S. positions and allies in Iraq, according to a group of Republican lawmakers who are demanding answers from the Biden administration about how it is working to counter these threats amid ongoing negotiations with Tehran over a revamped nuclear accord.
Saudis seek ‘serious’ approach to Iran nuclear program, suggest joining negotiations
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday called for an “effective and serious” approach to Iran’s ballistic and nuclear program, during a Gulf summit in Riyadh.
Putin makes repeated calls for ‘immediate’ NATO talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday stepped up private and public calls on Western leaders to end the eastward expansion of NATO. In phone conversations with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and then later with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin called for "immediate" negotiations with NATO and the US.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel rules out fourth COVID-19 shot for now
Israel’s vaccination committee announced Sunday it will not be recommending a fourth Covid-19 shot to the general population, despite concerns about the new impact of the new Omicron variant, i24 News reports. Israel was the first country to introduce a third shot, even before the US Food and Drug Administration approved the measure.
Report: US tells Israel new tanker jets, key to Iran strike, not coming anytime soond
Israel has asked the United States to accelerate the delivery of refueling aircraft it had purchased that could be needed to attack Iranian nuclear sites, but was told by the Biden administration the first plane likely will not be delivered until 2024, according to a report Tuesday.
Israel may face severe water shortages in coming years, experts warn
Israel is set to suffer from severe water shortages in the coming years due to less precipitation brought by global warming and a rapidly increasing population, experts warn on Tuesday.
Israel moves to restrict access of unvaccinated to shopping malls
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel will expand its Green Pass mandate to include shopping malls, restricting access to citizens who are not fully protected against the disease as fears of the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant mount.
After Israel reported to hit Syria chemical site, minister says WMDs unacceptable
Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern said Tuesday that Syria cannot be allowed to obtain chemical weapons, a day after a report claimed that Israel targeted chemical weapons facilities in the country.
Inside the United States
US Supreme Court Forces Christian Doctors To Take COVID Vaccines
Christian doctors and others refusing COVID-19 jabs are weighing their options after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt New York's vaccination obligation for health care workers.
Virginia hospital found in contempt of court for denying patient prescribed round of Ivermectin
A Virginia court on Monday found a hospital in the state in contempt of court for failing to comply with previous orders to provide prescribed Ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient.
As Army hits mandate deadline, services ponder next moves
The Pentagon reached a tipping point Wednesday as the deadline for soldiers in the U.S. Army, the largest military service, passed to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Troops who refuse the mandatory shots or aren’t in the process of receiving an accepted exemption will find themselves in an administrative limbo until they’re out of the military.
Senate Democrats pass debt-ceiling hike of $2.5 trillion just in time to avoid catastrophe — and without any Republicans
The Senate voted to raise the debt ceiling on Tuesday, advancing a crucial measure just before the US government risks defaulting on debt it has already incurred.
Home prices at 45-year high, pricing many buyers out of the market
Home prices are at a 45-year high, pricing many buyers out of an historic seller’s market, new data published by CoreLogic show.
Christian News
India State Tables Anti-Conversion Law Amid Anti-Christian Violence
Christians were concerned Wednesday as the Hindu-led government of India’s southwestern state of Karnataka was to table a harsh anti-conversion law amid attacks against churches.
Myanmar: Burmese Army plants landmines in destroyed churches
The Burmese Army in Myanmar’s Chin state has now taken to planting landmines inside the ruins of churches it has destroyed, in order to deter Christians from returning to rebuild the communities the junta has driven them out from, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Since the February 1 military coup, the Tatmadaw has been murdering and displacing Myanmar Christians in its efforts to violently impose Buddhism.
2015 nuclear deal no longer sufficient for reality of Iran in 2022, IAEA chief says
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Tuesday that the restrictions faced by his inspectors in Iran threaten to give the world only a “very blurred image” of Tehran’s program as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
WHO Warns Omicron Could Overwhelm World
The chief of the World Health Organization says the new coronavirus variant Omicron could overwhelm hospitals worldwide.
Holland to have new coalition government after months of deadlock
The Netherlands is finally set to have a new governing coalition made up of four Dutch parties, including incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte's VVD party, after the March general election resulted in months of gridlocked negotiations between the country’s many political parties, DW reports. Rutte, who will become Europe’s longest-serving Prime Minister, led the country in a caretaker capacity during the intervening months since the election.
