Worthy Brief - 1/5/2023

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, your suffering is glory and beauty!

Acts 14:22 confirming the souls of the disciples, calling on them to continue in the faith and that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together.

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Persecution and serious trials were regular fare for the early followers of Messiah. Apostle Paul who was stoned and left for dead [Acts 14:19] was not exaggerating when he affirmed, "Through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God."

Yeshua's mandate was to make disciples, and a careful study of discipleship in the NT suggests the difficulty of the narrow way (Greek: "thlibo": narrow, afflicted, distressed) [Matthew 7:14]. Many passages and examples in scripture support an expectation of trial and testing for true saints. Paul elsewhere affirms that, "All who desire to live a godly life in Messiah Jesus will be persecuted;" [2 Timothy 3:12].

Psalm 11:5 explicitly states that LORD tests the righteous. Persecution and trials are intended to increase and purify our faith, and improve our character. A friend shares this proverb: "Why do bad things happen to good people? To make them better!" If Yeshua was made perfect through suffering [Hebrews 2:10] and we are his children, joint-heirs with Him if we suffer with Him, we can expect to be glorified with Him.

Friend, rejoice in the tough times, the seasons of rejection and heartache. Trials prepare us for glory. Yeshua is preparing His bride who will be like Him, made perfect through suffering. God will give you power to endure what your natural man deems impossible. And He will deliver you in due time. But not before His beauty rests upon you.

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas)
Dallas, Texas

Join us on an epic, life changing journey through Israel, through the eyes of those who are well acquainted with the culture, the people and the Land. This is not your average Israel tour— bring your family, bring your friends, and experience the REAL ISRAEL with George and Baht Rivka as your personal hosts.

Around the World
US base in Syria hit with 2 rockets following 3rd anniversary of Soleimani killing
Two rockets struck a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria Wednesday following the 3rd anniversary of the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike in 2020.
U.S. Looks at Ways to Further Target Iranian Drone Production, White House Says
The United States is looking at ways to target Iranian drone production through sanctions and export controls, and is talking to private companies whose parts have been used in production, the White House said on Wednesday.
Putin sends warship armed with hypersonic cruise missiles to Atlantic
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday the deployment of a frigate armed with hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles — a type of weaponry he says has "no analogues" — to the Atlantic Ocean.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel launches new nanosatellite in quantum communication advance
Scientists from Israel’s Tel Aviv University have launched into orbit a new nanosatellite designed to advance research into quantum communication, a field of technology that aims to render information security completely unassailable by hackers, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

Inside the United States
House rejects McCarthy for Speaker a sixth time, prompting Republicans to negotiate a deal
In a once-in-century political stalemate, the House rejected Rep. Kevin McCarthy for Speaker over six consecutive votes, prompting frustrated Republicans to break into negotiating teams Wednesday night to find a potential resolution.
The Satanic Temple plans “largest Satanic gathering in history” in Boston
The Satanic Temple (TST) has announced that its upcoming ‘SatanCon 2023’ convention in Boston, Massachusetts will be the "largest Satanic gathering in history."
FDA now allows abortion pills to be purchased from pharmacies and mail-order companies
In a move that will expand access to medical abortions in America, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday changed its rule to make abortion pills available for purchase from retail pharmacies and mail-order companies, UPI reports.

Christian News
NY Christian ministry shelters over 150 people during historic blizzard
A Christian couple leading an urban church ministry in Buffalo, New York, gave shelter to 154 people during the historic deadly blizzard which tore into the area over the 2022 Christmas weekend, the Roys Report said.

Worthy Insights
Dem Rep. Adam Schiff wanted journalist Paul Sperry’s account suspended over reporting on Trump whistleblower, Twitter Files reveals
US Rep. Adam Schiff tried to get a journalist suspended from Twitter and to have “any and all content” related to House Intelligence Committee staffers removed from the site, according to the latest document dump authorized by new owner Elon Musk.
A.I. legal assistant will help defendant fight a speeding case in court
In February, an AI from DoNotPay is set to tell a defendant exactly what to say and when during an entire court case. It is likely to be the first-ever case defended by artificial intelligence.

View the full article