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Worthy Brief - 8/12/2016

Friend, touch someone and bring out their inner beauty!

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

A young couple was visiting a renown jewelry store in New York City. They browsed through cases of magnificent diamonds with their gleaming yellow light along with many other splendid precious stones. Among those beautiful stones, one in particular caught his wife's eye. It was completely lusterless and didn't seem to be in the right place." That is one terrible looking stone, do you see that?", she said. The curious husband asked a clerk if they could see the stone. The clerk opened the case, took out the stone and held it in his hand for a few minutes. When he opened it, there was a perfectly flawless stone. There was not a place on it that didn't gleam with the splendor of the rainbow. "How did you do that?", they asked in surprise. "This is an opal", he replied. "It is what we call the sympathetic jewel. It only needs contact with the human hand to bring out its wonderful beauty."

Merely a touch brings out this stone's beauty. We live in a world where beauty is hidden under pain, sin and suffering. How many lives only need the warm touch of human sympathy, love and compassion, to make them gleam with a radiant splendor? Reach out and touch someone this weekend for His glory! Share with them the love of God and not only will they receive a glimmer of joy, but you will gleam with His radiance too! When the Lord asked whom shall I send, Isaiah replied "Hineni (here am I)".

Friend, let's say "Hineni" today and be used by the Lord to bring out the beauty of those around us!

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
Erdogan and Putin agree on multi-billion energy deal
Turkey and Russia agreed to revive the multibillion-dollar "Turkish Stream" natural gas pipeline after a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Aug. 9.
Perseid meteor shower 2016: Once in a decade 'outburst' expected
This year’s installment of the Perseid meteor shower is expected to deliver a double dose of shooting stars streaking across the night sky.
7.2 earthquake off Fiji spurs tsunami warning
A large 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck off the Pacific island nations of Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanautu, authorities said Friday.
US 'welcomes' Russian-Turkish cooperation against IS
The United States on Thursday tentatively welcomed possible Turkish-Russian cooperation against jihadists in Syria, as Ankara has proposed to Moscow, even if those countries support opposing camps there.
Tough talk between Russia, Ukraine heats up Crimea stalemate
Ukraine put its troops on combat alert Thursday along the country's de facto borders with Crimea and separatist rebels in the east amid an escalating war of words with Russia over Crimea.
State Dept. approves $231 million munitions sale to NATO countries
The U.S. State Department has approved the proposed sale of $231 million in guided munitions to several European countries.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Pentagon looks to Israel's 'Iron Dome' for new missile shield
American defense contractor Raytheon and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, who worked together developing Israel’s Iron Dome—the highly-acclaimed mobile air defense system that has become critical to Israel’s national security—are now collaborating on an American prototype.
Israeli athletes in Rio endure 'shocking' hostility, taunting by Muslim nations
The 2016 Olympic Games have been billed as an opportunity to put politics aside in the spirit of international camaraderie, but that's not necessarily how it's working out for Israeli athletes.

Inside the United States
Hurricane season now expected to see more storms than first thought, NOAA says
This year's hurricane season will see a normal or above average number of severe storms -- perhaps as many as 17 -- by the time it's over, federal forecasters said Thursday.
Increased regulation may be easing Oklahoma earthquakes
While the earth continues to shudder more frequently than seven years ago beneath Oklahomans feet, the rate of earthquakes in the state in 2016 is down from last year.
FBI widens investigation into hacking of Democrats as 'electronic Watergate' worsens
A hacking campaign that recently compromised the Democratic National Committee and an official fundraising wing of the party was more severe in scope than previously stated, according to reports; it may have resulted in the breach of more than 100 private email accounts.
Key US Military Command Accused of Manipulating Islamic State Reports
A U.S. House of Representatives task force has accused leaders of a key military command unit of manipulating intelligence reports to depict more favorable progress in combating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria than warranted.

U.S. Politics
Dozens of Republicans to urge RNC to cut off funds for Trump
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Reeling Trump camp calls for 'emergency' meeting with Republicans
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Trump: I can stop raising cash for Republicans
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Christian News
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Pastors sue Illinois over gay conversion therapy ban
A group of pastors is suing Illinois over a law that bars therapists and counselors from trying to change a minor's sexual orientation, saying in a Thursday filing that the prohibition violates free speech and religious rights.
Christians Forced to Hide Bibles Amid Migrant Muslim Death Threats
Highlighting the fact Christians suffer violence, harassment, and death threats in migrant lodgings, Ms. Mousapour criticised Germany for granting Islam 'too much respect'. Declaring anti-Christian hate attacks an affront to German values, politician Erika Steinbach advocated the government deport migrants who insult or attack Christians.