Worthy Brief - 8/16/2022

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, don't let your circumstances dictate you!

Ephesians 6:19-20 and pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

For over 20 years we've been covering Christian Persecution, and whenever I come across an amazing story of how a saint endured such hardships, it encourages me. I remember reading about Watchman Nee and his imprisonment. The Chinese government would change the guards at his cell daily for fear that Nee would lead them to the Lord. Their fears were justified -- many of those guards did come to faith! Apparently Watchman Nee had learned a powerful lesson from the Apostle Paul.

In Paul's letter to the Church in Ephesus, observe how he describes himself -- an ambassador in chains. Locked away in a prison, Paul adamantly refuses to allow his circumstances to dictate or alter his identity. He may be in chains, but he remains the Lord's ambassador.

Can you imagine Paul chained up in that dungeon, throwing up his hands saying, "That's it; it's over; I'm finished!?

Not on your life! Instead, the apostle grows bolder as an ambassador; not intimidated or ashamed, because Paul isn't chained in his Spirit, he's only bound in the flesh. Remember how he concludes his letter to the Philippian Church declaring, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Friend, don't allow yourself to be defined by your past, or "chained" by your current circumstances. God has also called you to be an ambassador for Him. With so much work to be done, we ought to be growing even bolder, right in the midst of our trials and tribulations!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, & Obadiah (Elianna is attending Christian College in Dallas)
Dallas, Texas

We are planning our Fall 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.

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Around the World
U.S. airstrike in Somalia kills 13 al Shabab terrorists: Reports
A U.S. airstrike on Sunday killed more than a dozen members of the al Shabab Islamist terror group in what is believed to be the second such mission launched in a week to support the government of Somalia.
Drones armed with explosives attack US military base in Syria
Multiple drones strapped with explosive devices attacked an American-run compound in Syria on Monday.
Iran says it will deliver ‘final’ nuclear talks proposal Monday
Iran’s foreign minister said Monday that Tehran wuld deliver its “final” proposal later in the day on talks to revive its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers, after Washington accepted key demands.
42 Countries Demand Russia Withdraws From Nuclear Site As Battles Rage
Dozens of countries have urged Russia to immediately withdraw its forces from Europe's largest nuclear power plant amid mounting concerns of a possible nuclear disaster. The appeal came as Russia vowed to expand cooperation with autocratically ruled North Korea, which is developing its nuclear weapons.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel: Archaeologists find church they believe was built over Biblical Peter’s house
Archaeologists excavating in Israel’s Galilee region have discovered what they believe is the lost Byzantine-era Church of the Apostles that was built over the home of Jesus’ first two disciples, Peter and Andrew, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. The site is located in the biblical village of Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee.
Jerusalem Terror Attack Wounds Eight, Including Five Americans
Less than a week after Israel concluded its Operation Breaking Dawn against the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, an Arab-Israeli man opened fire on a bus near Jerusalem’s Old City early Sunday, wounding eight, including five Americans.
IDF says it foiled Hamas attack tunnel with two branches along northern Gaza border
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday revealed it discovered and “foiled” a tunnel dug by the Hamas terror group in the northern Gaza Strip that crossed into Israeli territory though it did not manage to penetrate Israel’s border barrier.
Israeli airstrikes in Syria said to hit Iranian targets near Russian naval base
Israeli airstrikes near Russia’s main navy base in the coastal Syrian city of Tartus on Sunday night targeted Iranian sites, an unidentified Syrian officer told the Reuters news agency on Monday.

Inside the United States
Gallup: Most Americans oppose vaccine mandates for grade schoolers
Less than half of Americans support making elementary students get COVID-19 vaccines as they return to school this month, according to a new Gallup poll.
Idaho Supreme Court allows abortion ban to take effect
The Idaho Supreme Court ruled that the state's stringent abortion restrictions will be allowed to take effect as legal challenges to the laws play out in court.
Health Improving Of Stabbed Author Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie, the famed author who was hospitalized Friday after being stabbed by a suspected radical Islamist, is off a ventilator, and his condition has improved, his family says.

Christian News
China: Police raid historical house church in crackdown on Christians
China’s ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is continuing to crack down on pastors and members of house churches on August 10, police officers raided the homes of members of the historical Church of Abundance (Fengsheng) in Xi’an, Shaanxi, Bitter Winter reports.
Myanmar: Army restricts aid to civilians including Christians
The Refugees International non-profit organization reported last month that the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) in Myanmar has been restricting humanitarian aid to civilians, notably in areas with large populations of Christians, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
India: Pastor severely beaten by police
A pastor in southern India has been seriously injured by police officers who beat him up after accusing him of converting Hindus to Christianity, Open Doors USA reports.

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