Wednesday, October 31, 2007

The Daily Brief - Tuesday, October 30, 2007

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deut. 33:27)

1. Waterboarding Issue Slows Down Mukasey's Appointment - AP

Attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey's evasive answers two weeks ago to Senate Judiciary Committee members about one controversial form of interrogation have so eroded support for his nomination that one committee member said Mukasey would fail a key vote unless he provided a better answer. Senate Judiciary Committee members on both sides of the aisle are anxiously awaiting Mukasey's answer to their questions about waterboarding, a form of interrogation in which a subject is made to believe he or she is drowning.

· Come against any obstructionist tactics in the confirmation of Mr. Mukasey to this vital post. Our God is a God of breakthrough; cry out to Him now for a breakthrough in this hearing and in this confirmation.

· "Is not My word like fire, saith the Lord, and as a hammer that shatters a rock into pieces?" (Jer. 23:29)

2. CA Wildfire Survivors Give Thanks at Church - CBN News

Survivors of firestorms that destroyed more than 2,000 homes in Southern California found reasons Sunday to be thankful even as the damage toll mounted and firefighters worked to contain blazes.

· Lord, no matter what we go through, we have peace knowing that You are watching over us and our loved ones as long as we run to You! Praise be to God who is loving and merciful! Blessed be God for His covering!

· From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. (Psalms 61:2, 3)

3. Much of U.S. Could See a Water Shortage - AP

An epic drought in Georgia threatens the water supply for millions. Florida doesn't have nearly enough water for its expected population boom. The Great Lakes are shrinking. Upstate New York's reservoirs have dropped to record lows. And in the West, the Sierra Nevada snowpack is melting faster each year.

· When we have come to the end of our rope, it is You Lord, that upholds us! We pray for Your people to intercede for the end of the droughts in our land and in our spirits! Let us be fruitful and fervent again!

· 'If disaster comes upon us--sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine--we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.' (2 Chronicles 20:9)

4. Military announces successful missile-defense test off Hawaii - Int'l Herald Tribune

The U.S. military shot down a Scud-type missile in another successful test of a new technology meant to knock down ballistic missiles in their final minute of flight, the Missile Defense Agency said Saturday.

· We pray Lord that You will always give us Your wisdom about the things we need to do in order to protect our nation! We pray that we will be united in those things. Lead us and protect us, Oh, Lord!

· And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9)

5. Al-Qaida Presence "Reduced" in Baghdad - CBN News

The threat from al-Qaida in several former strongholds in Baghdad has been significantly reduced, but criminals who have established "almost mafia-like presence" in some areas pose a new threat, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Sunday.

· We thank You, Lord for Your intervention and for answering our prayer to have the citizens of Iraq take more control for their security. Please keep them working to end the violence and faithful to the U.S. and to our troops!

· For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. (Isaiah 25:4)

6. U.S. Military: Iranian-Made Rockets Hit Base Near Baghdad - Fox News

Rockets fired at a U.S. base southeast of Baghdad were manufactured in Iran, showing again that country's continued logistical support for insurgents inside Iraq, U.S. military officials said on Saturday.

· Heavenly Father, we pray that You will begin to raise up people in Iran that will turn against the plans of Ahmadinejad who has in his heart the annihilation of Israel and all the Jews! Protect them Lord as they do this!

· You will reduce the noise of aliens, as heat in a dry place; as heat in the shadow of a cloud, the song of the terrible ones will be diminished. (Isaiah 25:5)

7. Oil Sets Record, Surpassing $93 a Barrel - Washington Post

Oil prices surpassed $93 a barrel Monday in Asian trading to hit a new trading high amid concerns about political tensions in the Middle East and the weakening U.S. dollar.

· Lord, we submit the high oil prices, the political tensions in the Middle East, and the weakening of the U.S. dollar for You to fix. We humble ourselves in recognition that You alone are the one Who gives all we need! Hear us, Oh Lord!

· We will rejoice in Your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions . . . Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalms 20:5, 7)


The Middle East in Focus

This week, for all the headlines cited below, please join us in proclaiming THIS DECREE:

"A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!" (Proverbs 15:23)

1. Word of Olmert's Cancer Eases Israeli Political Tensions - NY Sun

With fast-approaching peace talks in America that are unpopular at home and several ongoing investigations into his conduct -- not to mention a near- rebellion in his own party and parliamentary no- confidence motions -- Prime Minister Olmert hardly needed more hardship. Yesterday's disclosure that he is suffering from prostate cancer, however, may have cured, at least temporarily, some of his political ailments.

