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Sunday, June 28th: Call2Fall
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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, June 18, 2015
"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."
(Matthew 3:2)
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A Rainbow Over the Supreme Court
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This photo of the front of the
Supreme Court was taken the night before the hearings on gay marriage: Monday, April 27, at sunset. Please remain with us in prayer over the pending decision on traditional marriage until the verdict has been rendered.
" . . . from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. . . What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Mark 10: 6,9)
Thank You, Lord, for watching over this Court. In Jesus' name, amen.
"In a dream, a vision of the night,
When sound sleep falls on men,
While they slumber in their beds,
Then He opens the ears of men,
And seals their instruction,
That He may turn man aside from his conduct,
And keep man from pride;
He keeps back his soul from the pit,
And his life from passing over into Sheol." (Job 33:15-18)
"I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night." (Psalm 16:7)
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The Middle East in Focus
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"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 54:10)
1. Arab MK attends anti-Israel meeting with Knesset approval - Israel Hayom
Joint Arab List MK Hanin Zoabi obtained the Knesset's approval to attend a recent anti-Israel conference in the United States by failing to provide the Knesset's legal counsel with the full details of her trip.
According to a report by the Walla news website Monday, Zoabi asked the Knesset's Ethics Committee secretariat for approval for an eight-day trip to the U.S., funded by the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Palestinian American Community Center.
According to Knesset bylaws, the Ethics Committee must approve any private overseas trip taken by MKs, especially if it is funded by foreign bodies. The committee, however, cannot rule on whether the funding body is anti-Israel or anti-Jewish, and its jurisdiction extends only to whether accepting an invitation would create a conflict of interest for the MK. (Read More)
2. 'Instead of investigating IDF, UN should probe itself' - Israel Hayom
The 29th session of the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council got underway on Monday, with its report on last summer's Operation Protective Edge expected this week. The report will likely include harsh criticism of Israel, and officials in Jerusalem are continuing pre-emptive efforts to mitigate its impact.
In Geneva on Monday, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein expressed concern about the potential for new violence in the Gaza Strip.
"In Gaza, the long-standing blockade and slow reconstruction is generating more poverty and has further undermined economic and social rights," he said. "I fear this may create the conditions for renewed violence. Gaza needs not just physical reconstruction, but the reconstruction of hope. Development, accountability and respect for human rights are a counterweight to violence and extremism." (Read More)
3. Jordan envoy: Status quo between Israel, Palestinians 'untenable' -Times of Israel
The status quo between Israelis and Palestinians is unsustainable, Jordan's ambassador to Israel said Tuesday in Tel Aviv, arguing that if the two peoples learn to respect one another, peace could only but follow.
"Jordan is convinced that maintaining the current state of affairs between Israel and the Palestinians is untenable," Walid Obeidat said during a reception in honor of the Hashemite Kingdom's 69th Independence Day. "Security comes only with peace, and peace comes only with respect and coexistence." (Read More)
4. Using early Zionists' script, Jewish volunteers aim to empower Palestinians - Times of Israel
UMM EL-KHEIR, West Bank (JTA) - They dig their fingers into the dirt, their knees bearing into the ground as they embed sprigs of thyme in identical rows. The sun beats down on the small plot, and the work can be tedious, but these volunteers - most of them American, most of them Jewish - plant with a purpose.
They had met early Friday morning in Jerusalem and set off on an hour long bus ride through the terraced, rocky hills south of the city. Upon arriving at their destination, a Palestinian village about 20 miles south of Hebron, residents welcomed them with coffee, tea and a short account of the community's history that traced decades of war and resettlement.
Then the volunteers got to work.
Jews have long sought empowerment through working the land, but these volunteers did their work in Palestinian villages rather than Israeli ones. Their mission was one that both Palestinians and Jewish-Israelis have pursued for decades: to create "facts on the ground," entrenching a community's presence by deepening its footprint. (Read More)
5. Netanyahu Condemns UN Human Rights Council before Release of Gaza Report -Christian Headlines
The prime minister of Israel said this week he doesn't agree with what is expected to be a critical report of Israel released by the UN Human Rights Council.
Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the council has called Israel "guilty even before the examination began."
