Worthy Brief - 9/19/2016
Friend, stop looking back -- look ahead!
Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Some time ago, I wrote a devotional about not worrying for tomorrow because tomorrow holds its own worries. But it occurred to me recently, that just about as often as we worry for tomorrow, we fret about yesterday. How many times do we find ourselves saying, "I wish things could be the way they were, I wish I was younger, I wish I could fit into those jeans again, I wish I didn't make that terrible mistake ... you fill in the blank"?
The Lord doesn't want us constantly looking back at what once was. Our enemy does -- he wants us to feel discouraged and helpless and ruminate over and over on what we can never change. Sure, if we need to repent or make something right, we ought to go ahead and do it. But God doesn't want us drowning in self-pity or regret about past mistakes, or hopelessly longing for what can never be again . He wants us to look ahead. He wants us to say, "Forget what was – the future is where my destiny lies and I will meet the Lord there in His purposes for me." That's faith. And it's well based in everything Yeshua (Jesus) has done for us, promised us, and called us to.
Friend, let's stop looking back in fear or bondage to the past – it's long gone already. Let's move ahead and press toward the new things that the Lord has for us in our lives. Our God is always making things new, and redeeming what was before.
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
US to shift military assets to Syria under deal
The U.S. military will have to shift surveillance aircraft from other regions and increase the number of intelligence analysts to coordinate attacks with Russia under the Syria cease-fire deal partly in order to target militants the U.S. has largely spared, senior officials say.
America's 'Ultimate Failure' in Afghanistan: Corruption by the Billions
A blistering new report blasts the U.S. government's pouring of billions of dollars into projects in Afghanistan with inadequate oversight that in many cases fueled corruption on unprecedented levels and ultimately undermined America's mission there.
Al-Aksa mosque preacher calls on Allah to blow up Moscow, DC
In his September 14 address at al-Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem, Palestinian cleric Abdallah Ayed beseeched Allah to 'to vanquish America and Russia.'
Moscow says strikes on Syria army threaten U.S.-Russia ceasefire plan
Moscow stepped up its war of words with Washington on Sunday, saying air strikes by a U.S.-led coalition on the Syrian army threatened the implementation of a U.S.-Russian ceasefire plan for Syria and bordered on connivance with Islamic State.
UN summit on refugees to open in New York
The UN is to convene a summit on migration and refugees to address the more than 65 million people displaced by conflict. But critics say any outcome will be a political gesture rather than a legally-binding declaration.
Iran must stand strong against US on region conflicts: Khamenei
Iran's supreme leader said the Islamic republic must stand strong against Washington on the region's conflicts, in an address Sunday to commanders of the elite Republican Guards force.
UK to veto EU 'defence union'
British defence minister Michael Fallon has said the UK would veto the creation of EU military capabilities so long as it remained a member of the bloc.
Putin's ruling party takes early lead in Russia election
The ruling United Russia party was leading in early results Sunday in national elections, poised to retain control of parliament despite a deep economic recession and Russia's worst relations with the West since the Cold War.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Obama and Netanyahu to meet Wednesday
The meeting was agreed upon following talks between the Prime Minister's Office and the White House and was confirmed after the signing of the new US-Israel military aid package. It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since November 2015 and likely be the last as Obama approaches the conclusion of his presidency.
Israel prepares civilians for threat of 230,000 enemy rockets
The IDF Home Front Command is preparing for the possibility that Hezbollah will fire thousands of missiles from Lebanon into Israel during the next war.
Senator Graham slams Israel for 'pulling the rug' from Congress on defense deal
Republican senator Lindsey Graham said Friday that Israel made a mistake in signing a new $38 billion defense aid agreement with the United States, claiming that Netanyahu 'pulled the rug' from under Congress where there was bipartisan support for providing Israel with more military aid.
Netanyahu fires back at US aid deal critics: 'We were never offered more'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday fired back at critics over the recently signed $38 million military aid deal, saying that such criticism was 'background noise and disinformation.'
2 police hurt in Jerusalem stabbing; assailant shot
Two police officers were wounded in a stabbing attack outside Herod's Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on Monday morning, police said, as a fresh wave of attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank appeared to persist for a fourth straight day.
In leaked emails, Colin Powell says Israel has 200 nukes
Former US secretary of state and four-star general Colin Powell alleged that Israel possesses some 200 nuclear weapons, in an email apparently leaked by Russian hackers this week.
US gun owners cause boom in Israeli ammunition sales, report says
Sales of Israeli ammunition to the US civilian sector increased by about 1,000 percent last year, Haaretz reported on Thursday.
Inside the United States
Terrorist Attacks Across America Over the Weekend
Three violent attacks over the weekend that left almost 40 people injured remained shrouded in questions, but together they fueled growing fears among authorities about terror assaults by small groups, lone wolves or simply deranged individuals.
Congress Investigating Obama Admin-Funded Campaign to Unseat Israeli PM
Congress on Friday launched a wide-ranging probe into a secret Obama administration-funded campaign to unseat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to information exclusively obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Gov't to fire Christian for not viewing pro-LGBT video?
