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During mark-up of the bill to create a Department of Homeland Security, House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) struck down two frightening White House initiatives: a National ID card and "Operation TIPS." Through "TIPS" the White House wanted to enlist federal workers, postal workers, utility meter readers, and others (1 of every 24 Americans) to conduct "domestic surveillance." While the House and citizens groups from across the political spectrum rejected the measures, Attorney General John Ashcroft continues to defend TIPS and may proceed to implement the program in some form (see http://www.citizencorps.gov/tips.html). God is the Author of liberty (Lev 25:10, Ps 119:45). He gave the ancient Hebrews, via His law, greater spiritual, civil and economic liberty than any people on earth had ever known. Jesus now offers liberty to all mankind through the Gospel (Is 61:1, Lk 4:18). Where Christ and His Word are honored, human bondage, oppression and poverty diminish and spiritual, economic and political liberty spring forth (Jn 8:32, 36; 2 Cor 3:17; Jas 1:25). When men or nations turn away from God, liberty quickly disappears (Dt 8:10-20; 28:41; Gal 5:1, 13; 2 Pet 2:19). Could it happen in America? Concerning the second chapter of Jeremiah, Matthew Henry (esteemed Bible expositor from 18th century England) wrote of Israelís looming captivity, which parallels Americaís forsaking of God today: "Oh the folly of Israelís forsaking God... of the mischief they brought upon themselves... and all the calamities their country was now groaning under... Yet they were but a down payment for more and greater if they would not repent... Their enemies prevailed against them because of their sin. They lost their liberty... even though they were designed for dominion, and not for servitude... "What a thing is this that such a birthright should have been sold for a mess of pottage, such a crown profaned and laid in the dust! Why were they made slaves? God commanded that a Hebrew servant should be set free the seventh year (Lev 25:44, 46). But the princes made slaves of their subjects, and masters made slaves of their servants (Jer 34:11). They so made their country mean and miserable, which God had made happy and honorable. Foreign princes, too... broke in and made some of them slaves... and sold others for slaves to foreign countries. Why did they so come to lose their liberties? For their iniquities they sold themselves" (Is 50:1). Please Join Us in Humble Prayer: Father, AWAKEN our hearts! For our iniquities we have sold ourselves. Please RESTORE our Love for You & for Your Liberty. Have MERCY& Move Your people to ARISE, PRAY, WARN & ACT to keep America free. DELIVER us from ever-increasing Bondage. ACCEPT our REPENTANCE. TURN America back to God (Gen 18:21-232; Chr 7:14; Neh 4:14; Pr 21:5; Is 26:8-13; 59:12-19; Eze 33:1-16; Gal 5:1). ** If you have agreed with us in prayer, could you encourage us by e-mailing back with your "Amen"? Or if you would like to add a prayer of your own which we can "Amen", then reply here. Thank you.
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