In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Senate to Hear DOMA Repeal
• Generous to a Default
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
Greetings!
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, July 14, 2011
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
The Daily Brief
1. a) Moody's Places U.S. on Review for Downgrade As Debt Talks Stall - Bloomberg
Moody's Investors Service put the U.S. under review for a credit rating downgrade as talks to raise the government's $14.3 trillion debt limit stall, adding to concern that political gridlock will lead to a default.
b) Obama immaturely pouts and walks out of talks - Politico
Obama abruptly walked out of a stormy debt-limit meeting with congressional leaders Wednesday, a dramatic setback to the already shaky negotiations.
- Lord, we humbly ask that You intervene in these debt talks on both sides. Do not divorce Yourself from America over the hardness of men's hearts. Remember Your purpose for us, and remember mercy. You alone have an answer that will save America from default and disaster. We pray also for the Holy Spirit to plow up the hard ground in our Obama's heart. We place our nation in Your hand.
- "O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2b)
2. Palestinian envoy to UN: European states will recognize Palestine before September - Jerusalem Post
The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, is in the forefront of the Palestinian diplomatic move − now gaining momentum − before the General Assembly meet in September. In the coming weeks, Mansour will submit to the UN secretary general an official request for Palestine to be accepted as a full member of the world body.
- Pray that the vote with either not take place at all, or will fall in favor of Israel.
- ". . . the residue of My people shall spoil them, and the remnant of My people shall possess them. This shall they have for their pride, because they have magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts." (Zephaniah 2:9b-10)
3. 81% of Israelis support EU membership, BGU poll finds - Jerusalem Post
Survey also finds 64% of Israelis would support NATO deployment of peacekeeping troops to West Bank, Gaza; Merkel most popular EU leader.
- Lord, we pray that You will guide the leadership of Israel into all truth. Protect them from international restrictions that would limit their ability to defend themselves, and help them to rely on You as their Source.
- "Ask of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, and to everyone grass in the field." (Zechariah 10:1)
4. Bolton: Obama worst president for Israel - ever - Jerusalem Post
Obama bought in to what he said was the "European line" that if you make progress between Israel and the Palestinians "freedom and light" will break out in the region, and every other problem from Iran to terrorism will be easier to solve. "I think that is like looking through the wrong end of the telescope," said John Bolton, former Ambassador to the United Nations.
- Pray that Jews will see truth and not vote or follow anyone based upon "tradition" or party deceptions.
- "And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and no one else: and My people shall never be ashamed." (Joel 2:27)
5. Europe considers Greek default, leaders to meet - Reuters
European Union leaders are poised to hold an emergency summit after finance ministers acknowledged for the first time that some form of Greek default may be needed to cut Athens' debts and to stop contagion spreading to Italy and Spain.
- Father, we plead with You for a plan and a pathway out of the world economic crisis. We pray that Your mercy would be granted to European nations, and that Your Spirit would brood over them for new life.
- "For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desire are not to be compared to it." (Proverbs 8:11)
6. Obama Executive Orders Impose New Gun Rules - The Blaze
"In an effort to stem the illicit flow of weapons into Mexico, the Justice Department announced Monday that all gun shops in four Southwest Border States will be required to alert the federal government to frequent buyers of high-powered rifles. Under the new policy, federal firearms licensees in Texas, California, Arizona and New Mexico must report purchases of two or more of some types of rifles by the same person in a five-day span.
- Since the vast majority of criminals don't buy their guns at a licensed facility, this new idea would not do much to stem the illegal guns into Mexico. Pray that God will reveal the true pipelines of underground weapons, and bring to justice the perpetrators.
- "He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence, and precious shall be their blood in His sight." (Psalm 72:14)
7. Gunmen blow up Egypt gas pipeline - Telegraph UK
At least four masked gunmen attacked the station, near the town of Al-Arish, about 30 miles west of the Israeli border, in the early hours of Tuesday. The attackers ordered the guards on duty to leave and then blew up the terminal, starting a fire that could be seen from 12 miles away, There were no reported casualties. It was the fourth attack on facilities supplying Egyptian gas to Israel this year.
- Lord we ask that You cover these gas pipelines to Israel and station Your angelic host around them. We also pray that the new found gas deposits within Israel's own borders would be quickly tapped so that Israel would not be as dependent upon the Egyptian lines.
- "Yes, and the Lord will answer and say unto His people, Behold, I will send you corn and wine, and oil, and you shall be satisfied with it: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen." (Joel 2:19)
8. Religious Freedom Group Sues Perry Over Planned All-Day Prayer Event
in Texas - Fox News
A Wisconsin-based religious freedom group is suing Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a possible Republican presidential contender, in an effort to block his promotion of and participation in an all-day Christian prayer event to be held Aug. 6, arguing that it violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
- Whenever men repent, the enemy gets nervous, for true repentance brings blessings, salvation and revival to a nation. Ask our Lord to forgive those who are promoting this effort to block Governor Perry's call to prayer, and pray for their souls. May our Lord raise up attorneys of great skill, wisdom and counsel who will be able to defeat this latest ploy to block religious freedom in our land. Pray!
