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Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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A Special Note to Our Readers:
We had hoped to launch our "new look" today, but due to technical difficulties, this will have to wait. We appreciate the many notes you continue to send us, letting us know how important our work is to you. The main reason for our delay today is that we want to also provide a "printer friendly" document for you to copy and take to your own prayer groups, as many of you are doing now. Thank you for your patience with us, as we continue to figure out how to do this for you, at a cost-effective price. Blessings to all!!
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• The Good News Corner
• Worship with Us Today!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"Partners in Prayer for our Nation"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
A Special Note to Our Readers:
We had hoped to launch our "new look" today, but due to technical difficulties, this will have to wait. We appreciate the many notes you continue to send us, letting us know how important our work is to you. The main reason for our delay today is that we want to also provide a "printer friendly" document for you to copy and take to your own prayer groups, as many of you are doing now. Thank you for your patience with us, as we continue to figure out how to do this for you, at a cost-effective price. Blessings to all!!
The Daily Brief - Monday, November 28, 2011
"I will be their God, and they will be My people." (Ezekiel 37:27)
The Daily Brief
1. Egyptians cast votes in first post-revolution elections - Jerusalem Post
Egyptians voted on Monday in their first election since a popular revolt ousted Hosni Mubarak, amid fears the generals who replaced the deposed leader would try to cling on to power. In the nine months since a revolt ended the ex-president's 30-year rule, political change in Egypt has faltered, with the military apparently more focused on preserving its power and privilege than on fostering any democratic transformation.
- Lift up a prayer that the election results would not be corrupted, and that the people will calmly accept the outcome. Continue to pray against the growing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, whose desire is solely to place that nation under the bondage of Sharia law. Pray for Egypt!
- "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19,20)
2. US Vows Full Probe into Pakistan Border Incident - AP
The Hussein Obama administration on Saturday pledged a full investigation into a NATO attack that allegedly killed 24 Pakistani troops. The incident was a major blow to American efforts to rebuild an already tattered alliance vital to winding down the 10-year-old Afghan war. It was the latest in a series of setbacks to the alliance, often caused by border incidents.
Islamabad called the bloodshed in one of its tribal areas a "grave infringement" of the country's sovereignty. The relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. has severely deteriorated over the last year, especially following the covert American raid that killed Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani garrison town in May. Islamabad was outraged it wasn't told about the operation beforehand.
- Lord, we pray that the emotions and actions of all these leaders will be tempered. The route and drone area positions that will be compromised must be preserved for the troops working in that area. Give our officials wisdom as to how to deal with this matter quickly and strengthen our ties with nations in the Middle East.
- "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." (Proverbs 16: 32, 33)
3. Analysis: Deficit Flop Turns Spotlight on Tax Reform - Reuters
. . . The acrimonious collapse last week of talks in Congress to start fixing the budget deficit has left the country at a political standstill and limits the prospects for a tax overhaul. The debate has gotten stuck in a political standoff," said Mark Robyn, an economist at the Tax Foundation. "As long as each side demonizes the other, progress on deficit reduction will be difficult."
The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus, a Democrat of Montana, wants change. "Tax reform needs to bring efficiency, simplicity and fairness to the system. Done right, tax reform can spark job creation and widespread growth and help U.S. businesses compete in the global economy," he said.
Former Soviet states that adopted radical tax plans such as a low flat rate enjoyed strong growth. President Reagan's 1986 reforms, which after two years of haggling resulted in a cut to the corporate rate, helped lay the foundation for strong economic growth in the 1990s. The urgency for action is mounting. It already has triggered a ratings downgrade from Standard & Poor's with the threat of more to come.
- Lord, we pray you will give us many people in office who have Your wisdom and business sense. Remove quickly all those who refuse to cut back on spending or incorporate tax reforms with reasonable tax laws. We need new politicians who will do this work quickly and who will not be corrupt. Remove the corrupt ones, by Your Mighty Hand. Amen.
- "He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 28: 19, 20)
4. Sunday Shows: Republicans to Reconfigure US Budget Cuts - MSNBC
U.S. Republicans will try to spare defense programs by reconfiguring the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts that are to be triggered starting in 2013 by the collapse of a congressional deficit-cutting committee, a leading Republican senator said Sunday. "I think there's a broad consensus that too much of the cuts are weighted on our defense's capabilities and would really, really cut in deeply into our ability to defend this nation," said Senator Pat Toomey, a member of the "super committee" that failed last week to reach a deal to reduce the huge U.S. debt.
Husein Obama threatened last week to veto any efforts to undo the $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts over 10 years. Tinkering with the cuts "would be a huge mistake," Schumer said. "If you take one of those knives away" of pending cuts to Republican-favored defense programs or Democratic-favored domestic programs, there is no incentive to negotiate, Senator Charles Schumer said.
- Lord, we thank You that there are some serious people trying to reconfigure these cuts. We bind those who would jeopardize our defense and those programs which are absolutely essential. Highlight the wasteful programs to our leaders and let them agree quickly to cutting those items out instead.
