In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• INDONESIA - VOLCANO ERUPTION
• The Promises Act
• S. 1245: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT
• URGENT: Fire near Jerusalem
• Flotilla Update
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, July 19, 2011
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
(2 Timothy 1:7)
1. Scandal Grows at News Corp. - Wall Street Journal
The head of Scotland Yard stepped down on Sunday and Rebekah Brooks -- a close confidante of News Corp.'s top executive, Rupert Murdoch -- was arrested as a convulsive phone-hacking scandal raced into the loftiest ranks of Britain's business and law-enforcement worlds.
- Lord, we pray for Britain concerning this scandal. Let truth be revealed and justice served to those who have broken the law. Bring all secrets into the light.
- Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight. (Proverbs 12: 22)
2. Girls urged to strip to support Vladimir Putin as president - UK Telegraph
An online campaign has been launched in Russia urging young women to support Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in a presidential vote by taking off their clothes, a lawmaker's site showed on Sunday.
Entitled Putin's Army, a video for the new promotion shows a blonde Russian student named Diana walking along the streets of Moscow, before using red lipstick to write 'I will tear my clothes off for Putin' on a white top.
- Lord, it is discouraging to see how the social media sites are being used by this generation. We pray for a revival in the hearts of our youth. We ask for an outpouring of Your Spirit over Russia.
- Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter to the slaughter, hold them back from their doom. (Proverbs 24:11)
3. House GOP Takes New Tack in Debt Talks
Schedules Vote on 'Cap, Cut and Balance' Pledge - Fox News
House Republican lawmakers are strategizing how to get a debt deal done in short order and avoid any potential loss in the U.S. credit rating, saying Friday they will vote on legislation next Tuesday to "cap, cut and balance" the budget.
B.) President Obama Threatens to Veto "Cut, Cap and Balance" - Fox News
The Obama administration says that financially irresponsible Obama would veto the so called "cut, cap and balance" amendment supported by House Republican freshmen and members of the Tea Party if it came to him for signature.
- Please pray for the following:
a. Please pray that this bill will pass the House.
b. Please pray for wisdom for leadership.
c. Please pray that God would have mercy upon us so that the gospel might continue to go forth and the U.S. would continue to be a shining city upon a hill.
d. Pray that the conservative Congressmen would not grow weary, but would continue in their resolve and encourage one another.
4. Many states celebrate surpluses as Congress struggles with debt - Washington Times
As Washington stares at rising national debt and projected deficits for years to come, many states are faced with the opposite problem: whether to spend their budget surpluses and, if so, on what.
- Father, thank you that many states have a budget surplus. Give the leadership wisdom on whether to spend their surpluses. We ask that You continue to raise up wise leaders with the fear of God in their hearts.
- When the wicked rise (to power), men hide themselves; but when they perish, the (consistently) righteous increase and become many. (Proverbs 28:28) Amp
5. Big Brother Creep Out: 7 Ways US Govt. Invades Brains - PC World
With increasing frequency it seems agencies of the government are looking to tap into the public consciousness to gather information on everything from how you surf the Web to how they can use information generated by you to predict the future. It's all a little creepy, really. Here we take a look at seven programs announced this year that in some cases really want to crawl into your brain to see what's happening in the world.
Read more:
- But you, Daniel, keep these words secret, and seal the book until the end times. Many will travel everywhere, and knowledge will grow. (Daniel 12:4)
6. Petraeus hands over Afghan command to Allen - USA Today
Gen. John Allen took over command of American and coalition forces in Afghanistan on Monday from Gen. David Petraeus, assuming responsibility as Afghanistan's international allies draw up exit plans from the nearly 10-year conflict.
- Father, we pray over Gen. John Allen. Give him wisdom and knowledge in handling these responsibilities. We pray protection over him as he assumes this role.
- Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
7. Iranian Man Faces Death over Religious Conversion - IPS News
Faith leaders in the U.S. representing 25 million citizens have expressed outrage about the case of Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian man who faces the death penalty if he refuses to recant his Christian faith.
Nadarkhani, 32, was born to Moslem parents but converted to Christianity at the age of 19. He was the pastor for a congregation of about 400 Christians in Rasht. Nadarkhani was arrested in October 2009 while trying to register his church, which is part of the nationwide Church of Iran. On Aug. 23, 2010, Nadarkhani's apostasy death sentence was upheld by Branch Eleven of the Appeals Court of Gilan Province. Nadarkhani is currently being held in Rasht Prison.
