Worthy Brief - 6/20/2016
Friend, be freed from a vision of freedom?!
Acts 12:6-10 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals"; and so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
I love this story! Peter was sitting between two guards and suddenly an angel of the Lord comes to him and frees him -- and he thinks it's a vision! He's not sure if he truly believes it.
Then, after his escape, Peter goes to where believers are interceding for him and knocks on the door -- they didn't open the door immediately! The young lady, Rhoda who reported that Peter was at the door was accused of being "mad!" Can you imagine? Even those praying for his freedom, are surprised that he's actually FREE!
There's two points I want to stress in this story. First, Peter is freed supernaturally with angelic assistance -- and he believes it was a vision! He had to step into the reality that he was actually FREE! Secondly, there were believers who talked about FREEDOM, but when true freedom came -- they were shocked as though they truly didn't believe in their prayers!
There are many believers who know they SHOULD be free in Yeshua (Jesus). They have a head knowledge of freedom –- but somehow they haven't grasped the reality of the freedom that is promised! They walk with the vision without living the reality!
Friend, my challenge to you today is to walk in the reality of the freedom you have in Him! Take the promises of God and say, "If the Son has made me free, then I'm free indeed!" And claim that for your life today! Don't be stuck in a vision of freedom – live in the reality of freedom! Claim it and live it today!
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?
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
U.S. to Russia: 'Strong concerns' about bombing of American-trained Syria rebels
U.S. military officials conducted a video conference Saturday with their Russian counterparts, telling them about "strong concerns" about the bombing Thursday of American-trained Syrian rebels.
Syria memo shakes up Washington but unlikely to shift policy
State Department officials shook up America’s generally obedient diplomatic establishment this week with an internal memo urging U.S. military action against Syria’s government with the goal of pressing President Bashar Assad to accept a cease-fire and gaining the upper hand on him in future talks on a political transition.
U.S. sends 2 aircraft carriers to South China Sea area to reassure Asian allies
The U.S. Navy deployed two aircraft carriers near the South China Sea on Saturday in an exercise designed to calm Asian allies in the region and to make a show of military force to the Chinese.
Iran aviation official says Boeing sale involves 100 planes
Boeing Co. is negotiating a deal to sell 100 airplanes to Iran, state-run media reported Sunday, a sale potentially worth billions that would mark the first major entry of an American company into the Islamic Republic after last year's nuclear deal.
Indonesia's Central Java hit by deadly floods and landslides
Flash flooding and landslides in Indonesia have killed 24 and left more than two dozen missing, an official says, with mud avalanches burying people inside their homes.
EU Releases Details on Extended Sanctions Against Russia
The European Union on Saturday published details of its decision extending sanctions against Russia for its 2014 takeover of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, saying it continues to oppose the 'illegal annexation ... and does not recognize it.'
Tens of Thousands Protest US Bases in Okinawa
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered on the Japanese island of Okinawa demanding the U.S. military shut down its bases there following a rash of high-profile incidents involving service members that have made headlines in recent months.
Rio de Janeiro declares state of financial emergency in advance of Olympics
The state governor of Rio de Janeiro issued an order declaring a financial state of emergency just 49 days before the Olympics.
Egyptian court sentences 2 Al-Jazeera employees to death
An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced six people, including two Al-Jazeera employees, to death for allegedly passing documents related to national security to Qatar and the Doha-based TV network during the rule of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
CIA director grave warning: ISIS dangerous as ever
ISIS can draw on a 'large cadre of Western fighters' that could attack in the U.S. and the terror threat posed by the group remains as dangerous as ever despite efforts to crush it militarily, the director of the CIA said Thursday.
Germany slams NATO 'warmongering' on Russia
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has criticised NATO for having a bellicose policy towards Russia, describing it as 'warmongering', the German daily Bild reported.
Belgian police arrest 12 suspected of planning new attacks
Belgian police arrested 12 people suspected of planning new attacks after about 40 houses were searched across the country overnight, the federal prosecutor's office said on Saturday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Russia Might Use Veto Power to Protect Israel at United Nations, Israeli Official Says
Russia is not ruling out using its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to thwart anti-Israel resolutions, an unnamed Israeli diplomatic official involved in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Moscow last week told the Israeli news site nrg.
To Israel’s dismay, EU ministers to meet on backing French peace push
The European Union’s foreign ministers were to meet Monday to vote in support of the French peace initiative, a proclamation expected to bolster Paris’s efforts to kick start Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Netanyahu to meet Kerry next week to discuss Israeli-Palestinian negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry are to meet next week in Europe to urgently discuss Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, Israel's Channel 2 News reported on Sunday.
Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks set to take place in Egypt next week
A Hamas delegation was expected to head to Cairo next week for talks on reconciliation with Fatah, according to Palestinian news agency, Maan.
