The Daily Brief:

"Praying for All in Authority"

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

"I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication."
(I Kings 8:9)

Thank you for praying for the Persecuted Church!
Please visit the website for the International Christian Concern to find ongoing needs for prayer among the persecuted around the world. Thank you.

The Daily Brief

1. More Guantanamo Prisoners Set to Leave Amid Trade Furor - Newsmax

Some of the men held here for more than a decade have been drafting plans for work and marriage on the outside or studying languages, preparing for a not-too-distant future beyond the coiled razor wire that surrounds the U.S. prison perched at the edge of the Caribbean Sea. Until the past week, they had good reason to believe their ticket out might be imminent, if not home then at least to another country. President Barack Obama and others in the administration say they are committed to closing the Guantanamo detention center and military officials say they can resume transfers at a moment's notice, just as they did with the May 31 swap of five Guantanamo inmates for a captured American soldier.

(Read more)
- Oh, Lord, we seek protection from what those released could do to the US, to Israel, and to Christians . We ask that You would so order their steps that all plans to do evil will fall to the ground. We bind up, in the name of Jesus, all further plans of our government officials to release even more of these dangerous men. May these plans fall to the ground also. Lord, may all the hidden details of the recent release of 5 major combatants be revealed for the world to know and may Your justice reign in this matter.

-"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan." (Proverbs 29:2)

2. Ebola Outbreak Plagues West Africa - VOA

Experts say the ebola outbreak in West Africa is far from under control.
- Father, we speak directly to this plague to STOP, in Jesus Name! We draw a Blood line between the people and this plague. No harm shall come to them this day forth, in the mighty Name of Jesus.

- For He delivereth thee from the snare of a fowler, From a calamitous pestilence. (Psalm 91:3)

3. 600,000 Brazilian Evangelicals Participate in 'March for Jesus' Event Ahead of FIFA World Cup - Christian Post

Over half a million Christians gathered throughout Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last week to partake in "March for Jesus," an annual event intended to showcase the country's growing evangelical population. The march was held under the slogan "I belong to Jesus. I am a champion," in honor of the participants' faith and the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup, which Brazil is hosting beginning June 12.
-How wonderful, Dear Lord, to hear of this huge move of Christians in Brazil and the plans to reach out to such a large gathering in Rio de Janeiro. We pray for thousands to be brought into Your Kingdom and that the walk of Christians everywhere would be strengthened to bear witness of You and Your Son. Bless them, Lord, with all provision for the spreading of the Gospel and bless them in their personal and national lives.

-"And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'" (Romans 10:15)

4. Wary US unlikely to restore full Egypt aid soon

As Egypt prepares to swear in its fourth leader since 2011, a huge slice of $1.5 billion in US aid remains in deep-freeze amid fears the nation is sliding back into authoritarianism. Former general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be crowned as the next president on Sunday after three years of political turmoil since the ousting of long-time iron-fisted leader Hosni Mubarak.
- Lord, we pray earnestly that this new President of Egypt will have plans to prosper his country in peace and that he will stand strong against the Muslim Brotherhood which wrecked such havoc a few short years ago. Forgive us for helping the former government in Egypt with weapons to use aggressively against their people and especially Christians. May Your remnant grow strong there now.

-"Hate evil, love good; establish justice at the gate. It may be that the Lord God of Hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph." (Amos 5:15)

5. Feds 'Dumping' Illegal Immigrants in Arizona, Gov. Brewer Says - Fox News

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said Friday she is "disturbed and outraged" after she was informed by federal officials that not only has the government been shipping illegal immigrants out of Texas and "dumping" them in her state, it has no plans to stop.
- Father, we intercede for Governor Brewer and the state of Arizona. The state is overwhelmed by this action of our government. We pray a solution to this problem, and pray Arizona gets the help they need to handle this situation.

- First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

6. Jobs Return to Peak, but Quality Lags (Video) - Wall Street Journal

The U.S. finally clawed back all the jobs lost since the recession hit in late 2007, a watershed in a slow recovery that finds a labor market still in many ways weaker now than before the downturn.
- Father, we cry out for jobs in our land. Thank You that you bless Your people so abundantly that jobs are plenteous in our nation.