Victoria Nuland, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said in a Jul. 6 statement, "We are dismayed over reports that the Iranian courts are requiring Youcef Nadarkhani to recant his Christian faith or face the death penalty for apostasy - a charge based on his religious beliefs." "While Iran's leaders hypocritically claim to promote tolerance, they continue to detain, imprison, harass, and abuse those who simply wish to worship the faith of their choosing," Nuland said. "We join the international community in continuing to call on the Iranian government to respect the fundamental rights of all its citizens and uphold its international commitments to protect them," she said. Read more.
- And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bondservant Youcef (full freedom) to declare Your message fearlessly. While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus. And with great strength may Youcef deliver his testimony and may great grace rest richly upon him. (Acts 4:29,30,33)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." (Psalm 50:15)
1. Palestinians: New Israeli settlement building hardens our resolve to seek UN recognition - Ha'aretz
Israel announced plans on Monday to build another 294 homes in two Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and the Palestinians said the move hardened their resolve to seek statehood recognition from the United Nations.
2. European FMs call on Israel, Palestinians to restart talks - Jerusalem Post
As both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are actively wooing Europe before the PA's expected effort to ask for statehood recognition at the UN in September, the EU's foreign ministers issued a statement Monday calling on the sides to act responsibly and resume "direct and sustentative talks."
3. Syria increasing arms shipments to Hezbollah - Jerusalem Post
Damascus is increasing shipments of advanced missiles and other weapons to Hezbollah amid continuing unrest in Syria, The Times of London reported Friday quoting Western intelligence officials.
4. Istanbul bombing was Hezbollah attack on Israeli envoy - Jerusalem Post
A bomb hidden on a motorcycle that exploded in the Etiler district of Istanbul injuring eight people in late May was carried out by members of Hezbollah and targeted Israeli Consul General to Istanbul Moshe Kamhi, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported on Monday.
The Daily Jot
The leadership vacuum and the blame game
Obama on Friday took his case of raising the debt ceiling to the people in a news conference at the White House. His statement and answers to questions were very clear: he blames Congress for running up the debt; he blames Republicans for refusing a tax increase--what he calls a "balanced approach" or "revenues"; he continued to use Social Security, and even health care, as an area where cuts needed to be made; he said he had not studied the Republican plan, yet he said "I have not seen a credible plan." These are the ramblings of a man who instead of providing sound leadership in time of a crisis, is shifting blame and dodging answers.
It is a known fact that this president, and up until last year, his Democratic-controlled Congress, operated without a budget. In doing so, he and his political party added to the national debt a record breaking $4 trillion since January 20, 2009. He has done in two years almost as much as George W Bush did in eight years (a $4.9 trillion increase). The national debt stands at $14,356,849,859,165 and is increasing at a rate of about $80,000 per minute. As an American citizen your share of the national debt is $46,542. As a taxpayer, your share of the national debt is $129,835. Where does this money come from? If you had to pay it today for our nation to survive, would you be able to? Probably not.
This is the situation in which our elected representatives have placed us. The national debt is not a difficult thing to understand. If you have a mortgage, for example, you have personal or family debt. If you buy too much of a house and too much of a car and you run up your credit cards, you will have to make payments on this debt. When you cannot afford to make these payments, something has to give. The way you probably would handle it as a family is by cutting expenses, selling off the expensive items, or get a better paying job. The White House's idea of handling it is raising the debt ceiling, which allows the government to borrow more money. The president wants to raise taxes so he can borrow more money.
Common sense implies that you cannot spend more than you have or you will be in big trouble. When billions of dollars are being spent on frivolous studies, repairing mosques, aid to terrorist groups, funding death machines like Planned Parenthood and on and on and on, Americans need to insist on the very "unbalanced" approach of good stewardship and accountability. The future of your family is at stake. Right now we have an Isaiah 59:4 situation in our country: "None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity." We as a people need to stand, speak boldly, and hold the line on accountability.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
INDONESIA - VOLCANO ERUPTION
SUMMARY: Mount Lokon, located on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, began erupting last week for the first time since 1991. Thousands of people living near the volcano were evacuated. Residents in the city of Manado, just 12 miles away, reported respiratory problems because of the smoke and ash.
An Indonesian volcano erupted for the second time in less than a week on Sunday, July 17, 2011. It erupted two more times on Monday. Mount Lokon had been dormant since 1991, but began spewing gases and ash last week.
Although no damage and just one fatality were reported, more than 5,000 people were evacuated from the area surrounding the volcano. In nearby Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, residents reported respiratory problems due to the ash and smoke.
Indonesia is an archipelago of 17,508 islands with a population of more than 245 million people. As one news source notes, "Mount Lokon is one of about 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia." This region is "prone to earthquakes and volcanoes."
Scientists who have been studying Mount Lokon are hopeful the latest eruption "helped ease pressure building up behind the magma dome" and will result in a reduction in activity.
