Worthy Brief - 9/7/2016
Friend, a pearl of wisdom for you!
Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Some time ago, we wrote about pearl harvesting -- how, like the oyster, God takes us in, an irritating grain of sand, and over time covers us with His beautiful covering that we may become more precious and more valuable for His Kingdom.
But here is another interesting thought. Once the pearl is ready, a great price must be paid to see its beauty -- the oyster must die. It must be torn open in order to find the treasure within.
Hmmm. Our Messiah was bruised and He was afflicted. He was torn for us, that we could become the beautiful treasure God intended from the very beginning.
Each one of us is a treasure in the Lord's sight. We are highly privileged to be covered and cleansed and bought with a price! It is a great honor -- even the greatest honor -- to be called sons and daughters of the King! Through His sacrificial work, we have become the head and not the tail! We have become more than conquerors!
Friend, we owe it to the Lord to hold our heads high for Him and determine to do great things that His Kingdom can be furthered! Let's remember who we are and go forth with power!
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?
Around the World
US sent $1.3 billion more in cash to Iran to settle arms dispute
The U.S. transferred a total of $1.7 billion in cash to Iran in order to settle a long-running dispute over a failed 1979 arms deal, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
Iran vessel 'harasses,' sails close to U.S. Navy ship in Gulf: U.S. officials
A U.S. Navy coastal patrol ship changed course after a fast-attack craft from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps came within 100 yards (91 meters) of it in the central Gulf on Sunday, U.S. Defense Department officials said on Tuesday.
Khamenei says Islamic world 'must fundamentally reconsider' Saudi control of Mecca
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blasted Saudi Arabia over its management of the hajj, suggesting Muslim countries should challenge Riyadh's control of the annual Muslim pilgrimage.
UNICEF says 28 million children uprooted by global conflict
Some 28 million children around the globe have been driven from their homes by violent conflict, with nearly as many abandoning their homes in search of a better life, according to a UNICEF report released Tuesday.
Obama: 'Gaps of trust' hamper Syria deal with Russia
US President Obama says an agreement with Russia on ending the violence in Syria is being hampered by 'gaps of trust' between the two governments.
Syria conflict: Government helicopters 'drop chlorine' on Aleppo
Syrian government forces have been accused of dropping barrel bombs containing chlorine from helicopters on a suburb of Aleppo, injuring 80 people.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Building starts on underground Gaza barrier
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Donald Trump says Israel will be destroyed unless he is elected
Donald Trump said if he is not elected president, the Iran nuclear deal will destroy Israel.
Inside the United States
Chicago Hits Grim Milestone With 500 Homicides in 2016
The City of Chicago hit a deadly milestone over the Labor Day weekend -- the 500th homicide of the year. And with that tragic tally, the Windy City has now logged more homicides than New York City and Los Angeles combined -- and is on pace to reach a homicide level not seen since the 1990s, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.
U.S. Politics
Emails Deleted, Blackberries Smashed: Fed. Prosecutor Sought in Clinton Scandal
The leader of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is pushing for new action in the investigation of Hillary Clinton's email practices as the FBI's latest revelations fuel new questions.
Trump, Clinton Hit Key Battleground States as Race Tightens
In an election year, Labor Day traditionally marks the final stretch of the presidential race. Monday was no exception.
Franklin Graham: 2016 Presidential Election 'Most Critical in Our Lifetime'
Evangelical leader the Rev. Franklin Graham says while he can't tell Christians who to vote for in the upcoming presidential election in November, he will continue to emphasize that the 2016 election is 'the most critical in our lifetime,' and encourage people to get informed about the issues.
Christian News
Archaeologists Reconstruct Temple Floor Where Jesus Would Have Walked
Archaeologists from the Jerusalem-based Temple Mount Sifting Project believe they have reconstructed a unique architectural element from the Second Temple - floor tiles on which Jesus would have walked.
Christian Man Warns Iranian Regime to 'Fear God's Judgment' Before His Execution
A Christian man executed by the Iranian regime said in a video before his death that he is not afraid of losing his life, and suggested that Iran's leaders who kill hundreds of people every year should fear God's judgment.