- The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. (Deuteronomy 28:8)

7. D.C. earthquake: Famous Republican booted from House - WND

In a stunning tea-party smackdown against the establishment GOP Tuesday evening, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., lost his bid for the Republican Party nomination against tea-party backed candidate David Brat by a margin of more than 11 percentage points.

Fueled by opposition to Cantor's stance on immigration, tea-party favorite David Brat had gained national attention as a threat to the incumbent's hold on the largely Republican 7th Congressional district.

"Eric Cantor's loss tonight is an apocalyptic moment for the GOP establishment," L. Brent Bozell, chairman of the conservative group ForAmerica, told the Washington Post. "The grassroots is in revolt and marching." (Read more)
- Lord God, we lift all of these primary elections before Your Throne of Grace, and we ask that You would grant Your wisdom to be made known unto all who are voting at this time. May each one be guided by the Spirit of understanding, and may those who win these elections be the candidates of Your choosing. We ask this today, in Jesus' Name, amen.

- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." (Psalm 32:8)

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:

"For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth." (Micah 1:3)

1. Israeli Ministers Approved Bill Prohibiting Pardon of Terrorists - Worthy News

On Sunday, ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet approved a bill that prohibits presidential pardons for terrorists convicted of murdering Israelis.

2. Netanyahu: Hamas is Taking Control of Judea and Samaria - Worthy News

International hopes that a Palestinian unity government would strengthen the position of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip; however Hamas is taking control of Judea and Samaria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday.

3. First Palestinian Unity Government Crisis Averted for Now - Jerusalem Post

The first crisis facing the Palestinian unity government was apparently solved over the weekend as Qatar pledged to pay salaries of thousands of Hamas public servants in the Gaza Strip.

4. Tensions Grow Between Washington and Jerusalem - Israel Hayom

The ministerial team tasked by the government with devising countermoves to the newly formed Hamas-Fatah unity government is scheduled to hold its first meeting Sunday, as Israel's relations with the United States have become strained once more over the latter's decision to recognize the new Palestinian government.

5. Australia: East Jerusalem is not 'occupied' - Israel Hayom

The Australian government has stopped using the term "occupied" when referring to east Jerusalem, Australian media outlets reported on Thursday.

6. Is Israel planning a unilateral withdrawal in the West Bank? - Jerusalem Post

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu left Knesset members in shock this past Monday by suggesting that Israel would have to "separate" from the Palestinians, according to a report which appears in Friday editions of the nationalist-religious newspaper Makor Rishon.

7. Temple Mount Archaeological Project Yields Unearthed Treasures - Times of Israel

For three of the world's faiths, the Temple Mount bears special sanctity and significance. For archaeologists, the 3,000-year-old holy site is both an El Dorado and a Holy Grail, for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict precludes a scientist's pick and shovel ever breaking its ground. But an improbable turn of events has allowed historians a glimpse into the monument's mighty bowels.

The Daily Jot (1)

The Daily Jot:
Monday, June 9, 2014

The prophetic locusts of America

The president, the Democratic Party and some in the Republican Party want to "reform" immigration laws to make citizens those who are here illegally. There has been enough resistance on Capital Hill to prevent any legislation. The president knows this all too well and he has made true on his remarks of January 14, "We're not just going to be waiting for legislation in order to make sure that we're providing Americans the kind of help they need. I've got a pen and I've got a phone." The context of his remarks was about jobs and education--but part of his jobs program is to allow illegals to do the jobs he and others claim "Americans won't do." Now thousands are crossing the border illegally each day.
His strategy has been to forbid the enforcement of immigration laws, specifically border security. The result, according to a government interagency memo obtained by the New York Times, is that at least 90,000 illegal minors will have crossed the border without parents and illegally by the end of September. That's up from 13,625 in 2013. Remember these are just minors, adults add to these numbers. Now the "president" says this has reached crisis proportion, calling it a "humanitarian crisis." Indeed, authorities have had to collect and fly illegals to military bases and other gathering points just to ensure they have food and shelter. It is a humanitarian crisis created by the president's intentional actions.
Politically, if he creates a crisis by not enforcing border security, Congress will have to act. Of course, it would mean that this president cares little about the nation and more about growing and harvesting future votes--votes coming from uninformed, non-assimilated people who have just come to America to exploit its benefits. This would likely ensure that liberals who support illegals becoming citizens would be in power for generations to come. The president, his party, and useful pawns of the Republican Party, are destroying the American Republic with the intent to make it a socialist democracy. They are doing it on purpose and with full knowledge of the consequences.

