Our Worthy Brief is a daily Christian newsletter designed to encourage, inform, and edify believers in their daily walk with God. Our online Christian magazine incorporates our daily devotional (Worthy Devotions) along news from around the world provided by our Christian News service, Worthy News.

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Worthy Brief - 12/20/2024

Friend, pomp...or circumstance?

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

In the year 1920, young Oswald Smith stood before the examining board for the selection of missionaries. He had wanted to be a missionary for as long as he could remember, and for all that time had been crying out to God that He might open a door for him to do so. Finally, his time had come. There he stood awaiting his destiny. His long-awaited was about to come..."No."

Smith had not met the missionary board's qualifications and was turned down for service. After a time of disappointment, he decided that if he couldn't be a missionary, he would build a church which would raise up some. And that is precisely what he did. The church he planted sent out more missionaries than any other church of its time. And God used Oswald Smith mightily for His Kingdom.

This is what happens when we don't let our circumstances rule us. We will always be victorious.

Have you faced disappointment lately? Sometimes, life doesn't go the way we hoped or expected, and that can be tough. But don't let it keep you down—God has something better in store! Keep pressing on. Keep seeking Him. Keep knocking on heaven’s door with your prayers. Keep asking for His wisdom and guidance.

Friend, disappointments don’t define us; they refine us. Let’s rise up and walk in the victory God has already promised! Remember, your breakthrough might just be around the corner! Stay encouraged and keep moving forward in faith!

Shabbat Shalom! Have a blessed weekend ... see you on Monday!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah
(Dallas, Texas)

Editor's Note: Latest Sermon: God Speaking Through Archaeological Timestamps

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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!

Editor's Note: Dear friends — we are going to be heading WEST!!! Now booking in the following states: Texas, New Mexico and Arizona …. If you know Pastors, Rabbis or Ministry Leaders who might be interested in some powerful Israeli style Hebrew/English worship and a refreshing word from Worthy News about what’s going on in the Land, please let us know how to connect with them and we will do our best to get you on our schedule! You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.

Around the World
U.S. Fears ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ with ISIS Jailbreak in Syria
U.S. officials expressed to Politico their concern over a potential nightmare scenario involving an ISIS jailbreak, which could instantly create a "ticking time bomb" by forming a terrorist army in Syria.
Russia Seen Moving Weapons To Libya
Russia is moving advanced air defense systems and weapons from Syria to Libya following the ouster of long-time Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, a close ally, Libyan officials said Thursday.
Nuclear Deal With Iran ‘No Longer Useful’ Says Atomic Regulator
The United Nations’ top atomic regulator has warned that reviving a nuclear deal with Iran is “no longer useful” as the Islamic Republic is on the verge of having nuclear weapons.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Yemen: Nine Killed in Israeli Strikes After Houthi Missile Damages School, “Whoever Harms Us Will Be Harmed Sevenfold”
After an empty school in central Israel was damaged by a partially intercepted Houthi missile overnight, Israel carried out retaliatory air strikes in Yemen which killed nine people on Thursday morning, Deutsche Welle (DW) reports. No one was injured in the Houthi strike but extensive damage was caused to the school and to surrounding cars in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv.

Inside the United States
House Republicans Reach Scaled-Back Stopgap Deal
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., introduced a new stopgap plan late Thursday afternoon after consulting with members of President-elect Donald Trump’s team earlier in the day – with a partial government shutdown looming late Friday.
Georgia’s Court of Appeals Disqalifies Prosecutor In Trump Election Case
U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump received a major legal victory Thursday as a court in the U.S. state of Georgia disqualified the Atlanta prosecutor who brought an election interference case against him and his allies.
DOJ Sues Georgia City for Trying to Shut Down Christian Homeless Ministry
The United States Department of Justice has filed suit against the city of Brunswick in Georgia for wrongfully trying to shut down a Christian charity that has served the homeless since 2014, the Christian Post reports.

Christian News
Gunmen Attack Church In Syria; Suspects Detained
Christians expressed concern Thursday about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Syria, a day after gunmen attacked an Orthodox church in the west-central city of Hama following other anti-Christian incidents.
Pakistan: Young Christian Girl Escapes From Man Who Forced Her to Marry Him
A Christian family in Pakistan’s Sindh Province is rejoicing over the return of their 15-year-old daughter after she escaped from the Islamist who abducted her and forced her to marry him earlier this year, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
10 More Christians Killed In Mozambique
The Christian community in northern Mozambique prepares for a violent Christmas after at least ten more Christians were killed by Islamists in the closing days of November, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Vietnam: Two House Church Pastors Wounded in Separate Shooting Incidents
Two house church pastors in Vietnam have been wounded in separate shooting incidents they each believe are connected to their congregations not not being registered with the Vietnamese communist government, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.