Arrows from Zion
Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001
& Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001
& Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
Priority Prayer Focus June 17, 2015
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may nowh receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. . . .Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Roman 11:28-32, 12:1-2
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may nowh receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. . . .Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Roman 11:28-32, 12:1-2
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
Arrows from Zion Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel
Volunteering with the
Messianic believers while you are in Israel is a huge blessing – to them and to
yourself! We start this week with one
opportunity to do so for those looking for a 3 to 6 month volunteer
opportunity. AND this opportunity comes
from the first ever entirely Messianic village of Yad
Hashmona, a moshav community of believers set in the Judean hills of Israel
close to Jerusalem. There is a great
Guest House and meeting facility as well as a Biblical Village attraction. If this is something you want to know more
about See more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary
Ruth Nessim, who along with
her late Jewish husband Albert were among the first pioneers of the faith in
Israel, has received health news that needs the prayers of the saints. Ruth has been diagnosed with Lymphatic cancer
and begins her treatment on June 29th. If you know this lady, or have read her
prayer letters, you know she is quite upbeat no matter what she’s facing, and
that she openly extends the love of Yeshua to everyone she meets. You can read more of her ministry letter inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary –
also see the Urgent HEALING Needs section on how to pray for Ruth.
Ruth ministers to many
Arabs, even entering the West Bank as often as she can to visit with contacts
there including ABDM, whom she always requests prayers for. This Arab man is seriously ill at only 40
years old and cannot afford proper food, much less medicines. Please read Ruth’s prayer letter this week as
she skips lightly over her own health issues and continues to press toward the
mark of her high calling in the Messiah.
With a week to go before the
matching fund deadline ran out, Ron Cantor reports that the ministry received
commitments for the $35,000 they needed – and which will be matched by another
donor – to build a Coffee House/Prayer Center in Tel Aviv! Praise the Lord – and may God mightily use
this facility to touch Israelis who need Yeshua.
Ron has also been re-writing
his popular book Identity Theft this
time in Hebrew with Israelis in mind. He
is offering a sample read (in English) of the new book with Israeli characters
and setting. You can read
that excerpt here
Ronit Bender has settled
into life in another new apartment and shares about the ministry she is
involved with through the House of Victory rehab as they travel to Tel Aviv
weekly to work with the Aviv ministry to substance abusers and the sex-abused
on the streets of Tel Aviv. It is a
heart wrenching field of ministry, but Ronit reports, “My heart rejoices as
Yeshua changes one life at the time! We see much ugliness each week, but
travelling in the van with Eric Benson and the team from House of Victory is a
highlight, as we worship and praise and pray all the way. We do the same thing
going home. It helps me to cope with the horrible things I see.”
Ronit also works with teens,
especially the Druze. Read more of this
lady who has put herself “all in” for sharing the good news in her
homeland. See more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary
Joel Jelski, a prayer and
worship leader with the 24/7 Succat Hallel ministry, has had several
opportunities to go into Turkey to minister over the last several years. He notes the big shift seen in the elections
in Turkey a few weeks ago. “…we saw a
country that was on the rapid course to Islamization and dictatorship. But we
believe that through prayer, something there has shifted, and God is keeping
the doors open to Turkey for now, after it looked like soon, the doors would
maybe close (especially for us coming from Israel). Turkey is still the largest
unreached Muslim nation in the world, and is also a gateway into much of the
Middle East. There are amazing things
happening there right now, we need to continue to pray for these doors to
remain open for missionaries and freedom to share the gospel, especially the
refugees there. For a good read on the subject about the political
significance, you can click HERE.
Joel, along with the rest of
the Succat Hallel team which is led by Rick Ridings, are gearing up for the
annual ELAV youth and young adult event which is to be held in Jerusalem this
year, July 8-10. Watch the promotional video in English
here. Joel has other news – his wife is
soon to give birth to their first child, and his younger brother is blossoming
as part of their congregational youth worship team at Ahavat Yeshua (Love of
Yeshua). There is even an opportunity to
bless this young teen who plays guitar but does not even own a guitar of his
own. Find our more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary
Rick Ridings also sent out a
letter on HOW TO PRAY FOR THE ELAV 2015 event.
You can access all his prayer points inside
the attached DOCX Weekly Summary and it you would like to sponsor a Jewish
or Arab young person who desires to attend, you can find how to do that at their website
Avi Mizrachi of Adonai Roi
Congregation and the Dugit Coffeehouse Outreach notes that 3 Million Pilgrims
from all over the world came to visit and tour the Land of Israel last
year. Why? “We have come to walk the
land that Jesus walked.” Actually, you
can do more than walk where Jesus walked long ago when you visit Israel,
because of the almost 20,000 Messianic believers in Israel today, you can come
and see how Jesus is walking among the “Living Stones” today as they minister
to their countrymen. Read more of Avi’s article here.
