Wednesday, June 27, 2012

WEEKLY Arrows From Zion 6/27/12

Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 

 Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

ARROWS PRAYER POINTS FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

May be copied for use in Prayer Gatherings


Priority Prayer Focus

In the first century Paul, "the Apostle to the Gentiles," taught this as the relationship between the churches and the believers in Israel: 

"For it pleased them of the Macedonia and Achaia churches to make some contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.  It pleased them truly; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentile Christians have been made partakers of the Messianic Jews' spiritual things, the Christians' duty is also to minister unto them in material things.”  Rom 15:26-27  

Paul first saw it himself as the proper relationship when in Acts 11:28 a prophet named Agabus fortold a coming famine and "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea."

When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem (Acts 12), they found the believers huddled together in fervent prayer because Herod had executed James and had Peter locked up in jail.

This was the selah moment for Paul, who from that point on taught the churches that the proper relationship between them and the believers in Israel was one where the churches took care to provide for those Messianic Jews under siege for the faith.  ‘A whole earth famine? Quick! Let’s send a donation to the believers in Israel!’

Skip forward almost 2,000 years and we are (or at least I am) waiting for this teaching to be restored to the Church. 

That would mean that the believers in Israel would no longer be ignored, disregarded, or placed dead last on the support list.  This is not a merely some sort of ‘tribute gift’ but the restoration of this truth – is a NECESSITY in the timing of the outpouring of the Spirit on all Israel unto salvation. 

The Holy Spirit is the hand and the Christian care of the MESSIANIC body in Israel is the glove that facilitates the salvation of all Israel.  This is how we cooperate with God’s intentions in Israel.

Arrows from Zion
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
Contact information for all the ministries is included inside the attached Weekly Summary.

As you can see, we are keeping the focus on the financial burdens of almost all the Israeli ministries which are deeply affecting their ability to operate, or to pay even the most modest of ministry salaries including the pastoral heads.  For some this means shutting down valuable and effective parts of their ministries. Unfortunately, we continue to see changes that negatively impact the Israeli ministries using Christian properties.  This is the reverse of what should be happening! 

Pray for the reawakening of the Church to our “duty” to minister to the BELIEVERS in Israel as it will release their ability to minister the salvation of all Israel.

In weeks past we let subscribers know about an investment that could be made in a believer who is a remodeling craftsman that was working on a property his parents owned.  For a modest investment he could finish the remodel and flip the house for a great profit.  We are thrilled to report that a new ministry that is seeing specifically to the needs of the Body in Israel was able to step in and make that investment -  which has also turned out to be a major witness to the believer’s Orthodox parents. This new ministry, HaTikva, is directed by believers in Jerusalem with Coach McCartney and Dr. Raleigh Washington acting as Chairman and CEO respectively.

Pray that we see more of this type of Christian coming alongside Israeli ministries!

Howard Bass reports rain in the Negev last week and has the picture to prove it.  This is most unusual for rain in summer.  Thank God for it.

Bass also reports that his congregation has been having good teaching to strengthen the family.  He writes, “Families in Israel are breaking down, and this trend is heavily impacting the family of God in the Body of Messiah.  Yeshua came to reveal God's name as 'Father'…. There is a disturbing trend within Christian / Messianic circles to redefine or reinterpret who God is... Let us pray as the apostle Paul did, that we would have a spirit of revelation and wisdom concerning these things which are spiritually discerned, and cannot be known any other way.”

Please pray with the congregation for a new rent-donation agreement which is coming into play in September and is being negotiated now that “gives God's peace in His righteousness for us all who serve the Lord together here.”

In the Akko Harvest of Asher congregation there is an opportunity that has opened up for additional space where they may expand their youth ministry, start a messianic community center and include the humanitarian aid warehouse.  They also plan to use the space for storage of emergency goods stocked for the war everyone believes is coming in just a matter of time.  Pray with this ministry that it will have churches who will come alongside to help with the finances for renovations and needed equipment.

Their joint service with the Lebanese Christians in Nahariya was a blessed and anointed service together.  Pastor Cohen writes, “The purpose of the visit is to show that in the Lord there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, even though the call on Israel and the Jewish nation is unique.  Pray for us and for the congregation, that everyone would grow in the Lord and that the congregation would grow in both the spiritual and natural.  After all, the congregation is the Lord’s bride and to my knowledge, there is only one bride.”

