In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• ICEJ Statement
• Norwegian Terrorist No Christian
• UN Youth Summit Meets This Week
• Update: Same-Sex Marriage in NY
• Israel's 1967 Borders
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, July 26, 2011
"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
The Daily Brief
1. Boehner delays debt vote - Washington Post
House Republicans have delayed a vote on their bill to lift the debt ceiling as they scrambled Tuesday night to rewrite portions of the measure to ensure that accompanying spending cuts were large enough, according to three senior GOP aides. Budget analysts said hours earlier the plan would only create $850 billion in savings as opposed to the sought-after $1.2 trillion. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the vote could now happen Thursday. Read more.
- Offer praise to the Lord as He continues to lead Speaker Boehner and the other House Republicans through this complicated process, one step at a time.
- "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way." (Psalm 37:23)
2. Previous Debt Ceiling Hikes Were of Shorter Duration Than the One Obama Wants Now - CNS News
The three previous debt ceiling increases signed by Obama have all been of shorter duration than the 18-month increase the administration is currently demanding, which is contrary to the president's argument that a long-term increase is necessary for economic stability.
- Abrupt policy changes, like the one cited above, do nothing to calm the nerves, but only adds to the tension of an already-intense situation. Obama seems to be a bit in over his head. Pray that he will find the humility and the wisdom to seek out sound counsel and wise guidance through these perilous times, and that he will then take heed to the advice that is given. Pray!
- "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (I Timothy 2:1,2)
3. U.S. cash said to be reaching Taliban in Afghanistan - Washington Post
Military-led probe cites "credible evidence" that U.S. taxpayer money has been indirectly funneled to the Taliban under a $2.16 billion transportation contract that the United States has funded in part to promote Afghan businesses.
The unreleased investigation provides definitive evidence that corruption puts U.S. transportation money into enemy hands, a finding consistent with previous inquiries carried out by Congress, other federal agencies and the military. Yet U.S. and Afghan efforts to address the problem have been slow and ineffective, and all eight of the trucking firms involved in the work remain on U.S. payroll. In March, the Pentagon extended the contract for six months. Read more.
- As Congress continues to struggle to find ways to rein in our spending, pray that any and all funds used for corrupt practices be disclosed and canceled. Bring our money home, where WE need it, and now!
- "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. Americans increasingly unhappy with Washington's effort on jobs, poll finds - Washington Post
More than a third of Americans now believe that President Obama's policies are hurting the economy, and confidence in his ability to create jobs is sharply eroding among his base, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Americans are also unhappy with congressional Republicans: 65 percent disapprove of the GOP's handling on jobs, compared with 52 percent for the president. Read more.
- Offer praise that the American people are beginning to see past the propaganda of the mainstream press to the reality of our situation. May they respond, in kind, when it is time to cast their vote. The decision of who will next occupy the Oval Office rests with us.
- "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." (Gal. 6:7)
5. World stocks fall as US debt deadlock continues - AP
World stock markets were lower Monday after U.S. political leaders failed to reach a deal to raise Washington's debt limit and avoid a default.
- As "political leaders failed to reach a deal," could it be that we have been looking in the wrong direction to see this crisis resolved? Might there be a man (or a group of men) of great means who would come forward to help us to bridge this gap? Can the private sector bring us a solution where the public sector cannot? Call forth a "Joseph" to appear, as one did at the time of the burial of Jesus' body, to step into this picture and provide perhaps a short-term "fix" on the way to a long-term restructuring of our national debt crisis. Nothing is too difficult for God! Pray!
- "Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.. . . " (Luke 23:50-53)
6. Obama formally ends 'don't ask, don't tell' policy - NY Daily News
Gays to serve openly in military as of Sept. 20 - Obama on Friday formally signed off on ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
- This is huge. We cry out to God to show His mercy to our nation, even in the midst of our fallen state. The clock continues to "tick" towards the day of judgment and the day of reckoning. Will we be found faithful when He returns?
- "In wrath, remember mercy." (Hab. 3:2)
7. Gunman Is Ordered Held, Warns of More Terror Cells - Wall Street Journal
The man who confessed to carrying out a bombing and shooting spree that left at least 76 of his fellow Norwegians dead told a court that he was part of an organization with "cells all over Europe," a claim authorities said they were investigating but unable to confirm.
- Continue in prayer, lifting up "all in authority" in Norway (and beyond), as they work to confirm this report and to dismantle the plans of other cells that may be located throughout Europe.
- "For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light." (Mark 4:22)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
" Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:16,17))
1. Israel Intercepts Boat Carrying Weapons on Dead Sea - Fox News
Israeli security forces intercepted a boat Monday on the Dead Sea carrying assault rifles and ammunition from Jordan, Israeli authorities said.
2. Israel, US to hold massive missile defense drill next year - Jerusalem Post
In the face of Iran's continued pursuit of a nuclear weapon, Israel and the United States will hold a large-scale missile defense exercise in the beginning of next year aimed at improving operational coordination between both countries' defense systems.
3. Senior IDF officer: Iron Dome averted Israeli offensive on Gaza - Ha'aretz
IAF colonel says deployment of the missile defense system this year allowed Israeli leaders to have more options when dealing with the cross-border escalation with Gaza in April.
