WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 7/22/2015

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 July 22, 2015

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"   Romans 8:28-32

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

Eitan Shishkoff who leads the Tents of Mercy network of congregations in northern Israel begins with a good word for troubling times: "True, the world is getting darker and appears to be coming to an end as we know it.  So?  What is our alternative to sighing, crying, complaining, and escaping?"  He looks to account of the 12 spies Moses sent into the Promised Land where only "two courageous men who saw the situation through the eyes of faith."  Our challenge, of course, is to be numbered among those two and not the majority who are seeing primarily the growing darkness.

Shishkoff writes, " The obstacles facing us are well documented.  The question is, will we respond as Caleb and Joshua, who focused on the glorious inheritance before them (while not denying the severe problems) or will we be like the ten spies who complained bitterly, resenting their place in His-story?" It is our decision.

Among Shishkoff's prayer requests, available inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary Summer Activities for Children and Youth ;  Summer Travel for Eitan and his sons; Annual Arab-Jewish believers' Gathering in the Galilee.  Also a praise report: Thanks to the labors of Berin Gilfillan, International School of Ministry's founding director, the core of my book on the Gentiles end-time calling in Israel's revival  [What About Us?] is now on video. Please pray that the teachings will impact hearts for Israel among the 70 nations where they'll be distributed.

Maoz Ministries quotes Israeli Prime Minister on the US & EU treaty with Iran: "The world is a much more dangerous place today than it was yesterday."  They also write, "As far as Israel is concerned, President Obama betrayed our nation, and also the moderate Arab countries in the Middle East, who now fear that Iran will become a regional threat.  According to PM Netanyahu, who delivered a powerful speech blasting the signed agreement, Israel is not and will not be bound by this deal, keeping her right to defend herself against Iran, assuring our continual existence here."

The Maoz writer continues, "While we know that the Word of God predicts unimaginable destruction on our planet before Yeshua's return, it is just mind boggling to actually see the free world give in to evil powers, who don't even try to disguise their intents. Israel is the first target on the enemy's list, because of their belief that if Israel no longer exists, taking over the rest of the world will be a piece of cake. So what can we do but ask for your prayers?  PRAY for protection for Israel."  See more specific prayer points inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Arni Klein of Emmaus Way also writes about the Iran Deal:  "As many of you, we have followed the reports and analysis and explanations of the agreement just signed with Iran.  Does it make sense to agree to a twenty-four day notice before making any inspections? Twenty-four hours would be too much.  Do we really need any more information to evaluate the nature of the deal?" 

In fact, the former IAEA deputy director (Intl Atomic Energy Agency), Olli Heinonen, a 27-year veteran of the IAEA until 2009 said, the delay of inspections of suspect Iranian nuclear sites for up to 24 days will facilitate cheating by Tehran on the nuclear deal reached in Vienna.

Klein writes of the shouts by the Iranian president and millions of Iranians proclaiming “Death to America…Death to Israel.' They openly say they want to kill you and you shake hands and trust they will uphold their end of the agreement?"   He notes that we have just left the 3-week period in Jewish history known as the "dire straits" and on Friday, July 25th the 9th of Av, also a historic date of destruction in Jewish history will be marked.  For more information on these things, please read more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary, including how the ministry is hosting Galilee Worship Gatherings with small groups from the nations coming to dedicate themselves for concentrated times of worship and prayer before the Lord.

Sally Shiff is the chief intercessor and liaison for the Hamaayan congregation in Kfar Saba, led my Tony Sperandeo.  Shiff also addresses the chaos in the world, including the Iran treaty that so threatens Israel and the entire Middle East.  Her prayer points cover a lot of ground of concern to most of the Israelis, also noting: 

