In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Embassy of Israel: Gaza Flotilla Updates
• Additional Sources for Israel News
• Videos of Flotilla Incident
• Oil Gusher: Wrong Answer
• Sestak's Scandal
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday June 2, 2010
"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath . . . those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land." (Psalm 37: 7-9)
The Daily Brief
1. Gulf oil spill: 'Everybody's lost hope' - USA Today
Anger and frustration surged across the Gulf Coast on Monday as residents learned that the latest attempt to cap a renegade underwater well had failed and that oil may keep gushing into the Gulf of Mexico until at least August, when relief wells are scheduled to be finished.
- Oh Father, bring a quick remedial effort to stop the gushing flow of this oil into the Gulf. Lord, this is a freakish issue and has not been totally researched, so the only source for the solution is the God of heaven who created the world and the heavens. We ask that You reveal the action that must be taken. You are our sovereign God, and we ask that you heal the land and the sea by Your great power, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. In Jesus Name.
- "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
2. Netanyahu: I regret Gaza flotilla deaths, but Israeli troops had right to self-defense - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that he regretted the loss of life sustained by international activists after Israel Navy commandos stormed a flotilla bringing aid to the Gaza Strip, but said the Israeli troops who opened fire were justified for defending themselves.
- God, let us be reminded that our leaders are put in the official position of protecting their nations, and we pray Your holy protection over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for doing what was necessary to intervene for the safety of Israel. Surround Israel with the heavenly host of warring angels and disarm their enemies, that no more blood be shed. In Jesus Name.
- "Ascribe strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds. O God, You are terrible out of Your holy places: the God of Israel is He that gives strength and power unto His people. Blessed be God." (Psalm 68:34-35)
3. IDF: Soldiers were met by well-planned lynch in Gaza waters - Jerusalem Post
International activists aboard the flotilla of ships on their way to the Gaza Strip opened fire on IDF soldiers who boarded the ships to prevent them from breaking the Israeli-imposed sea blockade, the IDF said Monday.
- Almighty God, let there be a division between the enemy and the IDF soldiers. We ask that you send a holy cloud of protection over this situation; for all the world will know that there is none like the Lord God of Israel. In Jesus Name.
- "And Moses said unto the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for those whom you see today, you shall see them again no more forever." (Exodus 14:18)
4. Hamas calls to lift Gaza blockade - Jerusalem Post
Hamas on Monday called for ending the blockade on the Gaza Strip while the Palestinian Authority declared three days of mourning in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in protest against the IDF operation against the Gaza aid ships.
- O God, in the greatness of Your excellency You have overthrown them that rose up against Israel, who did not initiate this bloodshed. Forgive Hamas and the Palestinian Authority for their inciting a war that brought death to their own people. Stretch out Your hand, Lord, over these waters and bring peace. In Jesus Name.
- "The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is His Name. Your right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord has dashed in pieces the enemy." (Exodus 15:2, 6)
5. Istanbul rally: Israel will drown in blood - Ynet News
Around 10,000 Turks marched in protest from the Israeli consulate in Istanbul to a main square, chanting, "Murderous Israel you will drown in the blood you shed!" following the deadly IDF raid on the Gaza aid flotilla Sunday night. The protesters earlier tried to storm the Consulate building but were blocked by police.
- Father, forgive these Turks who are cursing Israel and the IDF, for they know not what they are doing. You will always be Israel's defense and protection. In Jesus Name.
- "And God said, I will bless them that bless Israel, and curse him that curses Israel." (Genesis 12:3)
6. UN: Impartial probe of flotilla raid - Jerusalem Post
The UN Security Council on Tuesday called for an impartial investigation of Israel's commando raid on ships taking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and condemning the "acts" that resulted in the loss of at least nine lives.
