ALERT! Judge in UK to hear new evidence re: Charlie Gard case at 2:00 p.m. in London and at 9:00 a.m. EDT here. Please lift up immediate prayers for the life of Charlie Gard NOW. Thank you. Details below.
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp1994@gmail.com
"Praying for All in Authority"
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
(To read the short form of yesterday's Brief,
please go here.)
"In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. 9 It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:8,9)
To help sustain our work,
please go here. Thank you!
"Standing Together as One . . . Under the Cross of Christ"
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Prayer Alert
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Prayer Alert:
Marine aircraft disaster:
15 Marines, 1 Navy Corpsman killed in Mississippi crash
The FBI on Tuesday continued to investigate the deaths of 15 Marines and one Navy Corpsman who were killed when their U.S. military plane spiraled out of the sky and into a Mississippi field on Monday.
A KC-130, used as a refueling tanker, "experienced a mishap" when it corkscrewed into a soybean field about 4 p.m. Monday at a location around 85 miles north of Jackson, the Marine Corps said. The aircraft's debris scattered in a radius of nearly 5 miles.
The Marine Corps said in a statement on Tuesday that 15 Marines and a Navy Corpsman were aboard the aircraft and killed in the crash. Six of the Marines and one Navy sailor were from Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC), according to the statement.
Their bodies were recovered late Monday, Leflore County Emergency Management Agency Director Frank Randle told reporters. A witness said some bodies were found more than a mile from the crash. The identities of the people killed have not been released.
Equipment that included "various arms ammunition and personal weapons" were also on the aircraft.
President Trump and Vice President Pence offered their condolences to those who perished.
"Marine Plane crash in Mississippi is heartbreaking. Melania and I send our deepest condolences to all!" Trump tweeted Tuesday morning.
Pence wrote on Twitter: "Karen & I are praying for the families of the Marines who lost their lives. These Marines will be in our hearts."
Andy Jones, who works on his family's catfish farm nearby, said he heard a boom and looked up to see the plane "spinning" downward with one engine smoking.
"You looked up and you saw the plane twirling around," he said. "It was spinning down."
Jones said the plane hit the ground behind some trees in the soybean field, and by the time he and others reached the crash site, fires were burning too intensely to approach the wreckage. The force of the crash nearly flattened the plane, Jones said.
"Beans are about waist-high, and there wasn't much sticking out above the beans," he said. "It was one of the worst fires you can imagine." (Fox News) Read more.
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Focus on Israel
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1. Jews fast, mourn on 17th Day of Tammuz - Israel National News
The "Three Weeks" of gradually-increasing mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temples and Israel's exile begins Tuesday with the fast of the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz. This is the day on which Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces breached the walls of Jerusalem, after many months of siege, on their way to destroying the first Holy Temple.
The Three Weeks end on the 9th of Av - Tisha B'Av - the date on which both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, roughly 2,500 and 2,000 years ago, respectively.
The 17th of Tammuz marks other calamities in Jewish history as well. It is the date on which Moses, having descended from Mount Sinai and seeing the people sinning with the Golden Calf, broke the first set of Ten Commandments. In addition, the priests of the First Temple era were forced on this day - a year before the Temple's destruction - to stop offering the daily sacrifice due to the shortage of sheep.
(Read more)
2. Divisive expansion plan highlights crowded West Bank city's plight - Times of Israel
ALQILIYA, West Bank (AP) - Last year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government quietly passed one of its most significant concessions to the Palestinians: a plan to alter the West Bank map and turn over a small chunk of Israeli-controlled territory.
But after an uproar by Israeli settler leaders, the government appears poised to cancel the move - a decision that could upset nascent US efforts to restart peace talks and take away a rare piece of relief for the residents of this overcrowded city.
A cabinet meeting on the plan is expected on Wednesday, with a possible new vote to be held. (Read more)
3. Likud minister backs absorbing settlements into Jerusalem - Times of Israel
Israel's intelligence minister proposed on Monday to absorb four West Bank settlements and a settlement bloc into the Jerusalem municipality, while also removing around 100,000 Palestinians from the city's census.
