In This Issue• The Daily Brief
• The Middle East in Focus
• The Daily Jot
• "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Repeal Passes Congress
• Netanyahu to Visit White House on Tuesday
• The Good News Corner
• "Never Forget"
• Worship With Us Today!
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The Daily Brief - Friday, May 28, 2010
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)
PUBLISHING NOTICE:
Congress will go into recess next week for the Memorial Day holiday. Accordingly, we will not publish the next edition of "On Capitol Hill This Week" on Monday.
The Daily Brief will return on Tuesday, following our regular schedule. Thank you . . . and MAY GOD BLESS THE MEMORIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY, LONG AND WELL. AMEN.
The Daily Brief
1. New, Giant Sea Oil Plume Seen in Gulf - ABC News
Marine scientists have discovered a massive new plume of what they believe to be oil deep beneath the Gulf of Mexico, stretching 22 miles (35 kilometers) from the leaking wellhead northeast toward Mobile Bay, Alabama.
- Lord, You surround the land and the waters with Your mighty Hand and You direct the paths of man, if only they would look to You for Your plan. Within the depths of the seas corruption will spill out but you can change this course and direct a new path. A plumb line is being drawn but which side will man take. Lord that they choose You and then oh how we will see Your mighty Hand.
- "Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem's damage and give her prosperity and peace. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their cities. I will cleanse away their sins against me, and I will forgive all their sins of rebellion." (Jer. 33: 6 - 8)
2. US economy weaker than estimated in first quarter - AFP
The fragile US recovery from recession was weaker than estimated in the first quarter, official data showed, suggesting tougher challenges from the European debt crisis.
- Father God, thank You for showing us that prayer is the only channel of wisdom, so we turn to You for help in this time. Thank You for the principles of stewardship that You have taught us so clearly in Your Word and help us to find the grace to be obedient to You in all matters related to financial dealings. As we learn to trust in You, we thank You that You will prove Yourself faithful as our Jehovah Jireh, our provider. You, Lord, are our true "recovery." Amen.
- "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith." (Hab. 3:4)
3. Time will tell on BP's 'top kill' plan for capping oil leak - USA Today
A desperate attempt to plug the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill with millions of gallons of mud is going according to plan, although energy officials say they won't know for at least a day whether the maneuver is working.
- Lord, we pray not only for the answers to fix this problem but also for people to turn to You in this crisis. May each one bend the knee in repentance, seeking answers from the only Power greater than Himself -- Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. Amen.
- "Send your healing power, may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (Acts. 4:30)
4. House approves repeal of gay ban in military - AP
The House on Thursday delivered a victory to Obama and gay rights groups by approving a proposal to repeal the law that allows gays to serve in the military only if they don't disclose their sexual orientation.
- Father, forgive us, we have turned again from Your precious covenant and we do seek You with a travailing heart. Oh Lord, only You can remove the scales and our hardness of heart. Only what they need can come from You; we know this because You delivered us from darkness. . . Lord we come to You with heavy hearts seeking your face and crying out ABBA. Make us an instrument of your peace inside so that we may truly stand with You and do Your will in these dark times. Amen.
- "The smoke of the incense mixed with the prayers of the saints, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. Then the angel filled the incense burner with the fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and the thunder crashed, lightning flashed and there was a terrible earthquake." (Rev. 8: 4,5)
5. Amendment would let military chaplains pray as they wish - Washington Post
U.S, Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill that would allow all U.S. military chaplains, "if called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, would be free to close that prayer according to the dictates of the chaplain's conscience."
- Pray that this bill be according to His purpose and plan, and we thank Him for Rep. Bachmann opening a door to prayer for our military. Ask the Lord for a swift passage of this bill in both the House and the Senate.
- "Keep on asking and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened." ( Matt. 7:7)
6. UN experts say NKorea is exporting nuke technology - AP
North Korea is exporting nuclear and ballistic missile technology and using multiple intermediaries, shell companies and overseas criminal networks to circumvent U.N. sanctions, U.N. experts said in a report obtained by The Associated Press.
- Lord as we know You have always brought to light darkness; rebellion resists but can only run so long before it must stop. Pray all the issues be exposed so that weapons will not be hidden and that innocent blood will not be shed.
- "Humiliate and disgrace those trying to kill me; turn them back to confusion, Blow them away like chaff in the wind-- a wind sent by the angel of the Lord." (Ps. 35: 4,5)
7. Earthquake rocks South Pacific region - BBC
An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 has struck off the nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific.
- Lord as we see these are times for us to reach to you, we pray that if they do not know you they come to know you and if they do they draw even closer. We pray no lives will be lost but only lives saved unto you Lord Jesus.
