In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Update: Federal Hate Crimes Bill
• Moving Toward ENDA
• Update: U.S. Supreme Court Nominee
• Tiller's Murder: "A Gravely Wicked Thing"
• Alert: Broadcaster Freedom Act
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, June 2, 2009
"When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:28)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Suspect arrested in abortion doctor Tiller's slaying - Washington Times
Local authorities in Wichita, Kan., arrested a man Sunday afternoon in the slaying of Dr. George Tiller, a nationally prominent abortion provider who was shot at his church a few hours earlier. The suspect, identified by one law enforcement agency as Scott Roeder, was taken into custody some 170 miles away in a Kansas City suburb about three hours after the shooting. The slaying quickly brought condemnation from both anti-abortion and pro-choice groups, as well as President Barack Obama.
• Lord, we intercede for the violence in our nation. We pray Lord, that You will turn our nation around to esteem all life, from the moment of conception to natural death. We pray for the protection of Dr. Tiller's family and that they will receive salvation because of this trauma. Turn all this into good for our nation.
• And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. (Matthew 6:12)
2. General Motors Files for Bankruptcy Protection in New York - Fox News
General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday as part of a plan under which the government will pump another $30 billion into the company with the aim of re-creating the troubled automaker.
• Lord, as we enter this phase in our economy where large companies are filing for bankruptcy, we pray for protection and provision for our citizens. We continue to ask for wisdom over our leaders. Provide counsellors who will bring wisdom and knowledge to each decision.
• And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like grass; The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, and His indignation to His enemies. (Isaiah 66:13 - 14)
3. Judge: Gitmo legal documents must be public - AP
A federal judge ordered the United States on Monday to publicly reveal unclassified versions of its allegations and evidence justifying the continued imprisonment of more than 100 detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay. Department officials said the practice was necessary to protect national security after they discovered that some unclassified records mistakenly contained some classified information.
• Lord, we pray for sharp vigilance on the leaders who are in charge of our security. Let no documents be released that reveals classified information, and undermines our security. Block those who want to stir up trouble.
• Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me. (Psalms 17:8, 9)
4. Obama speech to offer personal commitment to Muslims - AFP
President Barack Obama will offer a "personal commitment" to bridge US differences with Muslims in his long-awaited speech to the Islamic world next week in Egypt, aides said.
• Lord, we pray You will give the President wisdom in dealing with these differences, and not acquiesce to anything detrimental to us. We pray for safety on this trip to Egypt and his speech to the Islamic world.
• You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3)
5. Deputy FM: Iran's missiles can reach US' East Coast - Ynet News
Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said Sunday that "Iran's long-range missiles can reach the US' East Coast."
• Heavenly Father, we pray for our government to realize the grave danger to our national security coming from these missiles. Give them wisdom over this situation, and move leaders to the right place at the right time who desire to protect this country and Israel.
• Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. (Psalms 17:7)
6. N. Korea Preps Long-Range Missile - AP
Pyongyang reportedly transports advanced missile believed to be capable of reaching Alaska to launch site. Experts said North Korea's nuclear capabilities, while improving, still do not pose a direct threat to its neighbors. The larger concern, they say, is that the North will try to sell its technology to others.
• Lord, we pray that these plans of N. Korea to build advanced missiles and nuclear capabilities will be thwarted. Let their plans fail and let them fall into their own nets.
• Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely. (Psalm 141:9-10)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"In that Day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people. All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem!" ( Zechariah 12)
1. Obama pledges new honesty in relations with Israel - Ynet News
President Barack Obama pledged new realism in ties with Israel on the eve of a high-profile Middle East trip, warning the Jewish state of "profoundly negative" trends in the region.
2. Nationwide Home Front drill to take place Tuesday - Ynet News
The nationwide Home Front drill titled "Turning Point 3", which was launched on Sunday, will culminate on Tuesday at 11 am when a siren will be sounded throughout the country and residents will be asked to enter sheltered areas.
3. Israel fears Obama backing out of U.S. commitments - WND
Jerusalem officials are concerned the Obama administration intends to abrogate written pledges made by President Bush that Israel would be able to keep main West Bank settlement blocs in a future deal with the Palestinians, WND has learned.
Update: Federal Hate Crimes Bill
The House passed the bill in April. It now awaits action by the Senate Judiciary bill where insiders say it will pass. Church leaders are looking for Senate champions to filibuster the bill. It is a serious threat to religious liberty and will give the homosexual movement a legal tool with which to punish churches, pro-family groups and Bible-believing individuals and families. (Family Research Council: Prayer Targets)
• May people pray and may God intervene to win the hearts of individual Congressmen on both sides of the aisle. May Senate champions arise to defeat the Hate Crimes Bill!
