Worthy Brief - 4/23/2018
Friend, are you at peace?
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Back in the third century Cyprian the Bishop of Carthage wrote to his friend Donatus: "It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered, in the midst of it, a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy, which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians, and I am one of them."
This is the kind of peace that we are supposed to experience as believers. The kind of peace that people notice, especially when we display it through our troubles. The kind of peace we can attain when we're despised -- when we're persecuted -- when everything is chaotic around us.
Friend, yeah, it's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But we have victory in our Lord. Let's determine to trust God for that victory in a way we haven't before.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Around the World
Trump, Macron to face differences on Iran, trade, as French visit begins
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday to kick off a three-day state visit expected to be dominated by U.S.-European differences on the Iran nuclear deal and trade.
Iran threatens to ‘vigorously’ resume enrichment if US quits nuclear deal
Iran is ready to 'vigorously' resume nuclear enrichment if the United States ditches the 2015 nuclear deal, and further 'drastic measures' are being considered in response to a US exit, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Saturday.
Iranians Hit By 'Perfect Currency Storm'
Every day, hundreds head to Tehran's bustling Ferdowsi street to buy foreign currency, only to find that many exchange offices have shut up shop, have turned off their currency-rate displays, or have signs up reading, 'We don't have U.S. dollars to sell.'
Russia sanctions not on G7 agenda: report
When foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) meet in Toronto on Sunday, new sanctions against Russia will not be a topic of discussion.
Nicaragua revokes pension law that sparked violent protests
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega on Sunday decided to cancel planned changes to the Central American country's pension system that have triggered violent protests.
ISIS suicide bombing at Afghanistan voter registration center kills 57
At least 57 people were killed when a suicide bomber struck a voter registration center in Afghanistan's capital in an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.
World watching for signs of N. Korea nuke deal at 2 summits
When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday the world will have a single overriding interest: How will they address North Korea’s decades-long pursuit of nuclear-armed missiles?
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran threatens to ‘annihilate’ Israel, as Hezbollah boasts of reach of rockets
The head of the Iranian army on Saturday said Iranian forces were working to 'annihilate' Israel and predicted they would achieve success within 25 years.
Abbas: We will continue to fight Trump’s Jerusalem decision
The Palestinians will not allow US President Donald Trump or anyone else to say that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday.
Satellite photos indicate precision of raid on Iranian military base in Syria
Satellite images taken before and after a raid on an Iranian military facility in Syria earlier this month reveal the precision and limited scope of the airstrikes, Channel 10 reported Sunday.
Steven Mnuchin set to lead 250 strong US delegation at Jerusalem embassy opening
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is to lead a delegation of 250 people from the United States, including some 40 politicians, to the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem next month, Channel 10 news reported Sunday.
Mossad blamed for death of Hamas-affiliated engineer in Malaysia
A Hamas-affiliated Palestinian engineer from the Gaza Strip was shot dead on Saturday near the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur in an assassination blamed on the Mossad.
Israel pulls fighter jets from drill in Alaska amid tensions with Iran
The Israel Air Force has decided to scale back its participation in the Red Flag exercise amid increasing tensions on Israel’s northern border.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court takes on Trump's travel ban
The Supreme Court this week will consider one of the biggest cases before it this term: a challenge to President Trump’s executive order restricting travel to the U.S. from eight countries that his administration has deemed to pose terrorism risks.
One Step Closer to Law: Could a California Bill Ultimately Lead to the Banning of Bibles?
A pro-LGBTQ bill is quickly making its way through the California state assembly after it was approved on the floor Thursday. The bill now goes to the state Senate for a vote.
Suspect in Waffle House shooting arrested by Secret Service near White House in 2017
The suspect in the shooting at a Nashville-area Waffle House was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service last year for being in a restricted area outside the White House, law enforcement said Sunday.
'Being LGBTQ is not an illness': Record number of states banning conversion therapy
A record number of jurisdictions this year are taking aim at conversion therapy for minors: an attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity through tactics as obvious as hypnosis or as subtle as inducing shame.
‘No Official Intelligence’ Spurred Russian Collusion Probe, Nunes Says
No 'official intelligence' was used to open the FBI’s investigation into allegations of collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said Sunday on Fox News’ 'Sunday Morning Futures.'
