Worthy Brief - 10/28/2024
Friend, have the heart of God!
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
For the next week or so we'll be looking closely at the life of Jonah the prophet. Jonah was told to "preach against the city of Nineveh", that was in the ancient kingdom of Assyria. Nineveh was a major city on the banks of the Tigris River about 500 miles north and east of where Jonah was; located on a contemporary map in modern Iraq, about 300 miles north of Baghdad. Archaeologists have found the ruins of ancient Nineveh right outside the Iraqi city of Mosul.
When God said Nineveh was wicked, he wasn’t kidding. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, the most powerful empire in the world in that day. The Assyrians had a reputation for cruelty that is hard for us to fathom. Their specialty was brutality of a gross and disgusting kind. When their armies captured a city or country, unspeakable atrocities would occur. Things like skinning people alive, decapitation, mutilation, ripping out the tongues, making a pyramid of human heads, piercing the chin with a rope and forcing prisoners to live in kennels like dogs. Ancient records from Assyria boast of this kind of cruelty as a badge of courage and power. Sad to say, the saying – "History repeats itself", truly fits in this case!
So we ought to remember this context when we consider God's command to Jonah, and the prophet's response. Suppose God spoke to you today, "Go and preach the gospel to the Islamic State! Or go and preach to the Taliban! " Think you might respond, "Ahem God – they're terrorists! Let's nuke 'em; send 'em right where they belong!" But the heart of God is merciful. He wants to bring people to repentance so He can forgive, rather than bring judgment. He desires to save...even the most wicked and hardened individuals!
Friend, so here's what I think: There’s a little Jonah in all of us and a whole lot of Jonah in most of us. We're praying for the Christians fleeing Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Turkey – but what about the wicked terrorists who are killing, torturing, and persecuting them? Do you have an "Assyrian" in your life? Is someone truly worthy of your hatred? Rather than pray for him, you'd be glad for him to meet God face to face today? Our Heavenly Father rebuked Jonah the prophet for his own hardness of heart and lack of compassion. So the story of Jonah is about the heart of God, who desires all men to be saved. He wants us to have the same heart.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna
(Palm Beach, Florida)
Editor's Note: Feel free to share any of our content from Worthy, including Devotions, News articles, and more, on your social platforms. You have full permission to copy and repost anything we produce.
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: Dear friends — we are going to be heading WEST!!! Now booking in the following states: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas …. If you know Pastors, Rabbis or Ministry Leaders who might be interested in some powerful Israeli style Hebrew/English worship and a refreshing word from Worthy News about what’s going on in the Land, please let us know how to connect with them and we will do our best to get you on our schedule! You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
China Sends Military To Taiwan After US OKs $2 Billion Arms Sales Deal
China sent warplanes and warships toward Taiwan on Sunday after warning it would retaliate for a $2 billion arms sale package by the United States to the democratically ruled island.
Ukraine Sees More Deaths Ahead Of ‘North Korean Military Arrivals’ (Worthy News Radio)
On the day that Pope Francis prayed that “the escalation stops,” news emerged that Russian attacks killed and injured civilians in widely separated parts of Ukraine, including children. More suffering was expected as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Russia plans to send North Korean troops into battle against his nation.
Georgia Faces ‘Constitutional Coup’ After Pro-Russia Party’s Election Victory
The Georgian opposition says results showing the ruling pro-Russian party of Georgia’s most powerful man winning the parliamentary elections mounted to a “constitutional coup.”
Iran Suggests It May Retaliate After Deadly Israeli Strikes
Tehran suggested Saturday that it may retaliate against Israel for pre-dawn Israeli air strikes targeting military sites that “killed at least four military personnel” and “damaged radar systems in Iran.”
Scores Killed As Tropical Storm Hits Philippines
Tropical Storm Trami in the Philippines has left at least 82 dead and tens of thousands displaced due to heavy rains and flooding, authorities said Friday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Deadly Terror Attack, Soldiers Deaths, On Israel’s Day of Mourning
Israel’s “National Day of Mourning” over the October 7, 2023, massacre was marred by “a terrorist attack” that reportedly killed one and injured dozens, while the army said six soldiers died after combat in Lebanon and Gaza.
Israel Marks Oct. 7 Massacre On Hebrew Date After Deadly Airstrikes In Gaza
Israel woke up grieving as the Jewish nation began its national day of mourning, marking the 1st anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre on Sunday, just hours after the Israeli military targeted Hamas in Gaza in deadly air strikes.
Israel Airstrikes Hit Lebanon
Smoke billowed over the Lebanese capital Beirut's southern suburbs early Sunday after Israeli airstrikes amid ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, footage seen by Worthy News showed.
Israel’s Operation ‘Days of Repentance’ an Overwhelming Success in Retaliatory Strike on Iran
Israel has concluded its most extensive military operation against Iran to date, code-named "Days of Repentance." The operation involved over 100 combat aircraft, spanned more than 1,200 miles (2,000 km) and targeted around 20 military sites, including missile, drone, and radar installations.
Israel Hitting Iran; Explosions Rock Tehran
Israel says it struck military sites in Iran early on Saturday in retaliation for Tehran's attacks earlier this month when the Islamic Republic fired some 200 missiles at the Jewish nation.
Israel Airstrike Kills Journalists In Lebanon; Also Strikes In Gaza
Several journalists have been killed and injured in an Israeli air strike overnight in southeastern Lebanon near the border with Syria, Israeli and Lebanese sources said Friday.
Inside the United States
More Than 3 Million Border Crossers from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela
Of the 14 million illegal border crossers reported under the Biden-Harris administration, more than 3 million are from four countries whose citizens were granted expanded entry through a parole program created by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV).
House Report Reveals Surge in Chinese Espionage and Dissident Repression in U.S.
Chinese espionage activities are on the rise, with the Communist regime systematically targeting overseas dissidents in the U.S. and increasing cases of sensitive information theft and intelligence gathering, according to a House subcommittee report.
Christian News
Indonesia: Two Christians Arrested for Social Media Blasphemy Against Islam
Police in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, recently arrested two Christian men in separate incidents of alleged blasphemy against Islam, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Although Christianity is constitutionally legal in Indonesia, the Muslim-majority country ranks 42 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
New Report Highlights Intensifying Christian Persecution Worldwide
The persecution of Christians worldwide is intensifying, a new report by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) shows. Based in Germany, ACN issues a bi-yearly report titled “The Persecuted and Forgotten?” on the conditions facing Christians in 18 countries where believers in Jesus are understood to be particularly vulnerable.
Worthy Insights
The Election Is Looming — and These Washingtonians Are Running Scared
As election week approaches, Washington, D.C., residents are grappling with fears of potential unrest, reminiscent of the January 6 Capitol riot with many in Washington planning conveniently timed getaways, seeking to avoid possible chaos, with some recalling unsettling experiences from previous political turmoil.
Archaeological Discoveries Continue in Israel Despite Regional Conflicts
Despite ongoing regional tensions in 2024, Israeli archaeologists have continued their vital work, unearthing remarkable artifacts that span millennia of human history. While the pace of excavations has slowed—with approximately 120 sites explored compared to the typical 250-300—the findings have been no less extraordinary.