In This Issue• On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XVI, No. 16a
• This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
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On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVI, Number 16a
May 11 - 15, 2009
May 11 - 15, 2009
* DOMESTIC ISSUES *
"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness . . ." (Psalm 96:9)
1. MILLIONS UNITE IN PRAYER ON NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
2. OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO FIGHT NDP LAWSUIT
3. KENNEDY BRINGS "HATE CRIMES" INTO SENATE
4. FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, DR. ALAN KEYES, ARRESTED
5. DEMOCRATS MAY BLOCK VOTE ON D.C. RECOGNITION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
6. FEDERAL BILL WOULD ADD PRO-GAY POLICIES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
7. OBAMA'S MOTHER'S DAY GIFT TO D.C.: FREE ABORTIONS
8. IMPORTANT MEMO ABOUT RADICAL OBAMA SUPREME COURT NOMINEES
9. THE "KEEP TERRORISTS OUT OF AMERICA ACT"
1. MILLIONS UNITE IN PRAYER ON NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Millions of Americans gathered today in prayer for the nation and its leaders. Dr. and Mrs. Dobson joined hundreds of others at the National Observance in Washington, D.C. GOD TV broadcast the event live to 200 nations.
"Make no mistake: Today matters," said Beth Moore, who gave the keynote address. "One day of corporate prayer in unity and sincerity makes a very large difference. "What might God do as the result of the faith that we convey not from our mouths, but from our hearts?"
Moore said now is not the time for Christians to give up. "The moment we give up on prayer, we have given up our hope," she said. "This is not the time for hopelessness. God esteems a faithful remnant."
Dr. Dobson said he was disappointed by Obama's lack of involvement in this year's National Day of Prayer. "There are tens of millions of people praying across this country --- 40,000 prayer events --- and yet for the first time since 1993, the White House did not even send a representative of the Cabinet to the National Day of Prayer," he said at a news conference following the prayer event. (CitizenLink)
• Offer praise for the GREAT OUTPOURING of intercession that came forth on this National Day of Prayer. Although the White House may have had a deaf ear to these events, God did not!
• "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
2. OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO FIGHT NDP LAWSUIT
The Obama administration has asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which claims the day violates the separation of church and state. In a rare alliance, 31 mostly Republican members of Congress and a prominent Christian legal group are joining the administration to fight the lawsuit. Freedom From Religion Foundation Co-Director Annie Laurie Gaylor welcomed Obama's more scaled back observance but said she has been shocked by his administration's strong defense of the day in court. (Newsmax; CitizenLink)
• The workings of the Lord are past finding out! Offer praise for this strange turn of events, for it is surely an answer to prayer. Even if Obama has a "hidden agenda" in taking this position against this atheist organization, God can and will use this alliance for His sovereign purposes. Jesus IS Lord!
• ". . . and the government shall rest upon His shoulder." (Isaiah 9:6)
3. KENNEDY BRINGS "HATE CRIMES" INTO SENATE
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote soon on legislation that would create a new class of crimes based on the traits of the victim, including "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced the so-called hate-crimes bill --- S.909 --- last week. The U.S. House has already passed similar legislation.
If the legislation passes, pastors could be prosecuted under the federal inducement statute for preaching the biblical view of homosexuality. For example, a person could commit an act of violence against a homosexual individual and blame it on the pastor's sermon. Also concerning is the fact that House Democrats voted down an amendment to their bill that would have excluded pedophilia from the definition of "sexual orientation." (CitizenLink)
In the debate before this bill was passed in the House, Rep. Virginia Foxx, (R-N.C), said H.R. 1913 will create "thought crimes," and U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, (R-AZ)., said it will end equality in the U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, (R-TX), charged the plan will divide America into groups of more favored versus less. He again cited USC Title 18, Section 2a, the foundation of H.R. 1913, which says anyone who through speech "induces" commission of a violent hate crime "will be tried as a principal" alongside the active offender. But there is no epidemic of hate in the U.S., he noted. (WorldNetDaily)
• Pray that this bill is stopped cold in its tracks and that Sen. Kennedy repents for even introducing this bill into the Senate. As a committed Catholic, Mr. Kennedy should know the Biblical view of homosexuality as should Sen. Leahy. Ask the Lord to send the Holy Spirit to work on the souls of both these men so that they may know the truth and reflect the truth in their daily behavior and words. Pray for those representatives who stand for the truth so that they may each stand strong against the wickedness of the lies being perpetrated in the nation's Capitol.
