In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• Pro-Life Petition
• Terror Victims Update
• Hamas Converts Hospitals into Jails
• Food for Thought: Part 3
• Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, February 19, 2009
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27 NKJV)
The Daily Brief
1. A) Obama signs huge stimulus, readies foreclosure aid - Washington Times
Racing to reverse the country's economic spiral, President Barack Obama signed a mammoth stimulus package into law Tuesday and readied a $50 billion rescue plan for Wednesday announcement to help legions of homeowners who are facing foreclosure.
B) Obama Unveils $275 Billion Plan to Shore Up Housing - Bloomberg
U.S. President Barack Obama pledged $275 billion to cut mortgage payments for as many as 9 million struggling homeowners and enable Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to keep loan rates down.
• We pray that You will help those who are in danger of losing their homes, but that You will protect them against legislation that could ultimately cost them and all of us in the long term. We pray that the truth will come out as to the method of "lowering payments" so that people are not deceived.
• "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever." (Matthew 6:13)
2. Lawmakers Gird for Next Abortion Battle - Fox News
Lawmakers from both political parties are fighting to maintain anti-abortion measures called riders that are added to spending bills to prevent taxpayer money from being spent on funding abortions in the U.S. or abroad.
• Father, we pray that You will protect and guard our money from being used for abortions either in the US or abroad.
• "O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just." (Psalm 7:9)
3. GOP Governors May Reject Federal Stimulus Funds - Newsmax.com
A handful of Republican governors are considering turning down some money from the federal stimulus package - despite provisions that congressional Democrats inserted into the law that could pit these chief executives against their legislatures. Though none has outright rejected the money available for education, healthcare, and infrastructure, the governors of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina, and Idaho have questioned whether the $787 billion bill signed into law this week will even help the economy.
• Father, as anger builds over these stimulus packages, we pray that Your wisdom will prevail. We thank you for legislators who see the control being presented to them and ask that You step in to help all who reject the federal funds. We bind the plan of the enemy to create total dependence on the Federal government and loose Your liberty and peace.
• "Be angry and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26)
4. Obama wants to reopen NAFTA but keep trade flowing - Reuters
President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he still wants to reopen the North American Free Trade Agreement, despite a warning from Canada that this would be a mistake, but he said he did not want to end up curbing trade.
• Lord, we pray that You will protect America's exports as our leaders work on the process of finding an equitable trade agreements for America. We ask that foolish doors not be opened, but only proper ones that bring health to our economy.
• "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice the wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies." (Psalm 141: 3,4)
5. Burris tried to raise funds for Blagojevich - AP
U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now acknowledges attempting to raise money for ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich -- an explosive twist in his evolving story on how he landed a coveted Senate appointment from the man accused of trying to sell the seat.
• Lord, we repent for the actions of those who have obtained power in Washington. We repent for pride and lust for power that threatens the fabric of our government. We ask for Your mercy over America. Grant us righteous leaders who love You and care for the nation above themselves.
• "O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2)
6. U.S. to decide in weeks, "not months" on Iraq troop cuts - Reuters
U.S. President Barack Obama will make a decision in weeks, not "days or months," on cutting U.S. troop levels in Iraq, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.
• Father, as our President prepares to change policy with regard to troops in Iraq, we ask You to grant Him truth and wisdom before any decisions. We pray against any desire to please men, and ask that You bring forth Your will regarding the troop withdrawal. We also ask Your protection over Iraq's fledgling democracy, that You will continue to bring stability.
• "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom." (Psalm 51:6)
7. Clinton -U.S. Preparing for Possible Regime Change in North Korea - Fox News
The Obama administration and America's Asian allies are preparing for a possible regime change in North Korea, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday.
Speaking to reporters aboard her plane from Indonesia to South Korea, Clinton said "the whole leadership situation (in North Korea) is somewhat unclear."
• Father, we pray that if North Korea changes leadership, You will intervene and bring men to power that will be soft towards You and compassionate toward their own people. We ask that You tear down their nuclear program and remove all elements of aggression and fear. We ask for freedom, hope, food, and a godly, peaceful new beginning for the people of North Korea.
• "How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!" (2 Samuel 1:27)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice." (Proverbs 8:15)
1. Peres optimistic on new government - Ynet News
Members of the Central Elections Committee arrived at the presidential residence on Wednesday to deliver the formal results of the votes for Israel's 18th Knesset to President Shimon Peres.
2. Shalit breakthrough not in cards' - Ynet News
Israel's decision to insist on the release of Gilad Shalit before reopening the Gaza crossings only serves to complicate the issue, Palestinian and other sources closely familiar with the negotiations on the matter told Ynet Wednesday.