From the Beit Asaph congregation in Netanya, Evan Thomas writes, “This week begins the Hebrew calendar month of Tammuz. From ancient times this was known as the season in which one tended the grape vines. Diligence in this would help ensure a good harvest.  Yeshua would relate to the natural and agricultural cycles to illustrate his teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven. In the same way we often see their relevance in our spiritual and community life. Evan and Lev, as co-pastors of Beit Asaph sense this as the season to place much of our emphasis on ‘tending the vine’ – evaluating the spiritual health and growth of the congregation and taking action to ensure this.”

Pray for all the congregations of Israel who are “tending the vine” in order to bring forth more fruitfulness in the families who are following Yeshua in Israel.  Evan spells out what it means to them practically to tend the vine within their congregation.  You can read what they are doing by opening the attached Weekly Summary.

Summer time means increased opportunities for outreach in Israel and the Mizrachi’s Dugit ministry has hit the Tel Aviv beaches, the parks and even the hospitals .  They write, “Recently, during a Dugit Live, every table in the centre had an unbeliever that was being witnessed to about our Lord. It was an amazing sight to see! May every seed that has been planted begin to take root and bear much fruit for the Kingdom.”

Amen, LORD!  Bless all the outreaches going on throughout Israel to those who are newly receptive to hear the gospel and decide for themselves if Yeshua is for them.

Praise God for the father of Shlomy of Awake Israel coming to the knowledge of the LORD and salvation in Yeshua!  Good news travels fast – especially among those who think it is BAD news!  A flier was soon distributed on the street where Shlomy’s parents live warning that their son was a “missionary.”  That word in Israel is like saying someone is a murderer or a terrorist.  Pray for the family – no weapon formed against them shall prosper and every tongue rising to condemn them is rendered ineffective.
The congregation baptized three people last week.

An update on the Christian Arab “M” and his friend in Hebron who were arrested by Palestinian police for distributing Christian materials.  We received word that after being beaten and warned to stop their activities, they were released.  Continue to pray for all Palestinian Christians who are actively sharing their faith.  Pray for wisdom, as well as an ear attuned to the direction of the Holy Spirit that will show them when to share and when to secret themselves away.

Dugit also reports on the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) 6th annual Global Day of Prayer in Nazareth where Jewish and Arab believers gathered to worship and pray together.  Read all about inside the Weekly Summary.

Maoz Ministries, with Ron Cantor leading the young adults, is bringing a team of 40 young Israelis to the USA for the Messiah Conference in Pennsylvania (traveling June 30-July11).  Pray for the team for all the good goals to met and for safe travels.  These aren’t just vacations, these are leadership training journeys.

The Jerusalem Institute of Justice is gearing up to supply 2,000 backpacks full of school supplies to needy children in the coming school year.  This is one of the humanitarian projects these Messianic attorneys do in addition to their legal case “safeguarding civil rights and freedom of religion in the nation of Israel.”  Read more inside the Weekly Summary.

David Lazarus of Beit Immanuel  in Jaffa writes this week about their ministry to the poor and needy of the city, the summer children’s camps and one of their talented young leaders who is producing an animated movie production called “God is Kidding” that features interviews with children from 4-10 about their perceptions of God.  (There is still time to get in on the interviews which are all in Hebrew). Read more inside the Weekly Summary. 

You have no doubt heard from many sources that rockets have been launched from Gaza into the western Negev – one was a direct hit on an Israeli school although thankfully no children were inside at the time.  Continue to pray for those living in the area surrounding Gaza as rockets are shot wildly into Israel.  With all the internal chaos in Egypt and Syria, everyone in Israel is set on edge. 

Eddie Santoro of the Ahavat Yeshua congregation talks about the Egyptian election of a Muslim Brotherhood candidate as President.  Santoro writes, “If the Muslim Brotherhood wins this battle, the peace treaty that has been operative for 36 years will probably be torn up and the formerly quiet border between Israel and Egypt could degenerate into a state of tension, terror and ultimately, war…. The daily tension that is felt by so many in Israel is a byproduct of the spiritual and physical war that rages against the very existence of Israel. And the conflict will only get more heated as the return of the Lord draws ever closer.”

Yeshi (Jesse) Reinhardt also files a report “from Rocket-City Israel” – Sde’rot.  He writes, “Upon hearing the loud blare of the incoming-rocket siren or ‘red alert’ the question immediately rises, “Where is the nearest shelter…and can I possibly make it in 15 short seconds, especially, running with small children”? This is the painful reality thousands of Israelis must now live through.”
What would happen if half the Christians and Messianics in the world actively involved in Israel  began to place an emphasis on the Body of Messiah in Israel, and how to assist them in reaching their families and neighbors with the gospel?  It would mean that instead of emphasizing the political and war threats, the focus would have to shift from what the devil was doing to what the LORD is doing in Israel.  Selah.