The Dugit building project
is just over the half-way point, having raised $600,000 of their 1.2 million
goal. The importance of this project is
that this is not just a remodeling project, but they are seeking to purchase
their own facility. So often in Israel
the ministries and the individual believers are forced to move often from their
rented facilities and homes. A lot of it comes from pressure that some
religious activists put on landlords.
This is a problem that is only resolved when the ministry or believer is
in a position to purchase their home, apt or building facility. This is an excellent way to invest in Israel,
to help ministries and believers put down deeper roots into the soil of Israel
through donations. Learn more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary
Ari Sorko-Ram, along with
three over Israeli pastors held a special conference with a number of prominent
Asian Christian leaders on God’s Last Day plan for Israel and its irrevocable
call to be a light to the nations. The
ministry writes, “As the number of Christians in the Far East is multiplying
every day, these Christians have the opportunity to have a part in fulfilling
the promises of God that as Israel awakens it will be truly life from the dead
for the world. (Hebrews 11)”
Maoz Ministries also notes the return of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel asking prayers: “Many Israelis fear another war close at hand, and all the implications from it. Please PRAY for God to continue protecting our land and our people. PRAY that He redirects every missile launched towards populated areas to fall in open spaces so that there is no damage to people or property. PRAY for wisdom for our leaders on what to do to prevent Hamas from rearming, as they have been doing ever since the ceasefire went into effect last August.”
Israel Pochtar, whose
congregation in Ashdod is very close to Gaza and the missles that come flying
willy-nilly out of there, reports that progress is being made on the
renovations of their congregational bomb shelter – which has been made possible
by the prayers and support of the saints.
During the war last summer, it was impossible for the women and children
to attend worship services because there was literally no place of protection
for them. Now all that is changing
thanks to donations from the nations.
You can see and read more inside
the attached DOCX Weekly Summary
The Messianic congregation in Kfar Saba, HaMaayan led by Tony Sperandeo has also been working on their congregational bomb shelter. Prayer intercessor and congregational liasion, Sally Shiff writes, “God has been so faithful to provide for our needs for our bomb shelter/ youth center. As you know, we are trying to purchase the rest of the entire building, but our first stage is the basement. We know that the next war is inevitable, and can come at any time, and we want to be prepared. We are so close financially, yet have another $50,000 to go.”
Sally writes about some of
the recent highlights of congregation life – Baptisms in the Sea of Galilee, a
weekend youth retreat, a seminar of forgiveness conducted by Orna Greenman’s
ministry and a special evening for single mothers and widows. You can read more, including the
congregations specific prayer requests inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary
Finally, we have a word from
Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem on the beginning of Ramadan, Thursday June 18th. Martin notes that Ramadan means “intense
scorching heat”. He writes, “One
Muslim hadith declares that "When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates
of Paradise are opened and the gates of [Hell-] Fire are closed and the devils
are chained." But of course the opposite is true! During this time in
which fervent fasting and worship to another god is taking place, the demonic
is given reign, and great turbulence may be stirred up in the heavenlies over
those nations. Pray for protection over Israel during this month-that the
Body of Messiah here (and throughout the world) would be sober-minded, alert
and attentive to the direction of the Holy Spirit.” See more
inside the attached DOCX 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:
- Ruth Nessim for malignant Lymphoma, cancer of the Lymphatic System.
- A forefather of the Messianic Movement (who shall remain nameless) whose health continues to deteriorate
- Ron Cantor’s mother-in-love for pending heart and back surgeries
-Thank God for Marc Chopinsky’s successful TURP surgery and quick recovery
Teaching Articles
By Asher Intrater Revive Israel & Tikkun Int’l
Jerusalem
A Spiritual Perspective on Current Events
IDENTITY ISSUES By Donna Diorio
Apparently Identity Politics also creates wannabe’s – people who reject their authentic identity to become identified as something they are not. Olympic medalist Bruce Jenner recently traded his male identity in for a female identity – and since the LGBT movement is a cause célèbre for the “enlightened” Jenner’s rejection of the sex God made him is applauded by those outside of Biblical faith.
We have also witnessed a rise in those who lie about
incidents or circumstances in their lives in order to identify themselves as
campus rape victims who are not even ashamed when the facts emerge that they
were not raped.
They are not shamed because the ‘politics’ of their lie was motivated by a desire to give evidence of a non-existent “crisis” of rape on US campus.
Speaking of US campuses, these are the breeding place of the anti-Jew, anti-Israel movement that is being instigated and propelled forward primarily by Muslim Students associations that are in reality of the American radical Islamist network. Their appeal on American campuses is great because the cast themselves in a victim role – an essential element of Identity Politics – while casting Israel in an aggressor role. In Identity Politics, it is necessary for the victim to identify a victimizer, and with complete disregard for the facts to paint their ‘enemy’ as devilish.
Identity Politics claim the high ground of social justice – it’s just not Biblical social justice, but a God-less version of justice that is not intellectually honest with the facts.
They are not shamed because the ‘politics’ of their lie was motivated by a desire to give evidence of a non-existent “crisis” of rape on US campus.
