Today's Daily Brief
1. U.S. Military Commanders Bemoan Lack of Concern About Terror Threat - CNSNews.com
While Islamic fundamentalist terrorists are seeking to destroy the Western way of life, Americans are more concerned about the life of movie stars and going out for a hamburger than issues crucial to their freedom, several senior retired American military officers said at the fifth annual Jerusalem Conference.
Speaking to a small group of reporters, retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Norman Saunders said that the U.S. faces a "very serious challenge from the fanatical Muslim population that would seek to do away with the way of life of the Western World."
"We listen to our presidential candidates - [in] what is probably a very critical election for our country, if not the world - talk constantly about change without any definition of what that represents. What would they change? How would they confront the threats? Are there new ideas that they would bring forward?", he asked. Saunders, a former commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard who is responsible for a number of Homeland Defense and Security matters, said that Americans everywhere need to understand the issues.
· Dear Gracious Heavenly Father, You are more than enough. We praise You for Who You Are. The Great I Am. The Only One Who Existed Before Time Began. We humbly ask You to clear the minds of Americans everywhere so that they can hear You speak and tutor us on matters that are really important. First, having a saving knowledge and relationship with Jesus and a repentance of sins. You already know who will be the next President of the United States, and may he have reverence for You and walk with you while President. May he understand that it is You who gave him this office and that he will acknowledge this matter for Your glory for the rest of eternity! May Your Holy Spirit intercede for the needs and salvation of America, Israel and her allies. In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen.
· "But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.'" (John 6: 68-69 NKJV)
2. Drug-Resistant TB Spreading Faster Than Experts Feared - Associated Press and Fox News
Drug-resistant tuberculosis is spreading even faster than medical experts had feared, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Tuesday. The rate of TB patients infected with the drug-resistant strain topped 20 percent in some countries, the highest ever recorded, the U.N. agency said. "Ten years ago, it would have been unthinkable to see rates like this," said Dr. Mario Raviglione, director of WHO's "Stop TB" department. "This demonstrates what happens when you keep making mistakes in TB treatment."
Experts also worry about the spread of XDR-TB, or extensively drug-resistant TB, a strain virtually untreatable in poor countries. When an XDR-TB outbreak was identified in AIDS patients in South Africa in 2006, it killed nearly every patient within weeks. WHO's report said XDR-TB has now been found in 45 countries.
"Multi-drug resistant TB is a threat to every person on the planet," said Mark Harrington, executive director of Treatment Action Group, a public health think tank. "It's not like HIV, where you are only infected through specific actions. TB is a threat to every person who takes a train or a plane."
· We pray that man, the only creation made in Your Image, will look to You for help with this disease that is spreading around the world that You created. We pray that those involved in the combating of multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis will turn to You for help and for the healing of those infected. May many be saved unto Jesus because of this plague. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
· But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5: 10-11 NKJV)
3. Oil Hits Record $102 As Dollar Tumbles - ABC News
Oil prices broke through a new intraday high of $102 a barrel Wednesday as a slide in the U.S. dollar prompted investors to pump more money into energy futures as a hedge against inflation. The dollar sank to a record low against the euro after the release of three disheartening U.S. economic reports Tuesday, that show that the economy is slowing as prices for consumer goods rise. The dollar's decline prompted investors to seek a safe haven from turmoil in the financial markets and the threat of inflation.
A report by the Conference Board, a business-backed research group, that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to the lowest since February 2003, far below what analysts had been expecting; indicated that consumers might continue to curb their spending in the coming months.
· May we remember Your Words...
· "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6: 25, 27 and 33 NKJV)
4. Britain Shaken By Biggest Quake In Over 20 Years - AFP
The country was shaken by its biggest earthquake for a quarter of a century early Wednesday, with tremors measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale felt across England. The tremor hit at around 1:00 am (0100 GMT) with its epicentre in the agricultural northeastern county of Lincolnshire, but people were woken as far away as Wales, Scotland and London. The quake caused roof tiles to topple across England, but there were few reports of injuries although a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital in the Yorkshire town of Barnsley after roof masonry collapsed into his bedroom.
The British Geological Survey initially said the quake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale before revising the figure to 5.2. Seismologist Brian Baptie of the BGS said: "This is a significant earthquake for the UK and will have been widely felt across England and Wales." He said such a quake could be expected to hit Britain every 10 to 20 years.
