WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 3/25/2015

Arrows from Zion

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

 

Priority Prayer Focus Mar 25, 2015

Whether you are a Christian or a Messianic Jew, we share the best gift humankind has ever been given in the Blood of the Lamb of God who has taken away our sins.  During this season – regardless of the chaos in the world – we can rejoice that we have been blessed with eternal life.  As we go to our churches and congregations and observe our Christ honoring traditions, let us remember all of our loved ones, friends and neighbors, praying that our Father in Heaven would bless them – Jew and Gentile - with a revelation of His Son, and the salvation that is found in His name only.  

Contact info for all the ministries included inside the subscription-only Weekly Summary.
Arrows from Zion Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

For those of you who don’t know, Passover – the Biblical Feast of the LORD that pictures the sacrifice of Yeshua’s Blood as a payment for sin – begins April 3rd and ends on the 11^th. 

We have received notice of a wonderful offer from probably the largest congregation in Israel, the Peniel Fellowship in Tiberias which is led by Daniel and Shirya Yahav.  If you would like to hold your own Messianic Passover Seder, then you will be very blessed by their offer of a free downloadable Messianic Passover Haggada available in five languages:  Hebrew, English, German. Finnish & Spanish.  The Haggada incorporates the main points of the traditional Haggadah together with the deep spiritual meaning & fulfillment of the Passover.  Thank you to Daniel and Shirya for offering this on your website.

We will also take this perfect opportunity to appeal to you for prayers throughout the Passover season for Jewish salvation.  The Biblical Feasts of the LORD are appointed seasons for all Israel to appear before God – which means it is prime time for God to grant spiritual eyes to open to Israel’s Messiah.  Pray for many to awaken to their spiritual inheritance in Yeshua.

The news reports are still dominated in the United States and Israel over the horrible treatment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by President Obama.  This is not a personal thing, although it seems like it, but it is evil exerting itself against Israel’s destiny.  There are plenty of political issues being fought as Obama is trying his best to blow up the special relationship between the US and Israel, but the matter is spiritual, and we are wrestling with spiritual powers in high places.  Many of the arguments being made by the Left in power in the U.S. are nothing short of bizarre and crazy.  The same is true of the assault the Obama administration is making on Netanyahu, who is just the face of Israel which is what the aggression is real about.  Sheep and goats are deciding which side to align with.  It is a critical time to pray for your nation – for its leaders and people to align with God’s will.

Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem gives an excellent analysis of the political accusations the U.S. president has raised against Netanyahu.  Even though we recognize the battle is spiritual, we truly do need to understand the political ‘talking points’ of the issues, and be prepared to answer intelligently when others are parroting a false narrative. Israel is continually fighting false narratives and we must be able to counter those the truth. 

Martin also notes that a religious politician who went to jail on bribery charges is back in politics and seeking to regain his lost control over the Interior Ministry which would signal a new wave of strong discrimination against believers and those seeking to become citizens, if Arye Deri is returned to that post. *** We cannot emphasize strongly enough that this is something that should be a top prayer priority, that Netanyahu will not give the Interior portfolio to religious oversight that will inhibit the work of the ministries.  Please read Martin’s report & prayer points inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary

Martin also asks prayers for God to use the performances in Israel of Handel’s Messiah which was “painstakingly translated in Hebrew” and presented by a believing choir about eight years ago for the first time in Israel.  It is being performed in Israel again at this time and Sarvis reports that “It was deeply moving to see these dear souls in the audience, whose lives were thrown into great darkness at young ages and their souls stricken and in many cases hardened by the enemy by what they experienced and saw…sitting rapt under the powerful, searching strains of the music as the words of hope and salvation from their own ancient Scriptures came out in their original tongue….  Pray that a holy revelation would be released regarding the Lamb of God who carries away the sin of the world.”

Howard Bass from the Negev Yeshua’s Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva writes his thanks for the prayers made for the Israeli Messianic leadership prayer retreat SAYF (Sitting at Yeshua’s Feet).  Howard writes, “Fewer men came together this time for various reasons, but for those who were there it was a very blessed time of fellowship, worship, and hearing from the Lord.”