Yisrael Katz said residents of those settlements would be able to vote in Jerusalem municipal elections, but the settlements would not be under full Israeli sovereignty.
For most of the world, the status of Jerusalem is still to be negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians, though Israel considers the city its undivided capital. (Read more)
4. UN Report Highlights Hamas Abuses in Gaza During Ten Years of Absolute Rule - Algemeiner
A new UN report released on Tuesday highlighted the negative impact of a decade of Hamas rule in Gaza, ending with the grim prediction that living conditions in the coastal enclave will worsen significantly over the next three years.
The report, "Gaza - 1o Years On", published by UNSCO - the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process - examines the progressive deterioration of Gaza's public services and infrastructure in the decade that has elapsed since the civil war of 2007. After months of internecine fighting, Hamas seized absolute power Gaza in a coup in June of that year, driving out the rival Fatah faction and launching fresh rocket attacks against Israel. Both Israel -which has the longest land border with Gaza - and Egypt imposed a blockade on the territory within months of the coup that remains in place. (Read more)
5. Labor elects party outsider Avi Gabbay as its new leader - Israel Hayom
In impressive victory, newcomer Gabbay wins 52% of the votes and becomes leader of Israel's second-largest political party * Former Labor leader Amir Peretz wins 48% of the votes * "Today we begin the journey to replace the government," Gabbay vows. (Read more)
6. Syrians irate over elections in Israeli Druze villages - World Israel News
Syrians from the Quneitra province on Sunday staged a protest to condemn what they termed "the illegal Zionist decision" to hold elections at the Druze local councils in the Golan Heights.
Israel's Minister of Interior Aryeh Deri last week announced that the Druze communities of Majdal Shams, Mas'ada, Buqaata, Ayn Qenya, and al-Ghajar would hold their first-ever democratic elections for the local village council.
The Syrian protesters alleged that "the Golan has always been and will remain a Syrian Arab land, that the occupation [Israel's presence] will end, the Golan will return to Syrian national sovereignty and that all decisions issued by the occupation authorities are null, void and illegitimate." (Read more)
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The Daily Brief
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Please note:
Every prayer below is presented to our Lord in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
1. McConnell delays start of Senate's August recess - Fox News
The Senate will delay the start of its annual August recess to give lawmakers more time to work on "important legislative issues" and winnow the backlog of President Trump's pending nominations, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday.
"In order to provide more time to complete action on important legislative items and process nominees that have been stalled by a lack of cooperation from our friends across the aisle, the Senate will delay the start of the August recess until the third week of August," he said in a statement.
The Kentucky senator and leader of the Republican-controlled Senate has been under increasing pressure, most recently from Trump, to either cancel or shorten the month-long recess as he struggles to get an ObamaCare replacement bill passed in the chamber.
However, McConnell on Tuesday put some of the blame on Democrats for him having to cut short the recess by roughly two weeks. Aside from the health care bill complications, McConnell said Democrats' "lack of cooperation" has stalled the process of considering nominees. (Read more)
- Father God, we thank You for the leadership demonstrated yesterday by the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. We ask for extended favor and grace to rest upon each senator, so that the issues named will be resolved, and the business of our nation can go forward. In Your name, amen.
- "My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me." (Psalm 31:15)
2. U.S. proposes new UN sanctions on North Korea - Israel National News
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley aims to put to a vote within weeks a UN Security Council resolution to impose stronger sanctions on North Korea over its long-range ballistic missile test, several senior UN diplomats said Monday, according to Reuters.
Haley also warned that the U.S. is prepared to defend itself from the North Korean threat, saying, "One of our capabilities lies with our considerable military forces. We will use them if we must, but we prefer not to have to go in that direction." The United States gave China a draft resolution to impose stronger sanctions on Pyongyang after the 15-member Security Council met on Wednesday to discuss the ICBM launch, diplomats said, according to Reuters.
