In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Nuclear Conference Misses Target
• Terror Alert #1
• Terror Alert #2
• Terror Alert #3
• The Good News Corner
• Worship With Us!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, April 13, 2010
"Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice." (I Chronicles 16:10)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Gay marriage fails to get on California ballot - Reuters
A challenge to California's gay marriage ban failed on Monday to qualify for the 2010 ballot, leaving gay activists mulling a 2012 push and hoping a federal court will overturn the measure before then.
- Offer praise for the report of this great victory for righteousness in the State of California; and take a minute to pause and to thank God for the intensive non-stop labor of the intercessors in that state, who refused to "let go" until the answer came!
- Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Prov. 14:4)
2. Income Falls 3.2% During Obama's Term - Washington Times
Real personal income for Americans - excluding government payouts such as Social Security - has fallen by 3.2 percent since Obama took office in January 2009, according to the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis. For comparison, real personal income during the first 15 months in office for President George W. Bush, who inherited a milder recession from his predecessor, dropped 0.4 percent. Income excluding government payouts increased 12.7 percent during President Bush's eight years in office.
• Heavenly Father, we pray for all citizens during this time of recession. Give us wisdom and ability to provide for our families. We pray for officials to be elected that understand how to turn our economy around. Give us godly leaders with your wisdom and vision for our nation.
• In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears. (Psalms 18:6)
3. Dow Ends Above 11,000 for First Time in 18 Months - ABC News
The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 11,000 for the first time in a year and a half on investors' rising hopes about the economy. Stocks have been rising this year on growing expectations that the economy will shake off job market weakness and housing problems. A test of whether the Dow can hold the 11,000 mark will come in the next three weeks when companies report earnings. Investors also will want to see whether the government's next employment report, due in early May, shows that employers added jobs in April as they did during March.
Investors have been concerned that mounting debt in Greece and other European nations including Spain and Portugal would stunt a global recovery.
• Lord, in this modern world we are all connected, especially in our finances. When one nation suffers all nations suffer. Remove from authority all leaders who are hurting the economies of their nations. Give us all godly, frugal leaders.
• For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters, They shall not come near him. (Psalms 32:6)
4. Source: Terror Plot Targeted Times Square, Grand Central Stations - CNN
The three men accused of plotting to bomb the New York City subway last year planned to attack trains at Times Square and Grand Central stations, a federal law enforcement source said Monday. The trio, wearing homemade bombs, plotted to position themselves in the middle of busy subway cars in order to kill the most people, probably targeting the 1, 2, 3, or 6 line trains, the source said.
• Heavenly Father, we pray against these terrorists who seek to harm our nation. We bind them from being able to accomplish their plans. Block them, confound them, imprison them, and remove them forever.
• Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none. (Psalm 10:15)
5. Nebraska Passes New Pre-abortion Rules - Washington Times
Nebraska lawmakers on Monday gave final approval to a first-of-its-kind measure requiring women to be screened for possible mental and physical problems before having abortions. The bill requires a doctor or other health professional to screen women to determine whether they were pressured into having abortions. The screenings also would assess whether women have risk factors that could lead to mental or physical problems after an abortion.
Later this week, Nebraska lawmakers are expected to give final approval to another first-of-its-kind bill banning abortions at 20 weeks based on the assertion fetuses feel pain by then.
• We thank you Lord that you have placed officials in authority who have a righteous heart. We pray that more leaders in government and churches will rise up against this abomination of killing your precious creations from the moment of conception to natural death. All life deserves honor and respect.
• Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? (Proverbs 24:11, 12)
6. GOP Looks Beyond Court Pick - AP
Still, the GOP wants to avoid a fight over social issues, which often become the focus of Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Neither side wants an ideological battle based on divisive social issues, such as gun control or abortion rights, with an election ahead, that has risks.
Republicans, emboldened by the moribund economy and public opposition to the healthcare overhaul, are looking ahead to this year's congressional races with an eye on regaining control of Congress. A fight over social issues could alienate the moderates the party is courting, said John G. Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University.
• Lord, we pray that the Obama Administration will not be able to nominate and place radical liberals in the highest court of the Land. Give us righteous Justices, judges, and courts.
• Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, 'Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the stranger who is with him. (Deuteronomy 1:16)
7. Interest Rates Have Nowhere to Go but Up - NY Times
Even as prospects for the American economy brighten, consumers are about to face a new financial burden: a sustained period of rising interest rates. That, economists say, is the inevitable outcome of the nation's ballooning debt and the renewed prospect of inflation as the economy recovers from the depths of the recent recession.
