Worthy Brief - 1/30/2025

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, relax!

Matthew 8:26-27 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"

Imagine being one of the disciples in that boat, waves crashing all around, the boat rocking wildly. They were terrified, thinking this might be the end. But there was  Yeshua (Jesus), asleep in the same boat! He was with them the whole time, waiting for them to trust Him.

Isn't that just like our lives sometimes? We're in the thick of it, storms raging, calling out, "Lord, do you not see what's happening to me?!"

But yes, He sees! The same Yeshua who calmed the sea back then is with us today. He knows what we're going through, and at His command, our fiercest storms can turn into peace so profound it leaves us in awe.

Friend, so let’s find our peace, our "shalom," in the midst of whatever storm you are facing in life ... for it's in these storms we learn of God's faithfulness and when He displays His awesome power.    Let's renew our trust in the Lord today -- for God has great plans for those who will put their trust in Him.  So relax ... He's got you!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah
(Phoenix, Arizona)

Editor's Note: My wife, Baht Rivka, led some powerful, spontaneous worship in Northern Israel with dear friends of ours, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It’s worth a listen! Don’t forget to subscribe, like and SHARE!

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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!

Around the World
Syrian Leader Dissolves Militias, Abolishes Constitution
Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, previously Abu Mohammed al-Golani, declared himself transitional president, abolished the constitution, and disbanded the national army and all political and armed groups, including his own. In his Wednesday victory speech, he officially took office, marking a departure from Bashar al-Assad's rule.
China is Upgrading Its Carrier Aviation Force at Faster Pace than US
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is working hard to expand its military technology and structure, including upgrading its carrier aviation force at a faster pace than the United States Navy is, the Real Clear Defense (RCD) reports.
Biden Administration Shared Secret Intelligence on ISIS Threat with New Syrian Leaders
The outgoing United States Biden administration was sharing secret intelligence on threats from the Islamic State terror group with the Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham Islamic organization that took over governing Syria after ousting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime last month, the Washington Post reported exclusively on January 24.
Stampede Kills Dozens At India’s Hindu Festival
India’s prime minister expressed condolences Wednesday after dozens of people were killed in a pre-dawn stampede in northern India, where tens of millions of Hindus gathered to take a dip in what they call “sacred river waters.“

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump Urges Arab Nations to Accept Palestinians from Gaza
President Trump's plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt expands on a contentious proposal previously rejected by Arab states, potentially indicating a major shift in U.S. foreign policy, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“Antisemitism is Rampant, Diversity is Viewed as a Threat,” UN Human Rights Chief Says
Antisemitism is “rampant” as Jews worldwide face increasing “intimidation, threats and physical violence,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said Monday during an address marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
No Israeli-Saudi Normalization Agreement Without Palestinian State, Riyadh Ambassador says
Saudi Arabia cannot normalize diplomatic relations with Israel unless the Palestinians are granted statehood, Riyadh’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, said during an interview with Times Radio that aired Sunday.

Inside the United States
Midair Collision Near Washington DC Kills Several; President Trump Briefed (Update)
Multiple bodies were pulled from the water Wednesday night after an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Potomac River following a midair collision close to Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, several sources say.
American Airlines Jet Collides with Helicopter Over Potomac
A commercial plane collided with a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., and crashed into the Potomac River, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Trump Signs Order to Send ‘The Worst’ Illegal Immigrants to Guantanamo Bay
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to send 30,000 illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay, the latest development in his aggressive effort to close the southern border and carry out mass deportations.
RFK Jr. Denies Anti-Vax Accusations, Promises Focus on Chronic Disease
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial nominee for Health and Human Service secretary, denounced accusations that he is anti-vaccine, anti-abortion or anti-industry.

Christian News
Significant Shift: American Protestant Churches Increasingly Identify as Non-Denominational Evangelicals
Over the last 50 years, the number of evangelicals identifying as "nondenominational" has risen dramatically, growing from less than 3% in the early 1970s to nearly 35% in 2022, according to the General Social Survey. Once seen as a fringe group, these evangelicals, who often choose warehouse buildings for their congregations, now make up a significant portion of American Protestants.

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