WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 3/2/2016

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 Mar 2, 2016

Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

In Romans 11:17-18, the apostle Paul warns, "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the [natural] branches; but if you consider yourself superior, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you."

As more and more Christians from the nations come to recognition of our relationship to Israeli believers, is there a coming judgment among the arrogant believers in the nations who refuse to recognize this essential element of God's plan for our day? Isn't it true that if we are sons, then our Father will discipline us?  Is this true for our individual failings and not for our collective failings to righteously judge God's intentions toward Israel? 

Something to pray about as many Christian Western nations face the consequences of their choices.

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

We open this week with a report from the suburbs outside of Jesus' hometown of Nazareth - Nazareth Ilit.  Leon Mazin who leads the Return to Zion Center in Haifa, tells the story of their congregational plant in Nazareth Ilit, home to mostly Jews and since the 1990's numerous Russian-speaking immigrants. The Netzer HaGalil congregation - Branch of the Galilee - went through great challenges in its early years, but after a decade, the work has grown and established a great relationship in the city for its role in social services work.

Mazin writes, "Back in 2005, the local government’s perception of Christian missions and Messianic Jewish fellowships was quite negative. Therefore, the collaboration with representatives of the local council was a great encouragement for all of us. In a way, it was recognition of our work in Nazareth Illit. For a believer living in Europe or North America, it is probably hard to imagine that such an attitude would exist in our day. But in Israel, unfortunately, it has been the norm. ...The bottom line is that for many years the name of Yeshua has not been favorably regarded in Israel.  Nevertheless, our congregation continued to work in the community, bringing the message of the Messiah."  Continue reading the full article

Rachel Boskey writes about the ministry trip she and Avner made to India in the first half of February, their second since 2011.  She writes, "More than ten years ago I had a brief vision of looking out onto a large crowd of beautiful shining faces … the faces were intent, passionate and golden-brown.  In my vision I understood these were believers with fervor and love in their hearts.  At that time I didn’t understand the identity of the faces or the significance of what I had seen.  But I did sense the deep joy and pleasure of the Lord as I looked at those shining people.   When I was in India during the last two weeks I realized I had ‘seen’ these people in my vision many years ago.  Now I realize that Avner and I are walking in a plan and purpose the Lord has also prepared for us regarding a connection with the kingdom of God in India. . . . As believers among the nations align themselves with God’s purposes for Israel, they will be blessed. In this context the Lord has also sent us to India.  We are very thankful for the saints in India who are carrying Israel in their hearts before the Lord.  We are thankful to add to what the Lord is already doing among the believers there as they partner with the Lord in touching Israel."  Read more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

In writing about the Chinese and Arab Christians entering into covenantal commitment with Israeli Messianics Asher Intrater writes something profound:  "The 'Ruth calling' is not to be the exception but the rule, not something unusual but the norm, not the minority but the majority.  The understanding of Ruth as an “ecclesiological” parable would mean that Orpah ('one who turns her back') is no longer to represent the normative Christian with Ruth (perhaps meaning 'friend') as the exception; but rather that Ruth should represent a picture of ALL true Christians, with Orpah being the ungodly or unfaithful."   Read more in Ruth Ecclesiology and Esther Eschatology

Cody Archer, one of the ministry team members of Revive & Tikkun, offers this video teaching, Keys to Healing the Sick.  Archer shares personal stories of failures and successes in praying for the sick, and gives keys from scripture in seeing more breakthroughs.  The Revive Israel ministry also extends an invitation to join in their live streaming, annual Fast of Esther event on March 23. Watch the Esther Fast video for more information.

In the Mercy of Yeshua (Hasdey Yeshua) congregation in Arad, they are rejoicing for finally getting the much needed mini-bus for their growing ministry to children and youth.  Most of the young families they minister to do not own automobiles, so this transportation need is critical to them.   They are also asking for continued prayer for Polly Sigulim (Ark in Negev) who has finally returned after being hospitalized in the US prior to her scheduled return to Israel. Polly will undergo further medical tests back in Israel.  They also file a praise report on "Hussain" who was kicked out of his Bedouin community after coming to faith.  See more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Lura Beckford writes about Eddie's weight loss finally sending them to a health clinic where he learned he has an overactive thyroid which he is now on medications for. He also has a few nodules on his thyroid which may require surgery & they would appreciate prayers.  The Interior Ministry continues to resist Eddie's permanent resident status saying they are "investigating" Lura.  This has been going on since 2005 and causes great hardship on the couple. Lura writes, "The Ministry does this to a number of believers in hopes we will give up and leave Israel."  Meanwhile, she adds, "We are still distributing audio Bibles in various languages, and testimony books, etc.  We had a request from the Black Hebrews for 800 Bibles containing the Old and New Testaments, so that is a real breakthrough in that community!  What an encouragement!"  Read more inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Eddie Santoro passes another milestone in his journey back to health after the removal of a cancerous brain tumor. The doctor said the area around the removed tumor looks very good on his second MRI. The third MRI comes in another 2 months and they ask prayer: "Please join us in believing that it will only get better and declaring that this affliction will not return a second time. "By His stripes I am healed" and on this day; “I choose life!!!!”

