In This Issue• The Daily Brief • The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot #1
• The Daily Jot #2
• World's Christians in Danger
• Obama Silent on Fogel Slayings
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, March 22, 2011
"For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Romans 8:22)
The Daily Brief
1. CBO: Obama Understates Deficits by $2.3 Trillion - AP
A new assessment of Obama's budget released Friday says the White House underestimated future budget deficits by more than $2 trillion over the upcoming decade. The estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says that if Obama's February budget submission is enacted into law it would produce deficits totaling $9.5 trillion over 10 years - an average of almost $1 trillion a year.
The estimate adds urgency to calls on Capitol Hill for action on runaway deficits that many economists fear - if left unchecked - could trigger a European-style debt crisis that could force draconian measures such as cutting federal benefits for seniors or forcing broad-based tax increases. Just on Friday, 64 senators - 32 in each party - signed a letter to Obama calling on him to take the lead in coming up with a comprehensive deficit reduction plan along the lines of a plan issued last year by his own deficit commission.
• Lord, help us stop this overspending by this administration and government officials. The economy is so tremendously high. Let solid Christian conservatives make the necessary cuts to the budget, and have a plan of action from you. Let them have favor with all the citizens. Help us to Lord to implement a new budget quickly. We need a miracle!
• Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. (Exodus 6:6)
2. Growing Evangelical Clout Shapes Political Debate with 2012 Looming
- The Blaze
Republican presidential candidates take note: the clout of social and religious conservatives is growing in politically crucial Iowa. And these activists are driving the debate here toward cultural issues -- and away from the economy -- just as the GOP sets out to find an opponent for Obama. With Obama's re-election race looming next year, this constituency - made up heavily of evangelical Christians - is intent on playing a major role in choosing the winner of next year's Iowa GOP caucuses.
The increased activity by this crop of conservatives has been driven in part by a huge fight in the state last year over gay marriage. Voters ousted three Supreme Court justices because of their role in a decision striking down a ban on same-sex marriage. Activists also were energized by huge GOP gains in the state last fall, including ousting a Democratic governor.
• Lord, we thank you for answered prayers. We pray that you will continue to raise up men and women who have a heart for you. We pray for people who are committed and obedient to you. Lord, let them have favor with the voters. We don't want pompous people. We want truly humble people to serve our highest offices.
• For this reason we also . . . do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9,10)
3. Existing-Home Sales Plunge, Setback for Housing Recovery - Reuters
The National Association of Realtors said Monday sales fell 9.6 percent month over month to an annual rate of 4.88 million units, snapping three straight months of gains. The percentage decline was the largest since July. Oversupply of homes and a relentless wave of foreclosures are pressuring prices, holding back recovery in the sector, whose collapse helped to tip the U.S. economy into its worst recession since the 1930s.
• Father God, the real estate forecast may be bad for housing - but we pray that you will quickly restore the value of homes. Let people be frugal in their lives and not over extend themselves financially.
• "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Mt. 6:25,33)
4. Army Apologizes After Published Photos Show U.S. Soldiers Posing With Afghan Corpse - Fox News
The U.S. Army is apologizing for any "distress" caused by a German newspaper's publication Monday of photos depicting U.S. Army soldiers posing with a dead Afghan man, the basis of a court-martial against five soldiers connected to the murders of three Afghan civilians last year. "Der Spiegel published photographs depicting actions repugnant to us as human beings and contrary to the standards and values of the United States Army. We apologize for the distress these photos cause," the Army said in a statement.
"These court-martial proceedings speak for themselves. The photos appear in stark contrast to the discipline, professionalism and respect that have characterized our soldiers' performance during nearly 10 years of sustained operations," the statement continues.
• Heavenly Father, we are grieved that something like this should happen. We pray for these men to repent of their actions. We pray against any backlash on the other troops. Guard them from retaliatory actions from the terrorists. Do not let anyone use this for propaganda. Give commanders wisdom.
• Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)
5. US Demanding Gay Rights Support at UN Body - AP
The Obama administration will introduce its first statement calling for the United Nations' top human rights body to combat discrimination against gays and lesbians around the world, completing a U.S. reversal from years of ambiguity on the subject during the presidency of George W. Bush. Obama has stepped up the case for gay rights in recent months, winning a congressional vote to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. military and urging last weekend in a joint statement with the Brazilian president for the establishment of a special investigator to monitor respect for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals in the Western Hemisphere.
Supporting the statement Tuesday will be newcomers such as Thailand, Rwanda, El Salvador, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. The growing movement also highlights the gradual shift in the U.N.'s top human rights body, which has previously scorned the plight of gays and lesbians. In 2003, the council's predecessor body, the Human Rights Commission held a heated dispute after a proposal made by Brazil and backed by European nations. Muslim countries balked, saying they couldn't accept any reference to the term "sexual orientation." Pakistan's ambassador went further, telling diplomats he preferred the term "sexual disorientation."
• They rush to do evil, Lord. Homosexuality is a lifestyle that is destructive to the mind, body, spirit, and soul. We pray these people will come out of that abomination - and that those who do - will be strong witnesses to those that remain in that lifestyle.
• These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him . . . A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, (Proverbs 6:16, 18) You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)
6. Unemployment Rises in Nearly All Metro Areas - CBS
Unemployment rose in nearly all of the 372 largest U.S. cities in January compared to the previous month, mostly because of seasonal changes such as the layoff of temporary retail employees hired for the holidays. The report shows that metro areas hit hard by the housing crisis are still struggling with high unemployment. At the same time, a strong recovery in the manufacturing sector, particularly among U.S. auto companies, has bolstered many smaller cities in the Midwest.
Meanwhile, several smaller cities that rely heavily on manufacturing have shown significant improvement since last January. The unemployment rate in Rockford, Ill., fell 5.3 percentage points in the past year, to 13.7% from 19%. That was the steepest drop in the nation. Year-to-year comparisons help filter out seasonal changes.
• Lord, scripture says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." So we pray that with all of our hearts, soul, strength and minds, we will serve you fervently, faithfully and obediently. We cannot be blessed until our hearts are right. From the oldest to the youngest, turn us back to you.
• The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. and not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. (Joshua 21:44, 45)
7. Unemployment Adds 9 Million Uninsured in U.S. - USA Today
The millions of Americans who lost their jobs and their health benefits during the recession often had no way to regain affordable health coverage, leaving them and their families at risk of financial ruin, according to a new report from The Commonwealth Fund. As health care costs continued to climb, both insured and uninsured had trouble affording care, the report states. In fact, an estimated 75 million Americans skipped doctor visits, prescriptions and recommended tests or treatments in 2010 because of costs. That's up from 47 million in 2001, the researchers noted.
With rising costs comes more medical debt, the report added. In 2010, 73 million Americans reported they had trouble paying for medical care or were saddled with medical debt. That's up from 58 million in 2005, the researchers pointed out. These debts have forced 29 million people to use their savings to pay medical bills, while 17 million have put these costs on credit cards and 22 million couldn't afford food, heat and rent due to medical bills. In addition, medical bills forced 4 million into bankruptcy, the researchers found.
• Lord, with you there is no lack. As our largest group of citizens get older, we pray that everyone will be able to find natural ways to remain healthy. Open doors for truly knowledgeable people to teach on how to make healthy diets and lifestyles, so that we will remain healthy.
• Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine." (Ezekiel 47:12)
8. U.S. Nuke Officials: Japan Crisis "Stabilizing" - CBS
A top official at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Monday that the situation at the Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant appears to be stabilizing. Dr. William Borchardt, the NRC's executive director for operations, said that containment vessels at three Fukushima reactors are intact and receiving injections of cooling water and that the formerly volatile situation involving spent fuel pools has also stabilized. NRC staff is in Tokyo conferring with Japanese government and industry officials on the disaster.
Borchardt laid out a plans for immediate "temporary inspections" of the 104 operating nuclear reactors in the U.S., as well as a 90-day review of nuclear safety and a longer-term look at "lessons learned" from the Japanese disaster that will likely emerge over months or years.
