WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 1/8/2014

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

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Still in catch-up mode after taking off 2 weeks before Christmas.  This week – although many would have thought it impossible – there are many reports from the Israeli ministries about Christmas activities in Israel this year.  The traditional observance of Messiah’s birth, for many became a perfect opportunity to speak to interested Israelis about Yeshua.  

Priority Prayer Focus Jan 8, 2014

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given Me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of armies, which dwells in mount Zion.  Isaiah 8:18
Pray for powerful witness to go forth in Israel by Yeshua who indwells His brothers, the believers .

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

From Israel Pochtar, “In Israel we have found many people have become fascinated with Christmas celebrations, it is a cultural aspect that is still quite foreign but very intriguing to most Israelis. They are always curious to find out more about it, especially the meaning of it.  To us, this is the perfect opportunity to bring them behind the scenes of these special dates and show them the real significance of the Nativity.”

 

Pray for the Christmas outreach project the Beit Hallel congregation held on Dec 25^th.  The story of the birth of Yeshua was not put in Matthew and Luke just to take up space – it is a testimony of the Jewish Messiah.  Pray for the seeds that were planted in Israel to blossom into full fruit of salvation.

Meanwhile in Bethlehem, we have this report that was passed along by a trusted friend in Jerusalem. On Christmas Eve, an Arab Christian music group gave a concert and testimony of Yasua (Jesus) in “Manger Square”.  It is significant because Muslim dominance in Bethlehem has made delivering such a bold testimony of faith in Arabic a dangerous thing to do.  Pray for these Christian musicians – for their safety and for their bold testimony to bear fruit among those who heard.   Read more inside the Weekly Summary.

A perfect scripture to pray over both the Arab Christians and the Messianic Jews of Israel who are witnesses of Yeshua is this from Acts 4:29-30:  "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

 

Speaking of the Lord stretching out His hand to heal, you may have heard of the healing prayer that is being written about in all the Israeli newspapers – although without mentioning that the woman was healed of a cancerous tumor in the name of Yeshua/Jesus.  The inside story is given by Sean Steckbeck inside the Weekly Summary.  Sean is the ‘spiritual father’ of the Arab Christian who prayed for the Catholic Israeli Arab who was healed of a virulent form of cancer.  Pray that this healing will lead to many salvations among both Arabs and Jews in Israel – and that signs and wonders would continue to astound Israelis and open many eyes to the Truth.

Lura and Eddie Beckford from Arad set out for a day of travel through Israel on Christmas Day handing out Russian language Christian calendars with Bible verses to Russian Israelis they came across in their outing. First stop was Nazareth where they also gave away bibles and books and visited a Christian Arab pastor friend.  Eddie tells us that the going rate of gasoline is about $8 to 9 dollars per gallon!  Everything costs about triple what we pay for staple items in the U.S.  Is it any wonder so many even in the ministries struggle to make household ends meet?

Howard Bass writes, “This year in Israel, the celebration surrounding the birth of Yeshua at this season of the year has taken a more open expression than in the past.  Controversy is not lacking, but the Spirit of God is encouraging those who want to praise the Lord for this good news of great joy that God took on flesh and blood to dwell among us and to redeem us from the cursedness of sin and all its consequences.”

Their congregation in Beer Sheva participated in several Christmas-related activities this year, one being the Hebrew musical, ‘A Star is Born’ that believers from around the nation performed in at an auditorium in Jerusalem.  At Beer Sheva children and teens performed in ‘Stars of Bethlehem’ organized by Marianna Gol, with the help of an Australian group, KISI. 

Since 2003 Bass has gone up to Bethlehem for a Sunday Christmas gathering at Emmanuel Church which is pastured by Nihad Salman.  It has become their Christmas tradition, Bass says, “firstly, to express the peace and reconciliation that Messiah has accomplished through the cross; secondly, to share the joy of the wonder of His birth and its significance, both then and still today -- for Israeli Jews, for the Arabs, and for all other peoples and nations.  Jesus is still the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel (and in the Church), and He is still a sign spoken against.  But He is destined to be the glory of His people Israel!”

Finally on Christmas Day Howard and Randi had an open house for family, friends and congregations to fellowship together, and their congregational service featured many songs with the KISI Australians and the children of the congregation.  Pray for this key congregation in the Negev – it is off the beaten path of Christian tourism but is the major faith hub for the believers of the Negev.  Pray that the uncertainties they are facing in 2014 would be turned to God for GREAT opportunities and blessing to fulfill their calling.

Even the Israeli newspaper editors has something to say this year about government acknowledgment of the Christmas holidays.  In Maariv an editor equated having a Christmas tree on display in the Knesset would be like the U.S. lighting a menorah in honor of the Jewish holiday.  It would be “an act of identification with the Christian faction in Israel and the many Christian pilgrims who visit the land during the holidays.” Indeed, writes Bender, “only recently have we become aware of those Christian Arabs who are volunteering to serve in the IDF. ... This is a group that is loyal to the State of Israel.”

