In This IssueToday's Daily Brief
The Middle East in Focus
The Daily Jot
The Good News Corner
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The Daily Brief - Thursday, February 4, 2010
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent . . ." (Acts 17:30,31)
Today's Daily Brief
1. Intel Chief: U.S. at Risk of Crippling Cyber Attack - Fox News
The United States is at risk of a crippling cyber attack that could "wreak havoc" on the country because the "technological balance" makes it much easier to launch a cyber strike than defend against it, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said Wednesday.
- Lord, we praise You that our officials are concerned over this matter. We ask that You grant them the knowledge and skill to stop any major cyber attacks that could cripple America s computer networks. We plead the Blood of Jesus over all infrastructure, utilities, military, and other networks that rely upon computers to keep America functioning.
- Behold I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
2. Pakistani Scientist Convicted of Trying to Kill Americans - Fox News
A U.S.-trained Pakistani scientist was convicted Wednesday of charges that she tried to kill Americans while detained in Afghanistan in 2008, shouting with a raised arm as jurors left the courtroom: "This is a verdict coming from Israel, not America."
- Thank You, Lord, for the conviction. We pray that You will reveal all hidden secrets within American-trained persons who live and work in places where terrorist acts could be carried out.
- No weapon formed against you shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)
3. Officials: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab Provided Valuable, Chilling Intelligence - ABC News
FBI officials flew in Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's mother and uncle from Nigeria last month to meet with the Christmas Day bombing suspect for 10 days, law enforcement sources said today.
- Father, give our intelligence community the wisdom to seek out truth and act only on that truth with any confessions that come from this man. Let no lies be acted upon by our officials.
- For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth and will make with them an everlasting covenant. (Isaiah 61:8)
4. It's Official: Obama's Spending Today Dwarfs FDR's Depression-Era Spending - CNS News
In his budget message to Congress released yesterday, President Barack Obama repeatedly compared the economic situation he "inherited" to the Great Depression of the 1930s when Franklin Roosevelt was president. But the new budget data release by his own Office of Management and Budget reveals that in one way Obama is making the current era distinctly different from the Great Depression: He is spending vastly more money than Roosevelt did.
- Lord, may the truth of our history be revealed to our leaders. May they stop using pieces and parts taken out of context to justify their agendas. We ask that You make a way where there is no way to bring common sense and truth back into our government.
- But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; (Psalm 5:11)
5. House Faces Tough Votes on $1.9T more Debt - AP
Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives are counting on new budget deficit curbs to help smooth the way for a bill allowing the government to go $1.9 trillion deeper into debt over the next year -- or about $6,000 more for every U.S. resident.
- Father, we call upon Your mercy over America. We know that we have allowed this monetary nightmare to happen by our sin and by our apathy. We ask Your great grace and mercy to somehow stop this runaway spending by our government.
- So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. (Romans 9:16)
6. Reid - Senate Will Take Up Jobs Bill Next Week - AP
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the Senate will take up a jobs bill Monday and he hopes it will have Republican support.
Key Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have been working on a bipartisan plan to give businesses a tax break for hiring unemployed workers. The bill under discussion Thursday would also extend unemployment payments for those whose benefits have run out, and would renew a program that offers the jobless a subsidy for health insurance premiums under the COBRA program.
Reid said Thursday morning he hopes senators will be ready to unveil all the details of a bipartisan proposal later in the day or on Friday.
- Lord, we too, pray for a bipartisan bill to be reached in the Senate. But we ask that Your wisdom prevail so that true jobs will be created, and the spending will not be frivolous or in vain.
- He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. (Proverbs 18:9)
7. With Signed Certification in Hand- Scott Brown Heads to Washington - Fox News
Sen.-elect Scott Brown is expected to be sworn in as the "41st vote" on health care on Thursday, heading down to Washington, D.C., after Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed the certification of election to make him the next U.S. senator.
- Lord, we thank You that the Governor of MA was quick to certify the election of Mr. Brown. We ask now that You cover the new Senator with wisdom, and grant him access to Your heart. May he hear from You and vote accordingly.
- A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel. (Proverbs 1:5)
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. The message is clear: Israel must not strike Iran - Ha'aretz
In the sea of brainwashing, intimidation and cliches surrounding us, it's sometimes worthwhile to listen to a voice from the outside, a voice no less proficient than the Israeli "experts" on security matters and Iran. The voice of reason. Such was the voice of the senior European diplomat who had served as an ambassador in Tehran for about five years and was visiting Israel this week.
2. 'FT sees Israel as main cause of ME problems' - Jerusalem Post
The Financial Times views Israel as the key cause of problems in the Middle East, according to a study published by a London-based media monitoring organization this week.
3. Assad: Israel pushing region towards war - Ynet News
Syrian President Bashar Assad on Wednesday accused Israel of "pushing the region towards war". During a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos in Damascus, Assad said that the Jewish state "is not serious about achieving peace".
The Daily Jot
The Lord Chooses To Work Through You; Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice
I want to give you a little insight into The Daily Jot ministry. Eight years ago in January, the Lord impressed upon me to write a daily email to friends and family about a current event and how it might be viewed from a Biblical perspective. I was to listen to the Holy Spirit in choosing the topic and what was written, and was to encourage, exhort, and equip the readers to do what the Lord would have them to do. Today, the "Jot" has grown from this list of 30 to nearly 3,000 people and reaches more than 10,000 throughout the world by forwarded emails, and many thousands more on radio broadcasts and other media that pick it up. It is a free gift to those who receive it.
Throughout this journey, I have learned that the Lord uses examples and events to test the hearts of his people. In the Old Testament, prophets often took on the face of the condition of their nation to exemplify the condition of the hearts of the people. Perhaps, that is also the case with me, although I would be the last to claim that I am a prophet. But I am a man of God, who loves Jesus and loves the people of God so much so that I seek to discern the truth irrespective of whether it tickles the ears of God's people. We live in a small, but clean house. Our car has over 102,000 miles; my pickup over 136,000. Our only debt is our house payment.
We are an example of what the Lord is working through these days--small, humble ministries with hearts that chase after Him--in contrast to large, money machine ministries that look great on the outside, but perhaps have lost their first love. My wife, Chris, is an example as well. She has been very ill for over two years, but inside her heart is a love of Christ that she shares with others like none you have ever seen. All this to say that our God is one of freedom who will not force Himself on others. Neither do I, in my writings, force you to take action. I pray to inspire you to do so. And you must know if you are a regular reader that I really do not like asking for money. When I tell you of a need, I am in no way demanding that you give to this ministry--just putting forth the need and knowing the Lord and you will deal with it appropriately.
Usually I get one of four responses: "I can't believe you are badgering your subscribers for money"; "I am on a fixed income but I will pray for you"; "I love what you do and I will not only pray, but also am sending a gift"; or no response. This is between you and the Lord (those on fixed incomes are often the most forthcoming!). But I will say as a man who is called to do the Jot by the Lord, that the Lord chooses to act through His people. The Lord says in 1 Timothy 5:18, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Our monthly expenses are quite small compared with many. And we live so tight that there is no room for error. Please seek the Lord about this ministry as I know He intends to bless those who bless it. Thank you for your compassion, your obedience and your love of the Lord.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
[Editor's note: to learn how to support The Daily Jot, please visit www.dailyjot.com.This is a great testimony for us all. Amen.]
The Good News Corner
"Gentle Shephard" By The Gaither Vocal Band
How we need to bask in this lovely hymn today!
To enjoy the ministry of the Gaithers, go here.
