Norwegians Ask for Israel's Forgiveness
(Read more below)
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The Daily Brief
Friday, Dec. 6, 2013
"I AM the Light of the World." (John 8:12)
BONUS!!
Go here to listen to this awesome rendition of our all-time favorite:
the Hallelujah Chorus!
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The Daily Brief
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1. World Leaders Remember Nelson Mandela - Voice of America
World leaders past and present are remembering anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela, who passed away at the age of 95. At the White House, a solemn President Barack Obama called Mandela an influential, courageous, and profoundly good human being. Obama reflected on how President Mandela inspired him and said a free South Africa at peace is Mandela's greatest legacy.
~Lord, we thank You for the good that this man did for his people in South Africa. We ask that good would continue to come forth out of this seed sown in good soil. Amen.
- "The blessing of Adonai is what makes people rich, and He doesn't mix sorrow with it." (Proverbs 10:22)
2. Major Ice Storm in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Tennessee, Western Kentucky; Snow from Plains to Northeast - Weather Channel
Winter Storm Cleon, the third named winter storm of the 2013-14 season, has already dumped a swath of locally heavy snow from the Rockies to the Upper Midwest. In both of those regions, some locations have received over 2 feet of snow.
~Abba, we come to You on behalf of the thousands who are without power today in the wake of this ice storm and sub-freezing temperatures. We ask wisdom for all who are affected by this storm. Many of these folks in the south are not used to driving in these conditions. We ask for Your protection over all, and that the homeless would avail themselves of warm places being offered to them. We do praise You for the "treasures" of the snow, and pray for a dissipation of this storm. Amen.
- "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' So that everyone He has made may know His work, He stops all people from their labor." (Job 37:5-7)
3. Feds not required to report security breaches of ObamaCare exchange website - Fox News
Americans who buy health insurance through the federal Obamacare exchange website could have their personal information stolen by hackers and never even know it.
~Father, we intercede over these possible breaches of security of personal information concerning the Obamacare exchange website. We are calling on Your mercy to protect and defend Your children. We ask that Congress revisit this legislation, and correct those elements from this bill that are encroaching on all of us. You are our Deliverer, and we ask You to deliver us from the evil this bill carries with it. Amen.
-"And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf?" (Luke 18:7)
4. Obama's end-runs around Congress spark bipartisan criticism - Fox News
President Obama has repeatedly pledged, "If Congress refuses to act, I'll do everything in my power to act without them," and as he makes good on his promise it's sparking criticism from both the right and left.
~ Lord, we thank You that both the right and left politicians are noticing and voicing their concerns about President Obama's disregard for Congress, and our system of "checks and balances" placed within the Constitution by our Founding Fathers. May Congress see and protect this system in order to avoid a dictatorship. We ask that You would visit our President, and instill in him a reverential fear of You, the One True God, and that this "spirit of lawlessness" will submit to Your laws.
- "But as it is, in your arrogance you boast. All such boasting is evil. So then, anyone who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it is committing a sin." (James 4:16,17)
5. U.S. Jobless Rate Falls to Five-Year Low - Wall Street Journal
U.S. payrolls rose by 203,000 last month, the Labor Department said, and the unemployment rate dropped to 7.0%, the lowest level in five years. Friday's report will stoke expectations for the Fed to soon slow the pace of its $85 billion a month in bond purchases. At their October meeting, officials said they were looking to end the program "in coming months."
~Father, we thank You for this good news - especially at this time of year. We ask that this trend will continue, and others who have been searching for jobs will find them. We know You go before us and make a way, when there is no way, and we ask You to do that for those still seeking employment. In Your name we pray, Amen.
- "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." (Eccl. 9:10)
6. Budget Pact Comes Into View - Wall Street Journal
Congressional budget negotiators are working to wrap up a two-year fiscal agreement that would put to rest the threat of a government shutdown in mid-January and bring order to a budgeting process until after 2014 elections.