China's UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi told the news agency on Monday that it was important to ensure that any action the Security Council might take should be conducive to achieving the goal of a denuclearized, peaceful and stable Korean peninsula. (Read more)
- Father, we thank You for the strong and swift actions the U.S. is taking regarding North Korea, and we pray that all other nations would come into alignment and agreement with these plans, in Your name, amen.
- " . . . if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)
3. US soldier accused of trying to give ISIS classified documents, drone - Fox News
A Hawaii-based U.S. Army soldier was arrested over the weekend after allegedly attempting to provide military documents and a drone to the ISIS terror group.
Sgt. 1st Class Ikaika Kang, 34, was arrested late Saturday night by an FBI SWAT team at the Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, the FBI said.
FBI Special Agent Jimmy Chen alleged in an affidavit that Kang tried to give classified and unclassified military documents and a drone to undercover agents and informants whom he believed would pass the information on to ISIS. Kang is also accused of attempting to teach the group combat techniques.
Most notably, Chen alleged that Kang swore an oath of loyalty - known as bayat - to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on Saturday, shortly before his arrest. After doing so, Kang allegedly told an undercover agent that he wanted to use his rifle to "kill a bunch of people." (Read more)
- Father God, we thank You that this young man's actions have come to light, and that his terrorist plans are now null and void. We ask you bring him to justice, but also to salvation, in Your name, amen.
- "For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light." (Mark 4:22)
4. Over 500 dead in Marawi battle with ISIS - Sky News
The death toll in a protracted battle between Islamic State-allied militants and government troops in the southern Philippine city of Marawi has topped 500, the military says.
Ninety of the dead were soldiers and police officers, while 39 were civilians killed by the militants in Marawi City, 800 kilometres south of Manila, said Brigadier General Restituto Padilla.
At least 381 of the dead were militants killed in the fighting which began on May 23 after government forces attempted to arrest a local leader of the Islamic State terrorist group, he added. (Read more)
- Father, we lift up these dear people in the southern Philippines, and we thank You for giving them the courage to fight ISIS. We pray Your protection for those who remain, and comfort for those who grieve, in Your Name, Amen.
- "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)
5. Mosul: US commander says Iraq must stop Islamic State 2.0 - BBC
The senior US commander in Iraq has warned that the war against the so-called Islamic State (IS) is not over, despite a "historic" victory in Mosul. Lt Gen Stephen Townsend told the BBC there were still IS fighters in Iraq. He said the government should reach out to Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority to stop IS from renewing itself. (Read more)
- Father, we do praise You that Mosul, once claimed by ISIS as their capital, has now been recaptured by Iraqi forces. We ask for Your grace to be upon each Iraqi soldier now stationed there, that they will remain vigilant in their watch, as their senior commander has warned them to do, in Your name, amen.
- "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour . . ." (1 Peter 5:8)
6. CANADA: Christian slapped with $12,000 'Shariah fine' for not removing shoes - WND
Canada is now fining its citizens for offending people of the Islamic faith. John Alabi, 53, is a Christian and a landlord who lives in the Toronto area and is being ordered to pay a fine of $12,000 by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal because he failed to remove his shoes when he entered the apartment he was renting to a Muslim couple. (Read more)
- Father God, first Canada, then America. We rise up and take up the sword of the Spirit and the authority You give us in Your name, and we ask, first that John Alabi be found "not guilty" and all charges against him be removed.
Help us all, Lord, to be on the alert for the creeping actions of Moslems who wish to enforce Sharia law against our people and against our Constitution. This nation belongs to us, dear Lord. If they want to adhere to Sharia, let them leave, we pray. amen.
