Worthy Brief - 5/1/2019
Friend, feeling itchy?
1 Thes. 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
As we enter into Holocaust Remember Day (Yom HaShoah) in Israel this evening, and many in the United States will be joining together in prayer as it enters its annual National Day of prayer tomorrow, I'm reminded of a story by Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian survivor who protected Jews during World War 2.
In her book “The Hiding Place” Corrie ten Boom relates an incident that taught her always to be thankful. She and her sister Betsy had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, called Ravensbruck. The barracks were extremely overcrowded and horribly flea-infested.
After their scripture reading in 1st Thessalonians that morning, where the Lord reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances.
Betsy suggested they stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. At first, Corrie was appalled by the idea. She flatly refused to give thanks for that smelly, dirty, flea-ridden place. But Betsy persisted -- and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings.
It was by a miracle of God that Corrie and Betsy were able to smuggle their Bible into the camp. If the guards found out that the women were holding nightly Bible studies in their barracks, they surely would have been punished harshly, maybe even killed. During the months they spent at that camp, however, no guard ever said one word.
It was not until several months later that they learned the reason why the guards would hardly ever come into their barracks. They wouldn't enter the barracks because of the fleas!!
Friend, perhaps you're dealing with some difficult circumstances today. But who knows? There may be a purpose beyond our understanding! Let's choose trust the Lord and maintain an attitude of thankfulness in every situation, no matter how hard it may be!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Editor's Note: Check out our new Facebook page for answering readers questions about news, politics, religion, Israel, and ministry.
Pompeo: ‘Military force is available’ to oust Maduro ‘if that’s what it takes’
President Trump is willing to use 'military force' to oust Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared Tuesday evening.
Iranian Foreign Minister Set to Meet with North Korean Leaders 'Soon'
Iran’s foreign minister Mohammed Javad Zarif is planning to meet with North Korean leaders 'soon,' according to the Islamic Republic's state-run IRNA television.
China, U.S. start latest trade talks after 'nice' working dinner
China and the United States began their latest talks in Beijing on Wednesday aimed at ending a bitter trade war, after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he had a 'nice' working dinner the night before with China Vice Premier Liu He.
Global military spending at new post-Cold War high, fueled by US, China
Global military expenditure reached its highest level last year since the end of the Cold War, fueled by increased spending in the United States and China, the world's two biggest economies, a leading defence think-tank said on Monday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF deploys Iron Domes ahead of Eurovision, Independence Day
The Israeli military deployed Iron Dome missile defense batteries throughout the country on Tuesday, following a rocket attack from Gaza the previous night and ahead of what is expected to be a sensitive next few weeks.
US, Israel Unite to Remember The Holocaust This Week
The United States is joining Jews in Israel and around the world in honoring the victims of the Holocaust this week.
Inside the United States
Dems, Trump pull $2T surprise on infrastructure
Democratic leaders and President Trump pulled a surprise on Tuesday, by reaching a deal to pursue a $2 trillion infrastructure package despite rising tensions over congressional probes into the White House that have sparked a debate over impeachment.
White House wants $8.6B for 300 miles of border fence in 2020 budget
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said Tuesday the White House will submit to Congress this week its 2020 budget request for $8.6 billion to build an additional 300 miles of border fence, though it’s not clear how much would be replacement barrier and how much would be new.
Anti-Semitic assaults in US doubled in 2018, ADL reports
Violent attacks against the Jewish community in the United States doubled last year, while overall attacks that also include vandalism and harassment remained near record-high levels, the Anti-Defamation League reported Tuesday.
Alabama House overwhelmingly approves abortion ban
The Alabama House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to outlaw almost all abortions in the state as conservatives took aim at the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Oklahoma Supreme Court blocks restrictions to medication abortions
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a 2014 measure to block access to medication-induced abortion is unconstitutional.
Christian News
Annual 90-hour 'Bible Reading Marathon' at U.S. Capitol, prelude to National Day of Prayer
The annual 'Bible Reading Marathon' is on the steps of the U.S. Capitol this week. Scripture will be read aloud, uninterrupted, for just under four days straight.