The Daily Brief - Friday, August 13, 2010

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:24)

The Daily Brief

1. US New Jobless Claims Highest in Six Months - VOA

U.S. unemployment claims hit their highest level in nearly six months last week, evidence that the job market is not recovering as fast as economists had hoped.

- Pray for those who are suffering in the current job market; and ask our Lord to meet their needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. Continue to ask for wisdom to be granted to those in authority, for we surely are living now in desperate times.

- "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear, What can man do to me?'" (Heb. 13: 5, 6)

2. Employee wearing patriotic button is fired by Home Depot - American Family Association

Employees wearing pro-homosexual buttons praised

The Home Depot fired an employee for refusing to remove a "One nation under God" patriotic button from his work apron. Trevor Keezor, a Christian, said he wore the button to support his country and his 27-year-old brother, who serves in the military in Iraq.

- Offer praise to the Lord that there are still young men like Trevor Keezor who stand as patriots in this dark hour in American history. Voice your own opinions to the management team at the Home Depot where you live, and let your voice be heard on behalf of righteousness.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

- "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." (Acts 5: 41,42)

3. California gay-marriage ban ends Wednesday - USA Today

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker said Thursday that California officials could begin issuing licenses to gay men and lesbians beginning Wednesday, in an order flowing from his decision last week striking down a state ban on same-sex marriages.

- Thank the Lord for the countless prayers that have been uttered over this decision in California, and praise God that we serve a God who answers prayer. At the cross, the demons rejoiced, thinking that they had won the victory . . . but God. Continue in travail as this case is now appealed to the Supreme Court. Through our God, we shall do valiantly, for it is He who has defeated our enemy.

- "For their rock is not like our Rock, Even as our enemies concede, For their vine is of the vine of Sodom And the fields of Gomorrah; Their graphs of gall, Their clusters are bitter. Their wine is the poison of serpents, And the cruel venom of cobras." (Deut. 32: 31 - 33)

4. Senate passes $600M border bill - Politico

The Senate briefly suspended its month-long summer recess to give final approval to a $600 million border security bill Thursday, fulfilling President Barack Obama's request for reinforcements on the Southwest border -- and allowing both parties to claim they've made progress in addressing border security, ahead of the midterm elections.

DHS Caught and Released 481 'Fugitive' Illegals from State Sponsors of Terror and 'Countries of Interest' - CNS News In the three fiscal years from 2007-2009, the Department of Homeland Security caught and released 481 illegal aliens from nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism and "countries of interest," and those 481 aliens are now fugitives, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement database obtained by CNSNews.com as the result of a Freedom of Information Act request.

- Now that DHS has been promised the funds to do their job successfully, pray that they do so.

- 'Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread. And do not call on the Lord? There they are in great fear, For God is in the generation of the righteous, You shame the counsel of the poor, But the Lord is his refuge." (Psalm 14: 4 - 6)

5. Pentagon Slams WikiLeaks' Plan to Post More War Logs - Wall Street Journal

U.S. defense officials on Thursday responded angrily to WikiLeaks' plan to post additional Afghan war logs, with Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggesting that the move could further endanger the lives of Afghans who helped the U.S. war effort.

- There may be more to this story than meets the eye. Pray for the safety of our troops, and pray in the spirit over all the impact that the next release of information will bring. Pray!

- "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up against the workers of iniquity? Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would have settled in silence. If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up." (Psalm 94:16)

6. Obama hosts Ramadan dinner at the White House Tonight - The Hill

Obama is hosting an iftar -- the special evening meal observed during Ramadan -- tonight in the White House dining room. Celebrations like iftar dinners "remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam's role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings," Obama wrote in a statement Wednesday.

"Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality . . . a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country." [Like the 9-11 disaster for one] Read more. (See prayer, below.)

7. BREAKING -- Obama Endorses Mosque Project Near Ground Zero Site - Fox News

Obama forcefully supports controversial plan to build a mosque near the site of the former World Trade Center, saying America's founding principles demand no less. [Moslims always stick together]

- Something has to give, and soon. Keep praying . . .

- "For their rock [the Kaaba at Mecca] is not like our Rock [Jesus Christ], as even our enemies concede. . ." (Deut. 32:31)

8. Saudis Want 'Mecca Time' to Replace GMT - AOL News

For centuries, an astronomy observatory in Greenwich, London -- the namesake of Greenwich Mean Time -- has been the reference point for lines of longitude, ships' navigation on the world's seas and the time zones used today.