Exodus 12:49 says, "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the foreigner who sojourns among you." There is a path to citizenship as dictated by law. Those who are here illegally have already broken the law. But the president and his disciples have encouraged them to break the law so that he can make a new law that benefits his socialist worldview. Jeremiah 51:14 prophesies over Babylon--which looks much like modern America--"Surely I will fill you with men, as with locusts; and they shall lift up a shout against you." These locusts are coming. They are the consequences of evil leadership and turning away from God. America is being remade, and it is not in the image of God or of Godly things.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

The Daily Jot (2)

The Daily Jot:
Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The president's invasion is a threat to you

The preamble to the US Constitution states: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense,promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Governments are formed to protect the people--for security purposes. In forming government, people give up a small amount of rights for the protection that government provides. The president's willful allowing of the invasion of the United States by illegal aliens is unlawful and unconstitutional. He is in direct violation of the Constitution.

Each day the news is full of stories where thousands of illegals are crossing our borders. The government is knowingly and purposely refusing to enforce border security. The president, whose policies encouraged this invasion, now calls it a humanitarian crisis. Attorney General Eric Holder is moving to have tax-funded attorneys represent the some 230,000 minors expected to have crossed illegally into the US by next year. The lawyers, according to Holder, would assist these children in filing claims for legal status. He said, "We're taking a historic step to strengthen our justice system and protect the rights of the most vulnerable members of society." This is amnesty without consent of the citizenry.
A pointed exchange with a Hispanic Jot reader revealed at least one attitude of the invaders. He said, "Law is law? What a poor perception!!!! Think about who are creating the law. They are the illegals, plus, if you were born in one of the eight states that the US stealed from Mexico, then you are illegal too." He went on to question my Christianity saying that because of "fake believers" like me, "this country is going from bad to worse." In a way, he has a point, but not one which he intended to make. Because of the inaction and confusion among Christians, this country is going from bad to worse. Now we are being invaded at the encouraging of a "president" and lawlessness prevails.
Congress has a remedy. First, We the People must demand that Congress act--not by passing amnesty as the "president" hopes his self created invasion prompts, but by taking historic action to declare the "president's" administration unfit and a threat to national security. The Bible states in at least five places the same as Leviticus 24:22, "You shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God." There is a legal way to become a citizen of the US. It is not by invasion and insurrection. That holds true for those who are crossing into the US illegally and the for the "president."
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!

Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

March for Marriage

March for Marriage Takes Place Next Week

Thousands will gather in Washington, D.C. soon to show their support for marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The second annual March for Marriage will take place June 19. Organizers are hoping to send a clear message to Congress, the Supreme Court and media outlets.

"Marriage matters because children deserve a mom and a dad," said Chris Plante, regional director with the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).

The group modeled the marriage march after the March for Life, which has hundreds of thousands of attendees each year.
Several keynote speakers - including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum from Pennsylvania and Alison Howard, communications director for Concerned Women for America - will address the crowd.

Catholic Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia said it's all about taking a stand for truth.
"Witnessing what we know to be true also means expressing our convictions publicly and confidently," he said. "The Christian faith is personal but never private. It always has a community dimension. It always has public obligations." (Source: CitizenLink)
Read more here and here.

Google Out of Porn Biz?

Google Out of Porn Biz?

Anti-porn activists are claiming victory Friday with the announcement by Google that it will no longer accept advertising for explicit sexual material.

In a message reportedly sent to AdWord clients in violation of the new anti-porn policy, Google wrote:
"Beginning in the coming weeks, we'll no longer accept ads that promote graphic depictions of sexual acts including, but not limited to, hardcore pornography; graphic sexual acts including sex acts such as masturbation; genital, anal, and oral sexual activity.