That would require trusting God to protect Israel while our efforts are geared toward the harvest.  Not that we don’t pray about security situations but it just means those prayers do not dominate the spiritual needs in prayer.


Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer the Israeli believers who are fighting for their lives or other urgent health needs: 

Pray for God’s complete healing of Uzi, Meir, Bob, Fruma and Katya and Rivka (an elderly member suffering severe back problems)  at Maoz Ministries, Sofie Benson in Carmel/House of Victory, Ariela in Arad and Brookie in the Galilee.  Tom, Nataly and Larissa who have all recently been diagnosed with cancer in Carmel.  Pray also for Kay Wilson suffering from PTSD after surviving a stabbing terrorism attack that her friend did not survive.  Continue to pray for baby Netaley who is rehabilitating well but has been released to go home finally. Her rehab will continue daily on an on-patient basis.  Also for Ariela who has undergone radical cancer treatment and needs prayer for regaining her strength because not being able to work, she is hardly able to pay bills and everyday needs.   

Inside the
Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Arrows from Zion can be shared freely & we’ve included an attachment in a Word document to make it easy to print, but we ask the Weekly Summaries not be forwarded or information republished with consent of the specific ministries. By subscription only, write israelprayerdotcom@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com


Israeli Ministries on Tours
BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Arni Klein /Emmaus Way; David and Josie Silver/Out of Zion; Lura & Eddie Beckford/ The King’s Men; Kobi & Shani Ferguson/ Yeshua Israel Ministries;  Carolyn & Richard Hyde/ Heart of God Ministries; Brian & Rachaeli Slater/Chosen People Ministries; Joel Jelski/Bound for Life, Be’ad Chaim (prolife) and Succat Hallel.


A Ministry of Israelprayer.com
Now on Facebook | Donna Diorio
  & Twitter
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
My Israel Blogs:  
Israel Watcher – A Second Opinion   Mostly political or current events commentary
| Fruit of the Fig Tree   Spiritual insights   |  DAILY Arrow from Zion

If you appreciate the efforts of this ministry to share both the  challenges and the great things God is doing among the Israeli indigenous ministries, please pray about making a financial gift donation.  Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio and mail to:
Israel Prayer 
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006
Or click on the PayPal icon
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I do not have tax exempt status. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

WEEKLY Arrows From Zion 6/20/12

Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 

 Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
ARROWS PRAYER POINTS FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
May be copied for use in Prayer Gatherings


Priority Prayer Focus

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. . . .What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom 8:28 & :31

Arrows from Zion
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
Contact information for all the ministries is included inside the Weekly Summary.

An urgent Prayer Request to pray for “M” and friend who have been arrested by the Palestinian Authority for distributing Christian materials.  We know from past experience that those arrested in the past have suffered from beatings and worse.  Please pray for God’s intervention on behalf of these young men who turned away from Islam to follow Yeshua. Remember – in Islam if a Muslim turns to another faith they are considered infidels and killing them is encouraged.  This is a serious threat and there is no glare of the world news spotlight on this man to discourage his captors from doing whatever the will. No consequences, no accountability for what happens to him.

TOMORROW June 21st,  Jack Teitel will appear in court once again.  The court has accepted the plea bargain which stripped the hate crime charges out of the charges – and allowing for Teitel’s defense to once again (without impediment of the facts of his hate crime) argue that he was not responsible for his actions due to mental illness.  Pray for the Messianic Ortiz family who suffered greatly from Teitel’s attempt to murder them by a terrorist bomb planted with the help of accomplices. 

We learned new details today for the first time in the prayer letter sent by the Ortiz family, that police had Jack Teitel reenact his crime at their home in the dead of night in 2009.  Police told the Ortiz family to kill their video security surveillance system and a 2 AM brought Teitel to walk through what he did when he placed the Purim basket bomb on their doorstep.  (Read the full story inside the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries )

The Ortiz family writes, “Every hearing that has taken place since 2009 when Teitel was arrested has centered around his rights, and the question of his sanity.  There have been no revelations of the facts of his crimes, no testimony by police and investigators, and not a word as to who helped him and worked with him.  Now that a plea bargain has been struck, and a trial will not take place presenting this evidence, these facts will remain hidden from the public, at least as far as a trial is concerned. “

Please pray for the family and for the ripple effect from the Israeli courts allowing the facts of Jewish terrorism against the Body of Messiah to be swept under the carpet.  This too is a very serious matter which will encourage other religious haters to commit the ultimate crime against believers.  Pray that the Church worldwide will sit up and take notice, as well as outspoken action in this miscarriage of justice that promises to endanger other Israeli believers.

