Wednesday, February 22, 2012

CHPP Daily Brief - Wednesday, February 22, 2012



 •  The Daily Brief
•  The Middle East in Focus
•  The Daily Jot
•  Is Cyber Attack Coming?
•  Supreme Court News
•  U.S. to Cut Funding to Israel
•  White House News
•  Life of Chinese Pro-Life Hero in Danger
•  The Good News Corner
•  Worship with Us Today!

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The Daily Brief - Wednesday, February 22, 2012

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14)

 The Daily Brief


1. U.N. nuke team departs Iran with no answers
- Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Hopes for defusing the Iranian nuclear crisis were thwarted Wednesday when the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran did not agree to clear up nuclear weapons allegations and refused access to a site during a visit by senior agency officials.

- Lord, give strategies to our leaders on the next step with Iran after this recent refusal to have access to their site. We intercede for Your plans to be revealed in this situation. Bring clarity and direction. In Jesus Name.

- The Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark, On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets." (Joshua 6: 2-4)

2. Death Is Final Verdict for Christian Pastor Convert
- Fox News

Iranian court issues verdict, sources say, as Muslim-turned-Christian pastor could be killed without warning.

- Father, we lift up this verdict to you. We ask for the life of this pastor to be saved and preserved. We ask you to intervene. In Jesus Name. Amen.

- We continue to CRY OUT, asking Your angels to protect Pastor Nadarkhani and to supernaturally release him from his prison cell!!

- "I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." (Acts 16:25,26)

"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."
(Malachi 3:6)

3. U.S. Embassy in Kabul on lockdown as Quran protests rage - FoxNews.com

The American Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, is on lockdown as protests rage in multiple Afghan cities over an incident the U.S. says was inadvertent burning of Muslim holy books at a military base. "The Embassy is on lockdown; all travel suspended," the embassy announced on its Twitter page Wednesday. "Please, everyone, be safe out there."

- Lord, we speak PEACE to this storm. Bring calm to this chaos, In Jesus Name.

- " Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat." Lord, save us! We are going to drown!" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." (Matthew 8: 24-26)

4. A.) 2,500 faith leaders petition Obama to drop mandate - The Blaze

More than 2,500 pastors and evangelical leaders have signed a letter to President Obama urging him to reconsider the contraception mandate, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins told a National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville.

B.) Battle lines are drawn over whether Obama is waging a war on religion
- Washington Times

President Obama's public clash with U.S. Catholic bishops in recent weeks over the issue of health insurance coverage for birth-control services has ignited a wider debate over whether the administration's policies such as gay marriage, abortion and employment-discrimination laws are running roughshod over religious freedom.

C.) Protestant schools also fear birth control mandate - The Ticket

Much of the news coverage of the battle over the contraception mandate focused on the outcry from the Catholic Church, but employers affiliated with Protestant denominations - especially religious colleges who offer insurance plans to students - waged an equally outspoken crusade against the decision.

- Father, we ask for this contraception mandate to be reversed. Give this President ears to hear! Surround him with many wise counselors.

- "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22)

5. Syria escalates shelling of Homs, as American, French journalists killed in attacks - Fox News

A French photojournalist and a prominent American war correspondent working for a British newspaper were killed Wednesday by Syrian shelling of the opposition stronghold Homs as President Bashar Assad's regime escalated its attacks on rebel bases by strafing from helicopter gunships, activists said.

"This tragic incident is another example of the shameless brutality of the Assad regime." U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said of the journalists killed. "That's enough now, the regime must go," said French President Nicolas Sarkozy after his government confirmed the two deaths. Read more.

- Clearly, the situation in Syria is out of control, and includes many complex and contradicting elements. Reports on the ground indicate that the "rebels" are actually Moslems, who have slain as many as 200 Syrian Christians - Christians who have fled to the government for protection!
Offer praise that our omniscient God knows it all, and that a solution rests with Him. Pray in the Spirit over Syria; God has a plan . . .

- " . . . nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."
(2 Chronicles 20:12)

6. Problem solved: Afghan textbooks omit last four decades - Radio Free Europe

This spring, the Afghan government plans to distribute textbooks to high school students that do not mention the Soviet invasion, the country's devastating civil war, the reign of the extremist Taliban regime, the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, and the international presence that continues today.

- Lord, let truth be revealed to this next generation of high school students. May You lead them to The Truth - Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name.

- "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

7. ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK

A biased anti-Israel campaign that seeks to delegitimize Israel by targeting college students on campuses around the world including Berkeley, Oxford, Boston, Toronto, Denver, London, New York, Seattle, Omaha, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Paris, San Francisco. Calling for Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, IAW starts today in Europe; begins this Sunday, 2/26 to 3/3, in the USA; and is coincidentally during Purim, March 5-11, in Arab countries (Purim commemorates the time when Haman tried to eliminate the Jews at the time of Esther.).