4. Former Israeli diplomats in Washington: 1967 borders are defensible - Ha'aretz
The former ambassadors and decorated soldiers met with U.S. National Security Council in Washington with an appraisal of Israel's security needs significantly different from the prime minister's.
5. Natanyahu to announce dramatic reforms to resolve housing crisis - Jerusalem Post
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is expected to present a series of reforms aimed at solving the housing crisis in a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Tuesday with Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and Construction and Housing Minister Ariel Attias.
6. Netanyahu cancels Poland visit as housing protests take Israel by storm - Ha'aretz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled his scheduled visit to Poland this week following mass housing protests that have been gaining momentum in various cities across Israel.
7. Selling Land to Jews 'Punishable by Death' - CBN News
Israel supporters are sounding the alarm on a controversial law in the Palestinian Authority that forbids Arabs from selling land to Jews.
The Daily Jot
Perilous times and the debt debate
The word of God states in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." Anyone watching the president of the United States in the debt debate has seen all of this. Even the Washington Times asked in bold headlines, "Is Obama a pathological liar?"
Plain speech is what we need to hear. And plain speech is that when you spend and borrow so much that you cannot pay your bills, you must cut back on your spending. American households just cannot spend more because there is nothing to spend in the family coffers. On a much larger scale, that is what has happened to America--faster under this president than all the others in history combined. Now even Democratic leaders in Congress are reluctantly agreeing with Republicans that there must be deep cuts in government programs without tax increases on an already burdened citizenry to fix the problem. The man who occupies the Oval Office is all alone in his rhetoric for a "balanced approach."
He is all alone because he is point blank lying to the American people about the situation. Insiders on the Hill in both parties are now saying the president is not telling the truth. The American people cannot afford any more government. In fact, it is out of control to the point that government spending threatens not only the national security, but also the future of every American citizen, young and old. The president is trying to make this a classic communistic class struggle between the haves and the have nots, but this is not what this debate is about. You should not hate your fellow American for being successful. His success is tied to your success and well being. This is about responsible fiscal stewardship.
The president has threatened to not pay social security or veterans benefits if the debt ceiling is not raised in a way that he can continue to tax citizens and grow the government. He is blaming his actions on those who disagree with him, saying they will force him to withhold payments. Pensions and social security are in trusts. If there is not enough money in these trusts, who stole it? Even those believing in social justice know that there is a limit to what the government can do--the limit of draining the people's every possession that it might be redistributed to someone else. Indeed, perilous times have come. The right answers are found in God's economy. You have to know the Bible, however, to understand them.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
ICEJ Statement:
Norwegian tragedy - July 26, 2011
Dear Friends,
It is with horror that we read the reports of the needless killings in Norway. Even more disturbing is the fact that the assailant apparently described himself as a Christian and supporter of Israel. To commit acts of evil of this nature in the name of God or any religion is just totally unacceptable and evidence of a deluded mind. Christians who support Israel all over the world and who are related to our great movement, which incorporates more than a hundred countries, condemn this crime in the strongest manner. To take innocent life in the name of some religious/political agenda is totally abhorrent.
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, together with its Norwegian Director, Leif Wellerop, and Branch in Norway, join with the Nation of Norway in sorrow and prayer at this very difficult time. We can only trust that the God of Heaven will bring comfort and peace to the families who have lost precious loved ones. We have yet again called our global movement to prayer and Norway will be in our hearts and minds as we call upon the throne of God to bring real peace to our broken world.
Yours in Christ,
Malcolm Hedding
Executive Director ICEJ
Norwegian Terrorist No Christian
Both the Washington Post and the New York Times have run headlines labeling Anders Breivik, the Norwegian mass murderer, a "right-wing Christian." These are the same two newspapers that go to great lengths to avoid using the word "Moslem" to describe Islamist murderers.
They regularly warn us not to jump to conclusions about any jihadist attack, and they lecture us not to reach any conclusions about the role the Muslim religion might have played. All of these "rules" have apparently been cast aside as the two papers, and countless other commentators, try to make Breivik into a conservative Christian.
I can assure you that Anders Breivik was not a follower of Jesus Christ. I can say that with confidence because neither he nor anyone else can cite one word from the teachings of Christ that would justify his evil actions. His murderous rampage is a repudiation of the whole body of Christ's teachings. The same cannot be said about the teachings of Muhammad, which contain many statements that can be used to justify murder.
No one can find one Christian theologian, reputable pastor, denominational leader, Christian author or philosopher who will attempt to defend Breivik's actions. Unfortunately, many imams, Muslim leaders and mosques will defend Islamists who intentionally kill civilians, including children.
In Breivik's 1,500 page "manifesto," it is clear that he hates Islam and wants Europe to rediscover its Christian culture. Breivik likes violent video games. His favorite TV show is Dexter, a series that glorifies a serial killer. One also finds in his ramblings that he is a follower of Charles Darwin, seldom if ever prays, says it is possible to be a "Christian atheist," and adds, "I'm not going to pretend I'm a very religious person."
