In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The First 100 Days
• CLERGY IN THE CROSSHAIRS
• The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Tuesday, April 14, 2009
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." (Micah 7:18)
The Daily Brief
1. Navy Snipers Kill 3 Pirates During Captain Rescue - Fox News
Navy snipers on the fantail of a destroyer cut down three Somali pirates in a lifeboat and rescued an American sea captain in a surprise nighttime assault in choppy seas Easter Sunday, ending a five-day standoff between a team of rogue gunmen and the world's most powerful military.
• Heavenly Father, we thank you that this crisis was resolved quickly and safely. There is nothing impossible with You!
• So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. (1 Samuel 30:18)
2. Strategy Against Pirates?
President says U.S. will 'halt the rise of piracy' - but not how his administration and allies will do so.
• Lord, give our government a strategy on how to keep our crews safe in the future. We pray these pirates will no longer have the freedom to terrorize the ships that are in their areas. Let it not be profitable to them.
• Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, "You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. (2 Samuel 5:17)
3. Somalis Fire at U.S. Congressman - Fox News
Somali insurgents fired mortars toward U.S. Congressman Donald Payne's plane during a visit to the Somali capital in Mogadishu. The New Jersey Democrat was not injured, his spokeswoman Kerry McKenney told FOX News, and Payne was not even aware of the attack until his plane set down in Nairobi, Kenya. McKenney said Payne, who chairs the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Africa, felt it was important to go to Mogadishu and see first-hand what was happening there.
• Lord, we pray that as our citizens travel around the world, that no harm will come to them. Cover us with Your wings of protection. We pray that all future attacks against our citizens and nation will not succeed.
• And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.' (Deuteronomy 20:3, 4)
4. Terror Surveillance Stays
Obama's supporters dismayed as administration invokes 'state secrets' privilege to shield eavesdropping programs - just like former President Bush.
• Thank you, Lord for strategies that will not allow our enemies to know what we are doing to protect our nation. However, let this secrecy never be used maliciously against our private citizens for harm.
• No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me," Says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)
5. Court: Franken Beats Coleman - AP
Minnesota court says Democrat Al Franken won most votes in 2008 Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman.
• Offer praise to the Lord for the service that Norm Coleman has rendered for the State of Minnesota in the United States Senate over the past six years. Continue in prayer for Mr. Coleman as he transitions back into life as a private citizen, but may his voice continue to be heard in our land! Pray, too, for Al Franken as he prepares to assume his new role as a United States Senator. May the Lord touch his heart, unto righteousness. Amen.
• I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:1-4)
6. Thousands to protest taxes - UPI
Thousands of U.S. protesters are expected to gather at "tea parties" Wednesday to decry what they consider out-of-control government spending, organizers say.
• Pray a blessing over all who gather at these Tea Parties across the nation, and ask that they be protected from any danger. May our Congress and President hear and take note, too, as they grapple with issues of federal spending in the days ahead.
• Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)
7. Russia: Deal signed for Israeli drones - Jerusalem Post
Israel's decision to sell advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to Russia was made after Moscow gave assurances it would not transfer the technology to Iran or Syria and will suspend the sale of anti-aircraft systems to these countries, defense officials told The Jerusalem Post.
• Pray that the Russians hold to their end of this agreement.
• "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37)
8. Iran says it controls entire nuclear fuel cycle - Ynet News
Iran now controls the entire cycle for producing nuclear fuel with the opening of a new facility to produce uranium pellets, the Iranian president announced on Saturday.
• Pray that our leadership will not be deceived by Iran, as it begins to move into talks with that nation. Actions speak louder than words, and Iran IS determined to develop its own nuclear program. Iran is also determined to "wipe Israel off the map," as it has announced in past days. The intentions of Iran's president are clear; may we be just as clear in any negotiations with that nation.
• "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:13)
9. North Korea to Restart Nuclear Weapons Plant; Boycott Six-Party Talks - AP
North Korea says talks on ending its nuclear weapons program are 'useless,' plans to restart plant that makes weapons-grade plutonium.
• Our president and all of our military leaders will need to know God's wisdom in dealing with North Korea, as in Iran (above.) Pray, asking our LORD to grant that wisdom . . . from above. Amen.
• "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
1. Mitchell to Feel Out New Israeli Government's Positions on Existing Peace Deal - Fox News
President Obama's envoy for Middle East peace George Mitchell is meeting with the new Israeli government during his travels to the Middle East beginning this week, and is expected to hear doubts from them as well as Arab diplomats about the prospects of peace in the region.
2. Israel, US to hold largest-ever joint missile defense drill - Jerusalem Post
In the face of Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear capability, Israel and the United States will hold an unprecedented and massive exercise later this year to jointly test three different ballistic missile defense systems, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
3. US still unhappy over 'Durban II' draft - Jerusalem Post
The United States welcomed changes made to the draft document for the United Nations' anti-racism conference starting Monday in Geneva but indicated they were not sufficient for the US to change its position and attend the event, according to a statement released late Monday.