- "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me." (John 14:1)
The Middle East in Focus
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and the earth shall shake: but LORD will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:16)
1. Israel Readies Armed Commandos To Block Gaza Aid Flotilla - NewsMax
Commandos will board the nine international aid ships sailing toward Gaza City if they don't turn back, and the commandos will be armed in case terrorists are hiding aboard, defense officials said on Thursday.
2. PA boycott is a declaration of war - Jerusalem Post
The Palestinian Authority has "declared war" on the Israeli economy by boycotting settlement goods, charged Knesset speaker Ruby Rivlin (Likud) during a solidarity visit he made Thursday morning to the Barkan Industrial Park in Samaria.
3. Gaza region attack foiled - Ynet News
Several Palestinians were wounded Thursday evening as the IDF foiled an attempted terror attack near the fence, close to Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
4. New IDF civilian-area war doctrine - Jerusalem Post
In the wake of the heavy criticism leveled at the IDF following Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip last winter, the military has written, for the first time, an operational doctrine for how forces should operate when fighting within a civilian-populated area, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
5. Report: Syria arming Hezbollah from secret bases - Ynet News
The chances that Israel may send a "calibrated signal" to Hezbollah and Syria by launching a precise airstrike against a weapons convoy are increasing, the British Times reported on Friday, following reports of Israeli plans to bomb a Syrian arms convey as it crossed the border into Lebanon. The Israeli strike was reportedly called off at the last minute.
The Daily Jot
Revivalution--The Plan
We must connect our Biblical walk with our earthly walk to be true disciples of Christ and to make disciples of others. In the past 20 years, there has been one movement after another--everything from name it claim it to personal prophecy to discipleship to the emergent church to errant teachings of social justice and liberation theology--whatever new wind of doctrine that tickles peoples' ears and makes them think they are doing something cutting edge and unique. But the scripture is very clear in Ephesians 4:14, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
The scripture tells us not to remove the landmark which "they of old time have set in thine inheritance." Proverbs 22:28 says, "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." This word "ancient" can be interpreted as "eternal." The Ancient of Days is God eternal and we are not to remove Him. In Jeremiah 6:16 the Lord says,"Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the ancient paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." But we as a nation are as the last sentence in this verse, "But they said We will not walk therein." The ancient way herein is the way of the Lord as He sets forth in His word. In Solomon's wisdom, we find that "there is no new thing under the sun."
Indeed, there are no doctrines apart from Scripture. It is the inerrant and infallible Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." As American Christians of this generation, many of us are products of the public school system or of private schools taught by those who were products of secular educational systems. Critical thinking and ideological subversion has caused us to examine the truth and arrive at our own conclusion. This causes self indulgence, confusion, wrong mindedness, and spiritual paralysis. This has resulted in moral decline, tolerance for evil, and civic irresponsibility.
Thus, Revivalution--a spiritual revival that foments civic revolution--is necessary. The first step is for us to "get our minds right." That is understanding who God is, what He requires of us, and our proper response to sin, justice, and righteousness. At least once a week there will be a specially designated Jot to study and discern a Biblical precept. When we understand these precepts and how they relate to us today, we gather a meeting of our family once a week to teach them and confirm them among our family. Once our family is solid, we extend the weekly gathering to our friends and neighbors. Eventually, they too, will repeat the pattern. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we soon will have Revivalution.
Bill Wilson
Word of Life Ministry
www.dailyjot.com
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" Repeal Passes Congress
Senate Action on this Policy to Take Place Later this Summer
Four days before Memorial Day and after ignoring requests from the top military brass and a host of veteran groups, Sixteen U.S. Senators on the Senate Armed Service Committee and 234 Members of the House of Representatives decided furthering a radical political agenda was more important than honoring the wishes and sacrifices of our troops.
Too add insult to injury the Senate Committee also added a provision that would allow for taxpayer funding of abortions on military bases. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said of the vote, "Passing this amendment . . . respects the timeline of the Defense Department study."
Nothing could be further from the truth. Their actions take a piece of legislation that is supposed to ensure our nation's fighting men and women are well prepared and equipped and turns it into an anti-military vehicle for dangerous political correctness. The two chambers of Congress last night set into motion a process that will repeal the "Don't ask Don't tell" policy with no regard for how this will affect military readiness, unit cohesion, good order and discipline. This decision to use the military to advance this Administration's radical social agenda will demoralize an already stressed military.
Congress also ignored the possible impact on recruiting. This week at an FRC news conference, Lt. Gen. Jan Huly (USMC-Ret) pointed out that our military is not an all volunteer force, it is an all recruited force. The difference between the two is significant. There are reasons that young men and women are attracted to the military and it is unlikely that advancing political correctness is among them. If recruitment suffers, look for Congress to find another solution--like the draft. The bottom line is that Americans should be outraged over the actions of this Congress. Our armed forces are respected and honored for laying down their lives for God and Country, last night 250 Members of Congress disrespected all three. (Family Research Council)
From Fox News:
"The Senate is expected to take up the defense bill this summer, and its enactment is no sure thing."