- "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour . . ." (1 Peter 5:8)
7. Arctic outpost becomes hotbed of Russian military activity - News.com.au
A TINY stretch of Arctic water has become a hotbed of military activity amid fears it could become the next flashpoint in a global conflict between the US and Russia. Locals on the tiny Norwegian island of Vardo have seen an increase in military action through the upgrade of a critical radar system, Globus III, due to be completed by 2020. (Read more)
- Father God, only You know what the Russians are up to on this small strip of land in the Arctic. We ask that You release Your ministering and Your warring angels to take care of this suspicious activity on our behalf. In Your Name, amen.
- "Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!" (Psalm 103:20)
8. China's Intelligence Networks in United States Include 25,000 Spies - Free Beacon
Beijing's spy networks in the United States include up to 25,000 Chinese intelligence officers and more than 15,000 recruited agents who have stepped up offensive spying activities since 2012, according to a Chinese dissident with close ties to Beijing's military and intelligence establishment. (Read more)
- Father God, as President Trump continues to drain the swamp here in Washington, D.C., we ask that he also find and expel all of these 25,000 Chinese spies and the 15,000 agents who are working with them.Thank You, Lord, that we have the confidence that, if we ask, without doubting, You will hear and act on our behalf. In Your name, amen.
- "But he must ask in faith without any doubting . . ." (James 1:6a)
9. Yemen cholera cases pass 300,000 as outbreak spirals - ICRC
A cholera outbreak in war-torn Yemen is thought to have infected 300,000 people in the past 10 weeks, the International Committee of the Red Cross says. The situation has continued to "spiral out of control", with about 7,000 new cases every day, the ICRC warned. More than 1,700 associated deaths have been reported, according to the UN. (Read more)
- O Lord, visit these people we pray. Please move now to heal the sick and to comfort those who grieve. Let this evil plague dissipate into nothing, and not be carried anywhere else in the world, amen and amen.
- "And I placed boundaries on it and set a bolt and doors, and I said, 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther; and here shall your proud waves stop'." (Job 38:10)
10. Strong earthquake hits NZ's South Island - Sky News
A strong earthquake has struck off New Zealand's coast, but there are no initial reports of serious damage or injuries and no tsunami is expected. The US Geological Survey says the magnitude-6.6 quake struck 198 kilometres northwest of Auckland Island. The quake was shallow, with a depth of only 10 kilometres. (Read more)
- Thank You, Lord, that all were kept safe in this quake. We ask that Your angels be commissioned to "stand watch" over any other area on the earth that is due for the same shaking. In Your Name, amen.
- "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways." (Psalm 91:11)
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The Daily Jot
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Tuesday, July 11, 2017
How things haven't changed in 12 years
Let's rewind to June 2005, when I was a correspondent for a major Christian radio program. Here is a Jot I wrote when George W. Bush was President..."Christianity is under attack in American politics and if the Church, God's people, do not wake up and take action, this nation may be turned over to judgment. I see very dangerous trends that impact our nation and our faith. There is a group of people who are out to gain power, and in doing so, have absolutely no reservation about destroying whatever is in their way to gain that power. They will use anyone or anything that they believe will help them and they will eliminate anyone or anything that will hinder them.
"Last week, the House of Representatives was considering the Defense Appropriations bill. Wisconsin Democrat David Obey wanted an amendment to reflect the opposition of Congress against religious evangelism at the Air Force Academy. Indiana Congressman John Hostetler was offended and said that Democrats will take any opportunity they can to demonize Christians. Democrats immediately leapt to their feet and demanded Hostetler be censored for his accusation. Hostetler said later, "If you tell Christians they can't tell others about their faith, then they can't exercise their Christian religion." He said proselytizing involves a forced conversion to Christianity, something that did not occur at the academy.
"In the weeks leading up to this minor explosion on the House floor, Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean mocked the Republican Party by saying it was comprised of "white Christians." New York Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton said at a fundraiser that the Republican approach to politics was...messianic...meaning that, in her words, "Some honestly believe they are motivated by the truth, they are motivated by a higher calling, they are motivated by, I guess, a direct line to the heavens." The legislation introduced by both sides is also telltale. Typically, Democrats are busy with bills such as the Unification of American Families Act, a pro-homosexual bill, while Republicans are trying to stop child molesters.