- God, dispatch angels from heaven who will surround all of Israel, and bring out the whole truth regarding their retaliation against this ship that was carrying weapons into Gaza to use against Israel. By the blood of Jesus, defeat all lies and false declarations that the UN has used to deceive and give an incorrect perception regarding this raid. May God's authority rule from heaven over this situation. In Jesus Name.
- "And God said unto man, Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding." (Job 28:28)
7. Al Qaeda No. 3 Killed in U.S. Missile Strike - Fox News
Al Qaeda announced Monday that its No. 3 official, Mustafa al-Yazid, had been killed along with members of his family -- perhaps one of the most severe blows to the terror movement since the U.S. campaign against Al Qaeda began.
- Father, death is the most lethal weapon satan has in his arsenal. We ask that those who are left will weigh their actions in the future from the perspective of eternity. Save their souls by the blood of Jesus. In Jesus Name.
- "And God brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth." (Job 29:17)
8. Income From Private Sector Shrinks - USA Today
Paychecks from private business shrank to their smallest share of personal income in U.S. history during the first quarter of this year, a USA TODAY analysis of government data finds. The recession has erased 8 million private jobs. Even before the downturn, private wages were eroding because of the substitution of health and pension benefits for taxable salaries.
Economist David Henderson of the conservative Hoover Institution says a shift from private wages to government benefits saps the economy of dynamism. "People are paid for being rather than for producing," he says.
- Lord, we know that these hard times come because of our sins. And we pray that you will forgive us our sins and help our nation turn away from its rebellion against you. We repent and ask for your forgiveness.
- "They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But they hardened their necks, and in their rebellion, they appointed a leader to return to their bondage. But You are God, ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them." (Nehemiah 9:17)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!" He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them." (Psalm 2:1-4)
1. U.S., Israeli ties just got more complicated - MSNBC
The worldwide condemnation of the deadly Israeli assault on the Gaza aid flotilla will complicate the Obama administration's efforts to improve its tense relations with Jerusalem and will probably distract from the push to sanction Iran over its nuclear program.
2. Israel's Blockade of Gaza Strip to Continue, Official Says - Fox News
Despite growing international condemnation, Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip will continue due to fears that Hamas will ship rockets and other weapons into the area, Israeli officials say.
3. IDF: Global Jihad on flotilla - Jerusalem Post
Dozens of passengers who were aboard the Mavi Marmara Turkish passenger ship are suspected of having connections with global jihad-affiliated terrorist organizations, defense officials said on Tuesday, amid growing concerns that Turkish warships would accompany a future flotilla to the Gaza Strip.
4. US backs investigation into Israeli raid - Ynet News
A cautious White House said Tuesday that it supports a UN Security Council resolution calling for an investigation into Israel's deadly raid on ships taking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, but stopped short of condemning the actions of Israeli forces.
The Daily Jot
The Truth About Israel and the Palestinian Blockade Runners
An international incident is brewing in the wake of the Israeli attack of six cargo ships off the coast of Gaza. Tremendous public opinion pressure--not the truth--may ignite a fireball of diplomatic heat on Israel. But you need to know the truth. These so-called cargo ships tried to run a military blockade that was established by Egypt and Israel to prevent the terrorist group Hamas from refortifying. The Israeli Navy repeatedly warned the ships not to run the blockade. The some 700 pro-Palestinian activists carrying items banned for entry into Gaza ignored the warnings in hopes of creating an international conflict that they could use as a public relations lever against Israel.
Christian Broadcaster Earl Cox reports from Israel, "Israel made repeated offers to the ships that they come to the (Israeli) port of Ashdod and unload what the activists called humanitarian cargo. Israel guaranteed to pass along all of the items classified as humanitarian through the crossing to the Gaza strip. The ensuing confrontation was an orchestrated set-up by the radical activists to discredit Israel by creating world sympathy for the Palestinians. Those in the flotilla clearly chose a path of confrontation. They wielded steel rods, knives and in some instances, guns and other weapons, inflicting the first blow injuring members of the Israeli military who were attempting to board the ships for inspection."
