Worthy Brief - 4/1/2016
Friend, enter into His rest!
Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
In Israel, Shabbat (the Sabbath) is an extraordinary day. People spend much effort to get everything perfectly prepared for this special season that lasts from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. For those of you who have ever visited Israel, you'd know that Friday morning is the time that everyone here is rushing around doing errands before everything closes. The shook (outdoor market) is packed, the buses are full, everyone is doing last minute shopping, cleaning, cooking and preparing for sundown, when all will be closed, the streets will be empty, the shops will be shut down and there is nothing to do for the next 24 hours but rest.
There is a Shabbat for the people of God and we must be diligent to enter into it. We do not labor to be justified, for our justification is only in Yeshua (Jesus) and in Him all the work for our salvation has already been accomplished. But it does take some labor to enter in. We must spend time preparing ourselves in worship and prayer and meditation on His word! But praise God! He has given us the ability to enter into His Shabbat rest, peace, joy and all the fullness of His blessings every day of the week if we will only prepare ourselves to receive it!
Friend, let's prepare to enter into His perfect peace today. Shabbat Shalom!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
US, Russia come to agreement on Assad's departure from Syrian presidency
The United States and Russia have agreed to let Syrian President Bashar Assad seek refuge in another country as part of a future political solution regarding the prolonged civil war engulfing his country, the British- based publication Al-Hayat reported Thursday.
World's obese population hits 641 million, global study finds
More than 640 million people globally now weigh in as obese and the world has more overweight than underweight people, according to an analysis of global trends in body mass index (BMI).
Europe turns to the right after terror attacks
The Brussels attacks have given a boost to the far right in Belgium and beyond, and their anti-Islam language is finding a special resonance after another bloodbath by Islamic State extremists.
Senators: Obama Admin to Fund Iranian Terrorism, Missile Buildup
Leading senators are expressing renewed concerns over an Obama administration effort to grant Iran expanded sanctions relief that the lawmakers warn would help fund Iran's global terrorist activities and illicit buildup of ballistic missile technology.
Pentagon Confirms New North Korean ICBM
North Korea has developed a new long-range mobile intercontinental ballistic missile that the Pentagon says moves the country's leader Kim Jong Un closer to the goal of building missiles capable of striking the U.S. mainland with nuclear warheads.
21 Generals Lead ISIS War the U.S. Denies Fighting
In the war against the self-proclaimed Islamic State, the U.S. military is notably short on soldiers, but apparently not on generals.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, PA said to meet on future of security coordination
Israeli security officials met with their counterparts from the Palestinian Authority Wednesday night in Jerusalem to discuss the fate of security coordination between the two sides, Palestinian media reported.
Israeli and Egyptian ministers meet for first time in years
National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz met in Washington on Thursday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry for the first meeting between ministers of the two countries in a number of years.
Despite everything, Abbas tells Israelis, peace is attainable
The Palestinian Authority president reached out to Israel on Thursday, saying he opposes near-daily Palestinian attacks on Israelis and suggesting the violence would stop if the defunct peace process were to resume.
Inside the United States
Dow posts biggest quarterly comeback since 1933
After tumultuous trading in early 2016, two of the three major U.S. averages clawed back to finish the first quarter in the green.
Judge Strikes Down Mississippi's Ban on Same-Sex Adoptions
A federal judge struck down Mississippi's ban on adoption by same-sex couples Thursday -- making the practice legal nationwide.
Virginia trooper killed in shooting at Greyhound bus station in Richmond
A Virginia State Police trooper on a training exercise for a criminal interdiction squad was killed and two civilians were wounded when a man the officer had just begun to question opened fire Thursday afternoon inside a Greyhound Bus Station near downtown Richmond, authorities said.
Economists Say 'Main Street Tax Plan' Would Grow Economy By $2 Trillion
Economists touted the benefits of the Main Street Tax Plan, saying it would expand the economy by $2 trillion in a decade, at an event at the Hudson Institute on Wednesday.
Number of Californians Moving to Texas Hits Highest Level in Nearly a Decade
The number of Californians leaving the state and moving to Texas is at its highest level in nearly a decade, according to data from the Internal Revenue Service.
U.S. Politics
Kasich goes after Trump: He's not fit to be president
Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Thursday declared Donald Trump unfit to be president and warned that if the New York real estate developer wins the Republican nomination, it would put at risk the reelection of Sen. Pat Toomey.
Trump holds 'unity' meeting with Republican Party chairman
Donald Trump met with the Republican National Committee Thursday to talk unity, a day after he dropped an abortion bombshell in their laps.
Christian News
Bible charity vows to continue translation work after murders of four employees
The murders of four translators working to bring the Bible to obscure languages in the Middle East earlier this month won't stop the charity behind the effort from its work, officials said.
Iranian Christian Converts' Right to Seek Asylum Can't Be Denied, EU Human Rights Court Rules
Iranian Christian converts must be granted the right to a fair evaluation of danger by European governments before they can be denied asylum and sent back to the Islamic Republic, the top human rights court in Europe ruled Wednesday.