• "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2:3)
4. FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, DR. ALAN KEYES, ARRESTED
Keyes Was Protesting University of Notre Dame's Obama Invitation
Conservative political activist and former presidential candidate Dr. Alan Keyes was arrested on Friday along with 21 other pro-lifers while protesting the University of Notre Dame's decision to give President Obama an honorary law degree despite his support for abortion.
Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, a pro-life group, said Keyes and the other protesters "walked on campus praying quietly with baby carriages that had dolls covered with stage blood as a show of protest."
The day before, Keyes was approached during a press conference on public property by two plain clothes Notre Dame policemen and told that if he walked on campus for any reason, he would be arrested. According to Terry, Keyes replied: "I have not even stepped foot on the campus, and they give me this warning? They told me: 'We are just doing our job.' I told them I am just coming to witness for the truth."
Keyes was arrested by campus security at 12:15 pm for trespassing, which is a misdemeanor offense, according to Bill Redman of the St. Joseph's County Police Department. Keyes has a bond of $250, but he had not bonded out as of 3 pm, Redman said. None of the other 21 protesters with Keyes was bonded out either. (CNSNews.com)
• O lord, help us!! Have mercy on our country. Our people are being arrested for standing for life and righteousness. Please touch the hearts of the policemen and others who call good evil. "My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path . . ." (Prov. 1:15)
• Lift up Dr. Keyes and those who are standing with him, that they might find courage in the Lord in the day of their testing. "When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luke 12:11,12)
5. DEMOCRATS MAY BLOCK VOTE ON D.C. RECOGNITION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
In a move that would make homosexual marriage bill law without members of Congress having to vote, the District of Columbia Council has voted 12-1 to recognize homosexual "marriages" from states where homosexual marriage is now legal - Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont and Connecticut.
The bill now goes to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate for their approval. If approved by both, it will then go to the president for his signature. If Congress does not act on the bill by June 6, it automatically becomes law.
It appears that Democrats will not allow a vote on the bill. By doing this, they will keep their members from having to go on record as being for or against recognition of homosexual marriage. All Democratic members of Congress can then go back to their districts and tell their constituents that they would have voted against the bill if they had been allowed to vote. (American Family Association)
• Pray that this sneaky way of avoiding public record does not stand for members of Congress. Pray that the bill does not come to a vote in either chamber and, therefore, nothing is available for the president to sign. Pray against taxpayers' money being used to fund the lawyers who search out the parliamentary procedures for Congressmen to hide behind to deceive their constituents. Reveal truth, O Lord!