Arni and Yonit Klein of Emmaus Way report on a powerful experience as representatives of the Israeli Body Messiah on a 72-hour worship cruise with Asian believers off Taiwan and the China seas.  The exchange between Israeli believers and Asian believers is a marvelous, mysterious work that God is doing as the gospel continues to move west – only now from the eastern position of Asia. 

Arni also brings a good word on what the Spirit is speaking regarding the Church beginning to see ourselves in the biblical term of being made partakers of the COMMONWEALTH of Israel.  This may be one of the most important concepts for the Church to lay hold of in this season, because it positions us according to how the scripture positions us and lays to definitive rest the notion of Replacement or Supersessionist theology.  (Read more inside the Weekly Summary.)

Arrows from Zion this week is a mix of highs and lows.  I can tell you that many Israeli ministries are suffering from lack right now. Summer is a time when donations slow down.  Many are in crisis to pay (or draw) even modest pastoral or ministry staff salaries.  As one ministry wrote to me personally today, “We’re doing well, learning to be at peace in the eye of the storm…. I'm thankful for the life He's given us, no matter what.” 

If you, dear readers, are in a position to do a little extra at this time – please open the Weekly Summary and find a ministry to bless as the Holy Spirit leads.   These are but two passages from the “Apostle to the Gentiles” that points the way the Church is to care for the Body of Messiah in Israel:

For it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.  It has pleased them truly; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things (made the commonwealth of Israel), their duty is also to minister unto them in material things.  Rom 15:26-27 

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.  For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints (the poor believers in Jerusalem).  2 Cor 8:1-4 

Pastor H, in the Evangelical Baptist Church of A*** – who last drew only half his salary in March – is going to take a much needed 2 ½ month sabbatical.  It has been ten years since this pastor has been able to take a vacation, and there are not funds now to take one but he must have a time of rest and to seek the LORD about the future of the ministry.  Like others in Israel who are effective ministries producing fruit, lack of donations is trying to choke the life out of them.  Please keep pastor H and his family and congregation in your prayers.  Pray God will stir up supporters to come alongside the work of this ministry.  Pray also for the ministry book store:  “The bookstore has also had the daily experience of seeing many Muslims and Jews drop by to take free tracts and Bibles.”

Another Messianic congregation in the north is also experiencing a financial crisis this summer and have called a 3-day fast this is just wrapping up as this prayer summary goes out.  They write, “We will be seeking the Lord for a breakthrough in finances, particularly for the release of provision to continue providing the very modest salaries that support our faithful ministry leaders and staff, all of whom are essential to pressing forward through these humanitarian and evangelistic ministries He has raised up, and to maintaining the properties of which the Lord has so graciously made us stewards.”

Also in the north, Guy Cohen the Harvest of Asher congregation will be joining the Lebanese congregation in Nahariya on June 22nd.  They ask prayer for “an anointed time together and that God will bless us with a time of building unity and relationship, breaking down walls of division between Jews and Arabs in the name of Yeshua.”

The congregation is still seeking to fill a key secretary to the pastor spot, as well as additional teachers and translators.  Harvest of Asher also asks prayer for their children’s and youth ministries.  The latter is introducing a new program involving music and the arts.  Pray for the implementation.

Succat Hallel, the 24/7 prayer house in Jerusalem makes an appeal this week for sponsors to fund young people – Jew and Arab – to attend their annual “Unto Him” (Elav) Youth conference, July 7-9.  These are powerful times of ministry and building up of young Israeli believers.  If you would like to make an investment in the next generation of Yeshua’s disciples in Israel, please open the attached Weekly Summary for contact information.

David Silver of Out of Zion ministries has a warning about the so-called “Chrislam” movement which is gaining ground among Christians naïve about the religion of Islam.  One denomination in the U.S., in a misguided show of religious ecumenism, is placing copies of the Koran alongside the Bible in their pews. This is a seductive trap for those who value unity without exercising spiritual discernment.  Our God is NOT Allah.  Silver’s article contains further links for those who desire to learn more.

Eddie Santoro of the Ahavat Yeshua congregation in Jerusalem writes about the intense tension that is part of everyday life in Israel.  He writes, “Those of us who live here and are filled with the Holy Spirit have a tremendous advantage but we are not immune to the tensions that exist…. we understand that the daily tension that is felt by so many is a byproduct of the spiritual and physical war that rages against the very existence of Israel. And the war will only get more heated as the return of the Lord draws every closer.“   

He continues, “…we would like to ask you to pray over the following partial list of tension causing events in our daily life. Please pray specifically that those who live here would find abundant grace to remain in his peace and confidence, even as we partake of the very special “cup” that our Father in Heaven has given us to drink. His peace truly surpasses understanding and we praise God that the peace he gives us is not of this world.”

