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• Middle East Center Stage in D.C.
• Iran, Venezuela, and Nukes
• Correction!!
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, May 17, 2011
"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Genesis 12:3)
The Daily Brief
1. Apparent Immunity Gene 'Cures' Bay Area Man Of AIDS - CBS News San Franscisco
A 45-year-old man now living in the Bay Area may be the first person ever cured of the deadly disease AIDS, the result of the discovery of an apparent HIV immunity gene.
- Father, we bring this report to You now, Mighty God, and we thank You for the breakthrough described. We thank You, too, that YOU are the Great Physician, and we trust You to bring healing to all who are afflicted with this terrible disease. In Your Name, amen.
- "By His stripes, we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5b)
2. As Debt Limit Reached, Agreement Still Far Off - Wall Street Journal
The U.S. government is expected to hit the $14.294 trillion debt ceiling Monday, setting in motion an uncertain, 11-week political scramble to avoid a default.
- Father, we come to you asking for wisdom upon our government leaders as they wrestle back and forth to solve this debt crisis which has arisen because of unwise and even ungodly use of funds entrusted to them. Lord, no problem is too big for you, and we ask that you give wisdom to those who will listen. May the Godly and wise stand strong.
- "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." (Proverbs 2:7)
3. Treasury to tap pensions to help fund government - Washington Post
The Obama administration will begin to tap federal retiree programs to help fund operations after the government lost its ability Monday to borrow more money from the public, adding urgency to efforts in Washington to fashion a compromise over the debt.
- Father, we see men using unfair tactics to cover their bad financial decisions. We pray for the protection of the federal employees' retirement programs and all other retirement programs that might be considered to be tapped. We pray for a stop to the real problem, which is a government that considers our money its' money. Thank you Lord, for intervening in this matter.
- "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house." (Proverbs 15:27a)
4. China cuts holdings of US Treasurys for 5th month - AP
Editor's Note: A United States Treasury security is government debt issued by the United States Department of the Treasury through the Bureau of the Public Debt. Treasury securities are the debt financing instruments of the United States Federal government, and they are often referred to simply as Treasuries. There are four types of marketable treasury securities: Treasury bills, Treasury notes, Treasury bonds, and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS). There are several types of non-marketable treasury securities including State and Local Government Series (SLGS), Government Account Series debt issued to government-managed trust funds, and savings bonds.
The U.S. Treasury Department said Monday that China, the biggest buyer of U.S. debt securities, trimmed its holdings for a fifth straight month by cutting its holdings by $9.2 billion to $1.14 trillion.
Japan, the second-largest foreign holder, boosted its holdings by $17.6 billion to $907.9 billion. There had been concerns that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami would lead Japan to scale back its purchases so it could use the money for reconstruction. Britain, the third-largest buyer, increased its holdings by 10 percent to $325.2 billion in March. Total foreign holdings increased by $4.9 billion to $4.48 trillion.
According to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, since the government will reach its $14.3 trillion borrowing limit, it could default on its debt if it did not have the resources to pay bondholders the interest or principal payments as they come due. Treasury securities are considered the safest investment in the world because the U.S. government has never defaulted. Treasury officials have said they will be able to continue regular debt auctions until August 2. That's intended to reassure domestic and foreign investors about the availability of U.S. Treasury securities.
- Gracious Father we humbly ask You for Godly and competent leadership for America in all areas, financial included. Our current administration has overreached our debt limit, and America is in danger of defaulting on all of her loans. This headlong march into unredeemable debt can only be fixed by a miracle from You.
May America's people humble themselves before You, return to You as their Creator and receive the blessings that You want to give to them and America. May she also be a kinsman redeemer to Your chosen nation, Israel. You cannot look on sin, and it is sinful how far the United States of America has fallen away from You. Please remove the evil that obstructs our walk with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
- "The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 30: 9-10 NKJV)
5. Iran President Takes Over OPEC Temporarily - Agence France Presse
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he has temporarily assumed the duties of the oil ministry, as the oil cartel OPEC prepares for a biannual meeting in Vienna. Iran, the second largest exporter of crude in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, currently holds the presidency of the cartel, a position it is holding for the first time since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
This weekend, Ahmadinejad dismissed oil minister Masoud Mirkazemi, alongside two other ministers, as part of a cabinet streamlining. He appointed caretakers for the industry and social affairs ministries, but did not name anyone for the oil ministry which is to be integrated with the energy portfolio.
His decision to take charge of Iran's most-strategic sector came shortly before the 159th OPEC meeting scheduled for June 8 in Vienna, where the oil producers are represented by their ministers.
