Worthy Brief - 6/15/2016
Friend, rest in resurrection power!
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
According to church history, the apostle Thomas, died in Calamina, a city in the East Indies. While there, Thomas had put a stop to the idolatry that was running rampant in the land. The idolatrous priest was not happy about this at all and accused him before their king. The king sentenced Thomas to death -- first to be tormented by red hot plates and then cast into a glowing furnace and burned. When the priest saw that the fire was not hurting him, he pierced Thomas' side with spears and javelins, and finally Thomas died.
What turned the disciple who had fled Messiah during his trial and crucifixion, into a powerful saint of God? What turned turned his fears and doubt into powerful faith that was able to persevere through torture and fire? He had seen the Lord resurrected from the dead! He had witnessed His resurrection power!
Would you die for a lie? Of course not! Neither did the Apostles. Eleven of the twelve apostles suffered similar fates as Thomas.
The same power which rose Yeshua (Jesus) from the dead also gave Thomas and the other disciples the faith to endure --- and that same power is available to us!
Friend, however your faith is being tried today, know that God has given you the power to overcome every doubt, every fear, and every attack of the enemy!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Negev Desert, Israel
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
Iran Announces ‘Milestone’ Deal to Buy Boeing Planes
Officials from the U.S. airplane manufacturer Boeing, a top U.S. government contractor, are staying silent about the details of a Tuesday announcement by Iranian officials that the Islamic Republic and the aviation firm had reached a “milestone” business deal, according to statements provided to the Washington Free Beacon.
Iran's Khamenei Threatens to 'Set Fire' to Nuclear Deal
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, threatened on Tuesday to "set fire" to the nuclear deal sealed with world powers if U.S. presidential candidates reneged on the agreement.
France protests: Hundreds hurl objects as Paris labour reforms demonstration turns violent
Several hundred masked protesters have hurled objects at police in Paris as the latest demonstration against disputed labour reforms in France descended into violence.
Islamic State Claims Responsibility For 'Allahu Akhbar' Terror Killing Of Senior French Police Officer
The Islamic State's own news agency was quick to claim responsibility for a double murder last night after a young man stabbed a senior police officer and his wife to death in a Paris suburb.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
White House opposes extra funding for Israel missile defense
The White House said Tuesday that it was opposed to a move by the House of Representatives to increase funding for Israeli missile defense procurement by an additional $455 million above the administration’s budget request for the 2017 fiscal year.
Opposition MKs blame Netanyahu for White House rejection of increased missile defense funding
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog stated Wednesday that Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu's ego was to blame for the Obama administration's opposition to increasing defense aid for Israel's missile defense program.
Knesset panel upholds Temple Mount ban for MKs
The Knesset Ethics Committee on Tuesday upheld an eight-month ban preventing lawmakers from visiting the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, but said it would back a police decision to scale back the restrictions next month.
$40 billion aid to Israel is 'largest ever' to any country, says Susan Rice
U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice said the proposed military aid package to Israel is larger than any the United States has ever offered to any country.
Inside the United States
Immigrant from Iran Shot Dead in Walmart Shootout
Amarillo police said Mohammad Moghaddam, 54, fired shots and held two hostages at gunpoint at Walmart, before Amarillo Police Department SWAT officers shot and killed him.
480,000 People Overstayed their VISAs, hardly ever caught, feds admin
Immigration agents catch an abysmally small percentage of the illegal immigrants who arrived on visas but overstayed their welcome, authorities admitted to Congress Tuesday, describing a loophole that those around the globe are increasingly using to gain a foothold in the U.S.
Judge Tosses 'Defective' Charge Against Activist Who Exposed Planned Parenthood Organ Sales
A Texas judge threw out one of the charges against the pro-life activist who captured Planned Parenthood executives on tape talking candidly about selling baby body parts.
Omar Mateen a regular at Pulse: 'He was a homosexual, and he was trying to pick up men'
Family members and an ex-wife of Omar Mateen say he regularly espoused homophobic views, but regulars at the LGBT nightclub where the 29-year-old American-born Muslim gunman killed 49 while pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group described him as a routine visitor.
Senate Dems plan gun control blitz
In response to the Orlando terrorist attack, Senate Democratic leaders say they plan to try to force votes on an array of gun control measures in the weeks ahead and have threatened to block critical spending measures if the GOP-led Senate prevents them from bringing up their legislation.
House votes to block IRS collection of donor information
The House voted Tuesday to pass legislation banning the IRS from collecting data about donors to political nonprofits, a measure backed by Republicans in response to the agency's targeting of conservative groups.
Confidence in newspapers, TV news hits bottom
Confidence in newspapers has hit an all time low in the latest Gallup survey, and TV news is also at a new low, the latest proof that Americans are losing faith in the media.
U.S. Politics
Russian Govt Hackers Breach DNC Network, Steal Trump Opposition Research
Russian government hackers stole opposition research on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump after breaking into the Democratic National Committee’s computer network.
Christian News
Pakistan: "Untouchable" Christian beaten
In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Christians are considered to be "untouchable" and as such are often relegated to lowly labor employment.
India: Christian tortured for his faith
A Christian villager was tortured for his faith last month in Chhattisgarh state.