On Capitol Hill This Week - July 28 - August 1, 2008

In This Issue

· On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XV, No. 21
· News From and About Israel
· This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .

Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
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On Capitol Hill This Week - July 28 - August 1, 2008

"He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." (Ephesians 4:10)


On Capitol Hill This Week; Vol. XV, No. 21

CONGRESS DEBATES OFFSHORE DRILLING BILL
CONGRESS PASSES HOUSING RESCUE BILL; BUSH EXPECTED TO SIGN
TWO BILLS IN THE HOUSE INTERFERE WITH PARENTS' RIGHTS
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS "PARENTS' DAY" PROCLAMATION
NEW BUSH PRO-LIFE INITIATIVE PROTECTS HEALTH CARE WORKERS
CONGRESS URGED TO PASS FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
CONGRESS HEATEDLY DEBATES HOMOSEXUALS IN MILITARY
SENATOR OBAMA'S GLOBAL TAX MAY COME UP FOR VOTE IN SENATE
US GENERAL WARNS RUSSIA ON NUCLEAR BOMBERS IN CUBA
IRAN ENDS COOPERATION WITH UN NUCLEAR ARMS PROBE

1. CONGRESS DEBATES OFFSHORE DRILLING BILL - Washington Post

Why not have a vote on offshore drilling? There's a serious debate to be had over whether Congress should lift the ban on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf that has been in place since 1981. Unfortunately, you won't be hearing it in the House of Representatives - certainly, you won't find lawmakers voting on it - anytime soon. When they took the majority, House Democrats proclaimed that "bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full and fair debate consisting of a full amendment process that grants the Minority the right to offer its alternatives." Why not on drilling? If drilling opponents really have the better of this argument, why are they so worried about letting it come to a vote?" (From the New York Times)

House Democrats failed Thursday in their efforts to force the Bush administration to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gasoline prices as Republicans stuck to their demands for a vote on an expansion of offshore drilling. Republicans held together to stall the measure, which Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican leader, and others ridiculed as shortsighted because it would do nothing to increase the production of oil. The lighter crude, which can be more easily refined, would be replaced in the reserve with a heavier crude. "We need to do something to increase supply other than take it out of our savings account," said Representative Lynn A. Westmoreland, Republican of Georgia.

· Continue to pray for a breakthrough in these stonewalling tactics, so that a bill to allow offshore drilling, requested by President Bush, WILL go through Congress, even before they recess in August. Pray for a miracle!

· " . . . is anything too difficult for Me?" (Jer. 32:27)

2. CONGRESS PASSES HOUSING RESCUE BILL; BUSH EXPECTED TO SIGN

Congress approved mortgage relief for 400,000 struggling homeowners Saturday as part of an election-year housing plan that also aims to calm jittery financial markets and bolster the sagging economy. President Bush said he would sign it promptly, despite reservations. The measure, regarded as the most significant housing legislation in decades, lets homeowners who cannot afford their payments refinance into more affordable government- backed loans rather than losing their homes. It offers a temporary financial lifeline to troubled mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - pillars of the home loan market whose losses have sparked investor fears - and tightens controls over the two government-sponsored businesses. What began as a showdown between the White House and the Democratic-led Congress over how far the government should go in rescuing homeowners evolved into a bipartisan effort that could be the last such compromise before Bush leaves office in January. In a rare Saturday session, the Senate voted 72-13 to send the bill to the president; the House passed it Wednesday. (Associated Press)

· Offer cautious praise for the passage of this bill, and the bipartisan agreement that brought its success. Continue in prayer over all matters related to our financial institutions, so that greed and corruption can be exposed and removed. Pray, too, for the families who have been caught in the middle of the housing crisis, asking God to make a way for their own needs to be met.

· "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)

3. TWO BILLS IN THE HOUSE INTERFERE WITH PARENTS' RIGHTS

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to debate two bills that could give the federal government unprecedented control over the way parents raise their children - even providing funds for state workers to come into homes and screen babies for emotional and developmental problems. The Pre-K Act (HR 3289) and the Education Begins at Home Act (HR 2343) are two bills geared toward military and families who fall below state poverty lines. The Pre-K Act, or HR 3289 provides funds for state- approved education. Government workers would reach mothers and fathers in the hospital after a baby has been delivered to promote Pre-K programs. While parents may choose to be involved in preschool programs, Pediatrician Karen Effrem said. The Pre-K Act poses concerns about government trumping parents' rights. "Once they are involved, they don't have any say over curriculum," she said.

