Worthy Brief - 12/15/2023
Friend, tune it all out!
1 Kings 19:11-12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
If your house is anything like my house –- sometimes it's incredibly loud! Kids playing and screaming, my wife preparing for guests who are frequently here, news on the television behind me and praise and worship playing in the background, then...the phone rings.
Suddenly it becomes imperative to tune everything out in order to hear the person calling.
In the same way, when we're listening for God's direction, we need to tune everything else out...in order to tune in!
In the above passage, God had something to say to Elijah. He first allowed some powerful and noisy manifestations; those things might have easily been mistaken for His voice. Then, a strong wind –- so strong in fact, that it tore the mountain apart right before Elijah's very eyes. After that, an earthquake followed, and if that wasn't enough, a fire! I would say by the time these massive events had passed, Elijah might have been a little distracted -- don't you think?
But the Lord wasn't in any of them.
Then, God spoke to Elijah.... in a still, small, voice.
Friend, I believe that God still speaks in that still small voice today. But are any of us able to hear Him with all the craziness around us? It is so necessary to tune out the noise so we can hear Him! When God has our full attention, not only can we come to know Him better, but we can receive the direction we've been longing for!
Shabbat Shalom! Have a great weekend!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, MD)
Editor's Note: The Apple App Store has given the green light to our upgrade! If you haven't installed our Worthy News App on either Android or Apple devices, you can download it today. We've designed it to allow you to follow up to 50 different news sites within our app 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! And the best part? It's completely free!
Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out!
Editor's Note: We are planning our Winter Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
Turkish Legislator Dies After Saying Israel Will Face Allah’s Wrath
The Turkish legislator who collapsed in parliament after warning that Israel would face “the wrath from Allah” has died, Turkey’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said Thursday.
Cross-Border Hamas Plot Uncovered In Europe
Seven people have been detained in Germany, neighboring the Netherlands and Denmark for allegedly participating in a cross-border Hamas terrorism plot to kill Jews across Europe, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Pope Seeks Global Artificial Intelligence Treaty
Pope Francis on Thursday expressed concerns about artificial intelligence saying a global treaty was needed to develop the new technology ethically and peacefully.
Ukraine’s EU Future Uncertain As Hungary Threatens Veto
Ukraine’s European Union future hangs in the balance Thursday, with EU member Hungary threatening to veto the wartorn nation’s talks on entering the 27-nation prosperous bloc.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: ‘Israel Continues War Till Victory’ Despite Global Concerns
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will "go to the end, to victory" despite "international pressures" to halt the military operation and a mounting death toll among Israeli troops.
Inside the United States
House Pass Defense Bill With FISA Extension, Measure Heads to White House
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday, which included an extension of the controversial Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) which was set to expire at the end of 2023. The legislation is now headed to President Joe Biden for his final signature.
President Biden Furious Over Impeachment Inquiry
U.S. President Joe Biden weighed his options Thursday after the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to authorize a corruption-focused impeachment inquiry against him formally.
House votes to back impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 221 to 212 Wednesday to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, who faces allegations that he personally benefited from and lied about his son's overseas business dealings, which raked in millions of dollars.
Hunter Biden defies congressional subpoena
Hunter Biden defied a congressional subpoena Wednesday by refusing to appear for a deposition with the House Oversight Committee, the latest development in the impeachment inquiry into his father, President Joe Biden.
Fed Maintains Interest Rates at 22-Year High, Signals Three Cuts in 2024
The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that interest rates will continue at their peak levels since early 2001. However, it laid the groundwork for several rate cuts coming in 2024. The federal interest rate will remain within the range of 5.25% to 5.5%.
Senate Approves Defense Legislation Including Extension of Section 702 Surveillance Provisions
On Wednesday, the Senate passed an $886 billion funding bill for next year's U.S. defense budget, which includes an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until April.
Christian News
Burkina Faso: Islamic Jihadists Attack, Murder Terrorize Christians
Reports have been filed that, in early October, Islamic jihadists in Burkina Faso slaughtered two Catholic priests in the church sanctuary of a Christian village in Sourou province and then gave the entire village just two hours to abandon their homes and flee for their lives, Global Christian Relief (GCR) reports. .
Mauritania: Authorities Arrest 15 Christian Leaders After Circulation of Baptism Video
Authorities in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania arrested 15 Christian leaders and their families earlier this month after a video showing a local baptismal service was leaked and circulated, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
New York: Small Church Raises Millions for Local Food Program Ministry
Passionately committed to providing food programs for those living under the poverty line around them, a small church in Albany, New York has been able to raise $2 million to expand its building facility as it now serves thousands of meals a year, The Roys Report (TRR) said in a report.
US: Prison Fellowship Ministry Hosts Groundbreaking Summit of Philanthropic Leaders to “Unlock the Potential of Those Affected by Incarceration”
Looking for ways to “unlock the potential of those affected by incarceration,” philanthropic leaders from diverse American companies, foundations, and non-profits recently participated in a groundbreaking summit convened by the Prison Fellowship US Christian ministry in Houston, Texas. The summit was titled the First and Second Chances Philanthropy Council and was hosted by Prison Fellowship together with the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity on Sept. 23.