The Daily Brief: Thursday, May 11, 2017

The Daily Brief: Thursday, May 11, 2017

1. James Comey's Firing Fishy or Long Overdue? Jay Sekulow Breaks It Down - CBN News

As Washington reels over the abrupt firing of FBI Director James Comey, some are saying his dismissal was long overdue.

"I think it was a culmination of a lot of events," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice.

One of those events was Comey's decision to not recommend charges be brought against Hillary Clinton for her handling of classified information while she was secretary of state.

"James Comey over the last several years has overstepped his bounds," Sekulow charged, "has not understood the jurisdiction of his office, has been derelict in his duties in that regard, and also has, quite frankly, engaged in political activities that are in our lifetime unprecedented." (Read more)
- Father, we pray this controversy will dissipate quickly and all concerned can focus on governing our nation.

- Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. (Psalm 27:3)

2. Here's Who Trump Might Pick To Replace Comey - Daily Caller

President Trump reportedly set to work early Wednesday to choose a replacement for his first FBI director, James Comey.

While Trump's surprise firing of Comey has led to speculation that he is attempting to cover up the Russia investigation, others are waiting to see who the Republican will pick.

[Names mentioned:] Mike Rogers, Trey Gowdy, Larry Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, Chris Christie, Ray Kelly, Andrew McCabe, Fran Townsend, David Clarke. (Click link for more information on each possibility.) (Read more)
- Father, we pray for a peaceful transition to a new FBI Director, who will run the bureau with integrity and competence.

- Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people. (Proverbs 22:29)

3. Trump to sign order creating voter-fraud panel - Washington Times

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order Thursday creating a long-awaited commission to investigate voter fraud and elections, a senior administration official confirmed.

The commission will be led by Vice President Mike Pence and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who worked on the Trump transition team and is a vocal advocate of stronger immigration laws.

The commission was promised by Mr. Trump in the first weeks of his administration, after he asserted that illegal voting contributed at least 3 million votes to Democrat Hillary Clinton's popular-vote victory in the presidential election. Mr. Trump won the presidency by capturing a majority of the Electoral College vote.

The commission will be tasked with studying "vulnerabilities" in U.S. election systems and potential effects on improper voting, fraudulent voter registrations and fraudulent voting, ABC News reported. The panel is also expected to examine claims of voter suppression. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for equality and fairness throughout our electoral process. May each elected candidate truly represent the selection of the people.

- Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. (2 Corinthians 8:13)

4. Ryan: Republicans Agree on Tax Reform, Confident It Will Pass This Year - CNS News

Republicans have an ambitious agenda over the next four months, minus August, when they'll be on vacation again.

One of the Republican priorities is tax reform, and while passage may be "a little bumpy," Ryan said Republicans agree on this topic, unlike health care:

We all agree on tax reform. We are wired as Republicans with the same DNA, which is stop overtaxing manufacturers and producers. Stop hurting families with an abusive IRS and a complicated tax code. So we are in such agreement on the critical principles of tax reform, and we also know that this is key for economic growth.

Getting our regulatory agenda through, which we're well on our way to doing; and reforming and overhauling our tax system, are the two crown jewels of getting America's economy growing faster and getting people to work, getting faster wage growth. We know that this is important, so we're dedicated to it, and I am very confident we will get it done this year. Ryan said he'd like to get the corporate tax rate "as low as possible." (Read more)
- Father, we pray this legislation will truly benefit all the people of our nation by creating wealth and releasing resources. May these blessings be used to bring Your Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world.

- For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 13:47)

5. North Korean Defector Says War With US 'Unavoidable' Amid End Times Warning - Christian Post

A North Korean defector and artist known for mocking Kim Jong Un has predicted that war between the United States and North Korea is now "unavoidable."

Song Byeok's warnings come after a fourth U.S. citizen was detained by North Korean authorities last week, and following predictions by evangelist Greg Laurie that the isolated dictatorship may play a role in the End Times, connected with the possible destruction of America.

Song, who defected in 2002 from North Korea, where he previously worked as a propaganda artist, told the Mail Online in an interview that the "unavoidable" war with Kim's regime would be a price worth paying for liberating the country's oppressed people.

He also backed U.S. President Donald Trump, who has warned of a "major conflict" with North Korea, and said that he would support Kim's government being toppled by force.

Song expressed his hopes that "ordinary citizens" would refuse to fight for Kim, because under all the oppression they "want democracy." (Read more)
- Father, we pray for You to resolve the problem of North Korea, and destroy their gods - the Kim dynasty. In Your mercy, Lord, give the people of North Korea the opportunity to choose You, the One and only true God.

