· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Iran in the News
· Pray for the Persecuted Church
· Save the Planet, Destroy the Humans
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The Daily Brief Tuesday, August 5, 2008
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. . . " (Psalm 43:1 NKJV)
The Daily Brief
1. Pelosi Backs Obama on Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act - CNS News
If Barack Obama is elected president, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will support him in fulfilling his vow to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which currently protects states from having to recognize same-sex marriages contracted in other states as they ordinarily would be required to do by the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution.
· Almighty God, because you are "All Mighty" and a God of order, we ask that You sovereignly come to our defense and protect us from the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, in Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.
· "Because of His strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defense." (Psalm 59:9)
2. Obama, McCain Diverge on Solution for Energy Woes - AP
Democrat Barack Obama blamed Republican energy policies for some of the nation's economic woes Tuesday as his GOP rival John McCain advocated a large expansion of nuclear power. Both candidates roamed the economically depressed Rust Belt touting their energy plans as concerns over $4-a-gallon gasoline and job losses have emerged as the presidential campaign's hottest issues.
· Offer praise that, when our nation is faced with critical problems, we as citizens have a choice during an election year to decide whose policy we will support. Pray that all American citizens, now beset by $4-a-gallon gasoline, will listen carefully to the differences in energy policy solutions offered by both presidential candidates, and will choose accordingly. Pray, too, for those who have lost homes and jobs during this time of financial stress; may God's grace undergird them in this time of need.
· "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . ." (James 1:5a)
3. Republicans Take To Shuttered House To Demand Oil Drilling - Agence France-Presse
Speeches by lawmakers echoed through a near- empty chamber on Monday, in protest at Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi's failure to schedule a vote on the politically sensitive measure before Congress broke up last week. Polls suggest a clear majority of Americans support lifting a federal moratorium on drilling off the US coasts that has been in place since 1981. In June President George W. Bush lifted executive restrictions on such exploration and called on Congress to lift its ban on drilling in the outer continental shelf.
· Praise God for this action! "Never give up the ship!" It IS TIME to pass an energy bill NOW, and at least part of Congress IS getting this message. Pray without ceasing over this issue until breakthrough is achieved and a comprehensive energy bill has been passed in the House and the Senate this summer.
· "Pray without ceasing . . ." (2 Thess. 5:17)
4. Bush Says It's "Important to Engage" China - The Washington Post
Three days before he is set to arrive in Beijing for the Olympics, President Bush offered a mixed assessment of China's role in the world, praising its efforts to curb the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran, expressing disappointment about its recent move to help scuttle global trade talks, and saying that it is "really hard to tell" whether human rights in China have improved over the past eight years. Bush said that he speaks candidly with Chinese President Hu Jintao about human rights, particularly religious freedom, and that he has shared his religious beliefs with Hu and Hu's predecessor, Jiang Zemin, urging them to lift restrictions on underground churches. "My main objective in my discussions on religious freedom is to remind this new generation of leadership that religion is not to be feared but to be welcomed in society," Bush said in an interview.
· As President Bush meets with the leaders of Communist China this week, lift our president before the LORD, asking that he be granted divine wisdom in everything he says and does while there. Praise God for a leader who is not ashamed of the Gospel, and who will speak up to defend the rights of the persecuted church overseas.
· "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." (Romans 1:16)
5. Terror Attack in China Kills 16 Policemen; Security at Olympics Questioned - The Telegraph
The seemingly well-coordinated assault on a local border police headquarters in the predominantly Muslim province of Xinjiang appears to be China's most serious act of political terror in more than a decade. Sixteen policemen were killed in the grenade attack in western China, adding to concerns over security at the Beijing Olympics which start in four days time.
· We cry out that multiplied Mercy and Grace be given by our Righteous God to all in China who are involved with Olympics. Thank You, Lord, that as we ask, You will rule and overrule all the plans of the evil one, for in You we triumph. Amen!