• Lord, we give you thanksgiving for this answer to prayer. We pray that nations will continue to work to speedily turn Japan upright again and help the nation get back on its feet. Stop the possibility of any more calamities with the nuclear plants. Help with the shelter, food, salvation, and warmth for the people.
• Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 55:13)
9. One Year Ago Today: Prime Minister Netanyahu Visited the White House - CHPP
Treated Very Poorly by the Obama Administration
On March 22, 2010, Isreali Prime Minister visited the White House and, through a series of rude actions on the part of Obama, was given the "cold shoulder." One year later, things have not changed. Read more.
- We see how Japan was visited with calamity on their own one-year annversary of publicly declaring support of the Palestinian State at the expense of Israel's sovereignty. That decree was released on March 11, 2010. On March 11, 2011, the nation of Japan suffered a three-way hit: a 9.0 earthquake; a devastating tsunami; and a nuclear disaster. Read more.
At the end of this day, offer praise to the Lord for the mercy He has shown our people on our own ill-fated anniversary, and ask that the hearts of our leaders be instead turned quickly towards the BLESSING of the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- the nation of ISRAEL. Amen.
- "In wrath, remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. (Psalms 129:5)
1. Turkey group plans new Gaza flotilla with at least 15 ships - Ha'aretz
Israel will launch a public campaign on Tuesday against a plan by the Turkish organization IHH and several left-wing European groups to send a flotilla to the Gaza Strip this May, a year after another IHH flotilla resulted in bloodshed that prompted widespread international condemnation of Israel.
2. IDF attacks Hamas terror targets in Gaza Strip - Jerusalem Post
The IDF Spokesman Unit overnight Monday confirmed that IAF aircraft attacked two terror tunnels, two sites used for the manufacturing and storage of weapons and two further terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.
3. Jerusalem aims to become cultural center - Ynet News
Should Tel Aviv's residents be worried? Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has revealed a map of the capital's future culture and sports complexes expected to be built within the next five years.
The Daily Jot #1
Ill-fated US foreign policy a prophetic instrument?
Monday, March 21, 2011
President Ronald Reagan bombed Libya in response to a terrorist incident. When President George HW Bush initiated Operation Desert Storm, it was in response to a specific request to prevent Saddam Hussein from taking over Kuwait. When President George W Bush attacked Iraq, it was after Hussein said he was developing weapons of mass destruction and intended to use them against America and her allies--such as Israel. When he attacked Afghanistan, it was in response to the export of terrorism that resulted in the 911 attack on American soil. But now an American president is attacking Libya, which in of itself may have prophetic significance pointing to the coming of the Day of the Lord.
The White House decision to bomb Libya is a strange one. First, this president's ties to the Libyan dictator go back to the years when the president-to-be was attending Jeremiah Wright's church in Chicago. Wright, who is tight with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, is also a friend of Libya's Muammar Qadhafi. Qadhafi even called the American president "our son" in a letter pleading that the US stay out of the Libyan conflict. Farrakhan, who once referred to the American president as the "Messiah", has angrily rebuked the president saying, "you can't order him to step down and get out, who do you think you are?"
Qadhafi claims, and there have been media reports to confirm the claims, that al Qaeda is behind the rebellion in Libya. Qadhafi told the American president in his letter: "Al Qaeda is an armed organization, passing through Algeria, Mauritania and Mali. What would you do if you found them controlling American cities with the power of weapons?" We have an American president, who strongly criticized the Afghan and Iraqi war efforts against terrorism, bombing his friend in Libya, as al Qaeda waits in the wings to take over. In other parts of the Middle East, the US is assisting in toppling longstanding governments with al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood waiting in the shadows to take over.