· Dear Lord, this is another "wake-up" call to the world to stop working in their own strength and yield their lives to you before Your Son indeed returns! May secular humanism be sent back to the pit of hell from which it came, and may those affected by and those who hear, see or hear about this unexpected earthquake see Your Hand in this and come to know Jesus as their Savior. In Your Name we pray. Amen.
· "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7 NKJV)
5. Huckabee: Fertilized Egg Is Person - Newsmax and The Denver Post
Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has endorsed an amendment to Colorado's constitution declaring that a fertilized egg is a person. "This proposed constitutional amendment will define a person as a human being from the moment life begins at conception," Huckabee said in a statement backing the Colorado Human Life Amendment.
The amendment's supporters need to collect an estimated 76,000 petition signatures to get the measure on the November ballot, according to the Denver Post. If approved, the amendment would bestow constitutional rights to life, liberty, equality of justice, and due process of law to every fertilized egg, the paper reported. The amendment is opposed by pro-choice groups, who fear it could set the stage for outlawing abortions in Colorado.
· Thank You, Lord for using Mr. Huckabee in a pivotal way to showcase the importance and sanctity of human life that You created. May this state constitutional amendment pass in Colorado. May abortionists everywhere, beginning today, find extreme distaste for their abominable practices and shutter their abortion clinics and end this killing of the unborn. And, may this small step by man be used to help pave Your Way to end abortion in America and throughout the world! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
· As David prayed, so may we pray for America: "Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. I said, 'Lord be merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.'" (Psalm 41: 1 & 4 NKJV)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem." (Zech. 12:9))
1. Palestinians mull a majority - Washington Times
New population data have some Palestinians contemplating an unorthodox formula for Middle East peace -- a single democratic nation of Arabs and Jews, in which Palestinians would be the majority.
2. 18 Qassam rockets fired at Sderot - Ynet News
Eighteen Qassam rockets were fired towards the southern town of Sderot and the Gaza vicinity communities Wednesday afternoon.
3. Barak: Egypt border fence by 2010 - Jerusalem Post
Two days after his ministry came under attack for failing to stem the tide of illegal infiltrations along the Egyptian border, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday that within two years, a fence will be built along 85 kilometers of the border. The fences, which would cover less than half of the entire length of the isolated desert border, are designed to stem the tide of illegal migrants, smugglers and would-be terrorists.
4. IDF W. Bank chief: Hamas could take over in days - Jerusalem Post
"Without the massive IDF presence in the West Bank, Hamas would take over the institutions and apparatuses of the Palestinian Authority within days," OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni told President Shimon Peres Tuesday as the two toured the Command's main base in Jerusalem.
Prayers for the Persecuted Church 1. Jordan Expels More Foreign Christians - Worthy News 2. Hindu Militants Threaten New Attacks In Orissa - Worthy News 3. India: Hindu Extremists Attack Christians in Madhya Pradesh - Worthy News 4. Vietnam Police "Kill" Degar Christian Prisoner - Worthy News
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8)
Jordan has expelled another group of foreign Christians for their alleged involvement in mission activities, including an Egyptian pastor with the Assemblies of God church in the city of Madaba - one of five evangelical denominations registered with the government, a Christian news agency reported Tuesday, February 26.
Hindu militants have threatened to wage fresh attacks against Christians in India's troubled state of Orissa on Tuesday, February 26, Christian leaders said.
At least 125 Hindu extremists here yesterday attacked one of the oldest and best-known churches in Madhya Pradesh state, Masihi Mandir Church, brutally beating one of the fleeing members.
Vietnamese security police tortured and killed a Degar Montagnard Christian who was jailed for allegedly preaching the Gospel in Vietnam's Central Highlands and participating in democracy rallies in 2004, an advocacy group representing him said Monday, February 25.
Senate Passes Pro-Life Amendment to Indian Health Care Bill
The U.S. Senate voted 52-42 today to prevent taxpayer- funded abortions within Indian health care. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., sponsored an amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act based on the Hyde Amendment, which forbids federal funding of abortions. Indian health services are funded through the Interior Appropriations bill, which has never been subject to the Hyde Amendment.
Senator Sam Brownback, co-sponsor of the Vitter Amendment commented on its passage, stating: "This is an important victory for the cause of life," said Brownback. "In the midst of the national debate about abortion, we have come to some fundamental agreements. We should not be using American tax dollars to fund abortion. Regardless of how one feels about abortion, I am glad we can agree that tax dollars should not be used to fund abortion."
