The Daily Brief

"Praying for All in Authority"

Friday, May 23, 2014

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me."
(Psalm 51:10,11)

PRAYING FOR OUR FALLEN, AND THOSE WHO STILL SERVE, ON MEMORIAL DAY

The Daily Brief

1. Pope Francis Visits Jordan, Israel, Palestine: Expect the Unexpected
Vatican Says Pope Will Demand 'Sovereign Palestine' - Arutz Sheva

In a region where politics and religion have been enmeshed for centuries, the Pope's simplest actions will carry both spiritual and social weight. It will be the first time that an official papal delegation will include members of other faiths -- an imam and a rabbi. The Vatican's Secretary of State made a dramatic revelation ahead of Pope Francis's visit to Israel next Sunday and Monday, declaring that the pope will talk about the "Palestinian people's right to have a homeland, sovereign and independent." (Read more)
- Father, You know the real agenda of this pope, and all the collaborators for his upcoming visit to Israel and the Middle East. We do see definite political desires to be at the forefront, and to make political statements against Israel's right to exist on her own Land. We ask, Lord, that You would intervene on behalf of Your people, and that the pope's visit be canceled, or delayed. We certainly see the world government and religion coming into being on the horizon. We thank You that You are the God of Israel, our God, and the only true God. Thank You for Your mercy and Your grace, and Your protection, according to Your Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Your faithfulness to that Covenant. In Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.

- "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. My times are in Your hands; deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me. Let Your face shine on Your servant; save me for Your mercy's sake and in Your loving-kindness." (Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 31:15,16)

2. California Drought Threatens Food Supply of All Americans
Collapsing Aquifer Sinking the Land - The Weather Channel

Walk into any grocery store in America and there's a good chance the fresh produce you see there was grown in California. Up to half of the nation's fruit, nuts and vegetables are grown in the Central Valley, one of the planet's most fertile growing regions, between Los Angeles and Sacramento. Now, for the first time this century, the entire state is in severe to exceptional drought. (Read more)
- Lord, we know that often in Scripture drought is seen as judgment on the land. We, therefore ask for Your forgiveness of our nation in our worship of so many other gods, rather than You, Who is the only Source of life and abundance. We pray for rain, not only in California, but throughout our parched nation. Our dependence is on You, Lord, and to You we look for our provision. Amen.

"And Elijah said to Ahab, Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of abundance of rain." (I Kings 18:41)

3. Democrats threaten John Boehner on immigration reform - Washington Examiner

Democrats have a new message for House Republicans who have been reluctant to take up a comprehensive immigration reform bill this year: Pass a bill in six weeks, or watch the White House take action on its own.
- Abba, we are weary of these political "games" that are being played at the expense of we, the people. We know that both parties have a lust for power, and will therefore do whatever they can do for more votes. We also are weary of this president's unprecedented use and abuse of "executive orders", bypassing Congress, in order to get what he wants. We know they are desperate for more votes, and, are therefore wanting to grant privileges of citizenship to those who have broken the law to get here. We ask for sanity to return to the House, Senate, Supreme Court, and the White House! May they do what is best for the country, and not for their own political ends, we pray. Amen.

- "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (2 Chronicles 1:10)

4. House passes curbs on NSA phone surveillance - Washington Examiner

In an overwhelming vote, the House moved the U.S. closer to ending the National Security Agency's bulk collection of Americans' phone records Thursday, the most significant demonstration to date of leaker Edward Snowden's impact on the debate over privacy versus security. (Read more)
- Lord, we thank You for this development in restraining the NSA's collection of personal information of vast numbers of the American people, without any real need to do so. We pray for unity in the Senate and the House, in respecting their right to privacy, except in cases where known criminal activity is taking place. We ask that You give wisdom to the NSA regarding this practice, and that You would reveal that which needs to be revealed. Amen.

