CHPP Daily Brief Monday, January 13, 2014

The fields are RIPE for harvest!
Please see below . . . at the end
of today's report. Praise the Lord!

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The Daily Brief

Monday, January 13, 2014
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases."
(Lamentations 3:22)

	The Daily Brief

1. Gates: 'Don't ask, don't tell' fight was only time Obama showed 'passion' for military issues - Fox News

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates sharply questions President Obama's "passion" for military matters in his forthcoming memoir, and claims that practically the only time he saw that in the president was during his push to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." The former Pentagon chief said in an interview aired Sunday that he was "disturbed" by Obama's "absence of passion" when it came to his military strategy. But in the book, "Duty," reviewed by Fox News, Gates hit Obama harder -- and in personal terms -- by contrasting his style with that of former President George W. Bush. (Read more)
- On an NPR radio interview this morning, Gates spoke more of this issue, and shared how he wept for four years, every day, as he wrote letters of condolence to the families of those who had lost loved ones in battle. Moreover, knowing he did not have enough Surge troops on the AfGhan front, he had to make the decision to extend tours of duty to 15 months - triggering the "two time rule" - missing two Christmases, two birthdays, two anniversaries in families - he believes this has increased suicides and PTSD cases! You can hear the whole broadcast interview here.

- Pray in the Spirit as you listen to this interview, and ask our Lord to grant an awakening to the president and to all who must make decisions that impact our men and women in uniform. May each leader know the heart of the Father as they do so.

- "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

2. Harry Reid May Be Open to Amendments to Restore Military Pensions - Breitbart

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) killed an amendment on Thursday that would have restored the military pensions that were cut in the budget deal brokered by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). He may now be open, however, to allowing Republican amendments to a bill that would extend the unemployment benefits that expired before the new year.

Read more:
- Heavenly Father, may this happen so that the veterans who have given so much for all the rest of us will be able to receive what they deserve for pension benefits. We ask that You abide in the midst of all the decisions surrounding this action, in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.

- "He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, and He will break in pieces the oppressor." (Psalm 72:4)

3. White House suggests Iran sanctions bill could draw U.S. into war - LA Times

The White House launched a harsh attack on supporters of a Senate bill to impose fresh sanctions on Iran, suggesting that they have a hidden goal of drawing the country into another Mideast war. If supporters "want the United States to take military action, they should be up front with the American people and say so," Bernadette Meehan, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said in a statement. (Read more)
- Once again, come against the bullying tactics of the White House . . . determined to get its own way in all matters it confronts. Now we are talking about war. Enough is enough. Defuse this mindset by coming in the opposite spirit -- the spirit of grace and of supplication, showing mercy and forgiveness as Christ did for us on the Cross. This Christ-centered posture of intercession will release the oil of the Holy Spirit to do His marvelous work in the heart of this "king." Amen.

- "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

4. BP appeal to stop 'fictitious' U.S. oil spill claims fails - Reuters

One of BP's attempts to curb payouts for what it says are "fictitious" and "absurd" claims related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill has failed after a legal appeal was rejected by a U.S. court.

Read more:
- Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that a US court has taken this stand over the BP payouts. We know from other reports that lots of illnesses and even wildlife deformities and deaths are related to what was used in this BP oil leak crisis. Thank You, Father, that the truth is emerging and people may be helped. We pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen and Amen.

- "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." (Proverbs 23:7)

5. GOP rep: Require food stamp recipients to work - Fox News

A Republican congressman renewed his call Sunday for Congress to require able-bodied adults on food stamps to work or volunteer in order to keep receiving the benefits, as the rolls of the welfare program have grown to a record 47 million people.

"I think it makes sense," Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., said on "Fox News Sunday," after a week during which the Obama administration proposed new initiatives to target poverty. Both parties are floating ideas to address poverty and "income inequality," 50 years after the "War on Poverty" was first waged, to limited success.

Southerland, co-chairman of the Republican Study Committee's Anti-Poverty Initiative, stressed that his plan would exclude disabled people, seniors and children. He claimed most people would agree that food stamp recipients should work, train, look for work or volunteer while on the benefits.