Nearly 800 CitizenLink readers e-mailed their senators in support of the pro-life measure. "This is a great legislative victory and a prime example of how constituent action makes a difference," said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
Eight Democrats voted for the pro-life amendment: Sens. Evan Bayh, Ind.; Robert Byrd, W.Va.; Bob Casey, Pa.; Tim Johnson, S.D.; Mary Landrieu, La.; Ben Nelson, Neb.; Harry Reid, Nev.; and Ken Salazar, Colo.
Three Republicans voted against Vitter's amendment: Sens. Susan Collins, Maine; Olympia Snowe, Maine; and Arlen Specter, Pa.
Six senators did not vote: Sens. John Cornyn, R- Texas; John McCain, R-Ariz.; John Warner, R-Va.; Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.; Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.; and Barack Obama, D-Ill. (Source: CitizenLink and Office of Senator Sam Brownback)
- Offer PRAISE for the passage of this important amendment! THe LORD has heard our prayers and He has answered. Continue in prayer for the Native Americans in our nation, whose needs must yet be met for decent housing, health care, education and employment. Thank our Lord that He promises to make a way . . . where there is no way.
- "Therefore, choose life, that you and your seed may live." (Deut. 30:19)
Taxpayer Funded Porn Guide As if parents did not have enough to contend with in protecting their children from the evils of pornography, they now have to face government-funded projects. Unfortunately, that's the "net" effect of Planned Parenthood's online venture, teenwire.com. The site, which is so offensive that FRC's Internet filter blocked it, was supposedly created as a resource for kids seeking "medically accurate" information. According to the nation's biggest abortion merchant, that information now includes normalizing pornography. Although Planned Parenthood is careful to state that it's illegal to ply children under 18 with sexually explicit images, that doesn't stop its "advice columnists" from telling kids that "many people use pornography as part of sex play." On the "Ask the Experts" page, one young visitor says, "I look at porno sites... but people say looking at those sites affects your school work... Should I stop it? If I should, how?" An "expert" responds, "There is no correlation between using pornography and getting bad grades in school." Among other things, kids are encouraged to play games about issues from bisexuality to birth control. Another page gives teens the lowdown on having an abortion without their parents' consent. To teens struggling with homosexuality, Planned Parenthood says, "Having sex with girls and boys is normal and healthy." With over $300 million in taxpayer funds, the organization has the U.S. government to thank for helping to promote these messages. Contact your leaders and urge them to support Rep. Mike Pence and Sen. David Vitter's bills to zero out funding for groups like Planned Parenthood--else Title X programs may soon mean triple X! (Source: Family Research Council) China Violates Human Rights In the months leading up to this summer's Olympics, China continues to prove its critics right. While many had hoped that the Beijing Games would encourage China to make progress on religious freedom and human rights, the regime is still flaunting its disdain for Western values. The country's latest victim, Zheng Enchong, is an attorney who publicly condemned China's forced abortion policy. International human rights groups now report that Enchong was detained by state officials and viciously beaten. This is at least the second time that local authorities have harassed him and his family. In 2003, he served a three-year sentence for speaking to the foreign press about China's disdain for human rights. Like the Chinese pastors, his fate is in the hands of ruthless state officials. Of the hundreds of house church leaders who were arrested in December, FRC has learned from China Aid that 21 have been sent to labor camps where they will spend the next three years being "re- educated" for their involvement in an "evil cult." According to Chinese observers, this is "the most massive persecution case since 1983." FRC and 28 congressional leaders have asked the State Department why the U.S. has not protested. Neither FRC's letter nor that of the House coalition has received the slightest acknowledgement from Secretary Condoleezza Rice. It is reprehensible that a nation like America, founded by men who sought refuge for their religious beliefs, would turn a blind eye while these pastors suffer for their Christian faith. (Source: Family Research Council)
Plenty of Rice in China... But No Condi
Prayer for the Primaries
PRIMARIES, CAUCUSES FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH:
Tuesday, March 4
(D) (R) Ohio Primary
(D) (R) Rhode Island Primary
(D) (R) Texas Primary
(D) (R) Vermont Primary
Saturday, March 8
(D) Wyoming Caucus
Tuesday, March 11
(D) (R) Mississippi Primary
· Earnestly intercede against media and special interest manipulation during this primary season. Pray that moral, God-fearing, pro-life, pro-marriage, and pro-family men and women be selected, supported, and find favor in local, state, and national campaigns. Intercede that the Lord reveal His choices, expose corruption, immorality, bribery, the occult, and hidden anti-biblical agendas.
(Source: Intercessors for America)
" . . . if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
For a complete guide to the Republican primaries, go here:
For a complete guide to the Democratic primaries, go here:
