In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Breaking News
• News from Florida
• Update: Faith-Based Office
• VATICAN IS WRONG ON ISRAEL
• Election Prayers
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, October 27, 2010
"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever." (Psalm 125:1)
SHARIAH SCOREBOARD UPDATE
Many of you have visited the site for the Shariah Scoreboard . . .Thank you!
We are asking members of Congress to respond to this simple question:
"Will you stand FOR US Constitutional Law and AGAINST Shariah Law in the 112th Congress?"
If your member has NOT responded yet, please call him or her immediately and ask that they respond via email at: ehlevens@gmail.com; by phone at 913-648-0022, or by fax at: 913-648-7997.
TO CONTACT YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS, GO HERE.
LET'S MAKE SHARIAH ANOTHER ISSUE IN THIS ELECTION!
Any candidate that is pro-Shariah does not deserve a seat in the next Congress. Thank you.
To View the Shariah Scoreboard, go here.
The Daily Brief
1. Indonesia tsunami kills 113; scores more missing - AP
Rescuers battled rough seas Tuesday to reach remote Indonesian islands pounded by a 10-foot (three-meter) tsunami that swept away homes, killing at least 113 people. Scores more were missing and information was only beginning to trickle in from the sparsely populated surfing destination, so casualties were expected to rise.
- God, reach out to these precious people whose lives have suddenly been devastated by this tsunami. May they all call out to the Lord to save them as they repent of sin and turn to the living God in heaven. In Jesus Name.
- "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." (James 1:7)
2. Indonesia struggles as tsunami, volcano tolls rise - AP
MENTAWAI ISLANDS, Indonesia -- Helicopters with emergency supplies finally landed Wednesday on the remote Indonesian islands slammed by a tsunami that killed more than 300 people, while elsewhere in the archipelago the toll from a volcanic eruption rose to 30, including the mountain's spiritual caretaker. Two days after an undersea earthquake spawned the killer wave, the casualty count was still rising as rescuers landed for the first time on the Mentawai island chain, which was closest to the epicenter and the worst hit. Bad weather had kept them away previously. The first aerial surveys of the region hit by the 10-foot (three-meter) tsunami revealed huge swaths of land underwater and the crumbled rubble of homes torn apart by the wave. One house lay tilted, resting on the edge of its red roof, with tires and slabs of concrete piled up on the surrounding sand.
Read more
- Prayer request from missionaries on the ground: "Help us in prayer, brethren. Many of our brothers and sisters are missing in Mentawai because of the tsunami last night. The tsunami has caused panic and communication has been cut off. Info from Joseph Storehouse (relief supplies ministry of the Indo Prayer Network) in Mentawai: supplies needed immediately: 9 basic commodities (drinking water, food, etc), tents, emergency supplies, etc! Please support in prayer for the Joseph Storehouse team from Jakarta and Padang that is immediately making their way to the location. Weather is bad. 400 people are missing and 1000s are in need. Many are Christians. Please pray for the compassion of the Lord. Urgent! God bless you.
-"Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power." (Psalm 110:3)
3. Indonesian volcano erupts, up to 18 killed in ash - AP
Indonesia's most volatile volcano erupted Tuesday after scientists warned that pressure building beneath its dome could trigger the most powerful explosion in years. At least 18 people were killed, including a two-month-old baby, according to doctors and media reports.
- God, we again pray for those in Indonesia suffering from this volcano eruption. Oh God, move on the people to cry out to You for help and for salvation of their souls by the blood of Jesus. Draw them into the safe haven of Your arms and redeem their souls from sin. In Jesus Name.
- "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof. Yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments unto God." (Romans 6:12-13)
4. Obama appoints record number of gay officials - Fox News
Less than halfway through his first term, Obama has appointed more openly gay officials than any other president in history.
- God, this entire group from the top down need holy intervention in their lives. They are running in the opposite direction. We plead that You show them mercy and draw them by Your Holy Spirit to find Christ as Savior of their souls. Remove the scales from their eyes that they see the error of their ways. In Jesus Name.
- "And this is the will of God that sent Jesus, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40)
5. Obama Heads into Midterms at Lowest Approval Rating of Presidency - Harris Poll
Obama is spending the next week crisscrossing the country in support of Democratic candidates before this year's midterm elections. While the president may do a great job of energizing the base, he may not be able to convert any Independents who have yet to decide for whom they will vote. Currently, two-thirds of Americans (67%) have a negative opinion of the job Obama is doing while just over one-third (37%) have a positive opinion. This continues the president's downward trend and he is now at the lowest job approval rating of his presidency.
- God, may the blood of Jesus cover any underlying deception and double-mindedness that puts forth a smiling face but underneath lies distortion, which distortion promises a disturbing and damaging future for America. Because You are God, we pray for truthfulness and nothing but the truth to come forth and be laid bare before the eyes of the people. In Jesus Name.
- "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy: for I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 20:7)
6. President Clinton Says of Democrats, 'Reports of Our Demise Have Been Exaggerated' - ABC News
How bad will this election be for Democrats? Bill Clinton tells ABC News the answer depends on how badly Democrats want to win.
- God, bind and cast out the spirits of lawlessness and poisoned words that would deceive the voters. We declare that God shall demand an honest election and shall require a just judgment. There shall be godly circumspection carried out in every detail. This shall come from The Authority in heaven. In Jesus Name.
- "You shall not respect persons in judgment; but you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's." (Deuteronomy 1:17)
7. Multibillionaire investor George Soros backs Legalizing Marijuana - LA Times
George Soros, the multibillionaire investor who helped bankroll three initiatives to change drug laws in California, endorsed the marijuana legalization initiative Monday and plans to make a major financial contribution to the campaign.
- Father, the financial blessings of the Lord have been upon Mr. Soros and you have allowed him to be among the richest men in the world. Yet he uses his money to spread wickedness over the face of the earth. But what will he have when he dies? Bring him face to face with Jesus. Just one look into the eyes of Jesus will bring him to his knees in utter repentance of his sins. God, save this man's soul. Put a love for God in his heart that outshines all his wealth and riches. This one man has the finances to turn around the lives of the poor, destitute, starving people in rags to live a normal life of having enough. We plead for his soul. In Jesus Name.
- "There came one running, and kneeled to Jesus, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved for he had great possessions." (Mark 10:17,21,22)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24,26)
1. UN backs Palestinians plans for statehood by August - Jerusalem Post
The United Nations Security Council could support the Palestinian's unilateral bid for statehood if Israel does not renew its freeze on new settlement construction, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry warned Israel on Tuesday.
2. 'Hizbullah has 10,000 operatives manning 40,000 missiles' - Jerusalem Post
A report in the French daily Le Figaro late Monday revealed new information on the military wing of Hizbullah's structural make-up, with details on the guerrilla group's 10,000 operatives and arsenal of some 40,000 rockets. The report also focused on Syria's role in Hizbullah operations, in both manufacture and transportation of rockets.
3. Israeli general lays out plan for reviving Gaza - AP
The Israeli general who controls the gates of Hamas-run Gaza says he is pursuing a complex and delicate strategy: enable exports from and development in the impoverished Palestinian territory while somehow preventing the Islamic militants who rule it from getting credit for any progress.
The Daily Jot
With voter fraud rampart, look for upsets on November 2
Back in the early 1990's, I was the first businessman to be brought into a company of engineers. This owner, who gave me a percentage of his company to help him bring it forward, had an idea--the use of smart cards to encrypt and store data securely. He had invented a smart card reader and integrated encryption technology with the smart card. I helped identify the internet as one of the main uses for this technology and it wasn't long before high level security agencies as well as large Fortune 100 companies were using the technology to protect their computer data from internet hackers and espionage. Smart cards are a great way to identify a person, authenticate him, and provide secure access to data.
The only problem with using smart cards is that the programmers or the people in charge of administering how the smart cards are used must be trustworthy. In the technology business, one might refer to this as a single point of failure. And the single point of failure in voting machines and the use of smart cards to identify voters is those who program the cards and the machines. For something as simple as a data transaction over the internet, this type of security might work well as we have seen with billions of dollars in online transactions. But for counting one person, one vote, this type of security is suspect because of the politics of the programmer or administrator.
Stealing elections has been commonplace since we have been having them. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." There are many of both in the political business. And when the power base of a nation like the United States is on the line, these evildoers will do whatever evil they can to make sure they get the power. Such is the case with electronic voter machines. For example, Clark County, Nevada. The Washington Examiner reports that 75% of Nevada's residents live in Clark County. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's son Rory is a country commissioner and gubernatorial candidate from there.
