In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• Sunday Danger!
• Where Are The Jobs?
• Praying for SUDAN
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Friday, July 8, 2011
"Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:8)
The Daily Brief
1. Stocks Sell Off as Labor Market Stalls - Fox News
A dismal report showing the U.S. added the fewest jobs since September soured Wall Street's optimism over the strength of the economic recovery, sending the Dow sliding more than 100 points on Friday morning.
- Lord, again we look to You, realizing that You are our Provider. We ask that in Your mercy, You will hear our call, and You will provide jobs for Your people. Guide them in the way they should go, in wisdom and humility. We do pray for the strengthening of our economy as we put our priorities in order, and stop spending money we do not have. Amen.
- "THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not want."
(Psalm 23:1)
2. US debt limit: Obama says sides are 'still far apart' - BBC
Democrats and Republicans remain "far apart on a wide range of issues" in budget talks aimed at averting a looming default on US government debt, President Barack Obama has said. Mr Obama spoke after concluding a meeting with congressional leaders and said talks would resume on Sunday. The deadline to raise the US debt ceiling is 2 August.
- Father, we thank You that there is discussion going on between all the parties. We pray for wisdom for all of these leaders, and for them to be of a humble spirit, aware that they serve the people of this great nation. May they have integrity of soul and negotiate honestly for the good of the people, and not for political ends. We pray You will break down the wall of partition between them, that they will see each other's point of view, and reach a compromise that would be good for all the people.
- "Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?" (Jeremiah 23:29)
3. Bomb Implants on the Horizon? TSA Increases Security - Wall Street Journal
U.S. officials warn that Al Qaeda terrorists in Yemen are eyeing surgically implanted explosive devices as the latest in suicide-bomber chic in order to blow up airliners, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
- Father, again we ask you to confuse the enemy and thwart their evil plots against your people. We ask that their evil intentions will backfire upon them and ensnare their own feet. Lord, we do ask for the light of your truth and word to shine on those who truly want to know the true God, and to serve Him only. Reveal yourself to them and may they receive you before it is too late.
- "The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly."
(Proverbs 5:22,23)
4. Syria accuses U.S. of inciting unrest after U.S. ambassador visits Hama - Haaretz
Syria accused the United States of inciting unrest on Friday, saying the U.S. ambassador's unauthorized trip to the flashpoint city of Hama proved Washington has a hand in the four-month uprising seeking to topple the country's autocratic regime. The strong allegations comes as Syrians are expected to take to the streets across the country in a weekly show of defiance against the 40-year-old family dynasty of President Bashar Assad.
- Father, we ask You to bring forth the truth, and stop the mouths of liars. We pray for Your protection for the protestors, and we look to You as our Shield against all the flaming arrows of the wicked one. We pray the truth will dispel the deception and darkness. We ask You for the leader of Your choice to be the governmental head in Syria, for Your eternal purposes, and we thank You.
- "But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced." (Psalm 63:11)
5. Israel blocks 200 pro-Palestinian activists from flying into country - Haaretz
Israel successfully prevented the entry of 200 passengers attempting to fly into Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport on Friday in a bid to stymie an influx of pro-Palestinian activists to the country, according to the police. The 200 activists were on a list of 342 blacklisted passengers scheduled to arrive in Israel later Thursday and early Friday, submitted by the Transportation Ministry to foreign airlines on Thursday.
- Lord, we thank You for hearing and answering the prayers of Your people for Your protection. We praise You that PM Netanyahu is standing strong, as Your man of the hour. We pray for his continued protection and wisdom in heading off these attacks of the enemy against Israel. We pray that those who try to attack Israel will be turned back and become victims of their own evil plots. Amen.
- "I will send My terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people to whom you shall come, and I will make all your foes turn from you [in flight]." (Exodus 23:27)
6. Atlantis Blasts Off on Final Flight for Space Shuttle Program - Fox News
Space shuttle Atlantis displayed its power and majesty one final time, rocketing into space from Kennedy Space Center at 11:26 a.m. ET Friday morning despite threatening weather -- marking the final launch after 30 years for NASA's storied fleet of shuttles. It was a bittersweet moment for everyone involved. Read more.
- Yes, Lord, this is a bittersweet moment as America rejoices over another successful launch of space shuttle, yet all the while understanding that this launch will be our last one. May we honor all who have worked so hard over the years to contribute to the success of our space program, and remember those who have given their lives along the way. And we thank You for the plans and purposes you have ahead for NASA in the future. Amen.