· "But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20)
6. Mahdi Army Militia In Iraq Declares Intention To Disarm - The Wall Street Journal
Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr - long a thorn in the side of the U.S. military and Iraqi government - intends to disarm his once-feared Mahdi Army militia and remake it as a social-services organization. The transformation would represent a significant turnabout for a group that, as recently as earlier this year, was seen as one of the most destabilizing anti-American forces in Iraq. U.S. military spokesman Col. Jerry O'Hara said the military welcomed the news, but said "the proof is always in the actions and not just the words, so we'll take a wait-and-see approach."· This statement, if true, is a true BREAKTHROUGH towards the establishment of true peace, security and stability inside the nation of Iraq.
· Pray that Muqtada al-Sadr holds true to his words, and that this transformation will unfold in the coming weeks. Amen!
· "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37)
7. Al-Qaida: Explosives Expert Wanted by US Killed - ABC News
Al-Qaida confirmed Sunday the death of a top commander accused of training the suicide bombers who killed 17 American sailors on the USS Cole eight years ago.
· Although we are relieved that the danger posed by this terrorist is now past, we nevertheless cry out to You, Lord, for the salvation of the many other Al-Qaida agents that are yet on the loose. May they each find You as their savior and Lord, and as the answer to their own needs. We ask You, too, to break up this horrible ring of death that still trains for the destruction of human lives, In Jesus' Name we ask this prayer, amen.
· "Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies." (Psalm 60: 11,12)
8. Pakistan Vows to "'Weed Out" Pro-Taliban Agents - ABC News
A Pakistani spokeswoman conceded Friday that the government needs to root out Taliban sympathizers from its main intelligence agency, but officials rejected allegations that the spies helped plan a bloody bombing at the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan.
· Thank You for being our all knowing God and Father. We ask You to bring Your light into the darkness of the world of Taliban agents and sympathizers in Pakistan, so that their evil plans can be revealed and thwarted. In Your Name, amen.
· "Lift up your heads o ye gates and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; that the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle." (Psalm 24: 7, 8)
The Middle East in Focus
The Middle East in Focus This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you." (Psalm 20:1)
1. Abbas to urge Olmert: Free Palestinians jailed before Oslo - Ha'aretz
The Palestinian Authority will request that Israel release prisoners who have been incarcerated since before the signing of the Oslo Accords.
2. Olmert, Abbas to meet in Jerusalem on Wednesday - Ynet News
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet in Jerusalem on Wednesday, a week after Olmert threw US-sponsored peace talks into turmoil by announcing that he would step down.
3. FM: I'll leave Kadima if I lose primary - Jerusalem Post
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni warned the Kadima faction in a meeting at the party's Petah Tikva headquarters on Monday that if she lost the Kadima leadership race, she would not remain in the party.
4. Israel urges int'l pressure to stop Hezbollah arms smuggling - Ha'aretz
The diplomatic-security cabinet will meet on Wednesday for another discussion on Hezbollah's rearmament in Lebanon, and is expected to make operative decisions on diplomatic and/or defense- related action.
5. Syrian general who "knew too much" killed by sniper - Jerusalem Post
Israel denies any involvement as suspicion falls on Assad regimeAmid increasing speculation, some Arab media and Syrian dissidents suggested Monday that the reported assassination of a senior Syrian intelligence officer over the weekend may be a case of one man knowing too much for his own good, according to The Jerusalem Post, even as a consensus began to emerge that Israel was not behind the killing of President Bashar Assad's right-hand man. [Reported by: ICEJ News]
6. US Revokes Palestinian Fulbright Visas - ICEJ News
The United States has revoked the visas of three Palestinian Fulbright scholars whose cases were taken up personally by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after Israel refused to let them leave Gaza for interviews, US officials said Monday. Visas for the three, along with a fourth Palestinian student also from Gaza who had hoped to come to the US under a different program, were approved after Rice intervened in June but were rescinded last week when "new information" about them was received, the officials said. An official familiar with the situation said the information related to security concerns . . .
Iran in the News
For all the headlines below, we thank God for the promise of His Word:It is written, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:6)
1. Iran Threatens Strait of Hormuz - NY Sun
Two days after a diplomatic deadline passed for Iran to end the reprocessing and enrichment of uranium, the chief of the country's Revolutionary Guard force is threatening to close down one of the world's most critical oil shipping passageways, the Strait of Hormuz.
