Worthy Brief - 12/11/2023

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, be a light!

John 10:22-23 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication (Chanukah), and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.

Chanukah, a time of celebration and rededication, began tonight in the Land and for Jewish people all over the globe. Those of us who are grafted in through the atoning work of Messiah, we who know God, have an opportunity to see the deeper significance in the Biblical holidays and are not only welcome but encouraged to celebrate as well!

Over 150 years before Yeshua's (Jesus’) birth, a group of Jewish warriors led by Judah Maccabee defeated Anticochus IV. Though terribly outnumbered by their foes, the Maccabees triumphed over the Grecian Syrian Empire. This led to the establishment of Chanukah -- the feast of dedication.

According to an ancient Jewish legend, Judah entered into Jerusalem only to find the Temple desecrated by a sacrificed pig and an idol of Zeus. Upon seeing this, he immediately began to cleanse the Temple. Judah also found that there was only one cruse of undefiled oil which could burn in the Temple Menorah (holy candelabra which had to continually burn). This oil was only enough for one day but it miraculously lasted for eight days, just enough time to get more of this special oil made. So in memory of this miracle and the rededication of the Temple, Chanukah or the Festival of Lights has been celebrated by the Jewish people for over 2000 years and was even celebrated by Yeshua (Jesus) Himself!

Every Chanukah, chanukkiahs (the candelabra of nine candle holders) are lit. Each chanukkia has a special candle, known as the Shamash which is raised above the other eight. The word ‘shamash’ means ‘servant, helper, or minister -- so the Shamash candle is the servant candle, or the ministering candle, and is used to light all the other candles. It is the servant who is raised up and lights all the others, symbolizing Messiah, for us who believe.

Yeshua came and proclaimed that ‘He is the Light of the World and whoever follows Him shall have the light of life!’ The one who serves the Lord will be a light! The one who does the will of God will shine! The more we serve the Lord, and earnestly do His will, with all our heart, soul and mind -- the more we will shine with the light of God and so ultimately will we be raised up!

Friend, let's strive to serve the Lord with gladness this season and light up the world around us! We may be small but a small light will go a long way in a dark place.

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, MD)

 

Editor's Note: The Apple App Store has given the green light to our upgrade! If you haven't installed our Worthy News App on either Android or Apple devices, you can download it today. We've designed it to allow you to follow up to 50 different news sites within our app 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! And the best part? It's completely free!

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: If you have a desire to contribute to the support of Israel, we've established a dedicated fund where every dollar you contribute will go towards supporting helping Israeli believers in Yeshua.

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.

Around the World
EU Agrees On World’s First Artificial Intelligence Rules, But AI Struggles
Artificial Intelligence (AI) struggled to explain Sunday all its limitations to users interested in the world’s first AI rules unveiled by the European Union.
World Leaders Condemn US Vetoing Gaza Truce As Clashes Kill More People
World leaders and United Nations officials condemned the United States on Saturday for vetoing a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that would have pressured Israel to end its declared intention to destroy Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organization.
State Links German Citizenship To Israel’s Right To Exist (Worthy News In-Depth)
Germany’s eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt now requires individuals seeking German citizenship to confirm in writing that they “recognize Israel's right to exist and condemn any efforts directed against the existence of the State of Israel."
US Vetos UN Resolution Calling for Gaza Ceasefire
On Friday, the United States vetoed a UN resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which the UN Secretary-General described as a "humanitarian nightmare."

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Carries Out ‘Extensive’ Airstrikes in Gaza
On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had conducted airstrikes on over 450 targets in the Gaza Strip over the past day as ground operations intensified.
Israel Mourning Death Of Minister’s Son
Israel’s political establishment has plunged into mourning after the son of the country’s former army chief, Gadi Eisenkot, a minister in the country's war cabinet, was killed in Gaza.

Inside the United States
Texas erects more wire barriers along Rio Grande River as lawsuit continues
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (Worthy News) – As Texas’ lawsuit continues against the federal government over its right to defend its border, Texas National Guard soldiers continue to erect concertina wire barriers along the Rio Grande River. The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals recently handed Texas a temporary win in the lawsuit, staying its own court panel’s previous ruling, and blocking the federal government from taking down or destroying Texas’ barrier. In October, Texas sued the Biden administration after Border Patrol agents began bulldozing concertina wire barriers on Texas soil to allow foreign nationals to illegally enter Texas between ... Read more
California Faces Record $68 Billion Budget Shortfall
California is grappling with its largest-ever budget deficit of $68 billion in the upcoming fiscal year, attributed to a significant decline in revenues, the Legislative Analyst's Office announced on Thursday.
Hunter Biden Facing Potential Prison After Tax Indictment
The son of U.S. President Joe Biden faces a potential 17-year prison term after being indicted Thursday for evading at least $1.4 million in federal taxes while maintaining a luxurious lifestyle.

View the full article