- Father God, this looks like a move manipulated by the evil one to bring about higher oil prices and a further oil-related stranglehold on America's economy. We ask for Godly strategic leadership in our country and throughout the oil-producing world.We pray for Ahmadinejad's salvation, for if all knew Jesus as their Savior these incredibly self-serving events wouldn't happen. Please be in the midst of the 159th OPEC meeting in Vienna on June 8th, and may many souls come to know You as their Savior because of this change in Iranian oil and OPEC leadership. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
- "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45: 22 NKJV)
6. Obama Postpones Giving Middle East Policy Speech - Embassy for World Peace
George Mitchell Resigns as Middle East Envoy
Obama has postponed giving his policy speech on the Middle East since George Mitchell resigned over his own failure to deliver a resolution, which has left the US without a peace plan to announce.
- Offer praise for the collapse of the peace talks at this point, and lift up the president as he chooses the next man or woman to fill this key role of Envoy to the Middle East. God is, once again, in control!
- "For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations." (Psalm 22:28)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"And the LORD said unto Abram . . .'Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are north, and south, east, and west, for all the land which you see, will I give to you and to your seed forever.'" (Genesis 13:14,15)
1. Abbas: Opportunity for historic peace deal still exists - Jerusalem Post
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday stated that the opportunity for a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians still exists, implying that the blame for the impasse in the diplomatic process lies with Israel.
2. Netanyahu: Israel willing to 'cede parts of our homeland' for true peace - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister tells Knesset that a Palestinian government that refuses to recognize Israel is no partner for peace; he also says Israel must stop blaming itself for the cycle of violence and start looking at the 'reality' of the situation with 'open eyes'.
3. Israel navy fires warning shots at Gaza aid ship - UK Telegraph
Israeli naval forces fired warning shots on Monday at a ship carrying aid to Gaza as it approached the shore, forcing it to withdraw to Egyptian waters, according to reports.
4. Haniyeh on Nakba Day: Pray for an end to Israel - Jerusalem Post
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh spoke to Muslim worshipers on Sunday morning, telling them to pray for an end to Israel.
The Daily Jot
Your reasonable service--A new era of civic responsibility
The headlines today are amazing: Hamas PM: Pray for an end to Israel; Ahmadinejad could become president of OPEC; Iran building rocket bases in Venezuela; IMF Chief held without bail in rape case; Treasury raids pensions to service US debt; US borrows $58,000 a second; Scientists cast doubt on TSA safety claims of full body scanners; China selling Treasury holdings for fifth consecutive month; and there are more. Hamas is the White House's new negotiating partner in Israeli peace; Iran is building a nuclear weapon to use against America and Israel; The IMF controls the world's money policy; The US is going bankrupt; and the government lies about safety.
Trust in the Federal government is at a low as 58% of Americans believe the federal government has too much power, according to a Gallup poll taken the last week of March. A Gallup poll taken in March 2009 indicated that 55% of Americans believed the biggest threat to the country in the future was big government. Gallup's poll taken in January indicated that 56% of Americans were somewhat or very dissatisfied with how well the government works. An ABC News/Washington Post poll taken in January 2010 indicated that 58% of Americans favor smaller government with fewer services, this is up some 24% from 2008.
Do these headlines constitute a trend? Of course they do. The trend is that the United States Government is out of control and the events facing the American people every day are so overwhelming that they cannot focus on one problem let alone dozens. Americans are so busy with keeping their families in order, keeping a roof over their heads, meals on the table and fuel in the tank that they are not able to focus on their civic responsibility. They have left the obligation to hirelings, who have pillaged our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Many will say, this is God's judgment. Know this: that God's judgment is a result of his people's actions. And God's mercy is also a result of his people's actions.
Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." We are fast approaching the time in the country where Christians are going to lose their very freedoms to an overwhelming and overpowering government. We must exercise our reasonable service. The will of God in our lives requires action in making disciples. And if we were doing this one thing, our countrymen would be renewed, and held accountable, and our nation restored.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
Middle East Center Stage in D.C.
The Mideast Takes Center Stage in Washington
Rick Moran - Daily Mailer/FrontPage Magazine, May 17th, 2011
Despite what promises to be a big week for Middle East diplomacy at the White House, Obama appears nearly oblivious to the mortal threats facing Israel and the US, which have only increased in the wake of the "Arab Spring," and the Hamas-Fatah unity agreement signed in Cairo last week.
Three major events will occur this week in Washington that will impact US relations with the Arab world and the state of Israel: a visit by King Abdullah of Jordan on Monday and Tuesday, another "outreach" speech by President Obama glorifying the Arab Spring on Thursday, and the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a White House visit on Friday. Netanyahu will address the AIPAC conference on Monday night and follow that up with an address to a Joint Session of Congress next Tuesday.
Overshadowing all of these events is the uncertainty brought about by the marriage of Hamas and Fatah, the continuing rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and the surprise announcement that the president's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, has resigned.
But what seems like an opportunity to begin repairing relations with Israel, denouncing the alliance between Hamas and Fatah, warning the Arab world about the influence of Islamists in their nascent democracy movements, and speaking some hard truths about despotic regimes like Syria and Yemen, will not be seized upon by the Obama administration. Instead, we are likely to hear some blindly optimistic twaddle that acknowledges nothing and proves that the president and his advisors are foolishly placing their hopes on a series of foreign mirages that bear little resemblance to what is really occurring in the Middle East. . . .
