In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, March 3, 2009
"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." ( Romans 13:12)
The Daily Brief
1. Mexico: 100,000 foot soldiers in cartels - Washington Times
The U.S. Defense Department thinks Mexico's two most deadly drug cartels together have fielded more than 100,000 foot soldiers - an army that rivals Mexico's armed forces and threatens to turn the country into a narco-state. "If we don't start paying attention, the violence - which has already spilled into the U.S. - is going to get worse," Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) spokesman Garrison Courtney said. "This is a shared interest between the United States and Mexico to go after these drug traffickers."
They have amassed so many people and weapons that Mexican President Felipe Calderon is "fighting for his life" and "for the life of Mexico right now." As a result, Mexico is behind only Pakistan and Iran as a top U.S. national security concern, ranking above Afghanistan and Iraq, the defense official added.
• Heavenly Father, we pray for these critical areas of potential harm not only to our security, but that of Mexico. As they struggle, the drug cartels are relocating here in the U.S. Please pray to seal our borders.
• So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16,17)
2. Researchers Find Safer Way to Produce Stem Cell Alternative - Washington Post
Scientists have developed what appears to be a safer way to create a promising alternative to embryonic stem cells, boosting hopes that such cells could sidestep the moral and political quagmire that has hindered the development of a new generation of cures. Scientists, however, while praising the work as a potentially important advance, said it remains crucial to work on both types of cells because it is far from clear which will turn out to be more useful.
• Thank you, Lord for this great news. We believe that life is sacred and begins at conception or fertilization. We pray that more safer alternatives will be found and used instead of embryonic stem cells.
• Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: 'Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. (Isaiah 44:2)
3. Barack Obama offers to scrap US missile defense system in secret letter to Russia - London Telegraph
President Barack Obama has written a secret letter to his Russian counterpart suggesting that he would scrap the proposed US missile defense system in eastern Europe in exchange for Russia's assistance in pressuring Iran to stop building a nuclear weapon, according to reports.
• Lord, we pray that our leaders will understand the importance of guarded talks with nations, that have in the past, supported policies that would endanger our safety. Let nothing be agreed to that would put us in danger.
• For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12)
4. Stocks fall to lowest level since 1997 as Dow drops below 6,800 - USA Today
If there ever was a symbol of investors' lack of confidence in the government's ability to stem the financial crisis, it was the Dow Jones industrials plunging below 7000 Monday and closing at levels not seen since April 1997. Stocks are in free fall. Investors are in panic mode. The government's numerous bailout attempts - including its latest gambit to prop up insurer American International Group - have failed to restore hope.
• Heavenly Father, we know that You cannot bless a nation or a peoples that go against Your laws! We pray for leaders, churches, and individuals to humble themselves and seek Your face for forgiveness.
• "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you" (Deuteronomy 28:15)
5. Republican Leaders Claim Sanctity of Life Is Vital Issue for Rebuilding GOP - CNS News
President Barack Obama's pro-abortion agenda means the GOP will make the sanctity of life one of the foundations for rebuilding the party and regaining control of Congress and the White House, top Republicans told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., last week. "You'll see Republicans, as we get into these appropriations bills and we see the Freedom of Choice Act, stand up and defend the sanctity of life," said House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).
• Lord, we thank You there are people rising up to take back our land with righteous beliefs. We pray that in the coming days more will speak up for Your laws and values. Give us a righteous nation.
• Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. (Psalms 127:3)
6. Clinton says U.S. diplomacy unlikely to end Iran nuclear program - LA Times
The Obama administration has already concluded that a diplomatic overture to Iran, one of the central promises of the president's election campaign, is unlikely to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions.
U.S. envoy Gregory L. Schulte, speaking in a closed-door meeting of the International Atomic Energy Association's board of governors, also said the U.S. would resurrect nuclear disarmament efforts that fell by the wayside during the Bush administration, including "dramatic reductions" in U.S. and Russian stockpiles and a ban on production of "new nuclear weapons material," according to a copy of his prepared remarks.
• Heavenly Father, let nothing be done in these talks that would cause us to be weakened and unprepared.
• And do not stay there yourselves, but pursue your enemies, and attack their rear guard. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand." (Joshua 10:19)
7. Gates: Pullout timeline workable - Washington Times
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Sunday, that military commanders wanted President Obama to extend combat troop levels in Iraq beyond his planned 2010 withdrawal deadline, though he expects continued improvements in the country will ensure the plan will succeed unchanged.
