Worthy Brief - 12/12/2023

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, shine your light!

Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand; and it gives light to all that are in the house.

As we light the candles during the season of Chanukah, we remember that God has called us to be lights.

D. L. Moody told the story of a man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship. He was terribly sick and confined to his cabin. One night he heard the cry, “Man overboard!” He felt that there was nothing he could do to help, but on second thought, he said to himself, “I guess I can at least put my lantern in the porthole.” He struggled to his feet and hung the light, so it shined out into the darkness.

The next day he learned that the person who was rescued said, “I was going down in the dark night for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole. As it shone on my hand, a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in."

All of us have weaknesses -- and times of weakness. The fact of the matter is, though, that weak or not, we need to muster up the strength to put our lights in our portholes for the sake of the dying and the lost among us. It’s so tempting to sulk in our weaknesses and stay in our beds -- but God expects more of us. He has given us the strength to do all things -- even move mountains! There are so many people around us sinking in despair. But God has chosen us to reach out and light up their lives!

Friend, let's do something extraordinary for the Lord today. Be bold, speak up! Let’s get beyond our weaknesses and light up the darkness around us!

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
France, Germany, and Italy Call for EU Sanctions on Hamas
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Italy have jointly written a letter to European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, urging the prompt implementation of sanctions targeting Hamas and its supporters in response to the Middle East crisis.
Ukraine’s President In US As Western Support For War Diminishes
Ukraine’s president arrived in Washington on Monday to try to rescue a multi-billion dollar military aid package after already suffering setbacks with a vital member of the European Union.
Iran-Backed Terror Groups Target US Forces, Embassy
Iran-backed terror groups have stepped up attacks against American forces and diplomats in the Middle East over Washington's backing of Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza, U.S. officials say.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Preparing For War With Hezbollah
Israel has made clear it is preparing for war against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its military operations against Hamas in Gaza have ended.
Israel Condemns Russia’s Close Ties With Iran As Fears Grow Of Broader War
Israel’s prime minister has condemned Russia’s close cooperation with Iran, which publicly seeks the destruction of Israel, and Moscow’s refusal so far to condemn the Hamas massacres in the Jewish nation.
Intense Clashes Persist in Southern Gaza; Hamas Forces Near Collapse in Northern Gaza
Intense fighting continued in and around Khan Younis, a key Hamas stronghold in Southern Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed that an additional seven soldiers had been killed, bringing the total IDF fatalities in the Gaza offensive to 104.
Airstrikes in Syria Kill Four, Two Hezbollah Fighters
Alleged overnight airstrikes carried out by the Israeli military near Damascus resulted in the deaths of two Hezbollah fighters and two Syrians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This incident adds to a series of such attacks occurring amid Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Inside the United States
Congress to Debate Between Rival Bills Revamping U.S. National Surveillance Laws
On Tuesday, the House is set to vote on two distinct legislative proposals aimed at reforming the principal espionage capabilities of the federal government, as outlined under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Supreme Court Rejects Case Challenging Washington’s Ban on ‘Gay Conversion Therapy
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case challenging Washington state's prohibition of "conversion therapy" for minors, which aims to change their sexual orientation or gender identity thereby allowing the law to remain in effect. The case was brought forth by a Christian therapist who deemed the 2018 measure as a violation of his free speech rights.
New Legislation Would Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of Nonprofits Funding Hamas, Other Terrorists
Proposed new legislation would revoke the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit organization that is providing material support for terrorist groups.
One in Five US Young Adults Believe the Holocaust is a Myth, Poll Finds
A new poll conducted by YouGov/The Economist shows that one in five of US adults aged 18-29 years old believe the Holocaust is a myth, the Jerusalem Post reports. Published Thursday, the poll surveyed 1,500 adult US citizens on a number of questions about the Jewish people, Israel, and the Holocaust.
Iowa: The Satanic Temple Sets Up ‘Baphomet’ Display in State Capitol
Iowa authorities have allowed The Satanic Temple (TST) to set up a two-week public exhibition in the State Capitol featuring ram’s horns and a mannequin called Baphomet dressed in red clothes, Nexstar Media reports.

Christian News
India: Hindu Nationalists Attack Church, Two Christians Critically Injured, Others Wounded in Chhattisgarh State
Two Christians were critically injured, and several others wounded, when Hindu nationalists raided a church service in India’s Chhattisgarh state earlier this month, International Christian Concern reports.

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