• "Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him." (Psalm 68:1)
Moving Toward ENDA
Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is a major plank in the Obama
Administration's Homosexual Rights platform. But ENDA cannot be passed and enforced without violating the religious liberties of Bible-believing Christians everywhere. Great Britain's counterpart bill is now making its way through Parliament and is expected to pass. A leading spokesman for the British agency that will enforce it says churches will not be exempt and will be expected to do their share to forward the goal of equality for homosexuals. Churches could be required to hire homosexual youth workers in that nation. (Family Research Council: Prayer Targets)
• May God awaken Americans to be educated to understand the sweeping implications of this bill. May they be awakened by the Holy Spirit to rally and to charge their elected representatives to say "NO!" to ENDA!
• "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Gal. 5:1)
Update: U.S. Supreme Court Nominee
President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the vacancy created by Justice David Souter's retirement. Sotomayor has a compelling life story and resume of personal achievement. Born to Puerto Rican parents and raised by her single mother in the Bronx, she eventually became a Judge for U.S Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit. But Sotomayor has a record as a judicial activist, and higher Courts have rejected a number of her rulings. Most troubling is her judicial philosophy, which was revealed in a 2005 panel discussion at the Duke University Law School in which Judge Sotomayor said that the U.S. Court of Appeals is "where policy is made."
• May the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the entire Senate fully examine and obtain an accurate picture of Judge Sotomayor's judicial philosophy for the American public before they vote on her nomination.
• "Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." (Ex. 18:21)
Tiller's Murder: "A Gravely Wicked Thing"
(Pro-Life Leaders React to the News of the Murder of Dr. George Tiller)
Being pro-life, I reject the killing of every defenseless, innocent human being. So without any hesitation, I condemn the murder of Dr. George Tiller at his church yesterday morning. As you probably know, George Tiller specialized in performing late-term abortions. I agree with the statement of Dr. Robert George:
"Whoever murdered George Tiller has done a gravely wicked thing. No private individual had the right to execute judgment against him. For the sake of justice and right, the perpetrator of this evil deed must be prosecuted, convicted and punished. Every human life is precious. George Tiller's life was precious. We do not teach the wrongness of taking human life by wrongfully taking a human life." (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; June 1, 2009)
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said Scripture could not be clearer: "For anyone to intentionally murder another human being is wrong," he wrote to supporters.
"As Christians, we pray and look for the end of all violence and for the saving of souls, not the taking of human life. We strongly condemn the actions of this vigilante killer. I ask you to join me in praying for the Tiller family in their grief, and for the nation --- that we as a people might embrace life."
"We are shocked by the murder of George Tiller, and we categorically condemn the act of vigilantism and violence that took his life," Dr. James Dobson said in a statement. "America has from its foundation respected the rule of law, by which every citizen is guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Those constitutional rights are forfeited only when crimes have been committed, and the perpetrator is charged and found guilty by a jury of his or her peers in a court of law.
"Our condolences are extended to the Tiller family. The person or persons responsible for his death should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Alert: Broadcaster Freedom Act
The Media Research Center (MRC) is calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to schedule a vote on the Broadcaster Freedom Act, which has been introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., and in the Senate by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.
"The act would remove the Fairness Doctrine from the books entirely, so it could never again be enforced by the FCC," said Seton Motley, director of communications at MRC.
Congressional Democrats long have threatened to reinstate the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which would force radio stations to "balance" opinions on controversial issues.
The so-called Fairness Doctrine was put in place by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1949, and was dropped as new technologies offered an abundance of sources for information. (CitizenLink)
• Praise the Lord that, when He speaks, His people obey. Ask that citizens in our nation be made aware of the Broadcaster Freedom Act (H.R. 226 and S.62), and respond accordingly. Pray for Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid and ask that they schedule a vote on this bill. PRAY!
• "Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power . . ." (Psalm 110:3 NAS)
The Good News Corner
Marriage Advocates Seek Referendum in D.C.
A group of Washington, D.C., pastors and others --- led by Bishop Harry Jackson --- filed papers Wednesday with the District Board of Elections to propose a referendum on a pro-homosexual "marriage" law passed by the City Council early this month. The referendum, if certified by the election board, would block the implementation of the law, which recognizes same-sex "marriages" performed outside of the District.
"This recognition is widely viewed as a prelude to a bill that would allow same-sex 'marriages' to be performed in the District," Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, wrote to supporters.
Signatures to bring the issue to the ballot must be obtained by July 6. (CitizenLink; Wed., May 27, 2009)