The Human Rights Council is expected to release a report of Israel's actions during last summer, but Israel has released its own report about the events in Gaza, The Jerusalem Post reports. (Read More)
6. Inscription bearing name from Davidic era found at ancient site -Times of Israel
An ancient Canaanite inscription including a name shared with a biblical rival to King David was found by archaeologists on a pot unearthed at a site in the Elah Valley, west of Jerusalem, researchers said Tuesday. One of them described it as a "once in a lifetime" find.
The inscription on a large clay storage jar found at Khirbet Qeiyafa dates to the Iron Age, from around 1020 to 980 BCE, and bears the name of Ishba'al son of Beda, researchers wrote in an article published in the latest edition of the Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research.(Read More)
7. Sirens heard in the Northern Golan Heights - Jerusalem Online
The sirens were sounded this morning at around 11:45am in the Northern Golan Heights in a number of communities including Ortal, Alonei Ha-Basham, Merom Golan, and Ein Zivan. Many of the residents of the Golan Heights temporarily panicked, but the rocket falls were identified on the Syrian side of the border and not in Israel. The IDF stated that the issue is "under investigation."(Read More)
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The Daily Brief
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1. Charleston church massacre suspect caught, but answers elude victims' loved ones - Fox News
Police on Thursday nabbed the 21-year-old man suspected of gunning down nine people gathered for bible study in a Charleston, S.C., church, nearly 14 hours later and 240 miles away after an all-night manhunt. Dylann Roof, of Columbia, was captured without incident in a traffic stop after a tip led police to Shelby, N.C. at approximately 11 a.m. in the black Hyundai sedan he had been seen fleeing the horrific scene at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where the church's pastor, Clementa Pinckney, who was also a state senator, was among those killed.
"We had a number of tips that were coming in," Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said. "It was amazing the fact that we had teams . . . standing by. Whenever we got a lead ... we sent out teams. It was a tremendous effort." "I am so pleased that we were able to resolve this case quickly . . . so that nobody else is harmed by this individual." (Read more)
- We thank You, Lord, that this man was caught quickly, and we pray that the people of Charleston will be calm in the wake of this massacre. Amidst the horror of this situation, we see that the enemy has made another well-planned, attack meant to create division, and loss of liberty. We stand in the gap, and ask Your hand to rest upon us today, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
- "The Lord is known by the judgment He executes." (Psalm 9:16a)
2. DOJ Announces Hate Crime Probe into SC Church Shooting - CNSNews.com
Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced Thursday that a federal hate crimes investigation has been launched into Wednesday night's shooting at a historic black church in South Carolina.
"The Department of Justice has opened a hate crime investigation into this shooting incident. The FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshal Service, Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Attorney's office are working closely with our state and local partners, and we stand ready to offer every resource, every means, and every tool that we possess in order to locate and to apprehend the perpetrator of this barbaric crime," said Lynch.
Nine people - six females and three males - were killed in what authorities have characterized as a hate crime. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Dylan Roof, allegedly told a survivor that he had to shoot the victims, saying, "You rape our women and you're taking over our country," according to what a survivor's cousin told MSNBC. (Read more)
- Lord God Almighty in Heaven, we ask that, as this investigation begins to unfold, all facts related to last night's massacre in Charleston, South Carolina would come to light, and that information be released in a nonbiased fashion. We ask this in Your name, amen.
- "Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart." (I Corinthians 4:5a)
3. Gov. Haley: The heart and soul of South Carolina was broken - Fox News
Governor Haley has called all to pray for the families of the victims of last night's murders in the church in Charleston. To view her moving cry for the people of her state, please go here. Thank you.
- Lord God, we hear this cry from the heart of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and we bow our heads today in prayer, that You would comfort all who mourn their lost loved ones and friends in this very sad hour. We do this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen.
- "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
4. House OKs Obama trade agenda on 2nd try, bill heads to Senate - Fox News
The House on Thursday approved a key plank of President Obama's trade agenda after the push nearly imploded amid Democratic resistance last week, sending the bill to the Senate where it still faces an uncertain fate.
The 218-208 vote nevertheless marked a significant victory for Obama and his pro-trade supporters in both parties. The vote came after Obama huddled Wednesday evening with congressional allies to try to craft a way forward.
The bill would specifically give the president so-called "fast-track" authority to approve trade deals, which Obama wants to seal a 12-nation pact involving Japan and 11 other countries bordering the Pacific Ocean. (Read more)
- Father, as this battle now moves to the Senate, we continue to pray against the passage of these trade bills due to the horrific loss of sovereignty that they contain. We ask that You turn the hearts of the Republicans to see the truth. These bills contain an egregious increase in power for the President, along with the pushing forward of the TPP-Transpacific Partnership. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen.