2. Iranian foreign minister meets Hamas officials in Syrian capital - Ha'aretz

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki met in Damascus Monday with Palestinian officials, including some from the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, a week before a meeting in Syria meant to counter a U.S.-hosted Mideast conference in the fall.

3. Hamas: We'll take control over West Bank in autumn - Ynet News

Senior Hamas leader Nizar Rayyan said Monday that the Islamist group would soon take control over the West Bank.

4. Israel puts squeeze on Gaza Strip - Washington Times

Israel began scaling back fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip and closed a key crossing for humanitarian provisions -- sanctions seen by observers as a last- ditch attempt to squeeze the economy of the coastal strip before a more aggressive military offensive is ordered.

5. IDF: Terrorists on the defensive - Ynet News

Gaza Division commander Brig.-Gen. Moshe Tamir said Monday that the IDF forces under his command are preventing terrorists from carrying out attacks on the Israeli side of the security fence and are forcing them to "be on the defensive".


Action Needed NOW on LOST!

Senate Foreign Relations Committee to Vote on LOST (Law of the Sea Treaty) TOMORROW!

LOST creates a commission to oversee the rights and access that all signatory countries have in regard to international waters: the International Seabed Authority. Those sitting on the board of the International Seabed Authority would decide which countries can gain access to which waters. Given the anti-American sentiment already prevalent at the United Nations, a second governing body would likely fare no better.

Ratification of this treaty would also subject the U.S. to a foreign tribunal with unaccountable, unelected judges. One can assume the court would not favorably judge U.S. interests such as military activity and business developments when it has expressed its dedication to giving preference to developing countries.

Furthermore, military and intelligence activity may also be subject to LOST and the International Seabed Authority. Military intelligence is necessary to protect U.S. borders and prevent terrorist attacks. Yet if the governing bodies of the treaty decide otherwise, U.S. military operations could be severely hindered. The convention is also designed to promote industry in developing countries by forcing developed countries to give them access to technology. Our military abilities would be compromised and freely given to developing, and potentially hostile countries that could then use our technologies against us.

Please call your Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee at 202-224-3121 and urge them to oppose LOST.

(Source: Concerned Women for America)


Wrong About Global Warming

In their desperation to seize control of our economy and our country, the Left has seized the issue of global warming and turned it into an existential threat to mankind. But, as usual, the Left is wrong about global warming, and all its hysterical rhetoric does not match the facts.

Recently, Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid suggested that the California wildfires were connected to global warming. Well, we now know that arson likely played a bigger role, and Reid's remark was rebuked by scientists at the National Interagency Fire Center.

While Southern California is currently experiencing a drought, which is exacerbating the fires, "tree-ring records show there have been far drier periods during the last millennium," suggesting climate change patterns are cyclical and perhaps not so strongly linked to the burning of fossil fuels.

And do you recall that immediately after Hurricane Katrina, Al Gore and others predicted gloom and doom from more frequent and more powerful hurricanes caused by global warming? According to the Center for Ocean- Atmospheric Prediction Studies, "Unless a dramatic and historical flurry of activity occurs in the next 9 weeks, 2007 will rank as a historically inactive year for the Northern Hemisphere as a whole. During the past 30 years, only 1977 has had less activity." 2006 was also a below average hurricane season.

Remember, friends, 30 years ago the media were fretting about an impending ice age.

(Source: Gary Bauer; End-of-Day; Oct. 30, 2007)



Dollar Slide, Oil Prices Show Consequences
Of Turning Away From God

Two records have been hit at the same time, neither good for America-oil topped out at a record $93.80 on the world markets and the U.S. dollar slid to record lows against major currencies. These economic realities will place a squeeze on the pocketbooks of middle class America as anything to do with oil- transportation, production, heating-will cost more, and with the dollar being valued at less, purchasing power will be weaker. In addition, gold prices are moving near 28 year highs. Gold is a hedge against inflation as well as a security that is used by investors when there is instability in the world.

