In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Calm Restored to Jerusalem
• Is Obama Hiding Something?
• "PROSECUTE AHMADINEJAD"
• Congress to Move on China Currency Problem
• Russia Cancels Iran Missile Sale
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, September 23, 2010
" . . . he that shall endure unto the end, he shall be saved." (Mark 13:13)
The Daily Brief
1. House Republicans Roll Out Their 'Pledge to America' - Fox News
Led by Minority Leader John Boehner, House Republicans unveil sweeping conservative agenda that calls for reining in federal spending, permanently extending all Bush-era tax cuts, and repealing President Obama's signature health care law.
- Lord we ask that the political base of America would move past sugary words and into actions that truly bring righteousness to our government. Let us bring forth fruit that lasts, and freedom that removes the government's control over our lives. We place You, Lord, in the highest place in our lives, past the ideas of man, and above all that the political establishment can say.
- "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the Lord ponders the hearts." (Proverbs 21:2)
2. GOP senators demand assurance of no 'backdoor' illegals amnesty - Washington Times
A series of new administration memos have effectively created a backdoor amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants, Senate Republicans charged Tuesday in a letter demanding that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano explain the policies.
- Lord we are continually appalled at the administrations' "backdoor methods" of governing. They appoint people in ways that do not require Congressional approval; they make "memos" as decrees which bypass the legislative process. Father we ask that You seal up these methods and lock the doors against them. And we pray that these amnesty memos will be thwarted and retracted.
- "Your tongue devises mischief, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness." (Psalm 52:2-3)
3. Terrorists Trying to Recruit U.S. Residents Is Latest Challenge, U.S. Says - AP
Efforts by terrorists abroad to radicalize and recruit U.S. residents present new security threats, three top Obama administration officials told Congress on Wednesday.
The threat posed by homegrown extremists shows that the battle against terrorism has become more complex in the past year, underscoring the challenges of pinpointing and blocking plots, said Michael Leiter, director of the National Counterterrorism Center.
Significant Developments in Terror Threats Since 9/11, Officials Say - ABC News
The nation's top counter terrorism officials were blunt. The threat from within -- of Americans willing to commit terrorist acts -- is growing. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III told a congressional hearing today that a spike in recent terrorism cases is direct evidence of the evolving threat.
- Father, grant our security community knowledge of all plans against us. We ask that You visit the people of America to shore up our hearts against inroads by terrorists who wish to exploit our bitterness or our anger.
- "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." (Isaiah 54:17a)
4. URGENT!!! Religion Debate That's Going by the Book - Fox News
Texas State Board of Education, which sets the standard for school textbooks across the country, is set to vote on a resolution aiming to block what some say is an anti-Christian, pro-Islamic bias in world history textbooks.
- Lord, in this debate over truth let Your truth prevail over man's lies. We pray that textbooks that speak Your truth will be chosen over those which twist the facts. We bind the lying spirits which seek to destroy our children, and loose Your Spirit over the people involved in this textbook debate.
- "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him, neither knows Him; but You know Him; for He dwells with you and shall be in you." (John 14:16-17)
5. Ahmadinejad Warns of Capitalism's Defeat in Tepid U.N. Speech - Fox News
Before a sparse audience, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used 10 minutes on the world stage Tuesday to declare capitalism near death while urging world leaders to "spare no effort" in starting to plan for a new world order.
- Lord we praise You that no plan of men will rush the time of the one world government. We place our trust in You to reveal the foolishness of men who do not know You. We pray that we as Your people will "spare no effort" in growing close to You and listening for Your Voice.
- "Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction." (Proverbs 10:14)
6. Obama Presses for Peace on U.N. Stage - Fox News
The president says 'now is the time' for Middle East nations to achieve peace - and fires the first salvo in public confrontation with Iran on U.N. stage.
- Offer praise that Obama is beginning to confront Iran, head on, about its nuclear agenda. Continue to stand in the gap for our nation as we pursue a man- made "peace" in the Middle East that would divide Israel and stand outside of the will of God. May Father yet have mercy upon us . . .
- "Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land." (Joel 3:2)
7. Russian general confirms Iran missile deal frozen - Ha'aretz
Russia will not deliver S-300 air-defense missiles to Iran, the armed forces chief of staff said on Wednesday, confirming a government decision to hold off on a deal that has deeply worried Washington and Israel.
- Lord we praise You for this action by the Russian government to stop the sale of missiles to Iran. We thank You for yet another short season of time before the final battle!