~Father, again we ask that Congress stop playing "kick the can down the road". . . to keep putting off genuine cuts to the budget until after the elections next Fall. We ask for accountability on the part of these politicians, who care more about retaining their "power", than doing what is best for our nation. We ask that there would be an outcry from the people for a genuine budget, and hold their Representatives and Senators accountable for how they vote. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
-"Would a wise person answer with empty notions or fill their belly with the hot east wind? Would they argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value? (Job 15:2,3)"
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The Middle East in Focus
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The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25b)
1. Hezbollah threatens to retaliate against Israel for assassination - Jerusalem Post
A Lebanese newspaper reported on Thursday that Hezbollah blames Israel for the assassination of Hassan al-Laqqis and will respond.
2. U.S. assures Israel that core Iran sanctions still in place - Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that core sanctions against Iran would remain in place despite its interim nuclear deal with world powers.
3. Israel refuses to compromise on Jordan Valley security - AFP
Israel's deputy defence minister ruled out Thursday any compromise on security in the Jordan Valley as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
4. Palestinians reject US security ideas for peace accord - Jerusalem Post
Palestinians rejected ideas raised by visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday for security arrangements under a possible future peace accord with Israel, a Palestinian official said.
5. EU threatens to punish both Israel, PA if peace talks fail - Israel Hayom
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was set to arrive in Israel Wednesday at the height of diplomatic tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over Iran. Kerry was set to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to try to make progress in diplomatic negotiations.
6. Expectations low as Kerry tries to breathe new life into peace talks - Ynet News
Expectations for John Kerry's latest visit in Israel are markedly low as the US secretary of state makes a desperate attempt to salvage stagnant peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
7. Norwegians Ask for Israel's Forgiveness - Israel National News
"We believe we are called as a nation to be an ally and to support Israel, and we, as leaders, want to work for change in our country, and for a repentance among the Christians in our country. We want to support Israel." -Official Norwegian Declaration (Read more)
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The Persecuted Church
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Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
Iranain Pastor and a Church Minister Released from Ahwaz Prison - Mohabat News
According to Mohabat News, two Christian prisoners, Farhad Sabokrouh, Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church in Ahwaz, and Naser Zamen-Dezfuli, a church minister were released on December 4, 2013 after 214 days in Sepidar prison.
On December 23, 2011, Iranian security authorities raided a Christmas celebration at the Assemblies of God church of Ahwaz and arrested everyone in attendance. All those arrested were transferred to an unknown location in two buses.
All those arrested were threatened and released after being interrogated and their personal information taken. However, Pastor Sabokrouh, his wife, Shahnaz Jayzan, and two of the church ministers, Naser Zamen-Dezfuli and Davoud Alijani, were held in prison for converting from Islam to Christianity, proselytizing Muslims, and propagating against the Islamic regime through evangelism.
Later, the Revolutionary Court of Ahwaz sentenced each to one year in prison. Davoud Alijani was arrested and taken to prison to serve his sentence when he went to the court on May 1, 2013, while the three others were summoned to the court and transferred to prison on May 4.
Pastor Sabokrouh and Mr. Zamen-Dezfuli have been released while there are still two weeks remaining from their prison term. Iranian judicial authorities have refused to provide a reason for their slightly early release, thus it is not certain whether this pardon will include the pastor's wife, and Davoud Alijani or not.
It should be mentioned that according to a directive from Iran's Revolutionary Court and as part of the court's policy to further pressure and persecute religious and political prisoners, Christian convicts are not to be granted leave permits while serving their sentences.
The Assemblies of God Church of Ahwaz, which is technically a house turned into a church, is registered and thus under the supervision of Iranian authorities. Despite this fact, the church has been targeted and subject to unreasonable pressure.
Arbitrary arrests and restrictions on Christian converts are not a new phenomenon. In fact all religious minorities in Iran are subject to various forms of discrimination in one way or another.
For more news about the Persecuted Church, and how you can be more involved in intercession for these precious saints, go here.
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The Madisonian
Week of December 4th - 6th, 2013
Doc Fix/Unemployment Benefits
Another item on the agenda for the end-of-year ritual is usually an extension of Medicare doc fix, and in recent years, an annual extension of super-long-term unemployment benefits (UI).