"There's plenty of evidence of preschool curriculum that deals with issues that have nothing to do with a child's academic development - like gender, gender identity, careers, environmentalism, multiculturalism, feminism and all of that - things that don't amount to a hill of beans as far as a child learning how to read.This is an expansion of the federal government into education when there really is no constitutional provision for it to do so." HR 3289 is sponsored by Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and cosponsored by 116 Democrats; it is estimated to cost $500 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.A second bill, the Education Begins at Home Act (HR 2343) is sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., and cosponsored by 55 Democrats and 11 Republicans.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing the Education Begins at Home Act would cost taxpayers $190 million for state home visiting plus "such sums as may be necessary" for in- hospital parent education. While the bill may appear to be well-intentioned, Dr. Effrem told WND government provisions in HR 2343 to evaluate children for developmental problems go too far. Effrem said it does not specify whether parents are allowed to decline evaluations, drugs or treatment for their children once they are diagnosed with developmental or medical conditions. (World Net Daily)

· Who's going to do the evaluating, and according to whose very subjective standards? If you "opt-out" your child from homosexual or Islamic indoctrination, and the "examiner" doesn't like that, or disagrees with your "fundamentalist Christian" dogma and considers it harmful to your child, what happens? This is another incredibly dangerous over reach of government - and there is nothing remotely Constitutional about this proposed legislation. Pray that this legislation become "radioactive" and that everyone of both parties drop it like a hot potato. "God, protect our children!!! and open the eyes of our legislators!" (Mark Williamson, Federal Intercessors)

· "This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt." (Job 38:10)

4. PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS "PARENTS' DAY" PROCLAMATION

Observed on Sunday, July 27, 2008The following is a proclamation by President Bush: Parents teach their children timeless values to help them make the most of life's opportunities and overcome its challenges. On Parents' Day, we pay tribute to the parents who provide their children with guidance, support, and unconditional love and who help make our country a better place. Mothers and fathers are a source of stability and great comfort in society, and they have a vital obligation to love and care for their children. Through patient instruction and a loving example, they instill in children the principles that make our Nation strong and ensure that children have the skills to lead lives of character and integrity. As a child's primary teachers, parents are responsible for their child's education, and their efforts will contribute to a more hopeful future for our country. Parents can help shape our Nation by encouraging young people to make the right choices, become responsible citizens, and achieve their dreams.

My Administration remains dedicated to promoting Federal, State, and faith-based and community programs to assist American families and support healthy marriages and responsible parenting. We are committed to helping parents and schools enable the next generation of Americans to realize their full potential.On Parents' Day, we honor mothers and fathers and thank them for their many years of patience and selflessness. We take this opportunity also to recognize parents of adopted children and foster parents, who generously provide children with a loving family to call their own. We also recognize the parents who serve in our Armed Forces and the parents of the brave men and women wearing our Nation's uniform. The members of our Armed Forces are defending our freedom with dignity and honor, and America is grateful for the sacrifices that they and their families make in the name of duty.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States and consistent with Public Law 103- 362, as amended, do hereby proclaim Sunday, July 27, 2008, as Parents' Day. I call upon citizens, private organizations, and governmental bodies at all levels to engage in activities and educational efforts that recognize, support, and honor parents, and I encourage American sons and daughters to convey their love, respect, and appreciation to their parents. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty- third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

· Praise the Lord that He has given us a President (or, in Biblical terms, a "king") who honors the role of parents in the training of our children. Pray that any laws passed by Congress that would impact the roles of parents be in alignment with this decree, and with the responsibilities that our LORD has given parents, as seen in His Word. Amen.

· " . . . in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess. 5:18)

5. NEW BUSH PRO-LIFE INITIATIVE PROTECTS HEALTH CARE WORKERS

President Bush is pushing for Health and Human Services regulations that would allow health care workers to refuse to participate in the taking of a human life. A proposed HHS document that safeguards health care workers who refuse to perform "any of the various procedures - including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action - that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation." As of now nurses, pharmacists and others who receive federal funds must participate in practices despicable to them. Senator Hillary Clinton and other radicals are up in arms, insisting that even doctors should be forced to perform abortions regardless of their beliefs. (Source: Religious Freedom Coalition)

· Thank the LORD that our Executive Branch is pro- life!! Come against any moves to counteract this initiative, and pray for its successful implementation.

