Worthy Brief - 1/13/2023

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, take your rest seriously!

Mark 2:27-28 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

In this day and age, I'm convinced that it's more imperative than ever to learn to rest! The famed preacher, C.S. Spurgeon once wrote, "Rest time is not waste time. It is economy to gather fresh strength... It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less."

Taking a day to simply rest and spend time in the Lord and in relationship allows one to recharge and prepare for the coming week's opportunities obstacles and challenges. Remember it was Yeshua who said, "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:"

Friend, God, having completed the creation week, ordained the seventh day, a shabbat for us ... to rest and learn to rest in Him. Apart from being a powerful picture of our rest from works- based salvation [Hebrews 4], a serious and faithful approach to the Sabbath will prove that we actually can accomplish more in the week, quality and quantity, and be at peace in doing so. So enjoy your rest, get recharged and re-energized ... He made it for you! Shabbat Shalom!

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
Netherlands Facing Intense Debate About Slavery (Worthy News Radio In-depth)
The Netherlands entered the New Year with an intense debate about slavery after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized for what he called a "crime against humanity." Rutte's historic remarks came ahead of the 150th anniversary of liberation from slavery, despite warnings that not everyone is pleased with the apology for centuries of the slave trade in this seafaring nation.
Intense Battles Over Eastern Ukraine Town (Worthy News Radio)
Ukraine defied claims by Russian mercenaries that they seized an eastern Ukrainian town on Wednesday. The capture of Soledar would have been the first Russian military victory in months. But as the day progressed, the Kremlin and Kyiv acknowledged heavy battles in the troubled region.
Hungary Pays Lebanese Churches ‘To Prevent Illegal Migration’
Hungary’s foreign minister on Thursday pledged $2 million to the renovation of 30 Christian churches in Lebanon to “save Christians” and prevent “illegal migration.”

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Jerusalem’s 2,000-year-old Pilgrimage Road preparing for modern revival
For nearly a decade, archaeologists in Jerusalem’s City of David National Park have been working hard to uncover the Pilgrimage Road and bring a 2,000-year-old journey to life.
Written records of biblical King David discovered by researchers
The Mesha Stele, also called the Moabite Stone, is a basalt stone slab that has provided historians and linguists with the largest source of the Moabite language to date. Researchers have only now been able to verify with a considerable degree of certainty that the stele contains explicit references to King David.

Inside the United States
House passes bill banning sale of oil to China from Strategic Petroleum Reserve
The GOP-led House passed legislation Thursday that would ban the sale of oil to China from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
McCarthy confirms Schiff, Swalwell, Omar will lose committee seats
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he will keep his promise to block three headline-grabbing Democrats from their committee assignments in the 118th Congress.
Biden Aides Find Second Batch of Classified Docs at New Location
Aides to President Joe Biden have discovered at least one additional batch of classified documents in a location separate from the Washington, D.C., office he used after serving as vice president, NBC News reported Wednesday, citing an unnamed source.

Christian News
Congo: Christian woman testifies Jesus is her Shepherd after Islamic terrorists murder her family, abduct, torture, rape her
International Christian Concern (ICC) has published the horrifying account of the most brutally violent Islamic persecution and unimaginable loss and pain endured by a Christian mother in Uganda who ultimately gives glory to Jesus as her Shepherd. ICC confirmed the organization was able to rescue the mother and child, and has helped them to start a new life in which they are healing physically and emotionally.
Indonesia: Christians prohibited from holding Christmas services
Authorities in Indonesia prohibited a building-less congregation from holding their 2022 Christmas services in a local shop as Christians continue to face uphill struggles in obtaining permits for church buildings, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Worthy Insights
Minnesota Poised To Ban Christians, Muslims, And Jews From Teaching In Public Schools
Minnesota will soon ban faithful Christians, Muslims, and Jews from teaching in public schools by requiring that every state-certified teacher “fosters an environment that ensures student identities such as … gender identity … are … affirmed.” Once the new requirements clear a final procedural hurdle, they will be immediately challenged in state and possibly federal court, a civil liberties lawyer told The Federalist on Tuesday.

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