WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 12/10/2014

Arrows from Zion
Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 
& Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

Arrows from Zion May be copied for use in Prayer Gatherings

Priority Prayer Focus Dec 10, 2014

We are coming into the Hanukkah and Christmas season, which overlaps this year.  Christmas Eve falls on the night of the last candle lighting of Hanukkah.  This over-lapping is truly a festival of Light that can unite both Jew and Gentile in the Messiah.

Every year at this time I say pretty much the same thing: let’s not fight over which tradition of the season is right, but instead let us take the portions of our traditions that honor the Messiah and together rejoice in the gift of Yeshua to us. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Arrows from Zion Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

Excited to lead off this week with a book notice: My copy of Asher Intrater’s brand new book, All Authority, is an and I’ve started reading the way Asher suggested: only one chapter a day in order to let the chapter be digested.  Eitan Shishkoff gave a review that heightened my already high expectations:  “"I'm blown away by the breadth and depth of Asher's distilled magnum opus. This collection of insights and brilliantly interwoven references contains a panoramic view yet with personal application. I'm stunned, shaking my head - can't contain all that he's injected into an admirably compact work. Provocative and relevant."

We have great challenges and great victories in this day; one in the great challenges category is the news from Revive Israel that the Israeli higher court ruled against the Yad Hashmona Messianic kibbutz by “reaffirming the rights of homosexuals to perform ‘marita’ ceremonies on the property, despite the open stance of the community for traditional family and biblical values. This ruling represents a huge financial challenge for the kibbutz, threatening to close down their special events and catering services. In addition, the kibbutz was charged an additional 4,000 dollars for court costs above the previous fine. Donations for Yad Hashmonah may be sent through Revive Israel. 

Revive Israel also gives a short insight by Steve Magnuson regarding the promise of Malachi 4:6 inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary:  “In addition to restoration in our nuclear families, this prophecy also includes the turning of the heart of the Jews (as fathers) to their spiritual sons (the Gentiles); and turning the heart of the sons (the Gentiles) to their spiritual fathers (the Jews).”  Hallelujah!
     Read more from Revive Israel ministry letters here.

We received a request for prayer from Carolyn Hyde for her husband Richard who had a heart incident as they were sending out their monthly prayer letter.  Read more specifics in the Urgent Healing Needs section below.

In their monthly news, the Hyde’s relate about a recent dinner in their home – they host tour groups for a Living Stones Experience in their home.  After dinner the Singapore pastor began to ask many controversial questions about Israel and her Arab neighbors.  The people from his church gathered in closely so as not to miss any of the conversation.  Carolyn writes, “Suddenly, the pastor leaned back in his chair with his hands over his head and said, "I need to rethink my whole theology about Israel now.  Thank you."  Praise G-d for the great awakenings in this Land and in the nations that come up to Zion!”

Carolyn continues, “By G-d's grace, we and other ministries in Israel have given away over 14,000 "Supernatural or Just Remarkable" booklets in Hebrew and Russian, thus sparking numerous fruitful conversations about G-d and Yeshua.  And soon we plan to fly to France and the two French speaking border areas of Germany and Switzerland to encourage Jews to come home to Israel before it's too late.” 

From the city of Arad where the believers have been persecuted by the religious forces that are so great in the area, Lura and Eddie Beckford begin their ministry letter explaining that they are limited in being able to share the personal stories of Bedouin or Jews as they accept the Lord due to the close monitoring of “enemies of the gospel” like Yad L’Achim and other anti-missionary groups. 

One of the ways that the Beckfords have been troubled by these groups is by the foot dragging delays by the Interior Ministry for granting Eddie’s permanent status which should have been final in 2006. Because of Yad L’Achim interference, the Interior Ministry still has not closed an open investigation of Lura, who is a citizen.  It is all based on their faith in Yeshua and is a case that must go to court to break the stalemate.  Pray for the provisions to resolve their past legal bills and to go forward with a legal case. Over the years I have been doing Israelprayer, the Beckfords have had a continual harassment by anti-missionaries, often requiring them to get legal representation.  This is also a tactic used against the believers to run them out.  If you are led to support this couple who are real givers in the Arad believer community, please read more inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary which will provide contact and donation information .

Israel Pochtar files the great report of 20 new believers they baptized in the Jordan River recently. Praise the Lord!  He also gives a great testimony of one believer’s breakthrough inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary which I will not share here to protect the couple involved. 

You are invited by Pochtar’s congregation to have a portion in their Christmas and Hanukkah outreaches in Ashdod.  Israel writes, “Despite what may seem, Israelis are quite curious and interested to know more about Christmas. It seems like a foreign holiday with very warm and family-like atmosphere, and it's always surprising when we reveal the meaning behind Christmas. Also:

“. . . We're putting together additional Hanukkah outreach, inviting families and taking the time to speak about the significance of this holiday: The victory of God's light over darkness.  Yeshua is our light, so this is the perfect opportunity to share about the light of God.  ‘Then came the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon's Colonnade.’ (John 10:22-23)”

Pochtar writes, “We want to put together special gifts for children from low-income families that receive food packets from us each month. …Would you consider being a blessing to these children?  We need additional provision on top of the regular humanitarian outreach we're doing for people in need, to put together children's Christmas-Hanukkah sweet parcels. Your gift can help us bless more children.”

Rachel & Gilad Netanel in Ein Karim file an exciting report of how they have been ministering over the past month and some of the fantastic fruit the LORD has given them in salvation of Israelis.  Read about them inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary. Rachel also shares how one of these salvations has led her to see the unfolding of a vision she has had for several years to establish a ministry in a certain area outside of Jerusalem – an expansion of her ministry in Jerusalem. 