Howard also shares his thoughts about the elections in which he was generally pleased with the outcome, but writes, “The PM is a man who is in danger of letting his political abilities get to his head, and of too many believers who support Israel stroking his ego, even though he is a man who is in need of salvation.  It is important for Bible-loving supporters of Israel and the Jewish people to know that a center-rightist religious nationalist coalition government -- which is the present prospect -- will not be favorable towards the gospel, nor to those of us who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.  My being ‘pleased’ at the election results is despite that assessment.”

Sally Shiff, the lead intercessor at the HaMaayan congregation in Kfar Saba writes, “Thank you for Praying!  Wow, what a response!  …. We have seen the outcome of our prayers with the elections, as well as the reception of that [congressional] speech.  I am also seeing the fruit of our prayers in our congregation and within our youth.  Daily, I see the prophetic words of the Bible “flying off the page”, and watching with anticipation/trepidation the signs of the times come into play. I am assured daily from Jesus that we are under His protection and care.  Just today, I read that there was a terrorist cell found in Qalqilya, an Arab city 4 miles from my home  Last week, I heard the same about an ISIS cell about 15 min from here.  This confirms to me that God does protect us as well as give our Intelligence Forces insight to the enemy.  YES, this is a point of prayer, but rest assured that we are safe here.”

Claude Ezagouri of the Morning Star Fellowship in Tiberias also writes of the elections:  “The results of the last elections were a surprise for many. Natanyahu is now strengthened but it won't be easy for him to form a coalition because of the demands of the other right wing parties. There has been much discontent in Israel because of the social economical situation, so let us pray that this new government will be more sensitive to the needs of the people. A better social economical context would encourage the Jewish aliyah to Israel from the nations where Islamic fundamentalism has been rampant in the last few years. We also need prayer concerning the Ministry of the Interior that apparently will be controlled by the religious Shas party and more specifically by Arie Derry who was in jail because of fraud. This ministry may make life more difficult for Messianic believers here and for those who intend to make aliyah. For the first time, the Israeli Arabs were united and got over 10% of the seats in the Knesset. This scared many Israelis who gave the security issues first priority in these elections. As far as foreign affairs are concerned, the main challenges ahead will be the Iranian nuclear program and the bilateral relations between Israel and the USA.

Asher Intrater’s Revive Israel prayer letter sent a highlight write up from Dan Juster on the Tikkun Board meetings held last week in Israel.  Dan writes, “There has been a significant change in that the leadership authority is now based in Israel and flows from the works in the Land that were established through Asher Intrater and Eitan Shishkoff. Asher led and moderated our meetings together. The four senior overseers of Tikkun reside in Israel (myself, Asher, Eitan, and David Rudolph of Gateways Beyond). My son, Ben, the director of operations, is in the process of relocating to Israel to oversee the administrative work of the Tikkun support organization. … We came to clearer understanding of how the American based board serves the ministries in Israel, providing input and accountability. Our board members have both spiritual and practical wisdom to bring forth at these meetings.“

Israel Pochtar extends an opportunity to get involved in their Exodus Humanitarian Project, to bless impoverished people in their city of Ashdod with a food hamper and traditional Passover meal.  Time is running short so if you would like to participate, the time is now to donate. $20 will provide for 1 person and $100 for 5 people. Click to donate

Pretty much all of the ministries will be doing an outreach to the needy, the Holocaust survivors and others during Passover.  It’s a great time to help them reach out with the love of Yeshua.