- "This far and no further, and here shall your proud waves be stopped." (Job 38:11)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"The LORD has prepared His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all." (Psalm 103:19)
1. PA: Russia prevented statement on Jewish state recognition - Ynet News
Palestinian spokesman Nabil Sha'ath credited Moscow Wednesday with silencing a statement by the Mideast Quartet after its meeting earlier this week.
2. Sky's no longer the limit - Ynet News
The defense establishment is set to present an impressive plan in the coming days, the aim of which is to render Israel the most defensible country in the world from the threat of rockets and ballistic missiles.
3. Iran to enrich higher-grade uranium in underground bunker - Ha'aretz
Iran is preparing to install centrifuges for higher-grade uranium enrichment in an underground bunker, diplomatic sources say, a development that is likely to add to Western worries about Tehran's atomic aims.
Senate Sets Hearing Date For DOMA Repeal
Will meet at 10:00 a.m. next Tuesday, July 20th.
Summary: Wasting no time, Senate Democrats have set a hearing date on repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced on Tuesday the date his committee will hear testimony on repealing DOMA, a 1996 law designed to protect the rights and privileges of marriage. Testimony for and against the Democrat bill S, 598, entitled the "Respect for Marriage Act," will commence at 10am (ET) on July 20 and can be viewed live online.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for CitizenLink, said the name of the bill is shameful, as the hearing -- and the bill being considered -- seeks to undermine marriage. "Although its sponsors pretend that this bill is simply about providing federal rights and benefits for same-sex couples -- which by itself would impose a tax burden on all of us," he said, "the real goal of this bill is to lay the foundation for activist courts to impose same-sex marriage on all 50 states.
"What the sponsors fail to disclose is that this bill doesn't just repeal the federal definition of marriage. It also repeals the section of DOMA that allows states to decide whether or not out-of-state 'marriages' will be recognized. The agenda to force same-sex marriage on America comes through loud and clear."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Watch the hearing online.
[CitizenLink]
Generous to a Default
As Obama works to stoke the fears of Americans about the debt debate, genuine fear is gripping conservative members of Congress. It's fear that this unique moment in history, where we have an opportunity to reform a broken system of government, will be lost. There is growing concern that Republicans may settle for a "deal" that raises the debt ceiling but shortchanges the voters who elected this Congress to fundamentally change Washington. But, there is reason for optimism. In my conversations with a number of conservative members, it's clear that a consensus is building to move forward with a Cut, Cap and Balance bill. Frustrated with the other options on the table, leaders like Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are pulling together a concrete proposal to cut the deficit in half, cap spending at 18% of the economy, and balance the budget. Instead of making "cut, cap, and balance" part of the plan to raise the debt ceiling, cut, cap, and balance would be the plan.
"We're going to introduce a [proposal] that would give Obama an increase in the debt limit," Sen. DeMint said this morning, "but it's contingent on cutting spending and capping spending over several years, and giving the states the opportunity to decide if we're going to balance our budget in the next decade." Unlike the other alternatives, this measure puts the onus on Obama to stop talking about tough choices and start making them. For once, Congress would have a clear path forward to a final agreement that forces Washington to live within its means. Under this proposal, America's credit limit would increase by $2.4 trillion--but only when the cuts and caps are in place, and a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget is approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
This is a better way forward for those who truly want to reform Washington and bring about fiscal responsibility. The Cut, Cap, Balance Act, which would only require 218 votes, is a great first step toward getting 290 members on board to pass the Balanced Budget Amendment. If, instead, the House leads with a vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment before the August 2nd deadline and fails, there will be little political will and even less time to start over with the Cut, Cap, and Balance bill. In the meantime, the media should start pressing the President on his statement that he "can't guarantee" that seniors or the military would get their checks after August 2nd if the debt ceiling isn't raised. While the spin benefits him politically, the reality is, this administration has a whole host of non-essential government programs it could postpone to keep Social Security afloat. (Family Research Council)
The Good News Corner
Campaign Offers Hope, Healing to Porn Addiction
The wake of the effects of pornography can be seen in addiction, exploitation, family disintegration, violence against women and children and sex trafficking -- a high cost not only for the individual, but society as a whole. That's why a national coalition of over 100 pro-family groups has launched a month-long awareness campaign about the harms of pornography, as well as hope for healing.
According to the campaign's website, the goal is to reach tens of thousands of people, using various media platforms: "Like the pornographers, we will harness the power of the Internet, with extensive use of social media. We will (also) feature a series of Livestream conferences on Facebook, and our websites that will enable the viewers to participate with questions and discussion in real time."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Watch the conferences online.
http://clink.convio.net/site/R?i=d_2rb5C8-fzsuD7808XGXg [By Catherine Snow; CitizenLink]
Worship with Us Today!
The Power Of Your Love
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your spirit leads me on
by the power of Your love.