- "And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a under a bed, and not [to be put] on the lampstand? Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation. For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known." (Mark 4:21,22)

5. Reid's Desperate Pitch: Democrats in 'Deep Trouble' - Newsmax

Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, revealed on Friday that the Democratic Party is in "deep trouble" in the upcoming midterm elections. In a breathless fundraising email pitch with a subject line "deep trouble", which was obtained by Newsmax, Reid says" "The polls say it better than I ever could: we need you to make a contribution BEFORE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT." He backs up his worry with new polls that show Republican candidates neck-in-neck with their Democratic challengers in four key Senate races. (Read more)
- Abba, we bring this news to You and ask that the American citizens will vote in accordance with righteousness, and truth, and values. We ask that Your candidates will prevail at the polls this November. We come against all lawlessness and attempts at voter fraud now! We pray that such practices and plans will come to light NOW, so that this would be a fair, honest election. We look to You as our Defender and Advocate, and pray that our nation will return to righteousness, for Your glory, and our good!! Amen.

"Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility. If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek Me and stop their evil ways, I will hear from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land." (Zephaniah 2:3;
2 Chronicles 7:14)

6. Memorial Day: Rolling Thunder ready for 27th ride through D.C. - Washington Times

Aging vets look to younger riders to carry on tradition

ndependence Day has fireworks, Christmas has carolers, but the soundtrack to Memorial Day features the thunder of a half-million roaring motorcycles.

This weekend is the 27th annual Rolling Thunder event, an enormous rally that brings motorcycle riders from across the country to the D.C. area, where they cruise around the Mall to raise awareness for veterans, prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

"This isn't a ride. This is a demonstration," said Rolling Thunder national spokeswoman Nancy Regg. "This is not a biker event. There's no picnic at the end, It's to show the government that we're still here, we want answers, and we want our veterans taken care of." (Read more here) (To hear the sound of Rolling Thunder, go here.)
- This weekend, as thousands of bikers roar into the nation's capital from all across the nation, we honor Rolling Thunder and we stand in agreement with their mission. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving this Memorial Day for the millions who, over time, have given their lives to preserve our freedom, and ask our Lord to comfort those families who have lost loved ones on the field of battle in recent years. Amen.

- "Pay to all what is owed to them . . . honor to whom honor is owed." (Romans 13:7 English Standard Version)

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:

"As the mountains are all around Jerusalem, so YHWH is all around His people from this time and forever." (Psalms 125:2)

1. Rouhani: Nuclear deal 'very likely' by July deadline - Times of Israel

Talks between Iran and six world powers on a comprehensive deal over its nuclear program are "very likely" to reach a successful conclusion by a July 20 deadline, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday.

2. Israeli Arab Christians Joining Israeli Army in Greater Numbers - Washington Free Beacon

A group of Israeli Arab Christians led by a Greek Orthodox priest have roiled the Israeli Arab community by distancing themselves from their Arab identity and requesting that Christian Arabs be drafted into the Israeli army to show their support for the Jewish state.

3. Worrisome surge of extremists likely in European elections - Times of Israel

Armed with ropes and long sticks, a group of teens in Germany's capital headed out under the cover of night. Their goal: to tear down from lampposts the campaign posters of the neo-Nazi National Democratic Party.

4. Netanyahu: There is nobody to negotiate with in Ramallah - Times of Israel

The Palestinian leadership is unwilling to make compromises for peace, calling into the question the efficacy of diplomatic negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview published early Thursday.

5. US lawmakers vote to double funding for Iron Dome - Times of Israel

US lawmakers overwhelmingly backed a $601 billion defense authorization bill that would almost double funding for the Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile program Thursday.

6. First Batch of 250 Members of 'Lost Tribe' Arrive in Israel - Arutz Sheva

A group of 40 Bnei Menashe made Aliyah today from India, the first batch out of a total of 250 immigrants from the Lost Tribe that are slated to arrive over the coming month.

7. The Price of Oslo -- 933 Billion Shekels and Counting - Arutz Sheva

The failed attempt at regional peacemaking known as the Oslo Process has cost the state of Israel over 900 billion shekels -- more than $250 billion -- since 1993, and the costs keeps rising, according to a study by the Likud party's Jewish Leadership faction, which is headed by MK Moshe Feiglin (Likud-Beytenu).

