Worthy Brief - 6/28/2016
Friend, fight to win!
1 Cor 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Writing to the Corinthian Church, Paul illustrates his exhortation using the metaphors of running a race and fighting a boxing match. Victory is achieved by bringing your body into submission to the will of God.
Their idolatrous culture promoted in the Corinthians an intense passion to win. In Greek mythology, Nike was the goddess of victory. She fought on the side of the Olympian gods, triumphing over the mighty Titans and thus became a powerful symbol of victory.
Her divine her powers were not limited to warfare. She was also solicited by Greek athletes who sought victory in competitive sports. A major manufacturer of athletic shoes took note of this and named their company after the goddess. The Romans gave Nike the Latin name "Victoria" from which we get our English word - "victory".
The apostle Paul, with characteristic cultural awareness, addresses the Corinthians in a language they well understand. He is seeking to harness their passion for victory and transform it for spiritual purposes seeking to motivate them with eternal rewards which the Lord has promised to those who serve Him well.
Friend, in Yeshua (Jesus) we have real Divine power which the ancient pagans could not have dreamed of. It is a power to win where it really counts...with and for our wonderful Lord! We too, need to discipline our bodies, bringing them under submission, and run the race of faith without looking back - we can be victorious. We will obtain an eternal crown, which will never fade!
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
Jordanian officials sold CIA-supplied weapons
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Russian harassment of US diplomats reportedly includes break-ins, dog-killing
Russian President Vladimir Putin's security agencies allegedly have ramped up their intimidation of American diplomats across Europe in ways that would be illegal in the United States: harassment, breaking and entering, and in at least one case, killing a man's dog.
Brexit pushes British pound to 31-year low as world leaders plead for calm amid chaos
The Brexit fallout continued to unsettle Britain and the European Union on Monday, as another leading credit rating agency slashed the U.K. government's rating, Britain's leading parties were consumed by infighting and visiting Secretary of State John F. Kerry urged EU leaders to avoid 'half-cocked' theatrics as they struggled to work out the mechanics and timing of Britain's divorce from the 28-member bloc.
European Superstate to be unveiled: EU nations 'to be morphed into one' post-Brexit
The foreign ministers of France and Germany are due to reveal a blueprint to effectively do away with individual member states in what is being described as an 'ultimatum'.
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The UK has lost its top AAA credit rating from ratings agency S&P following the country's Brexit vote.
Russia: Turkish president 'sorry' for shoot-down of Russian military jet
The Kremlin reported Monday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin saying 'I am sorry' for the downing of a Russian jet last November, an incident Putin had called a 'treacherous stab in the back.'
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
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Jews forbidden entry to Temple Mount after riots
Following violent protests in the Temple Mount area in the preceding two days, the police announced on Tuesday morning that it has decided to prevent tourists and Jewish Israelis from visiting the holy site until the end of Ramadan so that tensions may be eased.
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Inside the United States
Supreme Court strikes down Texas abortion law
The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a Texas law regulating abortion clinics, delivering a 5-3 decision that was the high court’s first major foray into the abortion issue in nine years.
Supreme Court's abortion ruling will have nationwide impact
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Israel leading a 'water revolution' in arid California
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FBI didn't inform some Americans they were on ISIS kill list
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Al Qaeda to jihadis: 'Target white Americans, avoid minorities, because US mislabels attacks as 'hate crime'
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Gun ownership can be denied to domestic abusers, Supreme Court rules
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U.S. Politics
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Christian News
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Efforts to repeal Egypt's blasphemy law are being opposed by its own administration.
SBC passes critical pro-Israel, anti-BDS resolution
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North Korea threatens U.S. missionary over new book
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