But Saudi Arabia wants to change that. It's building what it calls the largest clock in the world, atop the second-largest skyscraper in the world, in the Islamic holy city of Mecca -- in hopes of replacing GMT with "Mecca Time." Read more.

- As the Saudis continue in their desperate attempts to reestablish the caliphate, offer praise that it is written that, "of the increase of His Government and peace, there shall be no end." (Isaiah 9:7)

- "He . . . shall intend to change times and law . . ." (Daniel 7:25)

9. Heavy Rain and Mudslides Bring More Misery to China - ABC News

More heavy rain across western China has caused mudslides and flooding, killing at least 20 people and trapping more than 10,500 others, state media said on Friday, in the latest natural disasters to hit the country.

U.S. Official: Pakistan Flood Aid Inadequate So Far; Thousands of children at risk in Pakistan Floods - VOA

The international response to Pakistan's flood disaster has been inadequate so far, says Richard Holbrooke, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He says Washington is contacting international governments and is sending more aid, including helicopters to assist in relief efforts.

- It is God who directs the wind and the waves and the waters. Cry out to Him for mercy on behalf of all who are suffering in these floods, and pray especially for the safety of the children.

- "You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up the mighty rivers." (Ps. 74:15)

The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"'No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of LORD, and their righteousness is of Me,' says LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)

1. Major Powers Drawing up Framework for Mideast Talks - Reuters

Major powers are working on a statement to set the basis for direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the European Union's foreign policy chief told EU foreign ministers on Thursday.

2. Ban Ki-Moon's flotilla probe begins - Jerusalem Post

The UN panel appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to probe the May 31 Gaza-bound flotilla met for the first time Tuesday, discussing the incident "with good cooperation and in a positive atmosphere," according to a UN statement Thursday.

3. Israel aims to be space superpower - Jerusalem Post

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is set to approve an ambitious plan to turn Israel into a satellite superpower. According to details obtained by The Jerusalem Post, the aim is to increase sales of Israeli space platforms to nearly $8 billion a year.

4. IDF to dismantle Jerusalem barrier erected during intifada - Ha'aretz

On Sunday, the Israeli army will begin dismantling a concrete barrier installed eight years ago, during the second intifada, to shield Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood from arms fire from the neighboring West Bank Arab town of Beit Jala.

5. EU: Abbas close to accepting direct Mideast peace talks - Ha'aretz

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas may agree to direct Middle East peace talks with Israel as early as next week, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton said in a letter exposed by Reuters on Thursday.

6. Israel Radio finds PC way to mention suspected serial killer Elias Abuelazam is Arab - IMRA

Reports broadcast this evening on Israel Radio have studiously avoided directly mentioning ithat suspected serial killer Elias Abuelazam is a Christian Arab. The midnight news did however, feature an interview with his mother, who spoke in Arabic.

7. Iran to give Hizbullah weapons' - Jerusalem Post

Turkey and Iran are rumored to be helping Hizbullah obtain new weapons, Italian daily Corriere Della Sera reported on Wednesday evening.

"No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servant of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me Says the Lord." (Is. 54:17)

8. First Ramadan Friday Prayers in Jerusalem Conclude Uneventfully - Ynet News

The first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan concluded uneventfully at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Some 80,000 Muslim worshippers dispersed when the prayers were over.

The Daily Jot

The long term prophetic nature of yes being yes and no being no

In July 2005, I covered a story where six teens and two adults were arrested for praying in front of the White House. The US Park Police SWAT team made a big deal of it. One policeman was ordered to move in and he said while throwing his arms up in the air, "They are praying for God's sake." Those praying were cuffed and hauled away. Even as a journalist covering the event, the police told me to move out of the area or I would be arrested, too. Some regulation prevents people from occupying space on the sidewalk in front of the White House for more than a few minutes. This regulation apparently trumps the Constitutional right of freedom of religion, peaceful assembly and free speech.