- "Give everyone what you owe him: . . . if honor, then honor." (Romans 13:7)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love her. (Psalm 122:6)
1. Israel bars 300 activists from flying to Israel - Ynet News
Israeli security has distributed a blacklist among foreign airlines, featuring names of 300 activists who will not be allowed on Israel-bound flights. The measure comes in preparation for the pro-Palestinian fly-in, which is scheduled to take place over the upcoming weekend.
2. Cancer cell breakthrough reported by Hebrew U. - Jerusalem Post
The molecular basis for the breakage of DNA -- the hallmark of cancer cells -- has been identified by Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists. The important discovery will be published on Friday in the prestigious journal Molecular Cell.
3. Lebanon lawmakers approve Hezbollah-backed government - Ha'aretz
The Hezbollah-backed Lebanese government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati won Thursday a parliamentary vote of confidence after three days of heated debate.
4. US: Israel included in terror watch list by mistake - Ynet News
Israeli diplomats stationed in the United States was surprised to discover that Israel was one of 36 countries included in a new Homeland Security terror watch list.
The Daily Jot
Students to know homosexual history, but not how to sign their name
Liberals are always featuring education as the key to the future of America. Its an easy sell. We all want our kids to have a good education. But when a liberal is promoting education, he is not likely on the same page as the rest of us. The liberal is not necessarily thinking about reading, writing and arithmetic, unless it is in the context of how to conduct social engineering through those subjects. Reading, for example, might be learning how to read or how to analyze great literary works written by Marxists. Writing might be learning how to properly extol the virtues of socialism. And math might be like how our government does it--spending yourself into oblivion so you can be dependent on the government.
There are several examples of what is happening in education that have been reported this week. The California legislature has passed a bill making it mandatory for public schools to teach homosexual history, specifically the "Fair Education Act." Elevating the homosexual lifestyle to the minority status of African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans, California lawmakers are forcing schools to teach about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people's contribution to history and society. One legislator objected saying that the law promotes the homosexual agenda by teaching kids that the lifestyle is good. This could spread across America in standard textbooks.
Blaming poor decisions on budget cuts, Illinois will no longer test students on their writing skills during standardized exams every spring. According to AP, Oregon and Missouri also decided to cut out writing exams. Illinois Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch told the Chicago Tribune that Illinois was trying to minimize the damage of budget cuts and since the federal government does not pay for the writing testing, it was sacrificed. Koch is saying, however, that advanced placement students will be tested in writing, and others will be tested in the college entrance exams. One teacher summed it up for AP, saying that not having to focus on writing tests "offers some freedom."
It also offers taxpayers and parents insight that they need to take greater care in knowing what goes on at their children's schools. Some 41 states, for example, have adopted the new Common Core Standards for English which does not require cursive writing. With all their millions of dollars from property taxes, one would think that we could get more out of our public schools than kids that know homosexual history but cannot sign their name. Jesus said in Luke 17:2, "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend (meaning entice to sin or scandalize) one of these little ones." We need to raise our voices because ultimately we are responsible for our children.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
Sunday Danger!
There are disturbing hints that some GOP leaders are edging into a disastrous debt ceiling deal with Obama this Sunday. It would include massive cuts in our defense budget, possibly a trillion dollars in revenues to Washington's bureaucrats and ephemeral spending cuts that will disappear over time.
Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard sounded the alarm last night. Rush Limbaugh was concerned enough today to predict that if it happened, the GOP would split, there would be a third party and Barack Obama would be virtually reelected before the campaign even begins.
MESSAGE TO GOP LEADERS: Obama is weak and presiding over an economic disaster. Do not cave on taxes. Don't gut defense. Don't accept "slippery" spending cuts that never actually happen. Man up! (Gary Bauer)
Where Are The Jobs?
Speaker John Boehner's question to Obama during his Twitter town hall event is even more relevant after today's unbelievably bad jobs report. Boehner asked, "After embarking on a record spending binge that's left us deeper in debt, where are the jobs?"
Just 18,000 new jobs were added to the economy last month. But the news gets even worse. The low figures for April and May were revised downward, so that 44,000 fewer jobs were actually created in those months than initially thought. But, wait -- there's more! The official unemployment rate is now up to 9.2% and the underemployment rate is up to 16.2%.
Last month Obama told us that there would be "bumps on the road to recovery." To give you some perspective on just how bumpy the "Obama recovery" has been, consider this from the Associated Press: "The economy and job market are remarkably weak two years after the recession officially ended. Unemployment has topped 8 percent for 29 months, the longest streak since the 1930s." In other words, Obama's success has taken us back to the Great Depression!