Every year, due to the lack of free-market healthcare for seniors, Congress must supplement payments to doctors that treat Medicare patients. Government interventions into the healthcare market have precipitated such inflationary pressure in the healthcare sector that the government reimbursement rate, known as the SGR formula, is insufficient in covering the costs of Medicare payments. In order to rectify the situation, instead of passing free-market Medicare reform, Congress passes a temporary fix (doc fix) every year to reimburse doctors for the underpayments. The cost would range from $25-$30 billion. Republicans should block any extension unless Democrats agree to concessions on Obamacare.
Congress will also confront the deadline for expiring unemployment benefits. Typically, the UI program lasts for 26 weeks of unemployment with an additional 13 weeks during recessions. Since 2008, however, Congress has funded UI benefits for up to 99 weeks of unemployment. As part of the fiscal cliff deal, they extended benefits for up to 73 weeks.
Obviously, the cost of these long-term benefits far outpace the revenue collected from employer payroll taxes. Over the past five years, the federal government has collected roughly $240 billion in federal unemployment payroll taxes, while paying out about $600 billion in benefits. It is likely that Democrats will try to tack on another extension to one of the bigger conference deals.
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The Daily Jot
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The IRS and the First Amendment
At risk of having another false flag investigator show up at my door step, I have to say that it is my opinion that the IRS is an unconstitutional entity and should be abolished by the people. Let us remember that the First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." The IRS violates this amendment in ALL that it does. It causes people to be guilty until proven innocent, it suppresses free speech and religious freedom, and it is a "rule by fear" illegal agent of the government.
As George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley told the House Judicial Committee, "The Administrative State that is credited with so many advances in public welfare has also served to shift the center of gravity in our system to a fourth branch of federal agencies. As a result, our carefully constructed system of checks and balances is being negated by the rise of the sprawling departments and agencies that govern with increasing autonomy and decreasing transparency." The IRS is one such entity. And it is out of control. The recent scandal of singling out adversaries of the president for audit and other harassments, spying on critics and leveraging its "authority" are examples.
Another example: I had to think twice about writing this Daily Jot because just the looming threat of investigatory retaliation suppresses free speech. How many organizations were targeted by the IRS by it not allowing them their non-profit status or by investigating them for their political stances? And what does Congress do? It hauls the IRS executives into hearings and allows them to repeat "I do not recall" over and over again rather than answer simple, straightforward questions. I wonder how well it would go for you or me if we did that in an IRS audit. The untouchable nature of this illegal gestapo-like entity violates the true meaning of the First Amendment.
Given that Christian organizations are targets of this Administration, even to the point of being the objects of documents at Homeland Security and the Pentagon forewarning that Christians are likely homegrown terrorists, why would any church want to submit itself to the IRS through a 501C3 status? This is unwise. Churches, by virtue of the First Amendment, are tax exempt--hands off by Congress or the IRS or any government agency. But for the willing who would so submit. Now the IRS is coming out with new regulations for non profits, further limiting their participation in political endeavors. As with any of these laws, they will be subjectively administered. Isaiah 32:7 says, "The schemes also of the schemer are evil: he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justly."
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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Prayer Request from Australia
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Pray for Same Sex decision to be overturned
by Australia's Highest Court
Join Christians in Australia praying "in the Valley of Decision" for the Australian High Court which will rule on December 12, 2013 whether to overturn the same sex marriage law recently passed in Australia's capitol territory.
Three key items are part of the prayers networked from the Canberra House of Prayer: a) As the number 12 is related to Government, pray that the Government of God will be enacted in Jesus' Name, for our nation of Australia to stay as one Federation of States of Territories, under the headship of God's covenant, honoring the covenantal Word of God in the arena of marriage. b) pray for the Lord's mercy over the betrayal of the current Governor General, representing Queen Elizabeth, who stated she was in favor of same-sex marriage and Australia becoming a Republic. And c) for the Prince of Holiness to prevail over Australia and for Australians to fulfill their end time destiny in God as part of the Great South Lands of the Holy Spirit.
(Canberra House of Prayer) For more details, go here.