On June 25th, some 50 high school students attending a Young America's Foundation leadership conference visited the Lincoln Memorial. They were so moved by the experience that they spontaneously broke into singing the National Anthem. Fox News reports the students were ordered to stop singing by the Park Police because they were violating a federal law because it was a demonstration in an area that must remain, as they put it, "completely content neutral." That was the first time the students attempted to sing the Anthem. Then one girl said, "This is America. We sing the National Anthem. Who says on the Lincoln Memorial that we can't sing the National Anthem? Thats what I want to know."

Then as a demonstration of civil disobedience, the students sang the National Anthem again. Apparently, the Park Police were worried that the students were being political by singing the Anthem because authorities kept stressing that any demonstration must be "content neutral." The students, however, were spontaneous and demonstrating never crossed their minds until they were told they couldn't sing the National Anthem on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Students interviewed said that singing the song became political after they were told they were breaking the law by singing it. The students, however, were not arrested as were those who prayed in front of the White House.

This nation is in deep trouble when praying before symbols of national government and singing the National Anthem at memorials to freedom and justice are considered breaking the law. I am offended that our government a would even consider these actions improper. I am also offended that our government would deliberately run this country amuck. We as Christians have a say. Many say firmly that these things are wrong, but our actions are not aligning with our words. As Jesus said, in Matthew 5:37, "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil." Time to back up what we say we believe. Its about changing hearts more than it is about elections.

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com

Biblical Guidelines in an Election

The Fourth Prerequisite:

Leaders who represent the people

The leaders were to represent the best interests of the people they are representing and not for their own self-interests.

All of the great leaders of the Bible were first and foremost SERVANTS, they sought for the best interest of the people they represented above their own self interest.

Scripture is full of examples of men who led the people, by being servants first. Here are a few:

1. Jacob - Patriarch to the nation of Israel

When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and will manifest My holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in their land which I gave to My servant Jacob. (Eze 28:25)

2. Joseph - a servant in Potiphars house prior to being elevated to Second in command in Egypt

He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold for a servant: (Psalm 105:17)

3. Moses-a high ranking government official in Egypt prior to being leader of Israel

Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. (Mal 4:4)

4. Daniel- a prince in Israel and high ranking government official of Babylon

The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" (Dan 6:20)

5. David- King of Israel

Then I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd. (Eze 34:23)

My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them. (Eze 37:24)

6. Jesus- King of Kings and Lord of Lords

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

"It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; (Mat 20:27)

CLOSING COMMENT:

It is our responsibility as citizens to find people like this and put them into office. For the most part the American people have become Bribe Makers - we put people into office who will give us economic benefits to a specific group or geographic region, but not in the best interest to the people of country as a whole. So, now we are at the point where the United States is being divided amongst groups and regions. -- Kurt S -- CHPP Prayer Partner

The Good News Corner

Israeli Researchers on Verge of Cancer Breakthrough

by Teresa Neumann, Breaking Christian News (August 13, 2010)

Doctor says treatment could "revolutionize cancer therapy . . . people who are not sick but are at high risk of developing cancer-like former cancer patients or carriers of certain genetic mutations-will be able to receive preventive treatment."

Israel National News reports that researchers at Tel Aviv University are developing a new family of medicines that could provide preventive treatment for cancer, or turn existing cancer into a chronic disease that one can live with for years.

According to the report, the study, which will be published in the September 2010 issue of FASEB Journal-the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, is based on the idea that doctors can prevent a cancerous tumor from growing bigger by damaging the process of angiogenesis-the formation of new blood vessels that provide the tumor with oxygen and nutrients.

The researchers tested the efficacy of innovative polymeric carriers designed to deliver medicines directly to the cancer cells. In this way, the medicines do not harm healthy tissue and the amount of medicine required is significantly reduced, as are its side effects.

The carriers were reportedly developed by Dr. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro, Dr. Paula Ofek and colleagues at Berlin University. Dr. Satchi-Fainaro was quoted as saying this kind of treatment could revolutionize cancer therapy, noting that people who are not sick but are at high risk of developing cancer-like former cancer patients or carriers of certain genetic mutations-will be able to receive preventive treatment.

In people who have cancer, notes the report, the medicines will keep the tumor in a state of "hibernation" and turn the cancer into a chronic disease that can be managed for many years, while maintaining a high quality of life. [Source: Gil Ronen - Israel National News]

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Yes, Lord!

Capitol Hill Prayer Partners "Daily Brief"

Friday, August 13, 2010

CHP Daily Brief - August 13, 2010