Israeli tank returned by Russia not the one that carried missing soldiers
Researchers announced on Friday that an Israeli tank captured by Syria during the First Lebanon War in 1982 is not the one from which three missing Israeli soldiers were taken, the Israeli Ynet news site reports.
Ex-defense minister Ya'alon says he will run to lead Israel in next election
Former Israeli defense minister Moshe Ya'alon on Thursday announced that he intended to run for the leadership of Israel in the next elections, Israeli media outlets report. In a speech at the Herzliya Conference, Ya'alon excoriated the country's leadership, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular, whom he accused of seeking to spread and exploit fear.
Inside the United States
DNC hackers accused of broader campaign targeting think-tanks, lobbyists
The hackers believed to be responsible for recently breaching the Democratic National Committee also compromised computers used by law firms, lobbyists and others closely tied to the U.S. political system, Bloomberg reported Friday.
'Satanic Temple' Joins Planned Parenthood in Pro-Abortion Crusade
In the face of growing pressure on Planned Parenthood after revelations that it was selling human body parts, the Satanic Temple has launched a pro-abortion crusade to come to the aid of America’s largest abortion provider.
Illegal families surge across border; 2016 already worse than 2015
The number of illegal immigrant families jumping the border so far this fiscal year has already topped all of 2015, according to Homeland Security statistics released Friday that show the administration’s border problems continue to grow.
Federal report warns of looming pension insolvency
Massive underfunding of multi-employer pension programs could lead to the insolvency of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in less than a decade, according to a report the federal pension backstop released Friday.
Sessions: U.S. should halt immigration from much of Mideast
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions named six Middle Eastern countries on Sunday that he believes should be included in the Muslim travel ban proposed by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
US takes 28 Christian refugees fleeing ISIS, but accepts 5,435 Muslims
Despite the mass extermination of Christians inflicted by the Islamic State, the United States government is admitting an extremely low number of Christian refugees from war-torn Syria and Iraq -- compared to an exponentially higher number of Muslim refugees.
California, New Mexico, Arizona wildfires grow; conditions worsen
Major wildfires have consumed tens of thousands of acres and forced evacuations in California, New Mexico and Arizona.
FBI questions member of Orlando gunman's mosque
FBI agents on Friday questioned a member of the Florida mosque attended by Omar Mateen, the man who shot 49 people to death at a gay nightclub, as new information surfaced revealing the killer had exhibited chronic behavioral problems during his youth.
Google, Facebook, Reddit are run by a bunch of 'left-wing guys'
Less than a month after the Facebook summit between founder Mark Zuckerberg and leading conservatives, the tense relationship between Silicon Valley and conservatives has taken a turn for the worse.
Florida governor unloads on Obama: 'Stop radical Islam!'
A 'fed-up' Florida Gov. Rick Scott called out President Obama during an appearance on Fox News Friday, saying the president 'isn't doing enough to destroy ISIS,' while also denouncing the focus on gun control in the wake of the terror massacre that killed 49 people at an Orlando 'gay' club.
Supreme Court to act on gun ownership cases
Days after the worst mass shooting in the United States, the Supreme Court is poised to act on two cases highlighting the raging debate over what types of guns and ammunition may be banned and who should have the right to possess firearms.
Obama Admin. On Pace to Issue One Million Green Cards to Migrants from Majority-Muslim Countries
The Obama Administration is on pace to issue more than a million green cards to migrants from majority-Muslim countries, according to an analysis of Department of Homeland Security data.
U.S. Politics
Sanders Pledges to Work With Clinton, Fight for Progressive Platform
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Thursday refused to end his campaign for president, but told supporters that he would work closely with presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton to "transform the Democratic Party" and "make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly."
Donald Trump Rolls Out Winning Platform: Cut Taxes, Save Social Security and Medicare
Republican candidate Donald Trump focused this weekend on his economic platform: Cut taxes and regulations across the board while also saving Social Security, Medicare, and other government safety-net programs.
Report: Rubio plans to announce re-election bid next week
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is expected to announce his re-election bid to secure his seat next week.
Trump: 'I hate the concept of profiling,' but we 'have to do it'
Donald Trump on Sunday said he's no fan of racial profiling, but he still thinks the U.S. should consider using it to prevent terror attacks like the mass shooting in Orlando.
ACLU sues Cleveland over GOP convention protest restrictions
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing Cleveland, accusing the city of First Amendment violations affecting protesters and residents during the Republican National Convention next month.
Christian News
Nepal: Seven Christians arrested
Seven Christians were arrested for distributing biblical handbooks to hundreds of students in the Dolakha district of Nepal.
Franklin Graham to Christians: Shake up politics 'before it's too late'
Spiritual leader Franklin Graham is encouraging pastors and everyday Christians to jump into politics 'before it's too late' to fight a growing wave of political correctness.
