In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• The Good News Corner
• Palm Sunday Video
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Friday, April 15, 2011
"Seek the Lord continually and desire His . . . presence evermore." (Psalm 105:4)
NOTE: Congress has now entered into a two-week recess period, so we will not publish "On Capitol Hill This Week" again until they are back in session.
Watch for a special edition of the Daily Brief on Monday, summarizing this week's actions on the Hill. Also, please be advised that we will not publish our alerts on either Good Friday, April 22, or on Monday, April 25. It is time to seek the Lord . . .
The Daily Brief
1. Nine Dead as Severe Storms Sweep Midwest - Fox News
Destructive storms that tore across the country's midsection left at least nine people dead after smashing uprooted trees into homes in Arkansas and ripping apart the only school in one tiny Oklahoma town, officials said Friday. As the sun rose Friday, the storms were moving across Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. UPDATE: Tonight Atlanta is under a tornado watch. Read more.
- As these dangerous stroms continue to sweep across the nation, lift up a prayer for the safety of all who are in their paths. Pray, too, for those who are tracking these storms, that they may be quick to see a system forming and to alert those who are in danger.
- "The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." (Nauhm 1:3 AMP)
2. Senate Defeats Measure to Defund Planned Parenthood - CBN News
The U.S. Senate defeated an attempt by the House Friday to end federal funding of Planned Parenthood. Senate Democrats and five Republicans rejected the measure 58 to 42.
Obama's Private Remarks Show Fiery Abortion Debate
An "open mic" incident with Obama Thursday revealed the intensity of the political debate surrounding efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. Thinking that reporters were out of the room, Obama opened up following a Chicago fundraiser regarding the recent budget battle with House Speaker John Boehner. "Put it in a separate bill. We'll call it up," the president said, referring to legislation against Planned Parenthood's federal funding. "And if you think you can overturn my veto, try it. But don't try to sneak this through." Read more.
[Note: for the past two days, the U.S. Geological Survey has been reporting a swarm of earthquakes in Senator Reid's home state of Nevada: all measuring from 3.6 to 4.4 on the Richter Scale. We wonder if our Lord is, indeed, watching over the actions of the United States Senate in this hour. Amen.]
- Cry out for mercy to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in repentance for this action by the United States Senate, and for the words of this president. The blood of the innocent unborn is on our hands; may God have mercy.
- "Shall I not punish these people," declares the Lord, "And on a nation such as this Shall I not avenge Myself?" (Jer. 5:9)
3. House Passes $6 Trillion Budget Cut - CBN
The House has passed along party lines a GOP plan to cut $6 trillion from the federal budget. The GOP proposal passed 235-193, with every Democrat voting "no." The nonbinding plan lays out a fiscal vision cutting $6.2 trillion over 10 years from the budget submitted by President Barack Obama. The measure includes reforming Medicare into a voucher-like system that would subsidize the purchase of private insurance. Read more.
- Offer a great chorus of praise for the passage of this measure in the House of Repreentatives. It will take a miracle for ths package to be passed in the Senate and signed into law by the president. Pray for that miracle to come forth!
- "Whatever the LORD pleases, He does." (Psalm 135:6)
4. White House Unveils Internet ID Plan - Fox News
Voluntary system offers one login for all digital transactions, aims to protect users from fraud and identity theft.
- This system will bear our close examination. Take time to look carefully at the details of this plan; go to the link to read more. Take action by calling Congress, if and as needed, over this move to bring more control over all internet transactions. Pray!
- "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (I Corinthians 16:13)
5. California Bill Could Put Homosexual History Book in Schools - CBN
California is one step closer to passing a bill that would allow achievements of the homosexual community to be included in its social studies textbooks. The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act passed the state Senate Thursday by a 23-14 vote. The FAIR legislation would mandate that events like gay marriage and other civil rights facts involving the homosexual community be taught in California schools. Read more.
- Once again, repent.