PRAY FOR:
- the eruptions to stop without further damage to property or lives. (The Bible, Psalm 16:1)
- the Lord to comfort those who have been evacuated from their homes and provide them with food, clean water and shelter. Pray for their emotional and spiritual needs to be met also. (The Bible, II Corinthians 1:3,4)
- leaders in Indonesia to use wisdom in dealing with this volcanic eruption. (The Bible, Proverbs 1:7)
- the Euroclydon winds of the Lord to blow through this area, clearing away the smoke and ash. Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict people of their sins and for them to understand they need Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Pray for them to ask forgiveness for their sins and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savor, and the Son of the Living God. (The Bible, II Corinthians 7:10; Romans 10:9)
- the people of Manado and all of Indonesia to cry out to God for help. (The Bible, Acts 3:19)
- Christians in this area to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel, displaying the love of God in their words, actions, and deeds. (The Bible, I John 4:8)
- a great harvest of souls in this mostly-Muslim nation. Pray for God's Kingdom to come to Indonesia in power and truth, demolishing the powers of darkness. (The Bible, I Corinthians 4:20)
SOURCES: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, redOrbit
Published by the WIN Prayer Network
BACHMANN, KING, GOHMERT INTRODUCE THE PROMISES ACT
Last week, three leaders tried to stave off the panic by introducing a bill that would keep seniors and the military from being held as political hostages by the President by guaranteeing they would get checks, as well as the interest on our debt. Together with Reps. Steve King (R-Iowa) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) introduced the PROMISES Act to help prioritize American spending if and when the government can no longer fund all of its obligations. In a statement she said, "Even if we reach our borrowing limit, both the President and Congress still have a responsibility to pay the interest on our debt and provide paychecks for members of our military . . . We cannot go on scaring the American people . . . I call on the President to tell the truth." (Family Research Council)
- Pray for the passage of The Promises Act.
- "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (I Peter 3:12)
S. 1245: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT
Missouri Republican Senator Roy Blunt has recently introduced the Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act of 2011 (S. 1245). A House version, H.R. 440, was introduced by Virginia Rep. Frank Wolf in January. The legislation would give the Secretary of State the authority to name a Special Envoy to promote the religious freedom of religious minorities in the Near East and Central Asia. The Special Envoy would be an expert in human rights and religious freedom issues and would have the rank of Ambassador.
Christians, in particular, face serious threats to their religious liberties in such nations as Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt and even in the Holy Land. A Christian Pakistani cabinet minister was killed last winter and Coptic Christians in Egypt have had several churches burned down in Cairo. (Religious Freedom Coalition)
- Please contact your senators and your representatives in the House. Rep. Frank Wolf has worked tirelessly throughout many years to help the persecuted church in many countries. Sen. Blunt is a fervent Christian who understands the needs of Christians in foreign countries. Please pray for the passage of this bill in both houses of Congress . More sponsors are needed to bring the bills to the floor for vote. Pray also for the right person to be chosen to serve as our Special Envoy. The enemy of man is pulling out all weapons to destroy God's children in these last days.
- "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."(Colossians 2: 6,7)
URGENT: Fire near Jerusalem
A massive forest fire that raged out of control threatened many Jerusalem neighborhoods and landmarks, including the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum which had to be evacuated last night. Thick billowing smoke hindered attempts to control the fire, as water-dropping planes were not able to get close to the source of the blaze, and it had to be fought largely on the ground.
Some of the workers at the museum insisted on remaining behind to save the irreplaceable artifacts that give witness to the horror that saw the slaughter of more than six million Jews. "Some of the staff, including the director general and security people, have remained behind to try and help and make sure everything is okay," a spokeswoman said. "Nothing has been damaged as far as we know at the moment, and we hope it stays like that."
Another threatened site was the major fuel depot at Pi Gilot. Early reports are that some homes also had to be evacuated. The police have arrested one person who is believed to be linked to the start of the fire, although early reports indicate that it may have been accidental rather than deliberately set. I ask that you urgently join me in prayer for the Holy City. It breaks my heart to see a news story like this. I also ask that you send a special gift to help us respond to needs that arise from this fire. (Source: Mike Evans; Jerusalem Prayer Team)
From Kathleen Mitchell:
Yesterday four sites of the Jerusalem forest (near the Yad Vashem, Holocaust Memorial Museum) were set ablaze at nearly the same moment. At midnight the last glowing ember was put out. The question always arises as to whether forest fires in Israel are acts of terror. Frequently that has been the case. At this time, no certain declarations of that nature have been made. With this being the time in the Land without rain, and the enduring heat of summer, this is a terrible time for fires to be attacking Israel.
--Pray that there will be no more fires set or started from any source.