Pakistani policeman beats up church leader over 'loudspeaker music'
A church leader in Lahore was beaten up during his Sunday service by a policeman, during a dispute over whether or not music was being played over his church loudspeaker.
Orthodox Christian Leaders Make Last-Minute Appeal for Unity
Orthodox Christian leaders meeting for a historic council aimed at promoting unity made a last-minute appeal Friday to the Russian Orthodox Church and three others to attend the gathering, the first such meeting in more than a millennium.
Franklin Graham Says Orlando Shooting 'Symptom' of a 'Godless Nation'
The massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history that has captured the world's attention, was a 'symptom' of the country's spiritual condition, asserts the Rev. Franklin Graham.
Around the World
U.S. to Russia: 'Strong concerns' about bombing of American-trained Syria rebels
U.S. military officials conducted a video conference Saturday with their Russian counterparts, telling them about "strong concerns" about the bombing Thursday of American-trained Syrian rebels.
Syria memo shakes up Washington but unlikely to shift policy
State Department officials shook up America’s generally obedient diplomatic establishment this week with an internal memo urging U.S. military action against Syria’s government with the goal of pressing President Bashar Assad to accept a cease-fire and gaining the upper hand on him in future talks on a political transition.
U.S. sends 2 aircraft carriers to South China Sea area to reassure Asian allies
The U.S. Navy deployed two aircraft carriers near the South China Sea on Saturday in an exercise designed to calm Asian allies in the region and to make a show of military force to the Chinese.
Iran aviation official says Boeing sale involves 100 planes
Boeing Co. is negotiating a deal to sell 100 airplanes to Iran, state-run media reported Sunday, a sale potentially worth billions that would mark the first major entry of an American company into the Islamic Republic after last year's nuclear deal.
Indonesia's Central Java hit by deadly floods and landslides
Flash flooding and landslides in Indonesia have killed 24 and left more than two dozen missing, an official says, with mud avalanches burying people inside their homes.
EU Releases Details on Extended Sanctions Against Russia
The European Union on Saturday published details of its decision extending sanctions against Russia for its 2014 takeover of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, saying it continues to oppose the 'illegal annexation ... and does not recognize it.'
Tens of Thousands Protest US Bases in Okinawa
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered on the Japanese island of Okinawa demanding the U.S. military shut down its bases there following a rash of high-profile incidents involving service members that have made headlines in recent months.
Rio de Janeiro declares state of financial emergency in advance of Olympics
The state governor of Rio de Janeiro issued an order declaring a financial state of emergency just 49 days before the Olympics.
Egyptian court sentences 2 Al-Jazeera employees to death
An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced six people, including two Al-Jazeera employees, to death for allegedly passing documents related to national security to Qatar and the Doha-based TV network during the rule of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
CIA director grave warning: ISIS dangerous as ever
ISIS can draw on a 'large cadre of Western fighters' that could attack in the U.S. and the terror threat posed by the group remains as dangerous as ever despite efforts to crush it militarily, the director of the CIA said Thursday.
Germany slams NATO 'warmongering' on Russia
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has criticised NATO for having a bellicose policy towards Russia, describing it as 'warmongering', the German daily Bild reported.
Belgian police arrest 12 suspected of planning new attacks
Belgian police arrested 12 people suspected of planning new attacks after about 40 houses were searched across the country overnight, the federal prosecutor's office said on Saturday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Russia Might Use Veto Power to Protect Israel at United Nations, Israeli Official Says
Russia is not ruling out using its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to thwart anti-Israel resolutions, an unnamed Israeli diplomatic official involved in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to Moscow last week told the Israeli news site nrg.
To Israel’s dismay, EU ministers to meet on backing French peace push
The European Union’s foreign ministers were to meet Monday to vote in support of the French peace initiative, a proclamation expected to bolster Paris’s efforts to kick start Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Netanyahu to meet Kerry next week to discuss Israeli-Palestinian negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry are to meet next week in Europe to urgently discuss Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, Israel's Channel 2 News reported on Sunday.
Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks set to take place in Egypt next week
A Hamas delegation was expected to head to Cairo next week for talks on reconciliation with Fatah, according to Palestinian news agency, Maan.
Israeli tank returned by Russia not the one that carried missing soldiers
Researchers announced on Friday that an Israeli tank captured by Syria during the First Lebanon War in 1982 is not the one from which three missing Israeli soldiers were taken, the Israeli Ynet news site reports.
Ex-defense minister Ya'alon says he will run to lead Israel in next election
Former Israeli defense minister Moshe Ya'alon on Thursday announced that he intended to run for the leadership of Israel in the next elections, Israeli media outlets report. In a speech at the Herzliya Conference, Ya'alon excoriated the country's leadership, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular, whom he accused of seeking to spread and exploit fear.
