In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Update: Hate Crimes Bill
• Looking Back in History . . .
• Repentance: Step Six
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)
The Daily Brief
1. The Economy Is Even Worse Than You Think - Wall Street Journal
The Bureau of Labor Statistics preliminary estimate for job losses for June is 467,000, which means 7.2 million people have lost their jobs since the start of the recession. The cumulative job losses over the last six months have been greater than for any other half year period since World War II, including the military demobilization after the war. The job losses are also now equal to the net job gains over the previous nine years, making this the only recession since the Great Depression to wipe out all job growth from the previous expansion.
• Pray that Americans wake up to the real condition of the economy and make demands on the White House and Congress to diligently and accurately work on our economy. Ask the Lord to pinch the media to broadcast the truth about the economy. In just a few months, the USA has moved from being a great world power with the money and means to help other countries to a nation teetering on the edge of collapse. Please pass this information to your neighbors, co-workers, and family so that people are alert and not surprised when the collapse occurs. If we want God's blessing on America, we must support Israel.
• "And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut into pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it." (Zechariah 12:3)
2. Group Seeks to Block 'In God We Trust' Engraving - Fox News
The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in western Wisconsin, claims the taxpayer-funded engravings would be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
• How interesting that this organization did not protest when our president gave $19 million for Hamas members to move to the USA. Pray that this frivolous lawsuit meets the same fate as the attempt to remove all Christmas decorations from public view. These people need our pity, not anger, for their lack of understanding about our Biblical history and foundations. They seem to hate God, no matter what form He takes in our public life in America. Call your Congressman's office to emphasize how much we want these engravings in the new Visitors' Center in the Capitol.
• "The Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of Hosts! Blessed is the man who trusts in You!" (Psalm 84: 11,12)
3. a) House bill to hit millionaires with 5.4 pct surtax - Reuters
A sweeping overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system to be announced on Tuesday in the U.S. House of Representatives will include a surtax on millionaires of 5.4 percent, congressional sources said.
b) Small Business Faces Big Bite - Wall Street Journal
House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled sweeping health-care legislation that would hit all but the smallest businesses with a penalty equal to 8% of payroll if they fail to provide health insurance to workers.
• Surely none of the Congressmen are millionaires! Our Congress seems to have become a wealth distributor for our president, even Nancy Pelosi. When you shoot yourself in the foot, the pain is acute. These bills will depress the economy even more . Please pray that those who oppose these two bills will be able to stop their passage into laws. Again, pray that Americans are aware of what is being planned to stop growth of businesses throughout the nation. No doubt we need healthcare reform, but the proposals are not the answers. Contact your senators and representatives. And pray!
• "O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds." (Psalm 7:9)
4. White House turns up heat on Arizona senator - AP
The Obama administration is firing back at Sen. Jon Kyl for calling for an end to economic stimulus spending, and they're aiming for where it hurts the most - at home in Arizona.
• The wicked have no limits when they deal with truth and opposition. Pray protection for Sen. Kyl so that he is able to withstand the poisonous arrows that will probably target him. Pray for his good name to continue in the minds of Arizonians. Ask the Lord to return good to him for the evil that will attempt to insinuate itself against this senator. Pray that the American audience is not deceived by slanders coming from the White House and the media.
• "His [the wicked] trouble shall return upon his own head; and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown." ( Psalm 7: 16)
5. Day 3: Sotomayor Returns for More Questions - Fox News
Obama's Supreme Court nominee returns to the Senate for another grueling day of questioning after attempting to rebut criticism that she is concealing a liberal agenda.
• Pray for those senators who are posing the questions to pierce hard for truth and justice. Pray that those senators who would help the judge hide her real agenda are so strickened in their consciences that they will each have to reveal what they have kept hidden. Pray for salvation in Jesus Christ for Judge Sotomayor.
• "For the Lord is a God of justice: blessed are all those who wait for Him." (Isaiah 30:18b)
6. US general says US ready for NKorean attack - AP
The top U.S. military commander in Korea said Tuesday that U.S. and South Korean forces are prepared for "anything North Korea can throw at us," regardless of the state of leader Kim Jong Il's health or of internal North Korean politics.
• Praise the Lord for the general's pronouncement of the USA's military preparedness. Pray that the general is truthful in his assessment of our military might. Ask the Lord to intervene in this crisis, causng this threat from North Korea to fall apart in disarray and confusion.
• "But the sons of rebellion shall all be thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with hands, But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear." (2 Samuel 23: 6,7)
7. Iraq Suffers as the Euphrates River Dwindles - NY Times
The Euphrates is drying up. Strangled by the water policies of Iraq's neighbors, Turkey and Syria; a two-year drought; and years of misuse by Iraq and its farmers, the river is significantly smaller than it was just a few years ago. Some officials worry that it could soon be half of what it is now.
• Pray for rain in Iraq, as the loss of water could cause much unrest among the populations. Of course, the river waters more than just the country of Iraq, and prophecy speaks of the armies of the kings of the East crossing the dry bed of the Euphrates and Tigris on their way to Israel.
• ". . . saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates So the four angels , who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind." (Revelation 9:14,15)
8. CORRECTION!
The item reported below was mysteriously abbreviated when it reached you yesterday. Here is the corrected report of Justice Ginsburg's remarks on Roe v. Wade, as reported on Sunday in the New York Times.
8. Supreme Court Justice Makes Startling Claims about Roe v. Wade - CNS News
In an interview to be published in Sunday's New York Times Magazine, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she thought the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on abortion was predicated on the Supreme Court majority's desire to diminish "populations that we don't want to have too many of."