AP reports that the Israeli commandos, armed with paintball guns and pistols as back ups, did not expect violent resistance upon boarding the sixth ship. The so-called peace activists, however, beat the Israelis with rods, tried to knife them, stripped them of their helmets, tried to hang them and were firing live rounds at them. Obama released a statement saying he "deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained and is currently working to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy." At the same time, however, he is sending a several envoys to meet in Damascus with Hamas, breaking from longstanding US policy to not engage with terrorist groups.
While the American leader said he deeply regrets the loss of life perpetrated on terrorist supporters by an Israeli military acting in self defense, the White House still has not acknowledged the deaths of those BP employees who were killed in the gulf oil platform explosion. This should tell you something about where this president's heart really is. There has been continuous outreach to Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, as well as, Islamists with questionable backgrounds appointed to high positions in his administration. The Lord says in Genesis 12:3 of Israel, "I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curses thee." Wonder why our nation faces disaster economically and physically? Our leadership is against God.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Embassy of Israel: Gaza Flotilla Updates
Statement from Dr. Michael Oren, Ambassador of Israel to the United States
June 1, 2010
Israel regrets the casualties on both sides of this tragic incident, although responsibility rests solely with Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization, and the participants who organized this flotilla . . . Israel regrets having to make these tough decisions and run the risk of incurring casualties. In intercepting the flotilla, Israel acted as any state, including the United States, would. But given the option of either running such risks or endangering the lives of its citizens, Israel has no choice.
For the full statement made by the ambassador yesterday, as well as other news related to the flotilla incident, please visit the website for the Embassy of Israel by going here.
Additional Sources for Israel News:
1) Israel National News: Daily Israel Report
To read this news, go here.
[Headlines as of June 1, 2010)
Two More Boats Headed for Gaza
Netanyahu on Way to Visit Flotilla-Wounded Soldiers
Opposition Leader Livni: United We Stand for Hamas Embargo
Sailor's First-Hand Report: We Came to Speak; They Came to Fight
IDF Evidence, US Stem Turkish-Led Diplomatic War Against Israel
IDF Photos of Knives Contradict Turkish Claims of 'No Weapons'
UN Demands 'Partial Investigation' of Flotilla Clash
2) The Israel Project (all news)
3) IFI Special Alert (go here). News and prayer points.
4) Global Prayer Watch: go here. This site includes FACTS, FAILURES, FALLOUT, and PRAYER POINTS on Israel's Crisis at Sea.
Videos of Flotilla Incident
IMPORTANT FOOTAGE TO SEE:
Please cut and paste the following sites into your browser and check out the facts of Sunday's "attack" by IDF forces on the Palestinian cargo ship. Pictures never lie!
http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/06/0105.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6sAEYpHF24&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKOmLP4yHb4&NR=1
http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2010/06/photos-and-videos-from-todays-pro.html
Oil Gusher: Wrong Answer
Last week, Obama attempted to stop the hemorrhaging from the Gulf oil spill. But so far the president seems more interested in shutting down the oil industry than in stopping the leak. Among the "take charge" actions ordered by the White House is a six month moratorium on off-shore drilling. Scheduled lease sales have been canceled, and, according to one report, 33 deep-water rigs have been ordered to shut down production.
Perhaps the administration is just acting out of an abundance of caution until we know exactly what happened on the Deepwater Horizon rig. But the reason we are drilling in unbelievably difficult locations is that we have been kept away from the shallow waters, where we know how to plug leaks. We've put increasing amounts of land, even more in the 18 months of this administration, off limits to drilling and exploration.
Yet while we make it more difficult to access oil and natural gas, there is no way to run our cars on wind power. Alternative technologies will take years if not decades to become major sources of power in this country. In the meantime, there's no alternative to oil. Actions that weaken our domestic energy industry only increase our dependence on foreign sources of oil. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; June 1, 2010)
Sestak's Scandal
Last week, the Obama White House tried to silence growing suspicions about Joe Sestak's mysterious job offer. But I'm not sure that introducing Bill Clinton to the mix is right way to end a story about scandal. The result may be akin to throwing gasoline on the fire.
