In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot: Health Care
• The Marginalizing of Religion
• Is Obama "Redlining" Jerusalem?
• Repentance: Step Ten
• The Good News Corner
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, July 23, 2009
"And the LORD said to me, 'See, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to possess it, that you may inherit his land.'" (Deut. 2:31)
"Occupy till I come. . . " (Luke 19:13)
The Daily Brief
1.GOP Congressional Report Accuses ACORN of Political Corruption, Widespread Fraud - Fox News
ACORN engaged in a scheme to use taxpayer money to support a partisan political agenda, according to a new report from Republicans on a House oversight committee. The report, to be released Thursday afternoon, accuses ACORN of fraudulent activities and widespread corruption and calls for a criminal investigation into the advocacy group. It offers the first detailed account of the allegations that have dogged the organization in recent months.
• Lord, we pray that this new report will move the leadership in Congress to stop funding ACORN activities and stop them from the continual violations of Your ways.
• "For He knoweth vain men; He seeth wickedness also; will He not then consider it?" (Job 11:11)
2. New Push in Congress for Common Ground on Abortion - AP
Seeking elusive common ground on abortion, prominent activists and clergy on both sides of the debate are throwing their support behind a bill aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies and supporting pregnant women. The bill's backers hope President Barack Obama, who has appealed for a more civil tone to the debate, will embrace it as a step toward reducing the need for abortions, but many staunch anti-abortion leaders remain hostile. "It's part of a big political scam," said Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee. At issue is the so-called Ryan-DeLauro bill -- first introduced in 2006 and being reintroduced Thursday by Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. Supporters range from abortion-rights activists to Roman Catholic academics who consider abortion an evil.
• Father, we once again ask You to change the hearts of our leaders and bring conviction about the shedding of innocent blood. Let no bill pass that compromises the lives of the unborn.
• "They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge." (Psalm 94:21-22)
3. Jewish Leader Banned From Obama Meeting - Newsmax
Ever since President Barack Obama took office, Jewish leaders have been asking for a meeting with him. The White House, apparently thinking Jewish support for Obama was in the pocket, put them off. But a major Jewish leader says that after Newsmax.com reported on deep concerns in the Jewish community about Obama's Middle East initiatives and statements, the White House responded quickly by asking 14 top Jewish leaders to meet with the president on July 13. Yet that important Jewish leader, Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, says he was barred from attending the meeting because of criticism he aimed at Obama.
• Lord, we continue to stand in the gap for Israel, and its relations with America. We bind the spirit of Haman and all others who would seek to destroy the Jewish people. We loose Your Holy Spirit to show our leadership the truth regarding Your chosen people.
• "He hath shown His people the power of His works, that He may give them the heritage of the heathen." (Psalm 111:6)
4. Congresswoman Backs New Equal Rights Amendment; Points to Afghanistan, China as Models - CNS News
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) told activists rallying on Capitol Hill in support of the newly reintroduced Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), that the United States should join 27 other countries that have equality guarantees for women, including Rwanda, Algeria, China and Afghanistan.
• Lord, we ask that you show Ms Lee the truth about nations she is using as her primer and allow her to experience firsthand the practice of "equality" there. Let her speak with the real women of these nations to see how disastrous is their practice of women's rights. Father, please stop the deceptions that constantly use other nations as guides for our own - let our leadership see that "one nation under God" is the only way to achieve true equality.
• "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)
5. New Zealand Moves West After Massive Quake -- AP
Southern New Zealand has moved slightly closer to the east coast of neighboring Australia as a result of a massive earthquake last week off the country's South Island, a scientist said Wednesday. The magnitude 7.8 quake, centered in the ocean near Resolution Island in the country's Fiordland region, twisted South Island out of shape and moved its southern tip 12 inches (30 centimeters) closer to Australia, seismologist Ken Gledhill said.
• Lord, we call for Your mercy across the earth, and salvation for the souls of those yet to be saved!
• "Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because He was wroth." (Psalm 18:7)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession. The seed also of His servants shall inherit it: and they that love His name shall dwell therein. (Psalm 69:35-36)
1. PM delays discussion on Temple Mount project - Ynet News
On the backdrop of protests from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and the Muslim Waqf, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently postponed a decisive discussion aimed at setting a date for beginning the construction of the new Mugrabi Gate on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Ynet has learned.
2. Senior Fatah official: We won't recognize Israel - Ynet News
As the Fatah movement prepares for its upcoming leadership convention, a senior group member says the event will be used to display Fatah's commitment to the armed struggle against Israel.
3. Israeli missile interceptor tested on US range - Ynet News
Israel's Arrow II missile defense system was tested at a US range off the California coast on Wednesday but problems prevented the launch of the system's interceptor, the Pentagon said.
4. Israel Deletes 1948 'Catastrophe' From Arabic Textbooks - Fox News
The Israeli government will remove references to what Palestinians call the "catastrophe" of Israel's creation from textbooks for Arab schoolchildren, the education minister said Wednesday.
5. Evangelicals back Israel in Washington - Jerusalem Post
Over 4,000 Christians are gathering in Washington this week to advocate for Israel on Capitol Hill.
The Daily Jot: Health Care
Health Care Bill Would Force Christians To Participate In Sin
The "remaking" of America continues at breakneck speed. The man who occupies the Oval Office has made an appeal to the American people that the time for discussion is over and that socialized medicine in the form of so-called healthcare reform must be passed now. He said, "This is a problem we can no longer wait to fix. Deferring reform is nothing more than defending the status quo - and those who would oppose our efforts should take a hard look at just what it is they're defending." Of course, there have been several news stories that the 1,018 page healthcare legislation has not even been read by the Congressmen who will vote on it.