• "Therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of own way, and be filled with their own devices." (Proverbs 1:31)
6. FEDERAL BILL WOULD ADD PRO-GAY POLICIES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Family advocates are concerned by the so-called Safe Schools Improvement Act, which was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The anti-bullying bill would require many public schools to add special protections for students based on sexual orientation and gender identity, in addition
7. OBAMA'S MOTHER'S DAY GIFT TO D.C.: FREE ABORTIONS
While local families planned their Mother's Day celebrations, President Obama observed the weekend by releasing a budget that would reduce the number of D.C. moms. It seems the President's gift to Washington's women is robbing them of the joys of
8. IMPORTANT MEMO ABOUT RADICAL OBAMA SUPREME COURT NOMINEES
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO BEGIN CONSIDERATION OF NOMINEE TOMORROW
Reports in Washington today suggest that the Obama Administration and some in the U.S. Senate are
B) Obama urged to appoint first 'gay' to Supreme Court
Politico.com reports homosexual-rights groups are upset with President Barack Obama for not choosing an openly "gay" person for his Cabinet, and are urging him to appoint the first openly homosexual justice. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund is hailing the candidacy of First Amendment scholar Kathleen
• God is able to change the heart of the king, so we must pray that Obama finds reasons to reject those nominees now being proposed. Pray that the president will look into the green fields proposed by the Lord. We need, not a person who reflects today's moral lack of values, but rather a person who knows the Constitution and understands the values and language of our Founding Fathers. Pray that the Lord
8. THE "KEEP TERRORISTS OUT OF AMERICA ACT"
Republicans Say 'Keep Them Out'
The House Republican leadership was out in force last week at a press conference announcing
• We thank you, O Lord, for having protected us from further terrorist attacks. We ask You to make a way for our president to change his mind and heart to rescind this executive order and to continue to keep the terrorists where they are at Gitmo. Help him to do what is right in Your sight. We ask, too, that Rep. Boehner's bill would pass quickly through Congress. We ask this in Jesus' name, amen.
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
HOLY (Kadosh)
For this is what the high and lofty One says- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)
Holy is Your Name; Holiness befits You. Thank You that it is not on my merit that I can approach You, but it is because of the shed Blood of Yeshua, Jesus, that I can approach Your throne of grace, and have the privilege to call You Holy -- Kadosh.
"All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." (Psalm 66:4)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
On Capitol Hill This Week - Volume XVI, Number 16b
* INTERNATIONAL ISSUES *
"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness . . ." (Psalm 96:9)
1. U.S. MILITARY DESTROYS (SOME) SOLDIER'S BIBLES IN AFGHANISTAN
2. HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS AND TALIBAN KILLED BY U.S., PAKISTANI AIR STRIKES
3. FIVE DEAD AFTER U.S. SOLDIER OPENS FIRE AT BAGHDAD BASE
4. U.N. TREATIES: SOVEREIGNTY SURRENDERED
5. POPE IN ISRAEL CALLS FOR PALESTINIAN STATE
6. OBAMA MET WITH PERES LAST TUESDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE
7. PERES WANTS TO GIVE UP LAND TO THE VATICAN
8. NETANYAHU TO VISIT WHITE HOUSE NEXT MONDAY, MAY 18
9. US HELP IN IRAN TIED TO DIVIDING UP ISRAEL
10. AIPAC TURNS ON ISRAEL; US LEADERS FOLLOW SUIT
11. HAS OBAMA CUT OFF INFORMATION TO ISRAEL?
12. A SECRET U.S.-ISRAEL ACCORD ON NUKES?
1. U.S. MILITARY DESTROYS (SOME) SOLDIER'S BIBLES IN AFGHANISTAN
The U.S. military is confirming that it has destroyed some Bibles belonging to an American soldier serving in Afghanistan. Reuters News says the Bibles were confiscated and destroyed after Qatar-based Al Jazeer television showed soldiers at a Bible class on a base with a stack of Bibles translated into the local Pashto and Dari languages. The U.S. military forbids its members on active duty -- including those based in places like Afghanistan -- from trying to convert people to another religion.
According to the military officials, the Bibles were sent through private mail to an evangelical Christian soldier by his church back home. Reuters says the soldier brought them to the Bible study class where they were filmed. Reuters quotes Maj. Jennifer Willis at the Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, who said "I can now confirm that the Bibles shown on Al Jazeera's clip were, in fact, collected by the chaplains and later destroyed. They were never distributed." The Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, told a Pentagon briefing Monday that the military's position is that it will never "push any specific religion." (Reuters; OneNewsNow)
• Father God, please forgive these chaplains and our military officials for trying to Destroy and/or hide Your Word, for Your Word is life to all who find it. We pray that You will open another way for Your Word to be released throughout the Middle East -- without fear of retribution. We ask this prayer in Jesus' Name, amen.