Each increase of 1 percentage point in rates adds as much as 19 percent to the total cost of a home, according to Mr. Mayer.
• Father God, we pray for the huge spending by our officials to stop. Remove and replace those who are voting to spend more money and bring up our deficits. Help us to turn our nation around quickly!
• For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. (Psalm 37:10)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
- "Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime . . ." (2 Samuel 7:10)
1. Europe ignores Iran's deadly mix of anti-Semitism and nukes - Jerusalem Post
Europeans frequently view Iran's genocidal threats against Israel as a way to make use of the annihilation of European Jewry as a catharsis to alleviate their guilt-ridden history.
2. Obama sells arms to Arabs, but not to Israel - WND
According to a recent report from the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Obama administration has changed its arms policy for the Middle East: arming the Arab states hostile to Israel and denying arms to the Jewish state. All of these sales to Israel's enemies are beginning to erode the military edge Israel has had to discourage Arab military attacks against it and maintain a semblance of peace in that volatile region.
3. Israel Observes Holocaust Remembrance Day - VOA
Holocaust Remembrance Day is being marked by Jews around the world.
4. Netanyahu slams world silence on Iran - Jerusalem Post
Marking the start of Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Day before a crowd of hundreds that gathered in the Warsaw Ghetto Square at Yad Vashem on Sunday night, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu chided the international community for its relative silence in the face of Iranian threats to destroy the Jewish State and the Islamic regime's ongoing race towards nuclear weapons.
The Daily Jot
The Keys To Surviving The Beginning of Sorrows
Many people have written and asked how they are to survive if the times continue to worsen. Many look at the nation's debt and wonder how the American economy can sustain any type of recovery. Many see the arrogance and lack of response of those they elected to govern and wonder if there is any hope for the future. Many see what is in front of them and are matching it with what they know of Bible prophecy. They understand the signs of the times. Yet they are curious about their very own survival in these days which seem to have one bad thing after another occur. Those who once had control of their lives--good jobs, a retirement, a home, security for the future--but no longer do, are questioning what next.
There are two things that I believe we can do: 1) continue to be salt and light to the world, and 2) seek the most intimate and personal relationship with Father God through Jesus Christ as you possibly can. In these two things, there is hope eternal. We cannot stop the march of prophecy, but we can determine our place in it--both as individuals, and collectively as a nation. As individuals we can do the work that God has instructed us to do until his return. And if we are doing that work diligently and with the passion of Christ--we will be making changes in our nation one heart at a time. All the while, we need to be in the word, in prayer, seeking the Lord continuously.
Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." This means that while others put their trust in the things of the world that give them security and strength, we will trust in God for these things. The prophet Isaiah gives us a clear warning in Isaiah 31:1, "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord." You see there is strength, security and comfort found in the Lord that cannot be found in the worldly powers.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:28-34, "Consider the lilies of the field. . . That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothed the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, should he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Put your trust in God, not in what you see and hear, and be encouraged!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Nuclear Conference Misses Target
The leaders of 47 nations have gathered in Washington, D.C., for a conference on nuclear terrorism and security. Yesterday, Obama said, "The central focus of this nuclear summit is the fact that the single biggest threat to U.S. security would be the possibility of a terrorist organization obtaining a nuclear weapon." That's a laudable goal, but there is a great irony in Obama's comment.
The Obama Administration has wasted fourteen months doing nothing while the Iranian terrorist regime is aggressively developing its nuclear program. Now that's not hyperbole on my part. Obama's State Department labels Iran as "the most active state sponsor of terrorism."
Iran has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Hezbollah and Hamas and trained thousands of terrorists. Iran is directly responsible for attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has repeatedly violated agreements regarding its nuclear program, all the while promising to "wipe Israel off the map." Yet, Iran is not on the agenda at today's conference. Any conference on nuclear terrorism that fails to tackle Tehran's pursuit of an "Islamic bomb" completely misses the target.
But when it comes to national security, Hussein Obama's policies frequently miss the target. Last week, the White House announced that it was purging references to Islam in major national security documents in order to placate Muslims who may be offended. If some Muslims are offended by the words "Islamic terrorism," their fight is with the jihadists who believe their religion commands them to behead captives, fly planes into buildings and strap bombs onto their bodies. Caving in to political correctness does not strengthen our position. It makes us look weak and emboldens our enemies, who often scream "Allah is great" as they commit acts of terrorism.
