Worthy News
Iran has stepped up executions of people involved in protests against the country’s Islamic rulers, including a teenage musician who has become a symbol of human suffering in the Islamic Republic, as rights groups warn that thousands of detainees face the risk of death, injury, or execution.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, on a visit to Hungary, condemned what he called “disgraceful” interference by the European Union in an election that could see Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán lose power for the first time in 16 years.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Tuesday that it has completed deployment of ground troops along a strategic ridge in southern Lebanon — dubbed the “anti-tank line” — aimed at preventing Hezbollah from launching direct missile attacks on northern Israeli communities.
The Pentagon is preparing to request approximately $4.5 billion in fiscal year 2027 to replenish its stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missile, highlighting growing pressure on U.S. military resources after sustained global operations.
Russia and China vetoed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council aimed at protecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, despite overwhelming support from 11 member nations.
xplosions were reported Tuesday on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency, as tensions escalate ahead of a U.S. deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
A Nigerian church group has denied army claims that troops rescued dozens of Christians abducted during a deadly Easter attack, as conflicting reports emerged about the number of victims in northwestern Kaduna State.
Ukraine says a barrage of Russian drone attacks has killed at least four people and injured many others, casting a shadow over Easter celebrations in the war-torn country.
Hungary says it has rushed troops to protect its section of a natural gas pipeline after the government accused Ukraine of attempting to sabotage it ahead of Tuesday’s arrival of U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Budapest.
U.S. President Donald Trump is facing a unified message from key Middle Eastern allies: there will be no ceasefire in the ongoing conflict unless the Iranian threat is fully dismantled.
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Abraham’s rescue of Lot and his household from the four Mesopotamian Kings in the middle of the night was an act of holy chutzpah! Israel’s first patriarch demonstrated great faith, courage, family loyalty, and military strategy during this successful rescue operation.
This Sunday night people from around the world will celebrate Yom Kippur. In Israel, nothing, absolutely nothing is open — no radio, television or cable, even the street lights don’t work!
On Monday, we talked about “tashlich” — the traditional Jewish ceremony occurring between Rosh ha Shana and Yom Kippur, which involves casting bread crumbs into a river while confessing our sins and watching them be swept downstream. In this passage, however, we read about the importance of casting our crowns. These elders fell down before the Lord, casted their golden crowns and gave God the glory and honor He deserves. How much more should we do the same today?
When my family and I were re-deployed to the United States during the Covid outbreak, all my plans were wrecked. I had planned becoming a licensed tour guide in Israel, allowing the ministry to continue while my kids would serve in the Israeli army for three years. Instead, I’m looking back at 150,000 miles of cross country driving throughout the US, and 350 speaking/ministry engagements. “…Man plans his way…” but, stuff happens, and sometimes we simply need to adjust. So, the adventure continues…
The Bible seems virtually redundant on the theme of courage. More than 125 exhortations for God’s people facing overwhelming trials and dilemmas, resound against fear, notwithstanding how natural that response may seem. Courage based on faith is the universal attitude for saints in all situations. Our omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (everywhere) Father says, and repeats, “Fear not! Be of good courage! Be strong and courageous!”
As my wife and I have been redeployed to the United States for a season we’ve traveled over 150,000 miles since 2020. Vehicles which deliver the kind of distances we travel need regular oil changes to stay reliable. So, our vehicles have enjoyed innumerable pit stops.
As we continue to inspect our hearts and take spiritual inventory of our lives during this month of Elul in preparation for the fall feasts, we should stay particularly aware of Yeshua’s prediction in Matthew 24:12, “The love of many will grow cold.” He warned that a sign of the last days would be abounding lawlessness and that callousness and hardness of heart would characterize the end times. The evidence of this is everywhere.
Traditionally in Jewish spirituality, these 40 days of prayer and repentance beginning the 1st of Elul to Yom Kippur parallel the 40 days that Moses spent on the mountain [Exodus 34:28] pleading God’s forgiveness for Israel’s sin of creating and worshiping the golden calf. Interestingly, Psalm 27 is read each day of the month of Elul, along with the shofar blast in preparation for Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
As we continue our study for Elul, a month set apart for repentance in preparation for the fall feasts, we find a message hidden in the four Hebrew letters spelling the name of this special month. Alef-Lamed-Vav-Lamed form an “acronym” for a well-known passage in the Song of Solomon: Ani l-dodi v-dodi li or in English, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”
I happened (on rare occasion) the other day to see a CNN headline, “Health Officials Brace for Three Major Viruses this Fall”. Immediately, I thought, “Not again!” Yet, scouring the headlines, it now appears that several colleges are instituting mask mandates even though there isn’t a case of illness yet. While the world is being prepared for an “outbreak” of disease, I’m hoping we may learn a lesson from history so that, perhaps, we’ll see an “outbreak” of revival!
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