8. Russia mulling deal to build up to 8 nuclear reactors for Iran - Jerusalem Post

Russia plans to sign a contract with Iran this year to build two more nuclear reactors at its Bushehr power plant as part of a broader deal for up to eight reactors in the Islamic state, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday.

9. Released Palestinian Prisoner Caught Planning Terrorist Attacks - Israel Hayom

A Palestinian infiltrator arrested in a joint operation by the Shin Bet and the Central Investigative Unit of the Northern District Police has admitted to trying to kidnap Israelis. Murad Mahmoud Hassan Ali-Hassin, 25, from the Palestinian village of Kabatiya, near Jenin, has also been accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at civilian cars in the western Galilee, as well as several other security crimes.

10. Restraining Orders on 'Extremists' Before Papal Visit - Arutz Sheva

The Israeli police have put several right-wing Jewish 'extremists' on house arrest during Pope Francis's upcoming visit, international media reports Wednesday, after the Vatican has expressed concerns about the pope's safety in the wake of "price tag" attacks.

The Daily Jot

Some thoughts for Memorial Day

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
These verses taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 define the seasons of life. There is a time for war, and a time for peace. Something that strikes me as we begin to honor our courageous soldiers who have passed on is how they are used by politicians in both times of peace and times of war to endear themselves to voters. As is the case with the current so-called Commander in Chief, America's servicemen and women are less than a prop used for political purposes. He can say all he wants about not playing politics with the veterans, but the mere reality is that veterans are dying on his watch because of mis-administration of his socialist healthcare plan, and all he says is that he will hold people accountable.
Former Pentagon spokesman JD Gordon puts the president's pandering in perspective. In a column for Fox News, Gordon documents that the patient to health care provider ratio for the terrorists at Gitmo is 1.5 to 1 while the ratio for those receiving VA health care is 35 to 1. He said of the Gitmo terrorists: "Doctors and medical personnel are at their beck and call. Got a cold, a fever, a toothache, a tumor, chest or back pain, mental health issues, PTSD? No problem, come right on in. Military doctors are waiting to see you." Yet we have veterans who fought FOR the values of this nation and our security dying while waiting for treatment in the worst example of government run health care--the president's own system.

This weekend is a time we celebrate our veterans with Memorial Day. As we share meals and fellowship with family and friends, let us have a time to remember. In your reflections, may you remember the sacrifice of our Messiah that we might live free of spiritual bondage. May you remember the blood shed by those valiant men and women who dedicate their lives that we might live free from physical bondage. Remember still those who are trying to take both from us. Reflect on how living life may be without such true liberty and what you would do should someone try to take it from you. We owe our freedom to veterans who sacrificed to protect us. What do we owe politicians who use and treat veterans nefariously?
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

House Defense Bill: Strong for Israel

House Passes Defense Bill With Strong Pro-Israel Provisions

AIPAC commends Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) of the House Armed Services Committee for their leadership in passing this important legislation.

The House of Representatives today adopted the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2015 containing several key pro-Israel provisions helping our democratic ally meet critical defense needs during this period of heightened regional instability. The legislation also affirms America's opposition to Iran's quest for a nuclear weapon and support of Israel's ability to defend itself against the Islamist regime.
The bill authorizes $350.9 million for the Iron Dome rocket defense system and $268.7 million for several U.S.-Israel cooperative missile and rocket defense programs including David's Sling and Arrow 3. The House adopted an amendment by Reps. Peter Roskam (R- Il) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN) which reiterates that it is "the policy of the United States to take all necessary steps to ensure that Israel possesses and maintains an independent capability to remove existential threats to its security and defend its vital national interests." It requires a report every 180 days that the President submits to Congress on the status of various Qualitative Military Edge (QME) issues for Israel. Also adopted was an amendment by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) which states that, "Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States to fully support Israel's lawful exercise of self-defense, including actions to halt regional aggression."
Importantly, the NDAA measure reinforces three key elements of American policy on Iran: tough diplomacy to dismantle Iran's nuclear weapons infrastructure, strong sanctions enforcement, and a credible military option.
The legislation stresses that any agreement with Iran must prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. The provision reflects current law and serves as a reminder that Congress must be involved in any lifting of statutory sanctions. Another provision affirms the importance of a congressional oversight role by requiring the Obama administration to report on the status of Iran's nuclear program and its compliance with the interim nuclear agreement.