Read more:
- Heavenly Father, what is stated in this article makes sense because You honor work and the dignity it instills in us as human beings. To live off of other people's work and money when one is able to work, brings destruction to our spirit. We ask Your hand of blessing over all efforts to bring the food stamp program back into balance, so that only those who actually need this help will receive it. We ask in Your name, amen.

- "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

6. IMF's World Tax Is a Puzzling Ploy - The Daily Bell

The West is out of control and only taxes can save it. The UK Telegraph has discovered that the IMF wants to inflict radically higher taxes on the world. Let's be clear: That tax would apply to all private wealth on the planet. And it wouldn't balance budgets but would only bring them down to a slightly more manageable level so that government borrowing and spending could continue without interruption.

After reading the entire 107 pages, Forbes' columnist Bill Frezza was livid: [The IMF proposal] means that all households with positive net worth - everyone with retirement savings or home equity - would have their assets plundered It would merely "restore debt sustainability," allowing free-spending sovereigns to keep tapping the bond markets until the next crisis comes along. (Read more)
- Abba Father, have mercy on us! This proposal does not solve a problem. It just holds off the inevitable for a period of time by plundering what so many of us have worked long and hard to earn and save. It is reflecting how they intend to take the value we have in our homes and what we have saved for retirement to just shrink somewhat the massive mishandling of money by the world's governments. We ask that You rise up and crush this evil plan into oblivion, in Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.

- "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil." (Isaiah 5:20a)

7. Exclusive: More well-known U.S. retailers victims of cyber attacks - Reuters

Target Corp and Neiman Marcus are not the only U.S. retailers whose networks were breached over the holiday shopping season last year, according to sources familiar with attacks on other merchants that have yet to be publicly disclosed.

Smaller breaches on at least three other well-known U.S. retailers took place and were conducted using similar techniques as the one on Target, according to the people familiar with the attacks. Those breaches have yet to come to light. Also, similar breaches may have occurred earlier last year.

Read more:
- Abba Father, this article reflects that far more fraud and theft of credit/debit cards has occurred than was previously reported. We are glad that now it is being exposed so that citizens can check if they were affected and start the process of cleaning up their credit. Awaken Your remnant people to be aware and to follow Your teachings on how to handle the resources You have blessed them with, so they function according to Your ancient pathways. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.

- "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

8. Israel announces plans for 1,400 new settlement homes - BBC

Israel has announced plans to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The move was expected after the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners last month, but was delayed until after a visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Read more:
- Abba Father, we know that more housing is very much needed in these areas and we are glad to hear this report. Father, we ask You to lead and direct this construction, confronting and stopping any destructive response to this work. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.

- "So that men will say, 'Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.'" (Psalm 58:11)

9. Israel excavates site in flashpoint West Bank city - Yahoo News

Israel is excavating an archaeological site in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron, officials said Thursday, in a move critics say aims to legitimise Jewish settlement in Palestinian territory.

Read more:
- Heavenly Father, we know from Your Word that this area is part of Your covenant land with the people of Israel. That is all Israel truly needs to know and believe. The 'confirmation' from archaeological digs are just a special sideline as history is uncovered and better understood. May this work prove to be fruitful, in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.

- "Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet; the hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.'" (Isaiah 28:16-17)

10. Russia tells US it will continue backing Assad - Yahoo News

Russian diplomats told a top visiting US dignitary on Friday that Moscow would continue backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's campaign against rebel forces despite peace talks due later this month. US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's visit came ahead of a crunch meeting in Paris on Monday between her boss John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that will focus on Moscow's push to give Syrian ally Iran a formal seat at the so-called Geneva 2 conference.

Read more:
- Abba Father, this article reflects a clear warning to US leaders of where Russia stands regarding the nations of Syria and Iran. Father, there have been so many 'threats' and 'counter threats' exchanged in the Middle East, Our own decision makers need Your wisdom to function well in order to handle these crises, so we ask that You confront them with the full fear of You. Awaken them to know that You alone are Lord, in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen and Amen.

- "Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them." (Proverbs 24:)

	The Middle East in Focus

The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; and you shall crush many peoples."(Micah 4:12)

1. Abbas says he won't make concessions on Jerusalem - AP

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a defiant message to Israel's leadership and U.S. mediators Saturday, telling cheering supporters that the Palestinians "won't kneel" and won't drop demands for a capital in east Jerusalem.

