Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
"A National Prayer Alliance"
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
The Daily Brief:
"Praying for All in Authority"
Thursday, July 31, 2014
"Blessed be the Lord, my rock, Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle . . ." (Psalm 144:1)
All prayer requests for the Persecuted Church and for the Harvest are now posted on our blog:
http://chpponline.blogspot.com
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The Daily Brief
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1. House approves lawsuit against Obama over alleged abuse of executive power - Fox News
The House on Wednesday approved a highly contentious lawsuit against President Obama over his alleged abuse of executive power, teeing up an election-year legal battle sure to spill onto the midterm campaign trail. The House backed the lawsuit resolution on a vote of 225-201, with all Democrats opposed.
Republicans say the lawsuit is necessary to keep the president in constitutional check, after he allegedly exceeded his authority with unilateral changes to the Affordable Care Act. (Read more)
- Thank You, Lord, that this clears the way for a lawsuit to be brought. We pray that truth will be brought out in a way that the American people will see it.
- "The Lord is far from the wicked: but He hears the prayer of the righteous." (Psalm 15:29)
2. House passes Veterans Affairs overhaul, Senate poised to give final approval - Fox News
The House approved a $17 billion package Wednesday aimed at fixing the scandal-scarred Department of Veterans Affairs, boosting the chances that Congress can finalize the bipartisan legislation before lawmakers leave for the August recess. Fiscal conservatives remain concerned about the cost of the package and its impact on the deficit. But the bill nevertheless passed on a strong 420-5 vote Wednesday afternoon in the House. The Senate is expected to take up the same legislation soon, as lawmakers rush to complete their work before leaving town this weekend for a five-week recess. (Read more)
- Father you know how desperately our military veterans need help. If this bill will accomplish good things for them, we ask for You to grant it passage even through the Senate.
- "For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, says the Lord; I will set him in the safety for which he yearns." (Psalm 12:5)
3. Appeals court saves last Mississippi abortion center from closure - World Magazine
A federal appeals court panel ruled today that a Mississippi law that would close the state's only abortion facility is unconstitutional.
The three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its 2-1 ruling in a case involving the state's 2012 law, which required all abortionists at the Jackson Women's Health Organization (JWHO) to obtain admitting privileges at a local hospital. Two abortionists at the facility were unable to get privileges at Jackson-area hospitals. (Read more)
- Father, have mercy upon us all for the shedding of innocent blood in our land, and the failure of this court finalize the closure of an abortion clinic. Restore us, Lord, to a place of righteousness.
- ". . . in the secret places he murders the innocent . . ." (Psalm 10:8b)
4. Report reveals 'disturbing trend' of brazen attacks against border security by gangs, drug and human traffickers - Fox News
A game warden hit in the head with a rock while trying to seize a raft. Police officers wounded in an hours-long standoff with a gang member wanted for murder. Criminals spewing obscenities and death threats at local cops before asking for - and receiving - medical treatment.
And that was just last week.
A weekly report distributed by a Texas state agency to senior law enforcement officials paints a grim picture of the Mexican border, where authorities regularly confront illegal immigrant gang members and draw automatic gunfire from across the Rio Grande, and where local, state and federal authorities fight a never-ending battle against drug smugglers. (Read more)
- Father with these types of attacks against our law enforcement officers at the border, they are totally inundated and cannot get their heads above the constant fighting, which makes for tension and other issues. We ask Your help to remove our enemies, and protect our borders.
- "He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest of the wheat."
(Psalm 147:14)
5. CDC ISSUES EBOLA AIRLINE ADVISORY - WND
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is on record that Ebola poses little risk to the U.S. population, the agency still published guidance for airline flight crews, cleaning personnel and cargo workers regarding safe handling of infected passengers.
The advisory begins by describing Ebola as "a severe, often-fatal disease" that while rare, can spread from person to person, especially among health-care staff and other people who have close contact with an infected person.
The advisory then notes the likelihood of contracting Ebola is extremely low unless a person has direct contact with the bodily fluids of a person or animal that is infected and showing symptoms.
Trying to dampen fears of travel to West Africa, the location of the current outbreak, the advisory comments that a fever in a person who has traveled or lived in an area where Ebola is present is "likely to be caused by a more common infectious disease, but the person would need to be evaluated by a health care provider to be sure." (Read more)
- Lord as the Ebola outbreak rampages through Africa, and touches the lives of Americans who went to serve in those nations, we pray your Holy protection over Your people. We apply the Blood of Jesus to this epidemic.
