In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Credit card reforms up for Senate vote - Forbes.com
Legislation that would impose new restrictions on the industry was expected to pass the Senate on Tuesday. With the House having endorsed a similar measure already, Democratic leaders said they hoped to send a final version to the president to sign by week's end. The banking industry is pushing back, warning lawmakers that the legislation would restrict credit at a time when Americans need it most.
• Heavenly Father, we pray for elected officials to correct our credit card rules with the right legislation. Let it be a fair one to everyone and let the government not over regulate to the point companies cannot grow.
• Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. (Proverbs 11:1)
2. U.S. to expand jail immigration checks: report - Reuters
The Obama administration is expanding immigration checks to nearly all local jails, which could sharply increase U.S. deportation cases, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday. Expanding the program could result in a tenfold increase in illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes and identified for deportation, the report said, citing current and former U.S. officials.
• Lord, we pray for order and civility so there will be no abuses in carrying out the orders concerning immigration checks. We pray this will never be a source to persecute any group of people or individuals.
• When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)
3. Pentagon briefings no longer quote Bible - AP
The Pentagon said Monday it no longer includes a Bible quote on the cover page of daily intelligence briefings it sends to the White House as was practice during the Bush administration. The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, on Monday said U.S. soldiers "are not Christian crusaders, and they ought not be depicted as such."
• Heavenly Father, we ask Your forgiveness for the rebelliousness of our nation to go against You! We pray that You will quickly remove those who are burdening our nation with laws against You and replace them with righteous people.
• "So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth. (Jeremiah 7:28)
4. Unemployment Rate Calls Stimulus Claims Into Question - CBS
Obama's economic advisors released a report saying that, without the stimulus, unemployment would hit around 8.5 percent by April 2009, and 7.8 percent with it. A Democratic Congress quickly approved the legislation. But what may not be as obvious is that even with the stimulus, current unemployment is far worse than the Obama administration had predicted: it's already 8.9 percent.
• Lord, we pray for wise leadership to get this economy back on track. Give us people who love You and serve You who will have solid, creative ideas how to get the economy moving again.
• Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! (2 Chronicles 9:7)
5. Justices reject 9/11 detainee's lawsuit - MSNBC
"There is no principled basis for the majority's disregard of the allegations linking Ashcroft and Mueller to their subordinates' discrimination," Souter wrote. The court's liberal justices - David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and John Paul Stevens - dissented from the court's opinion.
• Thank You, Lord, for not allowing this lawsuit to go forward. We pray that those seeking to change laws concerning our safety will not be able to succeed. Let only just laws be accepted and enacted.
• The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. (Proverbs 8:13)
6. Obama prods Netanyahu, Iran in Mideast foray - AP
President Barack Obama on Monday opened his deepest foray into the Middle East quagmire, telling Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu he must stop Jewish settlements and should grasp a "historic opportunity" to make peace with the Palestinians. Obama also had pointed words for Iran.
• Lord, we pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu to not be swayed by plans to accept any attempts to divide Israel from what You ordained; let it be blocked. Let only plans that are pleasing to You be adopted.
• I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. (Joel 3:2)
7. Netanyahu Resists Call For Two-State Solution - Fox News
Obama, Netanyahu Agree on Peace, Differ on Priorities
President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree peace needs to come to the Middle East but their visions may differ, as the U.S. leader called Monday for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians and Netanyahu made no mention of a nation for the Arab people.
• Father God, we praise You that the Prime Minister of the nation of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has held firm in his message to the nations: Israel will not support the "two-state solution" for peace in the Middle East; and the threat of a nuclear Iran is the most pressing danger that region faces now. Praise God.
• "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; . . ." (Matthew 5:37)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
" For ever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
1. Nasrallah: Israel may be planning war - Ynet News
Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said on Monday that an IDF exercise scheduled to take place at the end of the month could be a sign that Israel is preparing for another war, and added that his organization would be on high alert during the exercise.
2. Obama: U.S. backs Palestinian statehood, no Iran deadline - Ha'aretz
U.S. President Barack Obama voiced support for creation of a Palestinian state in talks on Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who held back from endorsing the main cornerstone of Washington's Mideast policy.
Good News Corner
PSALM 91 -- A PSALM OF PROTECTION
F. L. Rawson, was a noted engineer and one of England's great scientists. He relates to the story of a British regiment under the command of a Colonel Whittlesey, which served in World War I for more than four years without losing a man. When asked how his regiment was able to serve four years in the thick of battle without a single causality, Colonel Whittlesey said it was because the officers and men in that regiment memorized and repeated regularly the 91st Psalm, which they called their "Psalm of Protection".
PSALM 91:
We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.
For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague.
He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor.
Now you don't need to be afraid of the dark any more, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.
Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, the evil will not touch me.
I will see how the wicked are punished, but I will not share it.
For Jehovah is my refuge! I choose the God above all gods to shelter me.
How then can evil overtake me or any plague come near?
For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.
They will steady you with their hands to keep you from stumbling against the rocks on the trail.
You can safely meet a lion or step on poisonous snakes, yes, even trample them beneath your feet!
For the Lord says, "Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name.
When he calls on me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble and rescue him and honor him.
I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation."