4. Peres: Iran wants to take over Middle East - Ynet News
President Shimon Peres on Monday made his first comments on the rising tensions between Egypt and Hizbullah in recent days, after several of the organization's operatives were arrested in Egypt.
5. Israel army on high alert on Egypt border - AFP
The Israeli army has gone on high alert along the border with the Sinai peninsula as Egyptian forces hunt for suspected members of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, a senior official said.
The First 100 Days
DAY 85
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1)
1. HHS Nominee Sebelius Lowballed Abortion Doctor's Donations
President Obama's health secretary nominee got more in political money from a controversial abortion doctor than she told senators.
2. Mitchell to Feel Out New Israeli Government's Positions on Existing Peace Deal
With a more conservative Israeli government in place, President Obama's envoy may have a tough time bringing together the Arab and Israeli sides to revisit a plan created during Ehud Olmert's administration.
3. Obama Eases U.S. Restrictions on Cuban Americans Traveling to Cuba
President Obama directed his administration Monday to allow unlimited travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family in Cuba, and to take other steps to ease U.S. restrictions on the island.
4. Notre Dame President Defends Obama Invitation
Rev. John Jenkins argues that only Catholics are bound by the rules of Catholics in political life, not Protestants like President Obama.
5. Tea Party Protesters Gird for Possible Liberal Backlash
As anti-tax protesters organize tea parties across the country on April 15, rumors are swirling that a backlash is brewing.
Some believe ACORN, which has been under scrutiny for accusations of voter fraud, is preparing to crash some of the tea parties. But ACORN says it is only helping to organize dozens of rallies on the same day in support of President Obama's first budget.
CLERGY IN THE CROSSHAIRS
A Texas congressman and a former judge warns that the "hate crimes" legislation reintroduced in the U.S. House could potentially lead to the arrest of Christian pastors who speak out against sexual immorality. Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) are sponsoring the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913), also known as the "Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act." The bill would add sexual orientation to the list of categories covered under federal hate crime law. When Democrats passed the bill in 2007, they were divided over whether to add "gender identity and expression" to the list.
Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX) says under the legislation, pastors, rabbis, or imams could be charged with encouraging or inducing a "hate crime" if they preach against homosexuality. "Every preacher of the gospel, unless you cut out parts of it; every imam who mentions anything with regard to sexual immorality -- they could be pursued, and in other countries they have been," says the Texas lawmaker.
Gohmert believes the Conyers-Kirk bill is also unnecessary because hate-motivated crimes are not a major national epidemic. He notes that during his time as a judge, he found that people who commit crimes out of anger and hate have a better chance of being rehabilitated than those who simply commit crimes randomly. (OneNewsNow)
• Pray for the souls of Rep. John Conyers and Mark Kirk, who are very deceived or have an agenda that they each need to fulfill. Pray that the Lord will intervene in the birthing of this bill so that it dies in committee, never coming to the floor of the House for a vote. With so many other societal crimes occurring every day, a bill like H.R.1913 is totally unnecessary. The determination of the enemy of man to destroy this nation is truly incredible. We must take a stand against more evil!
• "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them." (Leviticus 20:12-13)
The Good News Corner
Good News For Good Friday:
Nation's Oldest Abortion Mill To Close
Oakland, CA - Unable to pay rent and facing bankruptcy, the feminist-run Women's Choice Clinic of Oakland is being forced to close after the financially- strapped State of California froze Medi-Cal payments, which comprised of 90% of the clinic's income. It claims to be the oldest abortion clinic in the nation still in operation.
"The state had been bailing out this abortion mill for years. Finally, when the economic crisis hit, there just was no more bail-out money and they were forced into financial ruin, something that should have happened naturally long ago," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
The abortion business must be out of its office within two weeks. It boasted of having seen 64,000 patients over the past three decades. The clinic specifically targeted teens and Hispanic women for abortions, but also catered to lesbian and transgender clientele. For years the California budget has provided open- ended funding for abortions to anyone who can qualify for Medi-Cal, which is relatively easy to do, especially for teens seeking to hide their abortions from their families and those in this country illegally. So lucrative are Medi-Cal funded abortions that, over the years, several abortionists have been disciplined by the California Medical Board for fraud related to the submission of phony Medi-Cal claims.
This Good Friday, we thank God for the good news that another abortion mill is out of business," said Newman. "It looks like the financial crisis has forced California to do the right thing in halting payments for abortions, even if it is for the wrong reasons. We pray that California will learn its lesson and terminate all future funding for abortions in that state." (Source: Operation Rescue)