PRAYER:
Pray that the "no sure thing" on passage of this bill, stated by Fox News, becomes NO THING in the end. The war to secure our military against the encroachment of the gay agenda is not over, by any means . . we have only just begun. PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)
Netanyahu to Visit White House on Tuesday
Netanyahu Invited to White House Next Tuesday (June 1) for Talks
Abbas also invited to White House for separate talks
One day after White House Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emanuel handed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an invitation to Washington for talks with Obama next week, a similar invitation was extended on Thursday to Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas for a meeting in the Oval Office on June 9.
The meeting is being scheduled to discuss the obstacles to peace with Israel, the White House announced yesterday. "They will also discuss our continuing effort to work cooperatively to develop the institutions that can advance the aspirations of the Palestinian people, and support the establishment of a Palestinian state," said the statement.
Abbas' visit will come on the heels of Netanyahu's scheduled meeting with Obama on June 1, which will focus on the US-sponsored "proximity talks" as well as Iran's renegade nuclear program.
- Pray in the Spirit over this meeting next Tuesday. The last time that Mr. Netanyahu visited the White House, the reception he was given was deplorable, to say the least. Pray that, this time, Obama will do an "about-face" and honor P.M. Netanyahu as the head of state that he is -- perhaps the most important sovereign state on earth. 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." (I Tim. 2:1-2)
The Good News Corner
IDF Foils Gaza Terror Infiltration Attempt
Israel Air Force helicopter gunships and IDF artillery stymied an attempt by Gaza-based terrorists to infiltrate into Israel on Thursday under cover of the heavy haze conditions. A military source said that three terrorists tried to enter Israel through the security fence but were identified by IDF spotters.
IDF radio reported that an explosion was heard that alerted the soldiers to an infiltration attempt. They said that a serious terror attack had been planned and thwarted, and the army expects more attempts at terror as the approaching flotilla of ships gives terrorists a feeling of encouragement and support .
The incident occurred near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The IDF source did not say whether the terrorists were hurt - possibly because the IDF was not sure if they had indeed been hit or just forced to turn back.
Arab sources quoted in Arab news media, however, said that that six people were hurt by IAF helicopter fire near the security fence at Nahal Oz. Terrorists fired a mortar shell Thursday evening that exploded in an open space within the Shaar HaNegev local authority's area of jurisdiction. No one was reported hurt and no damage was caused. Four rockets were fired at communities in southern Israel Wednesday. They all fell in uninhabited area. (Arutz7 news)
"Never Forget"
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND:
This weekend marks Memorial Day, a national observance first known as Decoration Day. It was meant to be a time to remember and honor our Civil War dead simply by decorating their graves. Over time, the holiday's significance was extended to honor all those who paid the ultimate price for our nation. Now, as America is at war, Memorial Day also provides an opportunity for us to reflect on, and give thanks for, the sacrifices of our soldiers still in harm's way.
We face many dangers today - jihadist attacks, a nuclear Iran, out-of-control deficits. But the greatest danger of all is one that doesn't make many headlines - our collective national amnesia. Our history textbooks are sanitized to be politically correct and give our children virtually no sense of the greatness of the nation they live in.
In my talks at hundreds of high schools during the 2000 campaign, I was struck by how often decent American kids had nothing good to say about their country. Most had virtually no knowledge of the sacrifices made to establish and preserve their liberty. They are the recipients of the greatest freedom and opportunity that any society has ever produced; yet they are unaware of the price in flesh and blood that was paid for it.
In America today, Memorial Day weekend has become more of an occasion for rest and relaxation than for reflection about our heroes and the values they died to preserve. This weekend, I hope and pray that we can learn to do both - relax and remember. Let's go the ballgame, have that picnic, hug our kids and have some fun at the beach.
But let's also remind ourselves, and our children, about what happened at Concord Bridge, the fields of Antietam and the beaches of Normandy. Let's explain to them why there was a Berlin Wall, what happened at Okinawa and the price that was paid to stop fascism and Soviet communism. The same resolve that allowed us to persevere in those conflicts will be necessary if we are to overcome our current challenges.
In short, with America facing so many dangers internally and externally, let's take a moment this weekend to teach our children and grandchildren to love the things we love, and honor the things we honor. Finally, let's remind ourselves as well as our children that all liberty is a gift from God and that each generation has paid in flesh and blood to preserve it.
For those of you who want a place to start, try reading to your kids and grandkids these words from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address:
"We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; May 28,2010)
Worship With Us Today!
Salvation is Here
Hillsong
PRAISE THE LORD!!