Santoro adds, "As we have fought this good fight of faith for the past seven months, God in his redemptive mercy has done a deep work in us. We are understanding ever more clearly that He has also sent us out to heal the sick. (Matthew 10:8) And that healing is not dependent on us asking Him to do it. No!! We are filled with His spirit and we are called to touch others with His life and with His power that is already in us. It's not about getting more. When we were saved and born again we received the fullness of His life. No, the challenge for us is not getting more of His power, but learning to appreciate what is already in us and applying it when we pray for those who are in need."  Read more about their ministry in the hospitals inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

David Lazarus of Beit Immanuel in Jaffa writes about comforting a young immigrant believer who was distraught after her Ulpan (Hebrew) class told her, "You are not Jewish!"  Lazarus writes, "In Russia her family had lived, suffered and died as Jews. And now as she prepares to serve our people in the Israeli Defense Forces, she is no longer Jewish? Most of her family had escaped to Israel. They came because they were hated for being Jewish. They needed to come back home, to the land where they could live as Jews among Jews."

He continues, "I explained to Marina that in Israel we need to be strong. We must stand up for what we believe, and we cannot allow rejection by our own people to cause us to withdraw. It is our destiny, as the first generation of Jewish followers of Jesus, to demonstrate to our people the real Jesus, Messiah of Israel, and savior of the world. We must resist assimilation and boldly affirm our Jewish heritage as it is fulfilled by faith in Yeshua.  I pointed out that while our desire to live as a Jews is honorable, it cannot be used as an excuse to avoid being called 'stranger' by our people."

But Lazarus has good news to report too:  "God Removing the Veil  |  This week one of the young girls in our youth group was awarded 'Best Soldier' upon completing basic training in the IDF. Excitedly. she told us that two of the five soldiers selected for the honor were Messianic Jews! We have 9 young soldiers now serving in the IDF, including an officer. Our young people continue to be a powerful testimony to Israel that Yeshua is Messiah."  Learn more about the Beit Immanuel ministries inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Eric Benson of the House of Victory substance abuse rehab in the Carmel Assembly network writes how the context of the almond tree passage of Jeremiah 1:11 is a clear warning coming judgment:  "As the Lord is faithful to perform His Word so too must His servants be faithful." Continuing, "One of His gracious promises is to cleanse us from our sins. He wants to wash us with the water of His Word, and make us holy. As this prophetic event unfolds, the Name of the Lord will be made holy. This miraculous event will get the attention of the nations. The ends of the earth will receive revelation that the Lord is God. This end time process will help to usher in His Kingdom. It is awesome to ponder that the House of Victory is actively participating in the these Biblical promises."

Inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary, Benson shares some of the praise reports of men they have been working with who have been placed on the Rock of our faith, and also how volunteers from the nations are participating in these miracles.  Also get the prayer points - all of which we are holding back in Arrows, as it is too sensitive for publication on the web.

Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem has a really encouraging word this week on their expectation that the children, teens and young adults of the Israeli believers are being prepared by God for the salvation of Israel.  He writes, "Believing Israeli children who are not only being well-behaved kids who honor their parents—but little ones who have believed personally in their Messiah and Savior Yeshua, have been anointed by Ruach haKodesh (“Holy Spirit/Wind”), are sharing with their friends at school, having dreams and visions, writing songs of praise and worship, forming worship bands and ministering before the Lord each week, are, like Joshua “a young man” (Ex. 33:11) developing such a hunger for the presence of God that they will stay behind, even when their elders have departed (Ex. 33:7-11; It was this which prepared him carrying the army of God into the battles of the Promised Land forty years down the road).  Something is calling to the young people in Israel—and like Samuel, they are aware that He knows them by name—and are responding. "

Exciting? For sure. Read examples just from their own neighborhood in Jerusalem inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary. Also how to pray.

