WEEKLY ArrowsFromZion Jun 13, 2012

Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 

Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
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"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 30^th 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 2^nd 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 5^th 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

Israeli wins World Food Prize for 1st time in history

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.

A look at Israel's mass evacuation plan

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:

National-religious messianism is endangering Israel

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.

Archived:  The Two "Messianic" Movements in Israel

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.

Deafening Silence

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

DUAL EXPRESSION CHURCHES
by Dan Juster

Prophetic Importance of Buying Property in Israel

©April 27, 2008 Asher Intrater

Recommended Prophetic Video

Jerusalem: The Capital City of the New Earth

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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