"Pray for us Believers in the land, against the schemes of the enemy that is rising up in our congregations.  Those of us, on the “ground” are experiencing a great deal of spiritual attack, especially our leaders.  The attack is coming from inside our congregations, and outside our walls, directed at us to knock us down with no strength left to fight. Pray for the strengthening of the leaders, the congregation, and the fear of God to override the fear of man, and the fear of the future and the unknown."
Read the complete list of prayer requests inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem addresses how Iran observed "Quds Day" (Jerusalem Day) on Friday July 10th to demonstrate against Israel's presence in the Holy Land.  He pinpoints the reason for the opposition: "Because YHVH, the covenant God of Israel, has declared  that His Son—His Anointed (Messiah, Christ)—will one day reign over all nations from a throne on the Mountain in Jerusalem, dark spiritual powers with controlling influence over nations stir up rage and plots against that day coming into being (Psalm 2).  They focus especially against the people of Israel (Jacob), whom God has chosen to be custodians of that land and to one day worship Him together upon that Mountain (Ezekiel 20:40).  Their abhorrence of the word “Zion” and anything linked with it (Zionism, Zionist) is certainly linked to the fact that the LORD God of Heaven, whom they hate and fear, has proclaimed and decreed  to “set My King on My holy hill of Zion." Read more about "Quds Day" activities in Sarvis' ministry letter including specific prayer points inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Like Netanyahu said earlier today of the Iran Deal: Sometimes the entire world is wrong.  Yet those who follow the Yeshua are the Remnant within the nations, like the 2 spies among the 10 fearful and disbelieving spies. We must keep out Heavenly vision!  

Yad Hashmona is the first Messianic moshav (village) that also operates a lodge and meeting facility on the grounds.  It is located just outside of Jerusalem and has a devloping community where believers can live among fellow believers.  Often the site of annual gatherings for Israel's Messianic believers, the general secretary, Ayelet Ronen reports that the recent Shavuot/Pentacost drew 1500 believers from all across Israel.  A good time was had by all.

But all is not a rosy picture - the village is grappling with a failing sewer system and problems with the electric company ("the neighboring Channel 2 TV station suddenly objecting to the electric company increasing the power output for our village").  Also, in recent years a dangerous new terrorist tool has developed as in the extremely dry areas - arson as a terror attack.  Ayelet writes, that " In the past 2 weeks, the fire department had to stop 5 fires in our surrounding mountains."  Molotov cocktails are thrown over the security fence into the Israeli side burning through the low, dry shrubbery very fast and on to the higher trees.  Yad Hashmona is only about 6 kilometers from the security fence.  Please pray over this dangerous and damaging situation, and for the utility issues of the village.

On the bright side, many Israelis are coming to Yad Hashmona  to take tours of their Biblical garden where they hear about Yeshua through their guided tours.  Please pray for the good seed being planted as Yad Hashmona see daily growth in groups taking their tour.  Read more about the great things taking place in this Messianic village inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Ron Cantor sends a really heartwarming testimony about a Jewish man who read his book, Identity Theft, just before he passed on to the LORD.  In fact the man passed into eternity while hugging the book to his chest, his nephew reports.  Cantor has re-written the book exchanging an American Jewish lead character to an Israeli lead character and translating the book into Hebrew for free distribution in Israel. 

Ron writes, "Let me be clear—this book has already brought Jewish people to faith. It will bring Israelis to faith as well, once it is in Hebrew. Believers all over the country will be able to offer it free of charge to their friends, family and coworkers. I just need your help to get it translated."  Find out how you can help inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Ronit Bender is a recent widow who continues in her dedication to minister in many directions to the people of Israel - including those who are not Jewish.  Back in the Druze village with the young people who come annually to volunteer from the Faroe Islands, they ministered among the Druze village and also the African kids in the Carmel Assembly shelter.  Ronit is also a regular in the ministry down in Tel Aviv to drug addicts with the House of Victory.  This latter is a very tough ministry endeavor, as it is so heartbreaking to see the condition of people so addicted and living on the streets at such a low level. Pray for Ronit, and in all her personal ministries that God will give her favor, grace and anointing.  See more from Ronit inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Israel Pochtar is excited to share that a church in Texas has agreed to provide 50% of the total cost of their new congregational building in Ashdod.  Along with the 20% they have already saved and set aside, this means they have just to raise the remaining 30% of the total cost.  That is really a great news that you can read more about inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary.  You will also read that the Orthodox are opposing the building sale.  Please pray over this tremendous spiritual attack.

