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Worthy Brief - 7/7/2016

Friend, follow the Lord with all that you have!

1 Corinthians 10:5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Numbers 14:21-24 but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord-- because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.

In this NT passage Paul distinguishes the multitudes of Israelites who never entered the Promised Land, in that they never apprehended the destiny which God intended for them, but, instead, perished in the wilderness. The only adults that entered the Promised Land were Joshua and Caleb. What distinguished Joshua and Caleb? A "different spirit".

It is astounding to realize that so many failed to apprehend this spirit, and Paul makes it clear that this example has the most serious implications for New Testament believers. The spirit of whole hearted commitment, apparently rare as the finest rubies, receives the inheritance, the rich rewards of the "Promised Land". What this "Promised Land" may be for those who are as faithful in the present age, we may wonder. But be assured it will flow with "Milk and Honey" just as the Land of Israel did in those ancient days, (and is again experiencing today!) Following God "with all that we had" will qualify us for the greatest eternal rewards.

The great test for Joshua and Caleb involved the godly courage to face massive giants in battle. They had learned and believed in the miraculous power of God to deliver, protect, and provide for His chosen. And Caleb, because of his great faith, was able to maintain his youthfulness even at the age of 85. (Joshua 14:10-12)

So, Friend, while these are days of tremendous testing, we have the finest examples to follow: Joshua and Caleb, whose spirit was different, whose hearts were whole, and whose faith was built on the witness of God's repeated demonstration of His miraculous power. They knew they could afford to trust YHVH with all they had, and we can too. The Promised Land is waiting for those who will.

Just realize and accept that you're being tested. You will please Him with your faith and His living water will flow from you.

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
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A three-minute video criticizing the Muslim Brotherhood, jihad and Sharia law was removed by YouTube on Tuesday for 'hate speech.'
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Experts have warned the UK is edging towards a 'sexual health crisis' following cuts to STI testing services, as cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea have soared.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
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Israel and the United States recently completed a successful joint test of their militaries' anti-missile systems for the first time in a drill simulating thousands of incoming projectiles from Iran and Lebanon, the Ynet news site reported on Wednesday.
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In face of the increasing missile threat to Israel, the Defense Ministry and the US Missile Defense Agency completed a test in recent days aimed at synching Israeli and American air defense systems so they can operate cooperatively in a future war.
Abbas calls on UN Security Council to reject Quartet report
The United Nations Security Council should reject the Quartet report on the conflict with Israel, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday.

Inside the United States
U.S. Trade Deficit Grew by 10.1 Percent in May
The U.S. trade deficit grew by 10.1 percent from April to May as U.S. exports declined and imports to the country grew.
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For a week this year, the campers practiced paper marbling, created watercolor sunsets with a foreground of a domed mosque and minarets and took pictures of one another with rented cameras on the school’s playground.

U.S. Politics
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Justice Department prosecuted 4 cases like Hillary's
U.S. House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., spoke for many when he said, 'What bothers me about this is the Clintons really are living above the law. They're being held by a different set of standards.'
Sanders may officially endorse Clinton next week, reports say
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders might formally endorse rival Hillary Clinton in the coming days, sources reportedly said Wednesday.

Christian News
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The Islamic State's (Isis) so-called hacking arm, the United Cyber Caliphate (UCC), has released a new kill list with over 1,700 entries, targeting members of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues in the US. The list, like others released in the past, calls on pro-Daesh supporters to 'kill them all' and 'slay them', in efforts to promote more lone-wolf attacks in the West.
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