Worthy Brief - 3/14/2016
Friend, how little are you?
Matthew 18:4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced him in the most eloquent and glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as "our illustrious guest." Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, "Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master."
If we want to do great things for the Lord, it is crucial that we become humble before Him! When we realize that we are but little servants of an illustrious Master -- it is then that God will use us in a mighty way. After all, it is not our agendas, our purposes, our plans that God wants to bless --- it's God's agenda -- God's plan -- God's purpose for our lives that He will bless to overflowing!
Friend, let's humble ourselves, get "little" before the Lord today and get our minds set on His purpose instead of our own.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Tampa Bay, Florida
Editor's Note: We hope to see you on our travels across the United States. Check out our schedule online.
Editor's Note: Watch George's message: Which voice will you listen to in the last days?
Around the World
US, France warn Syria regime ahead of new peace talks
The United States and France warned the Syrian regime on Sunday against trying to disrupt the fragile ceasefire as the warring sides prepared for fresh peace talks to end the brutal conflict.
Second car bomb in a month kills 34 in Turkish capital, Ankara
A car bomb tore through a crowded transport hub in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Sunday, killing at least 34 people and wounding 125 in the second such attack in the administrative heart of the city in under a month.
Russia claims Turkish troops are on Syrian soil
Turkish troops have entered Syrian territory, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Far right parties soar, setback for Merkel party in German vote
A nationalist, anti-migration party powered into three German state legislatures in elections Sunday held amid divisions over Chancellor Angela Merkels liberal approach to the refugee crisis. Merkels conservatives lost to center-left rivals in two states they had hoped to win.
Fourteen civilians, two soldiers dead in Ivory Coast resort attack
At least 16 people, including four Europeans and two soldiers, were killed on Sunday when gunmen opened fire on beachgoers at a resort town in Ivory Coast, a officer from the national police said.
France says EU could impose sanctions over Iran missile tests
The European Union could impose sanctions on Iran over its recent ballistic missile tests, France's foreign minister said on Sunday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel demands world powers punish Iran for missile tests
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on world powers to punish Iran after the country test-fired two ballistic missiles emblazoned with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew.
Israel's natural gas potential triple what was thought
The Energy Ministry has tripled its estimate of the volume of still-undiscovered natural gas in Israeli waters.
Saudi Arabia promises 'severe penalties' for sympathizers or financiers of Hezbollah
Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it would punish anyone who belongs to Lebanons Iran-backed Shiite Islamist group Hezbollah, sympathizes with it, supports it financially or harbors any of its members.
Inside the United States
Food Stamp Beneficiaries Exceed 45 Million for 56 Straight Months
The number of individuals receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as food stamps, has exceeded 45 million for 56 straight months, according to data released by the Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Politics
New Polls Show Big Cruz Surge in Illinois, Ohio and Florida
A series of new polls released Sunday show Sen. Ted Cruz surging in key Tuesday battleground states, including Illinois, Ohio and Florida.
Marco Rubio wins D.C. GOP caucus, edges out John Kasich
Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio picked up his third win Saturday taking 37 percent of the Washington, D.C., caucus votes, barely edging out Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Ted Cruz claims Wyoming delegates; Hillary Clinton wins North Marianas caucuses
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz picked up nine delegates from Wyoming and one from Guam in two contests held Saturday.
Polls: Trump Ahead in Florida, Illinois; Kasich Leads in Ohio
Donald Trump leads the Republican presidential field in the March 15 primary states of Florida and Illinois, while John Kasich holds the edge in his home state of Ohio, according to three new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls.
Donald Trump calls off Chicago rally due to security concerns
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump canceled one of his signature rallies on Friday, calling off the event in Chicago due to safety concerns after protesters packed the arena where it was to take place.
Moveon.Org raising funds from Trump protests, warns more disruptions to come
Moveon.Org is conducting fundraising activities from the Chicago protests against Donald Trump that prompted the Republican presidential front-runner to cancel a rally there Friday, and promises that more disruptions are on the way.
Christian News
Only two Syrian Christian refugees admitted into U.S.
Out of a total of 281 refugees, the U.S. State Department has admitted only two Syrian Christians into the U.S. in the first two months of 2016.
Thai Church helps persecuted Pakistanis
Pakistanis fleeing their country's notorious blasphemy laws have been heading to Thailand for sanctuary.
Franklin Graham Announces Global Christian Persecution Summit
Evangelist Franklin Graham has announced that an international summit highlighting Christian persecution will take place later this year in Moscow, Russia.
Huge Cultural Shift Thats Helping Trump Win Evangelicals
The big puzzle in this most puzzling of election seasons is why so many white evangelicals are flocking to Donald Trump, shouting Hosannas as he flies overhead in his private jet. On a Super Tuesday thick with primaries in the Bible Belt, Trump won seven states. He carried the born-again vote in Massachusetts, Vermont, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia, careening yet again down a white evangelical "lane" that was supposed to be owned by Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. In Mississippi, where evangelicals turned out in record numbers -- and white evangelicals accounted for a whopping 75 percent of Republican voters -- Trump won by double digits.