• "To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him." (Daniel 9:9)
2. HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS AND TALIBAN KILLED BY U.S., PAKISTANI AIR STRIKES
The U.S. military acknowledged on Saturday that civilians were killed in a battle which prompted Afghan President Hamid Karzai to call for a halt to airstrikes within the country's borders. Villagers from Western Farah province gave name lists of 147 dead to provincial officials and told Reuters of bombs hitting houses packed with terrified people, including women and children. If the civilian toll is confirmed it would be the deadliest single incident for non-combatants since U.S.-led forces first started battling the Taliban in 2001.
In a joint statement with the Afghan government, U.S. forces confirmed that non-combatants were among the dead but said it was not possible to give a firm number because the bodies had already been buried. The incident has inflamed public anger about civilian deaths from air strikes, an issue which was already poisoning ties between Kabul and Washington. It overshadowed a meeting between Karzai and U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington this week. Karzai Friday went on U.S. television to call for an end to the strikes. "The air strikes are not acceptable," he said, adding that Obama had expressed "sorrows and apologies" over the deaths in their White House summit. "Terrorism is not in Afghan villages, not in Afghan homes. And you cannot defeat terrorists by air strikes," Karzai said.
U.S. military officials have suggested they believe the death toll is lower but have so far not given specific estimates.The joint statement also suggested that Taliban fighters may have worsened the toll by using civilians as human shields. "Reports also indicate that Taliban fighters deliberately forced villagers into houses from which they then attacked ANSF and Coalition forces," it said, referring to Afghan national security forces and U.S. troops. (Associated Press)
• Gracious Lord and Giver of Life, we are shocked and saddened by the loss of life among non-combatants in Afghanistan . We ask that out of this tragedy; many Afghanis, Pakistanis and Americans, including President Karzai and all governmental and military leadership, would come to know You as their One and True Savior. We pray that the relatives and friends of those killed will be comforted by You, Your Son and Your Holy Spirit. May Your truths, through Your Word, continuously descend upon these nations to free them from bondage. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
• "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Hebrews 2: 14-15 NKJV)
3. FIVE DEAD AFTER U.S. SOLDIER OPENS FIRE AT BAGHDAD BASE
A U.S. soldier opened fire on coalition forces attending a stress clinic at a military base outside of Baghdad International Airport Monday, and at least five were killed, the Pentagon and U.S. Command said. It was unclear how many U.S. soldiers were killed in the shooting at Camp Liberty, but a defense official said the shooter is alive and in custody. Three were wounded, but it was not immediately clear if the shooter was one of them. Pentagon officials first indicated that an Army soldier shot the others and then turned the gun on himself.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday the shooting at Camp Liberty was a "terrible tragedy" and Obama plans to meet with Defense Secretary Gates later in the day to discuss the matter. Gibbs says the president's heart goes out to the victims' families and wants to know what happened. (Associated Press)
• Pray for the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones in today's needless carnage among our own in Baghdad. As the military seeks answers to these and similar horrific, often unreported stories of suicides among our troops on the land, pray that they be granted wisdom to seek guidance from those who know and who study the Word of God. We have an "enemy" who is not seen in the Middle East, but who is just as deadly as the one on the ground. Pray that our military discern quickly the true nature of this war, and take action accordingly. Pray!
• "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds . . ." (2 Corinthians 10:4)
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph. 6:12,13)
4. U.N. TREATIES: SOVEREIGNTY SURRENDERED
Five international treaties stand poised, ready for ratification by the new nearly filibuster-proof Senate, pushed by the new, nearly giddy administration. Each of these treaties surrenders a little more of our national sovereignty to an international body governed by a majority of nations that despise the United States.
