Worthy Brief - 4/30/2018
Friend, which would you choose?
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We came across this story, about a man who was slowly losing his memory. After a lengthy examination, the doctor said that a risky operation on his brain might reverse his condition and restore his memory. However, the surgery would be so delicate that a nerve could be severed, causing total blindness.
The surgeon asked, "So, which would you rather have, your sight or your memory?" The man pondered the question for a while and replied, "My sight, because I would rather see where I am going than remember where I have been."
Our enemy is always trying to dig up the past and keep us all bound up in our failures. But be encouraged! Today is a new day! Today and every day we have a choice to make! Like Paul, we must choose to press forward and put aside our past. We must purpose to keep our eyes on the Lord, not on our successes or failures, but upon on what can we do for Him today!
Friend, be free from the shackles of the past! Keep your eyes on the prize!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Pompeo blasts Iran as 'greatest sponsor of terror,' assures Israel, Saudis
Mike Pompeo, calling Iran the 'greatest sponsor of terrorism in the world,' pledged his support to Saudi Arabia and Israel during his first foreign trip as the secretary of state Sunday.
Kim Jong-un vows to shut down North Korea nuclear site ahead of Trump meeting
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to shut down the country’s nuclear test site in May and open the process to experts and journalists from South Korea and the United States, Seoul’s presidential office said Sunday.
Leaders of North and South Korea Agree on Peace, Unification, Denuclearization
At a historic summit in Goyang, South Korea, on Friday, the leaders of North and South Korea shook hands and declared peace in our time.
Syrian army says 'enemy' rockets hit military bases
The Syrian army said on Sunday that rockets had struck several military bases in the Hama and Aleppo countryside in what it said was new 'aggression' by its enemies, state television said.
Egypt wants to speed up Ethiopia dam negotiations
Egypt said on Sunday it wants talks over a dam Ethiopia is building speeded up in a sign of its apparent frustration over what it sees as footdragging by Addis Ababa over the dispute.
Russia's floating nuclear plant heads out to sea
A controversial floating nuclear power plant made by Russia has headed out for its first sea voyage.
Kim Jong-un says he’ll give up nukes if U.S. promises not to attack
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told his South Korean counterpart at their historic summit that his country would be willing to give up its nuclear weapons if the U.S. commits to a formal end to the Korean War and a pledge not to attack the North, Seoul officials said Sunday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli Source: Trump Will Unveil Peace Plan After Embassy Move
President Donald Trump will unveil his long-gestating peace plan after the U.S. opens its new embassy in Jerusalem, an Israeli source stated on Saturday.
Nuke deal deadline nearing, Netanyahu and Trump discuss ‘problems posed’ by Iran
With a deadline for amending the Iran nuclear deal or walking away from it just weeks away, US President Donald Trump spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone Saturday about Tehran’s malign influence on the region, the White House said on Sunday.
Saudi prince told Jewish leaders Palestinians must accept Trump's offer on peace deal
Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently told Jewish leaders in New York that he’s fed up with Palestinian leaders who should accept the Trump administration’s proposals on a potential peace agreement with Israel, according to a report Sunday.
'Iranians killed in suspected Israeli strike' in Syria
Missile strikes overnight in central Syria killed at least 26 pro-regime fighters, most of them Iranians, a monitor said Monday.
Inside the United States
Trump threatens government shutdown in September if there's no funding for wall
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to shut down the federal government in September if Congress did not provide more funding to build a wall on the border with Mexico.
First wave of migrant caravan reaches U.S. border, demands asylum
The illegal immigrant caravan swamped border officials in San Diego Sunday as hundreds of people showed up at the San Ysidro port of entry and demanded admittance and asylum as reporters, immigrant rights activists and Mexican watched.
U.S. appeals court allows Texas to implement voter ID law
A U.S. appeals court on Friday allowed Texas to implement a law requiring photo identification at the ballot box, reversing a lower court decision that blocked the measure on the grounds it could be discriminatory against racial minorities.
Pew: 65% of White Democrats Don’t Believe in ‘All-Knowing, All-Powerful, All-Loving’ God
Two-thirds (65%) of white Democrats do not believe in a God or higher spiritual power that is 'all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving,' Pew Research Center reported Wednesday.
Christian News
Donald Trump must hold Nigeria accountable for slaughter of Christians
When he meets with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Monday, President Trump needs to seize this opportunity to call Buhari to account for allowing unchecked atrocities against Christians in his country.