Inside the United States
DNC hackers accused of broader campaign targeting think-tanks, lobbyists
The hackers believed to be responsible for recently breaching the Democratic National Committee also compromised computers used by law firms, lobbyists and others closely tied to the U.S. political system, Bloomberg reported Friday.
'Satanic Temple' Joins Planned Parenthood in Pro-Abortion Crusade
In the face of growing pressure on Planned Parenthood after revelations that it was selling human body parts, the Satanic Temple has launched a pro-abortion crusade to come to the aid of America’s largest abortion provider.
Illegal families surge across border; 2016 already worse than 2015
The number of illegal immigrant families jumping the border so far this fiscal year has already topped all of 2015, according to Homeland Security statistics released Friday that show the administration’s border problems continue to grow.
Federal report warns of looming pension insolvency
Massive underfunding of multi-employer pension programs could lead to the insolvency of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in less than a decade, according to a report the federal pension backstop released Friday.
Sessions: U.S. should halt immigration from much of Mideast
Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions named six Middle Eastern countries on Sunday that he believes should be included in the Muslim travel ban proposed by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
US takes 28 Christian refugees fleeing ISIS, but accepts 5,435 Muslims
Despite the mass extermination of Christians inflicted by the Islamic State, the United States government is admitting an extremely low number of Christian refugees from war-torn Syria and Iraq -- compared to an exponentially higher number of Muslim refugees.
California, New Mexico, Arizona wildfires grow; conditions worsen
Major wildfires have consumed tens of thousands of acres and forced evacuations in California, New Mexico and Arizona.
FBI questions member of Orlando gunman's mosque
FBI agents on Friday questioned a member of the Florida mosque attended by Omar Mateen, the man who shot 49 people to death at a gay nightclub, as new information surfaced revealing the killer had exhibited chronic behavioral problems during his youth.
Google, Facebook, Reddit are run by a bunch of 'left-wing guys'
Less than a month after the Facebook summit between founder Mark Zuckerberg and leading conservatives, the tense relationship between Silicon Valley and conservatives has taken a turn for the worse.
Florida governor unloads on Obama: 'Stop radical Islam!'
A 'fed-up' Florida Gov. Rick Scott called out President Obama during an appearance on Fox News Friday, saying the president 'isn't doing enough to destroy ISIS,' while also denouncing the focus on gun control in the wake of the terror massacre that killed 49 people at an Orlando 'gay' club.
Supreme Court to act on gun ownership cases
Days after the worst mass shooting in the United States, the Supreme Court is poised to act on two cases highlighting the raging debate over what types of guns and ammunition may be banned and who should have the right to possess firearms.
Obama Admin. On Pace to Issue One Million Green Cards to Migrants from Majority-Muslim Countries
The Obama Administration is on pace to issue more than a million green cards to migrants from majority-Muslim countries, according to an analysis of Department of Homeland Security data.
U.S. Politics
Sanders Pledges to Work With Clinton, Fight for Progressive Platform
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Thursday refused to end his campaign for president, but told supporters that he would work closely with presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton to "transform the Democratic Party" and "make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly."
Donald Trump Rolls Out Winning Platform: Cut Taxes, Save Social Security and Medicare
Republican candidate Donald Trump focused this weekend on his economic platform: Cut taxes and regulations across the board while also saving Social Security, Medicare, and other government safety-net programs.
Report: Rubio plans to announce re-election bid next week
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is expected to announce his re-election bid to secure his seat next week.
Trump: 'I hate the concept of profiling,' but we 'have to do it'
Donald Trump on Sunday said he's no fan of racial profiling, but he still thinks the U.S. should consider using it to prevent terror attacks like the mass shooting in Orlando.
ACLU sues Cleveland over GOP convention protest restrictions
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing Cleveland, accusing the city of First Amendment violations affecting protesters and residents during the Republican National Convention next month.
Christian News
Nepal: Seven Christians arrested
Seven Christians were arrested for distributing biblical handbooks to hundreds of students in the Dolakha district of Nepal.
Franklin Graham to Christians: Shake up politics 'before it's too late'
Spiritual leader Franklin Graham is encouraging pastors and everyday Christians to jump into politics 'before it's too late' to fight a growing wave of political correctness.
Pakistani policeman beats up church leader over 'loudspeaker music'
A church leader in Lahore was beaten up during his Sunday service by a policeman, during a dispute over whether or not music was being played over his church loudspeaker.
Orthodox Christian Leaders Make Last-Minute Appeal for Unity
Orthodox Christian leaders meeting for a historic council aimed at promoting unity made a last-minute appeal Friday to the Russian Orthodox Church and three others to attend the gathering, the first such meeting in more than a millennium.
Franklin Graham Says Orlando Shooting 'Symptom' of a 'Godless Nation'
The massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history that has captured the world's attention, was a 'symptom' of the country's spiritual condition, asserts the Rev. Franklin Graham.