Monday, October 18, 2010

CHPP Daily Brief - October 18, 2010

In This Issue
• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• The Taxman Cometh
• Russian About-face on Iran
• Iran Delays Nuclear Launch
• Netanyahu Makes a Deal
• Election News
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!

Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net

The Daily Brief - Monday, October 18, 2010

The Daily Brief

1. White House Stands by Tax Hike for Wealthy - Fox News

Senior adviser David Axelrod says the administration still wants tax cuts extended for middle-class families making up to $250G, but argues extending it to the upper-income bracket would not be worth the cost.

- Stand against this form of tyranny.

"Can a corrupt throne be allied with you - one that brings on misery by its decrees?" (Psalm 94:20)

2. Gibbs Claims Midterm Election About 'Local Issues,' Not Obama - Fox News

Though Republicans across the country are hammering Democratic opponents by linking them to Obama's policies, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs asserted Sunday that 2010 is a "local" election [Are they really that clueless?]. The Obama's chief spokesman was decidedly more upbeat about his party's chances than during an interview over the summer when he said Democrats could lose their House majority. Asked once again for his prediction, Gibbs said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Democrats will keep control of both chambers.

- With all respect to the White House Press Secretary, we beg to differ. This election is a referendum of national policy: for or against. Pray that Obama will not hide behind the facts, but will instead "get the message" that the voters are sending: this is not the change we wanted, and it's time to return to who we are as a people. In Jesus' Name, amen.

- "For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king, He will save us." (Isaiah 33:22)

3. Accusations Fly During Ky. Senate Debate - Fox News

GOP candidate Rand Paul angrily accuses Democratic rival Jack Conway of descending 'into the gutter' with a TV ad questioning the tea party favorite's faith during debate that has turned bitterly personal. - Pray, from this day forward, that all rhetoric -- on the part of all candidates -- return to civil discourse. Ask for a miracle . .. pray!

- "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4:8)

4. Mexican Assassins Headed to Arizona, U.S. Warned - Fox News

Drug smuggling gangs in Mexico have sent well-armed assassins, or "sicarios," into Arizona to locate and kill bandits who are ambushing and stealing loads of cocaine, marijuana and heroin headed to buyers in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security has warned Arizona law enforcement authorities. In a memo sent in May and widely circulated since, the department said: "We just received information from a proven credible confidential source who reported that a meeting was held in Puerto Penasco in which every smuggling organization who utilizes the Vekol Valley was told to attend. This included rival groups within the Guzman cartel."

- This DHS memo was sent in May, and the situation remains the same to this day. Pray to the God of the Breakthrough, that there will be a breakthrough in this matter, and that the grip of violence and terror that these assassins are attempting to put upon us will be broken. Ask God to forgive them (Satan hates that!), for they know not what they do, and pray for a divine encounter for each terrorist with the Lord Jesus Christ.

- "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of God." (Jonathan Edwards)

- "This far and no further, and here shall your proud waves be stopped." (Job 38:11)

5. French Minister: Saudis Warn Against Latest European Threat - Fox News

In the latest in a series of terror alerts for Europe, France's interior minister says warnings of a potential attack from Al Qaeda have been received in the past 'few days' from Saudi intelligence services. He said the warning of a potential attack by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula was received "in the last few hours, few days." Europeans were informed that "al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula was doubtless active or envisioned being active" on the "European continent, notably France," Hortefeux said during a joint TV and radio interview. "The threat is real," he said on RTL-LCI-Le Figaro's weekly talk show. Read more.

- In this environment of imminent peril, pray for the people of Europe, that they be strengthened in this hour. Pray for "all in authority" to be unusually alert to the movements of suspicious individuals, and ask that the grace of God intervene to disrupt the plans of these terrorists by divine intervention.

- "I sought the LORD and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

6. Iran Becomes President of OPEC - Arutz News

The 12 member nations of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have elected Iran, OPEC's second-largest oil producer and one of its founding members, to become the organization's 2011 president.

Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi announced Thursday the Islamic Republic would take up the rotating presidency in the 50-year-old organization for the first time in 36 years. Iranian Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi was unanimously elected to the position at a one-day meeting on October 14, during the organization's 157th session in Vienna. (OPEC, which provides 40 percent of the world's oil, is comprised of Algeria, Angola, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ecuador and Venezuela.)

The group also decided not to make any changes to its official oil production target, currently standing at 24.84 million barrels a day. Current President Wilson Pastor-Morris of Ecuador told reporters after the meeting the decision was made "because the market is good." The price of crude has varied between $70 to slightly more than $80 per barrel over the past year and was quoted at $81.48 a barrel at the close of Friday's trading,. Strong energy demand combined with an uncertain economic future has prompted OPEC to maintain steady prices, rather than risk slowing a global economic recovery.

