Worthy Brief - 12/29/2016
Friend, re-dedicate yourself!
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
As parents trying to raise kids in this world, we're constantly reminded by the Lord of Proverbs 22:6, 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' The Hebrew word 'train', in this passage is, 'Chanak' which can be translated, 'train up' or 'dedicate.' It's the root word from which we get the word, Chanukah.
The festival of Chanukah is not only a time of rejoicing, but also a time of 'dedication.' Let's be reminded of the cost that the Maccabees were willing to pay to make their stand against Antiochus -- who was led of the same anti-christ spirit that swirls around us today. They were willing to lay it all down and dedicate themselves to serving God.
Friend, as the spirit of anti-christ is released in this age, we also need to make a stand in the Spirit and consecrate ourselves for the battle before us. So this holiday season, let’s not only rejoice in the victory we have, but continue to walk in it, wholeheartedly dedicated to serving God – no matter the cost!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Tampa, FL
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
New Syria cease-fire set to begin at midnight
The major players involved in the long-running Syrian conflict have agreed to a cease-fire set to begin at midnight on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier in the day.
Turkey says Lebanon's Hezbollah should leave Syria
Turkey says the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah, which has sent thousands of fighters to support President Bashar Assad, should withdraw from Syria.
Iraqi forces launch second phase of Mosul offensive against Islamic State
Iraqi security forces on Thursday began the second phase of their offensive against Islamic State militants in Mosul, pushing into some eastern districts where the battle has been in deadlock for nearly a month.
Turkey's Erdogan Drops Bombshell Claim: 'Confirmed Evidence' US-Led Coalition Forces Supported ISIS
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday made the bombshell claim that he has 'confirmed evidence' that U.S.-led coalition forces provided support to terrorist groups in Syria, including ISIS.
Moscow says new US sanctions would be attempt to hamper Russia-US cooperation
Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that if the United States imposed new sanctions on Russia over hacking allegations it would be an attempt to disrupt possible cooperation between the two countries, the RIA news agency reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
White House On Defense After Being Exposed as Architect of Anti-Israel U.N. Action
Senior Obama administration officials are scrambling to provide explanations after multiple reports, including in the Washington Free Beacon, identified the White House as being a chief architect of a recent United Nations resolution condemning the state of Israel, according to conversations with multiple former and current U.S. officials.
Chief rabbi: US has forsaken Israel, we can trust only in the Lord
The US has forsaken Israel, and the Jewish state can now place its trust only in God, Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef said Wednesday, as Jerusalem and Washington continued to face off over Friday's United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements.
Trump blasts Obama, urges Israel to 'stay strong;' Netanyahu thanks PEOTUS for 'clear cut' support
President-elect Donald Trump criticized President Obama's treatment of Israel Wednesday, urging Israel to 'stay strong' until he takes office next month and accusing the president of erecting 'roadblocks' to a smooth transition.
Netanyahu slams Kerry for insisting Israel can be Jewish or democratic -- not both
Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that if Israel rejects a two-state solution for peace with the Palestinian people, 'it can be Jewish or it can be democratic.'
Inside the United States
Trump blasts Obama 'roadblocks' as power transfer turns increasingly hostile
The presidential transition hit a new low Wednesday, with President-elect Donald Trump openly criticizing President Obama for bungling U.S. relations with Israel and erecting other “roadblocks” to a smooth transfer of power in Washington.
UN resolution finally makes Israel a partisan fight
The intense sniping between the outgoing and incoming administrations over the stalled Middle East peace process is the latest sign of a growing partisan divide over Israel.
Obama claims another 1.6 million Western acres as national monuments
In yet another shot at the incoming Trump administration, President Obama on Wednesday designated about 1.6 million acres of Western land as national monuments, cordoning off the massive areas from energy development while vowing that his successor can't reverse his actions.
Lame-duck Congress punts EB-5 'golden visa' reform to Donald Trump
When the lame-duck Congress stumbled out of town earlier this month, lawmakers blew through yet another self-imposed deadline for cleaning up a controversial visa program that critics say could even become a pathway for terrorists into the U.S. -- dropping the problem in the lap of President-elect Trump and a newly elected House and Senate to fix next year.
Series of earthquakes hits near California-Nevada border
A series of moderate earthquakes rocked the California-Nevada border Wednesday, shaking residents in both states but producing no reports of major damage or injury.
Christian News
Kim Jong-un Forces North Korean Christians To Celebrate Grandmother's Birthday Instead of Jesus Christ This Christmas
Kim Jong-un, supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, has taken his dislike of Christianity to a whole new level this Christmas by forcing people under his regime to celebrate the birth anniversary of his grandmother Kim Jong-suk instead of Jesus Christ.
Fastest-Growing Churches Have Modern Worship, Teach Literal Interpretation of the Bible: Study
A Canadian study has found that Mainline Protestant churches that have both modern worship services and teach a literal interpretation of the Bible grow faster.
Christians Most Persecuted Religious Group on the Planet
Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, according to the Centre for Global Christianity.
5 Steps Toward a Great Awakening in 2017
According to the Chicago Tribune, 2016 was, 'A year unlike any year.' Merriam-Webster, famous for its dictionaries, picked 'surreal' as the word of the year, and Nigel Farage of Brexit fame opined that 2016 was the 'Year Of The 'Political Revolution' By The Little People.' By all counts, 2016 was a year of great shaking, perhaps of divine proportions.
Indonesia Christian Governor Battles Radical Islam
A court in Jakarta, Indonesia, ruled that the trial of a Christian governor charged with blasphemy against Islam will go forward.
Christians In Europe: Norway Divorces Protestant Church As Muslims Blamed For 'Parallel Societies'
Norway is asking for a divorce from its biggest, most important church. The Church of Norway and the Norwegian government will formally become separated on Jan. 1 after nearly 500 years.