In This Issue· The Daily Brief
· The Middle East in Focus
· Election News
· Pray for the Persecuted Church
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The Daily Brief Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial, testing which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the Earth. Behold, I AM coming QUICKLY! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." (Revelation 3:10,11)
The Daily Brief
1. McCain, Obama Gear Up for Second Debate
John McCain and Barack Obama square off in a town-hall-style debate moderated by NBC's Tom Brokaw, at Belmont University in Nashville. It's the second of three debates between the candidates, with the last one scheduled for October 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
The format of Tuesday's debate will stand in stark contrast to the other three. Brokaw may be the moderator, but he won't be asking any questions. Instead, he'll be handing the microphone to a group of ordinary people - undecided voters all - who will ask questions that might not be what the mainstream media has been asking.
· Heavenly Father, as we go into these debates, we pray that You will give our citizens Your discernment to see beyond the outer man to see the character of the one You have chosen for this nation. Let us vote in harmony with You.
· He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens . . . And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. (Psalms 78:70, 72)
2. High Court Allows "Choose Life" License Plates
An anti-abortion group has won its long legal fight to force Arizona to issue "choose life" license plates, and the proposed new plates could be available to the group's members within several months. The 9th Circuit said the state's system for allowing special plates effectively created a public forum for private speech but the commission had violated the coalition's right to free speech by turning down its application.
· We thank You, Lord and we praise Your holy name for allowing this victory in the courts for the "choose life" license plates. We pray for more victories in the courts for Your people against the oppression Christians have had!
· After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." (Nehemiah 4:14)
3. Dow Has Record Plunge, Late Rally
After a breathtaking plunge that took the Dow Jones industrial average down 800 points - its biggest drop ever during a trading day - ending with a loss of 370 didn't seem so bad. Wall Street managed a big afternoon rally Monday in yet another day of extreme volatility and worldwide worries about the financial crisis and stubborn credit, even after the $700 billion U.S. bailout. Still, the Dow finished below 10,000 for the first time since 2004 and lost more than 3 1/2 percent for the day, and there were no signs that fear and unpredictability were leaving the stock market any time soon.
· Lord, despite all the turmoil in our nation, in the stock market, economy, weather, and the world, let us remember that You are still in control and that You will protect us, our families, and everything that pertains to us in all situations.
· Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. (Psalms 33:18, 20)
4. Oil Dives Below $90 on Concern Financial Crisis Will Quell Demand
Oil prices fell to an eight-month low, below $90 a barrel Monday, on speculation that the spreading financial crisis will exacerbate a global economic slowdown and cut demand for crude oil. Significant gains by the U.S. dollar against the euro also contributed to slumping oil prices. The drop came as world stock markets plunged amid growing investor anxiety that the U.S. bad debt crisis is enveloping Europe.Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossien Nozari said Saturday, that it would be "unsuitable" for both producers and consumers for oil to dip below $100 a barrel. He called on fellow OPEC members not to pump too much oil and avoid a drop in prices.
· We thank you Lord, and as we enter our winter season, we pray that the oil prices will continue to go down. Let our leaders not take their eyes off of alternative solutions to oil, but let them come up quickly with those answers.
· He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. (Proverbs 10:4, 5)
5. Bailout Authorizes Feds to Buy Deadbeat Mortgages, Reduce Interest and Principal at Taxpayers' Expense
The $700 billion bailout bill passed by Congress today includes provisions that authorize the Treasury Department and other federal agencies to buy deadbeat mortgages and lower their interest rates and principal at taxpayers' expense.Section 110 of the bill is entitled "Assistance to Homeowners." It orders other federal agencies to ease the terms of mortgages the federal government purchases if the borrower is at risk of foreclosure. It specifically lists interest rate and principal reductions as tools federal agencies can use to keep people in homes they otherwise cannot afford.
· Heavenly Father, people did not use wisdom on how to budget their money. They believed a lie and now everyone is paying for their folly. We pray that the government will not continue to deceive people into living beyond their means.