Several golden opportunities are being missed by the administration this week. He might have told the Arab world what they needed to hear and not what they want to hear. He might have thrown his support one hundred percent behind the Israelis as they deal with the new reality of a united terrorist entity on their borders.
Instead, there is no vision, no acknowledgment of the peril inherent in extremists gaining influence because of the "Arab spring," and a failure to stand by our ally Israel as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the terrorist regime in Iran threaten war to achieve their goal of wiping the Jewish state off the face of the earth. (Front Page Magazine) Read more.
[Reported by: Unity Coalition for Israel]
Iran, Venezuela, and Nukes
While Obama Sleeps, Mahmoud Schemes
The German paper Die Welt published a disturbing report last week noting that Iran is building missile silos in Venezuela. This is a critical development proving that Iran is doing much more in Venezuela than simply providing it with defensive anti-aircraft systems.
Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have been allies for years. Last year the two dictators reportedly negotiated a pact allowing Iran to station medium-range missiles in Venezuela. U.S. officials have been concerned for years about secret airline flights from Venezuela to Syria and Iran that, according to the State Department, "were not subject to immigration and customs controls." Some in the U.S. intelligence community believe the flights are carrying Iranian operatives and members of the radical Revolutionary Guards.
There is speculation that Iran is looking for a way to threaten the U.S. and prevent us from taking action to stop its nuclear weapons program. Western intelligence agencies believe that in 2009 Iran successfully tested a Shahab-3 missile with an extended range of more than 1,200 miles. Based on the reported location of the silos on Venezuela's Paraguana Peninsula, the improved Shahab-3 missiles could reach Miami, Florida.
Obama is set to renew his outreach to the "Muslim world" this week, beginning today in a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II. Unfortunately, I suspect we will hear nothing about this latest threat to our security from the Islamic Republic of Iran. (Gary Bauer)
Correction!!
On last night's "OCAP," we erroneously reported that the president will be addressing the 10,000 participants in this year's AIPAC Policy Conference on Monday morning,
May 23.
The correct date and time of this address is:
Sunday morning, May 22, at 10:00 a.m.
AIPAC is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee -- the largest organization that lobbies on behalf of Israel on Capitol Hill.
Prayer Point:
Pray that all who hear this speech will judge wisely. The President's track record in support of Israel has been dismal; may we never forget!
Decrees:
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord, Than to put confidence in princes." (Psalm 118:8,9)
"O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield." (Psalm 115:9)
The Good News Corner
Evangelist Billy Graham home following hospital stay
"I am deeply touched by the prayers and best wishes of so many people for me." -Rev. Billy Graham
(Asheville, NC)-Evangelist Billy Graham returned to his home in Montreat, North Carolina early Sunday (May 15, 2011) afternoon following a five-day stay at nearby Mission Hospital in Asheville for treatment for pneumonia. Mr. Graham was hospitalized early on Wednesday, May 11.
Physicians for the 92 year-old evangelist say his response to treatment has been excellent, and that he has regained strength, but emphasized that his recovery will be slow.
"He has responded very well to treatment, with progressive improvement since his admission," said Lucian Rice, MD, Mr. Graham's primary care physician. "We expect continuing recuperation at home with very gradual recovery, returning to normal activities over several weeks. I'm delighted that he has come back this fast."
Dr. Rice noted that Mr. Graham had experienced no complications as of his discharge. "It's a really encouraging sign," he said.
Upon leaving, Mr. Graham thanked the hospital staff for the care they have given him.
"I am grateful for this wonderful hospital so close to my home," Mr. Graham said. "The physicians and staff have shown such skill and compassionate care. I am deeply touched by the prayers and best wishes of so many people for me, and I look forward to returning home and resuming my normal activities soon."
During his hospital stay, Mr. Graham was able to continue with his usual routine, said A. Larry Ross, spokesperson for Mr. Graham. He had his usual weekly Bible study and prayer with his pastor, Dr. Don Wilton, on Thursday. He further enjoyed visits from one of his daughters and a grandchild, and interacting with hospital staff.
Ross added that during his time of recuperation at home, Mr. Graham will continue spending time in morning and evening Bible study and prayer with family and staff.
He plans to keep informed of the ongoing ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) under the leadership of his son, Franklin. As he has done in the hospital, he also hopes to continue to stay abreast of current events through nightly local and network television newscasts and cable programs. And, as his strength allows, he looks forward to eventually being able to receive visits from close personal friends. (Source: ASSIST News)
[Reporrted by: Breaking Christian News]
Worship with Us Today!
Hallelujah - Jonathan Settel
As we stand with Israel, we praise the Keeper of Israel who never slumbers nor sleeps.
Praise the Name of the Lord. Praise Him, all you servants of the Lord.
Hallelujah, indeed!