A federal government agency is threatening to fire a Christian employee of 14 years for declining to watch an LGBT 'diversity and inclusivity' training video.
Plans Reinstated to Build Arch of Ba'al in NYC
An arch that stood before the Temple of Ba'al in Palmyra, Syria, before it was destroyed by ISIS will be recreated in New York City on Sept. 19th.
Terror suspected in New York blast, Minnesota stabbing rampage
Investigators scrambled Sunday night for clues behind an apparent terrorist explosion that rocked New York on Saturday as the Islamic State claimed credit for a Somali immigrant's stabbing rampage in Minnesota.
Religion Contributes $1.2 Trillion to US Economy, More Than Top 10 Tech Companies
Religious groups contribute $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy, more than the top 10 tech companies combined.
New York attacks prompt fears over 'lone wolf' terror assaults
Three violent attacks over the weekend that left almost 40 people injured remained shrouded in questions, but together they fueled growing fears among authorities about terror assaults by small groups, lone wolves or simply deranged individuals.
FBI Investigates Minnesota Stabbings as Possible Terror Act
A man in a private security uniform stabbed nine people at a Minnesota shopping mall, reportedly asking one victim if he or she was Muslim before an off-duty police officer shot and killed him in an attack the Islamic State group claimed as its own.
U.S. Politics
Poll: Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton tied across battleground states
The race across the combined battlegrounds is as tight as can be, tied 42 percent to 42 percent.
Citi ups forecast for Trump win to 40%; says Clinton suffering from 'enthusiasm gap'
With 50 days to go, analysts at Citi have increased their forecast for a Donald Trump victory at November's U.S. presidential elections.
Trump Opens Up 7-Point Lead (48-41) in LA Times/USC Poll
Trump holds a 48 percent to 41 percent advantage over Clinton according to the Los Angeles Times/USC Dornsife poll. The survey marks a sharp contrast from the same poll just one week ago, which had Clinton holding a slim advantage over Trump.
Obama's plea to black voters: Not backing Hillary Clinton an 'insult to my legacy'
President Barack Obama told the Congressional Black Caucus gala it would be 'an insult to my legacy' if African-Americans don't vote for Hillary Clinton and reject Donald Trump.
Trump cracks the Electoral College lock
If the election were held today, Donald Trump would apparently win roughly as many electoral votes as Hillary Clinton -- who held a commanding lead in early August and seemed to be closing off all possible Trump routes to 270 electoral votes.
Clinton dodges reporters in six-question press conference
Hillary Clinton declined Thursday to answer repeated questions about when her running mate found out that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia.
Christian News
ISIS moving from Christian persecution to Christian 'extermination'
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has now moved from persecuting Christians to trying to exterminate them, according to a prominent advocate for refugees.
Freedom of Religion or Belief 'the Defining Issue of Our Time'
Over 100 parliamentarians from 60 countries met this week in Berlin for a series of workshops and seminars under the title, 'An Embattled Right: Protecting and Promoting Freedom of Religion of Belief.'
Around the World
US to shift military assets to Syria under deal
The U.S. military will have to shift surveillance aircraft from other regions and increase the number of intelligence analysts to coordinate attacks with Russia under the Syria cease-fire deal partly in order to target militants the U.S. has largely spared, senior officials say.
America's 'Ultimate Failure' in Afghanistan: Corruption by the Billions
A blistering new report blasts the U.S. government's pouring of billions of dollars into projects in Afghanistan with inadequate oversight that in many cases fueled corruption on unprecedented levels and ultimately undermined America's mission there.
Al-Aksa mosque preacher calls on Allah to blow up Moscow, DC
In his September 14 address at al-Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem, Palestinian cleric Abdallah Ayed beseeched Allah to 'to vanquish America and Russia.'
Moscow says strikes on Syria army threaten U.S.-Russia ceasefire plan
Moscow stepped up its war of words with Washington on Sunday, saying air strikes by a U.S.-led coalition on the Syrian army threatened the implementation of a U.S.-Russian ceasefire plan for Syria and bordered on connivance with Islamic State.
UN summit on refugees to open in New York
The UN is to convene a summit on migration and refugees to address the more than 65 million people displaced by conflict. But critics say any outcome will be a political gesture rather than a legally-binding declaration.
Iran must stand strong against US on region conflicts: Khamenei
Iran's supreme leader said the Islamic republic must stand strong against Washington on the region's conflicts, in an address Sunday to commanders of the elite Republican Guards force.
UK to veto EU 'defence union'
British defence minister Michael Fallon has said the UK would veto the creation of EU military capabilities so long as it remained a member of the bloc.
Putin's ruling party takes early lead in Russia election
The ruling United Russia party was leading in early results Sunday in national elections, poised to retain control of parliament despite a deep economic recession and Russia's worst relations with the West since the Cold War.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Obama and Netanyahu to meet Wednesday
The meeting was agreed upon following talks between the Prime Minister's Office and the White House and was confirmed after the signing of the new US-Israel military aid package. It will be the first meeting between the two leaders since November 2015 and likely be the last as Obama approaches the conclusion of his presidency.
