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The Daily Brief - Monday, February 15, 2010
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. (Job 37:5-7)
Please note: Congress is in recess this week. Hence, instead of publishing "On Capitol Hill This Week," we bring you today's edition of The Daily Brief. Bless you!
One more footnote to this edition: We apologize for the "little squares" that keep showing up in our text. Please pray with us that the tech folks at Constant Contact WILL be able to help us get rid of these "kinks" in our publications, and thank you all for your patience with us as we work to solve this problem. Amen.
Today's Daily Brief
1. Obama Making Plans to Use Executive Power - New York Times
With much of his legislative agenda stalled in Congress, President Obama and his team are preparing an array of actions using his executive power to advance energy, environmental, fiscal and other domestic policy priorities. "We are reviewing a list of presidential executive orders and directives to get the job done across a front of issues," said Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff. Read more.
- The President and his staff are determined to impose their agenda on the American people. They seem not to understand the American spirit and mind. The only recourse is to work on the federal lawmakers, who fearful of losing their seats in Congress, will stand against the President. "A front of issues" is an interesting phrase, suggesting a line of battle. Pray against the executive orders that are detrimental to our nation, and pray confusion into the battle line.
- Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)
2. New Extension Likely for Key Patriot Act Provisions - CQPolitics
Senate Jobs Bill Contains Patriot Act Extension
The Senate may vote on a second temporary extension of several controversial counterterrorism authorities, known as the Patriot Act, as part of the jobs bill unveiled Thursday. The lack of congressional focus on the issue last year frustrated civil libertarians who wanted lawmakers to undertake a broader review of counterterrorism laws enacted during George W. Bush 's presidency. If lawmakers reauthorize the expiring provisions until Dec. 31, they would avoid having to address the issue until after the November midterm elections. Read more.
- Praise the Lord for many of the provisions to protect the USA from terrorist attacks. May the wrinkles be quickly ironed out so that Americans can live in a secure environment, for the Lord is able to give us the strategies. Spiritually, set secure borders around the USA with warrior angels watching over us. Remove ambition and political power from these strategies.
- But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. (Psalms 5:11)
3. Rockefeller on Obama: Prez isn't 'believable' - WorldNetDaily
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., told an audience today the president is "beginning to be not believable to me." Rockefeller, a Democrat in a family of lifelong Republicans, was referring to Obama's proposed budget that would cut tax incentives to coal mining companies. The cut would hit West Virginia's coal industry hard. .Obama's budget proposal would kill $2.3 billion in coal tax breaks, Rockefeller pointed out. Read more.
- Another chink in the armor of the liberal Democrats? Sen. Rockefeller's comments indicate that he is willing to go along with the President's agenda until any aspects hit West Virginia's wallet. Pray a godly conscience into the Senator's spirit, revealing other aspects that bother him about the president's proposals.
- But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. (Luke 11:17)
4. Virginia Lawmakers Oppose Forced Microchip Implantation, and the Antichrist - CBS
The Virginia House of Delegates has passed a law that would make it illegal to implant an identification or tracking device into a person's body without their written consent. Common use of these chips include tracking pets and providing medical information for emergency treatment. Some are concerned their use among humans would lead to a lack of privacy ... Others, the Washington Post reports, are also concerned the use of microchips could be the "mark of the beast" -- or the coming of the antichrist. Read more.
- Praise the Lord for the discernment of Virginia legislators to oppose this invasion of privacy. All strands of webs which ensnare man come with a good-for-you label. Contact your state representatives about this matter, one for state's determination, not a federal ruling. It is gratifying to see that some legislators know enough of the Bible to refer to the anti-christ. The Lord is good!
- The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.
(Psalms 37:30)
5. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet Ashkenazi, Barak, IDF officials - Jerusalem Post
In another sign of growing cooperation between Israel and the US ahead of a new round of sanctions on Iran, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen arrived in Israel on Sunday as the guest of IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. He will meet with Ashkenazi as well as other senior IDF generals, including Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Gantz, Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin and the IDF's military attaché in Washington DC Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni. He will also meet separately with Defense Minister Ehud Barak.Mullen will be received Sunday at the Kirya Military Headquarters in Tel Aviv with a formal IDF honor guard and will also visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. According to a recent New York Times article, Mullen has urged Israel to hold off on attacking Iran and to give the new round of sanctions, expected to be imposed in the coming weeks, a fair chance.
- Praise the Lord for the increased cooperation between the USA and Israel! Let none of this relationship be diminished. Pray that the military honors being accorded to Chairman Michael Mullen will be reciprocated with like honor for the work of the Israelis. Pray that the Lord will give the Israelis discernment and strategies for dealing with Iran
- So again in these days I am determined to do good To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear. (Zechariah 8:15)
6. U.S., Afghan and NATO Forces Begin Offensive Against Taliban - Fox News
Roughly 15,000 American, Afghan and NATO forces began an assault late Friday on the Taliban in the central Helmand town of Marjah in what senior military commanders are calling the largest operation since the start of the Afghanistan war.