- "Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you . . . " (Proverbs 4:5, 6)
5. Hussein Obama Leaves God out of Thanksgiving Speech, Riles Critics - ABC News
Fox News Radio, radio host Todd Starnes also took issue. "His remarks were void of any religious references, although Thanksgiving is a holiday traditionally steeped in giving thanks and praise to God," Starnes wrote. Ironically, the attacks on Hussein Obama came as the Republican White House hopefuls suspended their criticism of the president on Thursday in favor of a unified message of thanks to U.S. service members and their families. Three of the Republican presidential candidates - Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum - issued Thanksgiving statements that omitted any references to God. Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and Rick Perry mentioned God in their statements.
- Lord, it is not just this administration, but many elected officials that have chosen to be politically correct in trying not to offend others. But you clearly said, that we must boldly proclaim the gospel. Raise up a great flood of leaders who will speak your name. And bless those who are evangelizing the lost.
- "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy Angels." (Mark 8:38)
6. Violence, Pepper Spray Mars Black Friday Shopping - Reuters
A shopper pepper-sprayed other bargain hunters and robbers shot at customers to steal their Black Friday purchases, marring the start of the U.S., according to authorities. A Cave Creek, Arizona, Walmart was evacuated and shopping halted temporarily Thursday night after an apparent explosive device was found in an employee break room, Maricopa County Sheriff's Department spokesman Christopher Hegstrom said.
In Manhattan, a group of shoppers upset that Hollister's flagship store was not opening at midnight like other locations apparently broke into the store and stole a large quantity of clothing, police said. No arrests have been made in the burglary.
- Lord, we pray that these incidences will wake people up to the greed that is overtaking our nation. Let church leaders call for repentance of this spirit that is gripping our nation and give us all a deep desire for godliness and temperance. Let people hunger for purity in their actions instead of letting course actions control them.
- "Behold, therefore, I stretched out My hand against you, diminished your allotment, and gave you up to the will of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd behavior." (Ezekiel 16:27)
7. Capitol gets 65-foot Christmas tree from California forest - The Hill
A 65-foot Sierra white fir from California arrived Monday and became the Capitol Christmas tree. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will oversee the official tree lighting during a ceremony on Dec. 6, according to a Monday statement from the Architect of the Capitol (AoC).
The AoC will decorate the tree with approximately 3,000 ornaments, handcrafted by Californians as part of this year's theme, California Shines.
- As our hearts begin to turn now towards our next major holiday, intercede that many will pause amidst the glitter and the festivities to consider the One whose birth we truly celebrate at this time of year, our King of Kings and our Lord of Lords. Amen.
- " . . . and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder." (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)
8. 6th earthquake in 4 days recorded in Oklahoma - CBS
Sunday's earthquake is the sixth in the area since Thursday, when a 3.7 magnitude quake was recorded near Prague (Oklahoma). Three more were recorded Friday.
- As we all draw near to this momentous year of "shakings," may we each know that our hearts have been prepared to meet our Savior, when that time comes. Ask our Lord to move upon the hearts of the unsaved in this season, so that all continued shakings would cause them to find the Rock of our Salvation. Amen.
- "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
(Acts 4:12)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, "Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!" But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. " (Micah 4:11,12)
1. US Carrier Strike Force Enters Syrian Waters. Russian Carrier en route - DEBKAfile
The Syrian crisis assumed a big power dimension this week with the build-up of rival US and Russian air carrier armadas in Syrian waters - ranged against and in support of Bashar Assad, debkafile's military sources report. The USS George H.W. Bush arrived Wednesday, November 23, with 70 fighter-bombers and 8 guided missile cruisers and destroyers. Russia's only air carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov is due in mid-week to boost the three Russian warships already anchored off the Syrian port of Tartus.
2. Arab Sanctions Find Syria's 7 Neighbors on Alert. Russian Missiles for Assad - DEBKAfile
Twenty-four hours before the Arab League Sunday, November 27, clamped down sanctions on the Assad regime, the first ever against a member state; the armies of Syria's seven neighbors were already scrambling into position on standby for retaliation. Debkafile: Israeli armored brigades moved up to the Lebanese and Syrian borders; Turkey placed three armored brigades, its air force and navy on the ready, likewise Hizballah and the Lebanese and Jordanian armed forces. Russia is sending Bashar Assad siege-breaking missiles.
3. Iran to hit Turkey if nuclear program targeted by Israel, U.S., general says - Ha'aretz
A senior commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard says the country will target NATO's missile defense shield in Turkey if the U.S. or Israel attacks the Islamic Republic.
4. Iran would hit Israel's nuclear facilities if attacked - Jerusalem Post
A senior military advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned Saturday that Tehran would retaliate against an Israeli military strike by hitting back at nuclear facilities in Israel.
5. Sinai forces on high alert over Jihad threat - Ynet News
While tens of thousands of protesters are amassing in Cairo's Tahrir Square, the Sinai Peninsula is heating up.