- In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. (Psalm 143:12)

6. Christian Governor of Jakarta Jailed, Found Guilty of Blasphemy - Christianity Today

Indonesia's top Christian politician has been convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to two years in prison. Prosecutors had recommended a light suspended sentence for Jakarta governor Basuki Purnama (popularly known as Ahok) after blasphemy charges led to his failed bid for re-election last month. Instead of finishing his term running the capital city through October, Ahok will now have to appeal his conviction from jail.

The New York Times offers more details, as does Reuters.

"It's a sad day, and it's frightening," Andreas Harsono, an Indonesia researcher for Human Rights Watch, told the Times. "If the governor of Indonesia's largest and most complex city, and who is an ally of the Indonesian president, can be brought down and humiliated this way, what will happen to normal Indonesian citizens?"

"This verdict and the sentence imposed represent an outrageous miscarriage of justice," stated Christian Solidarity Worldwide's East Asia team leader, Benedict Rogers. "It also represents a further, and severe, erosion of Indonesia's values of religious pluralism as set out in the Pancasila, the state ideology.

"Indonesia's ability to hold itself up as an example of a moderate, tolerant, Muslim-majority democracy is further threatened and is now very questionable." (Read more)
- Father, we pray for Governor Ahok to remain strong in his faith in the face of this obvious persecution. We pray the result of this trial will be for the Indonesian people to reject Islam and come to faith in You.

- "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." (Luke 12:11-12)

7. 'When People Pray, Chains Fall Off': Franklin Graham's Call to Stand for the Persecuted - CBN News

It was a night of solemn remembrance and passionate advocacy for the millions of Christians who suffer for their faith all around the world.

They came from all branches of Christianity and all points on the globe to assemble in Washington, DC, responding to Rev. Franklin Graham's call. Six hundred Christians from 130 nations came to the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians.

Some came to share their stories, others to hear and learn, but all came to do what they can to help fight persecution and to strengthen their brothers and sisters until it ends.

Senate Chaplain Barry Black opened the event in prayer, calling on God to give His people wisdom and fortitude in the face of suffering. (Read more)
- Father, we pray this unity among all Christians will reveal the "Body of Christ" to the unbelieving world. We pray for persecuted brothers and sisters around the world to hold fast to their faith in You.

- I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (John 17:22-23)

8. Many Practicing Christians Agree with Marxism (and Other Competing Worldviews) - Christianity Today

They identify as Christians, attend church at least once a month, and say their faith is very important in their lives. Barna Group calls them "practicing Christians." But according to a new report by Barna and Summit Ministries, in addition to their Christian beliefs, many practicing Christians have embraced beliefs from other ideologies.

Among these practicing Christians, Barna claims: 61% agree with ideas rooted in New Spirituality. 54% resonate with postmodernist views. 36% accept ideas associated with Marxism. 29% believe ideas based on secularism. (Read more)
- Father, we pray those who are called by Your Name will hunger and thirst for righteousness, conforming themselves to the image and likeness of Your Son.

- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

9. International furor erupts over embryo jewelry business - World

An Australian company has pledged to continue creating jewelry from human embryos despite facing international backlash.

Baby Bee Hummingbirds, which founder Amy McGlade told me is a "two-mama small business," hand makes rings, necklaces, and earrings using baby hair, breast milk, "loved ones ashes," and discarded embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

After couples succeed in having a child with the help of IVF, they often have a number of unused embryos. If the couple doesn't want to implant any more of their children, they pay a yearly fee to leave them frozen, donate them to another couple to implant, thaw them and have them thrown away, or now, thaw them and have them made into jewelry.

Family Research Council's Arina Grossu told me she found the work "sickening and disturbing," and she's not alone. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for Truth to overcome beautiful, enticing lies. In Your mercy, Lord, may these parents repent of destroying the lives of their children and may Amy McGlade come to despise turning them into trinkets.

- Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:12-14)

10. Airlines told to 'be prepared' for expanded electronics ban - FoxNews

U.S. officials have told airlines to "be prepared" for an expanded ban on carry-on electronic devices allowed on airplanes. Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan confirmed to reporters Tuesday that the administration is considering expanding the ban on laptops, which currently applies to U.S.-bound flights from eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

An expanded ban on devices larger than cellphones could potentially include "more than a couple" other regions, including flights from Western Europe. Lapan reminded reporters that DHS Secretary John Kelly has alluded to the ban "likely" being expanded. DHS officials, however, are still deciding where and how the new restrictions will be implemented.

The chief concern is passengers bringing laptops into the cabin -- something high on the law enforcement radar screen, ever since an attack on a Somali airliner where an explosive device built into a laptop detonated in flight and injured two people. (Read more)
- Father, we pray for Your protection over our entire aviation sector. We pray all potentially dangerous substances and people will be prevented from having access to air travel.

- When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. (Nehemiah 4:15)