The Daily Brief: Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The Daily Brief: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (Short Form)

1. North Korea accuses U.S. of declaring war, says can take countermeasures - MSN

North Korea's foreign minister said on Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump had declared war on North Korea and that Pyongyang reserves the right to take countermeasures, including shooting down U.S. strategic bombers even if they are not in the country's air space.

"The whole world should clearly remember it was the U.S. who first declared war on our country," Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho told reporters in New York.

"Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to make countermeasures, including the right to shoot down United States strategic bombers even when they are not inside the airspace border of our country." (Read more)
- Lord, this development shows how unstable and crazy the leadership of North Korea has become that they would think a Tweet is a declaration of war. We speak peace into this tension and in the Name of Jesus we ask that You step in and not allow anything that is not in Your plan and purpose.

- "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie." (2 Thess 2:11)

2. Report: Hawaii Officials Are Preparing for Nuclear Attack- Newsmax

Hawaii officials last Tuesday held a secret meeting to discuss how to help the public prepare for a possible North Korea nuclear attack, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported.

"Now it's time to take it seriously," said state Rep. Gene Ward, "not to be an alarmist but to be informing people." Tensions between North Korea and the U.S. continue to escalate, with President Donald Trump last week threatening to "totally destroy North Korea."

North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong Ho on Saturday responded with a speech at the UN General Assembly where he said Pyongyang possesses a hydrogen bomb that can be coupled with an intercontinental ballistic missile and will be ready to use if needed. (Read more)
- Father, we pray against any nuclear action by North Korea. We ask for Your peace over Hawaii, and Your hedge of protection around them.

- "I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace." (Psalm 85:8)

3. FEMA to Conduct a Mandatory Nationwide Test Tomorrow - Alerts USA/FEMA

Be advised that FEMA and the FCC will conduct a mandatory nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, September 27 at 2:20 p.m. EDT.

The test will assess the readiness for distribution of the national level test message as well as verify its delivery. (Read more)
- Father, we understand that this alert system will also allow the President to speak to the entire nation, as needed, at one time. Lord God, we pray that this strategy will not be needed, even as we pray for the successful outcome of this national test.

- "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:14)

4. Iran's supposed missile launch was fake, US officials say - Fox News

Iranian state television released video footage Friday claiming to show the launch of a new type of medium-range ballistic missile, a few hours after it was displayed during a military parade in Tehran. But it turns out Iran never fired a ballistic missile, sources say. The video released by the Iranians was more than seven months old - dating back to a failed launch in late January, which resulted in the missile exploding shortly after liftoff, according to two U.S. officials.

President Trump had originally responded to the reported launch in a late-Saturday tweet, saying, "Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also working with North Korea. Not much of an agreement we have!" This was after Trump, speaking before world leaders at the United Nations, called the Iran nuclear deal an "embarrassment" to the United States. "We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program," he said.

Trump later told reporters he had made up his mind about the deal, but wouldn't say whether he would pull the United States out of the nuclear accord with Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, speaking at the U.N. one day after Trump, maintained his country's missile program was "solely defensive" in nature. "We never threaten anyone, but we do not tolerate threats from anyone," he said. Rohani returned to Tehran two days later to preside over the missile parade featuring the new medium-range design and said his country would build as many missiles as necessary to defend itself. Afterward, the footage was aired, with Iranian media claiming a successful test launch - though it apparently showed the failed January launch. (Read more)
- Father, this nation that chants "Death to America" at every opportunity is not worthy of our trust. We ask for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit across that nation and especially into their leadership.

- "Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."
(Psalm 37:15)

5. New Order Indefinitely Bars Almost All Travel From Seven Countries - NYT

President Trump on Sunday issued a new order indefinitely banning almost all travel to the United States from seven countries, including most of the nations covered by his original travel ban, citing threats to national security posed by letting their citizens into the country.

The new order is more far-reaching than the president's original travel ban, imposing permanent restrictions on travel, rather than the 90-day suspension that Mr. Trump authorized soon after taking office. But officials said his new action was the result of a deliberative, rigorous examination of security risks that was designed to avoid the chaotic rollout of his first ban. And the addition of non-Muslim countries could address the legal attacks on earlier travel restrictions as discrimination based on religion.(Read more)
- Lord, we pray that You will protect Americans from people coming into the country who intend to harm us. Preserve our nation and its heritage, Lord, and let Your Spirit cause us to return to You.

- "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me n a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries." (Psalm 27:11,12a)

6. Secret Service arrests person with firearms near White House - Fox News

The Secret Service says it arrested someone near the White House on Sunday for possessing firearms.

In a statement Monday, the agency says officers were approached by an individual at 17th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue at about 7:15 a.m. Sunday. The location is the Old Executive Office Building, part of the White House grounds.

The Secret Service says the person was arrested for possessing "several firearms." It provided no further details. (Read more)
- Lord, we continue to stand strong asking You to protect our President and our leadership. Though we don't know the circumstances of this incident, we know that their lives have been in danger.

- "My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies."
(Psalm 31:15)

7. Graham, Cassidy pull out the stops in race to uproot ObamaCare - Fox News

Republicans' attempt this week to repeal and replace ObamaCare in the Senate is supposed to be their last shot.

Maybe.