- Is the truth about radical Islam finally piercing the minds of nations that wish to be free from terror? Probably such cooperation has not been seen since WWII. Lasting or temporary, praise the Lord for His battle against the Taliban. Ask the Lord for perseverance in this war in Afghanistan, and pray for nations to not lose heart in this battle. Pray for soldiers to take the Gospel with them into battle along with the full armor of God.
- Then David said to the messenger, "Thus you shall say to Joab: 'Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and overthrow it.' So encourage him." (2 Samuel 11:25)
7. U.S. Tries to Project Tough Stand on Iran But Sanctions Depend on China - Fox News
U.S. officials sought to shore up support Sunday for a tougher stand against Iran's nuclear program by saying Tehran had left the world little choice and expressing renewed confidence that holdout China would come around to harsher U.N. penalties.
- Every day we see the results of being a borrower from China. China can now dictate the foreign policy of the USA. Repent for our nation's being blinded by luxury, waste, and the Lord's largesse so that we refused to look on the consequences of becoming debtors to China. Our federal legislators need to know some of the Biblical prophecies about the kings of the East coming to destroy Israel. Is this plan being considered in the minds of China and Iran? Pray for the Lord's allowing us to take a tough stand against Iran.
- Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. (Revelation 16:12)
8. BREAKING - Senator Bayh Will Not Seek Re-election - AP
Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh announced Monday that he will not seek re-election this November, an unexpected decision that hands Republicans an opportunity for a pick-up in a year when Democrats are already defending several open Senate seats.
Calling his decision a "very difficult, deeply personal" one, Bayh said he had no interest in running in November solely "for the sake of winning an election." "I love working for the people of Indiana," he said. "But I do not love Congress."
- Begin to pray now over the man or woman who will next serve the people of the State of Indiana in this seat in the Senate. May our God grant us a GOD-fearing candidate who will win this election in Indiana in November. We do recall that the House already has one member from indiana (Rep. Andre Carson) who is a Moslem. Pray that the voters of Indiana not make the same mistake in the Senate, where no member yet is serving the interests of allah.
- "He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." (2 Samuel 23:3)
RECOMMENDED READING:
As we all begin to set our sights upon the elections of 2010, may we recommend an article called "Choosing Candidates for Public Office," originally published by Intercessors for America in October, 2004.
This article can now be viewed in IFA's archives section by going here. Thank you, IFA!
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"I will send My fear before you, and will destroy all the people to whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs unto you. And I will send hornets before you which shall drive out [your enemies] from before you." ( Exodus 23:27-28)
1. Israel is accused of waging covert war across the Middle East - London Times
Israel is waging a covert assassination campaign across the Middle East in an effort to stop its key enemies co-ordinating their activities.
2. 'If Mideast peace isn't realized now, it may never come' - Ha'aretz
If Israel and the Palestinians don't reach a peace agreement now, the opportunity to do so could be lost forever, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said at U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.
3. Israel general doubts power to hit Iran atom sites - Reuters
Israel may lack the military means for successful preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, its former top general said on Saturday.
4. Lebanon opens fire on IAF jets - Jerusalem Post
Lebanon says its army has opened fire on four Israeli warplanes that flew into Lebanese airspace.
5. US Vice President Biden to visit Israel - Ynet News
The Obama administration is concerned with the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran, and is sending some of its top officials to try to calm the situation.
6. U.S. congressman: U.S. should break Israel's blockade of Gaza - Ha'aretz
The United States should break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver badly needed supplies by sea, a U.S. congressman told Gaza students.
Rep. Brian Baird, a Democrat from Washington state, also urged President Barack Obama's Mideast envoy to visit the Hamas-ruled territory to get a firsthand look at the destruction caused by Israeli's military offensive last year.
7. Russia Says 'Nyet to Israel on Missile Sale to Iran - Ynet News
Russia gave Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu the cold shoulder before he even landed in Moscow Sunday night and said it will proceed with its sale of advanced S-300 missiles to Iran. The Prime Minister said before departing for Moscow he would press Russia to cancel the sale.
Vladimir Nazarov, deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council secretary, told Interfax news agency that the S-300 is an exclusively defensive weapon and therefore is not covered by international sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Iran says it needs the system to defend against an aerial strike.
"There is a signed contract (to supply S-300 missiles) which we must implement, but deliveries have not started yet," Nazarov said before Prime Minister Netanyahu landed for a three-day visit with Russian and Jewish leaders.
The Good News Corner
Kansas Lawmaker Wants to Limit Insurance Coverage for Abortion
The Kansas Legislature is considering a bill that would prohibit insurance providers from covering elective abortions.
The only deviation is if someone is willing to pay extra for the abortion. Missouri, Oklahoma and four other states already have similar laws.
The bill would include exceptions for rape, incest and to save the mother's life. The House Insurance Committee is scheduled to vote on it soon. If it gets out of committee, it would go to the floor for a vote.
Rep. Virgil Peck, who introduced House Bill 2564, said it's important for Kansans to take a stand for life. "I see this bill," he said, "as something that would help the federal government realize that Kansas has joined a few other states in saying, 'Abortion is something we find wrong, morally objectionable. We believe it's more important to save the lives of these unborn children.'" (CitizenLink)
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