Israel prepares civilians for threat of 230,000 enemy rockets
The IDF Home Front Command is preparing for the possibility that Hezbollah will fire thousands of missiles from Lebanon into Israel during the next war.
Senator Graham slams Israel for 'pulling the rug' from Congress on defense deal
Republican senator Lindsey Graham said Friday that Israel made a mistake in signing a new $38 billion defense aid agreement with the United States, claiming that Netanyahu 'pulled the rug' from under Congress where there was bipartisan support for providing Israel with more military aid.
Netanyahu fires back at US aid deal critics: 'We were never offered more'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday fired back at critics over the recently signed $38 million military aid deal, saying that such criticism was 'background noise and disinformation.'
2 police hurt in Jerusalem stabbing; assailant shot
Two police officers were wounded in a stabbing attack outside Herod's Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on Monday morning, police said, as a fresh wave of attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank appeared to persist for a fourth straight day.
In leaked emails, Colin Powell says Israel has 200 nukes
Former US secretary of state and four-star general Colin Powell alleged that Israel possesses some 200 nuclear weapons, in an email apparently leaked by Russian hackers this week.
US gun owners cause boom in Israeli ammunition sales, report says
Sales of Israeli ammunition to the US civilian sector increased by about 1,000 percent last year, Haaretz reported on Thursday.
Inside the United States
Terrorist Attacks Across America Over the Weekend
Three violent attacks over the weekend that left almost 40 people injured remained shrouded in questions, but together they fueled growing fears among authorities about terror assaults by small groups, lone wolves or simply deranged individuals.
Congress Investigating Obama Admin-Funded Campaign to Unseat Israeli PM
Congress on Friday launched a wide-ranging probe into a secret Obama administration-funded campaign to unseat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to information exclusively obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Gov't to fire Christian for not viewing pro-LGBT video?
A federal government agency is threatening to fire a Christian employee of 14 years for declining to watch an LGBT 'diversity and inclusivity' training video.
Plans Reinstated to Build Arch of Ba'al in NYC
An arch that stood before the Temple of Ba'al in Palmyra, Syria, before it was destroyed by ISIS will be recreated in New York City on Sept. 19th.
Terror suspected in New York blast, Minnesota stabbing rampage
Investigators scrambled Sunday night for clues behind an apparent terrorist explosion that rocked New York on Saturday as the Islamic State claimed credit for a Somali immigrant's stabbing rampage in Minnesota.
Religion Contributes $1.2 Trillion to US Economy, More Than Top 10 Tech Companies
Religious groups contribute $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy, more than the top 10 tech companies combined.
New York attacks prompt fears over 'lone wolf' terror assaults
Three violent attacks over the weekend that left almost 40 people injured remained shrouded in questions, but together they fueled growing fears among authorities about terror assaults by small groups, lone wolves or simply deranged individuals.
FBI Investigates Minnesota Stabbings as Possible Terror Act
A man in a private security uniform stabbed nine people at a Minnesota shopping mall, reportedly asking one victim if he or she was Muslim before an off-duty police officer shot and killed him in an attack the Islamic State group claimed as its own.
U.S. Politics
Poll: Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton tied across battleground states
The race across the combined battlegrounds is as tight as can be, tied 42 percent to 42 percent.
Citi ups forecast for Trump win to 40%; says Clinton suffering from 'enthusiasm gap'
With 50 days to go, analysts at Citi have increased their forecast for a Donald Trump victory at November's U.S. presidential elections.
Trump Opens Up 7-Point Lead (48-41) in LA Times/USC Poll
Trump holds a 48 percent to 41 percent advantage over Clinton according to the Los Angeles Times/USC Dornsife poll. The survey marks a sharp contrast from the same poll just one week ago, which had Clinton holding a slim advantage over Trump.
Obama's plea to black voters: Not backing Hillary Clinton an 'insult to my legacy'
President Barack Obama told the Congressional Black Caucus gala it would be 'an insult to my legacy' if African-Americans don't vote for Hillary Clinton and reject Donald Trump.
Trump cracks the Electoral College lock
If the election were held today, Donald Trump would apparently win roughly as many electoral votes as Hillary Clinton -- who held a commanding lead in early August and seemed to be closing off all possible Trump routes to 270 electoral votes.
Clinton dodges reporters in six-question press conference
Hillary Clinton declined Thursday to answer repeated questions about when her running mate found out that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia.
Christian News
ISIS moving from Christian persecution to Christian 'extermination'
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has now moved from persecuting Christians to trying to exterminate them, according to a prominent advocate for refugees.
Freedom of Religion or Belief 'the Defining Issue of Our Time'
Over 100 parliamentarians from 60 countries met this week in Berlin for a series of workshops and seminars under the title, 'An Embattled Right: Protecting and Promoting Freedom of Religion of Belief.'