If people would read the healthcare bills before Congress they would be astonished. The legislation mandates the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions. The legislation calls for a government tribunal of political appointees--not even elected officials--to determine who receives healthcare and under what conditions. This healthcare reform is tantamount to euthanasia for senior citizens. Obama told ABC News on June 24th that older people who didn't have much longer to live were maybe "better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller." Meaning that if you are no longer productive to society--translated, paying taxes--the government will decide you cannot receive life-prolonging treatment.
But that's not all the government will control with this brand of healthcare reform. Page 16 of the healthcare bill specifically outlaws individual private coverage. In other words, you will not be able to buy insurance apart from a government-approved plan. Indeed, if you do not want to participate in socialized medicine, you have no choice. The IRS will have authority to fine you thousands of dollars a year if you cannot prove you are insured by a government approved plan. Small businesses will be required to provide the government health insurance at a tremendous cost, resulting in price increases on goods or closing the doors at unprecedented job losses.
Killing the pre-born; Euthanizing the elderly; government appointed tribunals determining healthcare; forcing government healthcare upon reluctant citizens; destroying jobs and causing inflation--these are just a few of the results of HR 3200--America's Affordable Health Choice Act of 2009. Jesus said in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." This healthcare bill is immoral. And we have a commission to stand for righteousness and morality. Let us speak boldly to all who will lend an ear, and having done all, stand.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
The Marginalizing of Religion
President Obama has been very adept at selecting candidates for some high profile positions that acknowledge a formal association with the Christian faith, but hold unorthodox views. The latest is the President's pick for Surgeon General, Regina M. Benjamin, a Roman Catholic who has had a notable career serving the underprivileged, much like Mother Teresa. Given her Catholic education and affiliation most would be tempted to think she holds orthodox views on the sanctity of human life. Yet, sadly, evidently she does not. According to a White House spokesman, she shares the views of President Obama on "reproductive health issues."
Benjamin is a shrewd political pick by the President, but the pick goes much further than just the politics of confirmation. David Satcher, former surgeon general under President Bill Clinton, unwittingly pointed to the bigger agenda - isolating one's personal faith from their public policy. In an interview with the Washington Post, Satcher was quoted as saying, "We all have our religions, but when you speak as the Surgeon General to the American people, it's not about your religion."
While that sounds nice and polite, it implies that in order to serve in a public capacity you have to check the guiding tenets of your faith at the door. It only stands to reason that if this is the standard expected of the nation's top doctor, under a government healthcare system it would be expected of all. Christian doctors and healthcare workers would be forced to choose between living by the teachings of Scripture and abandoning their careers of service or agreeing to serve in a public health care system devoid of moral absolutes where abortion and euthanasia are simply policy decisions.
Of course, those who divorce their espoused moral convictions from public service are really only kidding themselves: We act in accordance with what we truly believe. Setting aside one's faith and the moral convictions that flow from it only demonstrates how relatively unimportant that faith is to its adherent. And then what one really believes - that we have the authority to act ethically without God's direction - takes over, often with chilling effect. (Family Research Council)
Is Obama "Redlining" Jerusalem?
. . . press reports indicate that the State Department summoned the Israeli ambassador this weekend to let him know that the administration was furious with continued settlement construction in Jerusalem. Specifically, the State Department demanded an end to a building project in East Jerusalem started by an American Jew who bought a hotel 24 years ago that he now intends to tear down and turn into an apartment complex.
Amazingly, our president, who does not like to "meddle" in the affairs of other nations, has no problem telling Israel that there are too many Jews in Jerusalem. The great irony, of course, is that America's first biracial president is telling Israel that there are some Jerusalem neighborhoods in which Jews should not be allowed to live.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired back. Calling Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem "indisputable," the prime minister said, "We cannot accept the fact that Jews wouldn't be entitled to live and buy anywhere in Jerusalem. I can only imagine what would happen if someone suggested Jews could not live in certain neighborhoods in New York, London, Paris or Rome. There would certainly be a major international outcry."
Fortunately, this week members of Congress will be hearing from many pro-Israel Christians about this issue and the need to fully support our only reliable ally in the Middle East. I am pleased to be part of this effort, and I will continue to do everything I can to strengthen our alliance with the Jewish state and to fight the evil of anti-Semitism. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; July 20, 2009)
Repentance: Step Ten
PREPARING OUR HEARTS TO ENTER IN
Ten steps of Repentance, Redirection and Renewal in Christ
Step Ten: CREATE OUTLETS AND ACTIVITIES
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
And sinners shall be converted to You.
(Psalm 51:10-13)
The Way is an outgoing way. The first law of life is intake, and the second law of life is outflow. If you try to continue the intake without a corresponding outflow, it will all end in an impasse. The inflow will cease.
The outlets and activities do not need to be great and significant. They may be small and insignificant. But the fact that they represent an outgoing attitude and a sharing purpose makes them significant. For the law of sharing, which is the law of love, which in turn is the law of life, is in operation.
* * * * * * * * * * *
We now sum up the steps: Consider your ways, change your direction, connect with Christ, consent to surrender, cease from struggling, concentrate on acceptance, cleanse your past, Christianize your relationships, cultivate the Quiet Time, and create outlets and activities. Your feet are now on the Way!
"O Christ, how can I thank Thee enough that I am taking these ten steps to freedom. For I feel in my bones that this Way is the way to freedom. For my bonds are breaking, my heart is being released. I know that I am in the process of redemption. I am on the Way. Amen."
(Today's teaching is drawn from a book by E. Stanley Jones, The Way, published in 1956 by Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, New York, pp. 83.)
The Good News Corner
HERE'S TO THE HEROES
A Military Tribute
In these troubling times, let's pause and thank God for our heroes . . . the men and women of the United States military.
To listen to ten Irish tenors sing this wonderful rendition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL-0mdEg0U4&feature=related