In early voting the machines are automatically checking Harry's name. The voting machine technicians are members of the very left leaning, Service Employees International Union. SEIU gave $500,000 to the group opposing Reid's opponent. A voter in North Carolina pulled a straight Republican ticket, but the machine selected all Democrats--nine times before it got it right. The Craven County, NC election board said it was aware of "isolated issues" and that eventually voters are able to cast their ballots correctly. When politicians try to convince you that there is something better than paper ballots, deception is around the corner. There will be upsets November 2. And many will be upset.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
Breaking News
Federal Judge Says 'Yes' to Lawsuit Against Pro-Life Group
Ohio District Judge Timothy Black ruled today that Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-Ohio, can move forward with his challenge against a pro-life group over billboard ads.
The Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) came under fire for its ad campaign, which called out Driehaus, who purports to be pro-life, but voted for President Obama's health care law. The law will usher in the largest publicly funded expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade.
After learning about the billboard, Driehaus filed a complaint with the Ohio Election Commission (OEC) on Oct. 6, alleging SBA List violated two election laws with its billboards that show his picture and read, "Shame on Steve Driehaus! Driehaus voted FOR taxpayer-funded abortion."
Driehaus plans to depose several members of the SBA List, including its president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, and has requested thousands of documents and e-mails that discuss the billboards.
Should the Election Commission deem the billboards legal on Oct. 28, the billboards -- which have yet to go up -- would likely not be up long enough to effectively communicate SBA List's message.
Dannenfelser said that hardball politics is on display.
"The strategy is to tie up all of our time and money," Dannenfelser said, "in the weeks leading up to the election." (CitizenLink)
News from Florida
Florida Will Not Appeal Gay Adoption Case
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum announced Friday he would not appeal a gay adoption case to the Florida Supreme Court.
A Miami-Dade judge struck down a 30-year-old law prohibiting adoption by a person who identifies as homosexual, saying there was no "rational basis" for the law. Florida's Third District Court of Appeal ruled 3-0 last month to uphold that ruling.
"(T)he constitutionality of the ban on homosexual adoptions is a divisive matter of great public interest," McCollum said. "No doubt someday a more suitable case will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to uphold the constitutionality of this law."
John Stemberger, president and chief counsel for Florida Family Policy Council, was disappointed with the decision:
"Gay-identified activists will herald the Gill case as some sort of a victory. But sadly, the decision only comes at the expense of the children who -- the social science research overwhelmingly demonstrates -- do better in every category when raised by both a married mom and dad.
"The court only asked the narrow question of whether homosexual parents 'harm' children. The court never asked what research shows is best for children. Arguably, orphanages don't 'harm' children either, but this is certainly not what is best . . .
"The official public policy in Florida is now that two dads are just as good as a mom and a dad, and yet research bears out that this is empirically false." (CitizenLink)
Update: Faith-Based Office
New Rules May Affect Who Can Receive Funding for Faith-Based Initiatives
An October 8 story by Adelle Banks of the Religion News Service reported that the Obama administration is working on an executive order to change the church-state rules that apply when faith-based groups get federal funds. These rules concern religious activities performed by federal grantees and the sorts of organizations that are eligible for federal funds. The changes would presumably be those recommended by the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships back in March, 2010. The Council proposed some refinements and clarifications to the rules developed during the Bush and Clinton administrations, but no return to past practices that were biased against faith groups that officials regarded as "pervasively sectarian" or "too religious."
The story notes that the administration continues to review federal policy concerning religious hiring by faith-based grantees. Congressional and activist critics of religious hiring are not satisfied with just a review of the issue: they are loudly demanding that the freedom be curtailed as quickly as possible. There remains a possibility that the lame duck Congress after the election will try to attach language banning religious hiring to the budget measure that needs to be passed by early December so that the federal government won't have to halt its operations.
What about the new members of the Advisory Council (the terms of the first group ended six months ago)? Joshua DuBois, head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is quoted in the story as saying that they will be announced "pretty soon." He also estimated that the federal government has implemented or is in the process of implementing about half of the 64 recommendations from the Advisory Council.
And DuBois pointed out that, although his office may not be regularly in the news, "There's a tremendous amount of work going on helping faith-based organizations serve people in need." That's a useful reminder: the point of the federal faith-based initiative is not to make headlines or to throw around money, but rather to ensure that the federal government collaborates as effectively as possible with faith-based and secular private organizations in service of the poor and needy.