Rachel writes, “This year Christmas Eve falls on the same day as the lighting of the last candle for Chanukah.    What a great opportunity to open my house to the many Israelis who come to Ein Kerem on Christmas Eve to see the Christmas mass at the Catholic churches here.  They are very curious about other traditions and many of them come every year.  I will invite them to come after they have experienced the churches and then I can explain the difference between the catholic and the Jewish Messianic way to worship.”  She also writes about an ex-politician that is very eager to have her minister to himself and his friends.”  Again, I will not disclose too much of the details here in Arrows – but subscribers are welcome to open the attached PDF and be delighted to read what God is doing in Israel.

Rick and Patti Ridings of Succat Hallel continue to introduce the young Israeli couples who are part of the 24/7 worship & prayer house in Jerusalem.  This month Adam and Bethany Rosenfeld are featured.  Bethany also writes about the New Succat Hallel worship album they have just completed.  If you have ever been to Israel, hopefully you have been blessed to visit Succat Hallel.  If you have, then you will really like taking a little bit of that home with you.  You can listen to the preview of the new album here.

Another very full, year end ministry report was filed by Daniel and Shirya Yahav who lead probably the largest Messianic congregation in Israel up in the Tiberias region called the Peniel Fellowship.  (The Face of God).  There are too many encouraging testimonies from their congregation to share in this short space, so we will encourage subscribers to open & read the full report & prayer points inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary.

One excerpt we would like to share with you concerns Daniel’s recent ministry trip to the United States: “While in Ohio Daniel was invited to speak in a church of Mennonites, where it is quite unusual for them to invite an outsider to preach in their church. Yet, after hearing him speak, he was invited to an Amish fellowship as well, where he had another spontaneous meeting. He shared with them about Israel in God's plan, about future prophecies and about Josef as the picture and type of Yeshua (Jesus). The teaching was received very well, and people expressed their gratitude for having received Bible-based answers for many questions they had concerning the whole issue of Israel and her place in God's plan.”

The Lord is surely opening spiritual eyes and hearts to what He is doing toward the salvation of Israel!

Finally, we end with the December ministry report from Ron Cantor of the Tel Aviv congregation , Tiferet Yeshua.  Ron, who is an anointed writer and communicator, shared the testimony of a first time visitor to the congregation a couple of weeks ago.  The woman was ultra-Orthodox for 25 years, but told Ron she still had not found what she was looking for.  One of the congregational evangelists reached out to her a few weeks ago and led her to Yeshua.  She is now beaming with joy, Ron reports.

Ron also shares a vision for a larger building that he has been keeping in his heart for some time.   You should read this vision inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary.  The truth is, larger facilities are not just a wishing & hoping thing that every ministry has – in Israel this is the increasing necessity to hold those whom the LORD is bringing to faith in due season. 

This is the time of faith in Messiah Yeshua for Israel.  It began as a trickle but it will become an increasing mighty flow in the days ahead.  What if God is just waiting on the Church to get in place, as a mid-wife is positioned when the woman in labor is at last bringing forth new life?  I believe that is where we are, do you? 

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: 

Please continue to pray for Ronit Bender from the Carmel region. Ronit was released from the hospital on Friday after her appendix burst & toxins were spread thru her body.  She must return to a nurse station daily to drain a bag in her back that is collecting the deadly toxins.  She asks for continued prayer – specifically that no infection sets in and all toxins leave her body.  In less than a month she must have another CT and colonoscopy…BUT she reports that 2 women in her hospital room got born again during her stay. ;-)

Pray also for Richard Hyde who had a heart incident and has been in the hospital for several days checking on previous stints. The latest update is that doctors are running more tests after finding a lesion on his heart & 50% blockage.  Pray for Richard & Carolyn.

Tents of Mercy: Leah C, a few days after being released from the hospital began to experience severe pains in her right hip, to such a degree that she went to the emergency room last Friday. She was given strong pain managment medication, sent home and today returns for testing as they seek the underlying cause and a long-term solution.

    Please pray for swift diagnosis and effective treatment for Leah's hip; Ongoing restoration of Leah's general health - she is still weak and not very mobile; Health and strength for Marc as he serves Leah during this difficult time

Inside the subscription only Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
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Praying the Headlines

Politics Afoot in Israel – How to Understand & Pray
Again to Early Elections by Martin Sarvis Jerusalem

“…. it now appears that on 17 March, Israelis will once again go to the polls to vote.  Israel’s government allows for a large number of parties, each with differing interests and goals. Since there are 120 seats in the Knesset, a new government is only formed after a coalition has accumulated at least 61 seats.  Citizens vote for a party.  The party which gets the most seats usually is the one to put forward a Prime Minister candidate.  But unless that party has received a really overwhelming number of seats, its leader-designate will find him/her-self faced with the daunting task of inviting a number of  parties, with varying special interests, to join his coalition, bringing in however many seats they won in the election.  Of course, this means there will be much bargaining—a chief aim for each party considering joining the coalition being to be given certain coveted cabinet ministry portfolios in the new government.”

     Read full report & prayer points inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary

Messianic Guest House Loses Appeal to Lesbians

by David Lazarus Beit Immanuel lazarus1@netvision.net.il 

A Jerusalem District Court has rejected the appeal of the Messianic village of Yad Hashmonah and has ordered it to pay compensation to the tune of USD $15,000 to two lesbians for refusing to allow a wedding reception on its premises.

     Read full report & prayer points inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary

Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
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