Worthy Brief - 6/21/2017
Friend, react with boldness!
Psalms 2:1-3 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed [in Hebrew it is the word Meshiach], saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Acts 4:25-28 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
When Peter and John had gone up to the Temple for prayer [Acts 3], they saw a man who was lame from birth, and were moved to heal him in the name of Yeshua (Jesus). Immediately the religious leaders laid hands on them [Acts 4:3] and kept them imprisoned for a day. The following day, with boldness, they declared this miracle was done in the name of Yeshua. I love what the "religious" leaders said next --- "they perceived that they were unlearned men and they marveled at their boldness!" Why were they bold? They had been with Yeshua, and the leaders took note of that!
It is no surprise that the world rages against the Messiah. Psalm 2 declares it clearly. Every year there are tens of thousands of believers suffering and dying for their faith, in large part because the kings and the rulers of the earth RAGE against the Lord and His Anointed. As followers of the King, we should expect this and be prepared for it when it comes.
Friend, but, the examples of Peter and John, and every other true Christian martyr are there to inspire and encourage us that if and when the time of persecution comes for us, we too can be bold as a lion. And this boldness is no merely human bravery, but an unction from the Holy Spirit Himself. So, though the kings of the earth will rage, our simple faith and Holy Spirit boldness will testify that we too have been with Yeshua!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Around the World
U.S. warplanes shoot down Iranian-built drone in second strike against Syrian regime aircraft
For the second time this week, American warplanes downed an armed Syrian aircraft — this time an Iranian-built drone — threatening U.S.-backed forces battling the Islamic State terror group in the war-ravaged country.
Russia cuts communications with U.S. in Syria, threatens to target coalition jets
Russia has shut down a vital communication line with its U.S. counterparts in Syria, threatening to target any aircraft operating above Russian and Syrian regime-controlled territory in the country.
Pro-ISIS rebels storm school in Philippines, students held hostage
About 300 pro-ISIS militants on Wednesday stormed a school in the southern Philippines and are holding students hostage, Reuters reported.
Brussels suspect shot after 'small explosion' in main station
Belgian police have shot a suspect after a small explosion in Brussels' main railway station. Prosecutors have described the incident as a 'terrorist attack,' and said the person who was shot had died.
Iran gets North Korean expertise in building up, testing and hiding its ballistic missiles
Iran has increased production and testing of ballistic missiles since the 2015 nuclear deal with the U.S. while playing permanent host to scientists from North Korea, which has the know-how to build and launch atomic weapons, a leading Iranian opposition group said Tuesday.
Iranian missile barrage against ISIS misses the mark
Tehran's much-heralded ballistic missile strike against Islamic State targets in Syria came up short, with most of the Iranian missiles either missing their marks inside the terror group's haven in Deir-e-Zour, or missing Syria altogether and landing inside Iraqi territory.
US signals involvement in Syria could escalate
The United States is inching closer to involvement in the Syrian civil war after U.S. forces shot down a Syrian fighter jet on Sunday.
Armed Russian jet comes within 5 feet of US recon jet
An armed Russian fighter jet buzzed a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft in the Baltic Sea on Monday, two U.S. officials told Fox News.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump Envoy Greenblatt Meets With Netanyahu in Jerusalem, as US Seeks Renewal of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
Jason Greenblatt -- US President Donald Trump's international negotiations representative -- met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesday, but remained tight-lipped as to the substance of their discussions.
Hamas holds rally in Gaza to celebrate terrorist ramming that killed 4 Israelis
Thousands of Hamas activists and supporters took to the streets of Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza on Sunday night to rally against Israel and praise the terrorist ramming attack in Jerusalem which killed four Israelis.
Inside the United States
New study supports Trump: 5.7 million noncitizens may have cast illegal votes
A research group in New Jersey has taken a fresh look at postelection polling data and concluded that the number of noncitizens voting illegally in U.S. elections is likely far greater than previous estimates.
6th District Defends the Wall, Jon Ossoff Invasion Fails
Democrat Jon Ossoff's expensive bid to flip Georgia's Sixth Congressional District fell short on Tuesday as he lost to Republican Karen Handel, who he had defeated by 28 percentage points in the election's first round of voting two months ago.
Arizona could break scorching temperature records, grounding some flights
Much of Arizona continues Tuesday to cook under triple-digit temperatures that could break records, grounding some flights in Phoenix amid fears plane tires could melt or gauges be compromised.
Illinois careens into financial meltdown - and not even the lottery is safe
Illinois is grappling with a full-fledged financial crisis and not even the lottery is safe - with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner warning the state is entering 'banana republic' territory.
Christian News
Christian student blocked from including prayer in high school commencement speech
America is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave, but to Christians it is also increasingly becoming a land of the politically correct and a country where honor students can't mention God in their graduation speeches.
Pastor Jailed in Burma Falls Ill
One of two assistant pastors arrested by the Burma army last Christmas Eve is suffering deteriorating health from malnutrition, sources said.
Politician Quits Post After Being Bullied for Christian Faith
A British politician has resigned as leader of his party after being bullied for his Christian beliefs, and activists at the Christian Institute are warning the development 'is evidence of wider intolerance in British society.'