2. Report: Iran tests naval weapon with 300 km range - Ynet News
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday they had tested a naval weapon that could destroy any vessel in a range of 300 km (190 miles), Iranian media reported.
· Father, we ask You to bring to an end all the evil devices attributed to causing death and destruction by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. We ask this in Jesus' Name and give thanks in His Name. Amen.
· "Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours; give them after the works of their hands; render to them their desert." (Psalm 28:4)
3. US: Major powers to seek new sanctions on Iran - AP
The Bush administration says the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany have agreed to pursue further sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear program after it failed to meet a weekend deadline to respond to an incentives package designed to defuse the dispute.
· Pray that the Lord remove Ahmadinejad from his position of power in Iran, for this man is straining the patience of the world with his bullying and bluster. He obviously has no intention of complying with UN sanctions for the safety of the nations. Apparently he is interested in being a world dictator, ruling with Islamic jihadism. Pray that the Lord closes his mouth as He did with the lions when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den.
· "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
Pray for the Persecuted Church
Prayers for the Persecuted Church This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE: "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you." (Psalm 20:1)
1. Saudi Arabia to Deport 15 Christians
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has learned that Saudi Arabia is deporting 15 Christians on Tuesday, August 5th, for holding private worship meetings in a house in the city of Taif.
2. Beijing Christian bookstore owner Shi Weihan's condition deteriorating in prison
Beijing bookstore owner and House Church leader Mr. Shi Weihan, has been suffering a deterioration in health since his imprisonment four months ago.
3. Iran: Jailed Christian in Critical Condition
A diabetic Iranian Christian jailed for two months is in critical condition due to lack of medical treatment, even as new reports of arrests against Christians surfaced this week.
4. India: Anti-Christian Violence Up in Pre-Election Madhya Pradesh
As elections approach in Madhya Pradesh state, Christian leaders say their community is increasingly targeted as part of an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to consolidate Hindu nationalist (Hindutva) votes.
[Note: all of these reports have been published by Worthy News: www.worthynews.com]
Save the Planet, Destroy the Humans
So here we are as middle class Americans often wondering if we are going to make it through the month--groceries are more expensive; electricity is more expensive; and especially gasoline is more expensive. Many people can't afford the trip to the grocery store let alone the cost of food. Our disposable income is dwindling and there is virtually no wiggle room in the banking system for credit. The government makes more per gallon of gasoline than do the big oil companies--and they are making billions. Islamic interests are squeezing the lifeblood out of Americans by raking in so much money that they can send their cars 6,000 miles on an airplane to get an oil change.
Something is wrong with this picture. Yet President Bush nearly single handedly caused the price at the pump to go down about 15 cents a gallon by lifting the executive order on offshore drilling for oil--an order that was put in place, by the way, by his father. Now its in the hands of Congress to act by voting whether to allow offshore drilling and oil exploration in a small portion of Alaska. But Congress, not getting the message that Americans are darn well upset with it-- approval ratings are at the lowest in history--is not acting. Why? Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not allowing the energy bill to come up for a vote.
If Pelosi and her . . . radical environmentalists would pass an energy bill allowing offshore drilling and Alaskan exploration along with all the other development of alternative energy supplies, the price of oil would plunge. But Pelosi and her counterpart in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, won't even let Congress vote on the bill. Pelosi says she won't allow a vote because the bill would cause global warming and she told reporters, "I'm trying to save the planet." It must be the latest theme in the Party that has always said its for the little guy. Democratic Presidential candidate B. Hussein Obama told Germans on his recent trip, "This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet."
I don't know about you, but if my family gets anymore help from those who say they are for the little guy, we will shrink down to nothing. But that's what they want--total dependence on the government. Pelosi, Obama and Reid are wanting to play GOD-- meaning Government of Dependence, and they are using God's creation, earth, as an excuse. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you." These treasonous and unrighteous people leave a lot of nuance in their words. Being the one to "save the planet" means having absolute power. And it seems these demagogues would save the planet for themselves even if it meant destroying everyone else in the process.
Bill WilsonThe Daily Jot
August 1, 2008 (edited)