- "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever' for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons . . " (Daniel 2: 20-21a)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"the nations . . . shall come up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." (Zechariah 14:16)
1. Barak to Abbas: 'We can't miss breakthrough opportunity' - Jerusalem Post
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday that "we must not miss the opportunity to reach a breakthrough," during a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in New York.
2. Israel Police leave Temple Mount as calm returns to Jerusalem - Ha'aretz
Calm appeared to be prevailing on the streets of Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, after hours of bloody clashes apparently sparked by the shooting of a Palestinian by an Israeli security guard in the early hours of the morning. Police also redeployed from the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, situated on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem.
3. Bill Clinton: 50:50 chance for peace in Middle East - Ynet News
Israelis and Palestinians resumed their dialogue in New York Tuesday after a tense meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
4. Bill Clinton claims Russian immigrants obstacle to peace - Jerusalem Post
Russian immigrants in Israel could be one of the main obstacles to achieving peace with the Palestinians, Bill Clinton told reporters in New York on Tuesday, according to Foreign Policy magazine.
5. Mideast Gulf Widens Over 'Jewish State' Question - CNS News
Two incidents in New York this week have underlined the gulf between Israel and the Palestinian Authority over an issue Israel maintains is crucial if the Mideast conflict is to end -- Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
6. UN human rights experts say flotilla raid broke int'l law - Jerusalem Post
A report by three UN-appointed human rights experts Wednesday said that Israeli forces violated international law when they raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla killing nine activists earlier this year.
The Daily Jot
The Christian's guide to election year politics
Across the country, pollsters are finding that the American people are kind of fed up with the current political and economic environment. Liberal candidates are losing ground--whether they be Republican or Democratic. And conservatives are gaining ground. Or a least so it seems. Let's put it another way: Those who are connected to the current socialist movement and have been stubborn enough to stick to their public rhetoric in support of it are losing ground. Those who are espousing a more conservative contrast to the socialistic rhetoric are gaining ground. Jesus warned in Matthew 24:4 of the latter days, "Take heed that no man deceive you."
Jesus was, of course, talking about the spiritual matters of deceivers of the faith. But in a sense these politicians that seek your favor on election day are nothing more or less than spiritual. No matter how the TEA Party tries to distance itself from talking about anything moral, bottom line much of the leadership is Christian. The TEA Party just doesn't want to be tagged with being religious extremists. So they keep their religion to themselves and are still tagged as religious and conservative extremists. Nevertheless, the TEA Party is making headway for real change away from the socialist policies that have been held by both parties. Just watch out for the deceivers--like Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts.
Ever noticed how both the Democratic and Republican candidates are running away from faith issues? Democrats generally try to recast the faith issue as something of a social justice cause. They generally try to bend their political agenda to fit the audience's faith tradition, all the while hiding their personal beliefs. How many times have you heard, "Abortion is not for me, but I do not want to impose my beliefs on someone else"? Republicans are just as bad, trying to hide their faith in various ways. In front of Christian groups, Republicans have picked up enough of the "Christianese" language to make people believe they are Christian, but not offend others. In the end, nobody really knows.
Jesus said in Matthew 10:33, "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Maybe this ought to be a measuring stick for voters. Another one might be when Jesus said in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." You see, there is no righteousness apart from Christ. And we should thirst after His righteousness. If a political candidate says all the right things, we need to see how he lives because actions will tell us the truth of his heart. If his words and actions do not match up with the righteousness of God, how then can a Christian vote for him--TEA Party, Democrat or Republican?
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Calm Restored to Jerusalem
Israel Police leave Temple Mount as calm returns to Jerusalem
Calm appeared to be prevailing on the streets of Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, after hours of bloody clashes apparently sparked by the shooting of a Palestinian by an Israeli security guard in the early hours of the morning. Police also redeployed from the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, situated on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Israeli riot police had entered the mosque compound on Wednesday afternoon, to push back Palestinians who had thrown rocks at the Western Wall below, a police spokesman said. The Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, had been filled with worshipers praying ahead of the Sukkot festival which begins at sundown. (Ha'aretz) Read more.
Is Obama Hiding Something?
That's the question asked today by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, who notes that security at the CIA has been ramped up while top intelligence officials in Europe are scrambling. Meanwhile, there is silence from Obama.
Is something up? Bernard Squarcini, France's top counterterrorism official, said Saturday, "All the lights are red. They are flashing from everywhere . . . objectively, there are reasons for worry." That's a pretty serious statement.