The leading treaties currently under consideration are:
-- The Convention on Biological Diversity
-- The Convention on the Law of the Sea
-- The Convention on the Rights of the Child
-- The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
-- Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials
There are more international treaties, agreements and resolutions in the wings, waiting in turn to crash down upon unsuspecting Americans, all in the name of "resetting" our image with the international community. These five treaties are at the front of the line and already designated for quick Senate action. Each treaty surrenders a little more national sovereignty, but to the current administration, national sovereignty doesn't appear to be nearly as important as international approval. (Henry Lamb; WorldNetDaily).
• The New World Order is rapidly taking shape, right before our very eyes. Pray in the harvest of souls for the kingdom while there is yet time, for there is a Kingdom "not of this world" that awaits us. At the Cross, all issues of sovereignty are settled, for the Blood of Jesus has bought and Paid for us all. Pray.
• "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect." (Psalm 33:10)
5. POPE IN ISRAEL CALLS FOR PALESTINIAN STATE
TEL AVIV, Israel - Pope Benedict XVI called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian homeland immediately after he arrived in Israel Monday, a stance that could put him at odds with his hosts on a trip aimed at improving ties between the Vatican and Jews. Benedict touched down in Israel on the second leg of a weeklong pilgrimage to the Holy Land, after spending three days in neighboring Jordan. He is using the tour to reach out to both Muslims and Jews. In his first public comments upon arriving, Benedict urged Israelis and Palestinians to "explore every possible avenue" to resolve their differences.
Dignitaries and religious leaders greeted the pontiff at a red-carpet ceremony at the Tel Aviv airport. Yellow and white Vatican flags fluttered alongside blue and white Israeli banners as an honor guard played in the background. The pope smiled as he walked along the carpet, flanked by Israeli President Shimon Peres on one side and Netanyahu on the other. Other political leaders, along with black-robed Christian clergymen and Muslim religious leaders, stood in line to shake his hand. "Your visit here brings a blessed understanding between religions and spreads peace near and far. Historic Israel and the renewed Israel together welcome your arrival as paving the great road to peace," Peres said.
Later, the pope flew by helicopter to Jerusalem for another red-carpet ceremony. Mayor Nir Barkat handed Benedict an ancient map of the world, with Jerusalem in the center and dozens of children from three schools - Christian, Jewish and Muslim - welcomed him. The children waved Israeli and Vatican flags and red carnations, and many wore T- shirts that read, "I'm with the pope in Jerusalem." "He loves us and wants peace," said David Sahagian, a 10-year-old from a Christian school in east Jerusalem. "I want there to be peace in Jerusalem and I want him to give us his blessing."
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians were angry that the pope planned to meet with the family of an Israeli soldier held by militants in Gaza for nearly three years but would not meet with relatives of any of the 11,000 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israel. Israeli police shut down a media center for the pope's visit that the Palestinian Authority had set up at an east Jerusalem hotel. Israeli authorities object to any attempt by the Palestinians to use east Jerusalem for official business because that would suggest Palestinian sovereignty there. Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war and the Palestinians claim it as capital of a future state. (Fox News)
• Scripture is clear: In the latter days, no nation will stand with Israel. The United Nations considers the Vatican as a "state," and seats an ambassador for this "nation" in its assembly. Once again, Scripture does not lie. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Only God Most High can save her now . . . and He will!!
• ". . . I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle." (Zech. 14:2,3)
6. OBAMA MET WITH PERES LAST TUESDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE
President Barack Obama met President Shimon Peres on Tuesday (May 5) at the White House, spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Friday (May 1). The meeting will come during Peres's visit to the United States to take part in a summit held by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobby group, Peres' office said in a statement earlier this week. Peres will be the first Israeli statesman to meet Obama since the inauguration last month of the right-leaning government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Obama has invited Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian leaders to visit the White House over the next few weeks to discuss the Middle East peace process. Obama has said reviving stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks with the goal of establishing a Palestinian state is a top priority for his administration. But Netanyahu has so far refused to commit himself to Palestinian statehood in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
• From the description given in this news article, Mr. Obama and the Arab nations also invited to Washington, D. C., seemingly are setting up a strategy that will entrap P. M. Netanyahu in a scheme to nullify plans to save Israel. What president meets the president of Israel, such as Peres, rather than to meet with Israel's prime minister? Israel's president is more of a title than a position of power. Pray against any schemes to divide the land of Israel, for what looks rational and peaceable to ignorant eyes will only deceive. Pray for true knowledge about Biblical worldview for our president.