Update
Same-sex marriage: High Court reserves decision on Commonwealth challenge to ACT laws
Australia's first ever same-sex marriages will take place from Saturday, after the High Court reserved its decision on the Commonwealth's challenge to ACT's same-sex marriage laws.
The court says it will hand down its decision next Thursday, and in the meantime will allow same-sex marriages to take place in Canberra.
(ABC News/Australia) Read more.
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Update: Common Core
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Chalk Talk: Teachers Speak out on Common Core
Plenty of governors, state leaders, and parents have voiced their concerns on Common Core -- but the biggest objections may be coming from the people teaching it. Educators across the country are breaking their silence on the government's latest power grab and rejecting the role it reduces them to. "Now teachers aren't as unique," a public school history teacher in New Jersey told Fox News. The academic standards are so specific that the pressure to teach to the test is greater than ever. "It's like taking something done by humans and having it done by a machine."
Like most government projects, Common Core was designed by bureaucrats -- with or without classroom experience. In a Washington Post piece, one Delaware teacher complained that Washington's controversial program was taking the meaning out of her profession. "Teaching used to be a fun job that I was deeply passionate about," she wrote. "I used my own creativity, mixed with a healthy dose of perseverance, dedication and cheerleading to encourage my students..." Now, she explains, she has a new curriculum that destroys that ingenuity. "I was told by my administration to teach it 'word-for-word,'" reducing she and her colleagues to "robots." Unfortunately for her and thousands of other educators, Common Core doesn't just strip authority and control from parents and schools but teachers too. (Family Research Council)
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The Good News Corner
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The Good News Corner:
UK Court Recognizes Sunday as Christian Day of Rest
"...this judgment is a big step forward for proper treatment of Christians and is an important victory. At last the courts are beginning to demonstrate greater understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Christian identity extends beyond private belief into daily life. We pray that the tide is turning."
The Court of Appeal issued a judgment [Thursday] in the case of children's worker, Celestina Mba. Importantly, it gives legal recognition to the fact that Sunday is a day of worship and rest for many Christians and so is, in principle, worthy of protection.
This is a very positive step because the Court dismissed earlier rulings in the case that claimed that Sunday 'is not a core component of the Christian faith'.
These tribunals had suggested that, since not all Christians observe Sunday as a day of rest, it's not a 'core component' of Christianity (with the implication that it therefore enjoys little protection).
The Court of Appeal has rightly said that it was an 'error of law' to apply such a test. The Court held that beliefs about Sunday were in principle protected.
This is a significant step forward. It reduces an otherwise huge hurdle in cases such as Celestina's. It means that there are greater protections, in principle, for those Christians who hold that Sunday is special. It should also help to secure greater protections for other Christian beliefs and behaviour. (Christian Concern) Read more.
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Worship With Us Today!
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Hallelujah -- Andre Rieu and the Harlem Gospel Choir
At Radio City Music Hall in New York, Andre Rieu along with the Harlem Gospel Choir, and Tenors and Sopranos from his own group of performers, put forth an out of this world, totally moving rendition of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. The whole piece, from which the Hallelujah Chorus is just one part, is known as Messiah. It is legendary that it was inspired by God. Handel composed the piece in just three weeks, but it is said that modern musicians can hardly even copy it in three weeks, let alone write it from the ground up.
Hopefully you will all feel the tremendous Light in this piece, and recognize that it is intended to give the Glory to the Christ Self that is a part of each and every one of us. Always Peace and Light!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
[Go here to listen to this awesome rendition of our all-time favorite:
the Hallelujah Chorus!]
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Pray for the Harvest!
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Pray for the Harvest!
"Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35)
Every day, in every nation on earth, tens of thousands of men and women are making decisions for Christ. Now, you can monitor this amazing fact online by literally "watching" as these souls are born again into the Kingdom.
Of course, the identities of those who are coming to the Lord are never revealed, but our God knows who they are! Join us as we monitor these "names" daily, praying over each one to be mentored and to grow in his or her faith . . . even in these perilous times. You may visit either or both of the sites below, to pray for fields that are ripe for harvest.
> > > OPTION ONE: AboutJesus.net
Go here!
> > > OPTION TWO: The Great Commission Map!
Go here!
