Worthy Brief - 7/14/2017
Friend, He's coming as Judge, are you ready?
Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; My salvation is gone forth, and My arm [z’roah in Hebrew] shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on My arm [z’roah] they will trust.
John 5:22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
Revelation 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
On December 25, 1908, a newspaper in Messina, Silicy dared God to make Himself known by sending an earthquake. Three days later, the city was destroyed by an earthquake that killed over 84,000 people.
Do we really believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is returning soon? He is – He's coming back to judge this world and no one will escape His wrath except those whose sins are forgiven through living faith in His atoning sacrifice. The world in its increasing sinfulness, rejecting His Son, seems to be daring God to bring judgment. This historical event in Messina speaks with shocking clarity that the God of Creation is real, that He listens carefully to the statements we make about Him and the communications we express toward Him, (as individuals, cities, and nations), and that He is a powerful Sovereign King whose judgments are imminent and totally righteous.
Because of sin, we are all born destined to die. Every one of those 84,000+ people were corrupt from the womb and fated for death, so that when this dare came before the Lord in Heaven, He chose the moment to take them and reveal this serious and dramatic testimony of His judgment to all the world. By revealing His judgment as a warning, God shows His mercy to those who remain alive, that we all may seek the eternal safety He offers. Yeshua's sacrificial death provides eternal life for all who are destined to die from sin...that is, all that come to Him in faith.
Friend, God is the true, righteous, and final Judge of us all. Will you be found in Him when He judges? If clothed in His righteousness, the Lord Yeshua, we will escape His judgment for sin. Trust in Him completely and know He is not only a just judge but a "merciful, gracious, longsuffering" God who "abounds in goodness and truth". [Exodus 34:6] With judgment looming -- let's also be about His business today!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
Around the World
U.S. Prepares Fresh Sanctions on Chinese firms over North Korea ties
Frustrated that China has not done more to rein in North Korea, the Trump administration could impose new sanctions on small Chinese banks and other firms doing business with Pyongyang within weeks, two senior U.S. officials said.
Brexit Clash Threatens U.K. Crisis as Scotland, Wales Revolt
Theresa May unveiled a landmark draft law to take Britain out of the European Union, sparking a furious backlash from Scotland and Wales and fueling political opposition that could derail her plans for Brexit.
Merkel, Macron agree on need for EU reforms
Speaking at a joint news conference, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is open to French President Emmanuel Macron's calls to create a Eurozone finance minister and a European Union budget, two reforms the new French leader campaigned to create.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Middle East Quartet meets for first time in Trump’s presidency
Envoys from the US, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations — the so-called Middle East Quartet — met in Jerusalem on Thursday for the first time since the election of US President Donald Trump.
Israel Growing Concerned That Unresolved North Korea Nuclear Crisis Will Embolden Iran, Experts Say
Israel is anxiously observing the escalating international crisis over North Korea’s nuclear program, paying particular attention to its implications for Iranian behavior, a policy paper released this week by one of the Jewish state’s leading strategic think tanks stated.
Three wounded in shooting terror attack near Temple Mount
Three Israelis were wounded in a shooting attack just outside the Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem’s Old City on Friday morning, police said.
Israel, Palestinians reach landmark water deal for West Bank, Gaza
Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Thursday announced an agreement that will provide millions of cubic meters of drinking water to the Palestinians from a desalination process.
Inside the United States
Senate GOP releases revised health care bill
Senate Republican leaders released a revised Obamacare replacement bill Thursday that retains some of the 2010 law’s taxes to blunt premium costs but rolls the dice with Sen. Ted Cruz’s plan to let insurers offer skimpier health plans to Americans who want them.
Minnesota Will Erect the First Satanic Monument on Public Property
A small Minnesota town is getting a lot of attention for a Satanic monument coming to their veterans park.
Atheist Group Demands Removal of Roadside Cross Memorializing Mother Who Died in Car Crash
An atheist activist group is demanding that the city of Salem, Oregon, remove a roadside cross that was purportedly erected to remember the life of a mother who was killed in a tragic car crash years ago, arguing that the symbol’s presence on public land is unconstitutional.
Senate Republicans don't trust leaders' Obamacare repeal process
A lack of confidence in the legislative process is complicating Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's effort to corral enough Republican votes to open the floor debate on repealing Obamacare.
GOP Rep. Gowdy slams Trump Administration for 'amnesia' on Russia Meetings
Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) says it is time for members of President Trump's campaign to come clean about any meetings they had with Russian figures during the campaign.
US charging 412 in health fraud schemes worth $1.3 billion
U.S. prosecutors announced Thursday that they have charged more than 400 people with taking part in health care fraud and opioid scams that totaled $1.3 billion in false billing.
Federal Judge Loosens Trump's 'Travel Ban' Restrictions
A federal judge in Hawaii on Thursday ruled that the U.S. government cannot apply a key part of President Donald Trump’s so-called travel ban to bar entry of grandparents and some other relatives of people legally in the country.
Government Collects $2.5 Trillion In Taxes In First Three Quarters of FY 2017
The federal government collected approximately $2.5 trillion in taxes in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2017, but the federal government still ran a $523 billion deficit during that time, according to the latest monthly Treasury Department statement.
New Hawaii State Law to Force Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers to Advertise Free Abortions
Pro-life pregnancy centers in Hawaii will be forced to advertise free abortions beginning next Wednesday by state law.
Planned Parenthood president: Trump administration is worst 'in my lifetime'
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards says the Trump administration has already done more to set back the nation’s largest abortion provider than any other in the last half-century.
DOJ let Russian lawyer into US before she met with Trump team
The Russian lawyer who penetrated Donald Trump’s inner circle was initially cleared into the United States by the Justice Department under “extraordinary circumstances” before she embarked on a lobbying campaign last year that ensnared the president’s eldest son, members of Congress, journalists and State Department officials, according to court and Justice Department documents and interviews.
President Trump's Budget Would Reduce Deficit By $160 Billion and Increase GDP Growth
President Donald Trump's proposed budget for 2018 would reduce the deficit over the next decade by $160 billion and increase GDP at the same time, according to an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.
Christian News
Cuban Pastor Sentenced to One Year of Heavy Labor and House Arrest for Homeschooling Children
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on July 7, Pastor Ramon Rigal, leader of Iglesia de Dios en Cristo, was sentenced to one year of heavy labor and house arrest for choosing to homeschool his children. Rigal has openly stated that his decision to homeschool was largely attributed to his Christian faith.
Fearing attacks, Egypt's churches suspend pilgrimages, trips
Egyptian churches on Thursday suspended pilgrimages, holidays and conferences for the remainder of July and August after authorities warned them about possible attacks by Islamic militants.
Evangelical leaders pray over Donald Trump during visit to the White House
A group of evangelical leaders prayed over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, with Vice President Mike Pence in attendance as well.
ABC News: Christians Who Believe In The First Amendment Are A 'Hate Group'
ABC News’ Pete Madden and Erin Galloway smeared Christians who believe the Bill of Rights secures religious liberty as a 'hate group,' in an article this week headlined, 'Jeff Sessions addresses ‘anti-LGBT hate group,’ but DOJ won’t release his remarks.'