In This Issue• Today's Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• Update: Iran
• The Good News Corner
• Worship With Us
• THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ALL
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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, February 10, 2010
"Have you entered the treasury of snow, or have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?" (Job 38: 22-23 NKJV)
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Today's Daily Brief
1. Snow Shuts Down D.C. - AP
Blizzard warnings in effect as 2nd major storm in a week pummels Atlantic coast and Old Man Winter is showing no signs of stopping. In Washington, D.C., the District and surrounding governments halt snow removal, deeming it too dangerous to plow.
As citizens continue to huddle in their homes here today in Washington, D.C., please continue to pray for protection for all, and a double measure of grace tor the elderly and infirm who may now be without heat. And may Congress and the White House use this time -- when God has stopped us in our tracks -- to consider Him, to repent, and to come to know a Power greater than themselves, who rules the universe, in love. Amen.
"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor." (Job 37:5-7)
2. EPW Hearings On Global Warming Postponed Due To Weather - CHPP
The following Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearings have been postponed due to inclement weather this week: The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing entitled, "Global Warming Impacts, Including Public Health, in the United States." Once the hearings are rescheduled, information will be posted at www.epw.senate.gov Read more.
Lord God, it is You who cause all the elements to work for Your good and displaces the people who would gather for evil causes. It is God who changes schedules and agendas and we ask that You turn all this into an upside-down status, for Your Glory. Put forth Your hand and stay the works of the enemy. In Jesus Name.
"For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulcher; they flatter with their tongue. Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against You." (Psalm 5:9-10)
3. U.S. proposes new climate service - Washington Post
The Obama administration proposed a new climate service on Monday that would provide Americans with predictions on how global warming will affect everything from drought to sea levels.
Father God, another new proposal using a new service who will need more money that will raise our national debt. Lord, we ask that you empower the minds and hearts of the American people not to become desensitized to the words "debt, trillions, billions, new proposals, taxpayers' money, and change." Who is the creator of global warming? Is it God or man? Lord, we plead the blood of Jesus over all these changes whose motive is to steal, kill and destroy the American people. In Jesus Name.
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws." (Daniel 7:25)
4. Loan guarantees recharge nuclear debate - MSNBC
President Barack Obama's proposal to triple federal loan guarantees for the construction of new nuclear power plants has galvanized critics of the existing program, which they say is on the verge of throwing taxpayer support behind four projects facing untold costs and dependent on unproven technology.
Father, the hidden agenda of each new proposal is to rob the American taxpayer, steal from the current funds in place, and destroy our country. This is the thrust of this administration. So we ask that the power of almighty God come down and neutralize each and every proposal that is not in Your forecast. Put all the excessive heaps of debt under the blood of Jesus and stop dead in its tracks this extreme spending spree. In Jesus Name.
"The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, like a rolling thing before the whirlwind." (Isaiah 17:13)
5. Russian military calls US missile defense a threat - AP
Russia's top military officer says U.S. missile defense plans in Europe are aimed at Russia and should be part of talks on a new arms control treaty.
My Father, keep Your loving favor on the United States and guide us with keen diligence and insightful eyes when dealing with our enemy. Bind the deception of dark mindsets under the blood of Jesus and break their power to reach out to grab their prey. Weaken and annul the enemy's strength. Send angels to hold them back from attack. In Jesus Name.
"The wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord." (Proverbs 21:29-30)
6. Stocks climb amid hopes for Greece debt assistance; Dow above 10,000
- USA Today
The Dow Jones industrial average jumped back above 10,000 on hope that the European Union will help Greece manage its growing debt burden.
Father, the Dow looks good, but the enemy of nations around the world is excessive debt put upon them by the destructive powers of evil. We call for Your mercy that kings and rulers of nations around the earth will fall on their faces before the almighty God and repent of their sins, and turn from their wicked ways, and be saved. In Jesus Name.
"Lo, you trust upon the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt (European Union;) whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him." (Isaiah 36:6)
7. Europe Weighs Rescue Plan for Greece - Wall Street Journal
Germany is considering a plan with its European Union partners to offer Greece and other troubled euro-zone members loan guarantees in an effort to calm fears of a government default and prevent a widening of the credit woes, people familiar with the matter said.
God, we ask that You move upon these troubled waters and this unsettling situation in Greece and other troubled euro-zone members and we seek Your highest will to pull these nations out of the clutches of the superpowers that have control over them. Cover the lands with Your presence that men everywhere will call out to God for help. In Jesus Name.
"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Pr. 22:7)
8. Prop 8 Trial Judge: Yep, He's Gay - NBC News/blog
The biggest open secret in the landmark trial over same-sex marriage being heard in San Francisco is that the federal judge who will decide the case, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, is himself gay.
Now that hidden things have been revealed about the personal life of this judge, pray that true justice will be served in this historic case, and not a verdict that is biased by man's personal opinions. Pray!
"Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. . . But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" (Amos 5:15,24)
9. Magnitude 4.3 Quake Wakes Up Chicago Area - AP
A rare moderate earthquake struck northern Illinois Wednesday morning, waking up residents in the Chicago area. The 4.3 magnitude quake, centered 48 miles west of Chicago near the city of Sycamore, hit at 4 a.m. local time at a depth of about 3 miles, the USGS reported.
Offer praise that this quake was not any stronger, and ask that this shaking be used to awaken men and women to their need to be sure of their life in eternity. May many come to Christ as a result of this event today in Illinois -- about 70 miles south of Obama's residence in Chicago. Amen.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 24:18-20)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)
1. 'Impose crippling sanctions on Iran now' - Jerusalem Post
In the wake of an Iranian announcement that it began enriching uranium to a higher level over the vociferous objections of the US and its allies, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday urged European Union ambassadors to help promote immediate, 'crippling sanctions' against Teheran.
