Worthy Brief - 5/5/2017
Friend, learn well!
Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
I'm not sure where I read it, but the idea has always been ingrained in my mind -- if you want to be a good teacher, be a good student. When Yeshua (Jesus) lived on the earth, his disciples were called "talmudim". The Hebrew literally means "students". "Talmudim" comes from the verb, "Lilmod", "to learn". In essence, talmudim are learners.
We who know Yeshua as Lord consider Him our Rabbi or Teacher, and ourselves, His talmudim. As such we continue to learn and grow in His wisdom, love, and character.
This learning process involves regular tests from our Lord as He leads us from one level of faith to the next. I recall years ago when I was in school, never being a huge fan of tests -- in fact, rather disliking them quite a bit. I'd often find myself attempting to cram mountains knowledge into my poor brain the night before an important exam. Then, after completing the test I would quickly forget most of what I had crammed and scarcely absorbed. Doubtless had I been required to retake the test a week later, I'd almost certainly have failed it.
But in the testing of faith, we cannot cram knowledge or understanding and still hope to pass. If we try this shoddy and superficial approach to learning we will simply find ourselves retaking the test, over and over again. If we are truly His talmudim, we will study, pray and delve deeply into the challenging material at hand, to learn and absorb the lesson well, so that we are educated, transformed, and well equipped to move forward in the Lord. Yeshua wants us to learn today's lesson – because He has a new lesson for us tomorrow!
Friend, what lesson is today's important lesson? Be diligent to understand and apprehend it, and even to begin applying it. So doing you'll be thoroughly equipped and prepared for the one your Rabbi will send next...maybe even, tomorrow!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Baltimore, Maryland
Around the World
House overwhelmingly backs new sanctions against North Korea
Determined to exert greater economic pressure on North Korea, the Republican-led House on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to impose new sanctions on Pyongyang targeting its shipping industry and use of slave labor.
U.S. may send up to 5,000 more troops to Afghanistan
The Trump administration is poised to double down on U.S. commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, all but ensuring continued American military involvement in both countries for years to come.
Iran Using U.S. Cash to Fund Unprecedented, Massive Military Buildup
Iran is using the billions in cash resources provided under the landmark nuclear deal to engage in an unprecedented military buildup meant to transform the Islamic Republic's fighting force into an 'offensive' juggernaut, according to a largely unreported announcement by Iranian military leaders that has sparked concern among U.S. national security insiders and sources on Capitol Hill.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump says he will launch new Middle East peace process
The US is launching a new diplomatic effort to reach a comprehensive peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday while hosting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House.
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Netanyahu: I hope Trump-Abbas meeting will bring about a change
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he hoped US President Donald Trump's meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will 'achieve a change' that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to 'pursue a genuine peace.'
Inside the United States
Republicans cheer ‘rescue’ from Obamacare with first major vote to repeal and replace
Republicans took the first major step toward repealing Obamacare on Thursday as the House approved a bill that would replace the 2010 health care overhaul with a more market-friendly system that cancels intrusive government mandates, spurring millions of people to forgo health insurance.
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Senate sends $1.1T spending bill to Trump
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Lessons learned and challenges ahead in Hill's health care fight
The passage of the American Health Care Act in the House on Thursday is a major legislative breakthrough for Republicans, who are carrying the heavy load of repealing and replacing Obamacare with no help from the minority Democrats.
Franklin Graham: Christians in America Are 'Persecuted' by LGBT Agenda
Evangelist Franklin Graham said Tuesday that Christians in America who oppose the LGBT agenda are being 'persecuted' and singled out 'over and over and over again' for acting in accordance with their biblical convictions on sexuality.
US Air Force launches another long-range missile into Pacific
For the second time in a week, the U.S. Air Force test launched another long-range ballistic missile on Wednesday morning, flying more than 4,000 miles from a base in California before splashing down in the Pacific near the Marshall Islands.
New Huma Abedin Emails Reveal 29 Previously Undisclosed Clinton Emails With Classified Information
The conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch released State Department documents on Tuesday revealing 29 email correspondences between Hillary Clinton and her aide Huma Abedin containing classified information.
NSA collected Americans' phone records despite law change: report
The U.S. National Security Agency collected more than 151 million records of Americans' phone calls last year, even after Congress limited its ability to collect bulk phone records, according to an annual report issued on Tuesday by the top U.S. intelligence officer.
Christian News
Trump eases rules on political activity for religious institutions
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order easing the enforcement of rules prohibiting tax-exempt religious institutions from involvement in politics. "We are giving our churches their voices back," Trump said at the White House Rose Garden flanked by religious leaders and White House officials. Trump signed the order, called "Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty," which promises to "protect and vigorously promote religious liberty."
Trump Cabinet Members Attend Weekly Bible Study for 'Maturity in Christ'
Capitol Ministries, a Washington D.C. based ministry seeking to 'make disciples of Jesus Christ in the political arena throughout the world' seeks to help members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet and other politicians in the nation's capital become more mature Christians through weekly Bible studies.