- Father, we intercede over these anti-Israel campaigns. We pray these plans fail and come to nothing. We pray these plans backfire just like Haman's plans backfired when he tried to eliminate the Jews.

- "let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces."
(Esther 8:5b)

8. Tomorrow is the Collegiate Day of Prayer


Do you believe God wants to bring spiritual awakening to America's colleges? If so, please join with the Collegiate Day of Prayer (CDP) as they seek to unite 2000 prayer groups across all 50 states to pray for every college campus in America on February 23rd, 2012. The goal of CDP is to have 2000 groups from every state praying for all of the 5,584 colleges in our nation. 556 groups signed up to pray in 404 cities, 48 states, and 1,088 campuses so far!

- After reading the news, above, about how students elsewhere are being indoctrinated with lies and hate- filled messages, offer praise that, on thousands of college campuses in America tomorrow, students will give themselves to prayer.

- "For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments . . ." (Psalm 78:5-7)


The Middle East in Focus


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

"I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable."
(Psalm 145:1-3)

1. Tensions run high in Jerusalem, West Bank; rioters arrested - Ynet News

Police forces increased deployment in the Temple Mount and around Jerusalem's Old City on Tuesday following information received on planned riots. The riots are a response to calls by right-wing activists to expand access to the Temple Mount. Earlier on Tuesday, the Rachel's Tomb compound was closed to visitors following the hurling of stones. Border Guard officers evacuated Jewish visitors. No injuries were reported.

2. IDF Says Ground Invasion in Gaza 'Matter of Time'
- Arutz Sheva

It is only a "matter of time" before the IDF has to re-enter Gaza to control terror, IDF Chief of Benny Gantz warns, three years after the three-week Operation Cast Lead counterterrorist campaign.

3. IDF foils terror attack on Egypt border
- Ynet News

IDF forces patrolling the Israel-Egypt border overnight Tuesday detected and defused a powerful explosive device placed on the border fence by an individual who managed to flee the scene.

4. Israel: Public U.S. objections to military attack serve Iran's interests
- Ha'aretz

Israel has protested to the United States over recent comments by senior American officials critical of any Israeli attack on Iran, saying this criticism "served Iran's interests."

The Daily Jot

"White House leads chin first into a prophetic buzz saw"

Ancient prophecies repeatedly point to cataclysmic conflicts in the Middle East involving modern day nations such as Iran, Libya, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and others against Israel. These prophecies are found in several books of the Bible. Some say they are separate events like the Psalm 83 war or the Isaiah 17 destruction of Damascus or the Ezekiel 38 war. Others say these events are all the same end time event known as the Day of the Lord, but they are written and viewed from different perspectives and angles. Irrespective of how you study and determine what you believe about the end times, current American leadership is leading with its collective chin into a prophetic buzz saw.

All the nations mentioned in any of these destructive battles are Islamic. Psalm 83, for example, speaks of a conspiracy against Israel emanating from the mosques of Islam. Verses 4 -6 say, "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom and the Ishmaelites..." There is no doubt that the ancient prophecies are in play as we live today. Moreover, the United States is playing a key role in accelerating their fulfillment by supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and the overthrow of governments in the name of democracy.

The headlines this very day underscore American involvement in revolution and the dangerous high stakes political game being played out. The Administration has said that if Syria's Bashar Assad does not yield to the will of the Syrian people, "additional measures" may have to be considered. In the background, Russia, China and Iran are vowing support for the Assad regime. The Financial Times reports that a Russian representative in Damascus reiterated Moscow's position against foreign intervention in Syria. The Times reports, "China accused western countries of stirring up civil war in Syria, and two Iranian warships are docked at a Syrian naval base, underscoring rising international tensions..."

Popular uprisings instigated and/or supported by the US to bring democracy in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, Gaza, and others in the region have resulted in the rise of Islamic Sharia rule. And in each case, the position of the impacted country has become more hostile against Israel. Irrespective of America's support for Israel or not, her actions are mapping with the fulfillment of end times prophecies. Given the economic and spiritual condition of America, yet another prophecy hangs in the balance: Zechariah 12:3, "An in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
www.dailyjot.com

Is Cyber Attack Coming?

MAJOR CYBER ATTACK CONCERNS INCREASING


The United States will soon suffer a catastrophic cyber attack if it doesn't act now to prevent it, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee warned.