Belarus Jails Opposition Leader For Challenging President Lukashenko
A court in Belarus has sentenced an opposition leader who wanted to run against the country’s autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko in elections to 18 years imprisonment.
European Powers Warn Iran Nuclear Talks Nearing ‘End Of The Road’
Three European powers said on December 14 that talks with Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal are “rapidly reaching the end of the road,” while Tehran accused Western powers of playing a “blame game."
NASA craft ‘touches’ sun for 1st time, dives into atmosphere
A NASA spacecraft has officially “touched” the sun, plunging through the unexplored solar atmosphere known as the corona.
Iranian ‘Drone Armies’ Step Up Attacks on US as Nuclear Talks Languish, GOP Lawmakers Say
Iranian "drone armies" are behind a surge in attacks on U.S. positions and allies in Iraq, according to a group of Republican lawmakers who are demanding answers from the Biden administration about how it is working to counter these threats amid ongoing negotiations with Tehran over a revamped nuclear accord.
Saudis seek ‘serious’ approach to Iran nuclear program, suggest joining negotiations
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday called for an “effective and serious” approach to Iran’s ballistic and nuclear program, during a Gulf summit in Riyadh.
Putin makes repeated calls for ‘immediate’ NATO talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday stepped up private and public calls on Western leaders to end the eastward expansion of NATO. In phone conversations with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and then later with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin called for "immediate" negotiations with NATO and the US.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel rules out fourth COVID-19 shot for now
Israel’s vaccination committee announced Sunday it will not be recommending a fourth Covid-19 shot to the general population, despite concerns about the new impact of the new Omicron variant, i24 News reports. Israel was the first country to introduce a third shot, even before the US Food and Drug Administration approved the measure.
Report: US tells Israel new tanker jets, key to Iran strike, not coming anytime soond
Israel has asked the United States to accelerate the delivery of refueling aircraft it had purchased that could be needed to attack Iranian nuclear sites, but was told by the Biden administration the first plane likely will not be delivered until 2024, according to a report Tuesday.
Israel may face severe water shortages in coming years, experts warn
Israel is set to suffer from severe water shortages in the coming years due to less precipitation brought by global warming and a rapidly increasing population, experts warn on Tuesday.
Israel moves to restrict access of unvaccinated to shopping malls
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel will expand its Green Pass mandate to include shopping malls, restricting access to citizens who are not fully protected against the disease as fears of the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant mount.
After Israel reported to hit Syria chemical site, minister says WMDs unacceptable
Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern said Tuesday that Syria cannot be allowed to obtain chemical weapons, a day after a report claimed that Israel targeted chemical weapons facilities in the country.
Inside the United States
US Supreme Court Forces Christian Doctors To Take COVID Vaccines
Christian doctors and others refusing COVID-19 jabs are weighing their options after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt New York's vaccination obligation for health care workers.
Virginia hospital found in contempt of court for denying patient prescribed round of Ivermectin
A Virginia court on Monday found a hospital in the state in contempt of court for failing to comply with previous orders to provide prescribed Ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient.
As Army hits mandate deadline, services ponder next moves
The Pentagon reached a tipping point Wednesday as the deadline for soldiers in the U.S. Army, the largest military service, passed to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Troops who refuse the mandatory shots or aren’t in the process of receiving an accepted exemption will find themselves in an administrative limbo until they’re out of the military.
Senate Democrats pass debt-ceiling hike of $2.5 trillion just in time to avoid catastrophe — and without any Republicans
The Senate voted to raise the debt ceiling on Tuesday, advancing a crucial measure just before the US government risks defaulting on debt it has already incurred.
Home prices at 45-year high, pricing many buyers out of the market
Home prices are at a 45-year high, pricing many buyers out of an historic seller’s market, new data published by CoreLogic show.
Christian News
India State Tables Anti-Conversion Law Amid Anti-Christian Violence
Christians were concerned Wednesday as the Hindu-led government of India’s southwestern state of Karnataka was to table a harsh anti-conversion law amid attacks against churches.
Myanmar: Burmese Army plants landmines in destroyed churches
The Burmese Army in Myanmar’s Chin state has now taken to planting landmines inside the ruins of churches it has destroyed, in order to deter Christians from returning to rebuild the communities the junta has driven them out from, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Since the February 1 military coup, the Tatmadaw has been murdering and displacing Myanmar Christians in its efforts to violently impose Buddhism.