In related provisions, the measure expresses strong support for U.S. allies in the region affected by the Iranian threat, including Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council. It advocates strengthening the U.S. forward military presence to deter Iran from any aggressive military action and to improve America's military capability to address such a threat. (Times of Israel) Read more
[Reported by AIPAC]

From Every Patriot Grave

From Every Patriot Grave

Abraham Lincoln had no chance to prepare for war. He took the Oath of Office on March 4, 1861. In his Inaugural Address, the new president appealed for peace. He ended with this eloquent paean to patriotism.
We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
That same day, Gen. Winfield Scott gave him a message from the besieged Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. Capt. Robert Anderson informed his Washington superiors that he could not hold out against the rebels much longer. Lincoln was unprepared for the artillery barrage that opened up on Fort Sumter on April 12th, but he said, "we have the war upon us."
When the Great War broke out in Europe one hundred years ago this July, the United States was not involved. President Woodrow Wilson urged Americans to remain neutral in thought as well as deed. He would say: "there is such a thing as a man being too proud to fight." He kept the United States out of the European war for almost three years. In that time, he might have prepared this country in case we found ourselves drawn in despite our prayers. He chose not to do so. (Family Research Council)
> > > Please read the entire article here.

Eradicating the First Amendment

Eradicating the First Amendment

[Editor's Note: This article was published by the Western Center for Journalism. Since its publication, there are now 41 senators from the Democratic Party who have signed on as co-sponsors of this bill. Please read and take action, as the Lord directs. Thank you.]

Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and 38 other Members of the United States Senate have just thrown their full support behind SJ Res 19, a legislative attempt to amend the United States Constitution and give Congress broad and open-ended authority to regulate ALL personal political speech. No, we're not kidding and when it comes to this imminent threat to your First Amendment rights, The Washington Times, quite simply and unequivocally, writes: "They Are Serious."
And yet, in spite of the fact that Reid and Company are threatening to bring SJ Res 19 to the floor of the Senate as many times as it may take to pass it, Republican elites in Washington are not taking this imminent threat seriously . . . and that's why we need everyone who is reading this urgent alert to immediately flood the United States Senate with calls and faxes demanding that this clear and present threat to our Constitution be halted immediately.
Congress Shall Make ALL Laws Abridging The Freedom Of Speech . . .

The First Amendment is clear: "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."

But SJ Res 19 would turn the 1st Amendment on its head and give Harry Reid and his cohorts broad and undefined authority to regulate ALL personal political speech.
Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is calling this proposal "an all-out assault on the right to free speech" and "the ultimate act of radicalism," but talk is cheap. It's time for McConnell and our other political leaders to take action and - as you've proven so many times in the past - only you can force them to do it. (Western Center for Journalism)
> > > Read more and take action by going here.

Proving Our Point

Proving Our Point

By Steve Emerson

Investigative Project on Terrorism

A full-page ad by the Investigative Project on Terrorism in Wednesday's New York Times, followed by a prominent ad Thursday on the Times' website, is generating attention and controversy.

That's no surprise.

The ad called for the end of a prohibition on references to jihad and radical Islam in government publications and programs. It cited several examples of terrorist attacks motivated by radical Islamist ideology, and showed how organized groups try to bully anyone who calls attention to the connection. To do so, they argue, is inherently bigoted and blames all Muslims for the actions of a relative few.
Those critical of the ad cast it as anti-Muslim and Islamophobic. That, too, is no surprise. If anything, it reinforces the ad's message.

The ad contained no critical statements about Islam, and it did not blame the vast majority of Muslims who do not engage in violence.

