Worthy Brief - 12/29/2023
Friend, walk courageously, God is with you!
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Approaching a new year always seems to carry a sense of adventure and expectation, although that attitude is not normally mixed with the level of trepidation we might be feeling just now. Moses' successor Joshua, one of two faithful spies, seems to have embodied this sense of courageous expectation much of his life, but even he needed an extra dose of Divine encouragement as the Lord commanded him to cross the Jordan and take possession of the promised Land.
Three times YHVH exhorted Joshua, a man with a great deal of natural bravery, to be “strong and (very) courageous". God knew what Joshua would be facing, even a lot better than the general himself, and so in a pivotal and personal message, He spoke to him: "Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” [ Joshua 1:8 ]
It is impossible to overestimate the value of this simple truth, this amazing promise, this unmitigated provision! God is (and will be) with us. Anyone who has truly experienced this reality knows its inestimable value. We glibly quote this passage from Romans 8 when the dangers are minimal or the challenges are not really too challenging. But what a difference now as we face a New Year which may well threaten our freedom, our well being or our very lives.
But God is with us by His Spirit; and His Spirit is NOT "a spirit of fear, but of love, of power and of a sound mind." [ 2 Timothy 1:7 ]
Friend, therefore, nothing that happens this coming year can threaten your union with Messiah Yeshua, the Lord Jesus Christ, if indeed, He dwells with you. He is the embodiment of Love, and "there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear;" [ 1 John 4:18 ]. Daniel prophesied of the end days that "those who know their God will display strength and take action;" [ Daniel 11:32 ]. So, whatever the coming days call for, consider yourself equipped! Go out with joy, be led forth with peace....and a very happy and blessed New Year!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Tampa, FL)
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:
Would you prayerfully consider giving a year-end donation to Worthy Ministries? Your support will help us grow, allowing us to hire additional writers and staff for the coming year.
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.
Russia and Iran Sign Bilateral Trade Agreement, Ditches the Dollar
Iran and Russia have reached a deal to conduct trade using their own national currencies, bypassing the U.S. dollar, according to reports from Iran's state media on Wednesday.
UN Condemns Indonesia’s Attacks Against Rohingya Refugees
The United Nations agency UNHCR has appealed for the protection of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in Indonesia after a large crowd of students stormed a convention center housing hundreds of Rohingya in the city of Banda Aceh.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Two-Thirds Of Arab Israelis Feel Part Of Israel And Its Problems, New Poll Shows
A new survey taken amid Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza shows that around two-thirds of the 2.1 million Arab citizens of Israel feel part of the state and its problems, the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) reports. The survey was conducted by the Center for Democratic Values and Institutions (Arab Society in Israel Program) in collaboration with the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel Democracy Institute.
Israel Under Pressure For Ceasefire Condemns Hitler Remarks
Israel came under international pressure Thursday to agree to a ceasefire despite facing attacks from mutual fronts, with Turkey’s president comparing the Jewish nation’s prime minister to Germany’s war leader “Adolph Hitler.”
Inside the United States
Trump returns to Colorado ballot after GOP appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
The Colorado Republican Party is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court in a case where the state Supreme Court ruled to remove Donald Trump from the 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot.
Idaho: Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Law Banning Transgender Treatments For Children, Says Puberty Blockers Are “Safe and Effective”
Ruling that puberty blockers and hormone treatments for children struggling with gender identity are “safe and effective,” a federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked an Idaho state law that would ban such treatments for minors under the age of 18, the Hill reports.
Christian News
Nigeria President Orders Arrests After Massacre of 160 Christians
Nigeria’s president has ordered a “manhunt” for suspected Islamic fighters who killed up to 160 Christians on Christmas Eve in the nation’s central Plateau state, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
Christian Athletes Ministry Records Over 51,500 Decisions for Christ in 2023 Fiscal Year
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes US ministry group has announced it recorded 51,730 faith decisions for Christ at events it held in the 2023 fiscal year from September 2022 to August 2023, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Founded in Oklahoma in 1954, the FCA’s stated vision is to “see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.”
Canada: 15 Churches Were Torched in 2023, Four in Alberta Alone
Fifteen churches in Canada have been subjected to suspicious fires this year, with four being burned in Alberta alone during the run-up to Christmas, Post Millennial (PM) reports. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has been investigating the incidents.
Worthy Watch
Israel Continues to Dismantle Terrorist Tunnel Networks in Gaza
Recently, the Israel Defense Forces have been actively releasing videos that showcase the extensive damage caused by, as well as the size and scope of, the terrorist tunnel networks in Gaza.
Worthy Insights
Mike Johnson is a good father. The Left hates him for it
Corporate media journalists are still out for new House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) blood. Last week’s contrived controversy is that Johnson took his teenage daughter to a “purity ball” in 2015.