Santoro asks prayers over the situation developing in Egypt as “democracy” has seen the election of a Muslim Brotherhood leader that could see the end of the 36 year peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.  Also Hamas is firing rockets into Israel and is escalating the pace.  Pray for all the borders of Israel, including the seashore and the northern border is civil war torn Syria.  Iran also remains a serious threat Israel is facing. 

The Body in Israel MUST HAVE and OUTPOURING of GRACE.   

Communities of believers in Israel is something to pray over in the days ahead - Messianic Cities of Refuge

There are properties owned by various churches throughout the Land of Israel.  Some are suitable for development for the believers to be able to live in, to establish safe havens in communities of faith.  Some already exist having sprung up organically. Others are moving forward in an organized vision of development.

Let’s be praying over those who are in control of church properties in Israel to get a new vision – perhaps this is the main reason God prompted these churches to establish properties in Israel in the first place, not for the Church, but for the Body of believers that would be raised up in the Land when God restored the nation of Israel. 

Do you think God works that way?  Do you think He ever stirs us up to do something or purchase something so we have it to give away to His chosen servant at the right time?  I do.  God knows the beginning from the end.  The problem is, when we have purchased something or built something, we have a hard time coming to grips that all along God had in mind that we would at some time deliver it over to someone’s hand that had more strategic need for it in establishing the purposes of God.  I believe this is true of many buildings and many parcels of land held by the Church in Israel today. Can we pray in agreement that if this IS God’s purpose, that more churches would begin to release the properties to the benefit of the Body in Israel?



Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer the Israeli believers who are fighting for their lives or other urgent health needs: 

Pray for God’s complete healing of Uzi, Meir, Bob, Fruma and Katya and Rivka (an elderly member suffering severe back problems)  at Maoz Ministries, Sofie Benson in Carmel/House of Victory, Ariela in Arad and Brookie in the Galilee.  Tom, Nataly and Larissa who have all recently been diagnosed with cancer in Carmel.  Pray also for Kay Wilson suffering from PTSD after surviving a stabbing terrorism attack that her friend did not survive.  Continue to pray for baby Netaley who is rehabilitating well but has been released to go home finally. Her rehab will continue daily on an on-patient basis.  Also for Ariela who has undergone radical cancer treatment and needs prayer for regaining her strength because not being able to work, she is hardly able to pay bills and everyday needs.   

Inside the attachment of the
Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Arrows from Zion can be shared freely & we’ve included an attachment in a Word document to make it easy to print, but we ask the attached Weekly Summary not be forwarded or information republished with consent of the specific ministries.
 By subscription only, write israelprayerdotcom@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com


Praying the Headlines

It looks like Mosab Hasan Yousef has decided to take the frying pan to the fire route, and is making a movie about Mohammad. Better up the prayers for this young man.

Mosab Hassan Yousef, author of the internationally best-selling memoir "Son of Hamas" gave a press conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday in which he announced that he is working with a major film studio in Hollywood to produce a movie version of his book, as well as an autobiographical film about Mohammed, the founder of Islam.

Here is a YouTube of the interview that Mosab did at the Knesset Mon 6/18.
And an article in an Israeli newspaper Hamas founder's son 'sympathizes with IDF'


Teaching Articles

By Asher Intrater

Excerpt:  That first congregation was the "starting line" for the gospel. The faith community in Jerusalem today represents the "finish line." We have returned to Jerusalem to "finish the race" that our forefathers started. The gospel went out from "Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria to the ends of the earth" – Acts 1:8. Today it is returning from the ends of the earth to Samaria to Judea to Jerusalem.
   Read this excellent teaching online or inside the attached Weekly Summary


Israeli Ministries on Tours
BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Arni Klein /Emmaus Way; David and Josie Silver/Out of Zion; Lura & Eddie Beckford/ The King’s Men; Kobi & Shani Ferguson/ Yeshua Israel Ministries;  Carolyn & Richard Hyde/ Heart of God Ministries; Brian & Rachaeli Slater/Chosen People Ministries

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week

Last day to get the pre-order discount (only $11.99)
on Ron Cantor’s new book, Identity Theft.