- Nothing like greed to prompt the desire for more money and power! How magnanimous of the OPEC countries to share their wealth with Iran by making the nation its president when the UN and European countries are trying to bring Iran under sanctions. Some of Iran's money problems may be solved by this OPEC move. Pray that OPEC does not raise its prices under the administration of Iran. Pray that Mr. Mirkazemi is an honest man in spite of the regime he works for. Ask the Lord to prevent any sudden maneuvers by OPEC so that the world has enough oil for the winter and industry.

- "The Lord shall judge the people; judge me [Iran], according to my [Iran's] righteousness, and according to mine [Iran's] integrity that is in me [Iran]." (Psalm 7: 8)

7. Iran May Get Russian S-300 Interceptors After All - Via Venezuela - DEBKAfile

Russia appears ready to sell Venezuela the same five S-300PMU-1 air defense missile battalions it withheld from Iran because of international sanctions. debkafile's sources report Venezuela's ruler Hugo Chavez offered to buy them when he met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow Thursday, Oct. 14. Israel turned to Washington to try and block the transaction for its original client, Iran, to get hold of the sophisticated interceptors through its good friend Chavez. Read more.

- Pray much over this disheartening development. Just when Russia is backing down from supporting a nuclear Iran, here comes Venezuela. The dictators in charge of both nations are thugs; together they represent a den of thieves -- exactly the kind that Christ died for. Pray for the salvation of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez. Pray for a miracle . . pray!

- FOR ISRAEL: "Behold, all they that were incensed against you shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with you shall perish. You will seek them, and will not find them, even them that contended with you: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nothing." (Isaiah 41:11,12)

The Middle East in Focus

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

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto you, "Fear not; I will help you. Fear not, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel; I will help you," says the LORD, and your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14)

1. Abbas: Netanyahu fears for his government - Ynet News

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is determined not to resume peace talks until Israel renews its settlement construction freeze. In an interview which will be broadcast Sunday evening on Channel 1 TV Abbas said, "When Obama became president [by assuming that he had a U.S. birth certificate] he was the one who declared: 'Settlement construction must be stopped.' The United States is saying it, Europe is saying it and the whole world is saying it - why should I not say it?"

2. Fatah considering 'stone intifada' in J'lem - Ynet News

A Fatah source told Ynet on Sunday that following the resumption of settlement construction and the stalemate in the direct negotiations with Israel, many organization activists believe it is time to renew the violent struggle in the form of a "stone intifada."

3. Jordan's Abdullah: EU should help restart stalled Mideast peace talks - Ha'aretz

Jordan's king Abdullah II on Sunday reiterated his belief that the European Union should help get the Middle East peace process back on track as he met with Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, a royal court statement said.

4. Thousands march in Tel Aviv against loyalty oath - Jerusalem Post

Thousands of people marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest the cabinet's approval last week of a proposed amendment to the Citizenship Law that would require naturalized citizens to pledge loyalty to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

5. Ahmadinejad: Israel and its allies are all on their way to hell - Ha'aretz

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said that Israel would "soon go to hell" and called on the West to drop support for the Jewish state.

6. We'll never sign agreement recognizing Jewish state - Jerusalem Post

Any peace agreement which requires the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state or an exchange of land is out of the question, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Friday.

The Daily Jot

End Times Prophecy--Watching Israel, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon

News events of late point to an acceleration toward end time prophecies. For example, there have been many, many stories about major nations seeking a global currency. There have been steps taken by the largest nations to coordinate their economies during this recent economic collapse. The United Nations has continued to advocate global governance and even documents presented by the United States government are calling for more and more global governance. As we see technology advance and more economic calamity, there is an acceleration toward that Revelation 13:17, "That no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

Indeed, we know that there will be wars and rumors of wars as prophesied by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24. We also know that unlike any time since the crucifixion of Christ, the Jewish nation of Israel has been reestablished and is entering its 62 year, closer each day to the day of the Lord as described in Matthew 24 and the Matthew 24:32-34 parable of the fig tree where Christ says, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

As we look at certain news stories of the day, the prophesy of Isaiah 17:1 comes to mind: "The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported October 8 that Google Earth photographs show extensive construction of several military bases throughout Syria and long range Scud missiles located about 20 miles northeast of Damascus. According to the report, the Iranian-backed Hezbullah terrorist group is in charge of the bases and the missiles. Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad boosted Hezbullah with a two-day tour of Lebanon's border region with Israel.

