In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• Good News Corner
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In This Issue
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, February 25, 2009
"The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God." (Isaiah 52:10)
The Daily Brief
1. GOP's Jindal calls stimulus 'irresponsible' legislation
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal did not mince words in his response to President Barack Obama's first congressional address, calling the president's $787 billion stimulus "irresponsible" legislation that will "grow the government, increase our taxes down the line and saddle future generations with debt." "Who among us would ask our children for a loan, so we could spend money we do not have, on things we do not need?" Jindal asked. "That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did." Jindal blamed Democrats for passing the bill, but he accused his Republican colleagues in Congress of straying from their party's core values.
• Wherever conviction and confrontation are needed, God's Word instructs us to "Be not afraid". Father, we all know too well that when it comes to responsibility, work beats words and worry every time. We ask for so much grace, all that is needed, for leaders to continue the hard work of discourse and godly action to accomplish Your will in all of this. Keep us from fretting, as Your children, yet show us the path You would have us take to recover from this economic backslide. Bring us out, Lord, with responsibility and integrity that will speak to the hearts of future generations, by Your mercy and Your great grace. Oh, that the church would be the first to awaken and arise, Your house, where your judgement begins, Lord.
• Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2-4)
2. Fact Check: Obama's Words on Home Aid Ring Hollow - Fox News
Obama glossed over a number of complex realities in delivering his speech to Congress and a nation hungry for economic salvation. President Barack Obama knows Americans are unhappy that the government could rescue people who bought mansions beyond their means. But his assurance Tuesday night that only the deserving will get help rang hollow. Even officials in his administration, many supporters of the plan in Congress and the Federal Reserve chairman expect some of that money will go to people who used lousy judgment. The president skipped over several complex economic circumstances in his speech to Congress -- and may have started an international debate among trivia lovers and auto buffs over what country invented the car.
• Father, the great test of a man's character is his tongue. Bring true gravity to any and all final decisions concerning every US dollar and where it is going. Please pray with authority that all things done for the American people will be done in the light of day and that misuse of funds will not be allowed to continue.
• For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. (I Peter 3:10)
3. Stocks signal mixed open as Street seeks direction - AP
Wall Street points to mixed open as investors look for direction after volatile sessions.
Wall Street headed for a mixed open Wednesday, as investors looked for clues about the economy after two back-and-forth days in the market. Investors showed little reaction to President Barack Obama's speech Tuesday night that touched on the need to create jobs and stabilize the credit system. He said specifics on these and other goals would follow but that billions more may be needed to stabilize the banking system.
Stocks rebounded Tuesday from a Monday sell-off as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress the recession might end this year, and that regulators aren't planning to nationalize banks. Investors were also buying ahead of Obama's speech before a joint session of Congress.
Wall Street must now determine whether the more upbeat tone from Washington will help translate to improved consumer confidence, which tumbled to a record low this month. Consumers are key to a recovery because their spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.
Investors have little economic data to pore over as they search for direction Wednesday.
• Father, we ask that Your Throne be established over our wayward nation in every arena. Release the power of Your anointing into our decrees to brake yokes and sever all covenants with greed and injustice in every form. Do not allow a spirit of Baal to ravish our economy irrevocably. Please intercede for wisdom and prudence for godly men.
• Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15)
4. Montana Constitution To Define When Life Begins - Worthy News
A new bill could give citizens in the least populated American state the right to constitutionally define a person as a human being "from conception", as part of a national movement to reduce abortion rates.
If House Bill 406 passes, voters in Montana will decide in next year's elections whether or not to amend the state's constitution and recognize a human being "at all stages of life", from the moment of conception till death, "regardless of age, health, level of functioning, or condition of dependency."
If approved by Montana voters, the amendment will go into effect Jan. 1, 2011, senators said.
• Father, please help lead this country once and for all to cut and annul every covenant with iniquity and death. Your promise and covenant relationship has gone out to every life. Pray that every life will have equal opportunity to live to embrace the blood of the new covenant, the Lord Jesus Christ. No man has the right to take away that which God has given.
• "I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 'Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations." (Psalm 89:3-4)
5. Kim Jong-il raises stakes with missile threat - Cross Action News
Just days after Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of State, told North Korea not to be provocative, Kim Jong-il has wheeled out a trump card: a missile capable of striking continental America.
Kim has shown no intention recently of relinquishing his power. Mrs. Clinton may be familiar with this sort of bluster. Sixteen years ago, one month after Bill Clinton was inaugurated as president, North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and launched its Rodong-1 medium-range missile.
The following year, the rogue state quit the International Atomic Energy Agency and started pulling spent fuel rods from its Yongbyon nuclear reactor to try to create a nuclear warhead.
• Father, the drama we can see pales in comparison to what we can't. Only by your spirit can we determine and define what is actually taking place in the spiritual realm. Pray from this realm that our nation will find protection in the stronghold of God from evil men and their pursuits. As we are purposely entrusted with information, like Daniel, we will take it to the higher courts of heaven to find the Only True Judge's plan for infractions such as this. As Daniel interceded for Israel, let us press in and beseech the Lord of Glory on behalf of our nation.
• Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies. (Psalm 108:12-13)
6. Gitmo in Conformity with Geneva Convention, Obama-Ordered Report Confirms - CNS News
Binyam Mohamed, 30, foreground, a British resident who has been held at Guantanamo Bay for more than four years, covers his face as he leaves RAF Northolt in west London Monday Feb. 23, 2009, after nearly seven years in U.S. captivity - the first inmate from the U.S. prison camp freed since President Barack Obama took office.
The Guantanamo Bay prison where terror suspects are held was examined by a special task force ordered by President Barack Obama. In its 81-page report, released Monday, the task force concluded: "After considerable deliberation and a comprehensive review, it is our judgment that the conditions of confinement in Guantanamo are in conformity with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention."
The report also noted that the prison, popularly referred to as Gitmo, keeps its thermostat set between 75 and 80 degrees, provides art classes to the prisoners, and holds a library of 13,000 books, 900 magazines, 300 DVDs and regular TV programs. Also, there is a "detainee newsletter."
• Give God praise for this review and it's findings. Ask the Lord, as we must detain evil men, that we do not allow a spirit of tolerance to cause us to make rash decisions and throw wisdom out the door. Pray that only a military trial will be offered to any terrorist, that they will never gain "civil" rights in this nation, and that justice will be served. Pray that wise actions on the part of the United States will deter evil at our borders, and protect American citizens in this country and others.
• Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all. (Proverbs 28:5)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"LORD has prepared His throne in the heaven; His kingdom rules over all." (Psalms 103:19)
1. Hamas, Fatah to begin talks in Cairo - Jerusalem Post
With stakes that have never been higher, Palestinian factions will open talks in Cairo on Wednesday in an attempt to bridge a deep rift that has fragmented their people and jeopardized the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
2. UNRWA providing political cover for Hamas, Israeli official says - Jerusalem Post
The UN Relief and Works Agency is systematically providing political cover to Hamas, a senior government official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, lashing out at the agency for passing a Hamas letter to US Sen. John Kerry when he visited Gaza last week.
3. Livni: Kadima will sit in the opposition - Ynet News
Despite garnering the support of 65 Knesset members, premiership candidate Benjamin Netanyahu may still find it difficult to form a stable coalition due to Kadima's refusal to join a unity government with the Likud chairman at the helm.
4. Livni to Netanyahu: I'll back you on Iran threat - Ha'aretz
Kadima leader Tzipi Livni has promised prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu her party's support on the Iranian nuclear threat if she ends up heading the opposition.
5. Clinton warns Israel over delays in Gaza aid - Ha'aretz
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has relayed messages to Israel in the past week expressing anger at obstacles Israel is placing to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. A leading political source in Jerusalem noted that senior Clinton aides have made it clear that the matter will be central to Clinton's planned visit to Israel next Tuesday.
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days: DAY 37
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. CIA Chief Says U.S. Will Limit Countries Detainees Are Sent
CIA Director Leon Panetta says President Obama will limit the countries to which it sends alleged terrorists to make sure they are not tortured or abused.
2. Salazar Scraps Oil-Shale Leasing, Reverses Bush Policy
U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he's scrapping leases on federal land for oil-shale development in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
Salazar's action on Wednesday marks the second time he has reversed an action by the Bush administration. He also halted the leasing of oil and gas drilling parcels near national parks in Utah three weeks ago.
3. House Approves $410 Billion Spending Bill
The Democratic-controlled House approved $410 billion legislation Wednesday that boosted domestic programs, bristled with earmarks and chipped away at policies left behind by the Bush administration.
4. Obama Seeks $634M Over 10 Years to Revamp Health Care System
President Obama wants a significant "down payment" for overhauling the health care system: $634 billion over 10 years.
A senior administration official says Obama's budget calls for financing the overhaul by trimming Medicare spending and limiting tax deductions for upper-income earners. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the budget won't be released until Thursday.
5. Holder: Closing Gitmo Won't Be Easy
Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday the Guantanamo detention center is a well-run, professional facility that will be difficult to close -- but he's still going to do it.
6. McCain: 'We Are Not Winning' War in Afghanistan
Sen. John McCain painted a grim picture of the war in the Afghanistan on Wednesday, saying that it will require a change in strategy and years to achieve victory.
Speaking before a packed crowd at the American Enterprise Institute, the Republican from Arizona said that if the U.S. did not make a "serious change" in its strategy and and how it deploys resources in Afghanistan, the result eventually would be failure. (All articles from Fox News)
Good News Corner
Remembering George Washington
February 22, 2009
From: The American Minute By Bill Federer
George Washington was born FEBRUARY 22, 1732. He was unanimously chosen as the Army's Commander-in-Chief, unanimously chosen as President of the Constitutional Convention, and unanimously chosen as the first U.S. President.
After the Declaration of Independence was read to his troops, General Washington ordered chaplains placed in each regiment, stating: "The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country."
In his Inaugural Address, Washington said: "It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe. . . No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of Providential agency."
After his Inauguration, Washington attended a service conducted by Congress' chaplains in New York City's St. Paul's Chapel.