Pochtar sums up by writing, "We are running the final stretch of the race and approaching our biggest miracle yet! We believe that this building is God's will for us and that very soon we'll stand in our new sanctuary worshipping God for all that He's done!  God bless you and thank you for your prayers and support."

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: 

           Eitan Shishkoff submits these next three ministry leaders for healing prayer: 
           Matthew Rudolph, who directs our sister ministry, Gateways Beyond, just went through emergency surgery for a kidney stone.  Let's pray him back to full health in time for his brother's wedding!

           Moshe Morrison, treasured elder statesman of Messianic Judaism and founding elder of Tents of Mercy has been dealing with excruciating back pain due to a sciatica nerve problem.  I am asking for concentrated intercession to free Moshe from this debilitating condition

           Marc Chopinsky is one of the true fathers of Messianic praise and worship and our worship overseer at Tents of Mercy.  For the last number of months Marc has suffered from a prostate ailment that recently received surgical treatment.  His recovery and the full recovery of his vital functions has been incomplete.  I'm upset that he is still in discomfort.  Please join me in praying this dear servant of God past all the physiological hassles and into full health. 
             Avi Mizrachi will undergo gallbladder surgery Thursday, July 23rd.  Pray for success with the operation and for a quick recovery after the surgery. Pray for the Lord's hand to cover every aspect of the procedure and also for the peace of God to rest upon Avi, Chaya and the whole family.

              Nastya, the 16 year old girl in the Acco Harvest of Asher congregation is diagnosed with leukemia, has begun treatment. Please continue to pray for her.  Also from Guy Cohen's congregation, pray for Irena in the hospital with a condition of the auto immune system. Pray for her physical healing and God's direction for her life.
               Ruth Nessim of the Nahariya Fellowship: Concerning my health, the news is good. I do not need chemotherapy, and can be treated biologically. I am still doing all kinds of tests, but the doctor assured me that the prognosis is good, and this Lymphoma is easily treatable. Still it will need months of hospital visits and treatments, and patience, so I would value your prayers.
                 Please pray for one of the forefathers of the Messianic movement who shall remain nameless, as his health continues to deteriorate.  And for his wife and family, that his wife receives the help she needs to care for him as he is less able.
                 Ron Cantor requests prayer for his mother in law whose back surgery was postponed as doctors discovered she heart surgery first.  She is preparing to get a pacemaker very soon and at 70 years old, any surgery is quite overwhelming emotionally.  Pray for peace, and for perfect surgeries to extend her life and comfort.

Teaching Articles

THE ONENESS OF GOD  |  VIDEO  |  In this message Asher speaks on the oneness of God and his plan to bring the creation back into its original purpose. Part of this plan includes Israel and the church becoming one, which will give birth to the kingdom of God upon the earth.

FINISHING THE RACE WELL By Patty Juster | When my father was retired, he used to watch TV almost all day and did practically nothing with his life that had any purpose.  I asked him one day why he no longer cared about how he spent his time and he responded with these words: "Life has a way of beating you down." 

Praying the Headlines

In case you missed it last week I want to repeat my short article on the uptick in religious persecution of believers in Israel.  Read it online A Word on Religious Persecution of Israeli Believers

Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Asher Intrater of Revive Israel; Orna Grinman of A Sign & A Wonder; Kobi & Shani Ferguson of Yeshua Israel; Carolyn & Richard Hyde of Heart of God.

The Israeli Messianic Marketplace 
Feature of the Week:

Daniel Juster: After reading the Miracles, I concluded that this is the most important work ever written on the case for contemporary miracles.

Over twenty years ago, Dr. Keener would travel from Philadelphia to teach at our school in Maryland, Messiah Biblical Institute. Dr. Keener is a world renowned scholar and today serves as professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He embraces the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit and has a Messianic Jewish theological orientation as reflected in his monumental commentaries. A few years ago Dr. Keener accepted my urging to be part of the new Messianic Jewish Bible translation called The Tree of Life Version, and he still serves the Messianic Jewish movement.

Read more here.

Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
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Inside the subscription only Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
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