3. Hamas rejects Israel's truce conditions - Ynet News
Hamas announced Wednesday is was "rejecting" Israel's official stand on the ceasefire agreement, which preconditions any long-term truce, as well as the opening of the Gaza crossings, with the release of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
4. 'Barghouti release may divide Fatah' - Jerusalem Post
The Palestinian Authority has warned jailed Fatah operative Marwan Barghouti not to criticize President Mahmoud Abbas or the veteran leadership of Fatah when he is released from prison, a Fatah official said on Wednesday.
5. 'PA tortured and killed our supporter' - Jerusalem Post
The Palestinian Authority said on Wednesday that a Hamas supporter who was found dead in one of its prisons in the West Bank had committed suicide and did not die as a result of torture.
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days: DAY 31
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. Burris Law Partner: No Money Was Raised for Blagojevich
Sen. Roland Burris' law partner said he never tried to raise any money for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Fred Lebed wouldn't go into details about how much money they discussed raising, but when asked if he ever raised money for Blagojevich, Lebed said, "No, never," before adding, "I don't believe I did" and then well, "maybe $100, five years ago."
2. Feinstein's Blurt Leads to U.S. Confirmation That It Uses Pakistani Air Base
The Senate intelligence committee chairwoman claims to have learned from open sources that the U.S. was operating unmanned drones on a Pakistani air base, something the U.S. had denied -- until her blooper.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein's blurt during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing last week forced the U.S. intelligence and military community to acknowledge on Thursday that the U.S. is targeting Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives using unmanned drones based in Pakistan.
3. Lawmakers Gird for Next Abortion Battle
Lawmakers from both political parties are fighting to maintain anti-abortion measures called riders that are added to spending bills to prevent taxpayer money from being spent on funding abortions in the U.S. or abroad.
4. FOX News Poll: Obama's Approval Rating Drops 5 Points, to 60 Percent
One month into Obama's term, 60 percent of Americans approve of the job he is doing as president, down from 65 percent three weeks ago (27-28 January 2009). Similarly, the portion of people that disapproves has increased to 26 percent, up from 16 percent. Almost all of the change can be attributed to a decrease in approval and an increase in disapproval among Republicans. In fact, among Obama's party faithful, his job approval has gone up from 85 percent in late January to 90 percent today.
5. Housing Chief Urges Banks to 'Step Up' on Foreclosures
Donovan said Thursday it's critically important that banks and lending institutions "step up to the plate" to help make certain the Obama administration's new home foreclosure initiative succeeds.
(The above articles come from Fox News)
Pro-Life Petition
SUMMARY: Say 'No!' to taxpayer funding of the abortion industry.
Focus on the Family Action has launched a petition drive calling on Congress and President Barack Obama to prevent taxpayer money from funding the abortion industry. By signing on, pro-life Americans can oppose the latest phase in the radical, pro-abortion agenda.
"We know there are millions of Americans who are appalled that their tax dollars could soon be used to fund abortions," said Sonja Swiatkiewicz, director of issues response at Focus Action. "For years, special annual funding provisions --- called pro-life riders --- have prevented U.S. tax dollars from being used to fund abortions and abortion providers, both in the States and abroad. But that could all change."
The Democrat-controlled Congress is expected to strip these riders out of this year's spending bills. The Focus Action petition allows citizens to take a stand in support of these pro-life provisions, as well as oppose the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Obama has expressed his support for FOCA, which would eliminate virtually every federal, state and local measure that limits or restricts abortion. The petition states, in part: "As a pro-life American, I oppose any and all legislative and executive efforts that require or allow my taxpayer dollars to be used to fund abortions or providers of abortion services."
TAKE ACTION Please sign the Focus Action petition today.
(Source: Focus on the Family; Citizenlink)
Terror Victims Update
TERROR VICTIMS RESTRAIN HAMAS FUNDS HELD BY EGYPT
JUDGMENT AFFECTS MORE THAN $11 MILLION
Terror victims holding an American federal court judgment against the Hamas organization have legally restrained more than $11 million belonging to the terrorist group. On Feb. 5, Egyptian officials stopped Hamas leader Ayman Taha at the Rafah border crossing from entering into Gaza with suitcases containing millions of dollars in cash. Although Mr. Taha insisted that he be allowed to bring the funds into Gaza, the Egyptians refused and required him to deposit the funds in the National Bank of Egypt's (NBE) branch in al-Arish in the northern Sinai.
Attorneys for the terror victims immediately served a restraining order on the NBE's American branch at 40 East 52nd St. in New York. The restraining notice informed the NBE that the plaintiffs have an unsatisfied judgment, owed to them by Hamas in the amount of $116 million and warned the NBE against paying out the deposited funds or permitting the withdrawal of the funds by Hamas.