• "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things." (Joel 2:21)
7. PERES WANTS TO GIVE UP LAND TO THE VATICAN
Israeli President Shimon Peres is pressuring Interior Minister Eli Yishai to sign away six properties demanded by the Vatican, including Mt. Tabor and a church in Nazareth, according to IDF ARMY RADIO. The Vatican has long demanded that Israel give it these and other properties, while Israel has refused. With the visit of Pope Benedict XVI only a week away, tensions between the sides are rising. Minister Yishai, of the Sephardic hareidi-religious Shas party, has refused to give his approval. Staffers in the President's office say they'll seek a legal way to give away the areas without Yishai's approval, IDF ARMY RADIO reports.
Israel and the Vatican have been negotiating for more than ten years on various fiscal issues, including taxation of Church properties, the removal of certain areas from the pool of areas that Israel might confiscate, and the transfer of specific places to Vatican control. The six places that Peres believes Israel should give the Vatican are: Mt. Tabor, Capernaum and Mt. of Beatitudes on the north Kinneret shore, and three churches: Gethsemane (Gat Shmanim) Church in the Kidron (Jehoshaphat) Valley between the Old City and Mt. of Olives, the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, and one in Tamra.
In addition, the Vatican demands control over the Last Supper Room in the Mt. Zion building that houses King David's Tomb. The building was granted to the Diaspora Yeshiva over 40 years ago, and yeshiva heads fear that the Catholic Church wishes to turn it into a pilgrimage site for hundreds of thousands of Catholics and hold religious services there. Peres did not include this site on the list of those he feels Israel should give the Vatican. [Arutz Sheva]
• To repeat: GOD HIMSELF will fight for Jerusalem. (Zech. 4:1-4) AMEN!
8. NETANYAHU TO VISIT WHITE HOUSE NEXT MONDAY, MAY 18
AIDES FEAR "SURPRISE" DEMANDS FROM OBAMA
Benjamin Netanyahu's aides fear that U.S. President Barack Obama will "surprise" the prime minister with unanticipated ideas and demands at the leaders' upcoming meeting in Washington on May 18.
A political source in Jerusalem said that Netanyahu's associates have been recently discussing a scenario in which Obama makes unequivocal demands on issues like West Bank settlement construction, illegal outposts and negotiations with the Palestinians.
The aides also fear a public clash between the two premiers, such as during a news conference or in comments the pair make, in which their differences will be aired. A number of Netanyahu's aides are set to head to Washington and Europe next week for meetings with senior White House officials to prepare the ground for the prime minister's visit. Netanyahu's strategic adviser Ron Dermer also met with senior White House and State Department officials while in the U.S. last week for the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The source's comments came after officials in Jerusalem were themselves surprised by a report in the L.A. Times last Monday that the Obama administration has asked Congress to amend U.S. law to enable the Palestinian Authority to receive federal aid even if Hamas joins a unity coalition. (Ha'aretz)
• As a prayer warrior, join fervently into the battle raging over Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Israel, a sovereign nation, must not be a football in a game of nations, all vying for power. Satan's technique here is to destroy God's people and eliminate God's land, thereby showing that God's Word is not true. Pray against our president's interference in the affairs of Israel and against any pressure on Israel to do that which will destroy the nation. Call forth the Word of God against these fears.