• Lord, as this hidden plans of the eugenics program of abortion and genocide is revealed, we pray that people will be incensed and that only righteous leaders, judges, and Supreme Court Justices will be allowed to sit on the Supreme Court or be in any position of authority. Reveal evil plans and stop them before they are carried out.
• "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the Lord your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment." (Deuteronomy 16:18)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"O do not remember against us the iniquities and guilt of our forefathers! Let Your compassion and tender mercy speedily come to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name! Deliver us, forgive us, and purge away our sins for Your name's sake." (Psalm 79:8,9)
1. Blair: Palestinian state can be built from 'bottom up' - Jerusalem Post
Improving conditions for West Bank Palestinians shows that a Palestinian state can be "built from the bottom up while it's being negotiated from the top down," Quartet Mideast envoy Tony Blair said Tuesday.
2. IMF: Israel must ease restrictions further to boost West Bank economy - Ha'aretz
The West Bank economy could post its strongest performance in years in 2009, but only if Israel broadens recent efforts to ease restrictions on Palestinian trade and movement, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday, offering a rare upbeat assessment after years of downturn.
3. Israel to test Arrow system off US coast - Jerusalem Post
Israel and the US will hold a joint test of the Arrow missile over the Pacific Ocean in what will be the first trial of the system with a target with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, further than the test sites over the Mediterranean could allow.
4. World Bank to give Palestinians $33.5m. in aid - Jerusalem Post
The World Bank on Tuesday announced plans to spend an additional $33.5 million on Palestinian infrastructure initiatives, including $21.5 million for six Gaza projects.
5. Did Israel coordinate warships in Suez with Egypt? - Ha'aretz
For the second time in as many weeks, two Israel Navy gunboats openly sailed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea Tuesday.
Update: Hate Crimes Bill
Senator Reid is Bringing in the Hate
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed a hate crimes amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill this morning, and then pulled a procedural move to ensure that those opposed to this oppressive legislation would not have the chance to counter it. What does the Democratic Leadership fear that they would file a hate crimes amendment on legislation that would fund our troops--and then basically shut down debate about it? That the American people will wake up to their jurisdictional power grab and their kowtowing to the homosexual lobby?
Now more than ever your Senators need to hear from you to vote AGAINST the hate crimes amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. If you don't stand up for your rights today, they will cease to exist tomorrow. Call your Senator today at 202-224-3121 and voice your opposition to this inappropriate amendment to an important national defense bill. (Family Research Council)
Looking Back in History . . .
American Minute: July 15
Continental Congress printing Bibles? (by William Federer)
The Continental Congress was evacuating Philadelphia as the British had just won the Battle of Brandywine, forcing Washington's troops to retreat to Valley Forge.
In addition, Congress was informed that the war had interrupted trade with the King's authorized printers in England, thereby causing a shortage of Bibles, commonly used in education.
The Continental Congress voted September 11, 1777, to import Bibles from Scotland or Holland into different parts of the Union, stating:
"The use of the Bible is so universal and its importance so great . . . it was resolved accordingly to direct said Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 copies of the Bible."
Five years later, September 10, 1782, the Continental Congress again responded to the shortage of Bibles by authorizing the publisher of The Pennsylvania Magazine, Robert Aitken, who died JULY 15, 1802, to print America's first English language Bible. "A neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools."
Congress stated:
"Resolved, That the United States in Congress assembled highly approve the . . . undertaking of Mr. Aitken . . . and . . .recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation."
Repentance: Step Six
"PREPARING OUR HEARTS TO ENTER IN"
Ten steps of Repentance, Redirection and Renewal in Christ
Step Six: CONCENTRATE ON ACCEPTANCE
"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:17 NIV)
He is making the offer to you; accept it. These last two steps are parts of one step -- negative, cease from struggling; positive, concentrate on acceptance.
A man who has become a world leader was defeated and discouraged and about to give up his work in India. He was sick in soul and in body. Then the verse spoke to him: "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:3,14 NKJV)) He saw that this well of water within was a gift, began to drink by faith, and from that moment was completely changed. "I haven't had a discouraged or a blue hour in thirty years," he humbly and joyously testifies.
A dean of girls, inwardly tied up with fears and inhibitions and frustrations, sat reading these words: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36 KJV)) She quietly let their significance sink in -- freedom was a gift which she could take. She did! "I felt like shouting it to the world!" she triumphantly said.
Faith is pure receptivity, alert receptivity, aggressive receptivity.
"O Christ, I come to Thee believing that Thou are completely trustable. I cannot trust myself. I am not trusting my faith, but my faith is trusting Thee. I rest my case, and myself, with Thee. Amen."
The Good News Corner
Arizona Governor Signs Pro-Life Legislation
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law significant pro-life legislation Monday, signaling a positive new direction from her predecessor and long-sought victory for life advocates.
While former Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed every abortion-limiting bill sent to her during six years in office, Brewer has already signed several pro-life measures in her first year as governor. These new laws include a ban on partial-birth abortion, a ban that prevents medical professionals other than doctors from performing surgical abortions, and a bill that protects the conscience rights of healthcare workers to refuse participation in an abortion.
Of particular note, the Abortion Consent Act -- which strengthens parental-consent provisions, requires a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion, and requires physicians to fully inform women about the risks of abortion -- capped a 13-year effort to pass an informed-consent law in Arizona.
"Governor Brewer has shown Arizonans that she cares about the values that matter most to them: protecting life and protecting families," said Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy. "These bills protect women, children, parents and the civil rights of health-care workers." (CitizenLink)