When we make this change, Google will disapprove all ads and sites that are identified as being in violation of our revised policy. Our system identified your account as potentially affected by this policy change. We ask that you make any necessary changes to your ads and sites to comply so that your campaigns can continue to run."
The announcement came just two weeks after a delegation of anti-porn activists met with Google executives at their offices in Washington, D.C. The organization Porn Harms, a part of Morality in Media, organized the meeting that also included Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, Enough is Enough, and Focus on the Family.

Porn Harms had named Google to its "Dirty Dozen," a list of companies helpful to the porn industry. Specifically the group complained to Google about porn on Google Play, porn on Google-owned YouTube, and also porn on Google ads.
In addition, early last month Google announced it removed all pornographic apps and most sexual apps from Google Play. According to Dawn Hawkins of Porn Harms, Google has improved its "safe search" and "safety mode" and has created a tool for parents in Google's safety center.

Porn Harms says it found out about this change via the porn industry news sites that have been complaining about the change.
Activists are still asking for Google to block porn on YouTube and to increase the protection for children in the Google search engine. Bing, for instance, uses "a moderately filtered" default search, while Google's is wide open. Google could allow its users to opt into a wide-open search; as it is now, however, this is the default. (Breitbart) Read more here.

- Lord God, we thank You for this amazing breakthrough in the fight against pornography! We ask that You would cause the leaders at Google to stand strong in this decision, as backlash is sure to come. Thank you, Lord. We praise Your name, amen!

- "I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free." (Acts 7:34)

Update: White House Briefs Congress on Bergdahl Swap

Update: White House Briefs Congress on Bergdahl Swap

"The United States Does Not Negotiate . . . ... with Congress"

Americans have gotten the raw end of a lot of Barack Obama deals -- but the Bowe Bergdahl swap could literally be the most explosive yet. With five of the world's top terrorists on a "work release" program in Qatar, voters see the swap as the ticking time bomb it is. President Obama, who seemed to show some remorse for the "oversight" of breaking the law, has shifted gears, digging in his heels on what's turned out to be a major black eye on his already bruised foreign policy record.
Only 37% of Americans approve of the trade of the Taliban commanders for a decidedly anti-American deserter. Those numbers continue to tank, especially among military veterans, who recognize the steep price paid for Bergdahl's search and, later, recovery. By 68-16% vets say the President made the wrong decision. On both sides, there's also concern about the way he made it. A clear majority (64%) think the White House should have notified Congress, as the law demands. Yet when Pew Research broke down the numbers by ideology, 64% of self-described "liberals" disagreed, saying Obama was right to circumvent lawmakers. Obviously, the President has managed (after plenty of practice) to desensitize most of his base to routine lawlessness. Like him, they seem to embrace tyranny -- if it aligns with their agenda.
Yesterday, the administration finally brought the legislative branch up to speed -- 11 days too late. If Monday's classified briefing was supposed to ease tensions, it accomplished anything but. Members were even more furious that the White House kept them in the dark, especially after learning that at least 90 administrative officials knew about the exchange before they did. "If anything, I have more concerns," said Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.). "Probably the most distressing thing or the most disturbing thing I heard was at least 80 to 90 people in the administration were aware of this proposed deal, and yet they couldn't notify anyone in Congress."
Unelected members of the Obama administration could be trusted with this information, but somehow America's elected leaders could not? Once again, the President is treating the legislative branch -- not as constitutional co-equals, but as an unnecessary nuisance, minor obstacles to be trampled in his political stampede. "This is just another example of an administration that does not seem to understand there is a Constitution," mused a frustrated Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.).
Even Democrats, many of whom are just as tired of being circumvented, spoke up about the President's way of doing business. To Rep. Louise Slaughter's (D-Calif.) ridiculous statement that she "wouldn't tell 435 people a secret either," Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) disagreed, saying that at least key people should have been in on the plan. "... I think it would have been wiser, far wiser, for the administration to have notified certainly the leadership of Congress... Most of the leaks that have taken place have come from the administration and not from Congress, so they really should have brought at least the leadership within their confidence and I think that was a mistake."
Tomorrow, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will have a chance to share his side of the story with the House Armed Services Committee in the first high-profile hearing on the Bergdahl fallout. In the meantime, Obama apologists like Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) continues to insist, "We leave no soldier behind." The reality is, Sergeant Bergdahl left his unit behind. And now, we have a President willing to leave the law behind in order to release terrorists. (Family Research Council)

