Worthy Brief - 6/5/2017
Friend, your reward is before you!
Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, And His arm (z’roah in Hebrew) shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.
Revelation 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
Isaiah tells us that the LORD'S Arm shall rule for Him and that He is coming with reward -- and a similar passage in Revelation declares that the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) is coming to reward His saints.
We live this earthly life recognizing that we are “strangers and pilgrims” [Hebrews 11:13] in this world -- but are working now in full expectation of a heavenly future. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world!"
We know we were made for another world, where the treasure we have stored while working here will neither rust nor corrode, nor be stolen. If you're looking for a pat on the back now [not that praises shouldn't be given or received], you've missed the point of ministry.
This reminds me of a story. There was a husband and wife who served many years in the ministry as missionaries in a far away land. As they returned to the States, the arriving ship was greeted by a brass band. Their initial thought was that this was an arranged greeting to honor them -- but soon discovered that a dignitary was also on the ship. They collected their luggage and booked a cheap motel room. While sitting on the bed, the husband started to cry and said, "We've served God for many years. We've got no money, no house, and when we've returned home, there's not even anyone to meet us!" His wife looked at him and said, "Hon, we're not home yet!"
Friend, we're not home yet! Don't believe for a minute that your work in this world is going unseen in Heaven. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that, ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister." [Hebrews 6:10] Let's be earnestly seeking His praise that when we see Him face to face, He may say to all of us, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" A true homecoming...and a true reward!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Around the World
United Arab Emirates, Egypt join Saudi Arabia, Bahrain in cutting diplomatic ties to Qatar
Four Arab nations cut diplomatic ties to Qatar early Monday morning, further deepening a rift among Gulf Arab nations over that country's support for Islamist groups.
ISIS claims 'detachment of Islamic State fighters' responsible for London attack
The Islamic State claimed responsibility Sunday for the deadly terror attack in London, according to multiple reports.
North Korea says rejects new sanctions, to continue nuclear program
North Korea 'fully rejects' the latest U.N sanctions against its citizens and entities as a 'hostile act' and will continue its nuclear weapons development without a delay, its foreign ministry spokesman said on Sunday.
London police respond to twin terror attacks; at least 6 dead, 20 wounded
Suspected terrorists driving a van mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge late Saturday, and stabbed other victims in a nearby London market neighborhood, British police said.
Trump Pulling Out of Paris Accord: Amounts to Redistribution of Wealth to Foreign Countries
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he was pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord because the current deal hamstrings the United States economy and amounts to a redistribution of wealth to other nations that aren't subjected to such stringent terms.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Top Palestinian official: Western Wall should stay under Israeli sovereignty
Senior Palestinian Authority official Jibril Rajoub said on Saturday evening that Palestinians recognize that in any peace agreement the Western Wall should stay under Israeli sovereignty but the Temple Mount should not.
Israel indicts 5 Palestinians for planning Temple Mount attacks
Israeli security forces arrested over the past month several Palestinian members of an outlawed Islamist group on suspicion of involvement in attempts to carry out attacks against troops and visitors at the Temple Mount, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced Sunday.
Inside the United States
Trump Argues for Travel Ban After Attacks Hit London
President Donald Trump argued in favor of his controversial travel ban as London authorities responded to reports of a string of attacks Saturday night.
California Senate Passes Bill Allowing Third Gender Option on IDs
California lawmakers voted to pass a bill Wednesday that will add a third gender option - non-binary - on state identification cards.
Obamacare Insurer Participation Declines 24 Percent in 2017
The number of health insurers participating in the Affordable Care Act exchanges has declined by 24 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Retail Wreck? Over 1,000 Stores Close in a Single Week
It's been a tough week for the retail industry, with more than 1,000 stores closing their doors for good. Luxury retailer Michael Kors announced it would be closing over 100 locations, and electronics giant Radio Shack closed 1,000 locations across America.
Judicial Watch Releases Another 115 Clinton Email Exchanges Involving Confidential Information
As Hillary Clinton counts the many reasons for her election loss, Judicial Watch continues to seek documents related to her tenure as secretary of state, releasing another 2,078 pages on Thursday.
White House to ramp up infrastructure effort in coming days
The White House will kick its major infrastructure initiative into high gear next week with a string of high-profile events aimed at ramping up support for one of President Trump's chief campaign promises.
Christian News
8 Filipino Christians Killed for Refusing to Recite Islamic Creed
Eight Christians who were killed when an Islamic State-linked group stormed a Filipino city late last month were shot to death because of their refusal to recite the Islamic declaration of faith, government officials have reportedly said.