Worthy Brief - 3/30/2016
Friend, invest in eternity!
1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
The great pyramids of Egypt have become objects of fascination for many involved in the New Age teching. Some think they were built by aliens from outer space. Others say they are containers of cosmic power. All of them are trying to find the great "secret" of the pyramids. What they are, really, are structures of death, exaggerated tombstones, coffins. The pyramids were made for death. They were built to house a dead body, along with the useless riches of it's rotting corpse.
The pyramid holds an important lesson for our lives, however. All the works of our flesh and self-glorification end in waste, destruction, futility and death. Our accomplishments in the flesh might be grand, exalted, and elaborate -- but they're really just a monument to ourselves that have no life within them. If we want death, let's look to the flesh and all the glories of man -- look to the pyramids. But if we want life, we'll only find it by abandoning the flesh, walking in purity and putting our faith in Yeshua (Jesus), the one who gives us abundant life!
Friend, investments in eternity neither rust nor rot, so let's become wise investors -- investing in the Kingdom! There's so much work to be done!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: We hope to see you on our travels across the United States. Check out our schedule online.
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
Russian air force bombing Islamic State effectively, Pentagon concedes
After months of condemning Russia's military incursion into Syria as merely propping up a brutal regime, the Pentagon conceded on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin’s air force has begun to strike the Islamic State terrorist army.
Top US General: 'No Doubt' Russia Stabilized Syrian Regime
The top U.S. general says he has 'no doubt' that Russian intervention in Syria propped up the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Putin poised to rake in the rubles with arms deals after testing new weapons in Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin's military campaign in support of Syrian ally Bashar Assad has not only earned Moscow new clout and prestige in the region.
North Korea fires short-range missile along its coast
North Korea test-fired a short-range missile on its east coast on Tuesday, South Korea's military said, amid heightened tension over the isolated country's nuclear and rocket programs.
Iran Expands Covert Ballistic Missile Program, Dismisses US Sanctions
Iran is covertly expanding an underground network of ballistic missile construction and testing sites, despite new U.S. sanctions aimed at deterring the Islamic Republic's illicit program, which is believed to be focused on the delivery of a nuclear warhead.
Islamic State 'planning attack on Jewish children in Turkey'
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has made 'advanced plans' to kill Jewish children in Turkey by attacking kindergartens, schools and youth centres, it was reported on Monday.
3-D printing to bring Ba'al arch destroyed by ISIS back to life
A towering arch of an ancient temple to Ba'al in Palmyra, Syria, that has been mostly destroyed by ISIS terrorists will be recreated by a huge 3-D printer and put on display in New York City this spring, officials said on Monday. The institute plans to construct approximately 1,000 such versions of the arch in cities throughout the world.
Russia's Putin, Iran's Rouhani agree to cooperate closely on Syria
The presidents of Russia and Iran agreed on Monday to step up bilateral contacts, including over the Syrian conflict, in which both countries are allies of President Bashar al-Assad.
North Korea propaganda video shows nuclear strike on U.S.
North Korea released a propaganda video on Saturday depicting a nuclear strike on Washington warning 'American imperialists' not to provoke the communist nation.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
ISIS is planning a major attack in Israel
While Islamic State (ISIS) attacks in Europe and massacres in Syria and Iraq have dominated the headlines in recent months, the radical Islamic terror group may be shifting its focus, placing a greater emphasis on Israel and the United States.
Temple Institute Launches Program to Register Priests for New Temple
The Temple Institute on Monday announced a new initiative to identify, select and register kohanim who would be eligible to prepare the Red Heifer, as part of reinstating worship at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem when it is rebuilt.
Inside the United States
Ga. governor yields to corporate pressure, vetoes religious liberty bill
The influence of the entertainment and business lobbies was powerfully felt Monday when Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal knuckled under to a tidal wave of pressure by vetoing a religious liberty bill.
Obama extends cyberemergency, sanctions authority
President Obama on Tuesday extended the national emergency he declared last year on the threat of cyberattacks, which is related to an executive order enabling the Treasury Department to levy financial sanctions on governments, businesses or individuals tied to cyberintrusions on U.S. systems.
Suspect shot, in custody after drawing weapon at Capitol complex, officials say
A gunman was shot by Capitol Police Monday afternoon and later taken into custody, officials said, after drawing a weapon on officers at the tourist-heavy U.S. Capitol Visitor Center -- an incident that sent the Capitol complex and the White House into lockdown.
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper won't defend transgender law in court
McCrory signed the bill, called the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, last Wednesday after it was passed by the North Carolina Senate. The law was in response to Charlotte's nondiscrimination ordinance that allowed transgender individuals to use public bathrooms of the sex with which they identify.
States' rights advocates eye convention to bypass Congress, amend Constitution
What if a supermajority of states could override a federal law or Supreme Court ruling? That's just one idea being proposed by advocates of a convention of states to amend the U.S. Constitution.
Pentagon Orders Hundreds of Military Family Members to Leave Turkey
The State Department and Pentagon have issued a departure order to family members of American military personnel and diplomats in Turkey, citing increased threats from terrorist groups.
Planned Parenthood target of state-by-state strategy
Though congressional Republicans' bid to defund Planned Parenthood was vetoed by President Barack Obama, anti-abortion activists and politicians are achieving a growing portion of their goal with an aggressive state-by-state strategy.
U.S. Politics
New National Poll Numbers Show Closest Democratic Race of 2016
After suffering significant losses to Bernie Sanders last weekend in the Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii Democratic caucuses, Hillary Clinton finds herself in a closer race than she perhaps expected after rolling to a series of wins earlier this month.
Super PAC: Trump is in 'full-grade meltdown mode'
A political action committee is pushing back against claims that Ted Cruz's team was behind the idea of purchasing the rights to a picture of Melania Trump from a 2000 GQ photo shoot, and said the Texas senator's campaign was in no way involved in the PAC's use of her likeness in an anti-Donald Trump attack ad.
Christian News
Nigeria: Pastors kidnapped in Kaduna State
Unidentified gunmen last week kidnapped three United Church of Christ in Nigeria clerics in Kaduna State.
Christian translators killed in Wycliffe office raid
Four Christian Bible translators were killed when Muslim gunmen raided the Wycliffe Associates office in the Middle East last week.