Worthy Brief - 1/22/2025
Friend, hmmm, things to ponder!
Proverbs 16:9 The mind of a man plans his way: but the LORD directs his steps.
As I've been following the news about much of the United States being under a winter storm watch, with snow falling in unexpected places like Galveston, Texas, and Florida, it brought back memories of a story from over ten years ago.
It was January of 2011 when we arrived at the airport late Thursday night with our bags and our kiddos, only to find out that our flight was canceled because of a freak accident -- a tractor ran into the plane, of all things! So we repacked our ourselves tightly into a small rental car to make the two-hour drive to get back home to Arad in the middle of the night. Our flight was postponed until Sunday.
Sunday came, and we got on the plane. We flew into Atlanta only to find that not only was our connecting flight canceled, but the airport was entirely shut down due to a severe ice storm. There was not one flight out, and all the hotels in the area were booked solid.
We had to arrive in Baltimore in time for some scheduled speaking engagements, so we decided to rent a car, despite everyone's wide-eyed stares. Now, normally this is only about a 12-hour drive -- however, because we were driving at a speed between 10 and 20 miles an hour for half of the way, it took us a whopping 22 hours!
Fortunately, the ice was so bad that every half an hour, I would have to pull over and break an inch or two of ice off the windshield wipers -- so the freezing weather kept me nice and alert! But we got here safe and all in one piece, thank God.
As I was driving, I reflected on how quick we are to blame the devil for difficult circumstances. However, Scripture reminds us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Looking back, I realized that what seemed like a delay was actually part of God's greater plan—it allowed a dear friend to make an emergency visit to her daughter, provided an opportunity to bless two troubled teens, and opened doors to share and connect with people we might never have encountered between Atlanta and Baltimore.
Friend,
as believers, we hold steadfast to the promise that "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." In times when the world seems to be falling apart, it is precisely then that we must cling to His promises even more. Life may be getting "more interesting," but every strange circumstance, every change in plans, is a chance to trust God more deeply and share His love and the gifts He has entrusted to us. Looking back, it's clear that perhaps God has been orchestrating it all along. Let every moment be an opportunity to trust Him and spread His love.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah
(Phoenix, Arizona)
Editor's Note: Latest message: The Mysteries of Yeshua's Birth and Chanukah
Editor's Note: Feel free to share any of our content from Worthy, including Devotions, News articles, and more, on your social platforms. You have full permission to copy and repost anything we produce.
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: 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.
Officials: ‘Trump Seeks New Trade Deal Through Tariffs Threats’
U.S. President Donald J. Trump wants to pressure America’s neighbors to renegotiate a continental trade deal by threatening to impose massive tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico as soon as next week, U.S. sources said Tuesday.
Indonesia Hit By Deadly Floods, Killing Dozens
Rescuers in Indonesia have recovered the bodies of dozens of people killed in flash floods or buried under tons of mud and rocks on the nation’s Java and Bali islands, with more heavy rain expected.
Turkish Hotel Fire Kills Scores of People
At least 76 people have been killed in a fire engulfing a popular Turkish ski resort, prompting the detention of numerous people, officials say.
Australia: Day Care Center Near Jewish Synagogue Firebombed and Sprayed With Antisemitic Graffiti
Amid a surge in threats and attacks on Australia’s Jewish community, a childcare center located near a Jewish school and synagogue in Sydney was firebombed and had antisemitic graffiti sprayed on its walls in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Haaretz reports. The center was empty at the time of the attack and there were no reports of injuries.
Russia and China Reaffirm Ties Following Trump Inauguration
A day after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday had a phone conversation in which they affirmed their two countries’ ties based on ‘shared interests, equality, and mutual benefits,’ the Associated Press reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Launches Large-Scale Counterterrorism Operation in Jenin
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale counterterrorism operation in Jenin, named "Iron Wall." The operation, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF, involves numerous forces from special units, Shin Bet, and Border Police, and will continue for several days.
Inside the United States
SCOTUS to Consider Whether Maryland Parents Can Pull Children Out of LGTBQ-Inclusive Lessons
The US Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether parents of elementary school pupils in Montgomery County, Maryland can pull their children out of lessons that use storybooks featuring LGBTQ characters and storylines, the Associated Press reports.
Trump Issues Series of Border Security Orders ‘To Protect America From Invasion’
President Donald Trump Monday night declared a national emergency at the U.S. southwest border and issued multiple directives to implement border security.
Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Government Censorship
President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order banning the federal government from taking any action to restrict Americans free speech rights.
Trump orders U.S. withdrawal from World Health Organization
President Donald Trump on Monday signed scores of executive orders, including one to withdraw from the World Health Organization.
Trump Declares National Energy Emergency
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday night declaring a national energy emergency.
Christian News
Christian University Provides Essential Assistance in Fighting Los Angeles Wildfires
Pepperdine University, a Christian college in Malibu, California provided essential assistance in the fight against the horrific Los Angeles Palisades and Kenneth wildfires earlier this month by allowing firefighters access to the school’s Recycled Water Irrigation Reservoir and acting as a hub for coordinating an emergency response for the affected community, Christianity Today reports.
Concern Over Pakistan Christians Behind Bars Since 2001
A major human rights group in Pakistan has demanded the immediate release from prison of Christian Anwar Kenneth, who it says has been arbitrarily detained on trumped-up blasphemy charges for over 20 years and faces the death penalty.
Sudan: Christian Convert Forced Into Hiding by Muslim Family, “Remember Us in Your Prayers Because of These Challenges We Are Facing”
A Christian convert in Sudan’s West Darfur state has been made to divorce his Muslim wife and has been shunned by his Muslim family on account of his new faith in Christ, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Devastated by ongoing civil war, Muslim-majority Sudan ranks 5 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Worthy Insights
Trump Reverses Sanctions on Israelis in Day 1 Executive Order
President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Monday with a flurry of executive orders and statements in support of Israel.
Trump’s Executive Orders On Immigration Prove Biden Could Have Secured The Border At Any Time
One of the first things President Donald Trump did after being sworn in at the inauguration Monday was sign a series of executive orders on immigration and the border. A few of them stand out because they demonstrate how the border could have been secured at any point over the past four years by the Biden administration, without any action or new legislation from Congress.
Trump Yanks Security Clearances Of Intel Officials Who Spread Disinformation About Hunter Biden’s Laptop
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday night revoking the security clearances of 51 former intelligence officials who falsely claimed emails from Hunter Biden’s laptop were Russian “disinformation” to help Joe Biden’s 2020 election prospects. The directive also pulls the security clearance of John Bolton, who served as national security advisor in Trump’s first term.