It is worth reminding everyone that Obama and his Democrat allies wanted to raise taxes last year. Fortunately, Republicans held their ground, and forced Obama to accept a two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts. Just imagine how much worse off we would be today if Obama had gotten his way and had taxed billions of dollars out of the private sector.
Unbelievably -- and inexcusably in my view -- Obama, Reid and Pelosi are still insisting that we raise taxes as part of any agreement on the debt ceiling. Taxes don't create jobs! (Gary Bauer)
Praying for SUDAN
July 9th Happy Birthday Republic of South Sudan
24-7 Prayer International // Re-imagining Sudan
We want to ask you to stand with Sudan and be their friend at a time of need.
We also want to ask you to pray. Would you set aside the 9th July as a day of prayer for Sudan and for the effects of the split between North and South.
- To pray for a peaceful transition and an end to violence.
- For a solution to the problems in Darfur.
- For the children of South Sudan, and for families living in Transit camps.
- For international leaders, that they will stand with the people of Sudan at this difficult time.
On the 9th July, as you wake up, I'd like to ask you to get a marker pen or biro and write a word on your hand 'Sudan'. Let God do the rest and be willing to respond to his prompting to pray.
Praying for the world's youngest nation. Read more.
The Good News Corner:
DOMA: House Affirms Law
In the U.S. House, Reps. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., and Dan Burton, R-Ind., introduced an amendment that addresses DOMA and the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
The bill, H.R.2219, which states, "No funds under the act may be used for activities in contravention of Public Law 104-8201, the Defense of Marriage Act," passed by a margin of 248-175.
To the chagrin of gay activists, 19 Democrats sided with Republicans in affirming marriage. Only six Republicans voted against the measure.. Eight members did not vote. (Source: CitizenLink)
More on today's victory from the Family Research Council:
"The Foxx and the Marriage Hounds"
They may have bought their way to victory in New York, but homosexual activists have a long way to go in persuading the rest of America to follow. Even with the media in their back pocket, the same-sex lobby can't seem to overcome the mass resistance to homosexual "marriage." With the press doing all it can to make same-sex "marriage" feel inevitable, Congress is still solidly standing with the American people. Yesterday, the House made it clear that the President's favorite constituency won't be flying the rainbow flag over Washington any time soon. Together, members from both parties lined up to support an amendment from Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) that reaffirmed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in matters of military policy. By a 248-175 vote, the House overwhelmingly agreed that normal marriage should be the only union recognized in federal law.
While the Obama Marxist media is sure to ignore the significance of Thursday's vote, it speaks volumes about the real state of marriage in America. In all of the back-room dealing and political arm-twisting, we can lose sight of how mainstream marriage actually is. And if the President won't fight for it, Congress will. That includes Democrats--19 of whom voted in favor of the amendment: Reps. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), John Barrow (D-Ga.), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Dan Boren (D-Okla.), Ben Chandler (D-Ky.), Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), Mark Critz (D-Pa.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Gene Green (D-Texas), Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Larry Kissell (D-N.C.), Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Nick Rahall (D-W.V.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.). If their decision proves anything, it's that the administration's radical position is not representative of the country--or Congress.
This morning, the House announced that it wasn't finished protecting marriage. Members followed up the Foxx amendment with a second measure. Led by Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kans.), 236 representatives put their full backing behind an amendment to stop the Navy from slipping same-sex "marriage" onto military bases. After Congress voted to lift the ban on open homosexuality during the lame-duck session, Admiral Mark Tidd used the repeal as an excuse to order his chaplains to perform same-sex "weddings." This amendment would put the brakes on any policy changes that conflict with DOMA. Obviously, the issue of homosexuals in the military is far from resolved. The voice of Congress may be drowned out by Hollywood and the liberal elite, but the importance of these measures cannot be overstated.
This morning, the House announced that it wasn't finished protecting marriage. Members followed up the Foxx amendment with a second measure. Led by Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kans.), 236 representatives put their full backing behind an amendment to stop the Navy from slipping same-sex "marriage" onto military bases. After Congress voted to lift the ban on open homosexuality during the lame-duck session, Admiral Mark Tidd used the repeal as an excuse to order his chaplains to perform same-sex "weddings." This amendment would put the brakes on any policy changes that conflict with DOMA. Obviously, the issue of homosexuals in the military is far from resolved. The voice of Congress may be drowned out by Hollywood and the liberal elite, but the importance of these measures cannot be overstated.
Worship with Us Today!
Hillsong: "You'll Come"
Let's end this week in worship . . ..
Yes, Lord, You'll Come to Us!!!!