Christian News
Churches Fight Atheist Lawsuit that Could Result in $1B in Taxes on Church Leaders
For nearly six decades, religious leaders have enjoyed a housing tax exemption from the IRS.
Trump, Macron to face differences on Iran, trade, as French visit begins
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday to kick off a three-day state visit expected to be dominated by U.S.-European differences on the Iran nuclear deal and trade.
Iran threatens to ‘vigorously’ resume enrichment if US quits nuclear deal
Iran is ready to 'vigorously' resume nuclear enrichment if the United States ditches the 2015 nuclear deal, and further 'drastic measures' are being considered in response to a US exit, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Saturday.
Iranians Hit By 'Perfect Currency Storm'
Every day, hundreds head to Tehran's bustling Ferdowsi street to buy foreign currency, only to find that many exchange offices have shut up shop, have turned off their currency-rate displays, or have signs up reading, 'We don't have U.S. dollars to sell.'
Russia sanctions not on G7 agenda: report
When foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) meet in Toronto on Sunday, new sanctions against Russia will not be a topic of discussion.
Nicaragua revokes pension law that sparked violent protests
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega on Sunday decided to cancel planned changes to the Central American country's pension system that have triggered violent protests.
ISIS suicide bombing at Afghanistan voter registration center kills 57
At least 57 people were killed when a suicide bomber struck a voter registration center in Afghanistan's capital in an attack claimed by the Islamic State terror group.
World watching for signs of N. Korea nuke deal at 2 summits
When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday the world will have a single overriding interest: How will they address North Korea’s decades-long pursuit of nuclear-armed missiles?
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran threatens to ‘annihilate’ Israel, as Hezbollah boasts of reach of rockets
The head of the Iranian army on Saturday said Iranian forces were working to 'annihilate' Israel and predicted they would achieve success within 25 years.
Abbas: We will continue to fight Trump’s Jerusalem decision
The Palestinians will not allow US President Donald Trump or anyone else to say that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday.
Satellite photos indicate precision of raid on Iranian military base in Syria
Satellite images taken before and after a raid on an Iranian military facility in Syria earlier this month reveal the precision and limited scope of the airstrikes, Channel 10 reported Sunday.
Steven Mnuchin set to lead 250 strong US delegation at Jerusalem embassy opening
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is to lead a delegation of 250 people from the United States, including some 40 politicians, to the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem next month, Channel 10 news reported Sunday.
Mossad blamed for death of Hamas-affiliated engineer in Malaysia
A Hamas-affiliated Palestinian engineer from the Gaza Strip was shot dead on Saturday near the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur in an assassination blamed on the Mossad.
Israel pulls fighter jets from drill in Alaska amid tensions with Iran
The Israel Air Force has decided to scale back its participation in the Red Flag exercise amid increasing tensions on Israel’s northern border.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court takes on Trump's travel ban
The Supreme Court this week will consider one of the biggest cases before it this term: a challenge to President Trump’s executive order restricting travel to the U.S. from eight countries that his administration has deemed to pose terrorism risks.
One Step Closer to Law: Could a California Bill Ultimately Lead to the Banning of Bibles?
A pro-LGBTQ bill is quickly making its way through the California state assembly after it was approved on the floor Thursday. The bill now goes to the state Senate for a vote.
Suspect in Waffle House shooting arrested by Secret Service near White House in 2017
The suspect in the shooting at a Nashville-area Waffle House was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service last year for being in a restricted area outside the White House, law enforcement said Sunday.
'Being LGBTQ is not an illness': Record number of states banning conversion therapy
A record number of jurisdictions this year are taking aim at conversion therapy for minors: an attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity through tactics as obvious as hypnosis or as subtle as inducing shame.
‘No Official Intelligence’ Spurred Russian Collusion Probe, Nunes Says
No 'official intelligence' was used to open the FBI’s investigation into allegations of collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said Sunday on Fox News’ 'Sunday Morning Futures.'
Christian News
Churches Fight Atheist Lawsuit that Could Result in $1B in Taxes on Church Leaders
For nearly six decades, religious leaders have enjoyed a housing tax exemption from the IRS.