Worthy Brief - 2/25/2025

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, self conscious?

Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Everywhere we look today, there’s some kind of “self-help” advice—books, podcasts, videos, websites, even world-famous speakers—all telling us how to feel better about ourselves. And yet, so many of us still wrestle with self-doubt, even as believers!

But let’s think about this for a second. Did Yeshua (Jesus) ever say, “Just feel good about yourself”? No, He actually told us to crucify ourselves!

If we go around hating ourselves and even feeling condemnation over our faults and sins, what we are really doing is focusing on our self! My wife said something really wise the other day: Self-consciousness is not God-consciousness. And that’s the truth. God doesn’t want us fixated on ourselves -- He wants our eyes on Him!

When we lay down our flesh and surrender fully, it’s no longer us trying to live this life -- it’s about Him living through us! And if our old self is crucified, there’s no self left to hate, no self left to condemn. That’s real freedom! We’re free to serve the Lord and let Him do amazing things through us.

Friend, so let’s stop looking in the mirror and start looking up—because the more we focus on Him, the more He shines through us!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah
(George & Obi - Phoenix, AZ | Baht Rivka - Israel | Elianna - Married living in Missouri)

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Around the World
UN Resolution on Ukraine War Anniversary Passes Despite Opposition from U.S. and Russia
The United States voted against a European-backed resolution in the United Nations General Assembly that demanded Russia immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine, reaffirm Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and strongly condemned Russia's invasion on the third anniversary of the war.
Air Raid Sirens In Kyiv As World Leaders Arrive For Third Anniversary
Air raid sirens wailed throughout Kyiv Monday as a dozen world leaders arrived in the Ukrainian capital on the 3rd anniversary of the war that broke out with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Wales Introduces Britain’s AI-Powered ‘Orwellian Facial Recognition’ System (Worthy News Focus)
Wales is the first part of Britain to roll out a facial recognition system that critics claim will turn Brits into “walking barcodes” and “a nation of suspects.”
Hungary Blocks New EU Military Aid for Ukraine On 3rd Anniversary Of War
Hungary will veto a new multibillion-euro European Union military aid package for Ukraine, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed Monday. Budapest also opposes “the automatic extension of sanctions” against Russian individuals, saying it prefers peace talks about ending the three-year war between Ukraine and Russia.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Launches Numerous Raids in Syria to Enhance Golan Security
The Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday that Brigade 474 of Division 210 executed multiple brief incursions beyond Israel's buffer zone into southern Syria, capturing weapons and military gear left by the old Syrian army. The army also released footage from a recent operation showcasing the seized armaments.
Hezbollah’s Economic Crisis: War Exacerbates Financial Instability
Hezbollah, the Iranian backed terrorist group is struggling to fulfill its financial commitments to its followers. The U.S.-designated terrorist organization, Hezbollah acts as a quasi-government in Lebanon, providing jobs and services and compensating families of fighters and others affected by conflict, however the recent war's financial burden has put these payments at risk, according to a new report by the Wall Street Journal.

Inside the United States
Trump Issues Executive Order Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Investments in U.S.
President Trump signed a national security memorandum on Friday directing the Federal Government to restrict Chinese investments in the U.S. that pose a threat to national security.
Trump Says Tariffs on Schedule as Pause Deadline Nears
President Donald Trump said Monday that his tariff plans for Mexico and Canada will move forward "on time" as the end of the 30-day pause on the 25% import duty approaches.

Christian News
International Court Asked To Condemn Nicaragua Over Jailing Pastors
A leading international court is deliberating on whether to punish Nicaragua after it sentenced 11 Nicaraguan pastors and ministry leaders to prison and forced them to pay millions in fines for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in massive evangelism campaigns.

Worthy Insights
Federal judge rejects AP’s bid to overturn White House ban on outlet’s access to key areas
A federal judge on Monday denied the Associated Press' request to immediately restore its access to select areas of the White House, after the administration pulled the outlet's access to the Oval Office and Air Force One earlier this month.
300 Rush Altar to Receive Christ During Regular Church Service: ‘It’s Absolutely Incredible’
Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship is encouraging fellow pastors to make it a habit to share the Gospel message and invite people to accept Christ as their Savior after every message they preach.
Elon Musk defends Netanyahu under criminal indictment ;’Deep State Is Everywhere’
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, tasked by former President Donald Trump with leading massive cuts to the U.S. government, weighed in Monday on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing trial, claiming that the "deep state is everywhere."
NYC’s notorious Roosevelt Hotel shelter will be migrant-free in coming months, Mayor Eric Adams says
The notorious migrant shelter and arrival center at Manhattan’s Roosevelt Hotel will close in a couple of months, Mayor Eric Adams said Monday — as data showed the number of asylum seekers entering the city’s care has dropped nearly 200% since the crisis’ peak.
Olmert reveals for first time map of Palestinian state he offered Abbas
Former prime minister Ehud Omert has for the first time revealed the map for a two-state solution that he showed to Mahmoud Abbas in 2008, and spoke of how he urged the Palestinian Authority president to sign the document right there and then.
Apple Announces Unprecedented Job-Creating Investment Days After CEO Met with Trump
Apple announced Monday that it will be investing over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years — its largest capital investment ever.
Trump’s MAGA Policies Are Widely Popular; New Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll Shows
A new Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll shows that most Americans support President Trump's agenda to "Make America Great Again," which includes beefing up the southern and northern borders and deporting criminal illegal aliens, unleashing DOGE on the corrupt federal bureaucracy, ending all toxic forms of DEI initiatives in the federal government, military, and corporate America, and ensuring the nation is energy independent. Meanwhile, approval for the Democratic Party has collapsed to record lows as radical leftist lawmakers double and triple down on woke policies.
ICE Nabs Notorious Smuggler of Illegal Aliens
The ringleader of an international illegal-alien smuggling conspiracy, a sophisticated network operating along the United States southern border since at least 2018, was extradited from Mexico to the U.S. as the result of a multi-agency investigation.
Cartel-linked human smuggling operation that kidnapped migrants dismantled by US, Mexico
A binational enforcement operation between Mexico and the United States took down a cartel-linked human smuggling operation that reportedly kidnapped migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally and then extorted their families for money.
Planned Parenthood Faces Crisis as Clinics Close and Malpractice Allegations Mount
Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading abortion provider, is grappling with a growing crisis, according to a recent bombshell article by The New York Times. The report highlights botched abortions, failed procedures, and undertrained staff as the organization struggles both financially and in terms of its operations.

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