"Republicans are not the "be all end all" for Christianity by any account, but distinct battle lines are drawn and fought each day. Christians have been given eight years under a Christian-friendly president to turn hearts toward God, yet the church appears to take this as a respite rather than as a time of labor. This is not a time to be angry at misguided politicians in either party. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." It is a time to act." Back to today. How have things changed? Or have they? Certainly, the rhetoric has heightened, but the more the years go by, the worse the same problems become.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com
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At The White House
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At The White House
Yesterday, I was honored to join several leaders of the Values Voter movement at the White House. We spent all day interacting with top administration officials on a variety of critical issues, including the sanctity of life, Obamacare and judicial nominations.
While it wasn't on the official schedule, we also spent significant time in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
Perhaps the most important thing was the opportunity we had to encourage everyone at the White House, including President Trump, to stand firm in the good fight for faith and family.
For example, I commended the president for his incredible speech in Warsaw last week. I urge you to watch the speech if you have not yet done so. It was the best defense of Western Civilization that we have heard in at least a decade.
- Gary Bauer
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Charlie Gard Updates
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Charlie Gard Updates
Please note: the judge in this case has asked for evidence to presented in his court at 2:00 p.m. TODAY (9:00 a.m. our time/EDT) verifying that alternative means are available that can save this child's life.
PLEASE REMAIN IN PRAYER THAT OUR LORD WILL SOFTEN THE HEART OF JUDGE NICHOLAS FRANCIS GRANTING THE WAY FOR A FAIR AND JUST FINAL RULING TOMORROW. (Matthew 18:19) Thank you!
1. Charlie Gard's Parents Given Two Days to Prove Their Baby Should Be Allowed Treatment in the US - Christian Post
Connie Yates and Chris Gard, the parents of a critically ill 11-month-old British baby were given two days at a high court hearing on Monday to produce convincing evidence for why their son should be allowed potentially life-saving experimental treatment in the U.S.
According to The Guardian, Judge Nicholas Francis has said that only "drastic" new evidence will push him to overturn his decision from April, which granted Great Ormond Street Hospital in London permission to end Charlie Gard's life.
His parents have claimed that they have evidence of treatment in the U.S. that could save his life, though Francis has given them by 2 p.m. on Wednesday to produce the details, with another hearing scheduled for Thursday. (Read more)
2. Judge demands 'drastic' evidence or he'll force Charlie Gard off life support this week - Life Site News
LONDON, England, July 10, 2017 - At a preliminary hearing today, a UK judge agreed to hear new evidence in Charlie Gard's case on Thursday. His parents have 48 hours - until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday - to provide this evidence to the court.
"Ten percent," Charlie's mother, Connie Yates, said to the judge, Mr. Justice Francis, of her son's chances at dramatic improvement. "You would [let him live] if it was your son, wouldn't you?"
After worldwide outcry, including from Pope Francis and President Trump, Great Ormond Street Hospital asked the High Court to reconsider "fresh evidence" in the case. However, it maintains its stance that Charlie should be removed from life support against his parents' wishes.
International human rights activist Rev. Patrick Mahoney, who is helping Charlie's parents, posted on Facebook on Monday that Great Ormond Street Hospital requested in court that the case be dismissed. But Francis "has set a full hearing to decide Charlie's future this Thursday based on new evidence," Mahoney said. (Read more)
3. Charlie Gard case: An attack on the family that should concern everyone - Life Site News
The case of baby Charlie Gard has the gravest consequences for the rights of parents and the autonomy of the family. This assault against the family and life stretches beyond the borders of the UK, and we should all be very concerned.
Undeterred, Chris Gard and Connie Yates searched for alternatives. They discovered an experimental treatment that offered the small possibility of a cure. The catch? It's extremely expensive, and is only offered in the United States.