2. Iranian military official: Hezbollah capable of pinpoint missile strikes throughout Israel - Jerusalem Post

A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander said Saturday that Hezbollah in Lebanon has upgraded its capabilities in recent years and is now able to carry out pinpoint missile strikes on targets throughout Israel.

3. Abbas reaffirms refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state - Jerusalem Post

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday reaffirmed his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

4. Israel approves 1,400 new housing units over Green Line - Times of Israel

The Ministry of Housing and Construction announced Friday that it had approved tenders for 1,400 new housing units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

5. Obama leads world figures paying tribute to Sharon - Times of Israel

World leaders reacted with sorrow Saturday to the passing of former prime minister Ariel Sharon, hailing him for his contribution to the peace process and the brave decisions for which they said his premiership will be remembered.

6. Politicians from Right, Left and Center pay tribute to military hero and statesman - Jerusalem Post

Figures from all parts of the political spectrum paid tribute to former prime minister Ariel Sharon Saturday night.

7. Former PM Ariel Sharon passes away at 85 - Times of Israel

Ariel Sharon, Israel's eleventh prime minister, passed away on Saturday afternoon at the age of 85.

	The Persecuted Church

Today's Focus: The Persecuted Church

"For the Lord will not abandon His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance." (Psalm 94:14)

Christian Leader Marks Six Years of Imprisonment in China - CIC

This month marks Alimujiang Yimiti's sixth year in prison. Alimujiang was first charged in 2009 for "providing state secrets to overseas organizations." However, many believe the real reason for his incarceration is his zealous commitment to share the Gospel and for leading a church in the Uyghur area of China's northwest.

Alimujiang has been imprisoned since January of 2008. The following year he was sentenced to 15 years in detention. In April of 2010, his wife, Gulnur, was finally permitted to visit him for the first time since his imprisonment. Tragically, their son, who was only four years old at the time, could barely even recognize his father. At last report, Gulner is only able to visit her husband once per month at the most.

The past six years have been incredibly difficult for this family, but God has faithfully sustained them. Gulnur recently shared that she had found a new job, and that her mother has become a believer! She also expressed how encouraged she is by the many prayers of brothers and sisters from around the world, as well as by the support of local Christians.

While praying for this family, please also consider sending Alimujiang a note to build him up in his faith. Mail your letters to:

Alimujiang Yimiti
Section 11, The Xinjiang No. 3 Prison
No.1339, Dongzhan Road, Urumqi City
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region 830013
CHINA

For more news about the Persecuted Church, and how you can be more involved in intercession for these precious saints, go here.

	Update: The Supreme Court

High court tackles controversial recess appointments

Court Frowns on Obama Picks

Three of President Obama's recess appointments appeared in jeopardy Monday of being deemed unconstitutional, as the U.S. Supreme Court took up a case that could help define the limits of executive power.

Nearly every justice on the high court questioned the basis of President Obama's 2012 appointments to the National Labor Relations Board, signaling a ruling that could temper presidential authority and bolster the Senate's hand.

Even Justice Elena Kagan, an Obama appointee and part of the court's liberal wing, said, "The history is entirely on the Senate's side, not your side."

Chief Justice John Roberts also defended the Senate's role in approving nominees as an important check on presidential power, contending, "They have an absolute right not to confirm nominees that the president submits."
At issue is whether Obama overstepped by making the appointments during a limited "pro-forma" session of the Senate and, further, when exactly presidents can install judges and fill top federal vacancies without the upper chamber's consent.
The White House said Monday it remained "confident" that the Supreme Court would uphold the appointments. "In our view, we're confident that the courts will uphold the president's authority and look forward to resolution of this matter," White House press secretary Jay Carney said at his daily briefing.
But most of the justices appeared receptive to arguments that the court should uphold a lower court's ruling that the nominations were unconstitutional and should be invalidated. Such a decision, the government's attorney warned, could deprive Obama and future presidents of authority that was expressly granted by the nation's framers and has been used since George Washington's administration. "That's the end of the recess appointment power," Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli said. "You write it out of the Constitution." (The Hill) Read more.
Additional commentary in Roll Call:

Senator Mike Lee of Utah was interviewed by the press immediately after the Court was adjourned. According to "Roll Call," a blog that covers Capitol Hill, Senator Lee "predicts an overwhelming rebuke to the executive branch." As quoted by "Roll Call," Lee observed that "Most, perhaps all, of the justices understand, appreciate and respect the fact that the Senate does have the power . . . to establish its own rules and procedure, to decide things like when it's in session and when it isn't.'"
Prayer Request:

"Let's petition the Lord together to uphold the Constitutional boundaries defined by our Constitution. Further, let's ask the Lord to make clear His desire to each Supreme Court justice. We know there's a court higher even than the Supreme Court. Let's approach the Bench and petition the Lord for His judgment to be fully rendered, and His discipline to be enforced." (Prayer offered by Jon Hamill; Lamplighter Ministries)
"For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king, and He will save us!" (Isaiah 33:22) AMEN!

	Justices Challenge Obama's Abuse Of Power

Justices Challenge Obama's Abuse Of Power

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a case challenging one of Barack Obama's many abuses of power. Like you, I am frustrated that Obama is getting away with what appears to be extra-constitutional actions. Rarely a day goes by when I am not asked, "Why isn't something being done?"

Well, something is being done. House Republicans have launched several investigations and held numerous hearings. As you know, Obama's allies control the Senate, preventing unified action by Congress. In other situations, lawsuits have been filed in the courts, but they take time to work their way through the system. The Obama abuse before the Supreme Court today, for instance, occurred two years ago!

On January 4, 2012, Barack Obama made four recess appointments, including filling three vacancies on the National Labor Relations Board. Now, no one disputes the president's authority to make recess appointments. But the Senate was in session when Obama made his appointments. Three lower federal courts have ruled that Obama's appointments were unconstitutional.
But guess what, folks? The same Constitution that Obama routinely shows disdain for gives him the right to appeal. And he has appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. Senate Republicans and 17 right-to-work states joined the lawsuit against Obama's executive overreach.

Insiders say that Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan, half of the court's four-member liberal bloc, were skeptical of the legality of Obama's appointments, suggesting the decision could be 7-to-2 against Obama. A decision likely won't be issued until the summer.
If the justices decide that Obama's appointments were illegal, they could rule that everything the National Labor Relations Board did since January 2012 is null and void. The court could also avoid that issue entirely. If it refuses to address the board's actions, there will be another round of lawsuits that could take years more to resolve.

Here's to hoping the high court not only rules on the appointments, but also considers all decisions made by the board so we avoid any lingering doubt and confusion. (Gary Bauer)

	P.M. Sharon Laid to Rest

Prime minister Ariel Sharon laid to rest at his farm in southern Israel

Sharon eulogized at Negev funeral, with Netanyahu, Biden and other dignitaries in attendance; emotional Gilad Sharon mourns father who shaped 'the ethos of the nation'; army chief Gantz says the IDF 'marches to the sound of your footsteps.'

Israel bid farewell Monday to its eleventh prime minister, Ariel Sharon, who died at the age of 85 on Saturday. The Times of Israel liveblogged the day's events, from the morning's Knesset ceremony to the funeral itself at Sharon's Sycamore Farm in the afternoon.
To read a detailed account of the proceedings that took place throughout the day today both at the Knesset and at the Sycamore Farm, please visit Israel Today by going here.
Praise Report:

We thank our Lord for hearing our prayers today, and that no terrorist attack occurred anywhere near these events. Praise the Lord!

It is written: "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16) AMEN.

	God's Enemies Are Alive

Sharon is Dead, but God's Enemies Are Alive

(An excerpt)

Amidst all the accolades concerning the life of Ariel Sharon in the "Sharon edition" of The Jerusalem Post, we find in that same paper the most ominous threats - probably buried away to most Israelis who are occupied more with the just-passing away of their 11th prime minister, who by the more leftist Israeli politicians and journalists is praised for the disastrous evacuation he executed of some of his best and most courageous Israelis from Gush Katif. Therefore I believe it necessary to single out these dangers the very same newspaper has buried away.
1. For Palestinians in Gaza, Sharon's passing is reason to celebrate.
Dozens of Palestinians took to the streets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday to celebrate the death of former prime minister Ariel Sharon. Participants said they consider the death of Sharon as the beginning of the demise of the Israeli entity.
2. Abbas: No recognition of 'Jewish' state', no peace without Jerusalem