Ahmadinejad again threatened the existence of Israel, saying, "Pay attention. This hollow Zionism feels it has reached a dead end, and may stage new treacherous acts to rescue its existence and to create opportunities for itself. I announce here and now that any new treacherous act will merely shorten this fabricated regime's disgraceful life.'' Persia, modern day Iran, is one of the nations mentioned in the Ezekiel 38 prophecy of the Gog/Magog war where God destroys the enemies of Israel in a colossal end time battle. Iran is currently making a large play in the Middle East in unifying Turkey (once thought to be an ally of Israel), Syria, and Lebanon against Israel. The prophesy clock is moving forward.

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

The Taxman Cometh

The Taxman Cometh: Stopping the Obama Tax Hikes

When Congress passed tax relief for families in 2001 and 2003, some Members of Congress insisted the tax cuts be staggered and temporary, with the result being a large scheduled tax hike in 2011.

If these cuts are not made permanent, come 2011, average taxes would spiral to $1,800 per taxpayer. A family of four earning $40,000 would see an increase of over $2,300 in taxes. In fact, if President Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress allow the tax relief to expire at the end of 2010, Americans will pay about $380 billion more in taxes each year.

To learn more about these impending tax hikes, and what you can do to stop them, join FRCAction and Liberty Central for a national webcast, Taxman Cometh, on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. ET as we consult the experts on what these Obama tax hikes will mean for you!
To register for this event, go here.

Russian About-face on Iran

Russian About-face on Missile Deal Infuriates Tehran

Russia's concession to international pressure by reneging on a contract and withholding delivery of the sophisticated S-300 missile system to Iran has drawn sharp criticism from Tehran. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev announced the Russian decision, saying that the deal would violate UN Security Council sanctions against Iran.

On Monday [October 11], Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi unleashed a vitriolic condemnation of Russia, insisting that the sanctions were referenced in the contract and that the delivery date stated in the contract was prior to the imposition of sanctions. The Iranian state news agency is reporting a growing call in Tehran for a lawsuit against Moscow in order to "restore the inalienable rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

(By The Media Line, October 11, 2010)

PRAYER POINT:

Praise the Lord for Russia's decision to adhere to the UN Security Council sanctions against Iran. Pray that they will remain firm in this decision and no lawsuit against them will materialize.
SCRIPTURE:

"He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known." (Proverbs10:9) (Source: Bridges for Peace)

Iran Delays Nuclear Launch

Iranian Nuclear Reactor Launch Delayed

Amidst reports that the Stuxnet computer worm has hit Iran, the nation's IRNA news group reported earlier this month that the Bushehr nuclear reactor start-up process had been delayed, for weeks at least. Not surprisingly, the Iranians said Stuxnet was not the cause of the nuclear reactor delay. According to the Los Angeles Times, citing IRNA, Iranian atomic energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi said a reason for the delay was a leak in the pool holding the nuclear fuel rods for the reactor.

He said the leak has been fixed. According to the Iranian Fars news agency, Salehi told reporters last week that Iran's first nuclear power reactor is supposed to start generating electricity in mid-December. This apparently marks a change from Salehi's comments In September, when he said the plant was to join the national power grid in the fall. He has expressed the hope that it would reach full nominal power next spring.

It should be noted that the Bushehr reactor has safeguards in place that are supposed to prevent Iran from using the spent nuclear fuel for weapons, meaning it is not the greatest threat in the Iranian program. At this point, the Stuxnet malware is believed to be state-run sabotage targeting Iran's nuclear program, although no nation has stepped forward and claimed responsibility.

Dr. Emily Landau, senior research fellow and director of the Arms Control and Regional Security Program at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, told Bridges for Peace in an interview that sabotage cannot permanently derail Iran's nuclear pursuits unless somehow enough delays could be achieved until there was a genuine regime change in Iran. However, she noted that predicting the regime change process is extremely difficult and risky.

She also warned that the gained time needs to be put to good use. In her opinion, the most likely way to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis will come from "some kind of hard negotiation that needs to take place with the regime in Iran."

"Even if the delay is three-to four years, then the major challenge is what you do with that time," said Landau. "Because if you gain more time just in order to waste more time, then you haven't done very much unless your ultimate goal is just to wait it out until there is finally a regime change. but short of that, if you're thinking of dealing with the current regime, then delays are fine, but they're only delays, and the time that you gain is only a really positive thing if you use it in order to push things to the next stage and finally resolve this crisis." (Bridges for Peace)

PRAYER POINT:

Praise the Lord for this delay. Pray that the time will be used constructively to resolve the crisis. Pray that if this is indeed the result of sabotage, that other such actions will be effective as well.