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please email me at
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A Ministry of Israelprayer.com
Now on Facebook | Donna Diorio
  & Twitter
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
My Israel Blogs:  
If your weekly Arrows from Zion email does not come in, check online each Wednesday at Israel Prayer Dot Com Israel Watcher – A Second Opinion   Mostly political or current events commentary
|
Fruit of the Fig Tree
  Spiritual insights   |  DAILY Arrow from Zion

If you appreciate the efforts of this ministry to share both the  challenges and the great things God is doing among the Israeli indigenous ministries, please pray about making a financial gift donation.  Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio and mail to:
Israel Prayer 
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006
Or click on the PayPal icon
at the
www.israelprayer.com
(Paypal account is donna@israelprayer.com)
I do not have tax exempt status.
 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

WEEKLY ArrowsFromZion Jun 13, 2012

Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 

Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
ARROWS PRAYER POINTS FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

May be copied for use in Prayer Gatherings

Priority Prayer Focus

"Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the nations shall come to you."

Thank God for the contributions of Israeli Jews in all the fields that enriches humanity – in medicine, science, agricultural.  It is truly astounding how the world is blessed by innovation and discovery from the land of Israel.


Arrows from Zion
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
Contact information for all the ministries is included inside the attached Weekly Summary.

Israelprayer sees such worthy needs within the believing community for investment as we read over the prayer letters that come to us each week.  Most of what we see is ministry-related, but not every good place to sow an investment in Israel is ministry related.  Some of what we become aware of falls into the category of just believers helping believers.  Others are investment opportunities with believer in Israeli businesses or real estate investments that the Messianic believers put down deeper roots into the Land of Israel.  The LION’s share of Christian sowing into Israel completely bypasses the Body of Messiah in Israel.  The Lion’s share belongs to the Lion’s disciples, don’t you think?  Here are just a few of the current needs we are aware of  – 

  • The Christian Arab Bible Book Shop in Haifa that will be closed down June 30th but a vital tool to a ministry - Immanuel Evangelical Church - with meetings in Haifa, Nazareth and Jaffa.  The pastor of this church a trained and qualified pastors he could put into the new congregations full time – if only there was financial support.  (See details in the 6/6/12 Weekly Summary)
  • The new ministry we came across in Jerusalem, the HaTikvah Project that by “networking with the many believing congregations in Israel, HaTikva Project has become one of the first places that the local leadership turns to when the needs overwhelm their capability. Simply put, the local Israeli congregation does not have the financial ability to meet the many needs of their members. HaTikva Project works with the local leadership to identify the most critical needs and to target our donations accordingly.”
  • The scholarships needed for youth to be able to participate in programs like the upcoming Elav (“Unto Him”) and Katszir (Harvest) summer conferences or children’s camps going on across Israel 
  • There are Messianic believers in businesses like the Messianic farm specializing in advanced agro-technology development and vegetable production for export – believers who are looking for  new investors to reach the next level of their vision to increase the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world (see details in the attached Weekly Summary)
  • There is the Yad Hashmona residential project – the only community of Messianic Jewish believers in Israel.  (See also Prophetic Importance of Buying Property in Israel  ©April 27, 2008 Asher Intrater)
  • There are congregations meeting in open air settings for lack of facilities and many congregations in various stages of relocation, remodeling - purchase or rental – that would greatly benefit from investment.
  • Believers are often moved out of their homes by landlords pressured by religious persecutors and what a great way to invest in the Body of Messiah in Israel than to make real estate investments of homes – to give outright to ministries, or to make available to believers rental
  • We know to two ministries – one in the Akko and one in Arad – that have big visions for a major center for the use of area believers. 
  • We know of one believer who has just gone through intense cancer treatment who is too weak to work and could use a little help until she regains strength.  We know of others going through cancer treatments that could also use more financial support during this time
  • We know of young evangelistic ministries bearing much fruit, yet getting by on a sincerely shoe-string monthly budget.  We know in the past few years who have lost major portions of their support as missions cut back in the downturn.  These are effective ministries – some producing faith building events for their whole region. 

Why are Christians donating millions more than the reported $60 million that one unsaved rabbi’s organization has taken in from Christians, while so many laboring in the LORD’s harvest in Israel are receiving so little help?  The Lion’s share is not reaching the Lion’s servants!

For many, bringing up financial needs of ministries is a big turn off.  Don’t let these needs be a turn-off to you because the lifestyles are totally different from what you are used to from Western ministries.  Many of the ministries we write about each week will go through the Israeli summer without air-conditioning and go through the winter months without heating.  Few can afford to the cooling and heating costs.  A gallon of gas cost $8.  Food costs are rising.  Mostly these ministries never say a word about these things – only placing the ministry needs in the open.  So don’t let their needs be a turn off – especially since I’m the one who bundled as many recent issues as I could think of off the top of my head to lay before you this week.  Just let your heart think on these needs.  See if the Lord directs you in how to make a small or a major difference in how your giving to Israel is ordered.