Perplexing as it seems, there is some clarity. WikiLeaks released documents indicate the US has been involved since 2008 in destabilizing Middle Eastern governments in hopes of replacing them with democratic governments. This strategy was proven dangerous by the Palestinian Authority--where terrorists were elected. The current White House appears to have accelerated this strategy despite obvious indicators that the Moslem Brotherhood and its terrorist allies are powers in waiting. Ezekiel 30 talks of how "even as the day of the Lord is near" Egypt's "foundations shall be broken down," and Libya, "and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword." America may be instrumental in bringing this about.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
The Daily Jot #2
The Prophetic Turning Point is on Your Hands
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
One of the things that has always made me proud to be an American is that we seem to have stood for what is good and right. We have been a nation who has a heart for those less fortunate. We have been the first to respond when even our enemies needed help during disasters. We have been a nation of people who sent missionaries to the rest of the world to spread the gospel. We have been a people whose gratitude to God for our many freedoms is etched in not only our founding documents, but also in every state Constitution. We have been a people who expressed love for God, family and country. But there are perilous times ahead for our beloved nation because even the church has lost its first love.
Every great nation throughout history faced a point, a generation, a time where its greatness began its decline for no great nation has survived the weathering of time and the weakening of its generations. America appears to be no exception.We are living during a time where our nation is declining at a rapid pace, at such a rapid pace that if not for a remnant of those who represent the traditional values of our collective populace, all would be lost even this very day. Our leadership is godless and overrun with connivers, deceivers, liars and profiteers. We have allowed our schools to become cesspools of immorality and confusion. All in the name of separation of church and state, and the church accepting such a lie.
The dripping drops of all that is wrong continue to fill the container of who we are as a people. And if this generation does not begin to stand, and stand strong, for what and who we truly are, the container of our collective national identity will overflow with lawlessness and we will be lost. Jeremiah 18:11-12 says of God's people in Judah, "Thus says the Lord, Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. And they said, There is not hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart."
Jeremiah 18:15 says the nation will be scattered, "Because my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up." What is it that we are as like the people of Judah? The pulpit is so full of self-improvement messages, allowing all sorts of extra-biblical doctrines, spinning wildly, or not spinning at all, that the impact is fruitless and the result is decay. Romans 13:12: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." If our nation is to be put right, only God's people can do it. It has to start somewhere. Let it be us. Let it be now.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
World's Christians in Danger
FRANKLIN GRAHAM: WORLD'S CHRISTIANS IN GRAVE DANGER
The Moslem Brotherhood, with the complicity of the Obama administration, has infiltrated the U.S. government at the highest levels and is influencing American policy that leaves the world's Christians in grave danger, warns internationally known evangelist Franklin Graham. The Moslem Brotherhood is very strong and active here in our country," Graham tells Newsmax. "We have these people advising our military and State Department. We've brought in Moslems to tell us how to make policy toward Moslem countries."It's like a farmer asking a fox, 'How do I protect my hen house?'"
That same Moslem Brotherhood is fomenting much of the rebellion and the deteriorating social order roiling the Middle East, forcing millions of Christians to flee for their lives, says Graham, son of beloved evangelist Dr. Billy Graham, and founder of The Samaritan's Purse international charity. "Under [Egypt's Hosni] Mubarek and [Jordan's] King Hussein and other moderate leaders, Christians had been protected," Graham says. 11 million Christians live in Egypt and I ear for them, because if the Muslim Brotherhood comes to power, you're going to see a great exodus of Christians. Same thing in Tunisia and Lebanon. I fear for the church because the Moslem Brotherhood is going to be a very terrible thing." (Newsmax) Read more.
- Praise the Lord for this warning and wisdom from Franklin Graham! Because many American Christians do not want to hear this news, be sure to share this article with those whom you know. Send a copy to your Congressman and Senators, especially those who are Christians. The Moslem Brotherhood (MB) never gives up in its pursuit of dominance of the world, and we must always follow Jesus' Great Commission to take the Gospel to the world. And we must continue to pray for the persecuted Christians throughout the world as well as for the effectiveness of missionaries trying to reach Moslems and people of other religions with the Gospel. Pray for strife within the MB so that confusion destroys its goals, even as you pray for their souls to be saved.