SCRIPTURE:

"With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks." (Psalm 18:-26-27)

Netanyahu Makes a Deal

Netanyahu Offers Settlement Freeze for Jewish State Recognition

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made political waves on Monday [October 11] by offering to seek an extension of the settlement construction freeze in exchange for the Palestinian leadership acknowledging Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Speaking in the first meeting of the Israeli Knesset [parliament] winter session in comments posted on the Prime Minister's Office Web site, Netanyahu said, "What could convince the government and, more so, the citizens of Israel, that the Palestinians are truly ready to live with us in peace? What would show that there has been a genuine change on the Palestinian side?

"There is one thing. I transmitted the message through quiet channels during the past month, and I am now saying it here, publicly-if the Palestinian leadership will unequivocally say to its people that it recognizes Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, I will be ready to convene my government and ask for another suspension of construction for a fixed period. Because the Palestinians expect us to recognize the Palestinian state as their nation-state, we can expect them to recognize the Jewish state as our nation-state."

Netanyahu noted that the recognition request was not a precondition to talks, but merely a "trust-building" measure. He said they were prepared to continue the talks "without any conditions." According to the Jerusalem Post, the Palestinians rejected the recognition-for-freeze exchange, with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman saying the two issues were not connected.

Netanyahu's offer comes as the current peace talks are threatened by the Palestinian determination not to continue the negotiations without a further settlement freeze. The Palestinian demand comes after they waited for most of the 10-month freeze period before returning to direct negotiations with Israel.

With a freeze-for-recognition swap unlikely at this point, Netanyahu said in his speech that the US is "attempting other means to ensure that the talks take place." Said Netanyahu, "The United States has made various suggestions, and we are seriously and responsibly considering them, in accordance with Israel's national interests, first and foremost security."

(By Joshua Spurlock, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, October 11, 2010)

PRAYER POINT:

Pray that Netanyahu will be directed by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in all matters having to do with these negotiations and that God 's will be done.

SCRIPTURE:

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:8)

(Source: Bridges for Peace)

Election News

CONGRESSIONAL SCORECARD:

Americans United for Life (AUL)

This week, AUL Action launched an online voter information campaign - Life Counts - that includes a Congressional Scorecard showing Representatives' voting record on eight key life issues. The new feature enables users to input a zip code to see how their Members of Congress scored on Life. Pro-life activists can also use Facebook and Twitter to help get the word out to friends and family that in this election, Life Counts.

To visit this site and to learn how your senators and member of Congress have voted on these key, pro-life issues, go here.

NOTE: ONE OF THE ISSUES SITED IS HOW YOUR MEMBER VOTED ON SUPPORTING THE TAXPAYER FUNDING OF ABORTIONS UNDER OBAMACARE.

The Good News Corner

THE GREAT COMMISSION MAP

(Wait til you see THIS!!)

Global Media Outreach (GMO) is a global ministry presenting the good news of Jesus Christ online 24/7. As a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, their goal is to stay on the cutting edge of global communication technologies to share Jesus and help believers grow in their faith worldwide
Learn more about their ministry by watching this video.

To see a select list of some of the many websites that Global Media Outreach maintains, please click here.

GMO has developed an online MAP OF THE GREAT COMMISSION, tracking in realtime men and women around the world who are SEEKING to know more about the Savior, and who are MAKING DECISIONS FOR CHRIST!

It is absolutely fascinating and thrilling to watch the nations come to the Lord, as this map is updated about every 10 seconds!

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT MAY REQUIRE A FEW MINUTES FOR THIS MAP TO BE DOWNLOADED INTO YOUR COMPUTER THE FIRST TIME . . .

So, please see for YOURSELF as the Gospel is being proclaimed to the nations, one believer at a time.

To learn more about becoming a part of this dynamic ministry, please visit the GMO website by going here.

[Final note from CHPP:

We were on a conference call over the weekend, all gazing upon this map at the same time. We were so excited to see what is happening . . . we simply could NOT turn it off! Praise the LORD!!

Join us in praying that millions of souls worldwide will be drawn to this online missionary resource, and will come to the kingdom . . . for such a time as this. Amen!]

Worship with Us Today!

Breathe on Me - Crystal Aikin

Yes, Lord, breathe on me, we pray . . .

[Note: as you visit this video, please know that CHPP does not endorse all of the videos that are also cited on this page. Thank you.]