Worthy Brief - 9/15/2017
Friend, do ya love me?
John 15:9 As the Father loved me, I also have loved you: abide in My love.
An ancient story in Church history tells of the apostle John. He would constantly repeat the words, "Little children, love one another." And his disciples became weary of the phrase. Finally, in his old age, as John was being carried to their assembly, the disciples asked him, "Why do you always repeat these same words?" "Because friends," John replied, "it is the Lord's commandment -- and if only this one were fulfilled, it would be enough."
What is the greatest witness we Christians have to the world around us? I can tell you it's not only our words of wisdom, though they may be wonderful. It's not only our knowledge of the Scripture, though it may be vast. It's not only our material giving, though it may be great.
The greatest witness we have is the kind of love that the Bible defines above. Have we been patient and kind with others? Perhaps instead, we've been envious, boastful, proud, rude, self seeking or easily angered. I know I have. Have we kept a record of wrongs? Have we we delighted in evil? Uggh. When we express the true love of God, we always rejoice in the truth, protect, trust, hope and persevere.
Love never fails. Love can turn evil to good, darkness into light and enemies to friends. True love can totally transform the world around us.
Friend, I am humbled, are you? Let's strive to start loving the way the Lord would have us love. Yeah -- you know why. 'Cause there's just so much work to be done!!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Arad, Israel
North Korea fires missile over Japan in longest-ever flight
North Korea fired an intermediate-range missile over Japan into the northern Pacific Ocean on Friday, U.S. and South Korean militaries said, its longest-ever such flight and a clear message of defiance to its rivals.
Russia kicks off huge war games on Europe's borders
Military officials in Belarus sought Thursday morning to calm Western fears about major war games taking place with Russia, hours before they got underway.
Trump says Iran breaking ‘spirit’ of nuclear deal
Donald Trump on Thursday slammed Iran for violating 'the spirit' of a deal curbing its nuclear program, weeks before the US president must decide whether to stick by the agreement.
Malaysia foils Islamic State terror plot to attack places of worship
Malaysian police have arrested a 21-year-old Islamic State (IS)-linked suspect who received orders from Syria to launch attacks on non-Muslims and their places of worship.
Trump to pitch 'America First' agenda in U.N. debut, press on North Korea
President Donald Trump will take his 'America First' message to the United Nations next week and seek support for tough measures against North Korea despite his skepticism about the value of international groups like the 193-member body.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump administration backs bill to halt aid to Palestinians
The Trump administration is backing legislation that would suspend US financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it ends what critics say is a long-standing practice of rewarding Palestinians who kill Americans and Israelis.
Israel Demanded 60km Buffer but Russia Let Iranian Forces in Syria Approach the Border
Israel asked Russia and the United States to prevent an Iranian presence, or that of any Shi’ite militia operating under Iranian influence, in southern Syria near the Israeli border in any cease-fire agreement. Israel presented its demand during the talks that preceded the cease-fire agreement in July – but the Russians refused.
Inside the United States
Trump meets with Hurricane Irma responders and victims in Florida
President Donald Trump met with emergency responders in Florida today, thanking them for what he called their 'incredible' work after Hurricane Irma hit the state over the weekend.
Trump says no DACA deal yet, doubles down on border wall
President Trump tweeted Thursday that he did not make a deal with Democrats for children brought to the U.S. illegally, but indicated he has no desire to deport them.
Trump slams Susan Rice: ‘What she did was wrong’
President Trump said Thursday that Susan Rice admitting that she unmasked the identities of Trump transition team officials caught up in national security surveillance was 'just the tip of the iceberg.'
FBI reversal: Bureau will release more Clinton investigation docs
Weeks after saying there wasn’t enough public interest in Hillary Clinton’s email case, the FBI’s decision has been modified, and the bureau will publicly release more details of its obstruction of justice probe into the former secretary of state.
Christian News
Biblical Type Miracle?: What Happened in Tampa Bay as Hurricane Irma Roared Through
Hurricane Irma caused massive flooding as it ripped its way through Florida and the Caribbean last week -- but not for everyone. Tampa Bay residents experienced a bizzare phenomenon that some believe comes straight out of the Bible.