In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Special Health Care Webcast
• The Daily Jot
• ALERT - Obama cancels Borobudur trip
• The Good News Corner
• Worship With Us!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, March 11, 2010
You have covered my head in the day of battle. (Psalm 140:7)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Tortured Iran Pastor Facing Execution, Christians say - Worthy News
The detained Assyrian pastor of an evangelical church in Iran has been tortured and told he may be executed for converting Muslims to Christianity and related charges, his wife and Christians with close knowledge about his situation said.
- O God, the proud have risen against this pastor, and the violent men are seeking his soul. But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Turn to this man of God and have mercy upon him; give Your strength to him, and save him. Show him evidence of Your goodness that those who hate him may see it, and be ashamed, because You, Lord, helped him and comforted him. In Jesus Name.
- "It is God that avenges this pastor, and brings down the people under him, that brings him forth from his enemies. God also has lifted him up on high above them that rose up against him: God has delivered him from the violent man." (II Samuel 22:49)
2. El Nino could whip up more active tornado season - USA Today
Weather forecasters say the wetter-than-usual El Nino winter that has blasted much of the United States could be followed by an active tornado season.
- God, all of nature is crying out for men's hearts to turn to the living God. The message God is sending to the earth is beware lest you be led away with the error of the wicked, and fail to respond to the pleadings of the Holy Spirit to come out of the worldly system and find Jesus, the Savior of your soul. In Jesus Name.
- Then said Jesus unto them, "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in various places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." ( Luke 21:10-11)
3. House Democrats looking at 'Slaughter Solution' to pass Obamacare without a vote on Senate bill - Washington Examiner
Would House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow House Democratic leaders try to cram the Senate version of Obamacare through the House without actually having a recorded vote on the bill?
- Lord, we ask for Your Divine intervention against the dictatorial methods of our leadership. May the American people rise up in full rejection of these anti-American practices.
- They have closed up their fat hearts; with their mouths they speak proudly. They have now surrounded us in our steps Arise, O Lord, confront him, cast him down; deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword. (Psalm 17: 10,13)
4. A) Senate passes $140 billion in tax breaks, aid to unemployed - Washington Post
The Senate approved a $140 billion package of tax breaks and aid to the unemployed Wednesday, the most substantial effort by the chamber to boost the nation's economy since it passed the stimulus bill last year.
B. Unemployment rises in 30 states in Jan. - Washington Times
Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.
- Lord, as our Congress passes a bill designed to help the unemployed, we ask that they hear from You about strategies to bring more jobs. The cost of helping those who are not working skyrockets, and until they receive real work, the costs will continue to climb.
- By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10)
5. Half of Kansas City public schools to close - USA Today
The Kansas City school board is closing nearly half of the district's schools in a desperate bid to stay afloat.
- Pray that Kansas City will find a way to re-align their finances enough to re-open the schools.
- Do not rob the poor because he is poor, nor oppress the afflicted at the gate. For the Lord will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them. (Proverbs 22:22,23)
6. Biden: U.S. Has 'No Better Friend' Than Israel - AP
Vice President Joe Biden has opened a high-profile speech in Israel with warm words of praise for the Jewish state.
Biden appears to be trying to calm a diplomatic row that erupted during his visit over Israeli settlement plans for disputed east Jerusalem.
The vice president told the audience at Tel Aviv University on Thursday the U.S. has "no better friend" than Israel. He also spoke about his long connection to Israel.
Earlier this week, Biden condemned Israel's plan to build 1,600 new homes in disputed east Jerusalem, saying it undermined trust in peace efforts.
- Lord, as it seems our current leaders are schizophrenic in their stance with Israel, we pray that You will visit Mr. Biden as he stands on Your land. We pray for visions in the night seasons, and visitations of your Holy Spirit that will change his heart forever.
- Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a whisper of it. In disquieting thoughts from the visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men, fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair on my body stood up. (Job 4:12-15)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. (Joel 3:2)
1. Israel, Syria pursue nuclear-powered Mideast - AP
Bitter rivals Israel and Syria both announced Tuesday that they want to pursue atomic power plants, potentially complicating the diplomatic storm over Iran's nuclear program and fueling a widening web of suspicion across the Middle East.
2. Palestinians deserve viable state - Jerusalem Post
US Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, seeking to reassure them of US support after the Interior Ministry on Tuesday approved a plan to expand the Jewish Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in east Jerusalem.
3. EU Parliament backs Goldstone Report - Jerusalem Post
In a move likely to worsen EU ties with Israel, the European Parliament urged its 27-member states Wednesday to monitor the Israeli and Palestinian probes into alleged war crimes in Gaza.
4. PA says won't return to talks 'under current circumstances' - Ynet News
Officials who met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas within the last day spoke with Ynet in terms of "utter despair," saying that a somber atmosphere hung over the president's office.
5. Army chief: Israel faces unprecedented threats - Ynet News
Despite the relative calm at this time, Israel faces a deceptive security situation and an unprecedented combination of threats, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi warned in New York Thursday.
Special Health Care Webcast
Tuesday, March 16th, at 8:30 p.m. EDT
Watch a Special Report from the Front Lines of the Health Care Debate
On Tuesday, March 16th, at 8:30 p.m. EDT, FRC Action will host a live video webcast entitled, "National Townhall on Health Care: Stop the Government Takeover." We've invited Members of Congress, policy experts, and grassroots leaders to join us live at our Washington, D.C. headquarters to help us assess the pending health care overhaul as a vote in Congress looms. Confirmed participants include:
Host: Tony Perkins, President, FRC Action
Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.)
Congressman Tom Price, M.D. (R-Ga.)
Bryan Fischer, Director of Issue Analysis, American Family Association
Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director, Students for Life
Marjorie Dannenfelser, President, Susan B. Anthony List
Douglas Johnson, Legislative Director, National Right to Life
Tom McClusky, Senior Vice President, FRC Action
In addition to briefing us on the significance of this legislation, our guests will also answer viewer questions sent by you via SMS text or email. If allowed to pass, a health care overhaul like the one proposed by President Obama would be devastating to the health, economic well-being, and liberty of American families. Join us this Tuesday evening to find out what you can do to stop a government takeover on health care.
Register now to watch the live webcast on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:30 p.m. EDT
Sincerely,
Tony Perkins
President
Family Research Council
The Daily Jot
Who Cares About The Christians In Nigeria? We all Should!
The nonchalant attitude of the world toward the mass slaughter of Christians by Muslims in Nigeria is despicable. This is the same thing that went on in Sudan before there were no more Christians to kill, and then the Arab Muslims turned on the Black Muslims and started killing them. By then, all the do-gooders in the world are all over Sudan trying to say there needs to be peace. But what of the Christians whose blood washes the streets of Islamic aggression? Make no mistake, if it were Israel defending itself against the Islamic terrorists the world has identified as warm and friendly Palestinians, there would be an international outcry. But, lo the poor black Christians in Nigeria--who stands in the gap for them?
I asked my dear friend William Agbeti in nearby Ghana, West Africa what the real story was. He wrote back, "Persecution is the word. The northern part of Nigeria is Muslim-controlled, and the southern is Christian-controlled. The middle-belt is a mix of Christians and Muslims that periodically becomes the testing grounds of extremists of both faiths. For a long time now, the story has been the same. Muslims go on the rampage, killing Christians with the excuse that members of their faith have been killed by the Christians. When that happens the Christians also retaliate killing the Muslims. After a while, things cool down and the cycle begins all over again. It is all part of Islamic attempts at dominating the world."