- "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3)
5. Documents challenge Clinton claim no classified intel on personal emails - Fox News
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton used her personal email account to handle high level negotiations in 2011 for a no-fly zone to help topple Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi, according to a series of emails obtained by Fox News, challenging her claim the private server did not hold classified information.
The emails conflict with Clinton's statement that she did not put national security at risk by using a personal account. (Read more)
- Lord the lies are deep in this woman's actions. We ask for You to either change her heart truly, or remove her from the power she has obtained.
- "He who speaks lies will not escape." (Proverbs 19:5b)
6. Obama Prepares More 'Executive Actions' On Global Warming - Daily Caller
President Barack Obama is preparing to unleash a series of "executive actions" aimed at boosting the green energy industry as part of the president's global warming agenda. Obama is launching a "Clean Energy Impact Investment Center" at the Energy Department to "make information about energy and climate programs - accessible and more understandable to the public, including to mission-driven investors." (Read more)
- Lord as this man continues to use his "pen and phone" more and more, we see increasing economic disasters from his unconstitutional regulations. We stand the gap for the very life of our nation and plead with You for relief from regulations which may be harmful to our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen.
- "As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; as he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him" (Psalm 109:17)
7. Imported Muslims arriving now in these U.S. Cities - WND
A few congressmen are fighting to block the planned importation of thousands of Syrian refugees into American cities and towns, arguing that they present a grave security risk because many Syrians have ties to the Sunni rebel groups ISIS and al-Nusra Front.
But the fact is, as President Obama ignores the concerns of U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and others on the House Homeland Security Committee, the Syrians have already started to arrive stateside. (Read More)
- Lord, we pray that the continual dumping of Muslims will be stopped in America. May Your people rise up and start sending letters, doing research , and standing firmly in opposition to this danger.
-"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." (Proverbs 15:3)
8. Community, farmers face water cut-off after California drought decision - Fox News
A Northern California community already is faced with losing its water supply after the drought-stricken state took the drastic step of suspending water-access rights established as far back as 1903.
The State Water Resources Control Board announced the move June 12, suspending access to water for 114 so-called senior rights-holders, all in hardest-hit Northern California.
The community of Mountain House, about an hour east of San Francisco, is now days away from running out of water, according to local reports. That's because its only supplier, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District, was one of the senior rights-holders put on notice Friday. (Read more)
- Lord we pray for California's water situation, and that You will intervene to save the crops and the people from disaster. We pray, too, for the homeowners in this city, who are now seeing the resale value of their homes plummet in the face of this looming disaster. Have mercy, O Lord, we pray, amen!
- "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30)
9. Online Petition Offers a Pledge in Solidarity to Defend Marriage - DefendMarriage.org
The organization named "Defend Marriage" is offering an online petition to defend marriage. The text reads, in part:
"We stand together in defense of marriage and the family and society founded upon them. While we come from a variety of communities and hold differing faith perspectives, we are united in our common affirmation of marriage. On the matter of marriage, we stand in solidarity. We affirm that marriage and family have been inscribed by the Divine Architect into the order of Creation. . .
We will view any decision by the Supreme Court or any court the same way history views the Dred Scott and Buck v. Bell decisions. Our highest respect for the rule of law requires that we not respect an unjust law that directly conflicts with higher law. A decision purporting to redefine marriage flies in the face of the Constitution and is contrary to the natural created order. As people of faith we pledge obedience to our Creator when the State directly conflicts with higher law. We respectfully warn the Supreme Court not to cross this line." (Read more)
- Lord God, we thank You that, in our free nation, our citizens have the liberty to draft this document, and to warn the Supreme Court not to cross this line on marriage. Even as the Justices finish writing their opinions on this case, we ask for a groundswell of support to build that tens of thousands more will sign this petition. Lord God, save our nation, we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen.
- "Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew." (Psalm 110:3 NASB)
10. Bill Protecting Defenders of Traditional Marriage Reintroduced in Congress - CNSNews.com
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho) reintroduced legislation in their respective chambers on Wednesday that would prohibit the federal government from denying tax exemptions or other government benefits to individuals and institutions that promote traditional marriage.
"Protecting religious freedom from Government intrusion is a Government interest of the highest order," the bill states. (Read more)
> > > Be sure to see FRC's endorsement of this bill, elsewhere on today's Brief!
