Worthy Brief - 3/29/2024

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, know Him and the power of the resurrection!

Philippians 3:8-11 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

In today's world of Smart Phones, tablets and instant Internet access, there are many things that we can "know." "How long is the Golden Gate Bridge?" Pop out your iPhone, ask "Siri", the golden-voiced digital encyclopedic genius, and you'll have the factual answer in seconds.

But there's more to the Golden Gate than just length; truly another "dimension" of knowledge and understanding of the bridge over San Francisco Bay, which might be acquired from the 95-year-old retired construction worker who spent 2 years of his life building it. The knowledge you'll glean from his salt-parched lips will hold you spellbound as he describes wrestling with massive cables in stormy bay weather, or nearly losing his balance leaning over to paint an inaccessible bolt.

There are facts -- head knowledge, and there is the knowing of and from experience. We all know this, and it's why we prefer the mechanic who has been fixing cars for 35 years over the novice who just graduated from vocational training school.

Friend, the apostle Paul wanted experiential knowledge of the Lord Jesus. He wanted fellowship with His sufferings, experiential resurrection power, even, if it were possible, the absolute death of his sin nature. Paul wanted the actual reality of the living Messiah manifested in his life, and he knew and believed this to be his inheritance in the death and resurrection of the Lord. Paul wanted to know Yeshua intimately and personally and share in the Lord's own experiences. This Passover Resurrection Day season as we celebrate and meditate on the factual reality of what happened in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, we might also join the apostle Paul in his own sincere passion; "that I may know Him...."

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

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

Editor's Note: We posted a brand new video last night -- "Star Spangled Banner, Eclipses, and the Red Heifer Shabbat!" Be sure to watch, share, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

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: We are planning our summer 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
SWIFT Launches Digital Currency System
The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) launched a central bank digital currency system despite worries the move would lead to more control over people’s finances.
Netherlands Reeling From Antisemitism
The Netherlands, long known as one of the most liberal and tolerant nations in Europe, is reeling from the worst antisemitic attacks since World War Two.
Australia: Faith Leaders Say Proposed School Law Reform Endangers Religious Freedom
Leaders of more than twenty Christian, Muslim, and Jewish organizations in Australia have sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warning him that religious freedoms are in danger of unwarranted restriction following the publication on Thursday of the Australian Law Reform Commission's (ALRC) report on faith-based schools, Christian Today reports.
China Threatens Taiwan With More Jets And Ships (Worthy News Focus)
Taiwan’s defense ministry said Thursday that 20 Chinese fighter jets and eight warships were seen over the past 24 hours around the democratically-ruled island, the highest number in days.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Holds Surprise Drill For War As Hezbollah Continues To Fires Rockets
In a strategic move to enhance its northern front's preparedness, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a surprise drill, engaging all levels of its command and operational units under the direction of the Operations Division. This extensive readiness exercise, which also saw the participation of the General Staff, coincided with a series of rocket launches by Hezbollah into Israeli territory on Thursday, signaling a day marked by heightened military activity which underscores the growing anticipation among analysts of an inevitable conflict with Hezbollah.
Multiple Israeli Airstrikes Allegedly Occur Throughout Syria
Reports indicate that on Thursday, airstrikes believed to be conducted by Israel targeted a location near Damascus, targeting a site used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran, followed by attacks near Aleppo aimed at demolishing sites connected to the defense industry.
UNRWA and Hamas Cooperate In Educating Children To Seek Destruction Of Israel, Report
An international peace monitoring group has warned in a new report that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides aid and education to Palestinians has actively perpetrated Hamas’ genocidal hatred of Jews through school books which teach children that Israel must be destroyed and that violent jihad and martyrdom to this end are glorious aims, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.

Inside the United States
U.S. House Speaker Demands Senate Hold Mayorkas Impeachment Trial
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-Calif., on Thursday demanding he hold a full impeachment trial for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Christian News
Belarus: Evangelical Pastor Imprisoned After Praying For Ukraine
A pastor in Belarus was sentenced to 15 days in prison earlier this month after praying that the Russian invasion of Ukraine would end, Christian Daily (CD) reports.
India: Christians Faced “Alarmingly Steep Rise” In Violent Persecution Over Last Year, Report
The Religious Liberty Commission of Evangelical Fellowship of India (RLC) warns in a new report that Christians in India faced an “alarmingly steep rise” in violent persecution against them in the year leading up to the spring elections of 2024. The RLC gave its assessment in its latest annual report titled “Hate and Targeted Violence Against Christians in India, 2023.”

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