In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Terror Alert #1
• Terror Alert #2
• Terror Alert #3
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Monday, December 21, 2009
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." (Isaiah 9:6,7a)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Senator Coburn calls for prayer before early vote this morning - FoxNews.com
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) did not wish "misfortune" on anyone when he asked people to pray that lawmakers miss a key vote on health care reform, a spokesman said Monday, rejecting suggestions from Democrats that the Oklahoma doctor was wishing ill on his colleagues.
• Remembering that the Founding Fathers, while writing the Constitution, often stopped to pray for divine guidance makes one wonder what Sen. Durbin (D- IL) opposed in Coburn's remark. Prayer is certainly needed as this bill is composed so that the bill reflects the wisdom of the Lord.
• "Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people." (Exodus 33:13)
2. Obama approves aid to Israel, PA - Ynet News
US President Barack Obama this week signed the 2010 foreign aid budget law which includes $2.775 billion in security aid to Israel. This is the second year the budget is transferred to the Jewish state as part of understandings that the American assistance to Israel in the coming decade will total $30 billion.
• Praise the Lord that our president has honored America's promise to offer aid to Israel! Pray that such aid is never stopped and that Americans will continue to stand with Israel. These monies carry a double blessing: helping Israel and sustaining God's blessings on our nation.
• "And you shall swear, 'The Lord lives,' In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory." (Jeremiah 4:2)
3. Harder to buy US Treasuries - Shanghai Daily
It is getting harder for governments to buy United States Treasuries because the US's shrinking current-account gap is reducing supply of dollars overseas, a Chinese central bank official said yesterday.
• This lack of ability of foreign countries to buy US Treasury notes may be a blessing in disguise. If our debt cannot be bought, then the US will have to "tighten its belt" and stop borrowing from those who would bring our nation down. Pray for the Lord's wisdom in this issue.
• "For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you." (Deuteronomy 15:6)
4. Regulators shutter two big California banks, 5 others - AP
Regulators on Friday shut down two big California banks, as well as banks in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Illinois, bringing to 140 the number of U.S. banks brought down this year by the weak economy and mounting loan defaults.
• What regulations are referred to here? Surely the Lord is bringing some judgments against the USA for failing to be good stewards of His wealth that He has blessed us with. Pray for the families and the employees of these various banks. America needs a strong dose of integrity and honesty.
• "O you who dwell by many waters, Abundant in treasures, Your end has come, The measure of your covetousness." (Jeremiah 51:13)
America must come to the end of her foolish ways!
5. Franklin Graham: 'True Islam cannot be practiced in this country' - World Tribune
Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham challenged President Obama's statement in Norway that Islam is a "great religion" and said Islam is "violent" and cannot be practiced in the United States.
• Franklin Graham is to be congratulated for his honest and strong stand against Islam. The Holy Spirit gives him this courage. Pray for Rev. Graham's protection from attacks from the media. Ask the Lord to open the eyes and ears of Americans to hear the truth of Graham's statement.
• "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
We best love our enemies when we pray for their salvation in Jesus Christ.
6. U.S. Launched Missile Strikes on Al Qaeda in Yemen, Sources Say - Fox News
The U.S. has launched two missile strikes against Al Qaeda targets in Yemen, two U.S. officials told Fox News, signaling an escalation of the Obama administration's fight against the terrorist organization.
• Praise the Lord for Obama's following military leaders' advice to move aggressively against terrorism. Yemen has been a base for training terrorists, and those bases need to be utterly wiped away. Ask the Lord to show us the location of other camps where American weaponry can work to destroy the enemies' power. Pray over Yemen so that the Holy Spirit can work within the minds and souls of the citizens.
• "The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!'" (Deuteronomy 33:27)
7. Senate Health-Care Measure Clears Crucial Test Vote - Bloomberg
Legislation calling for the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. health-care system in more than four decades survived a crucial test vote, allowing it to move toward final Senate passage later this week.