For specifically calling out Islamist groups which try to stifle debate, the Religion News Service called the IPT an anti-Muslim group in a headline. The service's stories are picked up on the Washington Post website, dramatically expanding their reach and influence.
. . . The goal of the ad was to trigger a debate about acknowledging the role radical Islam plays in fueling terrorism in the United States and throughout the world. The terrorists themselves acknowledge this fact, but everyone else is supposed to pretend it doesn't exist. (Read more here)

The Good News Corner

The Good News Corner:

Once Considered "Brain-Dead," This 23-Year-Old Man is Back in School
and Playing Basketball Again

"We see a lot of patients here, and Sam was at the most severe end of the spectrum. We have seen patients recover here and seen some small miracles, but Sam's is by far the most phenomenal recovery in my experience." -Kristi Husk, neuropsychologist

(Tucson, AZ)-Two-and-a-half years ago, Sam Schmid was considered brain-dead and a candidate to have his organs harvested. Today, he is back in school, playing basketball, and looking forward to becoming a veterinary technician.
In October 2011 Schmid, who was then a 21-year old college student, was coming back from coaching basketball at the Catholic school he had attended when he was struck by a van. ABC News reports that the Jeep Schmid was in "went airborne, hit a light pole and landed on its side." The young man suffered a broken left hand, two broken femurs, and massive brain damage.

At the time of the accident, specialists performed surgery for an aneurysm threatening Schmid's life.

Afterwards, the young man was in a coma and thought to be brain-dead.
But he shocked his family and the medical staff when he raised two fingers on command. By December 2011, he was in a wheelchair, and speaking slowly.

The team of therapists-representing a cross-section of disciplines-that helped Schmid recover spent two years with him. Team leader Kristi Husk, a neuropsychologist, said that Schmid was in "a fragile state physically and emotionally" when the team began working with him. Now, she says, "his recovery is really extraordinary."
"We see a lot of patients here, and Sam was at the most severe end of the spectrum," said Husk, a 10-year veteran of the field. "We have seen patients recover here and seen some small miracles, but Sam's is by far the most phenomenal recovery in my experience."

Schmid, who was recently discharged from the Center for Transitional Neuro Rehabilitation at Barrow Neurological Institute, where he has spent dozens of hours per week improving his cognitive and other abilities, says he was "surprised at the end result." He told ABC that he "was willing to comply with all the help at Barrow and my recovery is based on the hard work I did." (LifeSiteNews) Read more here.
[Also reported by: Breaking Christian News]

Signs and Wonders

Signs and Wonders:

Memorial Day Weekend Meteor Shower Could Dazzle
With 200 Meteors Per Hour:

"Like Slow Moving Fireworks Instead of Usual Shooting Stars"

This is the first time Earth will directly cross the dusty trails left behind by a recently discovered comet named Comet 209P/LINEAR.
(North America)-Sky-watchers all across North America are in for a real treat in the early morning hours of May 24-there's a brand new meteor shower that may light up the night sky. Scientists aren't sure yet how many shooting stars people may see, but the May Camelopardalids meteor shower could be at a dazzling one-per-minute rate.
This is the first time Earth will directly cross the dusty trails left behind by a recently discovered comet named Comet 209P/LINEAR. Discovered in 2004, this comet's path has been slowly altered by Jupiter's gravity over the last 200 years and the leftover dust will now cross Earth's path. That's good news for those in North America who-weather permitting-will have a front-row seat to see Mother Nature's celestial display of fireworks. The meteors will appear from the northern constellation Camelopardalis.
"What's really nice about this particular comet [209P/Linear] is that we're going right smack in the middle of these dust trails and the meteors are going to be pretty slow," Hergenrother said. "They're actually going to last maybe for a second or two. It's going to look almost like slow moving fireworks instead of the usual shooting stars that we're used to."
The peak of the shower will be between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. EDT, but Hergenrother said sky-watchers will still see meteors for several hours before and after those times. The biggest advice he has for people is to find a dark, safe place to get cozy and watch the stars.

"Pick someplace where you can see as much of the sky as possible," he said. "It really doesn't matter where in the sky you're looking, even though the meteors will be coming out of the north." (Source: NASA.gov) Read more here.
[Also reported by: Breaking Christian News]

"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 21:25-28)

Worship With Us Today!

Worship With Us Today!

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"
Performed by London Celebration Choir
Worship Here

Capitol Hill Prayer Partners "Daily Brief"

Friday, May 23, 2014

The Daily Brief - Friday, May 23, 2014