In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• LIBYA IN CRISIS
• PRAYING FOR LIBYA
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, March 3, 2011
" . . . you are my refuge in the day of disaster." (Jer. 17:17b)
The Daily Brief
1. A rally to advocate for Shariah law in the U.S. has been postponed amid a wave of opposition - Fox News
The Shariah4America rally, organized by the Islamic Thinkers Society and headed by controversial British Imam Anjem Choudary, aimed to gather Muslims and non-Muslims outside the White House Thursday afternoon to "let the tyrant Barack Obama and the American people know that a new constitution beckons the U.S. called the Shariah, and that this worldwide revolution will see it implemented inshaa'allah (God willing) very, very soon," according to the rally's website.
But Choudary, who said last year that the flag of Islam will one day fly over the White House, now says the protest will be postponed in light of the conflicts in the Middle East, the U.S. sending troops to Muslim countries, and "in light of the fact that our message to the American people has been distorted by the media."
Critics of the rally had expressed doubt that Choudary would be able to drum up enough interest to execute the rally and questioned whether even he would show up.
- Rejoice that this rally has been postponed and a new date has not yet been set. Pray that the word of this journalist will come true: "that Choudary will not be able to drum up enough interest to execute the rally", and that he will not even show up.
- "Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will follow Him all the days of my life." (Psalm 116:2)
2. First Amendment Protects 'Hurtful' Speech, Court Says - Wall Street Journal
The First Amendment protects free speech even if it is as hurtful as signs at a Marine funeral proclaiming "Thank God for Dead Soldiers," the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in a decision that was one of the court's most significant on freedom of expression in recent years.
- Father, we ask for Your Spirit to move over this misguided group and help them to walk in Your love and mercy. Lord, we need our freedoms to be preserved by the Supreme Court, but we ask for these people to be changed to a people who seek Your heart for others.
- "Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." (1 John 3:15)
3. Ohio Vote Puts Curbs on Unions in Reach - Wall Street Journal
Ohio state senators narrowly approved a bill that would prohibit public-employee unions representing 400,000 state and local workers from bargaining over health benefits and pensions, while also eliminating the right to strike.
- Father, thank You for this victory in Ohio over the unions who have forced many states into budget over runs. We pray for justice and fairness for all workers, but we ask for the wisdom of lawmakers across the nation to balance what is necessary and what is not.
- "Counsel is Mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding; I have strength." (Proverbs 8:14)
4. Mideast Chaos Sparking Gas Crisis? - Fox News
Prices at the pump have jumped more than 29 cents per gallon since the uprising in Libya began, costing Americans an extra $108 million a day to buy the same amount of fuel.
- Lord, we know that high gas prices have an extreme effect on the economy and on ordinary citizens -- from the trucking industry's ability to bring food to our tables, to our ability to drive to work and back. We pray for Your wisdom for our lawmakers to see the answers and act on them quickly. In the mean time we lean on You for mercy and help in times of trouble.
- "Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindness; for they have ever been from old." (Psalm 25:6)
5. Qaddafi Agrees to Chavez Plan for Negotiations - Fox News
Libyan leader says he will go along with Venezuelan plan to hold talks with Latin America, Europe and Middle East.
- Father, we pray that You will place Your hand against this group of "talks" to protect America from the plans of those who would destroy us. Let the enemy be confused and put to shame!
-"Let my adversaries be clothed with shame; and let them cover themselves with their own confusion as a mantle." (Psalm 109:29)
6. a) U.S. assault ships clear Suez, enter Mediterranean - Reuters
Two U.S. amphibious assault ships have reached the Mediterranean Sea, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, as Washington intensifies pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to end his four-decade rule.
b) Rebels Deploy Around Strategic Libyan Oil Port - Fox News
Mutinous army units in pickup trucks armed with machine-guns and rocket launchers deployed around the strategic oil installation at Brega Thursday, securing the site after the opposition repelled an attempt by loyalists of Muammar al-Qaddafi to retake the port in rebel-held east Libya.
- Lord, as both the US and Libyan rebels attempt to prevent disaster to the oil fields from the unrest in Libya, we ask that You deploy the Angelic Host to secure the oil facilities not only from Gadhafi, but from Al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood or any other jihadist group.
- "The wicked are overthrown, and are not; but the house of the righteous shall stand." (Proverbs 12:7)
7. a) UN suspends Libya from human rights body amid calls for no-fly zone - Deutsche Welle
The United Nations has suspended Libya from its human rights body in response to violence against protesters. Meanwhile, calls for a no-fly zone to stop air attacks on regime opponents are proving divisive.
b) 'Remarkable Turnaround': U.S. Lends Support to International Criminal Court for First Time - The Blaze
The U.N. resolution imposing tough sanctions against Libya marked the first time that the United States has given its support to the International Criminal Court and signified a remarkable turnaround, though it includes a key exemption demanded by the Obama administration.
- Lord, as the world tries to stop Gadhafi from his reign of terror, we ask that You grant wisdom to the leaders who are working to remove him and prosecute him for crimes against humanity. Sanctions from the UN rarely work except to harm the ordinary people of a nation, so we pray that You will give the people a solution that will topple his power and bring true freedom to the people of Libya.