Breivik doesn't have to pretend he is a religious man -- the Washington Post and the New York Times will pretend for him. (Gary Bauer)
UN Youth Summit Meets This Week
Pro-Family Young People Seek to Influence UN Youth Summit
Summary: Locked out of sessions, they submit a declaration.
Young people who support life and family values are showing the United Nations High Level Meeting on Youth this week that there are other points of view in the world. The UN has crafted a document for the New York summit establishing certain "rights" for youth worldwide. It subverts parents' rights and presses a pro-abortion agenda.
In response, the International Youth Coalition submitted a document of its own that affirms life and family. It's been signed by 57,000 young people worldwide.
We -- young people from all over the world -- celebrate the fact that, as human beings, we are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore we possess inherent human dignity. We believe that the age of youth is the "sculptress that shapes the whole of life" and as such this is perhaps the most critical period in the development of the human person. Because we are the future of the human family, we strive for the common good and for a positive renewal of society. We seek the continued healthy flourishing of the human family.
Spokesman Tyler Ament says UN officials told young people with his group they wouldn't be able to attend sessions, because of space limitations. But when they peeked in the large hall, they saw many empty seats.
"There's a voice that's missing from the conversation," he said. "We don't want children to have so-called rights to make decisions without their parents, when they're not ready to." (CitizenLink)
Lawsuit Targets New York Same-Sex Marriage Law
New York's law legalizing same-sex marriages went into effect over the weekend, just as family advocates went to court to overturn the law.
Liberty Counsel filed the challenge asking a state court to undo the law. They charge that there were procedural violations during the legislative process. The suit says open-meeting laws were ignored: Gov. Andrew Cuomo lifted a mandatory three-day review period for the legislation, and rule changes on the Senate floor prevented debate on the bill.
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver says the state Constitution specifically requires government to be open and transparent, and that mandate was ignored. "Even during some of the Senate discussion, they actually locked the doors so that the senators could not leave, and the public could not get into the session," he explained. "Everyone suffers for it. Really what happens is we lose the representative form of government.
Liberty Counsel is representing New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms (NYFCF) and several others.
Sunday was the first day same-sex couples were allowed to marry. In response, the National Organization for Marriage held four rallies across the state attracting, in all, more than 10,000 supporters. In New York City, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo, the simultaneous rallies asked lawmakers to give voters the right to decide this critical issue. Supporters are aiming to put a measure on the 2014 ballot to define marriage as one man and one woman.
To date, at least three New York municipal clerks have resigned rather than issue same-sex marriage licenses. The Alliance Defense Fund released a memo last week to clerks outlining their rights under the state religious accommodation law. A website The Courage Fund launched by NYFCF seeks to provide assistance and encouragement to municipal clerks and other people of faith facing job loss, harassment and unfair termination in light of the same-sex marriage law.
The Rev. Jason McGuire, executive director of NYFCF, said it's all about accountability.
"Constitutional liberties were violated," he said. "We are asking the court to intervene in its rightful role as the check and balance on an out-of-control state Legislature." (CitizenLink)
Israel's 1967 Borders
In this video, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon explains the historical facts relating to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. This six-minute video explains where the terms "West Bank", "occupied territories" and "67 Borders" originated and how they are incorrectly used and applied. ________________________________________
Highly recommended!!
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM.
PRAY THAT THERE WILL BE NO "LAND GRAB" BY THE UN.
PRAY THAT THERE WILL BE NO DIVISION OF JERUSALEM.
PRAY FOR GOD TO DIVINELY INTERVENE IN THIS SCHEME OF THE US of A AND THE UN.
- "You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you." (Job 22:28a)
The Good News Corner:
Norway Looking to God in Aftermath of Devastating and Deadly Attack
Aimee Herd (July 26, 2011)
"Christians around the world will have to pull together to help Norway in the following months to come." -Dr. Patrick Long
(Norway)-According to a Christian Post report, the citizens of Norway are still in a state of shock, and many are turning to God for answers and comfort after Friday's bombing and shooting by suspected "lone wolf" terrorist Anders Behring Breivik, a 32-year-old Norwegian man.
The horrendous attacks left at least 76 dead; most of them young people who were gunned down at a youth conference on the island of Utoya, near Oslo. Churches reportedly remained open on Saturday to be accessible to mourners and for prayer.
While Breivik describes himself as "a Christian," he was found to have strong nationalist and anti-multiculturalist views. Norwegian police officials told reporters that Breivik's targets were government officials and children "associated with the governing Labour Party."
Dr. Patrick Long, a retired pastor in New Orleans, Louisiana, commented saying, "When an event like this happens to young people especially-it is a crime against the entire nation."
"Our nation is praying for a praying nation," added Long. "It is shocking that such a peace-filled country saw such hatred in one man who obviously did not know where his loyalties were and was without a doubt, insane. Christians around the world will have to pull together to help Norway in the following months to come."
[Source: Leigh Coleman - Christian Post]
Read more.
Worship with Us Today!
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS by CECE WINANS
Traditional hymn reminding us of the unchanging love, compassions and faithfulness of our Faithful God.