--Pray against terrorists "picking up" the idea of advancing terror by arson, after seeing the distress, the drain of resources, and the destruction of the fires during these last few days.
--Pray for protection over the people, the property, and the resources of Israel.
--Pray for effective measures to quickly thwart or extinguish whatever fire threat is thrown at Israel
--Pray for the truth behind these fires to be discovered, and all those responsible to be held accountable.
--Pray for Israel's water supply to be repleted by the Lord, every time the enemy tries to deplete it.
Flotilla Update
The threat of the Free Gaza flotilla is not yet gone.
At this moment, a French yacht, the Dignity, which was one of the original vessels in the dissolved Freedom Flotilla of days past, is now making its way toward Gaza. Yesterday the Dignity freely sailed out of Greek waters after falsifying its destination on departure papers. Declaring their destination to be Alexandria, Egypt, was the way the Palestinian "activists" could escape the containment of Greek law, regarding any ship launching to Gaza from Greece.
Among the passengers is a member of the French Communist Party, Jean Claude Lefort, who is a former member of the European Parliament. Also on board is a pro-Palestinian columnist, Amira Hass, from the left-wing Israeli newspaper, Haaretz.
Declaring that this is the first wave of many others, who will follow, the organizers of this drive to defeat Israel announced: "This is a message to the Israeli government, to the international community and to the besieged people of Gaza: The Free Gaza Movement and the coalition of Freedom Flotilla II are not giving up until the inhumane and illegitimate blockade of Gaza is lifted."
What a pack of lies and excuses for attacking Israel!! Another passenger, an Israeli-Swede named Dror Feiller, declared that the yacht WOULD arrive in Gaza tomorrow afternoon. Clearly this is a provocative act, expected to inspire others, who hate Israel, and who believe the lies that Gaza is suffering under Jewish oppression. These 17 rebels are aspiring to be heroes, who will be the ones to humiliate Israel and to bring down the legal Gaza blockade; gaining the applause of the world and the admiration of their fellow humanists. (Source: Kathleen Mitchell)
PRAY FOR:
--Pray that the Lord would raise up a whirlpool out in the sea that will spin this boat in a perpetual circle; terrifying them into realizing WHO they are messing with.
--Pray for divine wisdom and for firm resolve in the Israeli government to maintain the blockade, rather than to make this boat the exception in order to appease international demands.
--Pray for ease and effectiveness for the navy in capturing, escorting, and searching this yacht. (The crew has already said that they are not carrying humanitarian aid, but only have the goal of breaking Israel's control over the Gaza port.)
--Pray that this strategy will totally fail and even backfire on these sailors.
--Pray that Greece will level charges against the Destiny's captain for intentionally falsifying the destination papers.
--Pray that the Israelis on board will be arrested, charged and jailed for their intentional violation of Israeli law, and for attempting to incite aggression against Israel.
--Pray for strong condemnation from the Israel citizenry upon this organization and upon this rebellious effort. Pray for Godly people around the world to rise up in condemnation of this ploy.
--Pray for strong accountability and for a high cost to fall upon this boat and its crew . . . as well as the Free Gaza organization.
--Break the power of the words of declaration issued by this crew . . . i.e. the words, which arrogantly decreed that a wave of other blockade violators will follow their successful breach of this maritime boundary.
The Good News Corner:
Ninth Circuit Rules in Favor of Church in Yuma!
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of religious liberty for an Arizona church today. In 2007, the city of Yuma had unlawfully denied the church a permit to use its building for worship. Attorneys for Center for Arizona Policy and the Alliance Defense Fund worked together to defend the church's rights in court.
"Churches should not be treated unfavorably just because they are religious, and that is what the city of Yuma had done here," said CAP Legal Counsel Deborah Sheasby. "Because of this ruling, government officials will not be able to discriminate against churches and single them out for negative treatment in how they use their property. We are excited about this victory for churches and religious freedom."
In this case, the church purchased a building in downtown Yuma in 2007, but the city denied its permit saying that a church did not "fit in" with the city's plans for the area. The church filed a lawsuit based on the Constitution and the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act ("RLUIPA"), both of which prohibit the government from discriminating against religious organizations. A lower court ruled against the church, but today the Ninth Circuit reversed that decision. (Center for Arizona Policy) Read more.
Worship with Us Today!
"All Your Promises Are True"
Shannon Wexelberg
All Your promises are true.
I will lift up my eyes to you.
When my heart starts to fail,
all Your strength will prevail.
All You have said, You will do.
All Your promises are true.
We are comforted with
strength for the journey,
hope for the hopeless,
gladness for mourning,
life and salvation,
power and victory
Lord, I believe.
Lord, I believe.
