Worthy Brief - 6/29/2016
Friend, your blind side is covered!
John 14:26 But the Helper [Paraclete], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The Lord gave us His promise to send us a helper -- the Holy Spirit. The word for "helper" in the NT Greek is "paraclete". This word has more meaning then simply "helper" -- it was also an ancient term used in warfare. When Greek warriors went onto the battlefield, they went out in pairs, so when the enemy attacked they could stand back-to-back, covering each other's blind side. The battle partner in Greek was called a "paraclete" -- he was there to watch your back!
The Holy Spirit is more than our helper and comforter – He's our battle partner who covers our blind side and protects our well-being.
Friend, you're not in this fight alone. The Lord has given you a 'paraclete' to go along with you. Don't grieve Him – listen carefully – let Him lead as you fight the good fight of faith, and don't worry about your blind side -- He's got your back!
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
Suspected Islamic State suicide bombers kill 36 at Istanbul airport
Three suicide bombers opened fire then blew themselves up in Istanbul's main international airport on Tuesday, killing 36 people and wounding close to 150 in what Turkey's prime minister said appeared to have been an attack by Islamic State militants.
Brexit crash wiped out a record $3 trillion
A record $3 trillion was wiped out from global markets on Friday and Monday. That means more money was vaporized as a result of the Brexit crash than in any previous two-day period ever, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Russia says U.S. warship in near-miss with Russian vessel in Mediterranean
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday a U.S. destroyer had approached dangerously close to a Russian warship in the Mediterranean Sea on June 17, and protested at what it said was a flagrant U.S. violation of rules to avoid collisions at sea.
Syria rebels battle IS at Iraqi border, aim to cut 'caliphate' in two
Syrian rebels advanced into an Islamic State-held town at the border with Iraq on Wednesday, a rebel commander told Reuters, in a new U.S.-backed offensive aimed at cutting the jihadists' self-declared caliphate in two.
US eyes deploying Iron Dome in Europe to counter Russia
The United States has tested the short-range interceptor missile used by Israel's Iron Dome system with a view to incorporating it or a future American counterpart in European-based air defenses against Russia, a U.S. Army general said on Monday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel wants to keep Quartet report from becoming basis for new UN resolution
Amid Israeli concern that a Middle East report by the Quartet could serve as the basis for a new Security Council resolution underpinning the peace process, UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday a political horizon was one of the keys to neutralizing the “underlying causes of the cycles of violence.”
Netanyahu faces tough cabinet meeting over Israel-Turkey deal approval
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to face an uphill struggle to win approval for Israel's new reconciliation with Turkey when the issue is put to a vote during a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Mississippi: Judge Rules County Clerks Must Marry Same-Sex Couples
A federal judge ruled against a law that would have allowed Mississippi clerks to cite their faith to avoid issuing same-sex marriage licenses.
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Pharmacy's Religious Objections Case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined Tuesday to take up a challenge to a Washington state law that makes it illegal for pharmacies to refuse to dispense medications for religious reasons.
Californians could legalize pot in November
When California voters head to the voting booths in November, they will be deciding whether or not to make recreational marijuana use legal.
Report: Obama Admin. Made Deadly Mistakes in Benghazi Attack
A new report claims the Obama administration was responsible for a series of mistakes before, during, and after the 2012 terror attacks in Benghazi, Libya.
Huge number of successful cyberattacks at one federal agency, report reveals
In 2014, a single U.S. government agency was hit with a blizzard of more than 1,370 external attacks on its most vital computer systems, with three out of every eight incidents resulting in a loss of data, according to a new report by the watchdog Government Accountability Office, suggesting hackers have been far more successful at getting at sensitive government information than previously disclosed.
Supreme Court spurns abortion restrictions in two more states
Reverberations from the U.S. Supreme Court's major ruling backing abortion rights were felt on Tuesday as the justices rejected bids by Mississippi and Wisconsin to revive restrictions on abortion doctors matching those struck down in Texas on Monday.
Seven Refugees With Active TB Sent to Idaho
Seven refugees with active tuberculosis (TB) were diagnosed shortly after their resettlement in Idaho between 2011 and 2015, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Senate votes down $1.1B to fight Zika virus
President Barack Obama asked for $1.9 billion. Senate Republicans offered $1.1 billion. But Tuesday, the Senate didn't approve a dime for the fight against the spreading Zika threat.
Economy Slows to 1.1% Growth in First Quarter of 2016
The U.S. economy slowed in the first quarter of 2016 as real gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 1.1 percent, according to the third estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
U.S. Politics
Trump responds to Istanbul bombings: 'Terrorist threat has never been greater'
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump said Tuesday following the Istanbul bombings the U.S. and world have never faced this level of danger from terrorists.
Clinton outlines tech agenda focused on innovation, expanded internet access
Hillary Clinton unveiled a three-part plan on Tuesday aimed at stimulating job creation and innovation by expanding public access to technology and enabling college students to postpone payments on student debt up to three years.