Related headlines:
a. Sen. Ben Nelson Faces Backlash Over His Vote for Senate Health Care Bill - CNSNews.com
Nebraska's Republican governor was concerned about expanded Medicaid costs in the proposed Senate health care bill, and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) says that's what led to a compromise, in which the federal government will cover Nebraska's estimated $45 million share over a decade.
b. Senate Abortion Language is No Compromise, Pro-Life Dem Says - CNSNews.com
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) says that so-called abortion compromise language in the Senate health-care bill is no such thing. The leader of a coalition of pro-life Democrats in the House, Stupak called the Senate language "unacceptable" and vowed to oppose it.
c. Sen. Ben Nelson Faces Backlash Over His Vote for Senate Health Care Bill - CNSNews.com
Nebraska's Republican governor was concerned about expanded Medicaid costs in the proposed Senate health care bill, and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) says that's what led to a compromise, in which the federal government will cover Nebraska's estimated $45 million share over a decade.
d. Senate Health Care Bill 'Ugly, Partisan and Dangerous,' Conservatives Say - CNSNews.com
Senators Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Robert Casey (D- Pa.) gave mere lip service to protect the most innocent among us by placing their stamp of approval on government funding for abortion coverage" in the Democrats' health care bill, a pro-life group said after Senate Democrats advanced their bill in a 1 a.m. vote on Monday.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said the Senate's middle-of-the night, 60-40 vote to cut off debate -- thus allowing eventual passage of the bill -- reflects the "ugly, partisan and dangerous process" that has characterized the proceedings all along:
"This legislation was drafted by a handful of people, supported by only one political party and will negatively affect every single American citizen.
- As Pharoah (Harry Reid) fights with Moses (those who stand against this tyrannical bill), we await the time that Pharoah will finally cave in. Pray for strength from above to uphold the righteous as they fight this battle to the end, and pray that other hearts of voting members will be freed to see the dangers of the bill for our people. Pray! The Red Sea lies ahead!
- "And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:17)
8. Health Care Bill Must Clear Several More Hurdles before Reaching President's Desk - CHPP
Below please find the next steps in the passage (we pray for the defeat) of the health care bill. For each step of the process, let's undergird those who are voting for the demise of this bill with the Word of God. it is wirtten: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up." (Gal. 6:9)
--Tuesday 7AM -- Second Cloture vote, on the original bill in the Senate
--Wednesday 1PM -- Third Cloture vote, on the replacement bill (this is the final vote to end debate after which the Senate will wait 30 hours before holding the final vote
--Thursday 7PM [Christmas Eve!] -- Final vote in Senate
TBD - House bill and Senate bill sent to a joint House/Senate Conference committee where a final compromise bill will be hammered out.
TBD - House votes on the compromise bill that comes out of the above committee.
TBD - Senate votes on the compromise bill that comes out of the above committee.
TBD - If the compromise bill is passed in both the House and the Senate then it is sent to Obama for his signature.
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"I will call upon LORD [YHWH], who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:3)
1. Spain: We'll strive for a Palestinian state in 2010 - Ha'aretz
The Spanish Foreign Minister said on Friday that Spain, as the next European Union president, intends on working towards a Palestinian state in 2010.
• Here we go again! Did Spain not learn from the failed proposal of Sweden at the EU? What causes the anti- sematicism associated with Spain? Moslem terrorists killed many in Spain with bombs. Is Spain afraid of the terrorists? Pray for right courage for Spain's leaders, and ask the Lord to kill any plans from the EU to make a two-state situation in Israel.
• "Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling." (Psalm 2: 1`0,11)
2. Abbas: Olmert offered PA land equaling 100% of West Bank - Ha'aretz
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday confirmed that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offered him land near Gaza in exchange for settlement blocs that Israel wants to annex, Arab- language newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Sunday.
3. Netanyahu progresses in effort to split Kadima - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has made significant progress in three months of quiet efforts to persuade at least seven Kadima MKs to split the party and join the Likud, sources close to Netanyahu said on Sunday night.
The Daily Jot
Of Innocent Blood, Congress, And Your Responsibility To God
Within a few hours after Nebraska Democratic Senator Ben Nelson sold out America and his pro-life political base by indicating his support for socialist health care reform, Washington, DC was blanketed with record snowfall, effectively shutting down the government even today. As Americans focus on digging out, they may not notice that in the Senate's socialist program, they will be forced to subsidize elective abortions. According to House Minority Leader John Boehner, page 41 of the Senate's 383 page abortion amendment demands everyone enrolled in the new government-run plan must pay a monthly abortion premium--in other words, we all will participate in the socialists' program of letting innocent blood.