Shani Ferguson of Yeshua Israel writes, "If you watch a variety of Christian shows about Israel, you might honestly believe that the greatest prayer need in Israel lies somewhere between the 6th trumpet blast and the rebuilding of the third temple. I mean no disrespect, since any attempt by Christians to bring Israel to God’s attention is greatly appreciated by both Him and us Jews! Yet, I can only assume the reason these things become the focus of prayer is because, although Christians worldwide get tremendous insight from the Bible, they often lack updated information to make their prayers for Israel more specific and relevant to the times. The quickest way to overcome this problem is simply to go to the best source for things going on in modern day Israel – Israeli believers."

Shani provides prayer points for the nation and also for the Ferguson's in their various ministry endeavors inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary

Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue

Please see inside the attached DOCX Weekly Summary to keep in prayer the Israeli ministry leaders and believers with urgent health needs including the fight for their very lives: 

Rick Ridings pregnant daughter, Esther Moore; David O., Eddie Beckford, Polly Siglium; David Davis; an unnamed forefather of Messianic Judaism; Ruth Nessim; Eddie Santoro;  Evan Levine; Rachel Slater; Judy, wife of pastor Yaakov K; Moshe Morrison;  Shelly wife of pastor Eitan; Claude Ezagouri; Patti, wife of Dan Juster; Baruch and Karen Maayan; Michael E (see update below) and unnamed Israel-related ministers.  Pray also for Ghazi, the son of an Arab pastor, who is suffering from Leukemia. Tal Bass.

Eddie Santoro UPDATE:  There is “improvement” from the previous MRI two months ago....the area surrounding the original tumor was cancer free and healthy looking. Halleluyah!!!!  We are running a non-stop marathon, though, and not a sprint. We successfully ran two laps since the original surgery and now we are onto the third. The next MRI is in two months. Please join us in believing that it will only get better and declaring that this affliction will not return a second time. "By His stripes I am healed" and on this day; “I choose life!!!!”

As we have fought this good fight of faith for the past seven months, God in his redemptive mercy has done a deep work in us. We are understanding ever more clearly that He has also sent us out to heal the sick. (Matthew 10:8) And that healing is not dependent on us asking Him to do it. No!! We are filled with His spirit and we are called to touch others with His life and with His power that is already in us. It's not about getting more. When we were saved and born again we received the fullness of His life. No, the challenge for us is not getting more of His power, but learning to appreciate what is already in us and applying it when we pray for those who are in need.

Teaching Articles

Ruth Ecclesiology and Esther Eschatology (Part I) 

Asher Intrater  in Jerusalem
Revive Israel Ministries and Tikkun International

"....A group of Chinese and international leaders, coordinated by David Demian, held a vision for bringing a large number of Christians to worship the Lord in Jerusalem.  This 'Global Gathering' took place in November 2014 and was called '822' – taken from Zechariah 8:22, describing “many peoples and huge nations coming to seek YHVH of hosts in Jerusalem…”  Indeed, the International Convention Center in Jerusalem was filled during this historic event. 

"David Demian, himself is an Egyptian Arab, a physician, who lived and practiced many years in Canada.  There was wide representation not only from East Asian churches and Western churches, but also Arab Christians.  The leadership team included several who have long served the “Isaiah 19 highway” vision, which seeks spiritual revival in the Middle East as well as reconciliation between Arabs and Jews, as indicated in the prophecies of Isaiah 19:23-25.

"At that conference, and in subsequent 'Global Gatherings,' some of us as part of the Messianic Jewish leadership in Israel came on the stage and led a time of honoring our Arab Christian brothers and sisters, as well as kneeling down in repentance for our own sins of pride and unfaithfulness.  The result was rather shocking, as the Arab Christians were deeply touched by the display of love and humility; almost stunned to find themselves being blessed by Messianic Jews.  

"David responded by leading the entire international community represented there (including Chinese and Arabs) in a 'Ruth' covenantal vow to the Jewish people, that 'Your people will be my people' (Ruth 1:16).  I felt this moment to be an historic turning point.  Until now, those who had a 'Ruth calling' were seen only as those minority Christians whom the Lord had touched with a special love and loyalty to the Jewish people.

"Because of the involvement of both Chinese and Arab Christians in this covenantal commitment, a spiritual shift is taking place.  The 'Ruth calling' is not to be the exception but the rule, not something unusual but the norm, not the minority but the majority.  The understanding of Ruth as an “ecclesiological” parable would mean that Orpah ('one who turns her back') is no longer to represent the normative Christian with Ruth (perhaps meaning 'friend') as the exception; but rather that Ruth should represent a picture of ALL true Christians, with Orpah being the ungodly or unfaithful."    Read the article in full

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