We mentioned this last week but now we have an official announcement for Evan Levine of the HaTikva Project about their Jerusalem Dental Clinic.  They’ve secured their location and now can apply for a license while also renovating and updating the space.  This is going to be a major blessing to the Body of Messiah in Israel because of discounted dental services – and it will be a blessing as an openly Messianic outreach in Jerusalem too.  If you would like to know more about the dental clinic, or the HaTikva Project which is a Promise Keepers-affliated humanitarian effort in Israel, please see inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary

In the monthly ministry letter from the Arad Hebrew congregation, Hasdey Yeshua (Mercy of Yeshua) we are the details of how the congregation’s former pastor, Yo-yakim Figeuras stepped down last year in order to pursue his first calling to minister to the children and youth.  Now the congregation is led by a plurality of leaders, and Yo-yakim is thriving in his call to “train up a child in the way he should go.”  You will be interested to read the vision that is unfolding .  Read it inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary

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: 

Revive Israel requests prayer for Adam & Sari and their three young children (age 4 and under!), are a Messianic family living and serving in the south of Israel, as well as in Africa. Tragically, Sari (30 years old) has been diagnosed with cancer in the pancreas which has also spread to the liver–a very, very, very serious situation, especially for someone her age. They are presently with her family in the Jerusalem area for treatment; she is suffering terribly. Please pray with us for a miracle!

Israel Pochtar on Shelly’s medical situation:  We finally received news about Shelly. She has been diagnosed with a "Primitive neuroectodermal tumor" which is a serious and rare form of brain cancer.  Eitan and Shelly have been comforted and strengthened by the Holy Spirit and are experiencing much peace during this time. They are spending a lot of time in the Word and in prayer, and while they were both soaking in God's presence, Yeshua gave Eitan this word of power, "Not a hair on Shelly's head will be lost" (Luke 21:18).  They both have absolute assurance that God is in control and that Shelly has been healed by the stripes of Yeshua.  Thank you for praying faithfully for Shelly's medical situation. We really appreciate your love and concern.

Some of you know the ministry of Lance Lambert, who has been battling with serious health issues for months.  Intercessors for Israel have issued an update that Lance believes he is under a spiritual attack in these health issues and asks for prayers.  IFI also writes that “Many spiritual leaders in the land are facing spiritual attack as well as individual members of the body.”

Inside the subscription only Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
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Teaching Articles

The First Split by Asher Intrater

(A recap of the recent Tikkun Intl Ministries Leadership Council in Jerusalem)

We often pray for unity. To arrive at perfect unity, we must get to the root of division. Here is a fascinating question: what was the first division or split in the community of faith? Some say it was between Jew and Gentile. To be more exact, the first division was between Hebrew-speaking Jewish believers in Israel and the Greek-speaking Jewish immigrants and converts. (See Acts 2:5 – 11.)

Acts 6:1 In those days, when the number of disciples increased, the Greek-speaking Jews began to complain about the Hebrew speakers concerning their widows being left out of the daily distribution of aid.

The tensions between the two "sub-groups" had to do with two key topics: language and money. Which language would be used in discussions by those making the key decisions? What are the standards for distributing money donated to the community? Amazingly enough, these two issues are among the primary challenges affecting cooperation in our own congregations and ministries in Israel today.

We have a beautiful and loving unity between the pastors and partners at Tikkun International, Ahavat Yeshua, Tiferet Yeshua, Tents of Mercy, Revive Israel, Gateways Beyond, Paul Wilbur ministries and other friends. We met recently for four days of dialogue, sharing, prayer and decision making on administrative issues.

One question that constantly arose: what language do we use when we are together? If it is primarily the immigrants and internationals, then the language is English. If it is mostly the local Israeli group, then the language is Hebrew. But what happens when we have a mixed group? To what degree do we need to translate in our open congregational meetings?

When we have key strategic decisions to make concerning salaries, donations and expenses, what language should we use? What about the different standards of living in Israel and internationally? Should the expenditures be different? Who decides how the budget is allocated?

The language and the money have a lot to do in determining who has the authority and who is leading. As they struggled with issues of language and money in the first community of faith, so do we today. It wasn't easy 2,000 years ago—and it is not easy today.

If we can overcome these two tensions as the Apostolic community did in Acts 6, perhaps we can get to the miraculous revivals that we see in Acts 1 through 5. Please pray with us for wisdom.

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