The effort looks bleak right now as the Senate careens toward a Sept. 30 deadline to try to rip out the 2010 health care law and replace it with a plan engineered by GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina, and Bill Cassidy, Louisiana. They retooled their blueprint over the weekend by bolstering funding for Alaska and Maine to court the states' respective GOP senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, who each have expressed skepticism about the bill but aren't hard noes yet.

The legislation largely sends health care dollars to states as "block grants," permitting states to use the money as they see fit. It's doubtful the Senate will this week have a complete analysis of the legislation from the Congressional Budget Office. (Read more)

SEE ALSO: "Collins says no on ObamaCare repeal bill, effectively derailing Graham-Cassidy legislation" - Fox News (Go here)
- Father, with the defectors against it, this legislation is doomed short of a miracle. So now, we turn to YOU, Holy One, asking for that miracle, amen!

Lord, You promised to take care of the poor and the widows, so we call on Your Name to accomplish Your Word. We pray for all of the citizens of this nation to be saved from the high premiums and high deductibles that Obamacare has brought.

- "He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap."
(Psalm 113:7)

8. Congress Fights Back Against UN's Anti-Israel Blacklist With 'Anti-Boycott Act' - Breaking Israel News

In response to United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) efforts to undermine Israel's legitimacy through their Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Act of 2017, the U.S. Congress and Senate have introduced a bipartisan bill, the "Israel Anti-Boycott Act," that would protect U.S. companies targeted by the international boycotts and punish those who comply with them.

Earlier this March, the UNHRC voted in favor (32 nations in favor and 15 abstentions) of the BDS Act of 2017, which entails creating a "blacklist" of companies enabling or benefitting from the growth of Israeli settlements. Blacklisted companies under the BDS Act of 2017, the full list of which will be published this December, include major American corporations like Coca-Cola, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Airbnb, and TripAdvisor.

The UN blacklist treads in the footsteps of the broader BDS movement, which was established in 2005 in an attempt to economically undermine Israel's sovereignty. The stated goal of the BDS movement, according to its founders, is to "end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law." (Read more)
- Lord, we thank You for this bipartisan bill and ask that it be implemented to protect companies that do business with Israel. We take authority over this Haman spirit in the UN and loose Your Spirit and the Blood of Jesus Christ against it. May it fall, as Haman fell.

- "Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned." (Psalm 34:21)

9. New DACA bill proposed by Republicans - CBS

Republican Senators Thom Tillis, James Lankford and Orrin Hatch unveiled their latest immigration reform effort, a first step toward fixing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which the Trump administration recently announced it was rescinding. The three senators announced the SUCCEED Act (Solution for Undocumented Children through Careers Employment Education and Defending our nation), which they called a "fair and compassionate" merit-based solution to issues facing undocumented children currently in the U.S.

"If you work hard, follow the law and pay your taxes, you can stay here permanently," Sen. Tillis promised Dreamers.

The proposed legislation mandates that in order to receive "conditional status" in the U.S., a recipient must be maintaining gainful employment, pursuing higher education or serving in the U.S. military. Under the bill, eligibility for protective status includes having arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16 years, holding a high school diploma or equivalent, passing an extensive criminal background check, submitting biometric data to the Department of Homeland Security and being able to pay off any existing federal tax liabilities. (Read more)
- Father, we ask for Your heart in this issue. The previous President illegally created a law that should have been created by Congress, hence this "fix." We ask that in Your wisdom, only that which You have ordained be passed.

- "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)

10. Anthony Weiner sentenced to 21 months in prison in teen sexting case - Fox News

Disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner was sentenced Monday to 21 months in prison, facing the most severe penalty yet in connection with the sexting scandal that drove the New York Democrat out of Congress, ruined his marriage and became a late issue in the 2016 presidential race.

U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote issued the sentence in federal court in New York. "This is a serious crime that deserves serious punishment," Cote said in a statement. The former lawmaker's sexting habits entered criminal territory with his illicit contact with a 15-year-old girl. Weiner, 53, had pleaded guilty in May to sending sexually explicit texts to the girl across state lines. Weiner agreed not to appeal any sentence between 21 and 27 months in prison.

Weiner openly wept in court on Monday as the judge announced the sentence. In addition to the prison term, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release, given a $10,000 fine, and required to forfeit his iPhone. Weiner must surrender on Nov. 6 to a yet-to-be determined prison facility. (Read more)

- Lord, we pray that You will use this situation to change this man's heart from sin to righteousness. We also pray for the young girl involved to come to know You as her Lord and Savior.

- "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you." (Ezekiel 36:26a)

11. Pence, Bannon, Robertson stump in Alabama for Senate candidates - Fox News

Across Alabama on Monday night, Vice President Mike Pence, Steve Bannon and Phil Robertson, of Duck Dynasty, were all seen on stage stumping for the two candidates running in Alabama's runoff election on Tuesday.

Vice President Pence took the stage in Birmingham supporting incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, while Steve Bannon and Phil Robertson rallied in Fairhope for former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.

After walking on stage, Pence echoed President Trump's sentiments from Friday, saying how much he loved the state of Alabama and how much they needed the peoples' help to send Strange back to the U.S. Senate. (Read more)

- Father, we ask that You would grant the voters in the State of Louisiana "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" Your will in the selection of their next United States Senator. In Your name, amen.

- "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev. 3:22)