Terror Alert #1
Leaders Gather for Nuclear Talks as New Threat Is Seen
Three months ago, American intelligence officials examining satellite photographs of Pakistani nuclear facilities saw the first wisps of steam from the cooling towers of a new nuclear reactor. It was one of three plants being constructed to make fuel for a second generation of nuclear arms. The message of those photos was clear: While Pakistan struggles to make sure its weapons and nuclear labs are not vulnerable to attack by Al Qaeda, the country is getting ready to greatly expand its production of weapons-grade fuel. The Pakistanis insist that they have no choice. A nuclear deal that India signed with the United States during President Bush's administration ended a long moratorium on providing India with the fuel and technology for desperately needed nuclear power plants. Now, as critics of the arrangement point out, the agreement frees up older facilities that India can devote to making its own new generation of weapons, escalating one arms race even as Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia sign accords to shrink arsenals built during the cold war. (NY Times) Read more.
Terror Alert #2
N. Korea, Iran Snub Obama, Keep Up Nuclear Programs
North Korea and Iran have both announced that they plan to move forward with their nuclear programs, after Obama rebuked both nations for failing to comply with nuclear nonproliferation standards. As if in response to Obama, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi announced Friday that Iran has produced its first third-generation centrifuge. The new centrifuge machine, planned as the first of many, has a production capacity much higher than that of Iran's current machines, he said. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke Friday at Iran's National Nuclear Festival. He said that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, and considers the nuclear bomb to be "against mankind." However, he said that Iran would not cooperate with attempts to restrain its nuclear program, stating, "Like it or not, Iran is now nuclearized, and it will remain so in the future." North Korean officials, for their part, slammed Obama's policy as "hostile," and vowed to expand their country's arsenal of nuclear weapons. (Israel National News) Read more.
Terror Alert #3
Zazi, Al Qaeda pals planned rush-hour attack on Grand Central, Times Square subway stations
Chilling new details about the foiled Al Qaeda plot to blow up the city's busiest subways have emerged as a fourth suspect was quietly arrested in Pakistan, the Daily News has learned. The unidentified man, who helped plan the plot, is expected to be extradited to the U.S. to betried in Brooklyn Federal Court with Adis Medunjanin and Zarein Ahmedzay of Flushing, Queens, sources said. The cooperation of would-be lead bomber Najibullah Zazi has helped law enforcement officials piece together a fuller picture of the evil plan to kill innocent straphangers around the 9/11 anniversary last year. Zazi and his two Queens friends allegedly planned to strap explosives to their bodies and split up, heading for the Grand Central and Times Square stations - the two busiest subway stations in New York City. They would board trains on the 1, 2, 3 and 6 lines at rush hour and planned to position themselves in the middle of the packed trains to ensure the maximum carnage when they blew themselves up, sources said. (NY Daily News) Read more.
The Good News Corner
Former First Nations' Chief on Canadian Cross-Country Tour Urging Tribes to Forgive
Canadian Christianity reports that moments after Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally apologized and asked for forgiveness for the federal government's catastrophic residential schools policy, Native leader and former MP Elijah Harper and 100 Huntley Street's David Mainse went down to the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons. We knelt down at the chair and prayed together," Harper said at the time, "and I expressed my forgiveness in my prayer."
That was on June 11, 2008, the report notes, but today, a team led by Kenny Blacksmith, the co-founder of Gathering Nations International and a former chief of the Cree community of Mistissini in northern Quebec, is on a cross-country tour urging his people to accept the Prime Minister's plea. "We're asking our people," said Blacksmith, "to seriously look at your life and see and understand your bondage to offence, your bondage to unforgiveness. And then when you recognize you can't do it by yourself, surrender to God and ask God to help you and enable you to release forgiveness."
According to the report, there is much to be forgiven-so much, in fact, that many First Nations, Inuit and Metis people feel that it is impossible for them to forgive.
National Indigenous Anglican bishop Mark MacDonald was quoted as saying he believes that what Blacksmith is attempting "has the potential of being a prophetic act. "I think there's a strong and growing sense that we've now entered into a new era," he said, "a God-given time of recovery, release, reconciliation. A word that I hear often is 'restoration.' That's what I feel in the air-that excitement that God is leading us into a new day. And Christian indigenous people are so much at the heart and the spirit of that."
Concluded Blacksmith: "Our children will look to that day and say, 'My ancestors, they stood before the government. They stood before the Church. They stood as a people. They recognized who God is in our nation. And they did not back down. And they believed for the healing of our nation. They believed for a revival in our people-and the freedom,'" he said. "That's what this is all about." Read more about Kenny Blacksmith's passion for forgiveness and reconciliation by clicking on this link provided. (Source: Teresa Neumann, Breaking Christian News, 4-12-10)
Worship With Us!
"PRAISE ADONAI!" - By Paul Wilbur
Yes, Lord, we PRAISE You!