- "You shall not be afraid . . . nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday." (Psalm 91:6)
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The Middle East in Focus
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OPERATION PROTECTIVE EDGE
This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of YHWH our God." (Psalm 20:7)
1. The intelligence war - Jerusalem Post
To read this article, go here.
2. Operation Protective Edge Daily Update: July 30, 2014 - AIPAC
Please go here to read this detailed summary of events in Israel as of yesterday, Wed., July 30.
3. HAMAS SERMON CALLS FOR EXTERMINATION OF ALL JEWS - IMRI
"WE WILL NOT LEAVE A SINGLE ONE OF YOU ALIVE," DECLARES THE IMAM
Al-Aqsa TV, the Hamas TV channel, aired on Friday, July 25, 2014 a sermon from a Deir Al-Balah Mosque, in which an unnamed imam called for the extermination of the Jews.
"We will not leave a single one of you alive," declared the imam. "Our doctrine in fighting you (the Jews) is that we will totally exterminate you. We will not leave a single one of you alive, because you are alien usurpers of the land and eternal mercenaries. You are the mercenaries of all times. Research the history, my brothers. Wherever the Jews lived, they spread corruption. Oh Muslims, didn't you notice that Allah said: 'They spread in THE land.' The definite article in 'THE land' means the entire land. 'They spread in the land corruption, and Allah loves not the corrupters.'" (To view the video, go here.)
4. Majority of American public blames Hamas for current conflict - Jerusalem Post
According to a recent poll by PewResearch, 40% of Americans blame Hamas for the current crisis in Gaza, while only 19% believe that Israel is responsible.
The study also found that the public's opinion was largely divided by political affiliation. 60% of those who considered themselves Republican believed that Hamas held the blame for the current violence. Among Democrats, opinion was more divided with 29% holding Hamas more responsible and 26% saying that Israel was to blame. 18% of Democrats said both sides were to blame. (Read more)
5. Israeli 4-hour cease-fire for parts of Gaza ends as Palestinians claim strike hits market - Fox News
An Israeli four-hour cease-fire for parts of Gaza ended Wednesday, during which Gaza militants fired 27 rockets at Israel, and Palestinians claimed a strike hit a crowded market.
Hamas dismissed the "humanitarian" window and Israel said it would not halt fire in areas where the military is searching for tunnels used by Hamas militants. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said it lacked any "value" because it excluded border areas from where Hamas wanted to evacuate the wounded. (Read more)
6. Despite criticism, government resolves to intensify Gaza offensive- Times of Israel
The day began with allegations of an Israeli shelling of a UN school in Gaza, with 15 people reported killed. Following another day of heavy Israeli strikes on Gaza, and Hamas rocket fire aimed at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, among other towns and villages nationwide, Israel and Hamas were both reported to be considering ceasefire moves. But there were no formal confirmations that an end to the conflict was near. The Israeli security cabinet was meeting to discuss whether to expand the ground offensive or halt it, after some in the IDF said most of the Hamas cross-border tunnels have been found and are being demolished. (Read more)
7. US calls for Gaza probe, blasts Kerry's critics - Times of Israel
The White House expects a "a full, prompt and thorough investigation" into Wednesday's shelling of a United Nations-run girls' school in Gaza, Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz told reporters during an impromptu press conference aboard Air Force One. Schultz's statement underscored similar calls from the State Department, but unlike the UN, administration officials refused to ascribe blame to Israel for the incident that Gazan sources said left some 20 people dead. (Read more)
8. IDF: 'Cowardly' tunnel attack shows why Gaza op must go on - Times of Israel
A video showing Hamas gunmen emerging from a tunnel, infiltrating an Israeli army base and killing five soldiers, demonstrates that Israel is faced with a cruel and unforgiving enemy and must continue Operation Protective Edge until all remaining tunnels are destroyed, Israeli officials said Wednesday.
