WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 4/16/2014

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

Donations: PayPal acct is donna@israelprayer.com
or make check to Donna Diorio PO Box 111302 Carrollton TX 75006
I do not have tax exempt status.

Priority Prayer Focus Apr 16, 2014

Although there are two distinctly different ways that Christians and Messianic Jews observe what Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ did FOR US ALL, one thing we must bear in mind regarding those differences – God looks upon the intent of the heart.  We may have differences in expression of faith, but God knows what is going on in the hearts of us all and that is what really counts. 

Respect for these differences is the mark of a heart seeking to please God above man.  May you each enjoy a time of spiritual gratefulness for the great things He has done for us.

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

Last week we introduced a new (to us) ministry to Arrows from Zion and Israelprayer Weekly Summaries who is an evangelist among her countrymen, Rachel.  This week we are quite amazed at Rachel’s testimony of being invited to speak at a synagogue where last September on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), she and her husband were asked to leave and forbidden to speak about their faith in Yeshua.  Do you suppose this turn of events was God’s way of saying, I will open doors for you that no man can close?  I do!

You will be very encouraged to read about Rachel’s experience inside the subscription-only Weekly Summary.  It will also help you to understand the significant ways that sharing the good news of Messiah Yeshua is different in Israel.  Personal witness is far more effective and productive than any other type of witness in the Land of Israel.  Not only are Israelis wary of the usual forms of Christian evangelizing techniques, but they also want to see the proof that Messiah makes a difference in the lives of Israelis just like them. That is why the witness of Jesus MUST come from inside Israel, not exporting from the nations.   But that does not mean the nations cannot help because Israeli ministries truly cannot do this great work of the LORD without our help.  All the nations can play a part in the salvation of Israel – by coming alongside and helping Israeli ministries do all they are called to do.

One thing I look for in Israeli ministries is for those with a heart to share the good news at every opportunity without distinctions – with Jew, Palestinian or other non-Jewish people in Israel.  This willingness demonstrates a person whose heart is toward pleasing God enough that they have overcome the many ways the enemy has sought to cut off compassion for “the other”.  Rachel is such an evangelist, and inside the Weekly Summary she also relates sharing with a Palestinian man who is very hungry for the Truth – a man who was not only a Muslim, but also Hamas.  Please pray for this man and for the seeds being planted in Rachel’s path.

This openness of heart marks many of the Israeli ministries featured in Israelprayer, including that of pastor Israel Pochtar who is really making a difference in ministry in Ashdod and among the Russian Israelis.  One of the powerful tools that the Beit Hallel congregation has begun to use is a biblical tour for Israeli citizens to show them biblical and historical sites. In March they took close to 430 non-believers on a trip to Jerusalem with a team of 70 helpers.  That night 80% of the people raised their hands for people to pray with them. 

You might think it funny for Israeli citizens to be so interested in such a tour but remember that Israel is a nation made up of immigrants.  For many life in Israel has not been about seeing the sights but scrambling to make a way for themselves in a tight situation.  You will be so blessed to read Israel Pochtar’s full report inside the attached Weekly Summary, and you will also find the contact information there if you would like to support this ministry, or outreach – or any of the ministries we feature this week.

The gospel of the kingdom is spiritual and practical; it is miraculous and produces excellence in human flesh.  That is why we love to talk about the activities of the attorneys at the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, who represent so many of the believers in Israel (mostly pro bono) in the various legal situations that arise because of their faith.  JIJ also represents Israel in a world where so many lead campaigns against Israel, Calev Myers and JIJ go out to make Israel’s case – and they do it so well.  Recently Calev was speaking at universities in the USA notorious for anti-Zionism.  In this issue you can read about his recent trip to Sweden’s Uppsala University and the Swedish Parliament.  This is very much a modern-day Daniel  anointing that you will want to learn more about.

Evan Levine reports in from the HaTikva project that they are slowly but surely making progress toward the opening of the dental clinic where they will be able to answer a great need that is not covered in the Israeli medical coverage.  They will be offering the believers of Israel discounted dental work, and also the public – and they will do it OPENLY as Messianic Jews with faith in Yeshua.  You can read how this ministry which is affiliated with Promise Keepers in the USA has set its sights on blessing the needy among the believers in Israel.  Here is their  latest video showcasing the way that HaTikva Project is making an impact.

David and Leah Ortiz give a good report on Ami Ortiz who is not only a walking miracle, but a very athletic one at that.  Ami, as you may know, was miraculous spared from death by a terrorist bomb that exploded in his hands in 2008.  Today, after numerous surgeries and ongoing procedures, Ami is a basketball playing college student in the US who, according to this report, is certainly thriving in sports and activities at the Christian college he attends.  Find out more about the Ortiz’ family amazing testimony.  If you don’t know it, please – you should!