· He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. (Proverbs 11:28, 29)
6. NATO Doubts World Will Stop Iran Getting Bomb
NATO Secretary,General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, said on Monday, he was not certain the world can stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb. The UN Security Council last month again ordered Iran to "comply fully and without delay" to demands it stop enrichment, but failed to introduce any new sanctions as sought by the United States and its Western European allies."My concern is that the Security Council, as we speak, is rather incapable of coming to further conclusions on further sanctions," Scheffer said.
· Man may be incapable of stopping the bullies of the world, but You, Lord are above all and everyone. We ask that You will turn events so these corrupt leaders will no longer be in power and planning other nation's destruction.
· I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. (Ezekiel 38:4)
7. Biden: Bush Mideast Policy a Failure; Palin: Mideast Will Top Our Agenda
The U.S. vice presidential candidates were both effusive in their support for Israel during their debate in St. Louis on Thursday. While Democratic Senator Joe Biden slammed the current administration for "abject failure" and said that Republican candidate John McCain was offering nothing different; Republican Governor Sarah Palin vowed that the Middle East would be "top of the agenda" under McCain's leadership."A two-state solution is the solution," said Palin.
· Lord, we are grieved that though both candidates spoke of their support of Israel, yet they do not understand or know what Your will is for Israel. It is Not to have a divided nation! Bring prophets to teach our leaders Your vision for Israel!
· And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.' (Deuteronomy 20:3, 4)
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:"The LORD has prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom rules over all." (Psalms 103:19) (Jeremiah 32:17)
1. 'Israel has agreed to allow PA troops into Hebron' - Ynet News
Israel is backing a bid by the Palestinian Authority to reassert control over Hebron, a senior Palestinian defense official told Ynet on Monday evening. According to the official, Israel has authorized the request made by the PA to deploy security forces in the West Bank city as part of the effort to push back Hamas, which is poised to seize control there.
2. Palestinian leader, Islamist chief discuss Temple Mount takeover - WND
Meeting with an Islamist leader here, the Palestinian Authority's chief negotiator, this past weekend discussed ways to solidify Islamic control over the Temple Mount and block Jews from purchasing real estate in areas surrounding the holy site, according to a source involved in the talks.
3.'Russia committed to preventing Iran from attaining nuclear arms' - Jerusalem Post
Russia is committed to stopping Iranian nuclearization for military purposes, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, told Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Moscow on Monday night.
Election News
For all the headlines below, we thank God for the promise of His Word:It is written, " . . . let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise." (Proverbs 1:5,6) · Pray that God's man will listen with discernment, add to his knowledge, and receive wise counsel in this campaign.
1. Mudslinging Begins in Final Month of Campaign
Both the McCain and Obama camps are playing hardball now, bringing up past associations as a means of character attack.
2. Palin Invokes Jeremiah Wright, Continues Hit on Obama-Ayers Relationship
Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, tells columnist Bill Kristol she doesn't know why Barack Obama's former pastor is off-limits for discussion, calling his anti-American and anti- Semitic remarks 'appalling.'
3. Obama Slams McCain for Ignoring Economic Woes
Barack Obama slams John McCain for ignoring the plight of Americans losing their homes and jobs in order to pursue personal attacks.
4. McCain Throws Kitchen Sink at Obama
In some of the harshest language yet, McCain said the campaign comes down to a simple question: Who is the real Barack Obama?
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. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Encourages Christians Worldwide to Pray
With the theme "Refined by Fire," Christians around the world are being asked to remember their brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith on the thirteenth annual International Day of Prayer to be held Nov.9.
2. Iran Releases Iranian Converts
Iran has reportedly released two Iranian Christians from Muslim backgrounds who could have received the death penalty on charges of apostasy, BosNewsLife monitored Wednesday, October 1.
3. India: Three More Christians Murdered in Orissa
At least two more Christians were killed today in Orissa state's Kandhamal district after Hindu extremists this week set fire to nearly 400 homes there and in Boudh district. A third man succumbed to axe injuries on Wednesday (Oct. 1).
4. Chinese Security Forces Raid Evangelical Church
Chinese security forces have raided an evangelical church, confiscating Christian properties including Bibles, hymnals, a large cross and the collection box, Christians said Wednesday, October 1.