"These are the people we're dealing with on a daily basis - cowardly terrorists who don't care about human lives. They're on an ongoing mission to kill and maim, and to abduct Israeli soldiers and civilians," Maj. Arye Shalicar, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, told The Times of Israel. "We have to be prepared for this to recur again and again around the Gaza Strip. Until we find and destroy each and every tunnel they have dug over the last few years, such attacks can happen anytime, anywhere." (Read more)
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Operation Normandy
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OPERATION NORMANDY:
Praying over the invasion of illegal immigrants on our southern border
This week please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE over the headlines below:
"Rescue me and deliver me out of the hand of aliens,
Whose mouth speaks deceit
And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood." (Psalm 144:11)
1. Sessions Slams House Leadership Surrender - Gary Bauer
When it comes to immigration, Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is one of the best champions of the rule of law and conservative values. He has steadfastly fought the Senate's comprehensive immigration reform bill as a sellout of American workers and the middle class. And Sessions has been one of the most vocal critics of President Obama's abuse of executive authority to impose another mass amnesty. That's why his comments slamming the House's legislation to address the border crisis got my attention. Here's is an excerpt of Senator Sessions' statement:
"The Obama Administration has openly declared its plan to implement a unilateral executive amnesty for 5-6 million more illegal immigrants. This unlawful amnesty --urged on by congressional Democrats -- would include work permits, taking jobs directly from millions of struggling American citizens.
"Any action Congress might consider to address the current border crisis would be futile should the president go forward with these lawless actions. Congress must speak out and fight against them. It must use its spending power to stop the president's executive amnesty.
"That the House leaders' border package includes no language on executive actions is surrender to a lawless president. And it is a submission to the subordination of congressional power.
"After years of falling wages and rising joblessness, American workers are pleading for someone to hear them. How can it be that our president is brazenly advertising that he will nullify and strip away American workers' immigration protections, and their own elected leaders will not rise to their defense? Or to the defense of our laws and our Constitutional order?"
Senator Sessions is right. Obama has been crystal clear about his intentions to issue another mass amnesty. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), one of the most vocal pro-amnesty advocates in Congress, told MSNBC that he expected Obama would act "broadly and generously."
How does Obama act "generously" when it comes to immigration? The same way liberals always do -- he's going to be generous with your money, giving away your schools, your hospitals and the very concept of citizenship.
Senator Ted Cruz is reportedly meeting with House conservatives this evening to rally opposition to the leadership's border bill. Rep. Steve King (R-IA), another stalwart conservative, is suggesting the leadership could earn more support if it includes the Blackburn bill and other changes to its border legislation.
I am under no illusions that the Cruz/Blackburn bills could pass Harry Reid's Senate or that Obama would sign them. But that's really not the point. What will the GOP response be AFTER Obama issues his next amnesty? It will be too late to pass the Cruz/Blackburn bills then.
Go on offense. Get ahead of the Democrats. Include the Blackburn bill in the border legislation. Force Senate Democrats to vote it down. Then take the amnesty issue to the American people in November!
2. Pence Demands Deportation - Gary Bauer
The Obama Administration reportedly transported nearly 250 children from Central America to Indiana without informing state officials. Governor Mike Pence told reporters yesterday that he only learned about these children being in his state after hearing about them in news reports. In response, Governor Pence fired off a letter to President Obama telling him to remove the children:
"Those who have crossed our border illegally should be treated humanely and with decency and respect, but they should be returned expeditiously to their home countries to be reunited with their families rather than being dispersed around the United States in sponsored placement or long-term detention facilities. Failure to expedite the return of unaccompanied children thwarts the rule of law and will only continue to send a distorted message that illegally crossing into America is without consequence.
"What we are currently experiencing in Indiana . . . is neither sensible nor humane. States should not be asked by the federal government to deal with the consequences of a failed national immigration policy."
There are a lot of big cities that have declared themselves to be "sanctuary cities" and above the law -- San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Detroit. Give the liberal residents of these cities what they asked for: Send the illegal immigrants there!
3. Bad News For Obama - Gary Bauer
Yet another national poll finds overwhelming public opposition to Obama's handling of immigration policy. Here are some key findings from the latest Associated Press survey:
- Only 31% approve of Obama's handling of immigration policy, while 68% disapprove.
- 67% said illegal immigration was an "extremely/very serious problem" facing the country, while 11% said it was "not at all serious."
- Only 20% of the public said they favored the current policy that allows children from Central America to avoid immediate deportation, unlike Mexican or Canadian children.
The Obama White House and left-wing Democrats may think immigration is a powerful wedge issue, but they are clearly on the wrong side of the wedge. And it is telling that vulnerable Senate Democrats are starting to panic and publicly stating their opposition to any mass amnesty by executive order.