Here is an Associated Press headline from yesterday: "Interpol Worried About Spike In Extremist Websites." Over the weekend, I read a report that caught my attention: John Brennan, Obama's National Security Advisor, and his Canadian counterpart were in Saudi Arabia days ago meeting with the king and the Saudi intelligence chief. Maybe it was just a routine courtesy visit. But the Ignatius column suggests it could be much more.
While we cannot live in a constant state of fear, we know this administration is naïve about national security. It dares not speak the word "terrorism," instead preferring euphemisms like "man-caused disasters." It thinks jihad is a noble term. It is reaching out to our enemies in Iran, while pressuring Israel to make concessions for peace. But surely if we were at risk, we'd be hearing from the White House, rather than the Washington Post, right? (Gary Bauer)
"PROSECUTE AHMADINEJAD"
URGENT MESSAGE FROM CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL:
"PROSECUTE AHMADINEJAD"
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly today. While some will leave the hall in protest, many will stay and even applaud this madman.
We believe that the next time Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears before an international tribunal, it must not be as an honored guest before the United Nations General Assembly. It must be as a criminal in the dock of the International Criminal Court. And we have some very important friends who share this belief. We have joined forces with these friends to produce a powerful new video promoting our petition to indict Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the crime of incitement to genocide.
Our allies in this effort include Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, Senator Joseph Lieberman, Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, and Malcolm Hoenlein of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Please help us spread this video to as many people as possible. Please click the icons below to forward it to your friends, post it on your Facebook page, tweet it, and help spread the word!
For the sake of those who died in the Holocaust he denies, For the sake of those who would die in the Holocaust he threatens, For the sake of all who could be victims of future genocides, Please act today.
To sign this petition, go here.
Congress to Move on China Currency Problem
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers may vote next week on legislation that would penalize China for keeping its currency artificially low, a touchy issue that has gained broader political support as congressional elections approach.
The decision to move a bill to pressure China to let its yuan currency appreciate against the U.S. dollar comes a day before Obama is due to meet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in New York.
A House of Representatives committee scheduled a vote for Friday on a China currency bill, and a Democratic aide said the full House was expected to vote on the measure next week.
Critics inside and outside Congress say China deliberately undervalues its currency by as much as 25 percent to 40 percent to give Chinese companies an unfair trade advantage, hurting U.S. exports and job prospects.
Obama said on Monday that China had not done enough to raise the value of the yuan, keeping up Washington's tough rhetoric on Chinese policy as U.S. lawmakers planned legislation to punish Beijing.
"It is time for Congress to pass legislation that will give the administration leverage in its bilateral and multilateral negotiations with the Chinese government," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
"If China allowed its currency to respond to market forces, it could create a million U.S. manufacturing jobs and cut our trade deficit with China by $100 billion a year, with no cost to the U.S. Treasury."
Lawmakers have pressed this issue for years with little success, but it appears to be gaining momentum -- and bipartisan support -- six weeks before congressional elections in which the high unemployment rate is the top issue.
The bill being considered was co-sponsored by a Democrat and Republican, and several Republican lawmakers strongly criticized China's currency policy at congressional hearings on the matter last week.
Prospects for action in the Senate, which would also have to approve legislation, is uncertain. Key senators have said time may be too tight since lawmakers hope to leave Washington in just a few weeks to campaign ahead of the November elections.
The U.S. Treasury Department said it would "carefully examine" any proposals put forward by Congress. (Read more)
PRAYER POINT:
Few intercessors are experts in the realm of international finance, but we do know that we serve a God of justice and of equity. Lay hands on this article and pray over it in the Spirit; our heavenly Father knows it all, and He has a plan and a purpose for these proposed negotiations. Praise Him!
SCRIPTURE:
"The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1)
Russia Cancels Iran Missile Sale
Russia announced another about-face in its plans to sell Iran S-300 missiles but left the door open for a change in policy, depending on how Iran responds to international demands for United Nations inspection of its nuclear facilities. "A decision has been made not to supply S-300s to Iran. They are definitely subject to the sanctions, [and] time will show. It will depend on Iran's behavior," Russian Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov told reporters Wednesday. Russia issued a similar announcement last June but then agreed to go through with delivery of the missile system. (Israel National News) Read more.
Prayer Point:
Offer praise to the LORD for this answer to prayer!
Scripture:
"The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
The Good News Corner
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To "plug into" this awesome station, go here.
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Worship with Us Today!
"Oh Lord, Our Lord," - Marty Goetz
Yes, Lord, how majestic is YOUR NAME!