Dan Margalit of Yisrael Hayom newspaper agreed and related the story of a nameless IDF soldier who rose in the ranks of the army and was highly respected until the day he confessed to his superiors that he is a Messianic Jew. He asked them if, in light of this information, they would like him to resign, and after some deliberation, his colleagues told him, “you are one of us.” He was respected until the day he died, regardless of his Messianic faith. Margalit retells this story to highlight the difference between the army commanders’ “wise decision” in comparison” to the cowardly one not to display a Christmas tree in the Knesset

No matter how you feel about Christmas trees, this is a welcome opening to respect of the Christian faith in Israel.  We should be careful not to stomp on that.

Rania Sayegh is the leader of a Arab Christian prayer house in Nazareth whose ministry, HOPE, the House of Prayer and Exploits, comes to us with recommendation of major Messianic Jewish ministries.  This link is an interview with Rania that was produced by Finnish TV.  It opens in the Finnish language but Rania addresses the audience with impeccable English.  Be encouraged by this video!

Carolyn and Richard Hyde of Heart of God Ministries report back that their Germany and Switzerland ministry tour went wonderfully with over 60 young Germans making decisions to follow Yeshua.  This is what happens when the Word of the Lord goes out of Zion!  They also met an Israeli ambassador that was appearing at the same time they ministered in a large German Church.  They gave him the Hebrew booklet Ariel and Richard wrote, Supernatural or just remarkable – which the ambassador read during the main sermon.

Over the years we have come to understand that one of the great needs among the Israeli ministries is training the parents in their congregations how to be scripturally strong parents and families.  It is a special situation for the Israeli ministries because they are a small percentage of Israeli families – there are not good models of biblical parenting abundant in their society, which is why we wanted to emphasize a new program that has been instituted at Evan Thomas’ Beit Asaph congregation in Netanya.

Thomas shared 3 examples of how financial support from outside Israel has helped them move forward with their vision to be more effective in making disciples – Yeshua followers – of their congregation.  You can read about all three inside the Weekly Summary, but we are highlighting their mid-week outreach which Thomas writes, “Our goals are two-fold; to help parents who are lacking skills (and time) to invest in their children through creative play, and as a means of outreach to non-believing families.”

Pray for Israeli ministries who are devoted to building strong believers living exceptionally as a witness in Israeli society.  Many are doing these types of ministry outreaches, and financial support from the Church is what makes the vision become reality.

The Carmel Assembly is praying for more fire on the prayer altars – like Elijah prayed in that place before them.  Pray for their various January outreaches and for the Lord to open new doors to share the gospel to individuals and groups.  Last month they were surprised by a visit to the worship center by a group of IDF pre-army trainees who came to hear all about what Messianic Jews believe.  

Rachel Scapa from the HaMaayan congregation has an online Messianic radio station which brings news from Israel, Messianic music and teaching for Portuguese-speaking Israeli believers and listeners around the world – Brazil, Portugal and Africa.  One of her special features is "I PRAY FOR ISRAEL EVERY DAY AT 7:07" calling Portuguese people to pray for Israel.  Rachel writes,” I heard of entire churches in Brazil who simply joined the campaign - even without joining the FB group. PRAYER is the most important!” Supporting Israel is international – we are also to pray for Israeli ministries like this who labor under less than ideal means.  Read more about the ministry inside the Weekly Summary.

David Lazarus encourages practical financial assistance to Israelis living under the poverty level which in Israel is defined as an income of $791.00 a month.  He predicts that more strikes and protests are brewing among the poor like Israel has seen the past two years.  We submit to you that if you want to bless the poor in Israel, that it would be the wisest investment to do so through any of the Israel believer ministries we feature in this Weekly Summary each week.  It will be help in the name of Jesus which cannot be said of donations to unbeliever humanitarian aid to Israelis.

Dan Juster who directs the Tikkun International Ministries along with Eitan Shishkoff and Asher Intrater, gives many examples of how Tikkun Ministries used donations in 2013 to advance the kingdom of Messiah in Israel through their many congregations and ministries.  You can read the highlights inside the attached Weekly Summary, as well as how they plan to continue in 2014.

In a few weeks Ron Cantor of Messiah’s Mandate and Tiferet Yeshua congregation in Tel Aviv will be appearing on Sid Roth’s television program talking about his book, Identity Theft.  Pray with him that thousands upon thousands will read the book – also that we will have time to complete his contract for two more books in this trilogy.  Now a pastor at Tiferet Yeshua, his time has become more compressed.

