Worthy Brief - 4/8/2019
Friend, become a spring in the desert!
Song of Solomon 1:14 My beloved is to me as a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi.
En Gedi is a nature reserve about 40 minutes from our home. Surrounded by dry, barren, rocky ground, except to the east where the Dead Sea lies, it is an oasis, fed year round by springs of fresh water, and home to some of the most unique wild and botanical life in the world.
In the Song of Solomon, the King likens his beloved to flowers in the desert, his experience of En Gedi, evoking the dramatic contrast between a harsh and arid landscape and the exquisite refreshing floral beauty of an oasis. Such was Solomon's experience of romantic love, perhaps with the Queen of Sheba.
Now you may feel like you’re walking through a desert -- wandering in a wilderness...thirsty, and perhaps, longing for love...
Seek the Lord your God. His Presence is an eternal spring and a perpetual oasis in this arid world, and His love is better than the most desirable romantic experience you could hope for. It's a love which flows from an eternal spring, Yeshua (Jesus), Himself, and its sweetness and power will cause flowers to bloom throughout your dry and barren life.
Friend, drink from the spring of life, your beloved, Yeshua – He will fill you to overflowing, and make you, yourself, a living spring...for this thirsty, love-starved world.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Editor's Note: I've created a special Facebook page for answering readers questions about news, politics, religion, Israel, and ministry. Later on today, we'll be posting a video covering the election in Israel detailing all the nuances of Israeli politics.
Editor's Note: We've started to place Baht Rivka's music on YouTube with English subtitles. These are a few of the songs playing on Israeli radio. If you've never heard her music before ... be prepared to be blown away! Lechu LaMayim (Come to the Waters) | Taboom | Mi Yodea (Who Knows?)
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The Trump administration is preparing to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a 'foreign terrorist organization,' an unprecedented move against a national armed force that could have widespread implications for US personnel and policy in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Turkey to go ahead with Russia S-400 deal despite suspension from F-35 program
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to go ahead with a deal to purchase Russian missiles despite Washington’s suspension of Turkey’s participation in a US jet program because of security concerns over the Russian deal.
Iran's Supreme Leader Tells Iraq To Push U.S. Troops Out As Soon As Possible
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Iraq about the "detrimental" effects of having U.S. forces on its territory and urged its neighbor to get the troops to leave as soon as possible.
Erdogan’s party to demand total recount of Istanbul ballots
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party said Sunday it had asked for a recount of all ballots cast in Istanbul, the country’s economic capital, during last week’s mayoral election after an opposition candidate claimed a slender win.
New NAFTA deal 'in trouble', bruised by elections, tariff rows
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U.S. urges immediate halt to military operations in Libya
The United States called on Sunday for an immediate halt to military operations in Libya as the Libyan National Army headed by Khalifa Haftar advanced on the capital, Tripoli.
Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen resigns
President Donald Trump says Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen is leaving her job amid growing frustration by the administration over the number of southern border crossings.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly mulling 'nuclear option' of stripping the US dollar from oil trade
The U.S. dollar is the dominant currency in oil trading, but Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering selling its crude in other currencies if American lawmakers pass an anti-OPEC bill.
Syria leases Mediterranean port to Iran
When Russia was invited to set up a fortified base in Hmeimim, in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia, and another in the port city of Tartus, it was under the assumption it would have the sole foreign military presence along Syria’s Mediterranean coast.
May's Brexit talks with Labour stall, delay request fails to convince EU
Britain’s opposition Labour Party said on Friday that talks with the government on a last-ditch Brexit deal had made no progress, as EU leaders said Prime Minister Theresa May had not convinced them that they should let Britain delay its departure next week.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
As vote nears, Netanyahu likely seeking to annex right-wing votes, not West Bank land
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening dropped a bombshell with potentially dramatic political, diplomatic and security-related ramifications for Israel and the entire region — or was it just an empty election promise?
'Israel Has a Right to Exist': Evangelicals Help President Trump Craft Middle East Peace Plan
Evangelicals are on the front lines helping President Trump craft his plan for peace in the Middle East.
Inside the United States
Pro-Life Groups Gear Up For Born Alive Bill Fight
Several major pro-life groups say the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is the single-most important bill of the 2019 legislative session.
U.S. economy crushes predictions: 196K new jobs in March
Nearly 200,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy last month -- a figure that greatly surpassed expectations.
Deficit rises $94 billion to $693 billion for first half of the year, budget office estimates
The federal budget deficit rose by $94 billion to $693 billion for the first half of fiscal 2019, the Congressional Budget Office estimated Friday in its monthly budget review.
Payroll growth reaches 196,000 in rebound from February low
U.S. employers brought 196,000 new employees on board in March as the labor market rebounded from a February lull.
Christian News
20 Christians Rounded Up in Shanghai As Chinese Government Seeks to Extinguish Belief
Twenty Christians, including one Taiwanese-American dual-citizen, were taken into custody in Shanghai yesterday as China continues its crusade against belief.
‘I Can Only Imagine’ Director Explains How His Movie Is Spreading the Gospel to China
The biggest faith-based movie of last year was, without a doubt, the film adaptation of MercyMe’s classic track, 'I Can Only Imagine.' The drama, which was based on the life story of Bart Millard, the artist who penned the hit Christian song, took in over $85 million at the box office despite a budget of just $7 million. All in all, it was a roaring success.
FBI joins investigation into fires at 3 black churches in Louisiana
Three historic black churches have burned down in a local Louisiana community, and authorities are neither ruling out arson nor that the three fires are related to one another.