- Father God, we ask that this year, under this new Congress, the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act will pass and be signed into law. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.
- "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6)
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The Daily Jot (Part One)
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Thursday, June 18, 2015
Deadly church violence up 422% under current "president"
The tragic attack on the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., that left nine dead has been classified as a hate crime. Police say a young white man entered the church during Wednesday night prayer, and opened fire. Police mobilized an all out military-style search for the gunman. Our hearts and prayers are for the families of the victims and the greater church family of Emanuel AME. State Senator Clementa Pinckney, the church's pastor, who reportedly had been campaigning with Hillary Clinton prior to the service, was among those who were murdered in the shooting. Politically motivated? Racially motivated? Religiously motivated? Whatever it is, it is evil.
Former Focus on the Family employee Carl Chinn began researching church violence after he was a responder in a standoff with a gunman who took hostages at the Focus on the Family ministry in 1996. According to his website, from 1999 through 2008, there were 186 incidents resulting in 199 deaths. Deadly incidents in churches jumped to 108 in the first year of the current "president" up from 64 the previous year. Since then, there has been an extraordinary climb in deadly church violence. Since the current "president" took office, there have been 786 incidents resulting in 370 deaths. Baptist, non denominational, and Catholic churches suffered nearly 59% of the deadly violence, Islamic 1.4%.
Chinn's statistics break down the incidents by denomination, but not by race. Notwithstanding, it is a tragic and curious statistic that deadly church violence since 2009 (when the current "president" took office) has increased 422% over the previous 11 years. Deaths increased 342% during the same period. It would be a reasonable prediction based on these statistics that the current "president" has arguably presided over the most violent time against churches in recent American history. He didn't physically go out and do the violence. But his characterization of conservative Christians (pro-gun, pro-life, pro-marriage) as racists, radicals and extremists may have contributed to inciting such violence.
Growing up, I remember that church was sanctuary. There was a level of respect for a church. No one would enter a church to come after a criminal or to pursue a fight. No one would dare break the holiness of the Lord by penetrating the sanctuary of a church. Except the hate-mongers and the mentally deranged. Sadly, this has all changed. The atmosphere has been established where churches and Christians, in particular, have become targets of a dark and evil element in our society. There is no just cause for such violence. Jesus said in Matthew 24:9 that "ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." Sadly, in America over the last seven years, this hate is stronger than it ever has been.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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The Daily Jot (Part Two)
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Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Supreme Court could seal dark fate for US
As the Supreme Court nears its decisions on socialist healthcare and same sex marriage, the health of our nation is on the front burner of the American mindset. But there is nothing that contributes to the decline of a healthy nation more than the undermining of marriage. Government, in general, and this "president" in particular, are intrusively involved in the moral decay of America by forcing the general public to subsidize health benefits for homosexuals or the forcing of Americans to pay for abortions and contraception of others. The government is undermining healthy relationships by promoting unhealthy ones in the name of health. The Supreme Court will soon render decisions that could seal a dark fate for America.
Marriage is the social contract that is imperative to a healthy society. Family is society's core strength. When marriage, and subsequently family, are preserved, protected, nourished and encouraged, society will be healthy. The strength of America traditionally has been found in its families. But today, this revered institution is faltering. In March of 2012, Pew Research released poll data reflecting that only 51% of adults 18 years and older are married--a record low for America. The Washington Post reports that "In 1960, for example, when most baby boomers were children, 72 percent of all adults were married. The median age for brides was barely 20, and the grooms were just a couple of years older."
In 1963, Florida Congressman A. S. Herlong, Jr., submitted for the Congressional Record the "Current Communist Goals" excerpted from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen. Goal 40 was: "Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce." Goals 25 and 26 were: "Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." Goal 27: "Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social"religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch."
The Pew study indicated that Americans are choosing to live together rather than marry; The US State Department is using foreign aid to promote homosexuality. The federal government quit defending "The Defense of Marriage Act." Divorce is easier than ever. Homosexuality is being promoted in public schools and the military--it is essentially official government policy. The socialists and Marxists in America are succeeding in destroying our society--as planned as early as 1963 by the Communist Party. Ephesians 5:25 instructs: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." This is a sovereign spiritual principle for a healthy and happy society. Our decisions matter, make them well.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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Good News from the Supreme Court!