Kobi and Shani Sorko-Ram Ferguson of Yeshua’s Harvest also send a list of reasons why they are thanking God for those who have supported them over the past year.  We all have many reasons to thank God for those who are with us - The LORD is on my side among those who help me.  Psalm 118:7

Praying the Headlines

By Eddie Santoro in  Jerusalem
Ahavat Yeshua Congregation (The Love of Yeshua)
Zion’s Glory and Tikkun Ministries  esant@netvision.net.il

As I write, I am filled with a sense that we are living in a time that is destined to be a "pivotal" moment in the history of this world. For those of us who love Israel, this end time reality is abundently clear. Evil and darkness are making their move and Israel is their primary target.

Peace Negotiations  |  Secretary of State Kerry is continuing his non-stop efforts to achieve a peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israel. In reality, these are not negotiations at all but rather a process in which the Palestinians make their demands and Israel is either forced to accept them or be blamed for preventing progress. The perceived intransigence of Israel is resulting in a growing global impatience with this nation which is fueling an increasing wave of world wide antisemitism.

The United States has all but embraced the Arab Union's Peace plan which calls for Israel to give away their land, divide their capital city of Jerusalem and return to the indefensible pre-1967 borders in return for political recognition by most of the Arab world. In the very unstable Arab world of today, a political promise holds no security for Israel.

Please join us in praying that the government of Israel would be unified as they take their stand against the dangerous demands that are being set before them. Pray the the United States would not join the many nations who are standing against God and his covenant promises to Israel.

As the Scriptures declare; "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One." but "The One enthroned in heaven laughs." (Psalm 2) For God has promised, "I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them." (Amos 9:15)

God's Word is true. "He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - the Lord Almighty is his name; Only if these decrees vanish from my sight," declares the Lord, "will Israel ever cease to being a nation before me."(Jeremiah 31:35)

We praise God that Israel's destiny, her borders and her protection are established and ensured by God.  We thank you for your earnest prayers as together we hasten the coming of His Kingdom.

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: 

• Tom Bender Tom’s wife, Ronit:  The Pet-CT scan report is not good. Tumors have gone to the lungs, stomach, pancreas, intestines and the spine, some as big as 6cm. The tumor under Tom left arm has grown to 11cm.  Shall we continue to pray? OF COURSE! We trust the Lord of the 11th hour!
• Brian Slater’s wife Racheli has suffered a broken hip from a fall in their home. She will be on crutches for two months. Appreciate prayers.
• Four elder ministry leaders in Israel, are dealing with Parkinson’s which is a neurological syndrome.  Since they have not shared this information, I will just ask for you to please pray for them each to be able to continue to live normal lives, and for the hand of the LORD to bless them with healing.
• Harvest of Asher   Elena has been admitted to the hospital again. Please keep her in your prayers.  Continued prayer for M's health and to hear from God and receive His direction.
• Please pray for the wife of Ariel Ben David, who leads an Eilat Congregation, and also for his worship leader, both of whom were recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Pray for Ami Ortiz for ongoing issues from the 2008 bomb blast – and that he would win the appeal for government recognition that he is a terror victim.  It would mean benefits for the continuing surgeries and legal expenses.  See Leah’s report on their website of the latest round of laser surgeries on Ami’s scarring in this issue.

Inside the subscription-only
Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
Arrows from Zion can be shared freely.  Just copy and paste this email into a Word document to make it easy to print.  However, we ask the Weekly Summaries not be forwarded or information republished without consent of the specific ministries. The Weekly Summary is by subscription only, write arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com

Teaching Videos
When God Comes Down

Video teaching by the apostolic ministry of Asher Inrater of Revive Israel

Click HERE to watch part one  , part two and part three from a recent teaching from Asher where he talks about the unique realities of the New Jerusalem, the time when it will descend from heaven to the earth and how God will dwell with man forever.

Israeli Ministries on Tours

BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Brian Slater of Chosen People Ministries.

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace  Feature of the Week

In this book Claude Ezagouri deals with very burning issues concerning the land of Israel in depth with great faith and boldness, unveiling some precious pearls in the word of God. He uses the scriptures to demolish common strongholds, bring a solemn wake-up call to the Church concerning Israel and also a great hope for both Christians and Jews who courageously and faithfully stick to God's word for the end times. Claude Ezagouri was born in Algeria from a Sepharadic Jewish background. He and his wife Michelle emigrated to Israel from France as fervent Zionist Jews in 1975. In 1983 he received Jesus as His Jewish Messiah when listening to an evangelistic radio program directed to Israel from South Lebanon. After participating in numerous evangelistic campaigns destined to reveal Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah to his people, in 1990 Claude received God's call to start and pastor the Morning Star Messianic Fellowship in Tiberias, Israel. He has been an international speaker for over 20 years and has taught about Israel and the Church, the land and the nation of Israel in God's plan for the end times, the Jewish biblical roots of the Church and several other topics. He is also a member of the board of "Intercessors for Israel" and has a heart for intercession on behalf of Israel and the Galilee.  Israel The Land in Controversy It can be ordered on the websites listed through the following link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/58057120/book/book-landing-page5.htm

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