· "They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge." (Psalm 94:21,22)

6. CONGRESS URGED TO PASS FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

Free Trade Agreements Now Pending With Colombia, South Korea and PanamaHouse Republicans and Commerce Secretary Gutierrez joined the Consumer Electronics Association this morning at the Washington stop of the "America Wins with Trade'" tour that will hit 28 states and the Democratic and GOP conventions. CEA President Gary Shapiro said the tour was to promote the stalled free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea. "There is no excuse to not pass these agreements," Gutierrez said, while adding that China, Canada, the European Union and Mexico were all negotiating their own trade agreements. House Ways and Means ranking member Jim McCrery of Louisiana warned that Congress is "going to be stuck in the mud" until it renews presidential trade negotiating authority. (Congress Daily)

· If a country like China has a free trade agreement with the USA, certainly Colombia, Panama, and South Korea should enjoy the same. Colombia recently showed itself more than a friend by freeing the hostages of drug cartels. Why is Congress stalling - just to be difficult to President Bush? Please pray the Congress will do that which is right and not be led by any vindictive motives.

· "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth friends." (Proverbs 16:28)

7. CONGRESS HEATEDLY DEBATES HOMOSEXUALS IN MILITARY

Opponents of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuals in the military denounced it as cruel and unpatriotic at Wednesday's hearing. Supporters insisted it was needed to maintain military morale and raised the prospect of a rise of HIV infection among service members if gays are allowed to serve openly. The heated exchanges came as Congress held its first hearing on "don't ask, don't tell" since its enactment 15 years ago. Although legislation has been introduced to overturn the ban, the hearing wasn't an attempt to advance the bill, something supporters say can only happen if Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is elected president. Republican Sen. John McCain supports "don't ask, don't tell." Instead, "our purpose today is to begin a long-overdue review . . . and to start a conversation about the real- life impact on our service members, their families and the operational readiness of our military," said Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., chair of the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee. While there was plenty of conversation, consensus proved elusive and tempers flared as each side insisted on the moral soundness of their views. Among the most arresting debates Wednesday came when Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., a first-term congressman and the only Iraq war veteran in Congress, accused a witness of implying that U.S. service members weren't professional enough to handle serving with homosexuals.

"You're saying you don't trust our military professionals to serve openly with people who might be different. I think that's an insult," " Murphy said angrily to Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, a nonprofit that says it promotes certain military personnel policies. Donnelly denied that, insisting that "forced cohabitation" and resulting "sexual tension . . . will hurt discipline and morale." The top Republican on the committee, Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) didn't stake out a position, but said that judgment on "don't ask, don't tell" must "ultimately rest on matters of military readiness, morale, good order and discipline." Pentagon officials weren't invited to testify after committee members concluded they wouldn't say anything other than that they'd follow the law. (AP)

· Thank you for your intercession, already offered over this hearing last week. (See OCAP; 7/21/08; Item #7) Please continue to pray God's law into the laws of this nation, including the military. Ask the Lord to confront those who think that God's laws about homosexuality can be breached with impunity. America needs repentance, not more abominations . . . Pray that those standing for righteousness will be strengthened in their fight.

· "I exhort therefore that ...supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings,and for all in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (1 Timothy 2:1,2)

8. SENATOR OBAMA'S GLOBAL TAX MAY COME UP FOR VOTE IN SENATE

"The Global Poverty Act of 2007" (S.2433) is coming up for a Senate vote . . . according the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Once Harry Reid and the Democratic leadership put it on the calendar, we could have as little as a week to prepare for the vote." (Lee Cary, The American Thinker) If Cary is right, Senator Barack Hussein Obama's only major legislative accomplishment as a United States Senator -- which according to some conservative leaders is potentially an $845 billion United Nations give away of your hard- earned tax dollars -- could be coming up for a stealth vote any day now!Is it really possible that our federal legislators are planning to pass Barack Hussein Obama's Global Poverty Act while they think we aren't looking? Here's what conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly said: "Rumors have been circulating around Capitol Hill that a few activist groups have renewed their surge and have begun lobbying full force for a bill introduced by presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL). The bill has already passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee without any public hearings, and it also passed the House earlier this year. It is important to note that both of these votes were 'voice votes,' which was a deliberate strategy of the congressional majority so that no record would be kept of those who voted in favor of this problematic bill."