"And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity, and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. " (Isaiah 13:11)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
" . . . I will contend with him who contends with you . . . " (Isaiah 49:25b)
1. 'Day of rage': Rightists block Jerusalem-TA highway - Ynet News
Some 15 right-wing activists blocked the highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv Thursday morning as part of a declared nation-wide "day of rage," organized to protest the demolition of illegal structures at the illegal Havat Gilad outpost in the West Bank.
2. Obama: Israelis must show seriousness on peace - Ynet News
Obama this week called on Jewish leaders to speak to their colleagues in Israel and to "search your souls" over Israel's seriousness about making peace, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported Wednesday.
The Daily Jot
Impeachment or judgment, American apathy may decide
Attorney General Eric Holder, in announcing the Administration will not defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court, said, "The president and I have concluded that classifications based on sexual orientation warrant heightened scrutiny and that, as applied to same-sex couples legally married under state law, Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional." On June 16, 2005, US District Judge Gary L. Taylor ruled that Section 3 of DOMA, excluding same-sex partners from any of the federal benefits available to married opposite-sex couples, does not violate the federal Constitution. On October 10, 2006, the US Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal, leaving the constitutionality of DOMA intact.
Article II Section 1 of the Constitution says of the president's duties: "Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."" The president, therefore, cannot unilaterally or arbitrarily determine that he will decide which laws are constitutional and which laws are not. Article III Section 2 of the Constitution assigns to the Supreme Court "appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make."
The Attorney General has implicated the president in unilaterally determining that DOMA is unconstitutional. The president has not denied this, but rather has confirmed it. In a December 18, 2010 news conference, he responded to a question about same sex marriage by ABC news reporter Jake Tapper, saying, "I have friends, I have people who work for me, who are in powerful, strong, long-lasting gay or lesbian unions. And they are extraordinary people, and this is something that means a lot to them and they care deeply about." The president has determined that the Supreme Court, which decides the constitutionality of America's laws, is subordinate to his feelings on the most important institution in civil society--marriage.
This is an impeachable offense. Of all that this presidency has done to destroy the very fabric of American life with debt, socialist health care, homosexuals in the military, and so on, the destruction of marriage would have the most lasting impact on families and society. It is a statement unto God who in Leviticus 18:22 said, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." Jesus said in Matthew 19 that God "made them male and female" and in verse 6, "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." God will not be mocked. Americans ought to demand the removal of this leadership on Constitutional grounds of high crimes and misdemeanors--specifically violating the oath of office.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
LIBYA IN CRISIS
The United Nations estimates that more than 100,000 people have crossed into the neighboring nations of Tunisia and Egypt in an attempt to flee the oppressive crackdown by dictator, Muammar al-Qadhafi. One report estimated 1,000 people were escaping into Tunisia every hour.
Although the government has killed untold numbers of demonstrators, the opposition to al-Qadhafi continues to grow. Protestors have taken control of several cities and reportedly shot down a government plane. The military surrounded rebels in Zawiya, about 30 miles east of Tripoli, but the rebels have refused to retreat.
Several in the international community have called for al-Qadhafi to step down. "It is clear that this is an illegitimate regime that has lost the consent of the people," one leader said. "My message to Col. Kadafi is simple: Go now."
So far, al-Qadhafi has scoffed at those who suggest he should leave office. He has stated he feels betrayed by the international community and claims "all my people love me." The leader also accused protesters of being drug users and terrorists.
International forces are being positioned in the Mediterranean Sea in an effort to set up a "no-fly" zone to keep Libyan warplanes from bombing protesters. "To escape Gadhafi's wrath and avoid being threatened," a Libyan professor said, "you have to wave the green flag and to praise the great leader publically. He doesn't believe in neutrality. Either you are with him or against him. And against him, you know your fate." (WIN Prayer Network)
PRAYING FOR LIBYA
- an end to the bloodshed in Libya. Pray for the Lord to touch the hearts of the military forces and for them to refuse to murder fellow citizens. (The Bible, Romans 12:17)
- the salvation of Muammar al-Qadhafi. Ask the Lord to direct this man's heart and lead him to do the right thing in Libya. (The Bible, I Timothy 2:1-4; Proverbs 21:1)
- the Lord to raise up leadership in Libya that will bring Him glory. Pray for Him to protect Libya and keep it from being ruled by wicked men and women. (The Bible, Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 2:12)
- Christians in Libya to avoid the temptation to panic and live in fear. Pray for the Lord to fill them with strength and courage. Ask Him to provide them with opportunities to share the Gospel in this crisis. (The Bible, Joshua 1:7; I Corinthians 16:9)
- Moslems in Libya to be set free from the lies and bondage of Islam. Pray for the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit on this nation and its people. (The Bible, Colossians 1:13; Acts 2:32,33)
- the power of God to be evidenced in this conflict. Pray for God's people around the world to cry out to Him on behalf of Libya. (The Bible, Psalm 68:28; Colossians 4:2)
- a great harvest of souls from this crisis. Invite the Kingdom of God to come to Libya, as it is in heaven. (The Bible, Matthew 6:10) SOURCES: LA Times, BBC News, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today [WIN Prayer Network]
The Good News Corner:
The Prayers of a Five Year Old Boy . . .
At first it's hard to understand what he's saying . . . he's saying "I declare and decree."
Out of the mouths of babes . . .
Listen in here!
[Submitted by: Jack and Lee in Tennessee]
Worship with Us Today!
"Much of You" by Steven Curtis Chapman
I give You my life. Take it and let it be used to make much of You.
Worship with us by going here. . . amen . . .