This is the very thing that Pastor Agbeti is trying to prevent in Ghana. In a project with The Daily Jot and Redeemer International Family Church, Pastor Agbeti has started a school using the International School of Ministry curriculum. This school is aimed at training up pastors to go to the rural areas of West Africa and establish Christian churches. His approach is to go where Islam is trying to force and buy their way into African communities, create relationships and evangelize the populations. In about a year, with very limited resources, he has already established three such churches. He is a true missionary to his own nation.
The Daily Jot is aimed everyday at encouraging Christians to take a stand for Jesus. Ephesians 6:13 is our mantra: Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. The Great Commission is our charge. We have recognized that Africa is a major battleground for Islamic extremism, and Pastor Agbeti is on the front lines armed with the Sword of the Spirit, which is Word of God. I find it reprehensible that my Christian brothers and sisters are being run into nets in the middle of the night and hacked to death by Muslims with machetes. William Agbeti, whose surname means "Tree of Life," is doing something about it.
PS. If you want to assist Pastor Agbeti in his work, please send your gift to The Daily Jot, PO Box 1606, Frederick, Md. 21702 and designate the check "Agbeti" or contribute online at our website www.dailyjot.com and note the gift is for "Agbeti."
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
ALERT - Obama cancels Borobudur trip
Obama cancels Borobudur trip:
Security Concerns Suspected as Obama Scraps Visit to Central Java, Borobudur
That saint who advances on his knees never "retreats."
Jim Elliot
When Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. (I Kings 8:44-45)
Security Concerns Suspected as Obama Scraps Visit to Central Java, Borobudur
US President Barack Obama's cancelled trip to Central Java and Yogyakarta was a major blow to the provinces' tourism industries, a public relations expert said over the weekend.
Deddy Pranowo Eryono, head of the Yogyakarta Public Relations Body and secretary of the local branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA), believed the reversal was related to security concerns.
"This is a very huge hit because tourism in these provinces is still considered unsafe by foreign tourists," Deddy said.
Obama and his family were expected to visit Borobudur Temple during his trip, slated for later this month, but will head to Bali instead.
The Adi Soemarmo airport in Solo, which is managed by PT Angkasa Pura I, received a letter from the US Consulate announcing the cancellation of the trip.
Deddy said people and policy makers involved in the tourism sector in Yogyakarta and Central Java had much to learn from the Balinese, especially in regards to their behavior, attitude, openness and local wisdom.
"Bali has been bombed several times, causing the deaths of hundreds of foreign tourists, but they were able to rise up and show the world that the area is safe to visit," he said.
Although Obama, who spent part of his childhood in Jakarta, is deeply popular in Indonesia, opposition to his visit by Muslim groups is growing.
Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, a conservative Muslim group that views Israel as an illegal entity, threatened over the weekend to gather 5,000 ulema , or religious scholars, from East Java to protest Obama's visit in front of the US Consulate in Surabaya.
"This is a form of our protest against the US, which has been mauling Moslem people around the world," said Khoiri Sulaiman, head of the East Java branch of the organization, which has a million members worldwide.
"The West is still torturing and killing Muslims so we have agreed to reject Obama as an act of solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have been suffering because of the US and its accomplices."
(The Jakarta Globe, March 7, 2010) Read more.
(From CHPP:)
A man s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
The Good News Corner
Bush: Prayers Sustained Me as President
Former President George W. Bush told students and parents at a Texas event Saturday that faith and prayers sustained him while he was in the Oval Office.
To a crowd of more than 1,100 people, Bush said he does not see how he could have been president without prayer.
"The prayers of the people sustained me, comforted me and strengthened me in a way I could have never predicted before becoming president, and for that I am extremely grateful," Bush said at the Fort Worth Christian School-hosted event, according to The Associated Press.
During the hour-long address, he shared about many aspects of his life as president, including how he dealt with the economic crisis, emotional meetings with military families, faith-based programs, and how he remained optimistic even in the worst of times.
"Even in our country s toughest moments, I was optimistic that things could be better and more hopeful," Bush said. (The Christian Post, March 2, 2010) Read more.
[Also reported by: Breaking Christian News]
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