Worthy Brief - 5/1/2017
Friend, God only knows!
Est 4:14b who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
This is a story relayed by Corrie Ten Boom, "It was Christmas, 1944. My sister, Betsie, had died. I was in a hospital barracks in Ravensbruck, a Nazi prison camp. Dark it was in my heart, and darkness was around me. There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks. Dead bodies of prisoners had been thrown under the Christmas trees. I tried to talk to the people around me about Christmas, but they mocked and sneered. At last, I kept quiet.
In the middle of the night, I suddenly heard a child crying and calling, "Mommy! Come to Oelie. Oelie feels so alone." I went to her and saw a child not so young, but feebleminded. "Oelie, Mommy cannot come, but do you know who is willing to come to you? Jesus will come." Oelie was lying on a bed next to the window, not far from lack of food, she had a sweet face and beautiful eyes. A bandage of toilet paper covered an incision from surgery on her back. That night I told this poor child about Jesus. How He came into the world as a little baby how He came to save us from our sins. "The Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross.... Jesus is ... [in heaven] right now. He is getting a little house ready for Oelie." Later I asked her what she remembered of what I had told her. "What is the little house like?" I asked. "It is very beautiful. There are no wicked people as in Ravensbruck only good people and angels. And Oelie will see Jesus there." The child added, "I will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have a pain. I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heaven." Oelie folded her hands; together we gave thanks. Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravensbruck."
Friend, often we find ourselves in difficult situations or places and we can't for the life of us understand for what possible reason we're here -- but be encouraged! We may not understand but God does! And who knows whether you have come into the kingdom for such a time as this?
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Orlando, Florida
Around the World
Trump says China pressuring North Korea on missile, nukes
President Donald Trump said in a television interview to be aired Sunday that he believes China’s president has been putting pressure on North Korea as it pursues its missile and nuclear weapons programs.
May expects tough talks; EU alarmed at Brexit 'illusions'
British Prime Minister Theresa May expects divorce talks with the European Union to be tough, she said on Sunday after EU leaders agreed stiff terms and voiced alarm at 'illusions' in London that may wreck a deal.
U.S.-backed militias claim big advance against IS in Syria's Tabqa
U.S.-backed militias said on Sunday they had made a big advance in Tabqa, a strategically vital town controlling Syria's largest dam, in their campaign to drive Islamic State from its stronghold of Raqqa, 40km (25 miles) downstream.
McMaster says US must be prepared for military operations in North Korea
National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster attempted to make clear Sunday that President Trump is seeking international support in trying to stop North Korea's pursuit of a nuclearize weapon, reasserting Trump's vow that the U.S. will no longer be the world's policeman.
North Korea displays military prowess with failed missile launch
North Korea's failed attempt to launch a mid-range ballistic missile Friday evening came just hours after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson convened a session of the United Nations Security council calling for member states to increase sanctions on Pyongyang.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US approves possible $440 million arms sale to Israel
The State Department approved a “Possible Foreign Military Sale” to Israel, according to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency press release published on Friday.
Israel blames Germany for EU support of UNESCO anti-Israel resolution
Israel is angry at Germany for the anticipated European support for the resolution attacking Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, which UNESCO's Executive Board in Paris is scheduled to approve this Tuesday, diplomatic sources told The Jerusalem Post.
Eyeing his trip to Trump, Abbas takes on Hamas, reins in hunger-strike protests
If anyone doubted the sincerity of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas intended 'disengagement' from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, the PA's official announcement on Thursday made clear that the rais has made up his mind. PA Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh formally notified the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, that as of next month, the PA will stop paying Israel for providing electricity to the Gaza Strip.
North Korea threatens Israel with 'merciless, thousand-fold punishment'
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman hurt the 'dignity of the supreme leadership' of North Korea, state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday. The comment was in reaction to Israeli remarks on how the Jewish State is affected by North Korean tension with the United States.
Israel's Patriot missile defense system knocks down drone from Syria
A missile from Israel's Patriot Aerial Defense System knocked down a drone that was about to enter Israeli airspace from Syria Thursday, military officials said.
Inside the United States
Lawmakers strike budget deal to fund government through Sept. 30
Congressional leaders have reached a deal to fund the government through the rest of the government's fiscal year, a congressional aide has confirmed to the Washington Examiner.
U.S. Economy Expands at Slowest Pace in Three Years
The U.S. economy expanded at the slowest pace in three years as weak auto sales and lower home-heating bills dragged down consumer spending, offsetting a pickup in investment led by housing and oil drilling.
In response to Trump tax outline, House GOP sticks to plan
House Republicans are sticking with their original plan for a permanent, self-financing tax reform plan, despite indications from the Trump administration that its preferences differ.
Tornadoes, floods kill 10 in Texas, Missouri, Arkansas
Flooding and tornadoes killed at least 10 people and injured dozens in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas on Saturday.
Christian News
2017 National Day of Prayer: Over 40,000 Groups to Pray 'For Your Great Name's Sake'
The annual National Day of Prayer will be observed next week with 40,000 events being held nationwide to pray for the country.