And for the other prayer requests this week from Israeli Ministries:

Howard Bass asks prayers for the many Messianic summer camps for children that will begin in a couple of weeks.  He says these camps have done much to develop the Body of Messiah through the years. Pray for all those who will be ministering to the kids.

The Beer Sheva congregation also needs another person to serve in the teen ministry in the coming school year as Evan Bass heads over for Bible College in England.  Families are the forefront at the Beer Sheva conference at this time with a planned Couples Dinner and an upcoming series of teachings on the family.  Pray for all the ministries building strong families through biblical teachings – including teaching on the biblical view of pro-life. 

Thank God for the reports this week of baptisms (immersions).  Eddie Santoro and Asher Intrater took three new believers from their Jerusalem congregation to the Jordan River site thought to be the place where Yeshua was baptized by John the Baptist.  On the nature preserve Khaser al Yehud, Arabic for “the crossing of the Jews,” name refers to the crossing of the Jordan by the children of Israel in Joshua’s time.  There are more nuggets shared inside the attached Weekly Summary about the significance of these two historic events.

The Ezagouri’s in Tiberias are also preparing for a Jordan River baptismal from people in their congregation. They write, “Some know already their call from God so please pray for them to hear His voice and act according to His guidance.”  The congregation has also been experiencing breakthroughs in worship and ask for pray over that aspect of the ministry.  Recently the Morning Star Fellowship also organized the 2nd Galilee area prayer meeting of intercessors for Israel.  The meeting was held at the Carmel Assembly and the desire is to schedule these prayer meetings every three months.  These prayer meetings are drawing from many congregations in northern Israel – an important prayer connection of the believers.  Pray for their numbers and unity to grow pleasingly before the LORD.

Asher Intrater also shares an amazing brief on the particular focus of end time events of several prophetic books of the Bible (see Isaiah 13 and the End Times in the attached Weekly Summary).  This is something that will stir up a desire to take a fresh look at the prophets and Revelation. 

From Arad, the Figueras shared a Passover Seder at the new Ark in the Negev shelter for distressed women that Polly Sigulim is operating through Teen Challenge.  (Polly is a member of the congregation Yo-Yakim Figueras pastors.)  Ninety people attended including many unsaved family members who had rarely come to any congregational events.  Pray for the seeds planted in that evening gathering to bear the fruit of salvation.

The Figueras report than the Arad persecution of believers continues by regular protests outside the homes of believers.  This has been going on for many years and can be “somewhat disconcerting” at times.  Pray for the believers who are in the bull’s eye of ongoing persecution – for God’s grace to be upon them and for the witness of Yeshua to shine through their lives.

 We just celebrated the Feast of Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, First Fruits and Pentecost. God, being the Supreme Educator, uses His feasts as hands-on teaching tools to enable us to know Him better. (Picture not included here) The two loaves Yakim is holding up represent the loaves that the high priest waved before the Lord on this feast day. They were baked with yeast, which is symbolic of sin, unlike the other grain offerings which were unleavened. This is a picture of sinful human beings, Jew and Gentile, justified before God through Messiah, being offered together to God. The children are wearing crowns of leaves around their heads and there’s a basket of fruit and vegetables on the ground, reminding us that this is a harvest festival - the offering of first fruits.

A man who was once Ariel Sharon’s body guard is now a servant of the Messiah, a preacher of the gospel and the pastor of a congregation called Avney Nezer, Jewels in the Crown, in central Israel.  Along with his wife, Miriam, Shlomy Abramov is now launching short term evangelism courses in Israel to teach how to share the gospel in a hand’s on experience in Israel.  Shlomy is a 5th generation Israeli with a heart for the salvation of Israel.  The School of Evangelism is one and 2-week courses that will also combine some trips to sites throughout Israel.  Are you ready?

The indomitable spirit of Ruth Nessim – a 76-year old fireball for the LORD – shines through again in her report from Nahariya about the Light of the Galilee congregation and her forays into greet the Palestinian believers in Nazareth and beyond.  Pray with this dear lady – for her circle of Holocaust survivors and long time friends to come to the knowledge of Yeshua, and for her outreach to Arabs (really one and all) to continue to bear fruit for the kingdom.  Pray also for her close associates, Pastor Najeeb and Elizabeth Atteih, who are facing challenging times that a little more financial support would certainly cure! 

Continue to pray for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be led by God in leading the nation at one of the most critical times in history.  In past weeks we noted reports from several ministries that the Israeli PM has begun regular Bible study in his home.  In recent moves, like the formation of a near precedent setting unity government, and his move to appease settlers when the Knesset decided the Ulpana houses in Beth El must be evacuated, Netanyahu certainly seems to have guidance from above on him right now. 