Moreover, it places the NBE on notice its Egypt's government ownership does not grant it sovereign immunity from garnishment proceedings pursuant to the U.S. Terror Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA). Victims of Hamas terror attacks had lobbied for the law. As TRIA provides: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law ... in every case in which a person has obtained a judgment against a terrorist party on a claim based upon an act of terrorism the blocked assets of that terrorist party shall be subject to execution or attachment in aid of execution in order to satisfy such judgment."
"The funds have now been restrained and cannot be moved by the Egyptian government nor Hamas," she said. "They will be paid to the terror victims. Shurat HaDin's earlier legal actions against banking institutions providing services to Gaza have been highly effective, and Hamas is now being forced to smuggle money across the border in suitcases. Every time Hamas funds are stopped anywhere the terror victims will immediately move on them." (IPTNEWS) [The Investigative Project on Terrorism Daily Terror Alert]
• Praise the Lord that Egypt has finally helped Israel and terror victims by refusing to allow money into Gaza. Pray that Egypt will make the monies available to terror victims in spite of pressure inside Egypt. (Terrorists know no boundaries.) Ask the Lord to continue to expose carriers of money, not only into Egypt but also throughout the free world. Pray for the drying up of all monies used to fund terrorism.
• "For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
Hamas Converts Hospitals into Jails
The Palestinian Health Ministry, run by the Palestinian Authority [PA] in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], accused Hamas\'s security apparatus February 7 of commandeering a number of hospital wards in the Gaza Strip for the purpose of converting them into interrogation and imprisonment compounds. According to Palestinian news agency Ma\'an, the Palestinian Health Ministry claimed that Hamas members expelled them and full medical teams from hospital wards despite the serious security situation.
A communiqué put out by the ministry said that, "following the unilateral cessation of Israeli aggression against our people, the Ministry of Health, along with all the Palestinian people, was shocked to discover that Hamas militias have returned to their old ways and have expelled all the medical staff responding to the calls of the homeland (to continue their work). Unfortunately, these same militias used the medical centers, especially in a number of hospitals, converting them into centers for interrogation, torture, and imprisonment."
According to the Health Ministry, Hamas members have taken control of wards in Shifa Hospital, as well as al-Nasser Hospital and the psychiatric hospital. The PA-controlled Ministry urged Hamas "to act responsibly and to cease immediately the harassment of medical staff." (Bridges for Peace)
• Pray that the world's humanitarian watchdogs will protest the inhumane cruelty of the Hamas regime. Pray that the UN will also consider the plight of the Palestinian people who live under such duress and seek to protect them from this abuse. On the other hand, Israeli hospitals take in anyone who needs treatment. Praise the Lord for this contrast. Pray that the Palestinians recognize the difference between those who respect life and those care only about power.
• "Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further his wicked scheme, lest they be exalted" (Psalm 140:8).
Food for Thought: Part 3
By Pastor Faye Higbee
Raven Ministries
Idaho
Part Three:
Darkness causes disorientation
Does your life feel like you are stuck in one big fog bank? A few years ago, I gave a talk about the "angel of light." Satan comes as an "angel of light." In other words, he tries to dazzle us with reason, goodness, false pathways. He blinds us with the wrong things so that we can't see the right things. And it all looks good. It sounds so logical. It even can sound "Christian" and be totally off the beam. And all of a sudden we are a little confused, disoriented, and the path we thought was God is all blocked and twisted. We start questioning what's going on.
Things are not going to be the way they "used to be." The things we have been confident of are being shaken. History has shifted. We are living in Isaiah 60, so be prepared for the "gross darkness" that covers the people. We have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who causes us to rise above the problem to reveal the glory of God. But sometimes, we can momentarily be disoriented by the flood of deception.
Example: Recently a thick freezing fog enveloped our area. I had an appointment about 45 miles away, but had to stop for gas before leaving. I pulled out of the gas station and totally lost my bearings. The fog was so thick I literally couldn't tell which direction to go. Now, understand, I'm a native here. I grew up in this city . But with familiar buildings torn down and the thick fog, I became disoriented. I had to stop, talk to the Lord, and ask which way to go. He kindly and gently told me the right direction, and I was able to get back on the highway to drive to my proper destination.
We are living at a time when the actions of our society have unleashed a torrent of demonic "fog" or "light" against us. Ask yourself this: do you think as clearly as you once did? Instead of attributing it to old age, try allowing God to renew your mind. When the fog strikes and you just can't figure anything out, STOP, talk to the Lord, ask for His assistance. He will give it. But as before, leave the panic behind, or it will skew your ability to hear Him.
The solution:
" Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." (Romans12:2 NLT)
"For such people are false Apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light. So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11: 13-15 NLT)
"Take care, then, that the light in you is not darkness." (Luke 11:35 HCSB)
"Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you. For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will shine over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance." (Isaiah 60:1-3 HCSB)
