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Worthy Brief - 12/16/2019

Friend, don't neglect your huppah!

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

In Israel, couples are married beneath a "huppah", which is a beautiful canopy under which the ceremony takes place. The word "huppah" means "covering" but also, a "chamber" or "marriage room". So the canopy is a reminder that the marriage chamber is the most important room in the house for a husband and wife because it's the most intimate room. The huppah emphasizes marital intimacy and reminds us that even if we have the most luxurious mansion in the world, neglecting the place of intimacy spells deep trouble for our marriage.

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he says this: "For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church."

In another place, he says; "For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." In some profound and mystical way, our relationship to Yeshua (Jesus) is powerfully portrayed by the marriage relationship between a man and a woman. This means that we have been created and redeemed for intimacy with our Lord. He deeply desires us to be close with Him just as a husband desires his wife. Without a place of intimacy, our relationship will become dull, stagnant and eventually turn cold and lifeless. Our spirituality will also become ritualistic, performance-oriented and deeply discontented. This is not the Lord's will, desire, or intention for us.

Friend, renew the place of intimacy, your spiritual "huppah", with your Heavenly Husband; it's the place where the fire of love burns – He's waiting for you!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arcadia, Indiana

Editor's Note: We'll be speaking throughout Michigan this week, Kentucky on Saturday, and Indiana next Sunday! Check out our calendar for our upcoming speaking engagements. 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. 

Editor's Note: Looking for the best holiday gift EVER for the person who has everything??? How about a LIFE ALTERING trip to ISRAEL?! Join us (George and Baht Rivka Whitten of Worthy Ministries) as we will be your personal hosts through the Holy Land! Together we will experience amazing historical and biblical sites, relax at the Dead Sea Spa, enjoy all the delicious cuisine of the Middle East, join in power packed worship and solid teaching, participate in hands-on ministry, meet Israelis and Holocaust Survivors, an outreach concert, a special Yemenite lunch, tasting at Jerusalem’s outdoor food market, camel rides, Bedouin hospitality, Shabbat dinner at our home, a baptism at the Jordan River, sunset Galilee boat ride, and loads more!! Experience Real Israel with us— you don’t want to miss this!! We have limited spaces available. For more information, visit Worthy Israel Tours or send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com.

Editor's Note: If you have a prayer request, or if you'd be interested in becoming an intercessor, be sure to visit the Worthy Prayer Team!

Around the World
Boris Johnson eyes parliament vote before Christmas to 'get Brexit done'
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will “get Brexit done” by Jan. 31 and then agree on a new trade deal with the European Union by the end of 2020, cabinet office minister Michael Gove said on Sunday, vowing to deliver on the government’s top priority.
Trump reaches preliminary trade agreement with China
The Trump administration announced Sunday that it would drop its plans to impose tariffs on $160 billion of Chinese goods in exchange for Chinese investment in American farming as part of the promised trade deal between the two nations.
Turkey, Russia ‘Very Close’ to Second Missile Defense Deal
Turkey could finalize terms for delivery of a second consignment of S-400 advanced missile defenses from Russia by April when the first batch will be ready to operate, Ankara's defense industry chief said on Friday.
North Korea conducts another test at long-range rocket site
North Korea said Saturday that it successfully performed another 'crucial test' at its long-range rocket launch site that will further strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
Trump preparing to withdraw 4,000 troops from Afghanistan
President Trump is reportedly planning to withdraw 4,000 troops from Afghanistan as part of a pledge he made this summer to end American involvement in conflict in the area.
2019 saw attacks on houses of worship with alarming frequency worldwide
On December 1, a band of assailants opened fire on worshipers at a small-town Protestant church in Burkina Faso, an impoverished West African country where the Christian minority is increasingly a target of attacks. The victims included the pastor and several teenage boys; regional authorities attributed the attack to 'unidentified armed men' who, according to witnesses, got away on motorcycles.
Brexit looks to be forthcoming with Boris Johnson election victory
Prime Minister Boris Johnson coasted to a landslide victory as British election results trickled in overnight, positioning himself to be the man to deliver Brexit on the promised January 31st deadline.
Turkey could close Incirlik air base in face of U.S. threats: Erdogan
Turkey could shut down its Incirlik airbase, which hosts U.S. nuclear warheads, in response to threats of U.S. sanctions and a separate U.S. Senate resolution that recognized mass killings of Armenians a century ago as genocide, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.
Two Chinese diplomats expelled from US after entering military base: report
Two Chinese diplomats have been secretly kicked out of the US after driving onto a sensitive military base in Virginia — the first such expulsions in more than 30 years, according to a report Sunday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu tells High Court he'll resign from all ministerial posts by Jan. 1
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he will resign from all ministerial positions by Jan. 1, 2020, but stressed he has no intention of stepping down as premier.
In Egypt, Abbas and Sissi discuss Arab support for the Palestinians
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met on Sunday in the Sinai resort town of Sharm al-Sheikh and discussed Arab support for the Palestinians in international forums, the official PA news site Wafa reported.
IDF to begin major exercise in northern Israel
Today, the IDF will begin an extensive military exercise in northern Israel, which will include explosions and 'intense movement' of forces, vehicles and aircraft, the IDF wrote on its Twitter page.

Inside the United States
Trump impeachment moves forward as President claims 'coup'
Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to impeach Donald Trump Friday on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice over a phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump that the American President has referred to as 'a perfect phone call.'
Mississippi 15-week Abortion Ban is Blocked by Appeals Court
A federal appeals court declared Friday that Mississippi’s ban on abortion at 15 weeks is unconstitutional, dealing a blow to those seeking to overturn the landmark Supreme Courtruling that legalized abortion nationwide.
Republicans aim to avoid war with White House over impeachment strategy
Senate Republicans are trying to avoid a high-profile fight with the White House as they plot their impeachment trial strategy.

Christian News
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High school freshman barred from starting Christian club in New York
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