** If you want to review the Council's report, it is available here. The names of those who have been appointed to serve on the Advisory Council for Faith-Based Neighborhood and Partnerships are listed on page xi. The section dealing with church-state relations begins on page 117. (Source: From the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance)
VATICAN IS WRONG ON ISRAEL
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THE VATICAN'S LATEST, PAINFUL PRONOUNCEMENT ON ISRAEL IS WRONG
By Joel Rosenberg
(Jacksonville, Florida, October 25, 2010) -- A new headline in the Jerusalem Post reads: "Vatican synod calls for end to Israel's 'occupation': At conference on Christians in the Middle East, U.S. Melkite archbishop says: 'There is no longer a chosen people.'"
With all due respect, the Vatican is wrong on this issue. The entire Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - makes crystal clear again and again the Lord's love for the Jewish people, His decision to choose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants for His very own, and His eternal promise to give the Holy Land to the Jewish people. As such, it is the duty of all true followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to bless Israel and reaffirm her fundamental legitimacy and right to the Land. Yes, we should bless and love the Palestinians, as well, because our Lord Jesus said as a Jew living in Israel, "Love your neighbor," and, "Love your enemies." But we should never accept the false teaching that God has rejected the Jewish people or rescinded His promises to the nation of Israel. That simply is not Biblical.
Doesn't "forever" mean forever?
Interestingly, the Apostle Paul prophetically anticipated that the Christians in Rome would one day think that God would reject the Jewish people and His promises to them because many Jews initially rejected Jesus as the Messiah. So Paul wrote this in his letter to the Romans, chapter 11, verse 1 and 2: "I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew."
On the weblog, I've posted several more key passages from the Old Testament and New Testament, all of which affirm the Lord's love for the Jewish people and for the nation of Israel. Indeed, in the Book of Revelation, we specifically see the nation of Israel regathered and playing a key role in the End Times. God defends Israel. God fights for Israel against her enemies. God blesses Israel and the Jewish people. And then the Lord Jesus Christ Himself comes with His saints to reign from Jerusalem. To deny such truths is to deeply and fundamentally misunderstand the Word of God.
May I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to share this message with others. Be kind towards the Catholic leaders. Let us show them the mistakes they are making, but do so in love. Let us also teach followers of Jesus Christ around the world the Lord's deep love and compassion for the Jewish people, and His desire that they - and all people - come to faith in Messiah Jesus. [For more, and the latest headlines from the Middle East, please go to the weblog.]
Election Prayers
PRAYER FOR THE CANDIDATES:
(Part Two of Four)
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance." (Ps. 33:12)
5. Pray that each candidate fears God more than man.
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil." (Proverbs 3:7,8)
6. Pray that men and women will be elected who will stand for the restoration and usage of our Constitution as our founders intended.
But this is a people robbed and plundered; All of them are snared in holes. And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder and no one says. "Restore." (Isaiah 42:22)
7. Pray that if elected, each will vote according to the Word of God without fear.
"If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)
8. Pray that the elected candidate will honor Israel, their right as a nation, and be against the division of "the land" and the City of God.
"For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land. 3 They have cast lots for My people, Have given a boy as payment for a harlot, And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink." (Joel 3:1-3)
The Good News Corner:
Group Launches Media Blitz in Oklahoma for Anti-Shariah Ballot Initiative
A group opposed to 'Islamofascism' has launched a media blitz in Oklahoma supporting a state constitutional amendment that would prohibit courts from considering Shariah or international law in their decisions. A group vowing to fight "Islamofascism" has launched a media blitz in Oklahoma supporting a state constitutional amendment that would prohibit the courts from considering Islamic or other international law when ruling on cases in Sooner State courtrooms.
The campaign by Act! For America, founded by Lebanese American journalist Brigitte Gabriel, includes a radio ad that began airing Monday, opinion articles and robo-calls from former CIA director and Tulsa native James Woolsey urging residents to vote for the ballot initiative.
The group says the constitutional amendment will prevent the takeover of Oklahoma by Islamic extremists who want to undo America from the inside out. "We want to make sure that the people in Oklahoma are educated about what Shariah law is all about and its ramifications," Gabriel, president and CEO of the group, told FoxNews.com. "We're not taking any chances with this initiative passing marginally. We hope it passes with great victory." (Associated Press; Oct. 20, 2010) Read more.
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