• "Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us a prey to their teeth." (Psalm 124: 6)
9. US HELP IN IRAN TIED TO DIVIDING UP ISRAEL
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, speaking at last week's AIPAC conference, boldly linked the resolution of the Iranian nuclear crisis to the creation of an Arab state. Emanuel stated very clearly that Israel now faces a moment of truth: it can either acquiesce to international demands and in return have its most serious threats dealt with, or it can maintain the status quo and have those threats persist. The threat behind Emanuel's message was first put forth by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who told Israeli leaders during her recent trip to the region that without progress on the Israeli-Arab track it will be difficult for the US to line up support against the Iranian nuclear program. That message has been repeated by other administration members. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said the US should not try to link Iran with other Middle East conflicts. "The question of Iran should be separate from the Arab-Israel conflict," Moussa told the ASSOCIATED PRESS in an interview.
On Thursday, speaking at a university forum, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon became the first Israeli official to publicly reject the Obama administration's position, telling his audience that, "we must deal with the Iranians as if there is no 'Palestinian' problem, and try to resolve the 'Palestinian' issue as if the Iranian threat does not exist." MK Ya'akov Katz, chairman of the Ichud Leumi (National Union) party, says the veiled threat by Emanuel should be rebuffed and exposed for what it is: "He is basically telling Israel to commit suicide in exchange for American consent to consider dealing with the Iranian threat to the world."
Katz told ARUTZ-7's Hebrew newsmagazine, "What Emanuel is saying is that in order for the US to agree to act against the nuclear program that threatens not only Israel, but entire other nations around the world, the price is that Israel should commit suicide - i.e., we must agree to a two-state solution that will see Hamas threatening us w ith its missiles not only from Gaza, as it is now, but from the very heart of Israel as well, in Judea and Samaria. In other words, we have to bring ourselves to the brink of extinction by allowing Hamastan into Judea and Samaria. And this is the idea of a Jew, Rahm Emanuel -- a Jew whose father fought in the Etzel (Irgun) against the British for the future of the State of Israel, but whose son, born in America, identifies with the most left-wing opinions, whose significance is the destruction of the State of Israel. I think this has to be stated very clearly." [Israel Today, YNETNews, The Media Line]
• Commentary from an Israeli source: [Contrary to what the world may think, along with many weak Israel leaders, Israel does not need the help of the US to take care of the Iranian threat. In fact it would probably do much better without it. Israel managed just fine on its own when it destroyed the entire military might of three Arab countries in 1967; it was able to bomb the nuclear reactor in Baghdad without the help of any other nation; on July 4, 1976, Israeli commandos rescued 100 hostages from Entebbe, Uganda without any outside aid. The God Israel is quite able to take care of Israel by Himself.]
• Repent for the fact that this "deal" is even being considered, much less promoted, by this White House. May God have mercy on America!
• "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3)
10. AIPAC TURNS ON ISRAEL; US LEADERS FOLLOW SUIT
Participants at last week's American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference held over 500 meetings with Congressional leaders, urging them to sign a letter addressed to United States President Barak Obama expressing the need for a "viable Palestinian [sic] state". However, Obama has already been applying pressure on Israel to do exactly that. AIPAC's focus was evidently nothing more than a grandiose attempt to gain press coverage for its anti-Israel stance. AIPAC bills itself as "America's Pro-Israel Lobby". On its Web site, AIPAC states, "For more than half a century, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has worked to help make Israel more secure by ensuring that American support remains strong." But, by its actions late week, AIPAC has turned its back on Israel and has provided support to the numerous terrorist organizations seeking to destroy the state of Israel and the Jewish people living there.