- "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." (Matthew 3:2)
6. A Special Word from Ras Robinson
You must repent for your nation. Your leaders have committed grave sins. Millions of unborn babies have been destroyed. Pride and arrogance are not pleasing to Me. Examine yourself as well and see if there is need on your part to repent. Staying humble, pray for your leaders and for one another. I am not a God of stone or other natural substance so that I cannot change My mind. I am your living God. It gives me no pleasure to discipline a nation. But it is better that the discipline come than for My judgment to fall upon the nation. I say unto you, fall to your knees, for it is true that a nation can be birthed in a day. It is also true that a nation can be destroyed in a day. (October 14, 2010)
7. Republicans will make US 'Third World' nation: Obama - AFP
Obama accused Republicans of wanting to turn the United States into a "Third World" country as he rallied support for his reelection campaign. "If we apply some practical common sense to this, we can solve our fiscal challenges and still have the America that we believe in," Obama told supporters at Chicago's N9ne restaurant.
- Father, Your Word says that you hate lying lips. If there are any lies in these statements, we ask that you bring them to the light and reveal them. We ask that You continue to reveal the truth to America regarding what Mr. Obama perceives as "the America that we believe in." We ask forgiveness for him and his administration for any areas where they have transgressed from Your plans and vision for America, and ask that You correct them.
- These six things doth the Lord hate: yea seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among bretheren. (Prov. 6:16) O Israel (America), return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. (Hosea 14:1)
8. Inflation Actually Near 10% Using Older Measure - CNBC
After former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker was appointed in 1979, the consumer price index surged into the double digits, causing the now revered Fed Chief to double the benchmark interest rate in order to break the back of inflation. Using the methodology in place at that time puts the CPI back near those levels. Inflation, using the reporting methodologies in place before 1980, hit an annual rate of 9.6 percent in February, according to the Shadow Government Statistics newsletter.
"While the federal government would have us believe the numbers are rather tame, our own personal gauge leads us to believe inflation is runningbetween 5 percent to 6 percent annually," wrote Alan Newman in his latest Crosscurrentsnewsletter that refers to Williams' statistics.
- Lord, we know that statistics can be manipulated to present skewed values favoring the conclusions the preparers want to promote. We ask that the foundations and premises used to compile these statistics will be accurate and include all pertinent criteria.
- "For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." (2 Cor. 8:21) - . . . Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (Rom 12:17)
9. Trump says he'll "probably" run as independent if not the GOP nominee - CBS News
If Donald Trump were to lose the GOP presidential nomination, he could run for president as an independent -- and he thinks he could win, the business magnate and television personality said Monday He added, however, that he would have reservations about an independent candidacy because his support comes largely from conservatives, and he does not want to splinter the GOP vote and then lose the election.
Update: Trump is now tied with Huckabee for first place at 19 percent when Republicans are asked who they support for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, according to a new CNN poll.
- Father, we place this 2012 candidacy for the Presidency of the United States in Your care. We pray and trust that the candidate You choose will be raised up to be the leader of this country.
- "He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings." (Dan. 2:21)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto Your name give glory, for Your mercy, and for Your truth's sake. Why should the nations say, Where is their God? But our God is in the heavens. He has done whatever He has pleased." (Psalm 115:1-3)
1. Quartet meeting on Mideast delayed following pressure from US - Ynet News
The United States blocked an initiative by Britain, France and Germany to restart stalled Israeli-Palestinian talks by proposing the outlines of a final settlement to their long conflict, UN diplomats and a US official said Monday. But a US official said the Obama administration didn't think a Quartet meeting would produce anything useful in terms of getting the talks restarted. "It wasn't the right time," the official said.
- Father, we thank you for this step in the right direction. We pray that the US leadership will come to the realization that Your Word is true; that Jerusalem is the place that you have placed Your Name forever; and that whoever stands against Your Word, stands against You.
The LORD said to him; "I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." (1 Ki. 9:3)
" . . . this is what the LORD Almighty says: After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you - for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye . . ." (Zech. 2:8).
2. Israel: PA Statehood Bid a "Diplomatic Tsunami" - CBN
JERUSALEM, Israel -- The Palestinian Authority is now ready to function as a state, a new United Nations report concluded. The main obstacle to such a goal, the U.N. noted, is "Israeli occupation."
Palestinian leaders plan to ask the U.N. General Assembly in September for statehood recognition on all the territory Israel occupied in 1967, including Gaza.
If the P.A. is successful, Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak predicts a "diplomatic tsunami." Read more.