4. EXCLUSIVE: Report reveals 'disturbing trend' of brazen attacks against border security by gangs, drug and human traffickers - Fox News
EXCLUSIVE: A game warden hit in the head with a rock while trying to seize a raft. Police officers wounded in an hours-long standoff with a gang member wanted for murder. Criminals spewing obscenities and death threats at local cops before asking for - and receiving - medical treatment.
And that was just last week.
A weekly report distributed by a Texas state agency to senior law enforcement officials paints a grim picture of the Mexican border, where authorities regularly confront illegal immigrant gang members and draw automatic gunfire from across the Rio Grande, and where local, state and federal authorities fight a never-ending battle against drug smugglers. (Read more)
5. Obama: Give me Amnesty for illegal aliens, or I will do it myself! - Last Resistance
The liberal media is reporting that Barack Obama is planning to issue an imperial decree that would instruct our embassies in Central America to screen illegal aliens and ship them directly to the United States at taxpayer expense.
You read that right. Hordes of illegal aliens won't be sneaking across the border and they won't even be surrendering to border agents because Barack Obama wants to put them on planes and buses and ship them directly to your town or city.
As reported by the liberal New York Times, the Obama Regime wants to bring these illegal aliens "into the United States without making the dangerous trek through Mexico." The Times further reports that Obama Regime "officials said they believed the plan could be enacted through executive action, without congressional approval."
Whether Barack Obama has the Constitutional authority to issue such an edict notwithstanding, Obama DOES need John Boehner's Republican-led House to give him the funds to implement his insane political decree, and we need a last-minute blitz of faxes and calls to Washington to stop Boehner from giving it to him and then sneaking out of town when Congress adjourns later this week.
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White House Update
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President to Host First-Ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Next Week
Next week, President Obama will welcome leaders from across the African continent to the Nation's Capital for a three-day U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the first such event of its kind. This Summit, the largest event any U.S. President has held with African heads of state and government, will build on the President's trip to Africa in the summer of 2013 and it will strengthen ties between the United States and one of the world's most dynamic and fastest growing regions.
Specifically, the August 4-6 Summit will advance the Administration's focus on trade and investment in Africa and highlight America's commitment to Africa's security, its democratic development, and its people. At the same time, it will highlight the depth and breadth of the United States' commitment to the African continent, advance our shared priorities and enable discussion of concrete ideas to deepen the partnership. At its core, this Summit is about fostering stronger ties between the United States and Africa.
The theme of the Summit is "Investing in the Next Generation." Focusing on the next generation is at the core of a government's responsibility and work, and this Summit is an opportunity to discuss ways of stimulating growth, unlocking opportunities, and creating an enabling environment for the next generation.
(Source: The White House)Read more.
- Father, You alone know the dangers involved in bringing these leaders to our shores during the African outbreak of Ebola. These dangers are very real, both for these invited guests and for our own citizens who live on our soil. We bind all plans of the enemy, and command them to fall to the ground without any effect whatsoever. We rebuke this plan and ask You to cause all leaders from the affected countries and their attaches to stay home until the dangers of Ebola have been lifted. We ask this in Your name, amen.
- "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." (Isaiah 54:17a)
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Adopting Faith-Based Hope
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Adopting Faith-Based Hope
For thousands of American families, the work of faith-based child welfare service providers has been central to their very formation as families. Since our country's founding, religious entities have taken the lead in finding homes for our nation's orphans. To ensure that faith-informed adoption and foster care agencies can continue that vital work, today Congressman Mike Kelly (R) of Pennsylvania and Senator Mike Enzi (R) of Wyoming introduced the Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act.
This important legislation would prohibit states receiving federal funds from discriminating against faith-based child welfare service providers in licensing, contracting, and funding -- addressing a troubling trend of discriminatory actions by state and local governments in Illinois, Massachusetts, California, and D.C. In the state of Illinois alone, religious adoption and foster care providers were forced to stop serving over 2,000 children when the state refused to allow agencies to continue operating based on their belief that kids deserve both a mom and a dad. Congressman Kelly's and Enzi's legislation would correct such discrimination by prohibiting actions targeting faith-based providers and penalizing states receiving federal funding for child welfare services if they unfairly squeeze out faith-based groups.
It's a common-sense bill that excludes no one and seeks to maximize the number of providers serving our nation's most vulnerable children. Contact your Member of Congress and Senators and urge them to co-sponsor this legislation.