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Family Research Council Applauds U.S. Supreme Court for Pro-Free Speech Ruling
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in favor of the church involved in the Reed v. Town of Gilbert case and in affirmation of the First Amendment. In this case, a Gilbert, Arizona sign ordinance discriminated against certain signs based on the content of the signs -- whether they were political, ideological, and directional. Directional signs were placed under more severe restrictions.
Good News Community Church and its pastor, Clyde Reed, needed to announce the times and locations of their services, but because their announcement signs (which directed individuals to a public school where services were being held) were deemed directional, the church was severely hampered in getting its message out. Pastor Reed and Good News Community Church sued to vindicate their constitutional rights. The lower courts ruled against them, so Pastor Reed took their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
(Read more here)
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FRC Endorses First Amendment Act
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Family Research Council Endorses First Amendment Defense Act
June 17, 2015
Family Research Council (FRC) today called for rapid congressional action on the "First Amendment Defense Act" introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and U.S. Rep. Raúl Labrador (R-ID).
The First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) would prevent the federal government from discriminating against individuals, organizations, and small business owners who affirm marriage as between a man and a woman.
"The First Amendment Defense Act reflects our nation's history of recognizing, respecting and protecting the moral and religious beliefs of people and faith-based organizations. This common-sense measure would prevent the federal government from penalizing someone because they hold to a view of marriage as between one man and one woman.
"No person or nonprofit should lose tax exempt status, face disqualification, lose a professional license or be punished by the federal government simply for believing what President Obama believed just three years ago, that marriage is the union of a man and a woman.
"Whether it is religious institutions competing for federal research grants or federal partnerships with development service providers like the Salvation Army, the federal government should not push these organizations out of the public square simply because they believe in marriage between a man and a woman.
"Indeed, the U.S. Solicitor General recently admitted that the tax-exempt status of religious universities is 'going to be an issue' if the Supreme Court finds a Constitutional right to same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges.
"We urge Congress to act to pass this vital legislation," concluded Perkins.
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Kerry Surrenders
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Kerry Surrenders
It's time to stop pretending: The Iranian nuclear negotiations are over. President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have given up so much in these talks that the only way to describe them are as America's unilateral surrender to Tehran.
During a briefing yesterday, Kerry told reporters that the United States was "not fixated" on Iran accounting for the "possible military dimensions" of past nuclear activities.
This is another concession by the Obama Administration, continuing the pattern of the talks from day one.
Last year, Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, our lead nuclear negotiator, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "We have required that Iran come clean on its past actions as part of any comprehensive agreement."
Just a few weeks ago, Secretary Kerry was emphatic that Iran had to disclose its past nuclear activities. Consider this April exchange with NPR's Judy Woodruff:
WOODRUFF: Still, another issue; the International Atomic Energy Agency has said for a long time that it wants Iran to disclose past military-related nuclear activities. Iran is increasingly looking like it's not going to do this. Is the U.S. prepared to accept that?
KERRY: No. They have to do it. It will be done. If there's going to be a deal; it will be done.
But now we are no longer "fixated" on forcing Iran to account for its nuclear efforts. Don't miss the significance of this latest surrender.
Michael Singh, a top member of President Bush's National Security Council, warned, "Unless Iran addresses these questions, inspectors cannot be certain how much Iran knows about constructing a nuclear weapon."
Former CIA Director General Michael Hayden said he was "stunned" by Kerry's capitulation, adding:
"That makes me frightened about the parameters of the agreement. We have gone from a position that says no agreement is better than a bad agreement, and I'm afraid that right now our position is any agreement is better than no agreement."
That is precisely the problem. The only thing the Obama Administration is "fixated" on is getting a deal with Iran -- any deal, no matter how bad it is. The mullahs of Iran must be overjoyed that their prayers to Allah are being answered. (Gary Bauer)
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The Enemy Within
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The Enemy Within
ABC News reports that the FBI has launched "a broad campaign" against suspected ISIS terrorists and sympathizers. The report suggests that officials may be attempting to disrupt plots aimed at July 4th celebrations.
Moreover, ABC notes that "Hundreds of investigations are underway in all 50 states."
Let me repeat that: There are hundreds of investigations underway in all 50 states. Clearly, the cancer of radical Islam is metastasizing within the United States.