• Lord, we pray as these troop numbers are downsized, we will not see a resurgence of violence. Let the Iraqis be able to defend their country and let them be our allies forever.
• These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul's kingdom over to him, as the Lord had said: men of Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty - 50,000 (1 Chronicles 12:23, 33)
8. Married gays in Mass. Sue US for federal benefits - AP
The lawsuit was being filed Tuesday in federal court in Boston by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the anti-discrimination group that brought a successful legal challenge leading to Massachusetts becoming the first state in the nation to legalize gay marriage in 2004. President Barack Obama has pledged to work to repeal The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA and reverse the Department of Defense policy that prevents openly gay people from serving in the military.
• Father God, we come against the sins of this nation of perversion and death. Give us leaders who will lead us in turning our nation from a culture of rebellious sin to one of holiness. Help us to turn our faces toward you.
• "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse . . .if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known." (Deuteronomy 11:26, 28)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart. I will show forth all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. For You have maintained my right and my cause.." (Psalms 9:1-4)
1. Israel-Palestinian Conflict - Worthy News
Coalition talks launched in Ramat Gan - Ynet News The negotiations for a Likud-led coalition were officially launched Wednesday afternoon in meetings between Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's representatives and members of the right-wing parties.
2. Peace Now: Gov't plans to enlarge settlements - Jerusalem Post
Plans to construct 73,000 additional apartment units in West Bank settlements that would double their population size are in various stages of government approval, the non-governmental group Peace Now charged in a report it released Monday, on the same day that newly appointed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's arrived in Israel for her first visit in that capacity.
The First 100 Days
The First 100 Days: DAY 43
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. Officials: Obama Letter to Moscow Floated Trade-Off on Missile Defense
More details are emerging about a letter President Obama sent to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussing plans for a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.
Though the Kremlin disputes the account, senior U.S. administration officials say Obama suggested in his letter that those plans might be unnecessary if Moscow helped in blocking Iran's progress toward building long-range missiles.
2. Lawmakers Take First Whack at Obama Budget Plan
President Barack Obama's proposed tax increases are being met with misgivings by both Republicans and Democrats in Congress as he sends his treasury secretary to Capitol Hill to defend them.
3. Clinton to Meet Israeli, Palestinian Leaders
JERUSALEM -- Israel's incoming prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, will tell visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday that his government will continue peace talks with the Palestinians, a lawmaker from Netanyahu's party said.
Clinton is kicking off a two-day round of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on her first trip to the region as the top U.S. diplomat.
4. Obama's 'Bad Bank' Plan Aims to Quell Financial Crisis
The Obama team announced its intention to partner with the private sector to buy $500 billion to $1 trillion of distressed assets as part of its revamping of the $700 billion bank bailout last month.
5. RNC Chief Apologizes for Ripping Rush Limbaugh
Two days after calling Rush Limbaugh a mere "entertainer" with an "incendiary" talk show, RNC chairman Michael Steele apologizes to a "national conservative leader."
6. Judge Reinstates Subpoena Seeking Testimony From Cheney
A federal judge has reinstated a subpoena seeking testimony from former Vice President Dick Cheney in a lawsuit filed by a Colorado man.
The judge on Monday overturned a federal magistrate's ruling that denied a motion to subpoena Cheney.
Steven Howards was arrested in June 2006 after he walked up to Cheney in Beaver Creek and told him his Iraq policy was "disgusting." (All articles from Fox News)
Good News Corner
GOD SETS NO LIMIT
By A. W. Tozer
Let no man deceive you with vain words. (Ephesians 5:6)
Do you know that there are Bible "interpreters" now who believe they can set up rules as to how much we can have of God? However, the Lord Himself has promised that as far as He is concerned, He is willing to keep the candles of my soul brightly burning!
So, my heart tells me to ignore the modern scribes whose interpretations, I fear, are forcing the Spirit, the blessed Dove, to fold His wings and be silent.
I turn rather to one of Dr. A. B. Simpson's hymns rarely sung now, probably because very few believers have this experience of which he wrote:
I take the hand of love divine,
I count each precious promise mine
With this eternal countersign-
I take - He undertakes!
I take Thee, blessed Lord,
I give myself to Thee;
And Thou, according to Thy Word
Dost *undertake for me!
* Promise to do or accomplish