- "The violence of the wicked will destroy them; because they refuse to do justice." (Proverbs 21: 7)
Obama Silent on Fogel Slayings
. . . Obama has yet to pronounce on the Fogel killings, although U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned what she called the "inhuman" killings "in the strongest possible terms."
The Anti-Defamation League and the Zionist Organization of America also issued statements saying the State Department statement was inadequate. "We respectfully suggest that a forceful, unequivocal, and public condemnation of incitement must be heard around the world and should also be directed to all Palestinians through their media," the ADL said in a letter to Clinton. Pro-Israel officials also have said they were irked by the State Department's expression of "deep concern" after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced 500 new housing starts in West Bank settlement as a response to the murders. Mainstream Palestinian leaders have condemned the killings.
Meanwhile, Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice president of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, slammed governments, including the Obama administration, for not denouncing the naming of a square in a West Bank town after a terrorist. Hoenlein made his comments Thursday in New York at a memorial service for the parents and three children of the Fogel family who were murdered March 11 in the West Bank settlement of Itamar. "If governments, even our own, do not stand out and shriek and condemn and take action when they see this kind of action by the Palestinian Authority and their representatives" -- and the incitement continues despite repeated promises -- then "we must make sure that our voices are heard," Hoenlein said. "We have to demand accountability and that there will be consequences."
Hoenlein compared those behind the killings to Nazis, and said they were "likely driven by a vicious hatred fostered by the continuous anti-Israel and anti-Jewish incitement of their political and religious leaders, starting with" Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. (JTA)
- Hoenlein is absolutely correct in voicing his concern that our president has not spoken against these heinous killings of innocent people. Contact your Congressman and Senators about this issue so that strong voices from our Capitol can be heard around the world. Pray for the perpetrators of this crime so that their consciences will be touched and the deception under which they live can be lifted. If we continue to pray on behalf of the Israelis, the Lord will move on our president and on our media and words will be stated correctly. Ask the Lord to comfort the members of the extended Fogel family, especially for the remaining orphaned children.
- "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing: You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent, O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." (Psalm 30: 11,12)
The Good News Corner:
Japan's Tragedy Turns Spiritual
(Japan)-Warren Janzen, the International Director of SEND International, gave a sobering update on the situation in Japan this week, but notes that the disaster is now taking on a "spiritual tone."
Janzen said the the governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, made a public statement that he feared the Japanese were being "punished."
"To have a public figure of his stature make a statement like that," he said, "opens up a public discussion on spiritual things."
"Some of our missionaries are going out on the street," he continued, "talking to random people, talking about the earthquake, the tsunami, and the nuclear situation there. People are engaging in spiritual conversation with strangers. That's just not typical."
Janzen was also quoted as saying it's a kairos moment for Japan. "We believe this an appointed time in the presence of God," he said. (Mission Network News)
Help from numerous countries around the world has now arrived in Japan to help survivors; engineers work to get the reactor cooling systems back up, while temporary efforts such as dumping seawater on the reactors continues.
BCN urges our readers to continue to pray for Japan and her people in this tragedy.
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners urges our readers, too, to please continue to hold Japan in prayer. Amen.
REPORTER'S NOTE: Although the governor of Tokyo is on record as saying he feared God might be punishing the Japanese people, we at Breaking Christian News (BCN) do not jump to that conclusion. Yes, God can punish sin, but given that every people group and every nation on the face of the earth is sinful, the world should have ceased to exist long ago. Above all, God is full of grace and mercy, and His heart is toward the Japanese people in this hour, wanting to draw them to Himself. -Teresa Neumann, BCN.
CHPP wishes to say "amen" to this comment. Thank you, BCN.
Worship with Us Today!
Kleine vogel - Little bird
A NOTE FROM OUR WORSHIP EDITOR:
I was looking for a YouTube video of an Israeli TV interview with Tamar Vogel, newly orphaned, but wise and composed beyond her years. During that search, I came upon this music video that, although it's sung in German, the meaning is perfectly clear. It's almost a lullaby from God type song for hurting hearts. (Translation in English below the video.)
The interview with Tamar is here.