Still undeterred, Charlie's parents launched an online crowd-funding campaign and received tens of thousands of donations. In all, the parents raised over 1.3 million British pounds (nearly $1.7 million U.S.) - more than enough to pay for the treatment.
For the first time, there was a glimmer of hope for Charlie.
Then, inexplicably, the hospital where Charlie is being kept - Great Ormond Street Hospital in London - refused to release Charlie. They said they had determined that the proposed treatment was unlikely to help the boy, and would only prolong his suffering. (Read more)
4. People want you to believe the Charlie Gard case is 'complex'. It's not. - Life Site News
In fact, there is nothing less at stake than totalitarianism.
There are a number of people who want you to believe that the Charlie Gard case is very "complex," with all manner of shades of grey. They want you to cool your righteous indignation. And in one sense, they're right. But we also can't let them distract us from the fact that Charlie's case is also, in a much more important way, extremely simple.
. . . Parental rights are the lynch-pin in this case, and to bracket them out of the discussion is to fight with both hands tied behind our backs. . .
-- if there's anything that the 20th century proves, it's that giving the state power that rightly belongs to families and individuals - under the misguided belief that "the experts" know better - never ends well. This is why the Catholic Church has always steadfastly defended the family and parental rights against intrusion from the state. (Read more)
5. Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rio's Jesus statue light up in blue for Charlie Gard - Life Site News
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, and the UK's Spinnaker Tower were lit up in blue in support of Charlie Gard and his parents' right to continue treating him.
EWTN's Raymond Arroyo tweeted photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Christ the Redeemer statue covered in blue light.
On July 5, Spinnaker Tower, a landmark tower in Portsmouth, went blue to show support for Charlie.
The Tower will be lit blue tonight for @Fight4Charlie - our thoughts are with Charlie & his family at what is an unimaginably difficult time pic.twitter.com/skLfUUTGTD - Spinnaker Tower (@SpinnakerTower) July 5, 2017 (Read more)
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Good News (Part One)
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Thousands Attend the Largest UK Evangelism Event Since Billy Graham
"Literally, thousands of people have just come forward to give their lives to Jesus," said Peter Wooding, London Bureau Chief of the Global News Alliance.
The event should encourage Christians across the United Kingdom to pick up the banner of evangelism and begin sharing the Gospel, one national prayer leader said.
"I believe that God has already released a grace over the United Kingdom and it's going to be very easy to get saved in Britain and this is just a foretaste," Jonathan Oloyede told Wooding.
Evangelist J. John has traveled the world telling others about Christ, and Sunday he brought the Gospel to the U.K. for a one-day event called JustOne.
Attendees were encouraged to bring "just one" person to the event, in hopes of doubling the impact.
This simple invitation strategy has proven to be successful before, so event organizers had planned for 20,000 to 40,000 people to pack out Emirates Stadium.
. . . "There is Biblical authority and historical precedent for mass evangelism. I find it significant that outside the increasingly secular West, mass evangelism has continued, particularly in the majority world, with some spectacular rallies in places like Africa," J.John said.
"Mass evangelism reminds the world that the Church is not dead. It's easy to ignore a few little fellowships hidden away in anonymous buildings in a dozen suburbs. It's much less easy if there are tens of thousands of people in your city's main stadium. JustOne at the Emirates Stadium is the first of many anticipated stadium events." (CBN) Read more.
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Good News (Part Two)
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Some Encouraging Takeaways from President Trump's First G-20 Summit
At the G-20 summit in Hamburg following the Polish visit, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a highly anticipated matchup between the two leaders.
There were not, as the Russians were hoping for, any concessions from the U.S. regarding the lifting of economic sanctions against Moscow over its illegal occupation of Crimea and Moscow's proxy war in eastern Ukraine.
Significantly, existing sanctions against Russia were strengthened by the U.S. Treasury in the lead up to the G-20. In their meeting, Trump pressed his Russian counterpart several times over the issue of Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, according to a readout given to journalists by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Elsewhere at the summit, Trump stood firm in rejection of the Paris climate accord, and made clear his administration's opposition to an agreement that would be hugely costly to the U.S. economy, and would undermine American sovereignty.