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday reaffirmed his refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. He also stressed that the Palestinians would not accept any solution that did not include east Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state. "We won't accept the Jewishness of Israel."
3. Iranian atom chief: Nuclear bill would have consequences

Iran will have no choice but to step up its uranium enrichment if a bill now moving through parliament is approved. The bill has received expressions of support from at least 218 of parliament's 290 members and, if passed, could threaten progress toward a resolution of Iran's long-running row with the international community over its nuclear program. The bill would call for enrichment to 60 percent, sufficient for use in the reactors that power nuclear submarines.
4. Tehran, Moscow negotiate huge oil-for-goods trade deal

Iran and Russia are negotiating an oil-for-goods swap worth $1.5 billion a month that would let Iran lift oil exports substantially, in defiance of Western sanctions that helped force Tehran to agree a preliminary deal to end its nuclear program. US Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was deeply troubled by the report of the Iran-Russia talks. "This reckless and irresponsible move raises serious questions about Russia's commitment to ending Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons," Engel said. Russia is one of the countries involved in the nuclear talks but, unlike the United States and the European Union, has not imposed sanctions on Iran. Russian purchases of 500,000 bpd of Iranian crude would lift Iran's oil exports by 50 percent and provide a major boost to its struggling economy. At current oil prices near $100 a barrel Iran would earn about an additional $1.5 billion a month.
5. Ministry summons Dutch envoy over pension fund divestment

For the second time in the last month and a half, the Foreign Ministry on Friday summoned the Dutch ambassador to protest against a large Dutch company's decision to sever ties with Israel. PGGM is among the Netherlands' largest pension fund managers, with assets in excess of $210 billion. Its dealing with Israeli banks amounts to tens of millions of euros, according to Haaretz. It is the latest in a string of large Dutch companies that have cut off ties with Israeli entities.
Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director
International Christian Zionist Center
Please go here to read the entire, excellent article.

	The Good News Corner

The Good News Corner:

Israel's Knesset Considers Upgrading Status of Nation's Indigenous Christians

Knesset MP feels Israel has done too little to help Christians feel that the state has their back and hopes his new legislation recognizing Christians as a separate minority group will Christians take pride in their Israeli nationality.

(Israel)-Knesset Member and coalition chairman Yariv Levin (Likud) wants to separate and boost the status of local Christian Arabs.

"My legislation would provide separate representation and a separate reference to the Christian public," Levin told the Israeli newspaper Maariv. "This is a historic and important step that can help to balance the State of Israel and to further connect us and the Christians, and I'm careful not to call them Arabs, because they are not Arabs."
Among the new laws proposed by Levin are:

- The right for Christians to be registered in their national ID cards as "Christian," rather than "Arab"

- Mechanisms recognizing Christians as a separate minority for the purpose of providing state benefits

- Separate representation for Christians on regional and municipal councils
The Christians "have a different character" than the Muslims or Arabs, he noted. "They can identify with the state" and in so doing should receive the same recognition and benefits as the Druze.

Levin went on to point out that "we (Jews) have much in common with the Christians. They are our natural allies, and a counterweight to the Muslims who want to destroy the country from within." (Israel Today) Read more here.
Reported by: Breaking Christian News

	Signs and Wonders

Signs and Wonders:

January 5, 2014:

Indonesian Volcano Erupts 77 Times in 24 Hours

A volcano on Indonesia's Sumatra island erupted at least 77 times over the weekend, sending clouds of potentially deadly superheated gas barreling down the mountain and forcing the evacuation of more villages in the highly populated area.
Mount Sinabung has displaced nearly 20,000 people from their homes since sporadic eruptions began in September. Experts have placed it under the highest alert status among the 127 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is home to more active volcanoes than any other country and has some of the world's most lethal volcanic activity.
More people were evacuated Friday from villages in the path of hot clouds of ash and gases that on Saturday blew more than five kilometers (three miles) down the mountainside, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the national disaster-mitigation agency. (Wall Street Journal) Read full article here.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 11:25-28)

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