Over half of the members of the US Congress and US Senate also showed their support at the conference for dividing up the land of Israel. US Vice President Joe Biden was bold in his display of anti- Israel sentiment: "Israel has to work for a two state-solution -- you're not going to like my saying this -- but not build more settlements, dismantle existing outposts and allow 'Palestinians' freedom of movement". While Biden called on Arab terrorists to halt attacks on Israel and to free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, US Senator John Kerry was more explicit in his demands for Arabs to be more moderate towards Israel. Kerry noted the continuing "poisonous rhetoric" in the Arab and PA/PLO school systems. Eliminating incitement was one of the conditions that the PA/PLO was to fulfill before reaching the stage of final talks. Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was skipping over that step, although it is part of the original "Roadmap" plan put forth by the George W. Bush administration. Several other US leaders also took their place at the podium to show their support for dividing up Israel. Even Newt Gingrich, who receives the loyalty and backing of most US Evangelical Christians, was on hand to show his support for AIPAC's anti-Israel stance. [Jerusalem Post, The Media Line, Arutz Sheva]
• Commentary from Israeli Source: The creation of an Arab state out of Israeli land would mean the removal of over 270,000 Jews from their homes. To put it in perspective, in the United States that would be the equivalent of removing 13.5 million people from their homes. According to the 1990 US census, that would almost be equal to the combined total population of the cities of New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, and Chicago, IL.
• This stance by AIPAC is truly a betrayal of all Israel. What can be happening in the minds of many American supporters of Israel? Pray for the curtain to be lifted from American eyes and for the truth of the Lord to be revealed. An apology is owed to Israel by AIPAC but the organization is not to be trusted again. Pray that American Christians continue to support Israel
• "By humility and fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life." (Proverbs 22: 4)
11. HAS OBAMA CUT OFF INFORMATION TO ISRAEL?
Unlike the Bush administration, the staff of President Obama is not coordinating its policy on Iran or the greater Middle East with Israel and has not been informing the Jewish state of its plans or recent diplomatic developments in the Mideast, according to sources in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The silence extends to U.S. talks with the Palestinians, the sources said. "Our intention and our hope as we go to Washington is to establish close intimate cooperative relationships on these sensitive matters," a top Netanyahu official told WND yesterday. The official was speaking about Netanyahu's May 18 visit to the White House.
According to other sources in the prime minister's office, Israel has been obtaining the vast majority of its information regarding U.S. plans and advances for the Middle East from third parties, mostly European diplomats. This is in stark contrast to Bush's eight- year presidency, during which the White House and State Department routinely briefed Israeli counterparts on Middle East affairs to the extent that the majority of official U.S. and Israeli statements on various policy issues were heavily coordinated. (WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU) Read more.
• Pray for the peace and unity of Israel. Those who wish to divide the country are asking for trouble that they do not want nor understand. God's wrath will strike them when they least expect it. Man's initiatives mean absolutely nothing to Him; rather He desires obedience to His Word.
• "I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name." (Psalm 138:2)
12. A SECRET U.S.-ISRAEL ACCORD ON NUKES?
Eli Lake in the Washington Times adds some additional context to reports that the U.S. wants Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) -- it would break a 40-year-old secret accord between the two countries to "shield Israel's nuclear weapons from international scrutiny":
The issue will probably be discussed later this month when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes to Washington to meet with Mr. Obama on May 18. Mr. Netanyahu is expected to seek assurances from Mr. Obama that he will uphold the U.S. commitment and will not trade Israeli nuclear concessions for Iranian ones.
Asked by The Washington Times whether the administration would press Israel to join the NPT, the official said, "We support universal adherence to the NPT. [It] remains a long-term goal." (Washington Times).
• Pray that any discussion of nuclear missiles of Israel will remain a "secret," one not revealed to the international media. Ask the Lord to intervene in any discussion of nuclear power between the USA and Israel to prevent the use of this topic as a hook to bring Israel in line with the NPT. Let the Lord put a zipper on any political leaks.
• "But the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you." (Deuteronomy 23: 5b)
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/06/u s-weighs-forcing-israel-to-disclose-nukes/
This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .
HOLY (Kadosh)
For this is what the high and lofty One says- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)
Holy is Your Name; Holiness befits You. Thank You that it is not on my merit that I can approach You, but it is because of the shed Blood of Yeshua, Jesus, that I can approach Your throne of grace, and have the privilege to call You Holy -- Kadosh.
"All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." (Psalm 66:4)
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)