· This threat of a new tax is very real; President Bush has fought a global UN tax for several years. Please support him in this effort, faxing, emailing, and phoning the White House and your Congressmen and Senators that you want Americans to have no part in any global tax - not now, not ever. Pray that the Lord guide your words and that He stop such a tax before it can be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

· "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." (Colossians 3:17)

9. US GENERAL WARNS RUSSIA ON NUCLEAR BOMBERS IN CUBA

"If they [Russia] did, I think we should stand strong and indicate that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America," said General Norton Schwartz, nominated to be the air force's chief of staff, referring to a Russian news report that said its military is thinking of flying long-range bombers to Cuba on a regular basis. Unclear from the report was whether Russia would use Cuba as a permanent basing of nuclear bombers, or just use of the island as a refueling stop. In his confirmation hearing to become the Air Force's chief of staff, Schwartz was asked what he would recommend if Russia were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba.

"I would certainly offer the best military advice that we engage the Russians not to pursue that approach," he said. The newspaper Iszvestia on Monday cited an unnamed senior Russian air force official in Moscow as saying that Russia may start regular flights by long- range bombers to Cuba in response to US plans to install a missile defense system in eastern Europe. A White House spokeswoman declined to comment on the Russian report because there had been no "official response from the Russian government."

Conducting long-range bomber patrol to Cuba would signal a reawakening of military cooperation by former Cold War allies Moscow and Havana, and recall the 1962 missile crisis that brought Washington and Moscow to the brink of war. Over the past year, Russia already has revived long-range strategic bomber patrols in the Pacific and north Atlantic. The Russian moves come amid rising tensions over the US missile defense plans, and warnings by Moscow that it will be forced to counter them militarily. Until now, US officials have shrugged off the stepped up Russian military activity, while insisting that a radar in the Czech Republic and 10 missile interceptors it plans to install in Poland pose no threat to Russia.

"We seek strategic cooperation with the Russians. We want to work with them on preventing missiles from rogue nations like Iran from threatening our friends and allies," said Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary. (Agence France-Presse)

· The bear is awakening, wanting to become the strongest world power, aligning itself with such rogue powers as Iran and Syria. Pray that all this Russian growling is just that: growling. However, also ask the Lord to keep reminding American leaders not to put their trust in Russia but in Him. Not one treaty nor agreement can stand unless the Lord establishes it.

· "For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." (Psalm 61:3)

10. IRAN ENDS COOPERATION WITH UN NUCLEAR ARMS PROBE

Iran signaled Thursday that it will no longer cooperate with U.N. experts probing for signs of clandestine nuclear weapons work, confirming the investigation is at a dead end a year after it began. The announcement from Iranian Vice President Gholam Reza Aghazadeh compounded skepticism about denting Tehran's nuclear defiance, just five days after Tehran stonewalled demands from six world powers that it halt activities capable of producing the fissile core of warheads. Besides demanding a suspension of uranium enrichment, the six powers have been pressing Tehran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency's probe. Iran is obligated as a signer of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty not to develop nuclear arms.

The Tehran regime insists it halted such work and is now only trying to produce fuel for nuclear reactors to generate electricity. Last April, Ahmadinejad said Iran had begun installing 6,000 centrifuges at Natanz. His reported comments to university professors in Iran Saturday provided the first public assertion that Iran has reached that goal. The announcement is another act of defiance in the face of demands by the United States and other world powers for Iran to halt its enrichment work, which Washington and its allies fear Iran is intent on using to develop weapons. Ahmadinejad said those nations - the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany - have tempered their demands, asking Iran not to freeze enrichment but rather not to expand its current program beyond 6,000 centrifuges, state-run radio reported.

"Today, they have consented that the existing 5,000 or 6,000 centrifuges not be increased and that operation of this number of centrifuges is not a problem," Ahmadinejad said. Meanwhile, on Monday Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice accused Iran of not being serious at the Geneva talks. She warned that all six nations were serious about a two-week deadline for Iran to agree to freeze suspect activities and start negotiations or else be hit with a fourth set of U.N. penalties. (Associated Press)

· Ahmadinejad is not a man to be trusted; his promises hold no value, and his sense of cooperation seems to be supplanted by arrogance. Pray that this man be removed from his position of power over the Iranian citizens. Why should the world accept any semblance of truth as existing in his words? Ask the Lord to show the free world how to deal with this man and his desires for nuclear power - probably to hold the world in his grip through nuclear fear. Keep praying for the citizens of Iran, who live at the mercy of this man and his mullahs.