CBS News reported this week that the FBI issued a cyber warning. Estonian hackers have infected millions of PCs across the U.S. with "malware," which could lead the FBI to take the drastic and unprecedented measure of cutting off some people's Internet access on March 8. Fortunately, there's still time to see if you're affected and take action before that deadline.

"The clock is ticking and winding down," Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Michigan, said at a hearing on the security threats facing the United States.

Speaking to the nation's top intelligence officials, Rogers said that, "given classified briefings that we've had, discussions with all of you and your counterparts that a cyber attack is on its way. We will suffer a catastrophic cyber attack."

The committee's top Democrat, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, said foreign governments - in particular China and Russia - steal American intellectual property to gain a competitive edge.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper accused China of "the greatest pillaging of wealth in history, if you tote up the value of the intellectual property that has been stolen."
The urgency and severity of the problem was also echoed by FBI Director Robert Mueller. "The cyberthreat will equal or surpass the threat from counterterrorism in the foreseeable future," he said.

Both Rogers and Ruppersberger said now is the time for Congress to act and pass cybersecurity legislation. See H.R. 3523.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's comments on Wednesday that the United States and NATO want to end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year, transitioning primarily to a training role, drew some sharp comments during the hearing.

Some Republican members of Congress said it is premature to make such a decision before it is clear Afghanistan forces are able to defend the country. The Obama administration has said it wants all U.S. combat forces out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas called Panetta's statement "startling." And Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, said he is concerned about the announcement and wondered if there is a good reason for U.S. forces to be in Afghanistan.

CIA Director David Petraeus responded there is, citing the need to prevent Afghanistan from ever again becoming a safe haven to extremists who could attack the United States as they did on September 11, 2001.

But Petraeus also said Panetta's comments had been way "over-analyzed." Petraeus pointed out he was commander of forces in Afghanistan when the policy was adopted to make the transition. "To do that we embarked on a policy of transition progressively over time.... What Secretary Panetta was discussing was indeed this progressive transition, and if you're going to have it completed totally by the end of 2014, obviously somewhere in 2013 you have had to initiate that in all of the different locations so that you can complete the remaining tasks," Petraeus explained. (Source: Intercessors for America; excerpt)

- Pray that our national leaders will have a good understanding of how best to protect our internet infrastructure and networks. Ask the Lord to place His hand of protection over our national internet communication systems.

- "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore." (Psalm 121:8)

Supreme Court News


Will Supreme Court Punt On ObamaCare?
Our friends at FreedomWorks reported this morning about a disturbing development that could lead the Supreme Court to delay a final decision on ObamaCare until 2016. Yes, you read that right.

It is just speculation at this point, but the justices have increased the amount of time they have allotted for oral arguments, specifically on whether the mandate is a tax. (You may recall that I addressed this issue in last Wednesday's report.)

Now here's the concern: "First enacted in 1867, the Tax Anti-Injunction Act sweepingly forbids any court from hearing any case in which any person attempts to prevent the assessment or collection of a tax. Once the tax has been assessed and collected, however, a court may hear a case on it. The first time the IRS can levy the mandate penalty/tax won't be until folks file their tax returns, in mid-April 2015. The slow judicial process will likely delay a final Supreme Court ruling until mid-2016."

We will keep you posted. (Gary Bauer; End-of-Day)

U.S. to Cut Funding to Israel

US to cut funding for Israeli missile defense programs by $6.3M

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's 2013 budget proposal includes a $6.3 million reduction in the funding of Israel's missile defense programs, Ynet reported Tuesday.

US officials said this is the second consecutive year the Obama administration is cutting its support for the development of Israel's Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense program and the Arrow System Improvement Program.

According to the officials, in 2011 the administration requested $121.7 million in military aid for Israel's major missile defense programs. That number dropped to $106.1 million in the 2012 budget proposal, and dropped again to $99.8 million in President Obama's newly released 2013 budget proposal.

The Obama Administration's 2012 budget request proposed $106 million for the missile defense cooperation program with Israel, but Congress more than doubled the administration's request by authorizing a cooperative program with Israel at more than $216 million. Read more.

 White House News

Obama to Try and Talk Netanyahu Out of Iran Strike

White House National Security Adviser Tom Donilon faced an acrimonious Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in two hours of stormy conversation in Jerusalem Sunday, Feb. 19, according to updates reaching senior US sources in Washington. The main bones of contention were Iran's continuing enrichment of uranium and its ongoing relocation of production to underground sites.

Israeli officials declined to give out any information on the conversation. Some even refused to confirm it took place.