2. IDF strikes in Gaza in response to rocket fire - Ynet News
IDF aircraft attacked targets in south Gaza overnight Wednesday. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said forces identified direct hits, adding that the strike was carried out in coordination with the Shin Bet security service.
3. Lebanese PM: We'll back Hezbollah if war with Israel breaks out - Ynet News
Days after Syria and Israel exchanged hostile accusations, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri told the BBC he is concerned about "escalating threats" posed to the Middle East by Israel.
Update: Iran
For all the headlines cited below, and in light of Ahmadenijad's threats to deliver a "punch" to the West tomorrow, we decree:
"O Lord, you have seen all their vengeance and all their imaginations against us. You have heard their reproach, O Lord, and all their imaginations against us. Render unto them a recompense, O Lord, according to the work of their hands. Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the Lord." ( Lamentations 3:60, 61, 64, 66)
1. Iran Heads for 'Stunning Punch' Against West - (Israel National News)
Iran has announced it will more than quintuple its enrichment level of uranium for atomic weapons and Ayatollah Khamenei says Iran will deliver a "stunning blow" to the West this week. Iran has taken a series of steps over the past few days that leads experts such as former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton to conclude that military force against Iran is the only option. On Friday, Iran's Foreign Minister announced that his country would export its enriched uranium to the West, but just two days later, this plan was withdrawn.
Instead, Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmedinajad ordered a major step-up in the processing of uranium, enriching it at a 20 percent level, instead of the current 3.5 percent. In addition, on Monday, Supreme Islamic Iranian leader and commander-in-chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Iran is set to deliver a "stunning punch" during this week's 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. "The Iranian nation, with its unity and the grace of Allah, will punch the arrogance [Western powers] on the 22nd of Bahman [Thursday, February 11] in a way that will leave them stunned," Khamenei told a gathering of air force personnel. Read more.
2. Iran tests home-made stealth fighter - Xinhua News
TEHRAN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian air force commander said Sunday that Iran has successfully tested the prototype of its first domestically-built stealth fighter, the English-language satellite Press TV reported. "The plane, due to its physical attributes and the material used in its body, cannot be detected by any radar," Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, the force's coordination deputy, was quoted as saying.
Nasirzadeh said data from the test flight was favorable and the air force will move forward with its plans to produce the plane called Sofreh Mahi, which means Manta Ray, the report said. However, he said that the production process will not be rushed as such complex systems need thorough analysis and exhaustive testing.
According to Press TV, Iran on Wednesday successfully test- fired a satellite rocket and unveiled three new satellites and a satellite carrier to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
3. Iranians attack Italian embassy - Jerusalem Post
About 100 Iranians protested Tuesday in front of the Italian embassy in Tehran, shouting "Death to Italy, Death to Berlusconi, " Italy's foreign minister said. Protests were also held outside the French and Dutch embassies.
4. Obama: Working on new sanctions for Iran - Ynet News
Obama said on Tuesday a new push toward international sanctions against Iran is moving along fairly quickly and should be completed in the next few weeks.
U.S. Slaps New Sanctions on Iran Revolutionary Guard - AP
The Obama administration is imposing new sanctions on several affiliates of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, targeting one person and four companies for penalties over their alleged involvement in producing and spreading weapons of mass destruction.
The White House on Wednesday slapped new sanctions on several affiliates of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corp. in response to Iran's defiant move to bolster its uranium enrichment program to levels capable of producing an atomic bomb.
Father, we ask that You get behind this effort and bring it about now, with no more delay. Pull down all roadblocks and all spirits of procrastination and all lies that have been spoken to appease the people and lull them into a complacency of waiting. Bring forth these sanctions, God, even now. In Jesus Name.
" . . . 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)
The Good News Corner
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
The story of this beautiful hymn . . .
This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled, 'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul , were not written during the happiest period of Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.
Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860's Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.
Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned. He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read: "Saved alone."
On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her, "You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."
Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.
The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.
It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.
No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford . . .
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul!
It is well . . . with my soul!
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
(To read the lyrics to this hymn and to learn more about the life of Horatio Gates Spafford, go here. May we each find the courage he gained, as we move now through these perilous times, together. Amen.)
Worship With Us
"It Is Well With My Soul" By Wintley Phipps
Amen . . . go here to worship with this traditional, wonderful hymn.
THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ALL
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The source of Mr. Spafford's strength is an open secret. It is available to you and will enable you to live victoriously. It is found first of all in forgiveness of sins.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
To know one's sins are forgiven brings great release, for "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west and buries them in the deepest seas.
Another source of strength is the knowledge that God works all things together for good to them that love Him. (Romans 8:28). God's unfailing love enables us to be masters of our circumstances, instead of its victim.
Finally, the sure hope of the resurrection is an unbound source of strength. The hope of reunion with loved ones, the joy of seeing our Lord face to face supply strength enough and to spare to face all of life's trials and fill us with "joy unspeakable and full of glory." (1 Peter 1:8)
Is it well with your soul?
Let's pray together now:
"Father, I come before you tonight on bended knee, and I confess my need for You. I see that I am lost in sin, and there is no way out without Your help. I ask You to come into my heart, to forgive my sin, and to make me whole again; and I ask You to please teach me Your ways. In Jesus' Name, I ask this prayer. Amen."