We have heard from Ronit who has returned from Australia after losing her beloved husband, Tom, in January.  Ronit is connected with the Carmel Assembly, among whom she and her husband ministered to Druze young people in their village.  Returning to Israel after time with family in Australia, Ronit has learned she must vacate her home. She has 3 weeks to find an affordable place.  Please pray with Ronit for God to provide a perfect place for her to pick up her life and ministry.  It is never easy to adjust to the loss of a mate, so please pray that this additional upheaval will see the Lord pouring out great grace over her.

Eitan Shishkoff at Tents of Mercy reports that the Passover youth camp was spiritually cranked up a notch.  He writes, “Thank you for praying. Thank you for paying attention to the rising generation of young Messianic believers in Israel. They truly are the key to the final harvest promised by the prophets. This is no ordinary spiritual harvest. It will precede the coming of Yeshua back to this earth, to reign in righteousness from Jerusalem. “

Immediately after Passover, Shishkoff was off to minister in Korea where there is “an element of spiritual warfare concerning the Gentile believers' relationship with Israel and Messianic Jews.” (There’s a lot of that going around!)    Eitan has written a book addressing that very issue called, What About Us that is being published in Korean, too.  If you would like to find out more, go to Amazon.

 From Daniel and Shirya Yahav of the Peniel (Face of God) Fellowship, we have several things you might enjoy this week between the Hebrew Passover and the Christian Resurrection Sunday.  Shirya writes about materials on their website that are related to Passover, including a Messianic Passover Hagadah  that they wrote and you are welcome to print out and use for personal use – maybe hosting a Passover Seder in your own home next year to teach about Messiah in the Passover?  Click for the website, then once there click on “To Passover page”. 

Eddie Santoro of Ahavat (Love of) Yeshua in Jerusalem tells about the Passover that was different from all others that had ever been held in Jerusalem before or after – the year that Yeshua’s hour had come.  You will be blessed to consider what those moments were like, inside the attached Weekly Summary.

Ron Cantor of Messiah’s Mandate shares this Passover video message from Tel Aviv where he is among the leadership of Tiferet (Glory of) Yeshua.

Kobi & Shani Ferguson shared a little of their Passover flavor as a young family of Messianic Jews in Jerualem.  The kid’s table seated 12, and there were also 12 adults for the Seder.  They shared this short clip of the kids enjoying the traditional Seder singing.

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: 

• Brian Slater’s wife Racheli It appears Racheli may have to go back and do her hip surgery ALL OVER again, however this time being a full or partial hip replacement. We hope to have a more definite answer in the next week or two regarding IF another potential surgery OR not!  Racheli still suffers terrible pain.
• Shlomy Abramov of AwakeIsrael asks prayer for his wife who went in for a surgery, there was a complication and she almost died.  Shlomy writes this update:  The doctors say it will be summer before Miriam is healed completely, 6 mo. In total. God supplied the finances for the nurses and what was needed to get her through. Praise to his name and thank you to those who prayed and helped us.
• Arni & Yonit Klein of Emmaus Way request prayers for staff in the U.S. (Becky and Keith) and in Germany (Hannah).  We reported the extremely serious injuries of Keith and of Hannah months ago, now in caretaking Becky is also suffering physical strain and pain.  Keith is beginning to be able to move both legs a bit, but Hannah is still in intense physical therapy with pain spreading.  They would 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.
• 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 Purim 2008 bomb blast –  all this time later there are still painful procedures, lack of recognition from the government of this terror victim status. 

Inside the attachment of the
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 Articles

The Soul of Yeshua
By Asher Intrater, Revive Israel   |  Sometimes we are not fully aware of the reality of Yeshua's soul.  He had thoughts, feelings, desires, expectations; He experienced all the stresses and temptations of mankind. In Isaiah 53, there are 3 references to the "soul" of the Suffering Servant.

Perhaps We Can Forgive, but Can We Forget?
By Ariel Blumenthal, for Revive Israel  |  It is awesome, even fearful (awe-inspiring) that through the atonement of Yeshua God is willing to forgive us. But it is even greater than that: God does not just forgive, His promise of complete atonement actually includes this amazing fact: God totally FORGETS our sins!

For the Record

From Kehila.com which aggregates content from over 100 websites of the Messianic Community in Israel

Summary Statement by Israeli Jewish attendees at CATC 2014

Daniel Juster | April 14, 2014 |  Summary Statement

As Messianic Jews who took part in the 2014 “Christ at the Checkpoint” Conference in Bethlehem:

Israeli Ministries on Tours

BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Brian Slater of Yeshua’s Fresh Bread in Israel and Chosen People, and Arni & Yonit Klein of Emmaus Way.

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

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 account:  donna@israelprayer.com
I do not have tax exempt status.