(Family Research Council)
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Taxman vs. the Preacher
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Taxman vs. the Preacher
Last week the IRS told the Freedom From Religion Foundation that it will begin monitoring churches for violating its policy on pulpit speech. Will they send monitors into churches or perhaps listen to sermons posted online? We don't know yet. The IRS refuses to disclose the details on how it may target churches but the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is trying to find out. ADF has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to learn the details of the IRS's agreement with the atheist group. ADF's Christian Holcomb told the media, "Secrecy breeds mistrust, and the IRS should know this in light of its recent scandals involving the investigation of conservative groups . . . what it intends to do to churches must be brought into the light of day."
If the IRS follows through on targeting churches, ADF may finally have the test case that it has been seeking to challenge a 1954 IRS regulation that has been unconstitutionally used to muzzle what churches can and can't say about elections. For years, the IRS code was used to create a culture of intimidation until FRC and ADF began working together to restore the free speech rights of our nation's clergy. Since 2008, thousands of pastors have participated in "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" - a day in which they boldly preach God's Word as it applies to public policy and politics. The American people are clearly growing weary of the idea that the IRS should be given special speech-police powers over any American, especially when it comes to what's said in the pulpit. Bottom line as ADF argues: the church and its pastor decide what is said in church, not the IRS.
IRS emails released earlier today provide a little more insight into what the IRS thinks of conservatives. Lois Lerner, a former IRS official who has been under investigation in the IRS targeting scandal, sent emails using expletives to describe conservatives and referred to tea party groups as "crazies." The IRS continues to arrogantly use your tax dollars to engage in targeting and even name-calling. Now they tell us churches are on their target list.
These appalling abuses point to a need for urgent Congressional intervention. But more importantly they underscore the need for a spiritual renewal in our country. The solution begins in the pulpits of America. Pastor Jack Hibbs, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills and a board member of FRC's National Pastors Council, is one of many pastors leading the way to provide that solution. This morning he did a great job in his interview on Fox and Friends responding to the IRS's church monitoring plan. Please watch the interview below and encourage your pastor to participate in this year' Pulpit Freedom Sunday which will be held on Oct. 5. Go to www.pulpitfreedomsunday.org for more information.
(Family Research Council)
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Obama Writes New History Of America
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Obama Writes New History Of America
Sunday, the White House released a statement from the president celebrating Eid-al-Fitr, the end of the month-long Ramadan fast for Muslims. In the statement, Obama said, "Eid also reminds us of the many achievements and contributions of Muslim Americans to building the very fabric of our nation and strengthening the core of our democracy."
I wonder if the president could nail down for us when all that "fabric building" and "democracy strengthening" took place. From 1776 until recent decades, there were very few Muslims in America. The vast majority of mosques in the country were established in the last 30 years.
I am sure many of these folks are good people, but it is silly for Obama to suggest that they have been central to the American historical experience. Someday perhaps we will see hundreds of thousands of Muslims marching in New York and Washington, D.C., against Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS and Iran. Then we can talk about fabric building.
I'm also still waiting for Obama to deliver a speech singing the praises of the Judeo-Christian contributions to the fabric of our society. The Founders were reading the Torah and the New Testament on their way to Constitution Hall, not the Koran. But I won't hold my breath. (Gary Bauer)
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The Good News Corner
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Colorado Supreme Court: Stop the Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
The Colorado Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a Boulder County clerk to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Although a federal judge last week said the state should create same-sex marriage, it has not been officially redefined. (Citizen Link) Read more.
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Signs and Wonders
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Signs and Wonders:
ONE WEEK TO THE ROSETTA COMET
ONE WEEK TO THE ROSETTA COMET: The European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft is now less than 1700 km from Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. In only 7 days, Rosetta will reach the comet's core and go into orbit around it. Latest images from the probe's navigation camera show a strangely-shaped nucleus that is coming into sharper focus day by day. (SpaceWeather.com)
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
(Luke 21:25-28)
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Worship With Us Today!
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Worship With Us Today!
BY GRACE ALONE
by Maranatha Singers
To worship Him with us today,please go here.
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Today's Birthday
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Today's Birthday on the Hill
Almost every day of the year, a member of Congress or a Senator is celebrating a birthday. Let's lift up these men and women, day by day in prayer on their special day, that God might bless them and show them His love for each one. Indeed, let's move together in obedience to the Lord's mandate in I Timothy 2:1-4. It is written:
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - 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 people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
Today's Birthday Greeting goes to:
Rep. Joe Wilson (R)
(Source: Bible Pathways Ministries. www.biblepathway.org)
