Worthy Brief - 4/5/2016
Friend, you're His Masterpiece!
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Throughout the world, millions of dollars are spent on priceless works of art. I'm always amazed at how much people will pay for one painting -- some are considered virtually priceless. But what makes a masterpiece? It's not a what -- it's a "who" -- a master makes a masterpiece!
There's a Master at work on you. Your life is a priceless work of art in the Lord's hand. God's masterful artistry, His perfect "touch", is painting, sculpting your life day by day to create the masterpiece He envisions you to be. Every stroke of the brush, every strike of the chisel, places color, renders shape to your individual identity in Him. You can trust His craftsmanship, rely on His artistry, because not only is He the consummate Master Artist, but He loves His works.
"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works"....so it seems the Master Artist has created you to be an artist too; to walk in good works which reflect His work in you. You are a beautiful masterpiece in the making, designed to portray a beautiful Master in all you do.
Friend, the Lord's work is beautiful, it's the best, highest quality available, three dimensional, living and breathing...and it's truly "priceless" in terms of this world's reckoning– but wait until you see just how He values you and your good works where it really counts -- in the World to Come. So realize that you are a work of God -- created for good works to be valued, highly valued, in Eternity.
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
Panama Papers blowback rocks world capitals
A world of blowback descended on capitals from Moscow and Riyadh to Washington and Reykjavik Monday a day after the publication of the so-called "Panama Papers" exposed the offshore and potentially illegal financial dealings of dozens of wealthy, famous and powerful people around the world.
ISIS uses mustard gas against Syrian army
Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists attacked Syrian army troops with mustard gas in an offensive against a Syrian military airport in the eastern province of Deir al-Zor that borders Iraq, Reuters reported Monday, citing Syrian state media.
Russia withdrawal due to disappointment with Iran and Hezbollah
Russia decided to partially withdrawal its troop from Syria due to Moscow's disappointment over failures by pro-regime Iranian and Hezbollah forces to achieve victories against opposition forces fighting to topple the Assad government, the Saudi news-site Elaph reported Monday night.
ISIS Crucifies Young Men on Electrical Poles
ISIS crucified at least eight men on electricity poles in its de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria, this past weekend, according to human rights activists.
Mexico tortures migrants -- and citizens -- in effort to slow Central American surge
A growing number of indigenous Mexicans are being detained by agents looking for Central American migrants, amid a crackdown driven partly by aid from the US.
Navy: Iranian weapons confiscated at sea -- and it's the third time in two months
The U.S. Navy has confiscated a cache of weapons that it believes was been transported from Iran to Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking at least the third time in two months that such a shipment was stopped, Navy officials said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Lockheed Martin: First F-35s will arrive in Israel in December
Development of the advanced F-35 fighter jet is moving along as expected and Israel "has our commitment" that the first F-35s it ordered will arrive this December, Lockheed Martin Vice President Gen. (ret.) Gary North said Sunday at a Tel Aviv national security conference organized by the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies and Israel Defense.
IDF records drastic drop in Palestinian terrorism in March
The month of March has experienced a drastic drop in Palestinian terrorism attacks in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and in Israeli cities within the Green Line, according to IDF data.
Israel 'our indispensable ally' in war on Islamic terror, says Paul Ryan on visit to Jerusalem
Paul Ryan, the U,S, Speaker of the House of Representatives, first order of business is to make clear that he very deliberately chose to visit Israel now so as to reinforce our alliance and to underline his conviction that the US-Israel partnership should and will grow stronger in the future.
Netanyahu responds to Abbas invite: 'I'll be here, any day'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he was willing to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas any day, after the PA leader called for a meeting during an interview last week on Israeli television.
Rivlin calls for talks with Palestinians, says he would meet Abbas
President Reuven Rivlin spoke on Monday of the need for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and said he was willing to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to further this goal.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court rules in redistricting case: Illegal immigrants can be counted
A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Monday that illegal immigrants and other noncitizens can be counted when states draw their legislative districts, shooting down a challenge by Texas residents who said their own voting power was being diluted.
Congress Investigating Obama Admin Deception on Iran Nuke Deal
Congress is investigating whether the Obama administration misled lawmakers last summer about the extent of concessions granted to Iran under the nuclear deal, as well as if administration officials have been quietly rewriting the deal's terms in the aftermath of the agreement, according to sources and a formal notice sent to the State Department.
North Carolina May Lose Federal Funding over Bill Discriminating against LGBT
North Carolina's new law on gay and transgender rights may make the state ineligible for billions in federal dollars for schools, highways and housing.
Colorado School Bans 'Inappropriate' Atheists, Satanic Literature
A Colorado school board is banning some of the literature placed in public schools recently by atheist and satanic groups.
Stem cell therapy halves deaths from heart failure
Stem cells can repair a damaged heart and potentially halve the number of people dying from heart failure, scientists have shown, in a major breakthrough for regenerative medicine.
Obama weighs response to North Carolina's LGBT law
The White House is mulling whether and how to respond to a new North Carolina law that would limit the ability of LGBT people to use the restroom and other public accommodations of their choice.
U.S. judge OKs $20B settlement from 2010 BP oil spill
A federal judge in New Orleans has granted final approval to an estimated $20 billion settlement, resolving years of litigation over the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
New York, California pass $15 minimum wage
Moods were festive as governors in both New York and California signed bills Monday gradually raising the minimum wage in each state to $15 per hour, but many economists were less jovial and the California chief executive admits the bill may not make sense economically.
March Sees Record Gun Sales
Gun sales broke records yet again in the month of March.
U.S. Politics
Top Republicans Predict Speaker Ryan Will Be GOP Pick
On the eve of the Wisconsin primaries, top Republicans are becoming increasingly vocal about their long-held belief that Speaker Paul Ryan will wind up as the nominee, perhaps on the fourth ballot at a chaotic Cleveland convention.
Trump's Deportation Plan Would Cost at Least $400 Billion
Presidential candidate Donald Trump's plan to deport all undocumented immigrants would cost between $400 billion and $600 billion and take at least 20 years to implement, according to a report from the American Action Forum.
Christian News
After Shocking Study, Christian Leaders Join to Confront Porn Epidemic
One thousand Christian leaders will meet in Greensboro, North Carolina, this week to tackle the growing pornography epidemic.
Franklin Graham Warns America: 'I Fear That Our End Will Be Near'
Evangelical preacher the Rev. Franklin Graham has warned that much like the decline of the Babylonian empire close to 2,500 years ago, America may also be staring down at its end, unless it turns back to God.