Christian News
Tim Tebow's Bold Prayer Goes Viral after Man's Medical Emergency
Former football star Tim Tebow continues to make headlines for his faith in action in every day life.
JESUS Film Project: 8 new translations allow God to talk to millions of people in their own language 'in amazing ways'
A huge door leading to the Gospel has been opened, and millions of people from South Asia who have never known Jesus Christ are finding out who the Son of God really is.
Around the World
Suspected Islamic State suicide bombers kill 36 at Istanbul airport
Three suicide bombers opened fire then blew themselves up in Istanbul's main international airport on Tuesday, killing 36 people and wounding close to 150 in what Turkey's prime minister said appeared to have been an attack by Islamic State militants.
Brexit crash wiped out a record $3 trillion
A record $3 trillion was wiped out from global markets on Friday and Monday. That means more money was vaporized as a result of the Brexit crash than in any previous two-day period ever, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Russia says U.S. warship in near-miss with Russian vessel in Mediterranean
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday a U.S. destroyer had approached dangerously close to a Russian warship in the Mediterranean Sea on June 17, and protested at what it said was a flagrant U.S. violation of rules to avoid collisions at sea.
Syria rebels battle IS at Iraqi border, aim to cut 'caliphate' in two
Syrian rebels advanced into an Islamic State-held town at the border with Iraq on Wednesday, a rebel commander told Reuters, in a new U.S.-backed offensive aimed at cutting the jihadists' self-declared caliphate in two.
US eyes deploying Iron Dome in Europe to counter Russia
The United States has tested the short-range interceptor missile used by Israel's Iron Dome system with a view to incorporating it or a future American counterpart in European-based air defenses against Russia, a U.S. Army general said on Monday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel wants to keep Quartet report from becoming basis for new UN resolution
Amid Israeli concern that a Middle East report by the Quartet could serve as the basis for a new Security Council resolution underpinning the peace process, UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday a political horizon was one of the keys to neutralizing the “underlying causes of the cycles of violence.”
Netanyahu faces tough cabinet meeting over Israel-Turkey deal approval
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to face an uphill struggle to win approval for Israel's new reconciliation with Turkey when the issue is put to a vote during a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Mississippi: Judge Rules County Clerks Must Marry Same-Sex Couples
A federal judge ruled against a law that would have allowed Mississippi clerks to cite their faith to avoid issuing same-sex marriage licenses.
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Pharmacy's Religious Objections Case
The U.S. Supreme Court declined Tuesday to take up a challenge to a Washington state law that makes it illegal for pharmacies to refuse to dispense medications for religious reasons.
Californians could legalize pot in November
When California voters head to the voting booths in November, they will be deciding whether or not to make recreational marijuana use legal.
Report: Obama Admin. Made Deadly Mistakes in Benghazi Attack
A new report claims the Obama administration was responsible for a series of mistakes before, during, and after the 2012 terror attacks in Benghazi, Libya.
Huge number of successful cyberattacks at one federal agency, report reveals
In 2014, a single U.S. government agency was hit with a blizzard of more than 1,370 external attacks on its most vital computer systems, with three out of every eight incidents resulting in a loss of data, according to a new report by the watchdog Government Accountability Office, suggesting hackers have been far more successful at getting at sensitive government information than previously disclosed.
Supreme Court spurns abortion restrictions in two more states
Reverberations from the U.S. Supreme Court's major ruling backing abortion rights were felt on Tuesday as the justices rejected bids by Mississippi and Wisconsin to revive restrictions on abortion doctors matching those struck down in Texas on Monday.
Seven Refugees With Active TB Sent to Idaho
Seven refugees with active tuberculosis (TB) were diagnosed shortly after their resettlement in Idaho between 2011 and 2015, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Senate votes down $1.1B to fight Zika virus
President Barack Obama asked for $1.9 billion. Senate Republicans offered $1.1 billion. But Tuesday, the Senate didn't approve a dime for the fight against the spreading Zika threat.
Economy Slows to 1.1% Growth in First Quarter of 2016
The U.S. economy slowed in the first quarter of 2016 as real gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 1.1 percent, according to the third estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
U.S. Politics
Trump responds to Istanbul bombings: 'Terrorist threat has never been greater'
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump said Tuesday following the Istanbul bombings the U.S. and world have never faced this level of danger from terrorists.
Clinton outlines tech agenda focused on innovation, expanded internet access
Hillary Clinton unveiled a three-part plan on Tuesday aimed at stimulating job creation and innovation by expanding public access to technology and enabling college students to postpone payments on student debt up to three years.
Christian News
Tim Tebow's Bold Prayer Goes Viral after Man's Medical Emergency
Former football star Tim Tebow continues to make headlines for his faith in action in every day life.
JESUS Film Project: 8 new translations allow God to talk to millions of people in their own language 'in amazing ways'
A huge door leading to the Gospel has been opened, and millions of people from South Asia who have never known Jesus Christ are finding out who the Son of God really is.