The official White House explanation is that former President Bill Clinton, acting at the request of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, offered Joe Sestak an unpaid appointment to a presidential advisory board. Members of the board cannot be government employees, meaning that Sestak would have had to resign his House seat to accept the appointment.
This explanation doesn't pass the straight face test on so many levels. Sestak has repeatedly said that he was offered a "high level job." An uncompensated commission appointment doesn't exactly fit the description of a "high level job." It's more like a one-way ticket to obscurity. If this is the whole truth, it would seem that Sestak has a penchant for stretching the truth.
But does the White House really expect us to believe that it tried to bribe a congressman with an unpaid internship? That's such a ridiculous offer there's no way Sestak would even consider it, which makes it impossible to believe that it was in fact the real offer. And one key Republican isn't buying it. Rep. Lamar Smith, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, reiterated his call for an investigation Friday, saying:
The Good News Corner
IN IRAN: Maryam & Marzieh: Acquitted and free
Fourteen months after they were arrested for their Christian faith and activities, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh have been acquitted of all charges by the Iranian judicial authorities. However, they were warned that any future Christian activity in Iran will be seriously dealt with.
Today, Saturday May 22, 2010, they left Iran and arrived safely in another country. Sam and Lin Yeghnazar, founders of Elam Ministries and spiritual parents to Maryam and Marzieh, met them at the airport. It was a tearful reunion.
"It was very emotional when we first saw them," said Lin Yeghnazar, "Now, we want to see them rest and recover."
Maryam and Marzieh are eager to thank Christians who have been praying for them. "We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us," Marzieh said, "I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people." Maryam added, "I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were in the timing and plan of God, and it was all for His glory. But the prayers of people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal."
Both young women have shown exceptional courage, daring to tell an Islamic judge that they would never deny their faith in Christ. When Sam Yeghnazar told them their example had encouraged countless people around the world, they were quick to respond, "We are frail human beings with many weaknesses. The honour and glory go to God who has kept and used us, although we don't know why He has chosen us. All the glory goes to Him."
Maryam and Marzieh were arrested in March 2009 because of their Christian faith and were repeatedly placed under great pressure to recant and deny Jesus Christ. They faced repeated interrogations, weeks in solitary confinement, and unhealthy prison conditions. Both became seriously sick during their imprisonment and did not receive the treatment they needed which greatly increased their suffering. Senior judges and officials also intimidated them.
Despite this, they remained faithful to Jesus Christ and did not deny Him. After their conditional release from prison in November 2009, they have had a very trying six months waiting for their case to be heard in an Islamic court where they could have been sentenced to prison again.
"We have seen the Lord do miracles over and over again. He kept us and gave us favour in prison, and sustained us during a very difficult period of waiting for our final trial," said Marzieh.
Maryam and Marzieh have lived through many experiences during the last fourteen months. The days ahead are not certain. However, they are determined to serve the Lord and the Iranian church. "We hope to eventually share some of what the Lord allowed us to go through to highlight the need and the opportunity for the church in Iran, but right now we will take time to pray and seek the Lord for His will," said Maryam.
"On behalf of Maryam and Marzieh, and the entire Elam team, I would like to thank all the believers around the world who have interceded so faithfully for Maryam and Marzieh and the church in Iran," says Sam Yeghnazar.
Please continue to pray for Maryam and Marzieh to fully recover and continue in fruitful ministry.
We look forward to providing continued updates on their situation.
The Elam Team
- Continue to lift up prayers for these two sweet sisters in Christ, who have suffered for the faith. May God heal and restore each one, even as we all offer great praise to the LORD for their safety and release. Praise God!
- "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!" (Psalm 150:6)