The Bible is very clear about innocent blood. In Deuteronomy 19:10, the Lord says, "That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee." When the Lord was about to mete out judgment upon Israel for its continuous rebellion against Him, he says in Jeremiah 2:32, "Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number." Jeremiah 2:34 says, "Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these." Congress is about to make it national policy and force you to participate in something that is an abomination to God.
In the course of human life, there are lines to cross and decisions to make that influence the outcome of social morality, of what is right and wrong for a person, a family, a community, a nation. In this nation we have the choice of our rulers and of how we are to be ruled. As Christians, we have a God-commanded duty to withstand in the evil day, and "having done all, to stand." It is therefore our duty to stand in Christ's righteousness, not as a whimper in the cold dark night, but to "cast off the works of darkness" and to "put on the armor of light." In these days ahead, which are now upon us, you will be faced with decisions of whether you will serve man or God. May you choose wisely for your heritage depends upon it.
This socialist Congress cares not about America. Congress cares only about control, power and wealth. These evildoers will force you and me to pay our hard earned money for their spilling of innocent blood. Psalm 94:21 says, "They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood." Christians know that it is wrong to kill the innocent and now Christians will be forced to pay for the wickedness of Congress. Joshua 24:15 says, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." I will not participate in socialized healthcare. Let any blood be upon their hands!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Terror Alert #1
U.S. to Make Stopping Nuclear Terror Key Aim
The Obama administration's classified review of nuclear weapons policy will for the first time make thwarting nuclear-armed terrorists a central aim of American strategic nuclear planning, according to senior Pentagon officials. When completed next year, the Nuclear Posture Review will order the entire government to focus on countering nuclear terrorists - whether armed with rudimentary bombs, stolen warheads or devices surreptitiously supplied by a hostile state - as a task equal to the traditional mission of deterring a strike by major powers or emerging nuclear adversaries. The nuclear review will affect how warheads are developed by the Department of Energy, deployed by the Department of Defense and limited through negotiations by the Department of State, as well as how the intelligence community and the military do their jobs and spend money. That could mean, for example, devoting less money to modernizing bombers, missiles and submarines, and more to surveillance satellites, reconnaissance planes and undercover agents. (New York Times) Read more.
Terror Alert #2
Napolitano responds to surge of homegrown terrorism cases
Responding to a surge of terrorism cases involving American suspects, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says her department is deploying more intelligence analysts nationwide and expanding teams that do outreach with Muslim communities. In an interview this week, Napolitano outlined a strategy against radicalization that features stepped-up intelligence sharing with state and city law enforcement agencies as well as increased efforts to engage American Muslims and prevent backlash against them. She suggested that economic hard times and the spread of the Internet have contributed to the challenges. (LA Times)
Terror Alert #3
Leftist Lawyer Guilty of Leaking Classified US Documents
An American lawyer and linguist, who was born in Israel, has plead guilty to leaking highly classified FBI documents to an Internet blogger and agreed to a prison sentence of 20 months. The final sentence will be decided by the courts. The average sentence for similar offenses is approximately four years, but Pentagon analyst Jonathan Pollard is serving a life sentence in jail for leaking documents. The latest case involved Shamai Kedem Leibowitz, 39, who also is the grandson of the late outspoken leftist scholar and philosopher Yeshayahu Leiboiwtz. The younger Leibowitz worked as a linguist from January through August of this year and held top secret security clearance at an FBI Task Force in Maryland. The Justice Department did not reveal details of what documents he leaked, but the FBI's Innocent Images initiative, an international task force aimed at child pornography, is located in the offices where he worked. Leibowitz's "Pursuing Justice" blog reveals extreme left wing views, including condemnation of the Israeli "occupation" and the national religious camp. He also was on the defense team of Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian Authority terrorist who is serving five life terms in prison for involvement in terrorist attacks on Israelis. (Israel National News)
The Good News Corner
"O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL"
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