Worthy Brief - 8/5/2016
Friend, blow wind blow!
John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Often in the Bible you will see the word wind or breath. The root meaning of these words, both in Hebrew and Greek, is almost always Spirit. It is important to keep in mind that we can never dictate which direction the wind will blow. It would be absurd to think we could! The wind blows as it will. And in the same way, the Spirit of God blows where it wishes. Well if this is so, how can we be filled with the Spirit? Must we jump up and catch it and just hope for the best? No.
We need to be like a windmill. Windmills were designed to be propelled by the wind, no matter which direction it's blowing, in order to generate power. To be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must do the same. We must be sensitive to which direction He is blowing in order make sure we are getting filled!
Friend, let's submit ourselves once again to the Spirit of God this weekend. Take heed to which direction the Spirit is blowing and be empowered to do the work He has called us to!! We can do nothing without Him!
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
Obama says Islamic State on the run, despite attacks around globe
President Obama said Thursday that the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State is making progress in spite of high-profile terrorist attacks, while Republican nominee Donald Trump charged that Mr. Obama has allowed the Islamist extremist group to rampage “out of control.”
Iran shuts down human rights talks with U.S.
Iranian Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani this week shut down the possibility that his country would participate in a human rights discussion with the United States.
White House press secretary insists $400M to Iran was not 'ransom payment' for freeing U.S. hostages, but offers no more
The Obama administration was in full spin mode Wednesday as it tried to defend its controversial decision to send an unmarked cargo plane loaded with $400 million in foreign cash to Iran just as four Americans held hostage in Tehran were released.
Pentagon Blocks $300 Million in Military Aid for Pakistan
The Pentagon has withheld $300 million in military aid to Pakistan, according to U.S. military officials.
One third of Russian team banned from Olympics for doping
The International Olympic Committee confirmed 118 athletes, or almost one third of the Russian team, will be banned from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games due to blood doping.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
World Vision Doubts Hamas Pocketed Millions, says Gaza aid is audited
A global charity cast doubt Thursday on Israel’s indictment of one of its Palestinian aid workers for diverting million of dollars to fund the Hamas war machine in the Gaza Strip and insisted it conducts regular audits and evaluations to ensure financial aid in coastal enclave reaches those who need it most.
Obama: Even Israel now says we were right on Iran nuke deal
S President Barack Obama said Israeli officials had recognized the efficacy of last year's nuclear deal with Iran, citing the backing of Jerusalem, among the accord's staunchest critics, as he defended the agreement with Tehran and denied 'nefarious' motives in the transfer of money to the Islamic Republic.
World Vision's Christians Donations Funded Hamas
World Vision International is perhaps the world's largest Evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization. It can now add direct, if inadvertent, funding of terrorism to its resume.
Inside the United States
U.S. Poised to Hit Obama's Target of 10,000 Syrian Refugees
After a slow start, it appears increasingly likely that the Obama administration will hit its goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States before the end of September.
US may fund research to create mixed human-animal embryos
Research that mixes human cells into animal embryos could get US government funds for the first time under a new proposal that has stoked concerns about ethics and the limits of science.
FBI: July Was 15th Straight Month Of Record Background Checks
The latest figures from the FBI show that July 2016 was the 15th consecutive month of record background checks for gun sales.
FBI interviews reveal IRS delayed Tea Party applications until after 2012 campaign
Employees at the IRS's Cincinnati office said that the agency 'deliberately' delayed processing Tea Party tax exemption applications until after the 2012 presidential election, Judicial Watch reported on Aug. 1.
Atheist group forces U.S. courthouse to put down Christian flag
The atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FRFF) recently scored a victory over Bryan County Courthouse in Georgia, U.S.A., after it managed to get its officials to take down a Christian flag from its Superior Courtroom.
A secret group bought the ingredients for a dirty bomb -- here in the U.S.
The clandestine group's goal was clear: Obtain the building blocks of a radioactive 'dirty bomb' -- capable of poisoning a major city for a year or more -- by openly purchasing the raw ingredients from authorized sellers inside the United States.
Illinois: Rauner signs bill altering health care 'right of conscience' law
Patients will be assured of being informed how medical treatments they want or need might conflict with doctors' and hospitals' religious beliefs under a change in the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act signed into law last week.
U.S. Politics
Trump Falling Behind Clinton in National Polls
It took all of two weeks for Donald Trump's support to collapse. In mid-to-late July he began to pull ahead nationally. The last three major national polls have shown him trailing Hillary Clinton by 9, 10 and 15 points.
Panicked GOP Leadership to Trump: Get Your Act Together - Fast!
A week full of post-convention controversies involving Donald Trump has GOP leaders in damage control mode. They're reportedly hoping to persuade the Republican nominee to change his approach.
91 percent of blacks spring for Hillary Clinton
More than 90 percent of African-American voters nationwide would pick Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, according to a NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released late Thursday.
Poll: Clinton has 48-point lead over Trump among Latinos
Hispanic Americans support Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by nearly a four-to-one margin, according to a Florida Atlantic University Business and Economic Polling Initiative released late Wednesday.
Christian News
Families of murdered Nigerian pastors mourn their loss
Joseph Kurah, regional chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the central state of Nasarawa and a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All, was murdered on 30 June by suspected Fulani herdsmen on his farm in Obi.