At the end of the summit, Trump met with British Prime Minister Theresa May, underscoring his firm support for Brexit, and pledging to advance a U.S.-U.K. free trade deal "which will be a very, very big deal, a very powerful deal, great for both countries and I think we will have that done very, very quickly."
Trump made clear that the special relationship remains at the very heart of U.S. strategic thinking, and declared that "There is no country that could possibly be closer than our countries . . . Prime Minister May and I have developed a very special relationship, and I think trade will be a very big factor between our two countries."
Throughout the president's second visit to Europe, several key themes were advanced.
A robust defense of Western civilization, NATO and the transatlantic alliance; a determination to stand up and defeat those forces that threaten the West; a firm belief in the principles of national sovereignty and self-determination and a commitment to key bilateral partnerships that advance U.S. interests and strengthen the free world.
Trump's trip should be viewed as a success. It was a firm rejection of the disastrous "leading from behind" approach of his predecessor in the Oval Office and was the clearest sign yet that the president is settling in to his role as leader of the free world. (Breaking Christian News) Read more.
- Father God, we regret that the mainstream media has intentionally downplayed President Trump's significant achievements during his trip to Europe last week. We thank Breaking Christian News and Charisma News for reporting the truth, so that we might all intercede accordingly for the advancement of the Trump agenda: MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Amen.
- "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
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The Persecuted Church
"Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body." (Hebrews 13:3)
Please visit the website for International Christian Concern to lift up prayers for the persecuted around the world, every day. Their link is: www.persecution.org -- or go here to connect. Thank you for interceding for our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Asia, the Islamic World, and the Far East.
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Classic Hymns:
LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS
"The eternal God is your Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27)
LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS
"The eternal God is your Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27)
Lyrics
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain
Melody
Please go here.
(Sung by Mahalia Jackson)
About the Author:
Words:
Elisha A. Hoffman, 1887
Music: Anthony J. Showalter
About the hymn:
Showalter wrote this tune and words to the refrain after hearing from two friends whose wives had died, and asked Hoffman to write the remaining lyrics.
This song was sung in the 1943 movie The Human Comedy, starring Mickey Rooney, which was nominated for Academy Awards in five categories, including Best Picture and Best Actor. William Saroyan won Best Original Story for the film.
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Signs and Wonders
Huge blaze at Vesuvius as fires continue to rage across Italy
Tourists and residents were reportedly evacuated from parts of Mount Vesuvius for the second time in a week on Tuesday, after five separate blazes broke out close to the volcano. Firefighters and workers from the Civil Protection Agency were on the scene tackling several different fires in the national park, as forest fires burned across large parts of Italy.
Smoke from the fire rose more than two kilometres into the air and was visible from Naples. In the below tweet, weather channel 3B Meteo compared images of the fires with pictures of the volcano's most recent eruption in 1944, which destroyed three villages.
A total of more than 600 firefighters and Civil Protection workers were on Tuesday tackling at least 100 active fires throughout Campania, including the outbreaks in the Vesuvius National Park which the Civil Protection Agency said were "among the most critical situation[s]".
Across the entire country, firefighters were carrying out 541 operations on Tuesday evening, including 335 forest and farm fires.
(Read more and view dramatic photos of these fires bygoing here.)
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Today's Worship:
The Song of Moses
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The Bible Readathon
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Our Bible Readathon Continues
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
We are now reading the Word of God every night from midnight to 6:00 a.m. EST. We are reading through the whole Word, from Genesis to Revelation, and beginning again in Genesis when finished.
Our numbers of readers continues to grow over time. All are welcome to join!
The access code is: 350430#. Please call at any time from midnight to 6:00 a.m. EST. WELCOME!
[Note: we are reading from these versions of the Scripture: King James, New King James, New American Standard, and NIV.]