The Good News Corner

The Good News Corner:

"This is It!"-Three Believers' Worshipping On a Promenade in Israel Leads to an Orthodox Jew's Encounter with the Gospel

"This is really speaking to me! I've never heard this before."

(Israel)-Worship plays a big role in ministry in Israel. This spring, OM long-term worker Gersham* sent a group of Believers to the promenade with three guitars, a keyboard and a drum. Being a very musical group, they were excited to have the opportunity to fill the night air with the sounds of worship in such a public place.

With a stretch of restaurants and tourist attractions lining the seashore, the promenade is a busy place where both foreigners and Israelis mingle and relax in the cool of the evening. The group's music attracted a large crowd without encountering any noticeable resistance.

Since 2011, Gersham has challenged every group that works with him to do some kind of public outreach on the promenade. These groups have done a variety of activities: acrobatics, sports, games, music, dance, drama, and even spray-painting of cosmic scenes on canvas. The teams use all of these diverse activities as a way to create opportunities to share the Gospel with their audience.
Sounds of worship

As the group began playing music, they noticed an Orthodox Jew watching them from a distance. The onlooker was carrying a guitar, and he seemed to be watching the group with curiosity. Encouraged by this, Daniel* approached the stranger and struck up a conversation.

promenadeAriel* introduced himself to Daniel and explained that he had just bought the guitar a week ago and only knew one chord. Seeing the group playing music together had piqued his curiosity, so he had stopped to watch.

He asked about the group: where they were from and why they were there. Ariel said he noticed something about the group that was different, something that was special.
Sermon on the Mount

Daniel felt that Ariel was sincerely interested, so he pulled out a Bible and began pointing out relevant verses. A few minutes later he got out a New Testament in Hebrew and turned to the Sermon on the Mount in the Book of Matthew.

Ariel shared that he comes to the promenade often, searching for God. He is very religious and participates in a youth movement within Orthodox Judaism, but he still feels there must be more to the story than what he has been told.

Several times as they talked, Ariel exclaimed, "This is really speaking to me! I've never heard this before." (Breaking Christian News) Read more.

Signs and Wonders

Signs and Wonders:

"Volcano-like eruption" in Himachal Pradesh (India)
A "volcano-like eruption" in Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh triggered panic among the people of the area. Reports said that flames and a hot liquid stream were seen spewing out volcanoof a hill 100 m from Gadiyada village. The village is over 200 km from Shimla. State geologists confirmed that the eruption is a 'small magmatic activity'. After the report, a team of Geological Survey of India (GSI) reached the site on Thursday.
Fearing that a bigger eruption could damage their agricultural land and houses, residents of around half a dozen villages in the vicinity of the eruption are anxiously awaiting the final report of GSI team.

"Gases and liquids are being emitted from holes in a 10 feet area around the hill where the volcanic activity took place," said Ved Prakash, president of Drang panchayat. He said the eruption, unheard of in this area, caused panic among villagers.
This is the first time such a volcanic activity has been witnessed in the state.

Chief parliamentary secretary Jagjivan Pal in whose Sulah assembly constituency the area falls visited the spot on Tuesday.

He said the flames and the hot liquid emanating from the hill had created panic. "Underground temperature in the area has increased manifold and people say that a steel electricity pole had become red hot a couple of days back," he added. Pal said a sulphur-like material and black stone is flowing out from the perimeter of the hill.
(See more 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 21:25-28)

Worship With Us Today!

Worship With Us Today!

"You Are" - Colton Dixon
You are the song,
You are the song I'm singing.
You are the air,
You are the air I'm breathing
You are the hope,
You are the hope I needed.

Capitol Hill Prayer Partners "Daily Brief"

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Daily Brief - Tuesday, June 10, 2014