U.S. couple preparing for missionary work in Japan killed in car crash, together with their 3 young children
Minneapolis couple Jamison and Kathryne Pals were planning to move their family of five to Nagoya, Japan in the hopes of becoming missionaries, but their dream to spread God's Word never materialised after they were tragically killed in a car crash just before noon on Sunday.
Around the World
Obama says Islamic State on the run, despite attacks around globe
President Obama said Thursday that the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State is making progress in spite of high-profile terrorist attacks, while Republican nominee Donald Trump charged that Mr. Obama has allowed the Islamist extremist group to rampage “out of control.”
Iran shuts down human rights talks with U.S.
Iranian Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani this week shut down the possibility that his country would participate in a human rights discussion with the United States.
White House press secretary insists $400M to Iran was not 'ransom payment' for freeing U.S. hostages, but offers no more
The Obama administration was in full spin mode Wednesday as it tried to defend its controversial decision to send an unmarked cargo plane loaded with $400 million in foreign cash to Iran just as four Americans held hostage in Tehran were released.
Pentagon Blocks $300 Million in Military Aid for Pakistan
The Pentagon has withheld $300 million in military aid to Pakistan, according to U.S. military officials.
One third of Russian team banned from Olympics for doping
The International Olympic Committee confirmed 118 athletes, or almost one third of the Russian team, will be banned from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games due to blood doping.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
World Vision Doubts Hamas Pocketed Millions, says Gaza aid is audited
A global charity cast doubt Thursday on Israel’s indictment of one of its Palestinian aid workers for diverting million of dollars to fund the Hamas war machine in the Gaza Strip and insisted it conducts regular audits and evaluations to ensure financial aid in coastal enclave reaches those who need it most.
Obama: Even Israel now says we were right on Iran nuke deal
S President Barack Obama said Israeli officials had recognized the efficacy of last year's nuclear deal with Iran, citing the backing of Jerusalem, among the accord's staunchest critics, as he defended the agreement with Tehran and denied 'nefarious' motives in the transfer of money to the Islamic Republic.
World Vision's Christians Donations Funded Hamas
World Vision International is perhaps the world's largest Evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization. It can now add direct, if inadvertent, funding of terrorism to its resume.
Inside the United States
U.S. Poised to Hit Obama's Target of 10,000 Syrian Refugees
After a slow start, it appears increasingly likely that the Obama administration will hit its goal of admitting 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States before the end of September.
US may fund research to create mixed human-animal embryos
Research that mixes human cells into animal embryos could get US government funds for the first time under a new proposal that has stoked concerns about ethics and the limits of science.
FBI: July Was 15th Straight Month Of Record Background Checks
The latest figures from the FBI show that July 2016 was the 15th consecutive month of record background checks for gun sales.
FBI interviews reveal IRS delayed Tea Party applications until after 2012 campaign
Employees at the IRS's Cincinnati office said that the agency 'deliberately' delayed processing Tea Party tax exemption applications until after the 2012 presidential election, Judicial Watch reported on Aug. 1.
Atheist group forces U.S. courthouse to put down Christian flag
The atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FRFF) recently scored a victory over Bryan County Courthouse in Georgia, U.S.A., after it managed to get its officials to take down a Christian flag from its Superior Courtroom.
A secret group bought the ingredients for a dirty bomb -- here in the U.S.
The clandestine group's goal was clear: Obtain the building blocks of a radioactive 'dirty bomb' -- capable of poisoning a major city for a year or more -- by openly purchasing the raw ingredients from authorized sellers inside the United States.
Illinois: Rauner signs bill altering health care 'right of conscience' law
Patients will be assured of being informed how medical treatments they want or need might conflict with doctors' and hospitals' religious beliefs under a change in the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act signed into law last week.
U.S. Politics
Trump Falling Behind Clinton in National Polls
It took all of two weeks for Donald Trump's support to collapse. In mid-to-late July he began to pull ahead nationally. The last three major national polls have shown him trailing Hillary Clinton by 9, 10 and 15 points.
Panicked GOP Leadership to Trump: Get Your Act Together - Fast!
A week full of post-convention controversies involving Donald Trump has GOP leaders in damage control mode. They're reportedly hoping to persuade the Republican nominee to change his approach.
91 percent of blacks spring for Hillary Clinton
More than 90 percent of African-American voters nationwide would pick Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, according to a NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released late Thursday.
Poll: Clinton has 48-point lead over Trump among Latinos
Hispanic Americans support Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump by nearly a four-to-one margin, according to a Florida Atlantic University Business and Economic Polling Initiative released late Wednesday.
Christian News
Families of murdered Nigerian pastors mourn their loss
Joseph Kurah, regional chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the central state of Nasarawa and a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All, was murdered on 30 June by suspected Fulani herdsmen on his farm in Obi.
U.S. couple preparing for missionary work in Japan killed in car crash, together with their 3 young children
Minneapolis couple Jamison and Kathryne Pals were planning to move their family of five to Nagoya, Japan in the hopes of becoming missionaries, but their dream to spread God's Word never materialised after they were tragically killed in a car crash just before noon on Sunday.