According to debkafile's sources, Netanyahu accused the Obama administration of drawing Iran into resuming nuclear negotiations with world powers by an assurance that Tehran would be allowed to continue enriching uranium up to 5 percent in any quantity, provided it promised not to build an Iranian nuclear weapon. The prime minister charged that this permit contravened US administration guarantees to Israel on the nuclear issue and, moreover left Tehran free to upgrade its current 20 percent enrichment level to 90 percent weapons grade. This Israel cannot tolerate, said Netanyahu, so leaving its military option on the ready . . . Read more.

- We continue to ask prayer that the Lord would forgive Hussein Obama, for he knows not what he does as he pressures Israel out of an Iran strike. We also ask that you nt hold this man's foolish ways against the nation of America. The Prime Minister of Israel has every right to make the decisions he needs to make for the safety and the security of the citizens of his nation. Pray!

- "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3)

Life of Chinese Pro-Life Hero in Danger

Prayer Alert: Chinese Forced Abortion Opponent Chen Guangcheng is Ill, Collapses; Urgent Medical Condition

"Chen Guangcheng is a hero, for China and for the world-a man of towering courage and valiant endurance. Women's Rights Without Frontiers demands his unconditional release and immediate medical treatment."

(San Jose, CA)-Women's Rights Without Frontiers has received credible reports that Chen Guangcheng is seriously ill, and other members of his family are languishing as well. According to one report, Chen's second elder brother died of stomach cancer on the Chinese New Year/Spring Festival on January 23. Chen, his wife and mother were not allowed to attend the funeral. A few days later, according to a report by CHRD, Chen was seen to take a few steps in the courtyard. "He looked pale and moved unsteadily. Only a few steps out of the door he fainted and fell to the ground."

Chen's wife, Yuan Weijing, also was recently spotted leaning against the interior wall of their courtyard, looking "skinny-it seemed that it was difficult for her to move her waist." Yuan was driven back into the house by guards.

Chen's mother, in her eighties, became ill during the Spring Festival and has not recovered. She used to go out to buy food for the family. "Since the Spring Festival, Chen's mother has not come out any more. No one has been seen to send food to Chen Guangcheng's home. It is hard to imagine how the family is surviving." Chen's daughter, Kesi, has also been ill with a high fever.
In addition, the CHRD reports that the security surrounding Chen's family has increased significantly. There are now seven cameras monitoring Chen's home. Eight guards have moved into the family courtyard, in addition to the twenty guards that surround the house. Further, vans now block the alley leading to Chen's home. "For those who live very close to Chen Guangcheng's home, when they go home, they have to ask the guards to open the door of the van and let them go through the vehicle, just like passing the security." The Chinese Communist Party also sent an additional 200 guards to watch Chen's family for two weeks after his brother's death, to prevent them from visiting his grave.

Reggie Littlejohn, President of Women's Rights Without Frontiers, stated: "The Chinese Communist Party's continuing brutality towards a poor, blind, sick and innocent man is cowardly and depraved. Chen Guangcheng is a hero, for China and for the world-a man of towering courage and valiant endurance. Women's Rights Without Frontiers demands his unconditional release and immediate medical treatment."

Chen was arrested for exposing the systematic and massive use of forced abortion and sterilization in Linyi City in 2005.

Sign a petition to free Chen.

Watch a short video about Chen

Source: Women's Rights Without Frontiers

Reported by: Breaking Christian News

The Good News Corner:

Toddler Miraculously Survives Drowning

"I attribute this to God and His Son, Jesus. I attribute it to the promises that are in the living Word of God, the Bible, that if you pray, your prayers will be answered. It's an honor to see first-hand God's greatness." -Robert McDonald

(Sahuarita, Arizona)-A pool gate accidentally left open at a Super Bowl Sunday party was an invitation to disaster when 2-year-old Jace McDonald went missing and was subsequently found unconscious at the bottom of the pool.

As reported in Green Valley News, the little boy's parents, Stephanie and Robert McDonald, laid hands on their son and prayed for him as soon as they discovered his lifeless body. So did the members of Common Ground Church, where they attended.

The situation was so desperate, one doctor told the McDonalds: "Your son is done; he's gone. There's nothing you can do."

According to the report, when the Believers didn't give up and continued praying, Jace began improving until finally, the doctor who had given them the bad report was quoted as telling the McDonalds that although when their son arrived at the hospital he was dead, he had miraculously survived.

"There is no medical evidence or reason for your son to be alive," he said. "He's a miracle, and you need to remind him of this." (Source: Dan Shearer - Green Valley News and Sun)

Reported by: Breaking Christian News

Worship with Us Today!

"Hallelujah" by Heather Williams

Jesus, please come please come today
Heal me, hear me be near me I pray
I have fallen so far flat on my face
I'm in need of Your grace today
I stumble and fall
but is spite of it all
Your love always stays the same
Hallelujah
Hallelujah (and more)

Also incredible is the story behind the song.