Friday, December 12, 2008

CHPP Daily Brief - December 12, 2008

In This Issue
· The Daily Brief
·
The Middle East in Focus

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The Daily Brief Friday, December 12, 2008

"Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:7)

The Daily Brief

1. Senate GOP puts brakes on bailout
- Washington Times


The $15 billion bailout loan for Detroit automakers that the House passed Wednesday is still far from a done deal as a collection of Senate Republicans is raising roadblocks to the taxpayer-funded handout brokered by Democrats and the White House.

- We praise You that there has been more discussion about this bill than there has been in the last year. Thank You that there is a two party system in this nation so that the will of one group does not supersede that of the other.

- When you do lend your neighbor any manner of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge. (Deuteronomy 24:10)

2. United Auto Workers Lash Out at GOP Senators Over Bailout Collapse - Fox News


The head of the United Auto Workers union lashed out Friday at Senate Republicans -- Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, in particular -- blaming them for scuttling the $14 billion auto bailout package approved earlier in the week by the House.

- As rhetoric begins to heat up, we pray for cooler heads to prevail and for all parties to sit down and act in the interests of the people of this nation.

- For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain. (Titus 1:7)

3. New unemployment claims reach 26-year high - USA Today


New claims for unemployment benefits reached their highest level in 26 years last week, as companies cut workers at a rapid pace.

- As people suffer from unemployment we pray that they will be able to find work. May there be peace in the households of those who are struggling in this economy.

- He who is slow in his work becomes poor, but the hand of the ready worker gets in wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)

4. SC Ordered to Stop Making Religious License Plates - NewsMax


A federal judge says South Carolina must stop marketing and making license plates that feature the image of a cross and the words "I Believe."

- Judges in this country have been usurping power in the last few years. Lord, may eyes be opened so that this injustice against the people of this nation will be stopped.

- You shall do no injustice in judgment: you shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness. (Leviticus 19:15)

5. Evangelical leader quits after 'gay' marriage shift - World Net Daily


One week after telling National Public Radio his view of same-sex unions is shifting, Richard Cizik has resigned as vice president for governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals.

- As the battle over marriage spreads even among God's people, we pray that churches will stand for the institutions that You established.

- Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. (Hebrews 13:4)

6. Investor Says Cash 'Up in Smoke' After Ex-Nasdaq Chairman's Arrest in 'Ponzi Scheme' - Fox News

Investors struggled Friday to understand how a former Nasdaq stock market chairman could hide losses of at least $50 billion in what he allegedly called "a giant Ponzi scheme."

- Lord, we thank You that there has been an uncovering of this financial mismanagement. As the seeds of greed sprout, may there be continued vigilance by governmental authorities so that these improprieties will be discovered.

- One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper. (Proverbs 28:25)

7. Greek violence spreads across Europe - Times Online

Suspected anarchist protests which have dogged Greece for the last week spread outside the country today, with mobs causing violent scenes in Italy, Spain, Russia, Denmark and Turkey. Greek diplomatic missions were vandalized in the attacks, while police, local authority and media representatives were also targeted in what appeared a co-coordinated escalation.

- This is a continued outpouring of violence by those who are undermining governments throughout the world. May the police in Europe be able to control these protests and may the police in America be able to ward off similar attacks here.

- By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. (Proverbs 11:11)

8. Gordon Brown 'target of suicide bomb attack' - London Telegraph

Belgian police arrested 14 suspected members of al- Qaeda, including a man believed to have been planning a suicide attack, as European leaders gathered in the Belgian capital for a two-day summit.

- Thank You Lord for bringing all this to light so that these world leaders were kept safe. We pray that the people who are charged with security will continue to have focus and clarity while they do their work.

- And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)

9. U.S. Requests U.N. Authorization to Hunt Somali Pirates on Land - Fox News

The United States sought international authorization Wednesday to hunt Somali pirates on land with the cooperation of Somalia's weak U.N.-backed government in one of the Bush administration's last major foreign policy initiatives.

- As the shipping lanes off Africa are terrorized by these pirates, we pray that world leaders will be sensitive to the ramifications of continued attacks and will give authority for those who will attempt to enforce international law.

- Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don't judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them. (Isaiah 1:23)

10. Suicide Bomber Kills 55 in Packed Iraq Restaurant - ABC News

A suicide bomber killed at least 55 people Thursday in a packed restaurant near the northern city of Kirkuk where Kurdish officials and Arab tribal leaders were trying to reconcile their differences over control of the oil-rich region. The brazen attack -- the deadliest in Iraq in six months -- occurred at a time of rising tension between Kurds and Arabs over oil, political power and Kirkuk.

- Lord, the evil men are joining together to undermine the peace process in Iraq. We pray that their schemes will be overthrown and that the families of those who were harmed will be given peace.

- A sound of terrors is in his ears. In prosperity the destroyer shall come on him. (Job 15:21)

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: "It is of LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, Great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

1. 'Iran wants to devour the Arab world' - Jerusalem Post


Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak spoke out against Iran during a meeting with members of the Egyptian ruling party, according to a report in the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida on Thursday, cited by Israel Radio.

2. Abbas: Israeli issues preventing deal - Jerusalem Post


Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday that the only reason Israel and the Palestinians haven't reached a peace agreement is because of Jerusalem's internal problems.

3. Cash shipment arrives in Gaza Strip - Jerusalem Post


Amid heavy criticism from Israeli lawmakers, an armored truck carrying 100 million shekels arrived in Gaza from Israel on Thursday to ease a cash crunch. The money originated from Palestinian banks in the West Bank.

4. IAF mulls purchase of new smart bomb - Jerusalem Post


The Israel Air Force is considering purchasing a new and advanced smart bomb with an extended range that would allow fighter jets to hit targets in Damascus and Beirut without leaving Israeli airspace, The Jerusalem Post has learned.