The weakness in the dollar does have some good news-that U.S. exports are cheaper to purchase on the international markets. The "buying" of American goods and products could help to offset a weaker economy that is sure to come if oil and dollar value continue to move in opposite directions. The U.S. economy has grown handsomely in recent years, increasing the demand for oil, which now stands at nearly 21 million barrels a day. At the same time, environmentalist-led efforts have influenced Congress to prohibit oil exploration in the U.S. In fact, no new oil refineries have been built since 1976.

New federal rules requiring oil companies to add an ethanol additive to gasoline at the pump has raised the gasoline prices by 30 to 40 cents a gallon across the country. But the real factor in current pump prices is the cost of oil. And some 40% of the world's oil supply is controlled by the OPEC nations of Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. The Energy Information Administration reports that these 11 nations hold two-thirds of the world's oil reserves. In addition, Russia is the second largest oil exporter and holds the world's largest natural gas reserves, the second largest coal reserves, and the eighth largest oil reserves.

The countries holding the keys to oil prices are not friends of America. Due to its trade surplus with the United States, another enemy, China, holds over $1 trillion in surplus currency and has been suspected of dumping dollars on the foreign markets to boost the value of its own currency and buy cheaper American exports. The United States dependency on its enemies for oil and trade has seemed to place the country in an untenable position of risk to the citizens and to the national security. Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Leadership is a reflection of the nation. Electing wise and moral leaders is imperative to the survival of this nation going forward.

Bill Wilson

Word of Life Ministry

www.dailyjot.com


REVERSE THE CURSE ON OCT. 31st!

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow marks another October 31st on all of our calendars, and we know what that means.

We recently received a note from one of our partners, Patty H., in Tucson, Arizona, addressing this topic, which we would like to share with all of you now. First Patty cites several verses of Scripture, including Leviticus 13:31, 20:6,27, Deut. 18:9-14.

"It is very clear what God has to say about this kind of thing. The celebration of the dead has it roots in paganism. What does light have to do with darkness? We, like the Israelites are to not take on the culture of the nation we find ourselves in. We are to be an example to the nations. We are to be lights in an ever darkening world leading culture to the Truth of Christ. Satan has always attempted to mix truth with error to diffuse the purity of God's Word.

The only thing I think we as believers need to do is preserve the purity of God's Word, the Gospel and present the Gospel. As many are out at that time, this would be a great opportunity to go to where many people congregate at, Malls, Movies and the like and give out good Gospel tracts, speaking with others about the Good News of Jesus Christ and Salvation."

Patty -- WE AGREE and together, we ask our Lord to REVERSE THE CURSE ON OCTOBER 31st!

Let's take what Satan means for EVIL and turn it to GOOD!!



Here are some points for prayer and action:

1. Stand in repentance before our Lord for those who will dedicate tomorrow to the enemy. EVERY DAY BELONGS TO HIM -- INCLUDING OCTOBER 31ST!

2. Ask our Lord to forgive those who follow the traditional practices of this night, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)

3. Pray and cry out for the souls of all who are ensnared by occult practices: witchcraft, sorcery, New Age teachings and others. Jesus came to set the captives free!!

4. BREAK ALL THE CURSES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DATE, ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD. At the Cross, Jesus bore our curses for us, that we might be set free. DECLARE THAT OCTOBER 31ST IS A DAY UNTO THE LORD! Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. (Gal. 3:13)

5. Pray for PROTECTION of all children who may be wandering the streets of our cities tomorrow, searching for candy and other "treats."

"He will give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all they ways." (Psalm 91:11)

6. Pray for all law enforcement officers. Ask our Lord to grace them with the ability to find and to arrest all child predators.

"Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known." (Mark 10:26)

7. Many, many churches hold alternative acitivities tomorrow night for neighborhood children. PRAY THAT THESE EFFORTS WOULD FIND GREAT SUCCESS, and that MANY would be drawn to "enter in" and join these planned Harvest parties -- for righteousness' sake.

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Luke 10:2)

8. Finally, (repeating Patty's words, above) this would be a great opportunity to go to where many people congregate at, Malls, Movies and the like and give out good Gospel tracts, speaking with others about the Good News of Jesus Christ and Salvation.

"How will they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)

AND ALL GOD'S CHILDREN SAID:

AMEN!!