And Mr. Obama still has no strategy for defeating ISIS. (Gary Bauer)
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Christian Prayers for Ramadan
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Christian Prayers for Ramadan:
Day One: An unprecedented turning
For nearly 14 centuries, Islam and Christianity have been engaged in a spiritual contest for the souls of millions. For over 12 of those centuries, Islam has been the clear victor. Since Muhammad founded Islam in AD 622, millions of Christians have been swept into the House of Islam - the name Muslims give to their global religious empire.
But what about the opposite? Have there movements of at least 1,000 people turning from Islam and being baptised? Not until recently. During the first 350 years of Islam's history, while Christian populations from the Middle East to Spain were being conquered and converted by Islamic armies, there was only one movement in the other direction. In 982, history records that 12,000 Arab Muslim men sought baptism. Two more movements took place in the 12th and 13th centuries in what is today Lebanon and Libya, respectively. In the next six centuries there was not a single recorded movement to Christ among Muslims.
Then in 1870, on the remote island of Java, the first modern-day movement of Muslims to Christ occurred, followed by a second movement in Ethiopia from 1890-1920. Not until 1967 do we begin to see another movement, this time of more than two million Muslims, again in Indonesia, who were baptised into hundreds of Christian churches.
In the last two decades of the 20th century, however, the tide began to turn. Movements broke out in Algeria, Soviet Central Asia, Bangladesh, and Iran. In the first 14 years of the 21st century, new Muslim movements to Christ have erupted across the Muslim world, from West Africa to Indonesia and everywhere in between. The 21st century alone has seen the addition of 69 new Muslim movements to Christ. In our day, we are seeing the greatest and most wide-reaching turning of Muslims to Christ in history.
How can we pray?
The current wave of Muslim movements to Christ has happened at the same time as an increase in prayer for the Muslim world. It's no coincidence that the 30 Days Prayer movement has just commemorated its 23rd year. Pray that the Spirit of God will continue to sweep through the Muslim world, drawing Islam's millions to realise their need for salvation in Christ alone!
A verse to claim today for
the Muslim people worldwide (from CHPP):
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
(John 3:16) (Source: www.30DaysPrayer.org.uk)
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Our Grandmothers' Songs
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Songs Our Grandmothers Sang:
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Lyrics:
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.
Melody
Please go here.
(Sung by Willie Nelson)
About the Author:
Words: Joseph M. Scriven, 1855. Music: Charles C. Converse, 1868
About the Hymn:
Scriven wrote this hymn to comfort his mother, who was across the sea from him in Ireland. It was originally published anonymously, and Scriven did not receive full credit for almost 30 years.
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Signs and Wonders
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Villagers fear earthquake gods still angry after 'blue lights' appear over Mount Kinabalu
"The sky was bright as if there was a rainbow, but unlike a rainbow, it was all striking blue. We have not seen anything like this before." The blue rays are known as the 'blue rainbow' and are believed to be a phenomenon that is usually associated with areas recently hit by earthquakes. (The Express UK) Read more.
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea." (Luke 21:25)
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The Good News Corner
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Spain Reaches Out to Israel in Historic
Move of Repentance
(Spain)-Amidst rising anti-Semitism, there appears to be a somewhat surprising parallel move towards repentance by some European nations for the many shameful actions taken against Jews over the centuries. The latest comes from Spain which, having expelled some 300,000 Jews in 1492, now appears ready to invite their descendants back!
The Sephardic Ancestry Bill, which is expected to pass through the Spanish Senate this month, aims to correct an "historic mistake" by offering citizenship to as many as 3.5 million Sephardic Jews around the world whose ancestors were forced out by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
Neighboring Portugal has in recent years passed a similar 'Law of Return' offering citizenship to the many Sephardic Jews they persecuted, including my own ancestors who were forced to flee to America in the 19th century. So I guess that entitles me to Portuguese citizenship!
These are welcome moves which contrast sharply with the growing hostility towards Jewish communities being demonstrated in Europe generally, not only in the desecration of synagogues and personal attacks, but in the calls for boycotts and condemnation in the political and economic sphere.
No doubt Spain has been influenced by their former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar who, in a Times article almost exactly five years ago, urged support for Israel on the basis that "if it goes down, we all go down."
(Read More)
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Two Daily Conference Calls
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Please note that the national prayer call continues every night with different leaders from different intercession ministries each night.
These prayer calls will be held nightly at 9PM EST. Please join us by calling 1-857-232-0156; access 377054. Please sign on 15 minutes early so we can be ready to pray at 9PM.
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