Speaking of US campuses, these are the breeding place of the anti-Jew, anti-Israel movement that is being instigated and propelled forward primarily by Muslim Students associations that are in reality of the American radical Islamist network. Their appeal on American campuses is great because the cast themselves in a victim role – an essential element of Identity Politics – while casting Israel in an aggressor role. In Identity Politics, it is necessary for the victim to identify a victimizer, and with complete disregard for the facts to paint their ‘enemy’ as devilish.
Identity Politics claim the high ground of social justice – it’s just not Biblical social justice, but a God-less version of justice that is not intellectually honest with the facts.
I’m a believer in what we witness happening in our
society is a reflection of a spiritual issue within the Body of the Lord. Now don't go crazy on me here, but
considering the major blow up being discussed by the political Left and Right
over the white woman, Rachel Dolezal, who as the prominent head of the Spokane
NAACP was passing herself off as black, what might that be saying to us is occurring
spiritually among the Church?
Maybe nothing, but personally I believe that the IDENTITY issue may be the spiritual issue that God is putting His finger on right now. For example among those Christians, many Millennials who have aligned themselves with the Identity Politics of radical Islamists claiming to be Davids fight Goliath.
In the specific case of Rachel Dolezal, a naturally blonde woman of Swedish, German, Czech heritage who has been passing herself as a black woman, how have her lies discredited the claim that black in America is still a horrible racially victimized experience? Do her lies, and the willingness of those in politics, news media and racial grievance movements to accept even her lying to them, have anything to say to us in the Church spiritually?
Since I have moved primarily in Messianic circles for the past two decades, the Rachel Dolezal incident reminded me of the many Christians that come to stand by the Jews who believe in Jesus and end up becoming so enamored of all things Jewish they being to transform their own identities into a Jewish identity. Since the most obviously Jewish in appearance are Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox, I have personally seen many Christians go full-tilt frum after joining a Messianic congregation. If there is a spiritual reflection of the Rachel Dolezal incident, I would have to say it is the Christians who have traded their God-given identity out of a desire to identify as Jewish. This does not serve God’s purposes.
Maybe nothing, but personally I believe that the IDENTITY issue may be the spiritual issue that God is putting His finger on right now. For example among those Christians, many Millennials who have aligned themselves with the Identity Politics of radical Islamists claiming to be Davids fight Goliath.
In the specific case of Rachel Dolezal, a naturally blonde woman of Swedish, German, Czech heritage who has been passing herself as a black woman, how have her lies discredited the claim that black in America is still a horrible racially victimized experience? Do her lies, and the willingness of those in politics, news media and racial grievance movements to accept even her lying to them, have anything to say to us in the Church spiritually?
Since I have moved primarily in Messianic circles for the past two decades, the Rachel Dolezal incident reminded me of the many Christians that come to stand by the Jews who believe in Jesus and end up becoming so enamored of all things Jewish they being to transform their own identities into a Jewish identity. Since the most obviously Jewish in appearance are Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox, I have personally seen many Christians go full-tilt frum after joining a Messianic congregation. If there is a spiritual reflection of the Rachel Dolezal incident, I would have to say it is the Christians who have traded their God-given identity out of a desire to identify as Jewish. This does not serve God’s purposes.
You know how anti-missionaries use the false
accusation against Messianic Jews who believe in Yeshua that they are not
really Jews? Well I am just wondering out loud how much of that has credibility
with unbelieving Jews because of all the Gentile Christians who are wannbe Jews
in the Messianic movement? Those who have taken on Jewish identities, instead
of being what God made them to be: Gentile Christians who stand by the Jewish
Body of Messiah completely?
Do we not have
the same identity issues are Rachel Dolezal? Personally I
believe that Christians who trade their identity in to self-identify as Jewish
are not advancing the plan of God for the Messianic community in the redemption
of "all Israel" and are not only hurting the credibility of Messianic
Jews to the Jewish people, but also to the Church that has not yet recognized
our place is to stand by the believers of Jesus in EVERY nation, including -
and at this hour, especially - ISRAEL.
Now I understand how we started down this road in the
Messianic movement, because the fledgling Messianic congregations needed the
help and support of Christians within their congregations, yet also wanted it
to look authentically Jewish to the Jewish people who came in. Fine.
That day is over. It is time to move on to be authentic in our identities as Jew
and Gentile in the Messiah. One way that will help, I believe, is for more
Christians to understand God's purpose for the Church in the redemption of
Israel.
Israeli Ministries on Tours | BOOKING meetings now (See open dates) Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for David and Karen Davis of Kehilat HaCarmel and
Carolyn & Richard Hyde of Heart of God Ministries
The Israeli Messianic Marketplace Feature of the Week:
Rave Reviews are already flowing
in to Israelprayer
for the
newly released CD by
Paul Wilbur
REVIVE
The Classics of Messianic Worship by Lamb & Israel’s Hope recorded
anew by Paul Wilbur
Get it online at
wilburministries.com
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.
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
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
No comments:
Post a Comment