3. Middle East Christians Face Increased Threats - CBN
From Iraq to Syria and Egypt, Christians in the Middle East are going through tough times today. Many believers fear the leadership changes taking place in the region will result in violence against them. Some are even fleeing as attacks increase. Read more
The Daily Jot
Perish or Prosper--your choice of Social Contracts
During the president's speech on fiscal policy this week, he made a curious remark. He characterized the Republican budget proposal of tax cuts and repealing socialized healthcare as being, "less about reducing the deficit than it is about changing the basic social compact in America." The Social Contract or "compact" as he put it is the foundational principle upon which the nation's government is based. The president has aggressively moved toward replacing the traditional Social Contract between Americans and their government by instituting a progressive, or socialist-based, Social Compact. He is saying that fiscal responsibility at the expense of social programs seeks to change the Social Compact.
The Social Contract between the governed and the government evolved from the times of Socrates. It is the recognition that the Laws of Nature grant mankind certain inalienable rights, especially liberty, security and property. And that man submits himself to a greater authority to protect those rights in a civil society. From the mid 1600s through the late 1700s, it was debated what type of government under the Social Contract was best. Many European philosophers believed the rule of a king, whose power was vested in him by God, was best. Other beliefs emerged that the rule of the majority, or democracy, was best. The Founding Fathers were the first to take these theories and invent a new form of government.
With the belief that God's law had endowed mankind with the rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness (originally the use of property ownership was included), the Founders developed a Constitutional Republic where the just powers of government were derived from the consent of the governed. Rather than a democracy, which they believed would lead to tyranny, they chose to establish the supreme law of the land--The Constitution--and protect the rights of the people by having them elect representatives to carry out the function of government according to the law. A limited government was to protect, or provide security to, the rights of the people. This is the "Social Contract" as the Founders envisioned it.
Obama believes that those wanting limited government and fiscal responsibility changes his worldview of the "social compact." His belief is in the progressive social compact found in the Communist Manifesto, which abolishes religion and property ownership, and vests absolute power in government. Hence, his policies have altered private sector job creation, impacted property ownership through government mortgages, and is progressively making the majority of Americans dependent on the government for all their needs. This is the antithesis of the Founder's Social Contract. We must be an Exodus 18:21 people and choose leaders, "such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness" otherwise we will perish as a nation.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
The Good News Corner
Announcement from the National Day of Prayer Task Force
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Thursday, April 14, 2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (APRIL 14, 2011) - Earlier today, a panel of the U.S. court of appeals overturned a ruling that previously found the law requiring the President to proclaim a National Day of Prayer each year as unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, based in Chicago, ruled 3-0 that the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and its plaintiffs do not have standing to continue their challenge of the 1952 congressional act declaring an annual National Day of Prayer.
According to the appeals court ruling, the proclamation imposes no requirement on a person and therefore no one is hurt by a request that can be declined. "Those who do not agree with a president's statement may speak in opposition to it, they are not entitled to silence the speech of which they disapprove," wrote the appeals court's chief judge Frank Easterbrook, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan.
Shirley Dobson, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force and wife of Focus on the Family Founder Dr. James Dobson, said "I applaud the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Since the days of our Founding Fathers, the government has protected and encouraged public prayer and other expressions of dependence on the Almighty. Prayer is an indispensable part of our heritage, and as citizens, we must remain faithful in our commitment to intercede for our nation during this pivotal and challenging time."
Michael Calhoun, Director of Strategic Communication for the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force added, "This is definitely a victory for the free exercise of religion that our Founding Fathers sought to ensure, and we are thankful for the outcome. I can't think of a time in recent memory when it has been more important to pray for wisdom and direction for our country and its leaders... I hope millions will join the ongoing efforts of our NDP Task Force to that end."
Click Here to Read the entire News Release.
-- We continue to praise the LORD at this excellent report, and we thank Him for standing with the righteous if and as other appeals surface in this debate.
- "You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth." (Psalm 67:9)
Palm Sunday Video
"Let us seek the Lord while He may be found . . ."
He entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey . . . who IS this King of kings? Watch, pray, seek . . .
"Yeshua, You reign on high. Almighty God, Your love is like no other. Amen"
And as we enter into this, the holiest week of the year, together let us "prepare ye the way of the Lord." (Go here)