Right after one of our favorite promises to Israel in Jeremiah 29 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” – God says to Israel through the prophet (v. 13): “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Pray for Benjamin Netanyahu to be stirred to seek the LORD with all his heart and that God would answer Bibi by revealing His Son.

This Facebook post from Kobi Ferguson of Yeshua’s Israel, whose father passed away into glory last week:  “In the week after my father died, the house flooded, having to change the carpet, re-paint and now today the water heater died. Its like the house is mourning dad's passing too. I miss you dad.”  Praying for Kobi as he goes through this grieving process and walking on as the spiritual leader in his family.

Maoz Ministry is talking a contingent of 40 young Israelis from twelve congregations, including two Arab brothers, to the MJAA conference this summer – a mighty demonstration of what God is doing in Israel today!  Pray for these young people and all that God wants to do in them and through them in this trip, and also for all the finances Maoz must raise to help with the expenses.

Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer the Israeli believers who are fighting for their lives or other urgent health needs: 

Pray for God’s complete healing of Uzi, Meir, Bob, Fruma and Katya and Rivka (an elderly member suffering severe back problems)  at Maoz Ministries, Sofie Benson in Carmel/House of Victory, Ariela in Arad and Brookie in the Galilee.  Tom, Nataly and Larissa who have all recently been diagnosed with cancer in Carmel.  Pray also for Kay Wilson suffering from PTSD after surviving a stabbing terrorism attack that her friend did not survive.  Continue to pray for baby Netaley who is rehabilitating well but has been released to go home finally. Her rehab will continue daily on an on-patient basis.  Also for Ariela who has undergone radical cancer treatment and needs prayer for regaining her strength because not being able to work, she is hardly able to pay bills and everyday needs.   

Inside the attachment of the
Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries

Arrows from Zion can be shared freely & we’ve included an attachment in a Word document to make it easy to print, but we ask the Weekly Summaries not be forwarded or information republished with consent of the specific ministries.
 By subscription only, write israelprayerdotcom@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com

Praying the Headlines

By Sharon Udasin | Jerusalem Post | 06/13/2012
Established in 1987 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Norman Borlaug, the $250,000 prize recognizes “individuals who have contributed landmark achievements in increasing the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.” ….Professor Daniel Hillel is receiving the prize for his groundbreaking work in micro-irrigation and his success in bridging cultural gaps to solve a global issue.

Ministers to discuss plan for evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Israelis to Eilat, Arava area in case of missile attack.  The northern city of Ariel may also be used.

In the interest in fairness, Three related news items:
By Carlo Strenger |  HaAretz | Jun.13, 2012 | 12:47 PM
It is time for the majority of Israelis, secular or religious, who think otherwise to take action before it is too late.

By Donna Diorio |  Israel Watcher blog | March 4, 2011
Here is an enlightening view of how secular Israelis think: Decline and fall of Israel’s Messianic politics by Carlo Strenger in his Haaretz column March 4, 2011.

By Calev Myers | The Times of Israel | June 10, 2012
Calev, a Messianic believer who practices law at a prestigious Jerusalem law firm and it the founder of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, an NGO that advances Civil Rights, Freedom of Religion and Social Justice in Israel, questions why the Israeli media ignores helpful rabbinic statements and instead publishes on the expressions of rabbinic bigotry and prejudice.


Teaching Articles


©April 27, 2008 Asher Intrater

Recommended Prophetic Video

May 2012  |  Mike Bickle really gets it! He really takes on those who do not care about what God is doing in Israel - the indifference, the apathy that God warns against in Isaiah 65-66.  (listen to his statement at the 50:00 min mark)


Israeli Ministries on Tours
BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Lura & Eddie Beckford/ The King’s Men; Kobi & Shani Ferguson/ Yeshua Israel Ministries;  Carolyn & Richard Hyde/ Heart of God Ministries; Brian & Rachaeli Slater/Chosen People Ministries


The Israeli Messianic Marketplace Feature of the Week

Identity Theft by Ron Cantor
Only A FEW MORE DAYS to get the pre-order discount!
Order here:
www.MaozIsrael.org/it 

Don Finto is a patriarch of the faith and an accomplished author. Look what he said about Identity Theft!

"RON HAD MY RAPT ATTENTION FROM PAGE ONE OF THE INTRODUCTION! And what a great title, as Ron effectively portrays the Identity Theft of the centuries! That Jesus has been robbed of His Jewishness! Tragically those who believe in Him would have put Him in the gas ovens of Europe had He lived during their lifetime." - Don Finto

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