The Daily Jot
Prophetic implications of US Middle East policies
The Middle East was a big ticket item in the 1980 presidential election between incumbent Jimmy Carter and challenger Ronald Reagan. Carter had overseen, even encouraged in the name of "democracy," the overthrow and deposing of the Shah of Iran, one of the staunchest non-Jewish US allies in the region. The Islamists under Ayatollah Khemeni stormed the American Embassy and took it and its people hostage. This, and Carter's growing friendship with terrorist Yassir Arafat, leader of the Soviet-backed Palestinian Liberation Organization, ushered in the modern era of Islamic terrorism. Yet, Carter won a 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his misguided policies in advancing peace, democracy and human rights.
Some 30 years later, radicalization of the Middle East continues with America's help. The man who occupies the Oval Office has repeated history on a much grander scale. The current administration has publicly partnered with known terrorist sponsor, the Muslim Brotherhood, and at times America's enemy of the decade, al Qaeda, to overthrow governments in the Middle East in the name of "democracy." Now the entire Middle East from Libya to Egypt to Tunisia to Yemen to Morocco to Syria to Pakistan is afire with vehement infighting and revolution. The most common outcome is the positioning of anti-Israel, anti-American Islamic Sharia Law governments rising to power.
This, coupled with the actions of the previous Bush Administration in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Israel (by forcing the evacuation of Israeli settlers from Gaza and democratic elections where terrorist were legitimately voted into power) has made the world a much more dangerous place, but has also advanced prophetic fulfillment. The foreign policy objectives of the past two White Houses has resulted in the elevation of Islamic radicals to positions of power throughout the Middle East. Meantime, there has been nothing greater than lip service and useless sanctions put in place to stop the Russian-China-North Korea axis from assisting Iran in obtaining nuclear weapons and the missile systems to deliver them.
The signs of the time, in the very least, point to a type and shadow of the Day of the Lord, if not the real thing. Isaiah 14:1 speaks of the Lord having "mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land." Isaiah 17:1 prophesies "Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap." As Iran is assisted in its radicalization efforts directly or indirectly by US policies, end time prophecies continue to align. Directly North is Turkey, which has become more Islamic and less secular. It was the last capital of both the Roman Empire, and the Ottoman Empire Caliphate which ruled much of the same territory as Rome until the 1920s. Be watchful that you are not deceived.
Have A Blessed And Powerful Day,
Bill Wilson
Publisher
The Daily Jot
The Good News Corner
The Last Letter of the Ancient Hebrew Alphabet is in the Form of a Cross!
(A devotional by George Whitten, publisher, Worthy News)
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
Our sojourn in America has been a series of divine appointments. When we were in Nashville, we were introduced to the ancient Hebrew alphabet; letters which were originally written much like ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics in the time of Moses. In this written language it was often possible to derive the meaning of a word, because each letter was a symbol, which had its own particular meaning and significance. The different combinations of these letters/symbols formed "words" which were closely related to the meanings of the letters. Some fascinating revelations emerge from looking at this linguistic phenomenon, so I'm beginning a series of devotionals to unveil, letter by letter, the mysteries hidden in ancient Hebrew, and how these can be applied to our lives.
Beginning with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which is called "Tav", we learn that this letter was used to indicate a mark or sign of the covenant. Can it be a coincidence that the letter "Tav" is easily recognized throughout the world today . . . as a cross!
The ancient Hebrew alphabet ends with a sign of the covenant -- a cross. The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, aptly, symbolizes the end of our Lord's human life on this earth, as He put and end to sin by His crucifixion, establishing the New Covenant.
Drawing a close parallel in our own lives as believers we realize that our natural lives as sinful humans must end at the cross. We are crucified with Christ (Messiah) and we no longer live, but Messiah lives in us; and the life that we now live, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. [Galations 2:20] In this resurrected life of faith, we "take up our crosses" daily, walking in the finality of the death of our sinful nature; and this is a sign to the world of the New Covenant which God has established through His Son.
Sara, don't despise your cross, the sufferings or hardships in this short life - for the cross you are carrying is a sign of your identity with Yeshua (Jesus), a reflection of His sufferings. And as you follow wholeheartedly after Him, your life will reveal the victory of His cross through the love, joy, and peace of His resurrection life which also dwells in you - a great paradox: as the end of the Hebrew alphabet, the letter "Tav", also points to - a completely new Beginning!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Denver, Colorado
To view the ancient Hebrew Tav, transcribed 2000 years ago, go here.
Editor's Note: George, Rivka & the family will be touring the U.S. between October and January. If your congregation or home group would like us to have us minister about what the Lord is doing in Israel and throughout the world, please contact george [@] worthyemail.com
Worship with Us Today!
The Church's One Foundation
The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.
The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord, to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end.
Though there be those that hate her.
False sons within her pale,
Against both foe and traitor
She ever shall prevail.
Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping;
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.
Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore,
Til with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
Author: Samuel J. Stone, 1866
Composer: Samuel S. Wesley, 1864