· "Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though hand join in hand, he shalt not be unpunished." (Proverbs 16:5)

News From and About Israel

BARACK OBAMA'S WHIRLWIND VISIT
OBAMA OPEN TO DIVIDING JERUSALEM
FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO JERUSALEM IS OBAMA'S MIDDLE EAST ADVISOR
ISRAEL WILL NOT RULE OUT ACTION AGAINST IRAN'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS
A HUGE WEEK FOR ALIYAH IN ISRAEL
ISRAEL'S MESSIANIC JEWS: SOME CALL IT A MIRACLE

1. BARACK OBAMA'S WHIRLWIND VISITUS

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama sprinted through Israel and the Palestinian Territories July 23. On Tuesday afternoon while he was still in Amman, Jordan, he condemned the Jerusalem terror attack. He started Wednesday at a breakfast meeting with Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Later he met with Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, and then Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.He laid a wreath at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust War Museum, and then had an affable time with Israel's veteran statesman and President Shimon Peres. In Ramallah he told Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas [Abu Mazen], he would work seriously to boost the peace process. He said he would like to see "concrete steps" taken by both Israel and the Palestinians. In Sderot he warned, "A nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."On Wednesday night his whistlestop Wednesday wound up with meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. "Today I had a series of productive discussions with many of Israel's key leaders about how to address the broad range of threats that Israel faces, and the broad threats that all of us face." Obama flew to Germany Thursday. (By Ron Ross, BFP Israel Mosaic Radio, July 23, 2008)

Additional note from CHPP: Senator Obama also visited the Western Wall on Wednesday morning, arriving at 5:08 a.m. and leaving at 5:20 a.m. The media were in place at the time, and a handful of supporters greeted him with signs as he approached this most holy site. While there, Obama placed a prayer in the wall, which has now been reported in the mainstream press.

· Pray for the US Presidential elections. Pray that US voters will seek wisdom and guidance for this most serious decision.

· "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7)

2. OBAMA OPEN TO DIVIDING JERUSALEM

Assures Palestinians his declaration to Jewish group was "misunderstanding"During a meeting [in the Palestinian Arab town of Ramallah] today, Sen. Barack Obama assured the Palestinians he supports a "negotiated settlement" that may grant the Palestinian Authority control over sections of Jerusalem. "He assured us there was a misunderstanding when he said in [June] he supports the Israelis' rights to hold on to Jerusalem. He told us he corrected this right away and that he supports a negotiated settlement that will give the Palestinians territory," said the PA official. Obama delivered a speech in June to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in which he stated if he is elected president, "Jerusalem would remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided." The presidential candidate said that he would work to ensure more "freedom of movement" for Palestinians in the West Bank.

Freedom of movement usually refers to Israel removing anti-terror roadblocks and checkpoints that have been directly credited with stopping suicide bombers from entering central Israel. Palestinians complain the Obama also criticized "Israeli measures that create facts on the ground that may affect a future Palestinian state." (WorldNetDaily 7/23/08)

· Intercede for spiritual statesmen and for adherence to biblical revelation and principles in the formulation and execution of foreign policy, especially toward Israel and Jerusalem. Intercede for the revelation of Jesus as Messiah in the Middle East and for "the peace of Jerusalem." (Ps 122) Intercede for our national leaders - that every decision, action or plan to pressure Israel to give up land or evacuate its people from any territory would be frustrated and abandoned. May God raise up leaders in the U.S. and Israel who would support His end-time purposes for the Jewish people. (Reported by: Intercessors for America]

· "I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land." (Joel 3:2)

3. FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO JERUSALEM IS OBAMA'S MIDDLE EAST ADVISOR

Mideast pointman blasted by Israeli leaders as "hostile" to Jewish state Jerusalem must be included in any negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, stressed Sen. Barack Obama's Middle East adviser Daniel Kurtzer. "It will be impossible to make progress on serious peace talks without putting the future of Jerusalem on the table," Kurtzer said at a conference in May organized by the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute or JPPPI. Kurtzer, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, has long been recognized by Israeli leaders, including prime ministers, as biased against Israel and is notorious for urging extreme concessions from the Jewish state. He was appointed as a primary Obama adviser on the Middle East earlier this year. (WorldNetDaily 5/13/08) [Reported by: Intercessors for America]

· As the junior senator from the State of Illinois prepares to officially run as the Democratic candidate for the office of the President of the United States, pray that he not go ahead of God's plans for him in the choices he is making now. When -- and if -- the time comes that Senator Barack Hussein Obama must begin assembling a team of advisors, pray that he be given the mind of Christ in all he does, and especially in all matters related to Israel.

· There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD. (Proverbs 21:30)

4. ISRAEL WILL NOT RULE OUT ACTION AGAINST IRAN'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, on his first official visit to Washington, warned July 24 that Israel would not rule out any course of action regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. "We are all united in the view that Iran needs to be prevented from obtaining a nuclear weapon," he declared adding that all options remain on the table. Ashkenazi's visit comes less than a month after the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, conducted a two day visit in Israel to discuss regional threats. While Ashkenazi is visiting, Operation Brimstone, a massive naval exercise off the US coast is currently underway with 15,000 naval personnel from the United States, France, Brazil, and the United Kingdom flexing their war fighting capabilities.

The large exercise comes barely a month after the Israeli Air Force conducted a large scale exercise in the Mediterranean-a reported rehearsal for a military strike on Iran. Iran meanwhile is likely to begin receiving the advanced Russian-made S-300 anti- aircraft systems by the end of the year, to fend off strikes against its nuclear facilities.

Iran has warned that it would target Israel and 32 US bases in the region should the country come under attack and has declared it will ignore all pressures to halt its uranium enrichment program. (Bridges for Peace)

· Pray that Israel will not be left to face their Goliath alone. Pray in the meantime that they will prepare to protect the nation and its people regardless of the situation they face.

· "Moreover David said, 'The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.' And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the LORD be with you!'" (1 Samuel 17:37).

5. A HUGE WEEK FOR ALIYAH IN ISRAEL

This has been a great week for aliyah as over 200 new olim have returned from North America, almost 100 from South Africa and better than 400 from France. - Hallelujah! More Lord!! (Intercessors for Israel)

· "Fear not: for I am with you: I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, give up; and to the south, keep not back. Bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the ends of the earth, even every one that is called by My name - for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yes, I have made him." (Isaiah 43:5-7)

6. ISRAEL'S MESSIANIC JEWS: SOME CALL IT A MIRACLE

In Israel, a resurgence in the number of Jews who believe in Jesus is getting a lot of attention. Many leaders say it's the strongest growth since the time of Jesus and that the Messianic movement could be on the brink of a great revival. "This is the first time where we've seen Israeli society in general being so open to consider who Yeshua is," said Messianic leader Asher Intrater.

"This is a real miracle, and there's beginning to be grace and favor with us in the land." Although Jesus and the early disciples were Jewish, for nearly 2,000 years the gospel has been viewed as a religion mainly for Gentiles. Even the name Jesus or Yeshua has been a forbidden word among many Jews. But in the last few years, Messianic leaders in Israel say something important is happening. "I believe with all my heart, after we have come back to the land, we are seeing the Lord, the Holy Spirit, is removing the veil from the eyes of the Jews and more and more Jews are realizing," Tel Aviv pastor Avi Mizrachi said.Although nobody knows for sure how many Messianic Jews live in Israel, it's believed there are about 120 congregations now and 10,000-15,000 Jewish believers in Jesus. That may not sound like many given Israel's nearly six million Jews, but it's a far cry from 10 years ago when there were only about 3,500 Jewish believers and 80 congregations. Read m ore. (CBN News; Excerpt)

· "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped." (Isaiah 35:5)

Praise Him!!!

This Week, Worship Our Lord As . . .

JEALOUS (Kahnah) "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (Exodus 34:14)

Father,Help me to discipline my eyes and my whole being to desire no other gods but You. I desire to worship the Creator, not the creature. There is no other name but Yours, Jealous God.
(Taken from: Intimate Moments with the Hebrew Names of God, by Barri Cae Malin and Shmuel Wolkenfeld; Bridge-Logos Publishers; Gainesville, FL, 32614. ISBN: 0-88270-801-5)